In July, I had the opportunity of a lifetime: I joined a group of DIY and shelter bloggers for a design challenge sponsored by Shaw Floors. The brief was straightforward—create a complete room starting with the floor. Because Shaw Floors hosted the event, the flooring selection was the central design element. Teams of two were formed, and each pair selected flooring from Shaw’s new HGTV collection.
My design partner, the talented Julia from CasaSugar, and I connected instantly over a shared love of gray. That common preference made choosing the flooring an easy decision. With the floor as our anchor, we then pushed our paint colors and furnishings a little further, choosing bolder accents and more dramatic pieces to contrast the contemporary neutral base. The end result is a sleek, sophisticated studio that balances polished, modern lines with an inviting, lived-in warmth. The space reads posh yet approachable—an inspiring studio that feels both curated and comfortable.
The most exciting part of the experience is that our room is included in Shaw’s “30 Days of HGTV” campaign, which launches today. Shaw is asking fans to visit their Facebook page and vote for their favorite room. Each day that you cast a vote you’re entered to win a complete floor installation from the HGTV collection—Shaw is literally giving away a floor a day during September. It’s a generous, attention-grabbing promotion and a fantastic way for people to bring quality flooring into their homes.
Beyond the daily prizes, there’s a bigger reward at stake for the design teams: the winning pair will earn an all-expenses-paid trip to the HGTV Urban Oasis home in Chicago. Julia and I are, of course, keeping our fingers crossed—this competition brought together a lot of talented creators, and it would be an honor to represent our team among those entries.
Participating in the challenge was a creative highlight: the structure of designing from the ground up forced us to think intentionally about how the floor influences every other decision in a room, from paint hues to lighting, furniture scale to accessory placement. Our strategy was to let the floor set the tone—a soft, versatile gray—then introduce personality through textiles, art, and statement pieces that elevate and personalize the space without overwhelming it. This approach produced a balanced room that feels contemporary and refined while remaining practical for everyday life.
Working with Shaw Floors and selecting from the HGTV collection was seamless. The materials offered consistent quality and a range of finishes that made it possible to achieve a high-end look without compromising durability. For anyone planning a redesign, starting with a durable, beautiful floor is a smart move: it defines the room’s character and reduces the need for frequent updates over time.
Thank you to everyone who supported us during the build and to those who take a moment to vote. Your votes not only help creatives like us, they also enter you for a chance to win a brand-new floor. We appreciate the encouragement and the enthusiasm—design challenges like this are more fun when the community gets involved.
Happy voting, and good luck to all the teams participating in the 30 Days of HGTV campaign.