Micaela Drummond, Colour Consultant, GJ Gardner Homes Whitsunday, QLD

COLORBOND® steel colours used in the design:  Dune®, Gully®, Jasper®
In 5 words or less, provide a description or name for the flat lay design: Afternoon Cuppa
What design elements (such as materials, space, colour and texture) have been added to make the build flow from outside in:  Having worked in rural Australia, I wanted to create a flat lay that reflects the lifestyle and harsh conditions of the Outback. Corrugated iron - common for its durability - appears here through COLORBOND® steel in colours Dune® and Jasper®, evoking a roof weathered by years in the elements. I’ve included reclaimed timber decking, weathered metal sheeting, rustic bricks, and antique-style finishes to represent the practical, readily available materials of remote regions. Using these materials externally and internally allows for simplicity and practicality which is a common theme in many homes in the region.  Homes in rural Australia prioritise stability over aesthetics - a reliable place to return to after working the yards or mending fences. A house that has (and will) last through the ages of drought stricken lands and generations of hard workers. Building the perfect spot for an afternoon cuppa.

Casey Schmidt, Designer, 4D Renovations, QLD
COLORBOND® steel colours used in the design:  Manor Red®, Bluegum®
In 5 words or less, provide a description or name for the flat lay design: Sunbaked Soil

Bec Weston and Joshua Reilly, Colour Consultants, Ausmar Homes, QLD
COLORBOND® steel colours used in the design:   Gully®, Jasper®
In 5 words or less, provide a description or name for the flat lay design: An Austral Dream

Amy Rosendale, Designer, Kookaburra Homes, SA

COLORBOND® steel colours used in the design: Monument® in Matt finish and Basalt® in Matt finish
In 5 words or less, provide a description or name for the flat lay design: Wabi-Sabi Villa Haven
What design elements (such as materials, space, colour and texture) have been added to make the build flow from outside in:  The Wabi-Sabi Villa Haven celebrates the beauty of natural imperfection, where knots in the timber, subtle stone textures, and the organic shapes of pebbles become defining features. Each element is distinctive, contributing to a home that feels authentic, grounded, and connected to nature. Clean lines and a minimalist approach highlight the materials themselves, allowing warm timber, textured stone, and soft, natural tones to create a calming retreat away from the noise of modern life. Externally, COLORBOND® steel in colour Monument® Matt finish clads the villa in a refined, deep finish that contrasts beautifully with the surrounding timber, stone, and expansive glazing. This dark, matte tone adds depth while maintaining the home’s understated aesthetic. The roof, finished in COLORBOND® steel in colour Basalt® Matt finish, complements the palette with a subtle, minimalist presence. Together, these elements create a cohesive, tranquil sanctuary inspired by the timeless principles of Wabi-Sabi.

Becky Hardy,Designer, Kookaburra Homes, SA
COLORBOND® steel colours used in the design: Evening Haze® and Pale Eucalypt®
In 5 words or less, provide a description or name for the flat lay design: Still Among The Gums

Ashlee Ralph, Designer, Blackwood Building Co., QLD
COLORBOND® steel colours used in the design: Evening Haze®, Gully® and Jasper®
In 5 words or less, provide a description or name for the flat lay design: Arbour Atelier

Congratulations to Lauren Mcallister, Colour Consultant, Metricon, VIC, who is the overall winner with her Coastal Category Submission.

COLORBOND® steel colours used in the design:  Dune®, Surfmist® 
In 5 words or less, provide a description or name for the flat lay design: Saltmist
What design elements (such as materials, space, colour and texture) have been added to make the build flow from outside in:  Saltmist is a gentle study of Australia’s coastline; a place where calm and energy meet, where the air tastes of salt, and where the horizon melts into soft, neutral tones. I wanted this flatlay to capture that atmosphere: the softness in the air, the texture of the sand, and the rhythm of waves just out of frame. The palette is anchored by COLORBOND® steel colours Surfmist® and Dune®, two hues that naturally belong to the shoreline. Surfmist® echoing seafoam and coastal haze, while Dune® reflects the warmth of sunlit sand. Paired with light bricks, oak composite cladding and travertine, the materials form a refined coastal composition. At the heart of the flatlay is a mirror, positioned to pull the ocean into the frame. Whether the waves appear crisp under bright sun or blurred beneath a grey sky, the reflection brings movement and authenticity, a reminder that coastal homes are shaped by the landscape that surrounds them. Saltmist is designed to feel like a breath in the shoreline: airy, reflective, and deeply connected to place.

Ashlee Ralph, Designer, Blackwood Building Co., QLD
COLORBOND® steel colours used in the design: Dover White®, Surfmist® and Bluegum®
In 5 words or less, provide a description or name for the flat lay design: Sunset Sands

Kate Chick, Student, QLD
COLORBOND® steel colours used in the design: Manor Red® and Basalt®
In 5 words or less, provide a description or name for the flat lay design: Red earth; powerfully redefined