The five stand-out Australian retail spaces shortlisted as finalists for national design awards have been named.

A striking apparel store featuring 1970’s super graphics, Yves Klein Blue and magic and a minimalist optical store featuring woody copper and green tones are among the stores shortlisted for the 2019 Dulux Colour Award in the interior commercial retail category.

The cutting edge spaces were last week revealed, showcasing some of the retail industry’s leading retail designs.

The iconic awards, in their 33rd year, celebrate exceptional use of colour by Australian and New Zealand designers in commercial and residential spaces.

Among those to be named as finalists were a vibrant blue apparel store with retro graphics, a feminine, bold pink and nude pop-up store and a Viktoria & Woods boutique in Bondi featuring a subdued palette of soapy green and grey inspired by the ocean and sky.

Some of the finalists included:

Frankie’s Story – Wonderment Studio (in Melbourne), by Danielle Brustman

Design references: 1970’s super graphics, Yves Klein Blue and magic. The goal was to create a striking environment within the market that twists with the conventions of retail fashion space. The colours were bold and personalised to match Frankie’s Story philosophy and idiosyncratic brands.

Phare Pop Up Store (in Melbourne), by Christopher Elliott Design Pty Ltd

Phare was a love job! A tiny pop-up store for a chic fashion brand. Relishing the chance to use bold colour, we were inspired by warm skin tones; evoking a quintessential feminine style.

Viktoria & Woods Bondi (in Sydney), by Fiona Lynch

Conceived as a tonal exploration of greens and greys, Fiona Lynch has taken an experimental approach to colour and layering at Viktoria & Woods Bondi. Customers are transported from the bustle of the mall into a subdued and carefully composed interior saturated in soapy green/grey hues inspired by wide skies, frothing seas, salt-laden winds and a sharp quality of light.

Eyes Optical (In Newcastle), by SPAN Design Studio

Targeting the younger generation to be encouraged to wear the glasses not only for necessity but as a stylish fashion accessory. The colours are reflective of nature and gives the user a sense of calmness while shopping. Just because paint is cost effective doesn’t mean that the effect won’t be luxurious as you can see here in this project.

The 2019 Dulux Colour Awards received a record-breaking 435 entries, which a panel of colour experts have narrowed down to 114 finalists across Australia and New Zealand.

The finalists will now be judged by leading figures in the design industry where winners will be announced at a gala event at the NGV on 8 May 2019.