Industry prize for emerging interior designer

This year’s Vistry Homes Award, which celebrates an exceptional Final Major Project (FMP) by a graduating student, has gone to Stine Lise Skjerping Rio who wowed industry judges with her ‘pluviophile’ designs, which take inspiration from rain. On being the recipient of this year’s Vistry Homes Award, she says, “Winning this prize was such a surprise and delight. It’s certainly rewarding to see that the work that one has made is so well received.”

Stine Lise’s surface designs feature a range of bespoke wallpapers with motifs which evoke the essence of rain through thoughtfully selected pattern and colour. One pattern, ‘The Brolly’, celebrates both Bergen – her hometown – and Britain: “It’s an idea that came out of the fact that there is a gap in the market for umbrellas in Bergen, and wanting to delve into the rich umbrella traditions of Britain.

“The finished pattern, “Stine Lise says, “somehow feels like it touches upon the very soul of all things British, as well as having the element of inspiration from my hometown.”

Stine Lise’s FMP takes inspiration from pluviophiles – someone who enjoys rainy days and leans into its smell, aesthetic and sound. Through thoughtful surface design, she aims to provide that same sense of fascination. Amber Bowley – Sales and Marketing Director, Vistry Southern, says:

“It’s the 10-year anniversary of our relationship with Solent University and we are pleased to be able to support the students, giving them insights on what to expect from a client in what is a very particular aspect of interior design. We are delighted to be able to share our industry knowledge and key items we might look for in the design, presentation of a scheme, and the criteria we would base our decisions on, as well as insights on timeframes and installation for a Show Home scheme on a new build development. The annual award is chosen from a commercial view, and we look to award a student whose work reflects that.

“Stine Lise has uplifted the ordinary and all too familiar into something really beautiful – both abstract and whimsical. The work really stood out to us. We thought that this concept was truly original and would work well in a variety of locations in the home.”

Stine Lise came to Solent for her third and final year of university. "It was a hit the ground running experience,” she says. “Being in a new place gives a new level of understanding of what one wants to create, and why. So, the way that I have developed as a creative during my time here at Solent, is how I lean into, trust and promote my individual style.”

Stine Lise graduates from Southampton Solent University on Tuesday 8 July, and will soon be showcasing her collection at New Designers – an exhibition of emerging talent in a range of design disciplines.

Find out more about Solent's Interior Design Decoration course here.