IKEA is all set to unveil the IKEA STAR DESIGNER winner

IKEA is excited to announce the first ever‘IKEA STAR DESIGNER’contest winner on October 24^th, 2012. The competition was launched in August this year in conjunction with the much anticipated release of the new IKEA Catalogue.

Participants were cheered and encouraged to log onto the speciallycreated IKEA STAR DESIGNER website and register themselves with pictures of their most inspired bedroom or living room design, infused with vibrant textiles and in compliance with the IKEA Catalogue theme “Living with Textiles”.  IKEA website had a total no. of 22,395 visitors and746 enthusiastic contenders submitted their designs duringthe registration period from August 26th to September 17th, 2012.

John Kersten, Managing Director, IKEA says, “With IKEA STAR DESIGNER contest, we wanted to offer a chance to the creative talent in UAE to express and build a space that reflects their personality using colorful and inventive textiles that are zestful and lively. IKEA has been passionate about introducing innovative and creative ideas to make the spaces look dynamic and was looking for somebody who possesses the same zest and enthusiasm. We are overwhelmed with the responses received from across UAE and eagerly looking forward to declare the voters choice”

The IKEA STAR DESIGNER panel of judges comprises of 6 highly qualified experts in home furnishing and interior designs. In the first round, the panel short-listed 4 lucky finalists who were invited to the IKEA stores in Dubai & Abu Dhabi to redesign a room-seteither living room or bedroom using textiles or other embellishments, depending on the creativedesigns they had initially submitted during the registration phase.

“It was a tough decision to pick the finest talents from the entries received as their designs were very inspiring and original. We were looking for a talent who had a strong flair for individualistic styles combined with expediency”, added Mile Franicevic, General Manager, IKEA.

The 4shortlisted finalists are- Cecilia Lorenzo and Nino Allen Lalisan from Abu Dhabi & Fares Dagher and WardaMorad from Dubai. These creative participantsfrom Abu Dhabi & Dubai were given the opportunity to showcase their design talents live in the store on Saturday, 29th September & Monday, 1st October respectively.

Images & videos of all four participants designing their room sets have been uploaded onto the IKEA STAR DESIGNER website.  Viewers can simply log onto www.IKEASTARDESIGNER.com and register themselves to vote for their favourite participant for IKEA STAR DESIGNER. The voting is open until October 23, 2012.

On Wednesday, 24^th October the title of first ever IKEA STAR DESIGNER together with a grand prize of AED20,000 in IKEA vouchers will be awarded to the ultimate winnerreceivingthe most number of votes.  All three runners up will receive consolation prizes of AED2,500 in IKEA vouchers.  Viewers that register to vote will also be entered into a draw to win fantastic prizes from IKEA.