#iba16

What a lovely event it was at London’s Ham Yard Hotel. 

On October the 20th, in the midst of Soho and the exuberant high-style interiors of British designer, Kit Kemp, we celebrated the words of the industry’s top interior bloggers. 

Photo Credit: John Nassari

It was the 2016 Amara Interior Blog Awards ceremony. The sparkling gala evening was filled with emotion, inspiration, and plenty of bubbly in tall flutes.

Photo Credit: John Nassari 

Let me tell you a bit about the awards. Inaugurated in 2013, The Amara Interior Blog Awards engages and celebrates the worldwide interior blogging community. From the first phases of nominations and voting to shortlisting and on to the final judging by an expert panel, the four-month process culminates in an annual ceremony that awards top talents for their inspirational work. It’s a wonderful way to give back to those who passionately dedicate their time and creativity to communicate all things design.

Now on to the evening that had many counting down the sleeps, myself included. I was honoured to be a 2016 shortlister representing one of five in my category for Best International Interior Blog. With 750 blogs having battled it out for a top-five position within each of the thirteen categories, this was a big deal. 

The sixty-five shortlisted bloggers, together with the judging panel and sponsors, were all invited to the awards ceremony.  

Looking down from the mezzanine level, I can tell you that this was one lively and creative crowd. The energy was fearless and colourful where the bold fashion and style of an artsy guest list blended in with the spirited and quirky interior details of Ham Yard’s Dive Bar. A perfectly eclectic scene.  

Photo Credit: Regina Sturrock

The 40-foot high space was theatrical and wonderfully tangible from floor to ceiling. A giant orange juicer spiraled down to a neon-lit bar and the Rick-Rack wall fabric presented a dynamic backdrop for one extraordinary African chandelier made of mud beads. This was our fantasy setting for the evening!

The cocktails and canapés were circulating, and so was the buzz on social media.  Excited comments and images of the goings-on were animated in large scale onto the bar’s wall. 

Photo Credit: John Nassari

After the mingling, it was time to enter the adjoining Ham Yard Theatre with its orange leather seats and blue velvet walls. The room was electric with colour and anticipation. The winners of this year’s blog awards would soon be announced, and a live-stream crew would film every ceremonious moment. 

Photo Credit: John Nassari

“Tonight is all about celebrating our passion for interiors, great design for the spaces we choose to live in, and the stuff we put in them.” These were the buoyant opening words of celebrity interior designer and our host for the evening, Sophie Robinson. 

Photo Credit: John Nassari

She went on to say, “ I’m honoured and delighted to be part of tonight’s special occasion and what a rich and diverse bunch we are!” 

Photo Credit: John Nassari

The words resonated through the room. I looked around and, with faces gleaming, it was all clear that the passion for design has the power to do some glorious things. Yes, we are diverse, and our inspirations come from different places, but at the pulse is the unanimous joy for beauty and the sincere desire to share our stories around it. Just days before the awards, the Amara team asked the question, “What inspired you to launch an interior blog?” It was lovely to read the answers to Amara’s shortlister interview and to understand what sparked each creative vehicle. 

Tonight, I was proud to be sitting among this positively talented group who love to chronicle the arts and inspire new ideas. Our witty host, Sophie, continued with pure enthusiasm, “…colour, pattern, art, objets all jostling together in a big maximus jamboree…I absolutely love it.” If that’s not bona fide zeal for the craft, then I don’t know what is!

Photo Credit: John Nassari

And so the music rang with each announcement, the smiles were big and genuine, and the winners took the stage with hearts pumping. The grand finale announcement was for the coveted Bloggers’ Choice Award. Kimberly Duran and her fittingly ‘Swoon Worthy’ blog graciously accepted the top honour. 

Photo Credit: John Nassari

The evening celebrations continued in style with more cocktails, desert canapés, and instant and lovely connections with like-minded guests. 

Photo Credit: John Nassari

To cap off the glittering event, we each left with the most elegant black and cream Amara gift bag filled with luxury items from a host of leading interior & lifestyle brands. I wondered how I might fit it all into my suitcase. The goody bag was heavy, but I managed just fine! 

Photo Credit: Regina Sturrock

Thank you, Amara, for this memorable journey of celebrating words! It goes far beyond the stellar evening. New friendships were forged, and a treasure trove of new inspirations has followed me home.