Dulux Academy’s Ultimate Wallpapering Challenge

Calling all ambitious appliers and design-hungry decorators!

The Dulux Academy is inviting you to put pen to paper and design your very own wallpaper for the chance to win the money-can’t-buy prestige of seeing your design be made into a bespoke roll by Graham and Brown.

The Dulux Academy Design and Decorate Challenge, running for the second consecutive year, is open to experienced decorators with an eye for design plus expert wallpapering skills, in celebration of International Wallpaper Week (1^st – 7^th October).

To take part, all entrants need to do is post their design on a one metre length of standard 1200 grade lining paper – complete with a short description explaining the inspiration, and functionality, behind their concept – by 23rd^t September 2018. Twelve finalists will then see their designs shared for public vote between 25th and 30^th September on www.duluxacademy.online, which will account for 50% of the design mark.

The 12 finalists will then be invited to attend the flagship Dulux Academy in Slough on 4th October 2018 for the second part of the challenge, where their wallpapering skills will be put to the test in front of a stellar judging panel made up of: head judge Neil Ogilvie, Chief Executive Officer at the Painting and Decorating Association; Marianne Shillingford, Creative Director at Dulux; Mark Rigby, Skills Development Consultant at Dulux Academy; and Louise Stevenson, National Account Manager at Graham & Brown.

A winner will then be crowned, based on both their design and practical application skills, and awarded the unique chance to see their paper being made at the Graham and Brown factory in Blackburn; further complemented with a factory tour and a luxury stay the Dunkenhalgh Hotel and Spa with meal for two, plus a Dulux Academy goody bag. Not to mention, the kudos of being crowned champion.

All 11 runners up will all take home Dulux Academy goody bags, packed full of Dulux Academy and partner merchandise.

Everyone’s a winner though. To celebrate the return of The Dulux Academy Design and Decorate Challenge, the Dulux Academy is also offering painters and decorators across the UK a 50 per cent discount on all six of its wallpapering courses to attend at any time, if booked during International Wallpaper Week (1^st – 7^th October 2018). Simply quote IWW50 at checkout to qualify.

For full details on how to enter, including terms and conditions, or to claim this discount, visit www.duluxacademy.online

Last year’s inaugural challenge was won by Barrie Thompson, a Dulux Select Decorator of Barnet, London, who wowed the judges with his unique design inspired by his wife’s love of flowers and his wallpapering precision.

Vickie Mather, Dulux Academy Manager, said: “This challenge is designed to support the craft and skill of wallpaper hanging. It’s an expert job that requires professionals with real skill and dedication to deliver – skills that the UK painting and decorating community should celebrate. So this is our chance to honour them. They are the ones that continue to set the bar when it comes to the craftsmanship of the profession and through them – and the courses we offer – we hope to encourage the next generation, inspired by this community’s quest to continually learn and perfect.”

 

Launched in March 2016, Dulux Academy is the UK’s first dedicated academy for professionals in the domestic and commercial decoration industry. It offers a range of courses designed to help decorators and apprentices upskill, build their business and hone their design knowledge. To date, more than 4,500 individuals have trained with Dulux Academy across their numerous UK locations.