A few weeks ago, Bradley Mitchell’s inventive, elegant solution to a lack of garden space won him the Mercedes-Benz Design Award by Broadsheet. The young designer won the opportunity to have his piece manufactured by Jardan, one of the country’s leading furniture makers. After a swift production process, Mitchell’s piece is now sitting pretty in Jardan showrooms – a finished product, ready to be marvelled at and admired in homes around the country.

With room for four separate plants, the cylinders in the Noughts and Crosses planter transform a messy bunch of pot plants into one stylish, sculptural piece.

“It’s a standalone piece for people who want to bring a sculpture into their homes,” says Mitchell, “and a sculpture that’s actually useful.”

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Only 25 first editions of the Noughts and Crosses planter will be produced with a special first-edition plaque. A second edition of the planter is planned in softer colours and different sizes.

The brief for the award was to create an object for the kitchen or dining room, so Mitchell initially recommended placing herbs in the planter and having it in the kitchen – to bring outdoor fragrances into interior environments. But Tom Shaw, head designer at Jardan, says the planter can go anywhere. “That’s the beauty of it,” he says. “Brad nailed the brief, but you could put it anywhere in your house – it doesn’t have to stay in one place.”

Shaw, who mentored Mitchell throughout the production of his design, is delighted with the award’s end result. “The planters are a great addition to the Jardan range,” he says. “And Mercedes has given Brad, a great young designer, this huge step into the industry.”

Mercedes-Benz was just as impressed with the results. The company has a strong focus on design innovation and praised Mitchell for his fresh take on design, not to mention his obvious talent.

“Younger generations have a more modern take on what we need – especially as our living arrangements change,” says Jerry Stamoulis of Mercedes-Benz. “There are so many homes that need this. As soon as I saw it I wanted one.”

While delighted that his product has come to life, Mitchell is still overwhelmed by the whole experience. “It’s amazing to know that I’m even in the same league as these established designers – and that I was able to actually create this product,” he says. Always modest, he adds that people should order his planter, “If they like it.” If you’re among them, you can order a first edition Noughts and Crosses planter by emailing Jardan or visiting a Jardan showroom.

Noughts and Crosses retails at $990.

This article is presented by Mercedes-Benz.