Excellence Exemplified

A night of design brilliance at the inaugural Livingetc NOW Awards finale

On 28 March 2025, the inaugural Livingetc NOW Awards finale was held at the Grand Hyatt, Mumbai -- a glittering celebration of Indian interior and architectural design talent. The event drew a vibrant turnout from across the country's design community, capping off a competition that saw over 2,000 entries submitted by architects, interior designers, product designers, brands and photographers. The atmosphere was electric - industry veterans and emerging creatives mingled under one roof, eager to honour the year's most inspiring projects and people. It was an awards ceremony that witnessed the coming together of India's design fraternity, buzzing with excitement and camaraderie.

To ensure objectivity, entries were judged through a masked submission process; the jury evaluated each project without knowing its creators. This approach guaranteed a fair, unbiased evaluation purely on merit. The awards were structured into four broad sections - NOW Interiors, NOW Initiatives, NOW Plus, and NOW Icons - encompassing a total of 16 sub-categories. Each section highlighted a different facet of design innovation, from beautifully layered home interiors to groundbreaking collaborative projects and public space design, as well as individual trailblazers. This expansive categorisation ensured that the Livingetc NOW Awards cast a wide net over the design landscape, celebrating everything from ingenious living rooms and kitchens to pioneering initiatives and standout design personalities.

Presiding over the judging process was an eminent jury of design leaders. Varuni Mohan, head of editorial at Livingetc India, led the panel alongside Ramesh Nair, artistic director at Joseph Duclos and former creative director at Moynat, and Rajesh Pratap Singh, the celebrated Indian fashion designer known for his impeccable design sensibility. With their combined expertise in interiors, luxury design, and fashion, the jury brought a well-rounded perspective to selecting winners, ensuring each decision was backed by a keen eye for creativity and impact.

The evening opened on a warm note with an address by Riyad Mathew, chief associate editor & director at Malayala Manorama Group, who welcomed the audience and set an optimistic tone for the celebrations. His speech highlighted the significance of recognising design innovation and the media's role in championing creative excellence. Following this, the title sponsor, Coast to Coast Designs, took centre stage. Co-founders late Gautam Baid and Vinit Agarwal shared insights into their journey in the interiors industry and used the occasion to unveil their exciting new B2C veneer brand, Knock. The introduction of Knock added an extra buzz, underscoring how industry leaders are evolving and investing in the future of design.

Support from sponsors continued with the associate sponsors making their presence felt. Obeetee Carpets, represented by its president Angelique Dhama, and Sirca Paints, represented by their joint managing director Apoorv Agarwal, both addressed the gathering, congratulating the finalists and reinforcing their companies' commitment to the design community. Thomas Goode was the gifting partner for the event and each nominee received a beautifully crafted decor piece from this iconic brand. Their participation further enriched the dialogue around the evolving trends in design and showcased the collaborative spirit driving the industry.

Particularly notable were the NOW Initiatives and NOW Plus categories, which underscored the importance of collaboration and innovation beyond traditional residential spaces. The NOW Initiatives celebrated projects that brought together diverse talents in a collaborative effort - a reflection of how synergy can lead to groundbreaking design solutions. These awards highlighted the creative processes that merge different disciplines and perspectives, setting new standards in how design challenges are approached. Similarly, the NOW Plus shone a spotlight on areas that extend design beyond the home. Recognising excellence in fields such as photography and restaurant design, NOW Plus celebrated creative ventures that redefine experiences in public and commercial spaces. This category demonstrated that great design is not confined to residential interiors; it is an all-encompassing discipline that influences every aspect of our living environment.

After an evening filled with insightful speeches and engaging presentations, the long-awaited announcement of winners brought palpable excitement to the room. The accolades were handed out across all 16 categories, recognising the standout work that truly raised the bar this year.

The Livingetc NOW Awards celebrated the most deserving across each category, recognising their standout achievements: