Home furnishings retailer Wayfair is opening its annual Trade Tastemaker Awards program to Canadian designers for the first time, recognizing its own expansion into the country, and today announced the judges for this year’s competition: Chip Wade, Alison Victoria and Sabrina Smelko.
Categories include Designer of the Year, Best Use of Color, Best Hospitality Space, Best Office Space and People’s Choice; winners will receive exposure via Wayfair’s social media outlets, honors at an awards event, and a private dinner with the judges. Additionally, this year, judges will take over the brand’s Instagram account to share their own inspirations.
“As one of the world’s largest online destinations for the home, Wayfair has the privilege of working with some of the most innovative and talented designers in the industry,” said Jessica Dowling, head of Wayfair Trade. “Through our Trade program, we’re able to celebrate the impressive work created by these artists who are committed to making their vision come to life with every project. This year, we’re honored to team up with some of the biggest names in the business to recognize the 2017 Trade Tastemakers.”
Some background on the judges: Wade is the owner and lead creative for Wade Works Creative and also hosts HGTV’s Elbow Room series. Victoria manages the Chicago- and Las Vegas–based Alison Victoria Interiors, and is also host of Kitchen Crashers on HGTV and DIY Networks. And Smelko produces design content, leads renovation projects and co-hosts HGTV’s newest series, Save My Reno.
