Outstanding design aptitude, flawless documentation, technical accuracy and impeccable attention to detail made KBDi-accredited designer Darren James CKD Au the clear winner of this national award. Two design entries (pictured below) are required for this category, and both must meet the comprehensive criteria expected of a KBDi-accredited designer. In Darren’s first entry, a challenging brief required a spacious kitchen for a family of seven. The homeowners needed a kitchen that would accommodate multiple cooks, and wanted plenty of space to relax and entertain. From an aesthetic point of view, they longed to bring some urban cool to their acreage home. The designer met and exceeded their expectations, producing a visually stunning and technically flawless design. The designer’s second entry presented a kitchen designed as a visual centrepiece for a holiday home nestled in the rolling hinterland of Bangalow in the Byron shire. The family wanted a statement kitchen that would also be welcoming, relaxed and family-friendly. Keen entertainers, the family needed a kitchen that would enable catering for large parties and events. The designer skillfully applied design and technical expertise to create a kitchen that ticked all the boxes of this complex brief.

It takes confidence, courage and a great deal of skill to pull off a genuine Art Deco kitchen, and Gold Coast designer Katia Slogrove of Germancraft Cabinets delivered. The decorative Art Deco style of the 1920s and ‘30s is characterised by bold geometric shapes and strong colours, and Katia nailed it in this magnificent kitchen (pictured to the left). From the New York marble taking centre stage via the island bench, to the polished gold laminate features and smoky purple backdrop, the designer’s response to the brief was audacious and bold, and the judges commended her confidence in design.

With an ageing population and an increasing number of people with disabilities choosing to remain at home rather than in care, this design entry (pictured above) is an excellent example of what may become a typical brief, and how designers can create futureproof layouts to accommodate the varying physical abilities of homeowners. This includes thoughtful decisions with respect to layout, fixtures and fittings, and designing a bathroom that is both accessible and attractive. Vanessa finished the bathroom with timeless materials and classic styling, ensuring longevity in design. The documentation presented was clear, comprehensive and concise, and the end result was simply stunning. ■