By David Barrett
Last year I entered the Dulux Select Awards and was fortunate to be shortlisted. That experience stayed with me throughout the year — it became a benchmark for the standard I want to achieve and a motivation to enter again. When entries reopened this autumn I assessed my recent projects with the same question: which jobs are strong enough to submit? I selected two solid projects and a possible third, contacted the homeowners for permission and sent the entries off. To my delight I was shortlisted again and ultimately received a Highly Commended distinction.
Entering an industry awards scheme is more than seeking recognition; it’s a way to measure your work against national standards. Over the previous 12 months I reviewed every job with the awards in mind — considering design choices, preparation, finish and how the completed room would photograph. Those factors helped me shortlist the projects I felt confident presenting to the judges.
If you want to see the entry that started this journey, I wrote about my previous nomination here: Ten years in and still going.
The ceremony itself is a mix of excitement and humility. Last year I felt nervous throughout the evening; this time I arrived relaxed, partly because I expected a similar outcome and partly because the company was wonderful. So relaxed, in fact, that my partner and I paused for a caricature sketch while waiting for the winners to be announced.
Organisers commented that the calibre of entries was exceptionally high this year — so much so that several categories included multiple Highly Commended awards. When the category I entered was called, a fellow decorator I admire was announced first. Then the host read out a second Highly Commended and said my name. It was a genuinely unexpected and emotional moment.
Being acknowledged by peers and industry judges carries several layers of value. First, it’s validation that the attention to detail, the hours of preparation and the skill applied to the job are recognised. Second, it’s an encouragement to keep improving — seeing the exceptionally high standard of other Select members pushes me to refine my craft.
The award has reignited my determination to reach for the main prize next time. Rather than resting on this achievement, I feel energised to raise the bar on future projects and to continue developing both technique and creativity.
I could not have entered these awards without the trust of my clients. A huge thank you to everyone who selected me to work in their home and to those who gave permission for their projects to be submitted. Their cooperation made it possible to showcase the work on a national stage.
Equally, congratulations to all the other winners and shortlisted entrants — the standard of work shown on the night was outstanding and thoroughly deserved recognition.
The experience of entering, being shortlisted and receiving a Highly Commended has a practical impact on how I approach new jobs. I’m more intentional about design choices, more meticulous in preparation and more proactive in communicating options with clients so that the finished result is both beautiful and durable.
My goal now is to take the lessons from this year and target the main award in the future. That means selecting projects with award potential early in the process, photographing work professionally and continually learning from peers and industry trends.
If you’d like to view more examples of recent projects or read customer feedback, please visit the reviews page: Reviews. For enquiries about a quotation or to discuss a project, contact me directly via the contact page: Contact. I’m always happy to talk through ideas and explain how I approach a job from preparation to final coat.
Final thought: industry recognition is rewarding, but the most important measure remains the satisfaction of the people I work for. This Highly Commended accolade is a reminder to keep striving for excellence.
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