The Amara Interior Blog Award Results Are In!

Before I begin, please accept my apologies for the delay in publishing this post. It has been a crazy whirlwind of a week and it is only now that I get the chance to sit down and write about the most exciting week EVER! Well, for me. If you haven’t guessed from the title, or the lovely shiny new badge on the sidebar, the Amara Interior blog Award winners have been announced… and DesignSixtyNine is now an award winning blog!! *Squeeeal!!

Image Courtesy of Amara

This time last week, I was waking up after what would be one of the most exciting and monumental events of my life. I went down to London (accompanied by my amazing partner Brian) with no expectations other than to meet some of the bloggers that I follow and chat to on Instagram. Having been nominated in to the Best DIY and Home improvement Blog category, alongside some well-established bloggers, making the final was achievement enough. To win anything, would be beyond belief.

The Amara Interior Blog Award Event.

The event itself took place in London’s newly relocated Design Museum, set between Kensington High Street and Holland Park. Such a beautiful (and expensive!) area of the city. Presented by the lovely Sophie Robinson and the very charming Daniel Hopwood from BBC’s Great Interior Design Challenge, the evening was filled with fun, and ran so smoothly thanks to the super-professional (and very friendly) Amara team. I was delighted to finally meet Hannah, who kept in contact throughout the whole nomination/voting/finals process.

As my category was announced, I have to admit that my already-wracked nerves were fried. Upon hearing ‘DesignSixtyNine’ being announced as ‘Highly Commended’ I suddenly felt a massive feeling of relief. That was it. Done.

This statement from the judges, was enough to send me home with a buzz;

 

As a new blogger, seriously outstanding design and imagery. Definitely one to watch and really impressed the judges. -Sophie Robinson.

 

Eek!! Can you believe it??!

My relief soon turned to delight, as the amazingly talented and lovely Medina from Grillo Designs picked up the award. A very deserving recipient.

And so the blog awards ended happily. Or, they could’ve done…

What Happened Next??

As my mind was wandering to it’s default thought of ‘what will I eat next and when can I eat it?’ further announcements were made for the awards that the public couldn’t vote for; Best Designed Blog, Best use of Photography, Best Written Blog and the ultimate accolade, Bloggers Choice.

Now, I’ll openly admit that I hadn’t really read up on these latter awards, because I hadn’t figured that I’d be a contender. I feel a bit daft now. Especially as I only went and won the Bloggers Choice!!!

Image Courtesy of Amara

 

I still can’t believe that I am actually writing this. It all seems so ‘surreal’. To think that my wee blog, less than a year old (10 months, to be precise) has achieved such massive recognition within industry, is astounding. It was entirely unexpected. For anyone who was in my close proximity when ‘DesignSixtyNine’ was announced as the Bloggers Choice winner, I apologise for the string of expletives that erupted from me. Like I said, I was completely taken by surprise. You may be able to tell from the look on my face.

Images Courtesy of Amara

As I made my way down the stairs, I had that gut-sinking feeling that I had somehow misheard the announcement, and a rushing fear that I was making my way down to collect someone else’s blog award. As Sam from Amara handed me the award I just kept thinking ‘really?’ ‘me?’ I tried to make a sharp stage exit but Daniel Hopwood managed to collar me and corale me back on to the stage to get photographs, before the entire evening turned into a blur.

Image Courtesy of Amara

After The Main Event.

Out of the auditorium, I posed for further photographs before my lovely Brian appeared. His wee face!! He looked so happy, I could’ve cried. I also met with the ladies from Red, the Spanish Design Association who sponsor part of my prize… a trip to Spain, next July, to celebrate the best of Spanish design! Can you believe it?! Expect a series of blog posts on that!

As for the rest of the evening, we spent it chatting and mingling with some newly made friends, before scooping up our goodie bag and heading back to the hotel for room service and an early night. We were just too exhausted to party.

However, the day after…

 

Amara Interior Blog Award; The Winners.

So, fast forward to today and I’m still on cloud nine. We have been mentioned in The Sunday Times, The Telegraph, and even Palestine Today! Throughout the event and over the course of the past week, I have spoken to some of the nicest people, in my fellow award nominees. Below are the winners of each category, each one so deserving of the recognition of an Amara blog award. Go check them out, they’re all superb!

Best Colour Inspiration Blog- Emma Jane Palin

Best Company Blog- Rockett St George

Best Craft Blog- From Evija with Love

Best Design Inspiration Blog- Alice in Scandiland

Best DIY and Home Improvement Blog- Grillo Designs

Best Interior Designer Blog- Topology

Best Interior Magazine Blog- 91 Magazine

Best Interior Lifestyle Blog- Dainty Dress Diaries

Best Luxury Blog- Design Chic

Best Newcomer Blog- Girl About House

Best Designed Blog- Emma Jane Palin

Best Use of Photography- Nor-Folk

Best Written Blog- The pink House

Bloggers Choice- DesignSixtyNine (no need to click this one, you’re already here!)