Talent from Woman’s Day, New Idea and Better Homes and Gardens go head-to-head to design the best living room in a new social-first series

Fantastic Furniture and Are Media have joined forces to launch Fantastic by Design, a new short-form social series combining room styling, playful rivalry and audience participation.

The multi-part series brings together talent from Are Media’s leading weekly and lifestyle brands: Megan Osborne, Editor of Better Homes and Gardens; Katherine Chatfield, Editor of Woman’s Day; and Celia Whitley, Senior Content Producer at New Idea. Following a drama-infused story arc, each is challenged to design a living room using Fantastic Furniture’s latest furniture, accessories and décor ranges.

More than a traditional room transformation video, Fantastic by Design draws on the conventions of short-form drama to turn the creative process into a unique multi-part story. Audiences can follow the personalities, creative decisions and friendly rivalry behind each editorial brand.

L-R, Celia Whitley, Senior Content Producer at New Idea, Megan Osborne, Editor of Better Homes and Gardens; Katherine Chatfield, Editor of Woman’s Day 

The campaign culminates in an interactive consumer promotion hosted on bhg.com.au, where audiences can explore the completed rooms, shop the featured products and vote for their favourite design for the chance to win a $5,000 Fantastic Furniture gift card.

Megan Osborne, Editor of Better Homes and Gardens Australia and star of the first episode, said Fantastic by Design puts an entertaining new spin on the room makeover format.

“Room transformations are something our audiences already love, but Fantastic by Design takes the idea somewhere new. Bringing together three trusted brands and three very different creative personalities has created plenty of inspiration, rivalry and fun.

“The short-form format allows the story to unfold across multiple episodes, giving audiences a reason to follow along, choose a side and ultimately decide which room comes out on top.”

The collaboration allows Fantastic Furniture to connect with a combined social community of more than three million people across the three publishing brands, while extending a single creative platform across print, digital, and social.

Melissa Monneron, Chief Marketing Officer at Fantastic Furniture, said the series celebrates the many ways Australians can express their personalities at home.

“Our homes should reflect the people who live in them, and Fantastic by Design shows how the same versatile range can inspire three completely different creative outcomes.

“Working with three trusted content brands allows us to bring Fantastic Furniture to new audiences through one entertaining story. We loved seeing Katherine, Megan and Celia bring their own perspectives to the challenge, and now we’re inviting Australians to join the fun, choose their favourite and find inspiration for their own homes.”

Fantastic by Design is now live across socials, and will be featured in the November issue of Better Homes and Gardens on sale today, 24 September. The campaign runs across Woman’s Day, New Idea and Better Homes and Gardens social and digital until the end of October. You can view the rooms online here: https://www.bhg.com.au/homes/decorating/fantasticfurniture/.