INSIDESIGN

Our Marrickville kitchen is a finalist at the KBDI Designer Awards 2024 in the category Large Kitchens. The jury has already made their decision and the winner will be announced on 17th August. However, the public (i.e. YOU) can vote for your favourite too. Please vote for me! https://www.rfr.bz/lmg0q9g PS. If you have sharp eyes you can spot another one of my designs to vote for, in the category Kitchens Plus!

Last night two of our kitchen projects were selected as finalists at for the KBDI Designer Awards 2024. We're thrilled about it but the competition will be hard in these categories in NSW this year! The projects are: Category Large kitchens: We made this light and airy (and large!) kitchen by demolishing two walls that separated a home office and a tiny, cramped and impractical kitchenette in a beautiful large house. The kitchen window already had a cute leadlight window and we had a matching one made for the ex-study window. Category Kitchens Plus: This open plan kitchen, living room with custom joinery and dining area with banquette seating was previously dark, gloomy and didn’t have enough storage. Now it’s - well - the opposite. I wrote a blog post about the project if you’d like to see before and after photos: https://lnkd.in/gyyRHSBR The winners will be announced at the KBDI Conference in August.

What can I teach about creating interior design to match your style? This is one of my favourite topics, because you can't buy a personal home from a showroom. The first step would be to know yourself and what you like. You could approach this by thinking about what are your values, what is your personal history and what kind of person you are - or what kind of person you want to become. Do a lot of visual research on figuring out what you like and what would suit your house. Then you would choose items that have a meaning to you. Items that make you feel home. "Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful." And finally group your decor pieces to create balance and rhythm, make vignettes and be bold! Here's more about the topic: https://www.rfr.bz/llllu86

What do we do differently at INSIDESIGN? I have always found this quite difficult to specify as I don't really know what everyone else does! After lots of soul searching and help from a business couch, I've come to conclusion that my 20 years experience in a process-driven company and the project management experience has made my business very process driven. Oh horror, they made me a secret engineer after all! :-D It turns out I like excel and planning. And I like writing processes. At INSIDESIGN we follow a 9 step process and I'm pretty happy with it. It's quite scaleable - some little decoration jobs don't need all steps and it works well with large projects too. Personally I like the added checkpoints where we confirm the deliverables of each step before progressing to the next step. This removes (mostly) the need of redoing concept design changes at the documentation stage, which is expensive and annoying. If you're a process nerd like me, here's the process: https://www.rfr.bz/llieudq

Creating casual luxury with mix and match? I've noticed that blending high-end and more accessible elements can create a stunning casual luxury vibe. Admittedly the heart of this project was the already amazing room that we got to transform. Looking back at my KBDi Designer Awards win in 2022 with this green lounge room. Here are before and after photos: https://www.rfr.bz/lle9zqs

If you're thinking about kitchen renovation, here's my list of 5 golden rules of what to consider: 1. Careful space planning to make sure all doors and drawers are useable and open properly 2. Appliance selection: choose the ones you really need and will use. 3. If building a kitchen to your own home, consider your lifestyle. How will you use the kitchen every day. 4. Be careful with the trends. They age. 5. With custom joinery you can build a special storage solution to suit any space. Use all of your available space. It's described in more detail here (including a personal disclosure): https://www.rfr.bz/llcaccu

Authentic design vs replicas? One thing I have been wondering over my 19 years in Australia is how replica products are here more widely accepted and available than - for example - in Finland. Australia boasts a vibrant design scene, brimming with creativity, innovation, and a distinct character and it is worth celebrating. Here's why opting for the genuine article is a design decision worth making: • Supporting Aussie creatives: When you choose authentic Australian design, you directly invest in the livelihood of local artists, designers, and craftspeople. You fuel their passion, their creative endeavors, and help shape the future of Australian design. • Quality that lasts: Genuine Australian design pieces are often crafted with meticulous attention to detail and superior materials. This translates to furniture, homewares, and objects that are built to last, becoming treasured heirlooms rather than disposable trends. • Uniqueness and character: Australian design reflects our unique landscape, culture, and heritage. Each piece tells a story, embodies a distinct aesthetic, and injects a touch of individuality into your space. It's not just about function; it's about adding a layer of personality and depth. • Sustainable practices: Many Australian designers prioritise eco-friendly materials, responsible production processes and ethical sourcing. By choosing them, you support a conscious design movement that minimises environmental impact. What do you think? Read more here: https://www.rfr.bz/llaa4qo

Working zones are the cornerstone of designing a functional kitchen. It all comes down to understanding and specifying the intended way of using the kitchen. The smaller the kitchen the more crucial this is. Read here more: https://www.rfr.bz/ll8o6xv

Authentic design vs replicas? One thing I have been wondering over my 19 years in Australia is how replica products are here more widely accepted and available than - for example - in Finland. Australia boasts a vibrant design scene, brimming with creativity, innovation, and a distinct character and it is worth celebrating. Here's why opting for the genuine article is a design decision worth making: • Supporting Aussie creatives: When you choose authentic Australian design, you directly invest in the livelihood of local artists, designers, and craftspeople. You fuel their passion, their creative endeavors, and help shape the future of Australian design. • Quality that lasts: Genuine Australian design pieces are often crafted with meticulous attention to detail and superior materials. This translates to furniture, homewares, and objects that are built to last, becoming treasured heirlooms rather than disposable trends. • Uniqueness and character: Australian design reflects our unique landscape, culture, and heritage. Each piece tells a story, embodies a distinct aesthetic, and injects a touch of individuality into your space. It's not just about function; it's about adding a layer of personality and depth. • Sustainable practices: Many Australian designers prioritise eco-friendly materials, responsible production processes and ethical sourcing. By choosing them, you support a conscious design movement that minimises environmental impact. What do you think? Read more here: https://rfr.bz/la0l05t

Kitchen benchtops. We have an issue. Or do we? As of July 1st, 2024, engineered stone benchtops with 𝘢𝘯𝘺 silica content will no longer be available in Australia due to safety regulations. While this might sound like a roadblock, it's actually an exciting opportunity to explore other stunning options for your dream kitchen! Other options worthy of exploring are: - Timeless elegance with natural stone - Sustainable statement with recycled timber - Modern luxury with porcelain slabs - Traditional industrial look with stainless steel - Unparalleled performance with sintered stone or ultracompact porcelain - Functional versatility with solid surface. More of my thoughts on the topic here: https://rfr.bz/la079zo Which one is your favourite?