Interior design students put to test by Shanly Homes in local competition

Design students at West Herts College, Watford, were put to the test when challenged with designing a children’s bedroom for a competition by award-winning housebuilder Shanly Homes.

The winning student, Jessica Gregory, was awarded two days’ work experience with Micasa, who has created the show home at Shanly’s newest development Fern Acre Gardens in Northwood, just six miles from the college.

The competition asked second-year design students to create a child’s bedroom with a focus on technology. The three judges, Brett Clarke from West Herts College, Paula Sardo from Shanly Homes, and Neha Mehta from Micasa, thought that the entries exhibited consideration for the brief in the context of the family homes at Fern Acre Gardens, while showing a creative design flair.

Jessica Gregory’s eye-catching mood board was chosen for its comprehensiveness, touching upon all aspects of interior design such as furniture, lighting, floor finishes and paint colours whilst explaining her thought process.

Robyn Roach came runner up with close attention to detail with 3D graphics of the room from various perspectives and her design boasted a contemporary colour palette for paints, textures and finishes, and also wins one day’s shadowing of the Micasa team.

Jessica and Robyn will join Micasa’s team as they install the show home at Fern Acre Gardens on which is a fabulous opportunity to get to grips with life as an interior designer. 

They will be joining the dressers and fitting team in in overseeing the logistics, and work with them to dress the bedrooms and living rooms. This is a great chance for the student to show their creativity but equally learn how to finish the prestigious properties for Shanly Homes. 

Brett Clarke, Head of Art & Design at West Herts College, said:

“We want to thank Shanly for this fantastic opportunity allowing the students to engage and work with such prestigious clients. Working to a professional brief has provided invaluable experience for all the students involved and will benefit not only their future college projects but has also reinvigorated them towards their chosen career paths.”

Paula Sardo, sales manager at Shanly Homes and judge of the competition, comments:

“We’re thrilled to have been able to work with West Herts College to deliver this competition and have been astounded by the level of skill presented in the entries; it was a close contest, but Jessica’s winning entry really showcased what we feel is important when designing a luxury family home.”

Neha Mehta, Senior Showhome Designer at Micasa, said:

“We are incredibly excited to offer a hands-on work shadow opportunity to Jessica and Robyn as we aspire to encourage our next generation of designers. We hope that this will be an enriching experience for them, and we look forward to welcoming them on board.”

Shanly Homes’ Fern Acre Gardens is an exclusive new development comprising just six four and five-bedroom detached houses ideal for family living, with off-street parking and substantial garages to all properties. Offering spacious accommodation and a luxury specification throughout, the stylish hand painted kitchens are fitted with Seimens appliances, while contemporary bathrooms are finished with luxury Italian tiling.

Nearby Northwood High Street offers an array of shops and cafes, and local leisure facilities include David Lloyd Gym, and Pinner and Haste Hill Golf Clubs. Family-friendly Ruislip Woods Nature Reserve and Colne Valley Regional Park are perfect for picnics or a weekend stroll with the dog.

The development is ideal for those commuting into London. Northwood underground station is just over a mile from the development providing quick and easy connections into central London via the Piccadilly Line. The location also offers easy access to the M25, M40 and M1, as well as the wider road network.