This June, we tasked our designers to embrace sunshine, bold colour and a serious dose of summer style. The brief took its cue from the iconic Emilio Pucci, known for his swirling prints and jet-set glamour, and challenged participants to design a luxury beachside cabana with plenty of personality.
We wanted to see spaces that felt fresh, playful and fashion-forward. Think printed fabrics, statement colour, and that unmistakable Pucci energy; the kind of cabana you’d find in Tulum, Mykonos or along the Amalfi Coast. Breezy, vibrant and full of life.
Our tutors were looking for more than just beautiful boards. They were looking for strong stories, thoughtful styling and bold creative choices that pushed the theme forward. And now, it’s time to reveal our top three designs. Let’s take a look at the submissions that brought the Pucci summer fantasy to life.
🥇 Vicky Burton - Costa Vivace
Costa Vivace
Vicky’s cabana design draws inspiration from Pucci’s iconic swirling prints and playful irreverence and the summer landscape of the Amalfi Coast to create a luxurious beachside retreat awash in fresh, calming shades of aquamarine, green, and turquoise, and vibrant accents of sunny, sandy yellows.
Accessories like the blue bust, snake tumblers, and fringing tassels, along with a variety of textures – velvets, matte and gloss tiles, and patterned fabrics – create depth and visual interest while decorative candles and a sleek outdoor lamp ensure the space transitions effortlessly from day to night, setting the stage for a long, luxurious day of fun by the sea.
Tutor’s Take:
A beautifully executed vision; fresh, fashionable and full of personality.
About Vicky
Vicky is currently studying the Diploma in Professional Interior Design. With a background in retail and hospitality, she’s always loved creating expressive, character-filled spaces. Now she’s taking that passion further and stepping confidently into a new design career.
She draws inspiration from her travels and has a keen interest in small space living and thoughtful, inclusive design. She’s especially passionate about creating spaces for marginalised communities, including shelters and rehabilitation centres. Her first live project, a kitchen redesign for a friend, is already underway, and she’s excited to keep building on that momentum!
Connect with Vicky:
Instagram: @downlandinteriors
🥈 2nd Place: Jamie Ackrill Rush
Jamie’s beachside cabana concept is inspired by the bold, playful spirit of Emilio Pucci, known for his swirling prints, vibrant colors, and effortless resort glamor. The setting combines natural textures; like wood-framed loungers and flowing white linens, with bursts of psychedelic pattern in classic Pucci hues such as electric blue, hot pink, and vivid orange.
Textiles like printed pillows, towels, and scarves add energy and movement, while hand-painted glassware and a colourful fan bring in artisanal charm. A striking Pucci kaftan worn poolside elevates the look, tying fashion and interior together. Framed by a dramatic coastal backdrop, this cabana channels the freedom, elegance, and escapism of a retro-modern Mediterranean getaway.
Tutor’s Take:
A fun, bold entry that captured the joy and freedom of the brief with great styling throughout.
About Jamie
After years in hospitality, Jamie took a bold step by earning his professional interior design diploma, eager to redesign the spaces he once worked in. He plans to pursue a degree in retail design, aiming for opportunities in retail and hospitality sectors. Jamie particularly loves weaving natural elements into his work, bringing the outdoors inside. This isn’t Jamie’s first (not even second!) triumph in the Mattoboard Challenge Series. He claimed 2nd place in the May Mattoboard Challenge which you can read more about here!
Connect with Jamie:
Instagram: @jsrstudios01
🥉 3rd Place: Clare Meaton
Copucci Cabana
With the backdrop of Dubai as the setting and inspired by a friend who’s on the board and been there recently, Clare wanted to take the influence of the country, the colours and richness and make them stand out as the psychedelic wonder that they are from Pucci’s designs. Being a vibrant and affluent country she wanted to draw on the opulence and luxury with a grand cabana that stood out from the crowd.
Silk cushions, cotton cushions, and velvets were used to highlight the mood of the brief and to reflect on what summer is all about. Being fun, free, engaging, and above all a wonderful time getting away and enjoying what other countries have to offer. ‘Copucci Cabana’ is a take on Copa Cabana, the song with the strong sense of his enduring style, and colourful pieces, as well as exciting elements that make his work so defining.
Tutor’s Take:
A rich, expressive take on Pucci’s world, the story and styling really stood out.
About Clare
Connect with Clare:
Instagram: @worn_and_reborn
Facebook: Clare Meaton
Portfolio: www.wornandreborn.co.uk
A heartfelt congratulations to all our winners and participants! Each submission showcased remarkable creativity, attention to detail, and a deep understanding of the brief.
Stay tuned for July’s Mattoboard Challenge, where we’ll explore new themes and design inspirations.
Which design resonates with you the most? Let us know in the comments or tag us on our socials with your thoughts! Follow us on social media to be the first to hear about upcoming challenges, and who knows? You could be our next winner!🤩
