We’ve just extended our deadline to April 15, so it’s time to get your entries in. There are nine categories for the Designers of the Year awards, ranging from architecture and interiors to fashion, industrial and furniture design—and more!—which you can read all about on our Entry Page.

What makes our awards special? Judges look at a body of work, rather than one project or moment in time. Winning the title of Designer of the Year reflects a holistic celebration of all of the work you do: just ask our past winners.

Without further ado, we’re thrilled to announce the incredible judges for our Interior Design category for the 2024 WL Designers of the Year.

Claudia Afshar
Principal and Founder, Claudia Afshar Design

Claudia Afshar, principal and founder of Claudia Afshar Design, is a globally recognized high-end interior designer, specializing in unique and refined environments across residential, commercial, hospitality and product design. Her rise to prominence has been featured in Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, Dezeen and numerous other publications, highlighting the impactful and distinct nature of her and her studio’s designs.

She has been celebrated for recent projects including her award-nominated rug collection with Mehraban Rugs and textured multi-surface Dekton ‘UKIYO’ collection with Cosentino. With projects worldwide, Claudia creates extraordinary environments that redefine understated luxury. From lavish residences to boutique hotels, her timeless elegance and sophistication shine through. With international acclaim and industry awards, Claudia Afshar Design is trusted by A-list celebrities, high-profile individuals and bespoke luxury brands.

Juli Hodgson
Founder and Principal, Hodgson Design Associates

Juli Hodgson, principal of Hodgson Design Associates (HDA), is a three-time winner of Western Living magazine’s Designer of the Year award and four-time Best of Houzz winner in two categories: design and service. HDA is a collaborative design studio specializing in luxury modern interior and exterior residential and commercial spaces, and Juli has been leading the team at HDA since 1992, developing a portfolio that reaches across North America. Her spa bathrooms and chef kitchens have been featured in multiple design and architectural publications. Juli’s goal is to seamlessly integrate indoor/outdoor living by considering the entire property as a functioning living space.

Michelle Biggar
Principal, Office of McFarlane Biggar Architects and Designers

Michelle has been practicing interior design for over 25 years. She provides interiors support for a full range of architectural projects, and design leadership as Principal-in-Charge for all Office of Mcfarlane Biggar Architects + Designers interiors-specific projects. With projects across Canada, Australia and the UK, her work embraces an extensive range of service offerings from hands-on crafting of small projects to project management and design leadership of large-scale, complex, multi-user facilities. She is passionate about all facets of design, and practices a holistic approach, in which all elements of a project are well-considered and thoughtfully integrated. This includes architecture, landscape design, interior design, branding, identity and wayfinding, furniture, and art and accessories.

She enjoys creating spaces that are regionally relevant and responsive to client ambitions, underscored by the timelessness of quiet and elegant restraint in form and materials. Her diverse experience includes academic, galleries and museums, retail, hospitality, transportation, commercial and municipal offices, as well as single-family and multi-family residential.

Western Living

Western Living

The editorial team at Western Living loves nothing more than a perfectly designed space, place or thing: and we’re here to tell you about it. Email us your pitches at [email protected].