After entering the Laura Ashley Inspired Design Competition in June 2010, Phillip and Jennifer were awarded First Prize in the Professional Category.

The brief was to design a formal drawing room, a kitchen with dining space and an adjoining living area. The fictitious clients were a retired couple who had previously worked as a florist and banker and had young grandchildren who would occasionally come to stay.

Given this brief, the assumption was made that the couple lived in a large house by the coast and had previously used traditional style Laura Ashley floral fabrics in gold and red. They wanted to update to a fresher look. A scheme was envisaged based on the concept of 'winter sea' and a classic look created with a modern twist using a palette of greys, taupes, teal and duck egg. Contemporary white glass shades were used hanging low either side of the sofa in the formal living space, while black and white frames also added a modern edge to the Laura Ashley inspired scheme.