The short list has just been announced for the 2012 Australian Interior Design Awards. Backed by the Design Institute of Australia, the awards celebrate excellence in interior design across a range of categories. Presentation of the awards will take place at a gala dinner at Doltone House, Sydney on 27^th April.

We've chosen a few images from the entries in the Residential Decoration category - each in a different style. Do you like the light, neutral beach house with lots of natural wood and pops of acid yellow, or do you prefer the very grown up Greg Natale country house interior (certainly unlike any country house we've ever visited!) Do you love the eclectic yet spare style of the Huntingtower room, or prefer the clean, modern lines of the charmingly-named Shakin' Stevens house? We don't envy the judges on this one, and will be sure to report back to you on the winners. Watch this space...

Avoca beach house by architecture saville isaacs, photography by Kate Bayer

Huntingtower (Vic) by Atticus & Milo, photography by Derek Swalwell

Twomey country house by Greg Natale Design, photography by Anson Smart

Shakin' Stevens house by Matt Gibson Architecture + Design, photography by Shannon McGrath