VELIT stands out for its mechanical versatility and advanced lighting technology. At the heart of VELIT is a swivelling profile, capable of moving along the horizontal axis at an angle of up to 35°. This flexibility is made possible by the anchorage points located in the side heads and fixing brackets, which allow the user to tilt the light from a projection perpendicular to the work surface to an angle that allows the work surface to be adequately illuminated in the preferred area.

Unlike traditional solutions, where the entire luminaire rotates, with VELIT, only the light chamber pivots while the anchoring structure remains fixed. In fact, the profile is anchored to the side heads attached to the wall unit, as are the brackets that slide along the entire length of the luminaire and can therefore be positioned and attached as desired, guaranteeing a precise orientation of the luminous flux towards the worktop. This innovative solution enables the creation of customised lighting that is perfectly adaptable to the functional requirements of the kitchen, both during installation and afterwards.

Modularity is another strong point of VELIT: the fixing system with adjustable brackets allows the installer to freely choose the length of the profile, up to a maximum of 3000 mm, and to position the brackets at will along the structure. This solution offers exceptional design freedom and facilitates installation in different settings.

VELIT also introduces a novelty in terms of aesthetics and lighting management. Thanks to its integrated eyelid, the focal point of the light source is shielded, creating a homogeneous, glare-free light effect. The profile can be fitted with 6 mm light sources in a single-colour version (available in three colour temperatures) or in a dual-colour version with D-Motion technology, allowing the light temperature to be selected to suit the needs of the environment. To add an emotional touch to the everyday lighting experience, WAVE technology is integrated with D-MOTION to create D-Motion WAVE, introducing the dynamic and progressive switching of the light sources. Inspired by the lighting units of the automotive industry, WAVE creates an elegant and sophisticated visual effect. This not only enhances the visual experience, but also adds a dynamic design touch to the kitchen spaces, transforming lighting into a striking centrepiece.

Available in elegant aluminium and matt black finishes, VELIT can be supplied with or without an integrated switch. The switch is not only for use in turning the luminaire on and off, but also for adjusting the brightness and selecting the light temperature, with the possibility of activating the dimming function via D-Motion Wave technology.

With VELIT, Domus Line continues to propose lighting solutions that combine technology, design and customisation, ideal for meeting the needs of those seeking versatile, high-performance lighting for their furnishing projects.

For more information, visit domusline.com

Domus Line
domusline.com
FB: facebook.com/domuslineofficial
IG: instagram.com/domus_line

Available through Nover, Salice’s Silentia+ hinges are ideal for creating an ergonomic kitchen environment by ensuring doors close smoothly and consistently under any conditions. The advanced soft-close technology reduces noise and prevents slamming, enhancing both safety and convenience. This makes daily kitchen use more comfortable by minimising the effort required to open and close cabinets.

The EvoLift system offers ergonomic benefits through its adjustable design, which allows smooth and controlled movement for all flap door applications. Its compact dimensions maximise storage space while ensuring easy access to items, reducing the need for awkward reaching or bending. With options like soft close and push-to-open mechanisms, EvoLift provides a seamless, user-friendly experience.

The Exedra pocket door system further supports ergonomic kitchen design by optimising space and improving accessibility. With its cam-assisted sliding action and linear damping system, Exedra enables smooth, controlled door movement, making it easier to hide or access appliances and storage areas. This system is versatile enough to be used across various kitchen applications, reducing installation time while ensuring a sleek, organised, and user-friendly environment.

Another range in Nover’s extensive offering is Peka – a company that combines smart, innovative storage solutions with Swiss quality. Peka offers innovative storage solutions designed for maximum accessibility and convenience in the kitchen. Its corner and larder unit pull-outs make optimal use of kitchen space, keeping utensils and ingredients within easy reach. Peka’s range includes the Pegasus Shelf Lift, which allows users to easily access the top, bottom, or back of units, and the Extendo pull-out shelf, providing a clear view and easy access to stored items. The Pleno Plus larder pull-out further enhances functionality by allowing access from three sides, making Peka the ideal choice for ergonomic kitchen storage solutions.

For more ergonomic kitchen solutions, read Nover’s white paper in full here.

Nover Australia
nover.com.au
FB: facebook.com/NoverAustralia
IG: instagram.com/noveraustralia

By retaining these properties, the surfaces create emotion and memories – the wallpapers which can be used as veneers and applied to acoustic panels contribute to an atmosphere of well-being and a healthy indoor climate, help reduce stress, lighten the mood, and increase concentration.

Zirbenwald Light

This surface with real Austrian stone pine, fern, moss & needles transports you to the heart of the Austrian stone pine forests. These ancient trees only grow in certain Alpine regions and altitudes in the purest, clearest mountain air. Its fragrance has an extraordinary effect on our body and mind: it brings inner peace, balance and a good night’s sleep.

Austrian stone pine shavings & spruce needles, in combination with ferns & moss, create an extraordinary atmosphere & a sense of well-being in the interior.

Moos Grau Premium

A Nordic-inspired forest experience made possible by this sleek light grey surface with mystical moss from upcycling. The visual effect transports you directly to northern latitudes – and the moisture-regulating properties of the moss create a feeling of freshness in your interior design. This has a positive effect on the indoor climate and increases one’s sense of well-being.

Carpe Diem

Summer, sun, and pure relaxation! Enjoy the scent of the Mediterranean thanks to this delightfully sunny blend of olive leaves, Greek mountain tea, stunning cosmea blossoms, delphinium, lavender, marigolds & cornflowers. The harmonious mixture of herbs and blossoms, combined with breathable flax fleece, brings the sensory pleasures of the Mediterranean right into the interior.

WILDSPITZE Gold

Opposites are known to attract – such as with WILDSPITZE Gold. The rustic charm of genuine, hand-cut hay from the Tyrolean Alps meets glamorous gold paper, creating luxurious moments of well-being with its delicate fragrance & elegant sheen.

The contrast of golden shimmer and hay is reminiscent of delightful, warm summer evenings in the Alps.

Organoid natural surfaces represent 100% sustainability, authenticity, and a close relationship with nature and untreated natural materials. Organoid’s hay surfaces are allergy-friendly, and the self-adhesive foil is free from PVC. Even the wool remains completely undyed and unbleached, maintaining its 100% natural state.

For more information, visit austaronsurfaces.com/organoid-design-collections

Austaron Surfaces
austaronsurfaces.com
Facebook: facebook.com/austaronsurfaces
Instagram: instagram.com/austaronsurfaces

The eri collar, the sode sleeve, the doura lining of the top part of the kimono all contribute to create geometric designs with different fabrics and patterns, which Biasi draws on in creating surfaces and ways of laying them. The collection also reprises some elements form the firm’s historical archive of patterns and colours.

“Decoratori Bassanesi‘s historical archive was a great source of inspiration, a point of departure for an exploration of color, ceramic yield and glazing, while the geometric motifs and bold colour combinations of the Far East opened the way to new high-contrast laying patterns. The Kimono collection is a reflection on the infinite possibilities of color and material, blending distant traditions and cultures” – Federica Biasi

Kimono reprises one of the firm’s historic products, Millerighe, with references to the ceramics of the late 1980s. The project also revives a few finishes and processes typical of Decoratori Bassanesi’s early days, double-firing and enamel glazes, with their distinctive shiny texture and vibrant shimmer. With its sinuously smooth feel, Kimono offers that same sort of aesthetic effect, updated with new materials and contemporary workmanship.

The result is a textured collection in bold, vibrant tones which is available in eight colours and two finishes (smooth or ribbed), as well as two different sizes – 5cm x 15cm and 15cm x 15cm – designed to encourage designers to play with combining them in creative ways.

Decoratori Bassanesi was founded in 1988 and represents the values of artistic decoration in the field of handmade ceramic coating. Its factory and head office is located in the province of Treviso, Italy. Research and attention to detail, which are the fundamental values of the company, permeate every branch of production, from the choice of materials to experimentation with the most progressive techniques.

For more information visit decoratoribassanesi.it/en/

This project highlights the power of focused design. By strategically selecting areas for premium finishes (such as the Illumination Design Profile on key cabinetry), AUSMAR, in collaboration with the skilled joiners at Format Kitchens, achieved a sophisticated aesthetic without over-capitalizing. This thoughtful approach is something that they apply to any of their many projects, maximising the importance of both impact and value.

Meaningful appearance of sophistication

This AUSMAR custom home brings a modern twist to the classic Queenslander style, embodying a vision of warmth and sophistication. A thoughtfully curated colour palette and meticulously designed elements create an inviting and refined atmosphere.

The kitchen, bathroom, and wardrobe spaces are thoughtfully designed with abundant storage solutions. Rich dark wooden cabinetry provides a striking contrast to the neutral white marble textures, achieving a seamless balance of elegance and practicality in every room.

“What is really great about the Hettich Eshop website is that you can download and import the 3d files of the hardware into Sketchup which can give the clients a good idea of what they are going to get come production time.” – AUSMAR on the benefits of what the Hettich eShop provides.

Illumination Everywhere

Design and technology are key features integrated into the cabinetry of this home. The AvanTech YOU Illumination drawers add a stunning glow when opened, enhancing both the kitchen and bathroom spaces.

Initially, Format Kitchens had not considered using the AvanTech drawers. However, with encouragement from Hettich and collaboration with their joiners, AUSMAR incorporated them into this project with outstanding results. The team was particularly impressed by the hardware’s quality and the sleek, slimline design, making it a feature they plan to specify in future project.

Thoughtful Thinking

Complementing the Anthracite drawers, the Obsidian Black hinges paired beautifully with the black cabinetry carcass, creating a cohesive and sophisticated look throughout the home.

Waste bins are also another practical and welcome addition, discreetly hidden beneath the sink to provide a seamless waste solution.

PRODUCTS FEATURED:

• Hettich AvanTech You Drawers
• InnoTech Atira
• Quadro
• Waste bin
• Sensys
• Push To Open Mechanisms

For more information on Hettich products, visit designwithhettich.au 

Hettich Australia
designwithhettich.au 
Facebook: facebook.com/HettichAustralia 
Instagram: instagram.com/hettichaustralia  

Designer: AUSMAR | Joiner: Format Kitchens | Builder: AUSMAR | Photographer: Dallas Grenenger

As a modular piece of furniture, this small but cleverly-designed unit can be placed in the bathroom, bedroom, entrance or even a walk-in wardrobe. It fits harmoniously into a range of home environment thanks to the wide variety of shapes and colour combinations.

A light contours the perimeter of the unit and provides an indispensable task lighting when using the mirror for make up or other beauty applications. When the vanity is closed, the light draws attention to the unit.

Inside, a magnifying mirror is included with the “regular” mirror and the bottom of the vanity contains divider pieces that allow the user to organise personal products or jewellery and keeps items upright. The Mobilcrab Vanity can be installed at a sit or stand height and is able to be accessorised with other Mobilcrab products such as poufs, washbasins, accessories and mirrors.

Highly customisable, the Mobilcrab Vanity is available in a range of colours, sizes and finishes as exhibited below.

Vanity structure in leather with lid in Vintage Gold and internal dividers in Vintage Gold. Also pictured: freestanding round washbasin in White Deimos and rectangular mirror with gold frame and perimeter backlighting. White pouf with removable terry material.

Vanity frame and lid in Powder Pink with Vintage Gold internal dividers and white pouf in removable terry material.

Vanity structure in HPL Islanda with lid in Indigo Blue and internal dividers in Indigo Blue. Also pictured: above-counter basin in Copper and oval mirror with Satin Black frame and perimeter lighting. Pouf in Indigo Blue eco-leather and double-sided rug with rhombus pattern in beige.

Vanity structure in Cactus Green with Cactus Green cover and Vintage Gold internal dividers. Also pictured: Round mirror, tray in Vintage Gold, and white pouf with removable terry material.

Vanity installed at stand-up height in HPL Industrial and lid in Anthracite with Anthracite internal dividers. Also pictured: round mirror with soft-touch lighting and white back light.

For more information visit https://www.mobilcrab.it/en

The installation followed the presentation at Fuorisalone in April of the site-specific Glint installation designed also by Quayola for the Refin Studio spaces in Milan. Glint Variation is a collection of sculptural pieces in porcelain stoneware, an evolution and reinterpretation of the work presented in Milan, and a pure expression of the technical and material dialogue between the artist and the Refin laboratory.

The research path for the development of the Glint ceramic variation was complex and extremely stimulating. The real challenge for Refin was to be able to reproduce on the surface of the porcelain stoneware a structure that recreated the geometry developed by Quayola to represent the ripples of water. To do so, the company undertook a long process with the artist made up of tests, trials and continuous comparisons to explore new production techniques and a special ceramic mould was designed that allowed for the pressing of a bas-relief structure.

The result is a collection of sculptural pieces in 30cm x 30cm or 30cm x 60cm porcelain stoneware, 20mm thickness, with black glazed surfaces and edges. Glint Variation 30cm x 30cm is made up of four different subjects and can be inserted into interior design projects as a composition of pieces of art or to create scenographic full-wall coverings. Glint Variation 30cm x 60cm format is proposed as a single piece of art produced in a limited edition of 99 pieces and delivered with a numbered certificate of authenticity.

“Glint is first and foremost a research, a process. Both the sculpture Glint and the Variations document my study of the relationship between light and complex geometries. My idea was to crystallize the light effects on the surface of the water in a physical and tangible object. Glint Variations are like several works in one, there is no precise dimension. Being modular, the different pieces can be assembled together arriving at a scale, if you like, immersive” – Quayola

Quayola employs technology as a lens to explore the tensions and equilibriums between seemingly opposing forces: the real and artificial, figurative and abstract, old and new. Landscape painting, classical sculpture and iconography are some of the historical aesthetics that serve as a point of departure for Quayola’s hybrid compositions. His varied practice, all deriving from custom computer software, also includes audiovisual performance, immersive video installations, sculpture, and works on paper.

For more information visit https://www.refin-ceramic-tiles.com/

The Forum, to be held 10-11 April 2025, will include two days packed with events, including conferences, round tables and workshops, numerous international guests and a space created ad hoc in the Euroluce exhibition area.

One of the aims of the Forum concept is to offer the design community an increasingly wide-ranging and expanded event rounding off and fully complementing the commercial offering. Light will be the focus of an emotional and cognitive journey, offering visitors an immersive and distinctive experience. Light is addressed not just in terms of its technological potential, but also through a deep and philosophical reflection on its role as an expressive and innovative language.

The Forum will bring together an international panel of creatives, architects, designers, scientists and lighting industry professionals, to discuss highly relevant topics. The first names to be confirmed include DRIFT, specialising in sculptures, installations and experiential performances that underline the parallels between artificial and natural structures, A.J. Weissbard, a lighting designer and multifaceted artist of international renown; and Marjan van Aubel, a leader in the field of solar design for a sustainable, innovative and mindful future.

“Following the first transformation of Euroluce that we set in motion at the previous edition, rethinking the exhibition layout, we are proud to present another important innovation, this time concerning the content of the exhibition. Light is, incontrovertibly, an increasingly integral part of our lives. As a place where ideas and visions that lead to dialogue intersect, laying fertile ground for innovation, the Forum reflects the DNA of the Salone del Mobile.Milano, which has always been a generator and bearer of new ideas and formats for tackling contemporary challenges” – Maria Porro, President of the Salone del Mobile

A structured programme will provide an opportunity to dig deep into key issues such as the interaction between light and architecture and light and wellbeing, through an integrated and multidisciplinary design approach. The central role of light in integrated and sustainable design for public and private spaces, with quality of life and the future of our planet at its heart will be explored.

“Light not only makes things appear, it also creates atmospheres, depths and perceptions capable of interpreting architectures and open spaces, as in a pentagram. The role of the designer is increasingly similar to that of the conductor of an orchestra, who does not just execute a score, but gives a personal interpretation of it. It is with this sort of strategic role within the industry in mind that FederlegnoArredo’s Assoluce felt it was time to set up a dedicated international forum. I would therefore like to thank the Salone del Mobile.Milano for deciding to give shape to this idea with The Euroluce International Lighting Forum, confirming, once again, that our trade fair is not just the world’s leading design and furniture sector event but, uniquely in the world, is the home of entrepreneurs committed to designing the future of the sector they represent” – Carlo Urbinati, President of FederlegnoArredo’s Assoluce

For more information visit https://www.salonemilano.it/en/euroluce-international-lighting-forum

The entire real estate complex covers a total area of 46,700 square meters and includes 462 units, with five-star hotel rooms and apartments. The project encompassed the entire interior design of the structure, where MMA Projects’ focus was on the common areas: the extensive lobby, the service areas, the elevator lobbies of the common areas, the many restaurants, the tea room, the pool, the gym, and the spa. Meanwhile, De.Tales focused on the hotel rooms and residences, the presidential suite and executive lounge, the corridors, and the elevator lobbies on the guest room floors.

The leitmotif uniting the two studios is the slow flow, whose design concept draws inspiration from the ocean and the galaxy. The natural line floating through space and leaving a delicate mark on the interiors represents an architectural journey that guides guests through different scenarios, with a perfect blend of Italian and Chinese culture.

The interiors reflect the architectural lines of the buildings, ensuring uniformity and cohesion throughout the project. Principles like spatial continuity, hierarchical organisation, and focus on symmetry forge a strong connection between the exterior and interior spaces.

MMA Projects focused on, specifically, the grand 19-meter-high main lobby, all service areas and elevator lobbies, many restaurants, the tea room, the pool, the gym, and the spa. The design of the expansive main lobby aimed to scale down the immense dimensions to a human scale and enrich the space. Using curved bronze “screens” as decorative panels, both solid and perforated, was a notable aesthetic choice because they create diverse visual effects from different viewpoints. Given the impressive entrance size, the space was envisioned as a dynamic element: a walkway vertically divides the water feature, forming a central focal point with a fountain and a large stone reception desk. This walkway allows guests to cross the area and reach the piano bar area, where seating is positioned below the walkway level, creating the sensation of immersion in a pool.

The Chinese Restaurant offers public and private areas. In the private section, the curvature of the ceiling is accentuated by a series of undulating elements reminiscent of river pebbles. In contrast, in the public section, these gentle elements integrate into illuminated ceilings positioned above each table. Precious marbles adorn both the extensive round tables, accommodating up to 20 people, and the floor, where the curved motifs echo those on the ceiling.

In the Radisson Collection Lingang Shanghai project, light plays a fundamental role, with lighting elements conceived as floating luminous clouds that impart elegance, dynamism, and luxury to the space. The expansive triple-height hall features sweeping wings and pillars clad entirely in alabaster travertine, complemented by a floor adorned with an interweaving of curved lines crafted from various exquisite marbles. Predominantly, precious stones, bronze, and wood are used as primary materials.

De.Tales’ interior design approach is focused on creating fluid spaces with a contemporary, refined, essential, and functional style; catering to work, meetings, and relaxation; offering a comprehensive and tailored travel experience. Each area is designed for versatile use, with open flows that adapt to guests’ needs—a layered, multidimensional environment capable of transforming throughout the day.

For the hotel rooms and residences, De.Tales designed environments characterised by soft structures welcoming interior solutions defined by finishes reflecting Italian style and quality. The corridors, elevators, and elevator lobbies of both the hotel and residences feature linear, elegant pathways leading to the rooms.

The hotel’s Presidential Suite embodies institutional elegance suitable for an international clientele, embracing design that offers full spatial openness, contemporary flair, intricate details, and stunning views of Dishui Lake. The Executive Lounge, with its sinuous lines and functional spaces tailored for business clients, is designed to enhance interactions and visual appeal across different environments.

De.Tales is the Milan-based international architecture and design studio founded by Igor Rebosio and Giuseppe Varsavia. The studio interprets each project by crafting a bespoke design tale for the client, starting from the premise that behind every concept lies a story to be told and that details always matter.

MMA Projects was founded in 1999 by Marco Mangili, based in Barlassina (province of Monza and Brianza, Italy), and over the years has evolved into a “melting pot” of creative minds sharing the same vision. MMA Projects represents the synthesis of contemporary styles and expressions, where the interplay between design and scenography, architecture and technology, is tailored to the context and needs of the client, resulting in functional and poetic spaces.

GALA China, founded in 2014 and headquartered in Shanghai, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Italian group GALA. GALA China operates in the fields of architecture and design, specialising in urban planning, landscape design, architecture, and interior design.

For more information visit https://www.mmaprojects.com/ or https://detales.it/

Casablanca – Regional Winner | Residential House Over £1M – Australasia

Design Practice: Sherwood Design

Project Location: Perth, Australia

Design Practice Location: Perth, Australia

Project Casablanca, inspired by Spanish Colonial heritage, seamlessly blends architectural grandeur with contemporary elements. Situated by Western Australia’s Swan River, it encapsulates timeless elegance through innovative interior design. The project surpasses the client’s brief, combining heritage with modern sensibilities, resulting in a warm, sophisticated space. Communal areas and intimate retreats balance luxury and comfort. Meticulous attention to detail in furnishings, local craftsmanship, and curated art pieces create a unique, dynamic home. Casablanca redefines transitional design, showcasing how diverse styles and textures can produce visually stunning, conceptually rich interiors.

Residential House Over £1M - Australasia | Casablanca

1 of 6

McBreen Residence – Regional Winner | Residential House Under £1M – Australasia

Design Practice: Trenzseater International

Project Location: Christchurch, New Zealand

Design Practice Location: Christchurch, New Zealand

The McBreen Residence is an architecturally designed home set in a rural setting on the outskirts of Christchurch which we renovated. The architecture was designed to a high specification and it was our brief to ensure we complimented the architecture without compromise. Our brief for this prestigious project was to present something that was new, different and exciting, the design also had to be practical so the home could be used and lived in by the clients without being precious.

Residential House Under £1M - Australasia | McBreen Residence

1 of 6

Hidden Gem – Global Winner | Kitchen Design – Australasia

Design Practice: Celia Visser Design

Project Location: Auckland, New Zealand

Design Practice Location: Auckland, New Zealand

Celia Visser was commissioned to design a new open-plan kitchen incorporating a dining, living space extension to their character home. The kitchen’s moulded doors blend with the character house hides each workstation from view and appear as a large piece of furniture to conceal storage and appliances. The island slab anchors the space in a contemporary block format. Revego Duo Door system allowed me to achieve this. When closed, the exterior appearance has a very clean look, but once open, an entirely different look transpires. A hidden gem, two kitchens in one.

Kitchen Design - Australasia | Hidden Gem

1 of 6

Snakes and Ladders – Regional Winner | Kitchen Design – Australasia

Design Practice: Du Bois Design

Project Location: Auckland, New Zealand

Design Practice Location: Auckland, New Zealand

New Zealand company Du Bois Design, led by Natalie Du Bois, was engaged by her client to redesign and renovate the kitchen in her inner city suburb home located in Saint Marys Bay. Natalie was involved in the full design service of this project including, specification, procurement of products, quotations and manufacture and installation liaison with the builders and trades involved.

Kitchen Design - Australasia | Snakes and Ladders

1 of 6

For more information on the SBID International Design Awards, visit sbidawards.com

From waste management and the organisation of pull-outs and drawers to storage space solutions – plastic was the material of choice at Sicam in Pordenone, Italy, in terms of both shape and colour. The complete base unit “Qanto“ which Ninka had placed in the centre of a huge kitchen island proved to be an attractive eye-catcher in Hall 2.

As if from nowhere, a food processor appeared in the centre of a flush marble worktop measuring around three square metres. However, the user did not have to stretch out to use it; the tray and its load could be pulled into easy reach. After use, the appliance disappeared back into the attractive structure at the touch of a button.

As a second possible application, Ninka showed the spice unit “Qanto“ equipped with three shelves within easy reach directly next to a hob in a kitchen unit. The lower shelf had space for tall bottles of oil and vinegar as well as spice mills, while the middle shelf, which was only half the size, held numerous small jars of spices. After cooking, everything is perfectly tidied away in the base unit. In this “Qanto“, the upper shelf fits into the worktop when retracted, providing a firm base for smaller kitchen utensils for preparatory cooking steps.

The “one2eight” waste collection system, which was positioned next to a water treatment system in the base cabinet, also proved to be an eye-catcher for visitors. The system can also be used as a solitary solution installed in the centre.

Inspired by the British market, Ninka presented 25.5-litre waste bins which can offer a total volume of 51 litres in combination with the “one2five” and “one2six” suspended frame systems in 40 cm base units. In 60 cm base units, a large bin of this type supplements the three-bin configuration with a 42- and an 8-litre bin and enables triple separation to a total of 75.5 litres. Ninka also offers a suspended waste bin solution for shallow installation depths of just 486 mm. To prepare the systems directly for installation, the manufacturer has developed a complete set with a push-to-open mechanism.

In addition, Ninka showed some clever combinations at Sicam. As all container systems are equipped with a static shelf-cover, above which there is usually storage space, the manufacturer suggested the use of suitable organiser trays, which are normally used in drawers.

Ninka was also creative when it came to the “one2top” range of bin lids and inserts: from organic waste lids with coconut mat odour filters and visually appealing metal inserts, which are particularly popular in Italy, to tidy organisation solutions with dustpans, hand brushes and cloth hangers – variety was the order of the day at the supplier trade fair for the furniture and interior design industry, which was once again very popular.

Ninka products are available in Australia through Hafele.

For more information on Ninka products, visit ninka.com

Staron’s Sanded Mint brings a refreshing touch to the kitchen and is perfectly complemented by a carefully curated palette of colours. This colourful joinery is nestled within warm timber surrounds. This design captures the playful potential of colour and form, with geometric shapes that complement the home’s exterior. During the day, the lighting creates a soft inviting look while in the evening, the illumination brings a more dramatic effect. 

The brief for the home called for a focus on available materials that could help create an authentically unique space and current design and architectural trends were avoided with the home embodying the owners’ personalities and tastes.

In the bathroom, the same bold and vibrant theme can be seen with Staron’s California Poppy dynamic touch to the vanity and mirror. Moving beyond the traditional lines and tones often seen in bathrooms, the design showcases the playful creativity of the designer, capturing a fresh, nonconformist aesthetic. With this mass timber construction, the oblique angles and offset geometry provide the dwelling with a unique style that lends itself to the windswept coastal location.

For more information on Staron products, visit austaronsurfaces.com/staron-solid-surfaces/austaronsurfaces.com

Austaron Surfaces
austaronsurfaces.com
Facebook: facebook.com/austaronsurfaces
Instagram: instagram.com/austaronsurfaces/

As a subtle and discrete electrical solution for interior design and architectural projects, ZETR 48 is able to be designed and configured to provide unique tessellations for each unit. The minimalistic, flush series was created following extensive industry feedback to meet the requirements for customisation and personalisation within power specification.

ZETR recognises that the landscape of power, data, charging and connectivity is evolving, with an increased need for innovative solutions that have minimal impact.

The flush design is achieved with proprietary mounting assemblies; fixed and adjustable, allowing for on-site cutting and trim-less installation using readily available tools – reflecting user demands. A single, circular product offers flexibility and configurability of an electrical system to the designer, facilitated by a series of mounting solutions that simplifies a complex process for the installer. Configure your way with 48; double pole flat pin, round pin and switch grids in matte or metal.

ZETR 48 provides a completely configurable single power and switch series, with no excess plastic, or excess product. User or specifier can design the layout that they want, in the most compact and minimal way possible. The 48 system considers proportion, scale and provide a subtle impact on the surrounding surfaces. With consideration of onsite installation, ZETR has designed the intricate product to be easily and neatly installed on-site with readily available tools. In addition, circular cut-outs can be achieved on site.

Thanks to its 48mm footprint, ZETR 48 brings power to the most compact of spaces and is compatible with a wide variety of options for switching and dimming, as well as data and control systems.

Grid, or tessellated layouts are possible with 48 Round, along with symmetrical patterns that can be aligned 45 degrees, extending the options for configuration out to hundreds more options.

Made from high quality matte finish polycarbonate, designed to blend with surrounding surfaces, ZETR 48 is available in a complementary series of flush fit metal faceplates in seven finishes; natural brass, aged brass, bronze, steel, mirror, brass and black steel. There is no need for an on/off switch, or internal double pole auto switch, leaving the faceplate as minimal as possible.

Designed for tight spaces; the 48 Mounting Assembly has a flexible, ‘breakaway’ frame suited to a range of size applications. Installation and removal can be achieved with standard and commonplace tools while the bayonetted locking system allows for quick installation of the outlet or switch which is fastened with a proprietary circlip for safety.

For more information visit https://www.zetr.com.au/round-single-outlet-flat-black

The LIGHT HUB is a space dedicated to the discovery and experience of Linea Light Group and Stilnovo products.

Linea Light Group, the Treviso-based company founded in 1976 and a pioneer in LED technology, acquired Stilnovo – the historical Italian lighting brand founded in Milan in 1946 – in 2019. This added an important component to the strategic relaunch of the company’s decorative product offering.

The showroom is laid out to create a unique sensory experience where architecture and design merge to inspire unforgettable emotions. The result of a major renovation project curated by Studio Giuseppe Tortato Architetti, the showroom spans three levels, each one carefully designed to captivate and inspire.

Two iconic staircases lie at the heart of the project: a white steel sculpture elegantly graces the entrance, while a second staircase leads to the nerve centre of the showroom, where light can be touched, experienced first-hand and experimented with. Among the highlights is a long red metal table that welcomes visitors with an invitation to creativity, becoming a meeting point for designers and customers.

The showroom is divided into two main areas. One more “emotional” part, dedicated to Stilnovo, celebrates decorative and designer lighting with striking settings that captivate and inspire. The other more “technical” one, dedicated specifically to the i-LèD range by Linea Light Group, highlights the precision and quality of professional lighting, offering visitors the possibility to explore and touch cutting-edge solutions first-hand.

The ground floor also houses the Meeting Dark, a multi-functional room, that can be used both for displaying products and as a conference room. This space can also be transformed into an event room for thirty people.

The Systems & Outdoor Area is in the basement, a space dedicated entirely to technical experimentation and project consultancy. It is the ideal setting for providing support for designers, architects and lighting designers, to test and install the products, with a direct and innovative hands-on approach to the world of lighting.

The area has been deliberately designed to resemble a workshop, with walls fitted with aluminium peg boards that hold the accessories and modules for the indoor systems: INK, NODE and Modus. The system modules are showcased at eye-level, allowing them to be directly swapped with those in the racks, offering visitors the opportunity to easily test and customise the systems.

At the back, the outdoor solutions are located in two niches in the wall: the linear solution, Xenia Blade Inground, is displayed in the first niche, blending seamlessly into the architecture and bathing the intrados with an elegant light, while the Orma uplight, embedded in the ground, and the Portik ceiling light, installed at the top of the recess, are located in the second niche.

The vault is also on the same floor, an area with a futuristic design, which turns the LIGHT HUB into a genuine testing lab. The space is surrounded by custom-built cabinets with several safes resembling a real vault that contain pre-wired, ready-to-use equipment, ideal for testing or brought directly to the installation site as mock-ups.

The first floor of the hub houses Linea Light Milan’s operational office, a functional, modern space where part of the company’s team works. Even though it is a workspace, it has been designed to maintain a balance between design and technology, thus reflecting the company’s identity.

The LIGHT HUB experience is not limited to simply showcasing products: every area of the LIGHT HUB is fitted with advanced technologies, such as the TWIL control system to create custom lighting scenarios. This makes the showroom a go-to destination for anyone seeking innovative, designer solutions in the lighting industry.

1 of 3

Linea Light Group “LIGHT HUB” showroom is located at Via Giovanni Boccaccio 15/A, Milan.

For more information visit linealight.com/en

Step-by-Step

Design: Alberto Meda, 2018

“I like essential objects with a hidden complexity. Step-by-Step looks like a single surface, but it actually consists of modules with elliptical ribs that guarantee energy efficiency with minimal overall dimensions.” Alberto Meda

The concept of Step-by-Step starts from a solid element in aluminium with a surface made of pleated elliptical modules, tilting towards the left or the right. Depending on their layout and on the observer’s perspective, charming games of light can be created, as well as visual effects that cause completely different emotions: from a slight sense of motion to a monumental architectural feature.

Modularity makes Step-by-Step suitable for the most diverse design requirements. The basic module can be installed individually or placed beside another module, thereby creating four configurations: one or two modules tilting towards the right, one or two modules tilting towards the left. If multiplied by the different heights available, these make possible twenty different combinations. Step-by-Step is therefore ideal for both large spaces, in which users want to introduce a significant decorative presence, and for smaller settings, where the compact overall dimensions (the radiator protrudes just 7.8 cm from the wall) saves space indoors.

Step-by-Step is available in hydraulic, electric and mixed versions. The radiator heats up in two different ways: via radiation and through natural convection, thanks to the hot air that goes from the bottom upwards. Step-by-Step can be accessorised with a towel rail or a hook, making it suitable for use in the bathroom.

Step-by-Step received the Designplus powered by ISH 2019, the German Design Award 2020 as Winner of the Category Excellent Product Design – Bath and Wellness, both organised by the German Design Council, the iF Design Award 2020 in the category Building Technology and the Red Dot Design Award 2021 Best of the Best.

Trame

Design: Stefano Giovannoni, 2012

“The heating element reinterprets the classic model, providing an object that is half-way between a contemporary artwork and a piece of fine craftsmanship. The end result is a game of blocks and voids, which clads the heating element and enhances the reflective properties of metal.” Stefano Giovannoni

A three-dimensional design that clads the walls with curved, warm and welcoming Surfaces, in Trame the classic tubular steel elements become soft, coloured threads which pursue one another amid warp and weft, weaving a proper fabric of heat. Trame is the result of experimentation and research, marked by technological and shape-related innovation. Behind an apparently simple and immediate result, which stands out for its linearity and pure styling, lies a great complexity of design.

Trame is made with low carbon content steel, a material that is ideal for creating the curved shapes that distinguish it. Giovannoni skilfully combines the solidity of steel with the lightness of the shapes in a heating element with a strong architectural value. In fact, depending on the version in which it is used, with horizontal or vertical patterns, its tubes either slim or thicker (available in the three versions Trame 14, Trame 20 and Trame 28), Trame creates different effects on the wall it adorns, almost as if it were a tapestry or a carpet, a work of art that recalls craftsmanship, in addition to heating the surrounding setting.

In accordance with the standard EN 442, Trame has been trialled at the Polytechnic of Milan laboratories which have verified the heat output and its compliance in terms of quality with the highest European standards.

Available in Australia through Oblica, visit oblica.com.au/

For more information, visit tubesradiatori.com 

A patrician palace featuring an eclectic and retro style, home to Studio 2046, becomes the stage where surfaces interact with unexpected furnishing objects: crystal pots, chinoiserie, exotic objects, animalier seats, and inlaid fireplaces. The result is an ironic but extremely sophisticated match, a play of suggestions that shows FENIX® materials and Arpa® high-quality surfaces under a new light.

The project aims to raise curiosity among interior designers and decorators, disclosing how such cutting-edge materials – ideal for technical uses thanks to their features and performance–can also elegantly fit into the world of decor, product and furnishing accessory design.

Daniele Daminelli’s signature artistic research, made of rich and articulated aesthetics, recurs in the soft-nuanced scenography setup as well as in the material choices, stretching a common thread on this formal investigation.

“I test the gentle relationship between new generation products and objects belonging to past eras, in search of a sophisticated balance of different aesthetic codes. – Daniele Daminelli says – I bring fragments of history into the future.”

This project is presented as a three-dimensional mood board in which the brands’ materials and surfaces, taking linear but also curved and articulated shapes, dialogue with fabrics and more classic materials such as ceramic, glass, brass, and bronze.

Geometric and decorative elements, created using FENIX® and Arpa®, interact with a selection of objects belonging to different historical periods. Ancient statuettes, precious ceramics and ancient chandeliers are combined with coloured and material volumes that take on different functions and become plinths, frames, columns, and structural elements.

FENIX® innovative materials in seven colours – Giallo Evora, Viola Orissa, Argento Ducat, Oro Cortez, Blu Fes, Verde Kitami, Rosso Namib – are alternated, thus highlighting their properties like the extremely matte appearance and soft touch. Inspired by the history of architecture and worldwide landscapes, colours blend in a keen refinement together with a universal soul.

Arpa® surfaces are presented in a vast selection, including Smili White in Rorà finish, which varies according to the light orientation, Rosso Puraj, one of the 36 colours of the Colorsintesi family using Bloom, a technology that has increased the renewable content in the “core” of materials.

Arpa® also reveals itself through the Deep Surface Tuet combined with Caravella Dark decor, featuring an exclusive haptic effect, and through Nabu in Urban finish, which reinterprets stone, a particularly fine material. Nabu is part of the Vis Collection that is designed for wear resistance thanks to mineral components, and for a better tactile experience thanks to organic elements.

After the “Returning to Villa Casa Bianca” project, presented last year within the spaces of a historic villa in Como, thanks to Daniele Daminelli’s sartorial approach, FENIX and Arpa give shape to a strong charismatic crossover.

FENIX® and Arpa® are available in Australia through nover.com.au 

For more information on FENIX®, visit fenixforinteriors.com.au

For more information on Arpa®, visit arpaindustriale.com

Each piece in the collection features a rigorous design with minimal decorations, carefully conceived to serve specific functions. The modular concept allows each element to be adapted to the specific needs of any environment, ensuring a unique and distinctive result.

ESSENTIA is composed of three independent patterns, seemingly disconnected from one another but strongly linked through their creative genesis. Each design stems from a contemporary approach, aimed at interpreting how we live and interact with the spaces around us. The versatile graphics and extensive colour palettes offer users the opportunity to create multiple aesthetic solutions, allowing for an imaginary and dynamic division of spaces, whether public or private.

The skilled hands of Giovanni De Maio, heir to a centuries-old tradition of working and enhancing ceramic surfaces, have successfully combined the precision of computerized designs born from Marco Piva’s creativity with artisanal techniques passed down through generations.

DOXA 

DOXA consists of four rectangular modules (two measuring 30×10 cm and two measuring 60×30 cm) which, through their different combinations, allow for virtually infinite compositional possibilities, exploring the contrast between the world of superficial perceptions and the hidden, deeper essence of forms. The minimalist, rationalist design reflects a pure aesthetic, where the simple decoration represents the sensible world, while the essential, functional, and perfect form highlights the search for a deeper truth beyond appearances.

EIDOS

EIDOS, composed of three rectangular 30×10 cm modules, plays with the perception of three-dimensionality achieved by juxtaposing static elements, which together create visual harmony. This embodies an ideal concept of symmetry and order, reflecting an ideal idea or form that transcends materiality. The aesthetic captures the essence of Plato’s Eidos, evoking the purity and perfection of the original idea through the medium of ceramics.

AUREA

AUREA consists of 10 square modules, five in the 30×30 cm format and the other five in 15×15 cm, representing the path of elevation from sensory perception (Doxa) to the understanding of pure ideas (Eidos). The undulating, curvilinear patterns, with fluid lines that harmoniously unfold across the tiles, create a sense of movement and continuity, allowing for infinite combinations. This design embodies the harmony of divine proportion and the progression towards knowledge.

For more information, visit studiomarcopiva.com/ or giovannidemaio.com

The two new collections are inspired by elements and shapes from the Orient: Kimono, in bold, vibrant colours, takes cues from the knots and folds of the traditional Japanese robe, and Wă suggests the architecture of rural villages in China with their uneven terracotta tiles.

The new products for 2024 were displayed in a contemporary, original staging featuring warm, earthy, contrasting tones that offers a tactile and visual experience of the new collections. Ceramics cover the walls and surfaces of the space, alternating with evocative photographic images illustrating the research and conception process behind their development.

“Decoratori Bassanesi is constantly committed to exploring the full potential of ceramics through innovative, audacious collections that meet the highest quality standards, – says Paolo Serraiotto, Founder and President. Those who choose our brand embrace a design-oriented approach – in fact, since 2008 the company has collaborated with international designers in the pursuit of new inspirations, welcoming new challenges and exploring the full potential of the material.”

The new products and the mise-en-scene for the latest edition of Cersaie demonstrate the brand’s aim to offer an ambitious concept of sophisticated, elegant ceramic coverings, continuing the evolution of aesthetics and form that Decoratori Bassanesi has been building together with art director Federica Biasi. 

Kimono – design by Federica Biasi

The Kimono collection designed by Federica Biasi is inspired by the composition of traditional Japanese kimonos, which involves a complex series of knots and folds almost like a sort of origami: the eri collar, the sode sleeve, the doura lining of the top part of the kimono all contribute to create geometric designs with different fabrics and patterns, which Biasi draws on in creating surfaces and ways of laying them. The collection also reprises some elements form the firm’s historical archive of patterns and colours.

“Decoratori Bassanesi‘s historical archive was a great source of inspiration, a point of departure for an exploration of colour, ceramic yield and glazing, while the geometric motifs and bold colour combinations of the Far East opened the way to new high-contrast laying patterns, – says Federica Biasi – The Kimono collection is a reflection on the infinite possibilities of colour and material, blending distant traditions and cultures.”

Kimono reprises one of the firm’s historic products, Millerighe, with references to the ceramics of the late 1980s. The project also revives a few finishes and processes typical of Decoratori Bassanesi’s early days, double-firing and enamel glazes, with their distinctive shiny texture and vibrant shimmer. With its sinuously smooth feel, Kimono offers that same sort of aesthetic effect, updated with new materials and contemporary workmanship. 

The result is a textured collection in bold, vibrant tones: 8 colours, two finishes – smooth and ribbed – and 2 different sizes – 5×15 and 15×15 –encourage designers to play with combining them in creative ways.

Wă, design by Federica Biasi

The design for the Wă collection by Federica Biasi carries us away to the Orient, taking cues from the designer’s travels in China, where she was inspired by the roof tiles of pagodas and typical dwellings in rural villages. 

In these buildings, irregular handcrafted terracotta tiles are layered and stacked atop one another in an interlocking system inherited from ancient, traditional Chinese techniques. The designer has translated her impressions of the patterns of these tiles into a design structure, giving rise to the Wă collection.

“Usually, it’s the simplest elements that catch my eye, straightforward images that call up a specific vision. – says Federica Biasi – For the Wă collection, the sharp, strong lines of the buildings, with their ties to history, ancient forms of craftsmanship and the use of natural materials, were a flash of inspiration that, over time, generated the creative process the design grew out of.”

The Wă collection has a harmonious, warm, vivid aesthetic that blends décor with functionality and comes in four natural tones ranging from hazelnut to caramel. As in a mosaic, each individual element is repeated in a 9.5 x 18.5-cm portion that makes up the new covering, in full-body porcelain tile.

For more information, visit decoratoribassanesi.it

Designed by Raffaella Mangiarotti, the WOD partition consists of a succession of elements in wood or felt, joined by hide hinges which allows it to full adapt to a linear or curved position.

Deceptively simple, it’s the simplicity of the system that makes it so clever, with the starting point of the project being a focus on reducing the complexity of such systems. Ideal for creating private areas on open-plan settings, the WOD Panel system easy blends into a variety of contexts including offices, hotels, restaurants and sophisticated home interiors.

Versatile by nature, the WOD Panel system is available in wood finishes (natural oak or bleached oak), open-pore lacquered finishes in various colours, as well as felt in various colours.

The system does not require the use of metal elements or screws but utilises a clever interlocking mechanism – the panels have a slot where a three-pocket cylindrical hinge is inserted, then fastened with three wooden dowels. Presented at Orgatec in a height of 180cm, the system allows the unit to be expanded to any width, making it highly flexible.

With its understated yet impressive design, the WOD Panel system showcases an innovative approach to aesthetics and design for interior spaces. WOD can easily be disassembled and can be fully recycled at the end of its life. Further ecological savings are made thanks to the ability to ship the WOD Panels as a flatpack which lowers emissions by saving on transport costs.

For more information visit https://www.lapalma.it/en

Each Archeda mirror is designed to enrich the bathroom, adding personality and sophistication, becoming a key piece in an often undervalued space.

1 of 4

Pioneeringly, Archeda sometimes breaks the symmetry and custom of the mirror above the washbasin, proposing it in an offset position to create dynamism in the composition. To balance the whole, made asymmetrical by the off-axis mirror, an object bar is introduced to restore aesthetic and functional harmony.  

Innovative lines and carefully chosen handcrafted quality materials guarantee not only impeccable aesthetics, but also durability, making each mirror a timeless design element. From minimalist and modern lines to more classic and decorative designs, each mirror adds a touch of elegance and personality, making the bathroom a special and sophisticated place.

1 of 4

About Archeda 

Founded in 1996 in Porcia, Italy, Archeda is a manufacturing reality specialized in the production of bathroom furniture, accessories, and complements made in Italy. Archeda’s guiding force is the desire to create emotions and offer customers a durable and design-oriented product, working on shapes, volumes, and quality of materials, respecting aesthetic and functional requirements. 

For more information, visit archeda.eu 

“This project took a bit of time to achieve the desired result, which is interesting because the inspiration comes from a simple gesture: rolling a piece of paper and placing it into a marble base. Our intention was to design a sleek, elegant lamp with a high-end craft perception. Developing the right lighting source, however, took considerable time.” Luca Nichetto explains. 

The lamp comprises a double-layer circular base in natural stone, the first component of which contains the USB charger while the second houses the dimmable LED light. A sheet of rolled paper is inserted into the base to form the shade, creating a soft, gentle glow.

The result is a miniature piece of sculpture that plays with the reflections of light and the fascinating juxtaposition of the unyielding, eternal stone and the ephemeral, delicate paper.

This year, Teo is available in a new selection of marbles with Bianco Carrara, Rosso Levanto and Verde Guatemala joining the existing selection of Crema d’Orcia and Pietra d’Avola. While the original versions were conceived to be paired with a classic white shade, the new variants combine with sheets of paper in a range of colours.

Part Teo lamp’s charm is the scope it offers for adding a personal touch, with the ingeniously simple concept making it easy to insert a plain or patterned sheet of paper to create a new lampshade. 

Demonstrating the infinite array of creative possibilities, Salvatori has also introduced a limited-edition version of Teo, with two original designs by the popular Venetian artist Lucio Schiavon.

“My starting point for the paper shades of the wonderful Teo lamp designed by my friend Luca Nichetto for Salvatori was the art form of Chinese shadow play. You see the magic of transparency when a black ink brushstroke loses its weight and dimension and becomes a faint shadow, coiled in a cone of light. The joy of seeing one of my designs illuminated is a revelation because as an artist, I rarely think about the usefulness of my creations beyond seeing them hung on a wall. But in this case, they are an intrinsic part of a beautiful design object,” says Lucio Schiavon.

For more information, visit salvatoriofficial.com 

TKBB spoke to Ryan Fritsch, CEO of Noveco Surfaces, about what this award means for this relatively young business.

“Winning an award of this size/prestige is incredibly exciting for us and helps bolster our credibility in the market of balancing sustainable, responsible manufacturing while also being design-forward,” he says. “As the design community is a significant stakeholder of ours, having this in our list of achievements, particularly in such a strong category in the awards, shows we are and will continue to become a more prominent organisation within the surfaces industry”.

Noveco Surfaces is an Australian-owned and -operated sustainable surfaces manufacturer, based in NSW. All its surfaces are entirely crystalline silica free and are made from up to 80% recycled materials. At the end of their lifetime, all products are 100% recyclable.

Ryan explains that the original concept came from a research project that was looking into waste glass as a problem waste material in Australia and investigating viable pathways for its use. Several years into this research, the team realised this waste product created the foundation for a high-quality surface product, first in the tile industry but, now with the ban on engineered stone, also as a replacement benchtop surface. “We are in the process of setting up a new factory to service this new segment, which we expect to be in production by December 2025 and fulfilling orders by January 2025,” adds Ryan. The new factory will provide Noveco Surfaces with 250,000sqm of production capacity per year.

The research and development into the base product was carried out over a number of years with specific trials and testing to ensure compliance with all construction and architectural Standards. It was important to the team that the newly-developed product met a number of criteria; to create a sustainable product that utilised the abundance of waste glass created, to address the health risks of products containing silica, and to create a reliable stream of product for the housing and construction industry.

For this purpose, a “micro” factory was established to test a commercially viable product before its launch to the marketplace. The success of the application for tile production provided the opportunity to expand production into benchtops, furniture, architectural elements and base construction pieces. “Our products aren’t just surfaces,” explains Ryan. “They’re crystalline silica-free statements of ingenuity”.

As with the development of any new product, the initial manufacturing stages have thrown up a few challenges along the way. “The fundamental step-change for the business was the transition, over several years of lab-format production, to bespoke designs for specific clients and into production at scale,” says Ryan. Ryan adds that, however frustrating, each set of challenges were essential in allowing the team to develop a high-performing circular product.

Glass for Noveco’s products is sourced as post-consumer glass but Ryan and the team are looking into expanding this to include other feed sources in 2025. “Post-consumer glass will always be the core of our supply, given the sheer volume in the Australian market that is not suitable for recycling,” explains Ryan. “When this glass is broken beyond a reasonable size it’s no longer feasible for it to be used through traditional recycling methods, in most instances. But we can”.

As production ramps up into 2025 it will be very interesting to watch the trajectory of Noveco Surfaces and see how its products are received and utilised by the design and building industry, so watch this space!

For more information visit novecosurfaces.com/

The heart of NEXT lies in its ability to create a sequential switch-on effect that achieves the best performances with linear luminaires such as light profiles. The technology used has been developed with a wide range of applications in mind, such as lighting for wall-mounted and cabinet shelves, in environments such as the kitchen, living room, and bedroom, with the goal of offering versatile and high-performance solutions.

The effect, in which the timing of the sequence has been studied with extreme precision, identifying an ideal gap of 0.25 seconds between the activation of one luminaire and the next, is designed to enhance the environment by providing the eye with a fluid and dynamic effect. This can transform the atmosphere of the space with an elegant and sophisticated touch. The sequential switch-on effect not only enhances the design of the furniture but also creates an engaging visual experience, highlighting the shapes and details of the space in which it is installed.

With the GIRO NEXT remote control, the user can manage the sequential switching on and off, as well as adjust the brightness for single-colour luminaires. For dual-colour D-MOTION luminaires, the colour temperature can also be selected. 

With NEXT, Domus Line not only meets the demands of the market but also anticipates trends, offering innovative and distinctive technology that combines design, functionality, and emotion. This system marks a major advancement in lighting design, enabling the creation of unique and personalised environments with its sequential switch-on effect.

For more information, visit domusline.com 

Hosted in the new Design Variations space, the staging showcased the brand’s new products to highlight its multifaceted, diverse origins. Woak has made a name for itself internationally as it draws on sills and techniques from various cultures, bringing woodworking traditions together with international designers, innovative materials and new manufacturing processes.

Designed by /àr-o/ studio, the Milan-based creative duo who are Woak’s art directors, Wood Pixel enchants with vibrant colors and rhythmic patterns, using similarities and differences to highlight the company’s special bond with its chosen material, wood. The graphic element printed on the space’s horizontal and vertical surfaces, designed by Peter Gregson, depicts the cross-section of a tree, reinterpreted in a blue-and-green pixelated pattern, reflecting the studio’s intention to highlight the intersectionality between the natural and technological worlds that underlies Woak’s philosophy.

1 of 6

The Rudi stool designed for Woak by Zaven puts the accent on the beauty of the raw material: solid oak that seems sculpted in simple, clean lines. In high- and low-back versions, it’s a familiar object with a minimalist aesthetic based on a few interlocking geometric elements joined in meticulous yet primitive harmony.

1 of 4

The Leon chair designed by Zaven is an assemblage of simple, delicate elements that create horizontal and vertical rhythms. Available with a leather-covered seat or a woven seat, it’s designed to offer comfort and practicality.

1 of 5

The Snoop collection, the latest pieces designed for Woak by the Zaven duo, has a distinctive beam as the supporting structural element. Consisting of a table, bench and stool in wood, the collection is designed to adapt to a wide variety of rooms and environments, from public spaces to private homes.

1 of 4

Flesso is a solid oak console designed by DWA Design Studio. Its curves and lines follow the passages of the detail-oriented craftsmanship and reveal its flowing design – a design that’s all about the details: the tray-like top surface with rounded edges, the legs with cylindrical heads, and above all, dialoguing with the geometric lines, two gracefully curved linoleum-clad doors create a harmonious tactile and expressive contrast.

1 of 5

Wing is the new console table designed for Woak by Constance Guisset, part of the homonymous collection of pieces distinguished by solid yet light profiles. This sculptural object hides two shelves behind its wide base structure, making it perfectly suited to grace the entryway of a home, like a welcoming friend.

The new storage unit designed by /àr-o/ studio is part of the Repeta collection of side tables and storage units. The repetition of identically-shaped pieces like the teeth in gears refers to Woak’s industrial woodworking heritage, while the attention to detail and finish highlights the company’s handcrafting ethos. The result: sculptural, cylindrical décor elements in which solid wood dialogues harmoniously with other materials like metal and marble.

1 of 5

Another product of the collaboration between Woak and /àr-o/ studio, the Wedge screen is made up of interwoven wooden elements that rhythmically overlap in an unexpected play of geometries. The natural raw material that is the focus of the composition is transformed into a sort of painting in the multicoloured version.

The Wherry chair is an achievement in fine cabinetmaking. The name comes from the traditional English boats that inspired the design, evoking in particular the shadows of oars on the hull. The square-section legs contrast with the softness of the upholstered seat. The thin panels that make up the backrest create a rhythmic wrap-around effect similar to that of traditional Windsor armchairs.

1 of 2

Designed by Matteo Fogale, the Burly hanging cabinet expands the homonymous collection, which also includes bookcase and shelves. The idea behind the pieces is to highlight the strength and solidity of solid wood. In fact, the design plays with different cross-sections of the material, alternating thick and thin to create contrast between heft and lightness.

1 of 3

The Radiata table by Marta Ayala Herrera is designed as an exploration of the most innovative expressions shaping contemporary design. Initially conceived as a creative exercise, the piece was developed following the designer’s self-imposed objectives: use only basic geometrical shapes to be combined, modified and rotated; explore the space by creating volumes; transform something useful into something frivolous and vice-versa, with a minimalist, functional approach. The result is an object the combines great simplicity with strong character, an exploration of the essence of rhythm, reflections and nuances.

For more information visit https://www.woakdesign.com/

Savoir Faire

1 of 6

The Savoir Faire collection combines tradition and craftsmanship to recreate the unique aesthetic of handmade tiles. These products, inspired by the fascinating imperfections of handmade ceramics, express an authenticity that only the human touch can impart. Each tile becomes a canvas that tells a story, enhancing the narrative power of surfaces and materials. The variegated colour shades offer intense and changing tones, ideal for creating intimate, cosy and authentic environments.

Pulse

1 of 3

With the Pulse collection, Sartoria renews its passion for small sizes with a new 4cm x 31.5cm white-body brick characterised by a perfect fusion of craftsmanship and innovation. Composed of seven Flat and seven Prism strips with a pyramid shape, the series exploits the three-dimensionality combined with the richness of the glazes to achieve a unique and distinctive visual effect. The brilliant surfaces and vibrant colours enhance the craftsmanship of each strip, adding depth, movement, dimension and tactility to the spaces. The surface becomes tailor-made with only unique, unrepeatable pieces that create sophisticated and refined settings where the planking becomes a work of art enhanced by the variety of colours available.

Crudatech

1 of 3

Made of porcelain stoneware, Crudatech is a collection that draws inspiration from the textures of raw earth, skilfully incorporating 3D technology to imprint intricate bas-reliefs on a cement-like surface. This new offering is available in six distinct colour variants in sizes 120cm x 120cm and 60cm x 120cm. Each tile offers a matte finish that emphasises the handcrafted quality and tactile appeal of the designs by perfectly combining the traditional aesthetics of raw earth with advanced modern technology, creating a unique and sophisticated surface solution ideal for a variety of interior design applications.

Oakbricks

1 of 4

Oakbricks is a collection of porcelain stoneware in the unusual size of 4.8cm x 45cm listels in six elegant colour variants that pay homage to the Italian craft tradition, enhancing the authentic beauty of wood in a more modern interpretation. Designed to add warmth and elegance to any environment, each piece is carefully crafted to faithfully reproduce the grain and nuances of wood, offering an aesthetic and tactile experience of the highest quality.

For more information visit terratintagroup.com/

The Elisyan collection combines design, technical innovation and functionality, and is in keeping with the company’s reputation for excellence in mosaics and surfaces. The result of months of intensive research and development, with a crucial role played by advanced engineering techniques, the Elisyan collection was an ambitious challenge.

1 of 2

Creating furniture with integrated backlighting, while maintaining ease of installation, was no easy task but, thanks to cutting-edge technical solutions, the R&D team succeeded.

1 of 2

Each element has been designed to enhance the beauty of Vetrite, SICIS’ iconic laminated glass, whose opalescent finish and soft lighting effects transform each piece into a unique design object. Elisyan stands out for its originality and eclecticism with elegant baths and washbasins surrounded by backlit Ventrite ‘shells’, and mirrors and shower cubicles showcasing refined aesthetics for a refined ambiance.

At the show, alongside Elisyan, SICIS also presented the Faux Mosaique collection, an innovative reinterpretation of modern interiors. Inspired by the intricate designs and styles of SICIS mosaics, this collection extends the art of mosaic to alternative media and materials such as wallpaper, textiles and carpets. Faux Mosaique redefines the concept of mosaic, fusing artisan aesthetics with modern materials to create surfaces and accessories with a strong visual impact, where art meets functionality.

This project demonstrates how the essence of mosaic can evolve and influence new areas of decoration, inspiring designers and consumers to explore this tradition in unexpected and contemporary ways.

The fair was a success for SICIC and further strengthens the company’s commitment to creating collections that combine art and innovation. Elisyan is not just a bathroom collection, but a sensory experience that redefines the concept of functional luxury, ideal for both residential and hospitality environments.

For more information visit https://www.sicis.com/GLOBAL/en/

It’s estimated that around 65% of those living with dementia are currently living within the community and all reports say this is only set to increase.

TKBB spoke to Daniel Jameson from The Dementia Centre, which is part of Hammond Care, to explore the principles of dementia-friendly design and best practices for creating supportive living environments in Australia. He says that, with our ageing population and limited expected increase in aged care places, we will need more homes designed to cater for physical, cognitive and sensory impediments. “And dementia encompasses an element of all these three areas,” he adds. “Which makes it a unique situation and our goal is to help those living with dementia to remain enabled by supporting the knowledge base and response of those designing homes and interior environments”.

Understanding Dementia and Its Impact on Living Spaces

Dementia affects memory, cognitive function, and the ability to perform everyday tasks. It can also impact spatial awareness and increase the risk of accidents. As dementia progresses, familiar environments can become confusing, leading to feelings of frustration and agitation. Designing spaces that are simple, safe, and intuitive can help alleviate these challenges.

Key Principles of Dementia-Friendly Design

Designing for individuals with dementia involves creating environments that are easy to navigate, reduce stress, and enhance independence. Key principles include:

• Familiarity: Maintaining familiar elements helps reduce confusion and anxiety.
• Safety: Minimising hazards and supporting mobility is essential for preventing falls and accidents.
• Clarity: Simple layouts and clear visual cues aid in orientation and navigation.
• Comfort: Creating calming and soothing spaces can help manage agitation and stress.

“Having everything hidden away might look nice but it’s not ideal for dementia living,” explains Daniel. “Think about including open shelving or glass cupboards for items that are used or accessed regularly so they can be seen easily”.

Best Practices for Dementia-Friendly Interior Design

Simple and Intuitive Layouts

The layout of a home should be clear and easy to navigate. Open-plan living spaces with minimal barriers allow for easy movement and help individuals with dementia maintain a sense of orientation. Rooms should be organised logically, with furniture and items placed in predictable locations to reinforce familiarity and with plenty of circulation space.

Consider:

• Wide, uncluttered walkways to accommodate mobility aids.
• Visible sightlines between different areas to reduce confusion.
• Minimising visual clutter by keeping spaces organised and tidy.

“Those living with dementia can be overwhelmed by too much choice,” explains Daniel. “Therefore, clutter in a room can impair that person’s ability to locate and use items that they are wanting to use.”

Clear Visual Cues and Signage

Visual cues play a significant role in helping people with dementia navigate their environment. Using contrasting colours for walls, floors, and furniture can make it easier to distinguish different areas and objects. For example, a dark-coloured floor can help define a space, while contrasting doorframes or handles make doors easier to identify.

Consider:

• Providing space for frequently-used items in the kitchen to be stored in cupboards with glazed-glass doors or on open shelves.
• Achieving a 30% LRV contrast to define the space and make fixtures more easily seen. The toilet pan and the cistern against the wall and floor for example.

“We really need to think about how we use contrast in interior spaces,” says Daniel. “A typical white-on-white kitchen doesn’t facilitate an understanding of the environment or help with drawing boundaries. Think about creating contrast even within cupboards to help with visual location, and consider how you will highlight different fixtures and fittings – maybe a door handle – to help make them easy to see and recognise”.

Lighting and Ambiance

Good lighting is essential for individuals with dementia, as poor lighting can increase confusion and the risk of falls. Maximise natural light where possible, and ensure that artificial lighting is evenly distributed throughout the home. Dimmable lights allow for adjustments based on the time of day, creating a calming atmosphere during the evening.

“As a rule, you’ll want to double the lighting that’s normally specified,” explains Daniel. “Think about surfaces that create an even light (so, avoid gloss cabinetry, for example) and avoid strong patterns for benchtops or flooring as these can be easily misinterpreted”.

Consider:

• Motion-sensor lighting to guide individuals through the home, particularly at night.
• Installing brighter task lighting in areas like the kitchen and bathroom.
• Avoiding harsh lighting or shadows, which can cause confusion or discomfort.

“A key area for bathroom design is to ensure the pan can be seen from the bedhead,” says Daniel. “A sensor light in the bathroom is a great addition but it’s better to have a pencil light overhead that helps the resident see and locate the toilet easily overnight”.

Safe and Accessible Design Features

Safety is a top priority when designing homes for individuals with dementia. Common risks, such as slips and falls, can be mitigated through smart design choices. Flooring should be non-slip and even to avoid trip hazards. In bathrooms, grab bars, walk-in showers, and non-slip mats provide added security.

Consider:

• Installing grab bars and railings in key areas like hallways, bathrooms, and stairs.
• Using non-slip flooring in bathrooms and kitchens to reduce the risk of falls.
• Removing or securing rugs, cords, and other objects that could pose a tripping hazard.

“Mirrors can sometimes be a trigger for those with dementia as they don’t recognise their reflection,” explains Daniel. “And remember that sometimes items below the waist/thigh may not be seen clearly so be careful with your choice of items such as coffee tables or other trip hazards”.

Familiarity and Personalisation

Maintaining a familiar environment can help people with dementia feel more comfortable and secure. Keeping cherished personal items, such as family photographs, favourite furniture, or other sentimental objects, visible and accessible can provide a sense of continuity.

Consider:

• Decorating with familiar items that evoke positive memories.
• Displaying personal photographs or memorabilia in areas frequently used by the person.
• Avoiding drastic changes to the home’s layout or décor, as this can cause disorientation.

“It’s important that the items included make sense where they are and are as intuitive as possible,” adds Daniel. “A sensor tap might be great from a mobility perspective but they may not easily recognise the operational aspect of the fixture. People with dementia can learn new information but it’s harder to retain this as they progress”.

Calming Colours and Textures

Colours and textures play a significant role in creating a soothing environment for individuals with dementia. Soft, muted colours such as pastels or earth tones are often more calming than bright, bold hues, which can be overstimulating when used in abundance.

Consider:

• Using calming colours for walls and furniture.
• Incorporating natural textures such as wood and soft fabrics to create a welcoming atmosphere.
• Avoiding bold patterns or shiny surfaces, as these can cause visual confusion.

Designing for aging in place with a focus on dementia requires thoughtful planning and attention to detail. By creating spaces that are familiar, safe, and calming, interior designers can help support the well-being of individuals living with dementia and their loved ones. “Good design for people living with dementia is simply good design,” adds Daniel. “It shouldn’t look so different to what we expect from our interior spaces. It should look and feel ‘domestic’ but be designed really well with all these aspects in mind”.

With careful consideration of layout, lighting, safety features, and personalised touches, it’s possible to create homes that allow people with dementia to live comfortably, independently, and with dignity. The National Aged Care Design Principles and Guidelines came into effect on 1 July 2024 and provides guidance for residential aged care accommodation but many of the learnings and principles can be transferred across to residential home settings.

The Dementia Centre provides information, training, resources and consulting for those designing interior spaces, and is involved in supporting research and clinical trials in this area. It also leads a government-funded, national program through Dementia Support Australia (DSA).

The cabins were officially opened in June 2024 following four months of manufacture and assembly of the cabins at the MCF Bois workshop and seven weeks of preparation and assembly on site.

Architecture and interior design studio AW² is known for employing a customised bioclimatic approach in symbiosis with the surrounding environment. This approach to sustainable architecture echoes the values and environmental principles of Coucoo Cabanes, a company that advocates a living biodiversity and a better interaction between humans and nature.

The four cabins on the Grands Lacs estate are the first of what will be a series of collaborations between the studio and Coucoo Cabanes. The new cabins are designed over three levels housed in a protective “envelope”; the cabin’s design is reminiscent of a bud just before it blossoms with the external structure designed to open up to reveal interior spaces that are sheltered yet open to the surrounding landscape.

The first level, raised on stilts, opens onto the view and the gentle breeze. This vast, protected terrace allows guests to live outside, sheltered from the sun and rain. The second level houses the bedroom. The open bay windows allow the space to be naturally ventilated, while enjoying the views. The third level features a Nordic bath. This is where guests can unwind, immersed in the water and the treetops. At this height, the views are breathtaking. Whether by oneself or accompanied, the terrace allows guests to soak up the views whilst reconnecting with the ever-present natural world.

The AW²-designed cabins respect the existing biodiversity as they emerge from the trees on the periphery of the nature reserve. Whether open or closed, their facades – the two protective envelopes – offer unobstructed views of the forest and lakes.

The outer structure is either closed or perforated. It acts as a filter, providing shelter, framing views, protecting from the sun and wind, and creating a strong connection with the natural world in such close proximity.

The wooden furniture has been specifically designed to blend in with the architecture of the cabin. Positioned in the centre, the bed also serves as a space divider in the bedroom. The lounge area is created by a simple curved bench and a coffee table. Opposite, guests can find the coffee and tea amenities. Towards the back of the cabin, screened by the headboard, the washbasin and dry toilet have been integrated.

Finally, the wardrobe and shelving unit complete the layout in the opposite corner. Thermal comfort, provided by the high-performance insulation of the envelope, is enhanced by the openings on the opposing facades. This allows cross-air circulation, further assisted by a fan positioned above the bed. The space is optimised, predominantly open plan, and offers a constant visual connection with the landscape outside.

In this project, the choice of materials and construction methods accentuates the experience of total contact with nature. The location of each cabin is determined by the opportunities and vulnerabilities of the site. The aim is to protect the natural environment while creating the best possible experience for the guests.

The cabins were constructed by MCF Bois, a company specialised in timber framing, whose workshop is located just 75 minutes from the Grands Lacs site. The chosen type of wood was Douglas fir and the trees were felled less than 30km from the workshop. The cabins were prefabricated in the workshop, then transported to the site. This prefabrication process, together with the use of adapted lifting equipment, meant that the construction time on site was reduced (only four days per cabin) and the impact on the terrain was minimal, thereby helping to protect the site and its biodiversity.

The Coucoo Cabanes project supports the local economy, reduces its carbon footprint thanks to short transportation distances, and promotes the region’s traditional craftsmanship.

For more information visit aw2.com/en/

Photos: David Rosemberg, mikestravelbook

Ram Hardware Products (RHP) was established in Bay of Plenty, New Zealand a decade ago and established a distribution centre in Lawnton, Queensland seven years ago. It’s best known for its hero products – a stunning range of library ladders but it has also established a reputation for supplying distinctive hardware solutions for the home.

“Our goal is to find and supply hardware that solves unique problems and helps designers maximise every centimetre of space in the home,” explains Beth.

RHP started as the exclusive distributor of a range of American library ladders which quickly grew in popularity because of their customisable nature and wide range of applications. “We see them used regularly in kitchens and butler’s pantries,” says Beth. “But, also, in home libraries and home offices, and they are particularly popular for mezzanines”. Beth says she is seeing an increase in the creativity with which designers are utilising the ladders in their projects.

The library ladders can be specified with rollers or with hooks that can be stored flat against the wall. All rollers come with weight-braked wheels for added safety – the only ladder system to do so. The ladders are particularly popular for commercial projects as they meet all compliance for safety regulations.

The Quiet Glide ladder system is available in five finishes including Black, oil-rubbed Bronze, Satin Nickel, Satin Brass and Chrome. It can also be purchased as individual components or as a kit for those who prefer to customise the ladder for their needs. “We find the level of customisation is what impresses our customers the most,” says Beth. “The designer or builder can literally have anything they want to suit the project requirements”.

Beth says the system is often perceived as being overly complicated but the team has worked hard to undo this preconception by adding a full-service element to the product. Specialist team members are on hand to answer questions, work through the specifications of the project and provide expert advice on what is needed.

The beauty of the system is that the designer or builder can personalise all hardware components of the ladders including wheels and end rail caps. All Quiet Glide ladders are supplied unassembled and unfinished to allow for further customisation. Two standard ladder heights are kept in stock with two widths available – standard and wide – in American Oak and Maple. But a wide range of custom ladders are also available.

RHP has established a reputation for responsiveness and high levels of customer service, working alongside architects, builders and interior designers to create stunning interior spaces for residential and commercial projects. In addition to the library ladder collection, RHP stocks a range of hardware for internal organisation and access, sliding door systems, pivot hinge systems, bi-fold door systems, and corner solutions.

For more information visit https://www.ramhardware.com.au/

Comvita was established in the 1970s with its head office, in the small settlement of Paengaroa, once a local pub and shop. The challenge was to transform a dated building while paying homage to the history of the business and the aesthetic of the building.

Comvita staff had worked remotely during the pandemic which, as many businesses have experienced, caused a shift in the culture of the company. The design needed to reflect the essence of the global company as it is today as well as redefine the traditional notion of an office space. It was also important for the staff to find inspiration in a strong connection to nature and the headquarters’ natural surroundings.

Danielle Barclay, Founder and Creative Director of Blur The Lines, explains that “the budget was very tight and the buildings were disjointed, lacking any significant architectural features”. Two completely different buildings – the pub and the shop – were separated by an outdoor space and needed to be unified architecturally.

Danielle says the solution was based around taking a hospitality design approach, rather than focussing solely on the workplace environment. The introduction of various materials and a carefully-curated colour palette of cool greens and warm golden tones created dramatic spaces that were interesting and engaging for the nature-loving staff.

“The bold use of colour is something I love to bring to my projects,” Danielle says. “As well as the flip on traditional office design taking inspiration from hospitality and changing the way people work”.

The colour scheme is an integral part of the design solution with a commitment to the bold use of strong warm honey tones juxtaposed beautifully with the cooler shades of green foliage. Timber, terrazzo and terracotta add layers of texture and contrast for an amazing visual effect.

“On arrival, you are greeted with a warm wall of lit honey in lab vessels which creates an impactful focal point,” says Danielle. “In front is a 10-metre green upholstered bench seat with tables for perching with your laptop”.

She goes on to explain that the team worked with the existing concrete flooring and added a sage green stain to create drama and unify the spaces. The honey and green-tone walls are the perfect finishing touch.

Playful terrazzo in greens and honey drops is featured in the bathrooms and on the splashbacks while the large lunchroom space sees two-tone green cabinetry, with matching benchtop and seating zones, reflecting the nature-toned scheme. Throughout this project, natural greenery played a significant role with a large indoor tree as well as numerous potted plants adding an authentic connection to nature.

The end result sees the creation of flexible co-working zones with a central hospitality hub that foster connection and collaboration. A careful curation of memorabilia and artwork brings balance to the space and creates a cohesive interior environment. New photography from Comvita’s regenerated forest was commissioned to provide a contemporary edge. This further elicits an emotional response from workers and visitors alike, as well as a sense of pride in their workplace.

“A Whakatūwheratanga (opening and dawn blessing) was held to celebrate the opening of the spaces named Te Maru (The Shelter) and Tānga Manawa (the Place My Heart Rests), led by Tapuika, the local Māori iwi,” adds Danielle. “This ceremony signified a new beginning for the buildings”.

She says that, from the moment the new interior was opened to staff, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Comvita reports a significant increase in number of staff working from the office and a broader use of the space across the different departments.

Danielle’s final word is on the element or space within the project that was her personal favourite: “the large open-plan kitchen space was the biggest transformation and has proven to be a favourite space for the staff,” she says.

For more information visit https://www.weblurthelines.com/

Established in 1954 originally as a civil engineering business by Norm Overmeyer and Ken Cowley. The company name “Nover” is an amalgamation of Norm’s first and last names. Nover was heavily involved in construction through the 1960s with the partners renovating and refurbishing a number of blocks of flats throughout Sydney as well as one-off construction projects such as the Visitors Stand at Drummoyne pool. This soon led to Nover establishing a joinery business which was used to supply cabinetry to the construction arm of the company.

Norm sold his share of the business in the late 1960s and Ken took over as the sole owner.

Ken’s background was in the wool industry, having spent many years working for a firm of wool brokers. As is the case today, products are not sold directly but through an established trading house. When his contacts in these trading houses learnt of his association with the building industry, Ken was offered the opportunity to take supply of and resell a number of building products. Initially this was a hodgepodge of items (even including items such as tyres and air hoses) but gradually this broadened to include a general range of building products.

“The joinery industry was very different in those days,” explains Steve Cowley, son of Ken, and now Managing Director of Nover. “There was no real cabinet hardware to speak of, for example, and all the cabinets were timber framed”.

Soon Nover began to import High Pressure Laminate and this range of products soon expanded to become the backbone of the business for the next 40 years. “As the industry changed over time, Nover grew its product lines and became more of a wholesaler specialising in joinery products,” adds Steve.

By the early 1980s the wholesaling side of the business had taken priority so the family made a decision to exit the joinery business which was sold to a third party. This happened soon after Steve joined the business in 1976 and he and Ken set about specialising in the cabinet making and joinery industries.

“I had a background in accounting so, when I first started, I was working in what you’d call the accounts department,” says Steve. “But I quickly realised that wasn’t for me so I made a sidestep into product management and sales which was a much better fit”.

Of course, the cabinet making and joinery industry was very different at the time Steve joined the company. “It was a far simpler industry in those days,” he recalls. “This was even before metal runners were the norm – it was all plastic components. And manufacturing was a very different ball game”.

Being such a specialist in this area, Nover was often leading the way and an early adopter of new products and new technologies. Its business has always been based on sitting across a variety of product families and very much driven by what joiners wanted and needed in their factories. “We sit across most sectors of the industry and our product range is the broadest of any supplier in the industry,” says Steve. “We have a plan but we’ve also allowed for organic growth that is driven by the industry and the feedback we receive from customers”.

As a market leader, Nover saw an opportunity for the supply of hardware and panels as well as consumables and ancillary products such as handles. But the product range has always included a variety of wood-based panel products including decorative surfaces and low-pressure melamine, plus a decent selection of hardware which has expanded as new technology and expectations from the design community required.

“Our customer base is extremely broad,” Steve explains. “It’s made up of kitchen manufacturers, cabinet makers, furniture manufacturers, shop fitters, joiners and fit out companies so our goal is to stock and sell all the major components needed across this diverse customer base”.

1 of 6

As a business, Nover invests heavily in sourcing its products preferring to establish exclusive relationships where possible. Steve says Nover seeks to source products that match the philosophy of the business, and have the quality required for our Australian market, which they are able to sell at a price that matches the expectations of its customers. “We make sure we have a presence at international design shows and hardware shows, and we travel to visit factories as these all form an essential part of our research and staying in touch with new developments,” says Steve.

Having been in the industry for so many years, Steve has seen first-hand how much it has changed with the advent of technology and new manufacturing methods. “The biggest change I’ve noticed is that joinery businesses used to make everything – doors, benchtops, carcasses, the lot. As we moved away from laminate benchtops we’ve needed to work with specialist stonemasons and then specialist door painters, and glass splashbacks. So, now joinery businesses have to interact with so many more third parties to complete projects,” he explains.

When asked to predict the future of the cabinet making industry, Steve points to more specialisation requiring a narrower skill set as we compartmentalise the industry further and further. But, overall he sees the size of the industry growing, as will the size of projects being undertaken.

In terms of Nover’s plans for the future, Steve says the company intends to remain at the forefront of sourcing new products and supporting those products already in the family. “Whenever we have the opportunity of course we will try to be first,” Steve laughs. “But those opportunities don’t come along too often. Any vacuum left when a new product comes onto the market is very quickly filled and so our product range will evolve as it has to”.

Steve points to the introduction of two new product families which he feels rounds out Nover’s offering to the industry. The company has recently secured an arrangement with Salice for its hardware and ColourPyne for its range of board products. The company is well established with branches across the three eastern states of Australia and intends to remain 100% family owned.

When asked what he thinks makes Nover unique in this crowded part of the market Steve is quick to point to its employees. “Our philosophy is that our people are so important,” he says. “We employ well over 100 people in ten different locations and the average length of service is eight years – with some at up to ten or even 20 years”.

We’re excited to see what the future will bring for the Nover company, the Cowley family and the company’s employees so watch this space!

For more information visit https://www.nover.com.au/

Nover Australia
nover.com.au
FB: facebook.com/NoverAustralia
IG: instagram.com/noveraustralia

This new, united voice will provide significant benefits and more robust representation for those in the kitchen, bathroom, furniture and cabinetmaking sectors. The combined organisations will be able to better advocate for the industry at all levels of government, promote the interests of members and elevate the standards of design and manufacture in the industry.

The merger is still subject to a vote by KBDi members, but careful consideration has been given as to how to create the union and plot the pathway forward. Over the next six to twelve months, both organisations will work closely together, shaping future collaborations and determining how best to service this united industry.

Greg Grant, Business Manager for KBDi, said, “I have been working in this industry for over 40 years, and the opportunity to unite the design, manufacture and installation of kitchens, bathrooms and furniture making into one representative association is amazing and one not to be missed. I am extremely excited by what this union will deliver”.

Dean Brakell, CEO of ACFA, said, “This is a truly remarkable opportunity, and one ACFA is fully committed to. From design to installation, we will cover it all and provide members a truly integrated experience”.

ACFA and KBDi members were advised of the proposed merger at the end of August. KBDi members will have the chance to vote at an Extraordinary General Meeting on 25 September 2024. If accepted, members will experience the benefits of this new, stronger representation, including:

• Enhanced advocacy and representation – a unified voice provides a more significant impact both within government and the industry.
• Expanded networking and collaboration – members will network and collaborate with a broader community of professionals to foster creativity and create new business opportunities.
• New markets and resources – bridge the gap between design and manufacturing to help explore new avenues for partnership, growth and success.
• Comprehensive industry support – combined expertise and a wider array of resources will provide unparalleled support to both memberships.
• Elevated industry standards – the merger will ensure best practices are shared and implemented widely to improve the quality of work and enhance the industry’s reputation.
• More professional development – comprehensive training and development programs will help all members stay ahead of industry trends and technologies.

The representatives of both organisations are available for further consultation and discussion, so please reach out if you would like more information.

For more information, visit acfa.net.au/ or kbdi.org.au/home

The Italian lighting company is known for its production and innovation – particularly in shape and materials – of stunning lighting designs.

A tribute to the beautiful harmony of organic forms peculiar to the natural world, this new sculptural design takes its inspiration from the sinuous waves of the Aurora Borealis and the moving silhouettes of Nordic cliffs.

The distinct concentric shell structure of this new design becomes a representation of a visual narrative of Slamp’s 30 years, through the three materials that have marked its evolutionary milestones.

Starting from the innermost surface, the first material used is Opaflex®, which, characterised by a gentle golden hue, represents the origins of the brand; in the central part appears Lentiflex®, introduced about 15 years ago, which presents a ribbed texture capable of creating fluid and unexpected iridescent effects; lastly, the outermost surface is made with a new technology introduced in 2023 that allows the cold application of a metallised foil whose texture, as it lets light pass through it, creates poetic effects of light and shadow.

In keeping with the versatility and adaptability of Slamp’s approach in recent years, Fiordlys’ finishes are highly customisable. Designed in two pendant versions, round and linear, and a wall sconce version, it is available in three colours: White, Gold and Silver.

“Slamp was born out of a desire to come up with something new that was able to put emotion, surprise, at the centre. After 30 years, the constant enthusiasm and desire for experimentation is still our lifeblood,” says founder Roberto Ziliani, who consolidated this 30-year milestone for the company with the awarding of the prestigious Compasso d’Oro Career Award.

For more information, visit slamp.com

The D-MOTION technology allows your client to adjust the light intensity and colour with just a few simple gestures, personalising the lighting environment to suit specific needs and create the right atmosphere for every occasion. As lighting requirements in the kitchen vary significantly throughout the day, this level of customisation is particularly important as it can allow bright natural light for food preparation and then change to warm and enveloping light, creating an intimate and relaxing atmosphere for a romantic dinner.

D-MOTION luminaires can be configured with integrated control systems such as presence and motion sensors or managed remotely via the DOMUS4U App or voice control. It is therefore possible to control the lighting directly from the luminaire or through various control systems, including the innovative KINY kinetic switches. This flexibility allows the lighting to be easily adapted to any specific requirement, enhancing both functionality and user experience.

The D-MOTION technology allows all of this without increasing energy consumption compared to single-colour fixtures. D-MOTION lights use the same power supplies and wiring systems as single-colour devices, ensuring simple installation and optimal energy efficiency.

To add an emotional touch to the daily lighting experience, the WAVE technology integrates with D-MOTION to create D-MOTION WAVE, introducing dynamic and progressive lighting activation. Inspired by automotive optical groups, WAVE creates an elegant and sophisticated visual effect. With the TDM (Touch Dimmer Master) switch, all connected lights turn on in sync and turn off in reverse sequence. This not only enhances the visual experience but also adds a dynamic design element to kitchen spaces, transforming lighting into a design feature that evokes emotion and wonder. 

For more information, visit domusline.com/products/wave 

Domus Line
domusline.com
Facebook: facebook.com/domuslineofficial
Instagram: instagram.com/domus_line_official 

I’m keen to know more – please send me info!

COLOURpyne is a pre-finished product that successfully delivers a cost-effective option for a modern look and is durable, hygienic, and low maintenance making this board the progressive choice for design. The characteristics of COLOURpyne are selected with an eye for quality and permanence and are balanced with an independence of spirit.

With various finishes, such as smooth, lightly textured, shiny gloss, and embossed woodgrain, the decorative panels will enhance the look of both residential and commercial  cabinetry applications.

In addition to domestic internal joinery, COLOURpyne is also ideally suitable for many interior commercial applications, including but not limited to, hospitality, retail, aged care, commercial furniture and fit-out, and educational furniture. The COLOURpyne commercial melamine board range allows for extensive design opportunities to suit any commercial environment.

For peace of mind, COLOURpyne Melamine doors and panels are Australian-made and come with a 7-year warranty.

To gain a deeper knowledge of COLOURpyne, the Nover team recently visited the Australian Panels factory in Oberon, NSW and observed the manufacturing process of the COLOURpyne substrate. The exceptional facility truly impressed the team and they are excited to share their process knowledge with their customers.

1 of 4

For more information, visit nover.com.au/colourpyne-decorative-panels

Nover Australia
nover.com.au
FB: facebook.com/NoverAustralia
IG: instagram.com/noveraustralia

I’m keen to know more – please send me info!

As the population ages and the desire to create inclusive spaces grows, designing kitchens that are both stylish and accessible has become an essential skill for Australian designers. Kitchens should be functional, safe, and accommodating for all users, including those with disabilities or aging-related mobility issues.

Understanding the Needs of Aging Clients and Those with Disabilities

Before diving into design specifics, it’s important to understand the unique needs of aging clients and individuals with disabilities. This includes considerations for mobility, reach, strength, and vision. The goal is to create a space that allows for independence and comfort while ensuring safety and functionality.

TKBB spoke to a number of experts in this area for their tips on designing a liveable and adaptable home. Liz Grimmett, designer and trainer with Designer Training Australia, says “Consider an even wider gap than the standard 1.2 metres between benchtops to allow for manoeuvrability of wheelchairs or walkers, and non-slip surfaces in the kitchen are a must. Lever taps are best for those with reduced hand function and I like to include power points and switches on a rocker which are easier to use”.

Clinton Norris, National Business Development Manager – Assisted Living for Hafele Australia, says that a liveable and adaptable home is one that can change with the needs of the occupants without the need for costly renovations. “We need to be thinking about the changing needs of individuals and enhancing the environment to facilitate independence. Independence is what gives us dignity and the design community has an opportunity to approach the built environment in a way that does not impede this independence,” he adds.

Best Practices in Accessible Kitchen Design

1. Layout and Space Planning

Traffic management

The main traffic pathway, connecting the sink, stove, and refrigerator, should be adapted to ensure ample space for movement and connectability between the spaces. Pathways should be at least 1.2 meters wide to accommodate wheelchairs or walkers, ensuring easy navigation and reducing trip hazards.

Manoeuvrable Benchtops

Incorporate benchtops at varying heights to accommodate different tasks and users. Look for motorised options that allow for moveable heights that allow the benchtop to be optimally positioned to suit the user and the function being carried out at the time.

Accessible Cabinets

Consider recommending options such as glass-fronted cabinets or open shelving that make it easier to see inside and reach items without the need for extensive bending or stretching. Pull-down shelves or motorised lowering and raising options can be installed in upper cabinets for added accessibility.

“You could also think about a 760mm section with no cabinets underneath to allow for wheelchair access,” suggests Liz. “But when you take away storage under bench you have to think about where else can you add it back in”.

2. Accessible Appliances

Side-Opening Ovens and DishDrawer Dishwashers

These appliances are easier to access than traditional models. Side-opening ovens prevent the need to lean over a hot door, while drawer dishwashers can be installed at a height that minimises bending which also assists with loading and unloading.

Induction Cooktops

Induction cooktops are recommended for older or less able users as they reduce the risk of burns, accidentally leaving the appliance on, or loose clothing being caught in an open flame. They add an extra layer of safety in that they cool down almost immediately.

Refrigerators with Pull-Out Shelves

These models allow for easier access to items without deep bending. French door refrigerators with a freezer drawer are also a good option as they minimise the need to lean down to access food.

Efficient Rangehoods

Ensure you specify a powerful rangehood to ensure cooking odours, as well as splatters from grease and cooking activity, are quickly whisked away.

3. Ergonomics

Lever-Style Handles

Lever handles on taps and doors are easier to use than traditional knobs, particularly for those with arthritis or limited hand strength.

Touchless Tapware

These taps are both hygienic and user-friendly, reducing the need for manual operation.

Low maintenance surfaces

Specify low maintenance surfaces that promote hygiene and reduce the need for over-zealous cleaning.

4. Lighting and Visibility

Task Lighting

Consider the positioning of installed lighting in and around work areas such as benchtops, stove and sink. Ensure general lighting is enhanced by task lighting that throws light directly onto the work surface, rather than from behind where it will cast a shadow.

“It sounds like a no brainer, but really good task lighting above workspaces in the kitchen can make it so much easier for everyone who uses that space,” says Liz. “Sensor lights are a great inclusion – both inside and outside the home – to help with navigating the space at night”.

Ambient and Natural Light

Maximise natural light through windows and skylights, and use ambient lighting to ensure the kitchen is well-lit. Dimmers can help adjust lighting to different needs and times of the day.

Contrasting Colours

Including strongly contrasting colours can assist those with vision impairments or memory issues to help identify work zones and more safely navigate around the kitchen space.

5. Storage Solutions

Pull-Out Shelves and Drawers

Full-extension drawer runners are a minimum requirement for a functional accessible kitchen but also investigate pull-out shelves for pantry areas to allow for full accessibility without bending or excessive reaching.

Rotating fittings

These can be installed in corner cabinets to make better use of space and provide easy access to stored items. Or consider rotating options that do not encroach on the usable space.

Adjustable Shelving

Allows customisation of cabinet interiors to suit the user’s specific needs and preferences, and is usually designed to suit particular items that need to be stored. Consider a motorised option for heavier kitchen appliances such as a stand mixer, so they don’t need to be lifted onto a benchtop for use.

“Our homes are often not designed to accommodate changing needs over time,” says Clinton. “The challenge is always to find the balance between architecture and practicality. And this can come down to something as simple as choosing a door – should it be a swing door, or a sliding door? Should the doors be automated? Will you specify a handle or a knob?”.

6. Integrating Style with Accessibility

Modern Design Aesthetics

Everyone deserves a stylish and functional kitchen, even in an accessible kitchen. Use modern, clean lines and high-quality materials to maintain a contemporary look. Integrate accessible features seamlessly to avoid a clinical appearance.

Custom Solutions

Customised cabinetry can be designed to accommodate individual items, such as the width of a wheelchair. Grab rails can be included (and double as handles, if needed) to assist with navigation. Internal organisational systems can make individual items easy to access, locate and pick up.

Stylish Safety Features

Grab bars, handles and other safety equipment can be specified that complement the kitchen’s design. Many manufacturers offer sleek, stylish options that blend with modern décor.

“When designing for accessibility it’s important to change the mindset to focus on how the environment can change over time,” adds Clinton. “The environment is what will hamper the liveability of the space and we all deserve an environment that’s conducive to our wellbeing and living well”.

Liz adds, “The Baby Boomer generation is a huge demographic and we want to encourage people to stay at home for as long as possible. This means our approach to the internal environment has to accommodate how our needs change over time – and that starts at the front door”.

As more Australians show a preference for living well in their own home, no matter their needs, it will become more important for the kitchen and bathroom design community to be aware of small inclusions in design solutions that can enhance lifestyles and play a vital role in allowing clients to stay at home for longer. These best practices will continue to evolve at home, ensuring that accessibility becomes a standard design consideration and that our kitchens are adaptable to the changing needs of users to support independence and enhance the quality of life for everyone.

Owner Mark Mastroianni is a cabinet maker based in Sydney and has been producing custom joinery for more than 22 years. It’s this experience and understanding of the quality required that gives him a unique insight into the needs of the industry.

“For many years I had been searching for quality cabinetry panelling, but nothing quite met our standards”, Mark explains. “Through years of researching a number of companies and brands, I landed upon Latho Components. It was at that moment I knew we’d found our brand showcasing quality product.” Mark wasn’t specifically looking for an Italian supplier however the connection between an amazing design aesthetic and high-quality materiality associated with an Italian-made product meant he was sure he’d found the right product for the Australian market that met international standards.

Mark did his due diligence and had a number of conversations with the owners of Latho Components before he and wife Kelly went to visit the facilities based in Treviso, Italy. “I was like a kid in a candy store,” Mark laughs. “And I was so impressed with the finesse and the finish. We were able to see the intricate detailing behind how the product was made and constructed”.

Mark and Kelly initially ordered some panels to be shipped to Australia and it was seeing the quality of the products first hand that made him even more sure that this was the right product for Australia. “The owners had never shipped products to Australia before,” explains Mark. “We had to do a lot of work to build their trust but as soon as we met face-to-face we knew it was a great fit”.

The Cabinetti Panels business model is very similar to the Latho Components business model – only on a slightly smaller scale. “Latho Components is based very much on knowledge and advice, and a high level of service to match the high quality of the products,” Mark says. “We set up Cabinetti Panels in the same way and we provide exactly the same service that I would expect if I was a purchaser”.

Integral to the success of Cabinetti Panels is Mark’s lived experience within the cabinet making industry which also meant he could easily spot the superior characteristics of the Latho Components panels. “I was so impressed with the detailing of the manufacturing process,” he says. “The way the panels matched up to create a seamless join is exactly what we need in the Australian market”.

With a product that is priced at the premium end of the market, Mark understands that it’s service that will set Cabinetti Panels apart. Rather than dealing with a salesperson, you’ll be dealing with a person with years of experience in the industry who is willing to collaborate to make your project a success.

Having – literally – walked in his customer’s shoes, Mark understands what designers and cabinet makers need to create unique, memorable projects. With his trade background he has a detailed understanding of both form and function and Mark prides himself on being able to provide next-level advice.

“My goal is to work in partnership with our customers to help with advice on product application and the intricacies of various environments, and to help with product selection,” he says. “Our aim is to provide quality service with a quality product where you can ask us anything and we’ll gladly share all our knowledge and expertise”.

Cabinetti Panels provides sample packs on request, understanding that the products speak for themselves with a range of natural solid timbers, profiles and veneers – even some that look like a fabric – so reach out and request your sample pack today.

Cabinetti Panels will be busy in the second half of this year fitting out a purpose-designed showroom to showcase the first two premium collections being offered in Australia; Milled and Move. Milled features solid timber skins and Move is a collection of patterned veneers, both natural and engineered. Most stock is held locally in Australia, reducing the long shipping times normally associated with a European product. Special order products can be air-freighted as needed.

The new showroom will be the perfect location for designers, renovators, builders and cabinet makers to view the products and bring clients for selection meetings. Set up with desks and accessories, you’ll be able to create flat lays and mix-and-match products to find the ideal solution – complete with true Italian coffee.

Italian hospitality is second to none, as is the idea of creating a “family”. Latho Components is a multi-generational family business, as is Cabinetti Panels, and both are excited to welcome their Australian customers into the family.

For more information, or to request a sample pack, visit https://www.cabinettipanels.com.au/

Cabinetti Panels
https://www.cabinettipanels.com.au/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/cabinettipanels

I’m keen to know more – please send me info!

In the world of high-end kitchen design, Australia has emerged as a leader by blending international trends with its unique sensibilities. Modern Australian kitchens are characterised by their seamless integration of global influences, resulting in spaces that are both innovative and reflective of diverse cultural inspirations. From European elegance to Asian minimalism, and American functionality, these influences are reshaping the look and feel of Australian kitchens, creating environments that are not only visually stunning but also highly functional.

As a regular visitor to international design shows, I’m always fascinated to see what’s being heralded as the latest in kitchen and interior design trends, and how these trends morph their way around the world, particularly when it comes to the adaptation within our unique Australian design aesthetic.

European Elegance and Craftsmanship

European design, particularly from countries such as Italy and Germany, has long been synonymous with luxury and sophistication. Australian kitchens increasingly feature sleek, minimalist lines, and those high-quality materials that are hallmarks of European style. The use of premium materials such as marble, porcelain, solid surface, and bespoke cabinetry crafted by skilled artisans adds elegance and aesthetic appeal to these spaces. European engineering, renowned for its precision and functionality, influences the incorporation of advanced hardware and innovative storage solutions, ensuring that Australian kitchens are not only beautiful but also highly efficient.

Scandinavian Simplicity and Sustainability

The Scandinavian design philosophy, with its emphasis on simplicity, functionality, and sustainability, has found a receptive audience in Australia. The clean lines, neutral colour palettes, and use of natural materials such as wood and stone align well with the Australian lifestyle and appreciation for the natural environment. Scandinavian influences encourage the creation of bright, airy spaces that maximise natural light, fostering a sense of calm and openness. The focus on sustainability is also evident in the choice of eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient appliances, reflecting a growing awareness of environmental responsibility among Australian designers and homeowners.

Asian Minimalism and Zen Aesthetics

Asian influences, particularly from Japan, bring a sense of tranquillity and minimalism to high-end Australian kitchens. The Japanese concept of ‘Ma,’ which emphasizes the use of space and the balance between objects, encourages clutter-free environments that prioritise functionality and simplicity. The integration of natural elements such as bamboo, stone, greenery and water features can create a serene, Zen-like atmosphere. Sliding doors, hidden storage, and multifunctional spaces are design elements that not only save space but also contribute to a clean, cohesive look.

American Innovation and Functionality

While we often don’t see too many correlations between American and Australian manufacturing, the American kitchen aesthetic is often characterised by its emphasis on innovation, practicality, and comfort. This influence is evident in the open-plan kitchen layouts that have become popular in Australia, promoting a seamless flow between cooking, dining, and living areas. The use of cutting-edge appliances, smart technology, and multifunctional islands enhances the functionality and convenience of the kitchen. American design also brings a focus on personalisation and customisation, allowing Australian homeowners to create bespoke kitchens tailored to their specific needs and preferences.

Fusion of Global Influences

One of the most exciting aspects of modern Australian kitchen design is the ability to fuse various international influences into a cohesive whole. This eclectic approach allows designers to draw on the best elements from around the world, creating kitchens that are truly unique and reflective of a global design perspective. Whether it’s the elegance of European craftsmanship, the simplicity of Scandinavian design, the tranquillity of Asian aesthetics, or the innovation of American functionality, the result is a dynamic and inspiring kitchen space.

With the information highway showing no signs of slowing down, it’s clear that global influences will continue to shape high-end kitchen design in Australia. We are known as a county that is open to diverse cultural inspirations and the absorption of knowledge from a wide variety of sources. By blending elements from different design traditions, Australian kitchens are not only setting trends but also redefining the standards of luxury and sophistication in the culinary space. Our standing on an international stage is further proof – if any were needed – that today’s Australian kitchens are at the forefront of design innovation, offering timeless elegance and unparalleled functionality.

Decorative acrylic panels with a difference, Acrylic Couture offers a striking visual throughout the high-quality Acrylic, which is crystal-clear and vastly superior to other “similar” panels. The intricate detail of fabrics and particulates appear to be floating in space due to the highest quality resin it is encased within.

As seen in this Mount Nebo Kitchen and Outdoor Living project, designed by Kim Duffin of Sublime Group, Acrylic Couture was beautifully paired with Staron Solid Surface. The eye catching Acrylic Couture is clad to the island front and connects the metal elements within the overall design showcasing interlaced and woven metallic fabric which is embedded in acrylic.  

To further enhance the Acrylic Couture, LED strip lights were used on the edge of the island for mood lighting and illuminate the Acrylic Couture panelling, creating the illusion that the material inside is dancing.

Both artificial light and sunlight make Acrylic Couture come to life, yet left as it is, it is still truly alluring and stands out in the crowd with its unique lustre. With the exception of Malachite, which is specifically designed for the adaption of backlighting, Acrylic Couture can incorporate lighting detail from both face and side lighting, saving time and money on backlighting installation costs. 

For peace of mind, Acrylic Couture has a 10-year guarantee on UV resistance & weathering and a 30-year guarantee against polymer degradation for indoor applications.

For more information, visit austaronsurfaces.com/acrylic-couture/

Austaron Surfaces
austaronsurfaces.com
Facebook: facebook.com/austaronsurfaces
Instagram: instagram.com/austaronsurfaces/ 

I’m keen to know more – please send me info!

Bellatrix

Bellatrix is a new wall lamp that shines brightly like the star of the same name from the Orion constellation.

Bellatrix has a diameter of 120cm and is available with two different patterns on the irregular surface of the disc, hand-crafted with the utmost care using a procedure exclusive to Catellani & Smith. The lamp is subsequently hand-coated in gold-coloured leaf.

This new lighting creation is available in two versions: one in which the pattern features a movement of hand-drawn radial lines, and a second on which a swirling pattern is visible.

The disc of the Bellatrix model is lit with 9 dedicated LED boards, built into a brass rod with a diameter of 10mm, supported by a flexible brass arm to direct the light as desired.

The interplay of the light with the irregular gilded surface, together with the indirect light effect ensures comfortable lighting, making this lamp ideal for creating an ambience replete with charm.

For You

As the name suggests, For You is a model designed as a gift.

Inspired by a light, delicate flower, For You rests on a small brass base, equipped with a built-in push-dimmer that can be used to adjust the amount of light.

The flexible slender stem, covered in blue fabric, supports a rice paper shade fitted with a dedicated LED board that emits a warm, amber-coloured light. The lamp can be adjusted to a maximum height of 34cm, and has been crafted entirely by hand, right from the prototype, to convey the value of craftsmanship expertise, teamed with the technology required to obtain the light, delicate quality of the For You lamp.

For more information visit catellanismith.com/en/

This updated space serves as a stunning showcase for Bentley’s Wardrobes and Kitchens’ latest offerings and it prominently features Krome Lighting. Visitors can now explore an extensive array of wardrobes, kitchens, and other bespoke cabinetry solutions in an environment that highlights the elegance and functionality of Krome Lighting fixtures.

Some of the Krome lighting products Bentley’s Wardrobes and Kitchens chose for its kitchen displays include the Krome Flexible Strip Light Kit in Cool White, Krome LED Recessed Aluminium Designer Channel 3M Clear and the Krome COB LED Strip Lighting while in a wardrobe display, the Krome Neon Flex Kit in Neutral White illuminates the space beautifully. 

Nover’s selection of Krome Lighting products are designed to seamlessly blend functionality with contemporary style, ensuring they enhance the aesthetic appeal of any environment they illuminate. Whether it is for a kitchen or living space project, Nover’s diverse selection of downlights and strip lights provides an ideal solution to infuse your client’s space with additional brightness and a welcoming ambience.

Discover how Nover’s modern and sleek designs can elevate your space with cool, neutral and warm lighting, making every corner shine with renewed vitality and style here. 

Nover Australia
nover.com.au
FB: facebook.com/NoverAustralia
IG: instagram.com/noveraustralia

I’m keen to know more – please send me info!

Given this illustrious past, it may surprise you to learn that Rex was originally a clinical biochemist and worked at the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne for a number of years before deciding to take a risk and branch out into a completely different profession. By chance, a friend of Rex’s had a small cabinet making business and Rex found helping his mate with designs was far more satisfying than being in the hospital and decided to change his career.

Rex’s first job in the industry was with Customtone Kitchens, the company that gave birth to the kitchen industry as we know it today. They were the dominant player in the kitchen renovation industry for many years. “I always had good spatial skills,” Rex recalls. “So, I think that gave me a really good eye for design and layout, and I quickly found my place within kitchen design”. Rex started as a commission salesman/designer, but quickly found his passion for training and he became Customtone’s National Training Manager.

After 18 months, Rex jumped at an opportunity to purchase a small cabinet making business based in his hometown of Albury/Wodonga and this allowed him to implement new systems and procedures that were more reflective of his personal approach. “One of the biggest benefits of purchasing that business was that over the next few years, I was essentially an apprentice in my own factory,” Rex explains. “It was a steep learning curve but a very important one as it gave me a deep insight into the cabinet manufacturing process. This, in turn, helped me to be a better and more informed designer”.

He relocated the business to Wodonga in Victoria and quickly grew in size to eventually be the largest cabinetmaker between Melbourne & Sydney markets, delivering 20-30 kitchens each week.

“At that time in the industry, the goal was to keep the range of choice offered to the customer to an absolute minimum,” recalls Rex with a laugh. “You’d only offer three door colour options and maybe four benchtop colour options. It wasn’t about the customer experience or education – in fact, the customer wasn’t an important part of the process at all. The aim was to simply sell as many kitchens as you could, so the needs of the customer weren’t even a consideration. It was a fairly brutal business those days”.

Rex remembers that, in the early days, the average kitchen cost around $500 and was made from chipboard, with raw edges exposed, chipboard shelving, no drawer runners, standard 45cm deep benchtops and a 45cm deep forward bowl sink. But he says his time at Customtone showed him there was a different approach to the design and manufacture of a kitchen. It was this revolutionary approach that provided the spark for Rex to re-think his own tactics and start to develop the methodology that has gone on to serve him so well in his business.

As so often happens with small businesses and changing economies, the Albury/Wodonga business did not survive, so Rex made the decision to move to Melbourne, having sold his house to meet his debts. However painful this experience, Rex says it made him realise how passionate he was about the industry, and about finding new and better ways to build productive and harmonious relationships with his clients.

“I realised it was important to take a responsible and ethical approach to selling kitchens,” Rex says. “And I decided that being able to train my own people, using my methodologies, was the only way I would be comfortable staying in the industry”.

Soon after moving back to Melbourne, Rex took over management of a small showroom in Nunawading, and he was supplied by Sunshine Group Industries – at that time the largest cabinet maker in Australia. Very quickly, the store became a success and Rex purchased a second showroom.

“I was lucky that it was a success, but I worked my backside off,” Rex explains. “Eventually, I ended up with seven showrooms in Melbourne and we were selling 30-35 kitchens each week.”

But the industry was still very much focussed on heavy-handed sales tactics, no emphasis on long-term client relationships, and a price war that saw many in a race to the bottom.

The turning point for Rex was a trip to America in 1982 where he attended KBIS for the first time and was introduced to an industry association – the National Kitchens & Bathrooms Association (NKBA). “NKBA taught me so much about how to be more professional,” Rex recalls. “Being a part of a professional association exposed me to more ideas around ethical business relationships with a focus on how to look after customers”.

This triggered a shift in how Rex approached his own business and, shortly after, he sold all his kitchen showrooms except one – even today, he still owns just the one showroom, in Canterbury, Victoria. The success of Let’s Talk Kitchens & Interiors has partially happened organically but has been very much driven by Rex’s personality, commitment, drive and passion to raise standards within the industry.

“For the last six or so years, I’ve only employed CKD, CBD and/or qualified interior designers and all my staff are on salary – no commission-based sales people,” says Rex. “This approach has improved our business tremendously and allows us to take a very professional approach to the service we provide. All of my people are committed to their design profession, not just their bank accounts”.

Rex’s philosophy is centred around the customer, with a focus on education, assistance and ethical actions. “My view of business is not to worry about the money so much,” he says. “If you do a good job and invest in creating relationships, the money will come. As a company we don’t ‘sell’ anything – we develop a relationship with the client that allows the client to make a decision in their own time”.

Rex also maintains his connection to training and still oversees all training of staff members to ensure a cohesive approach to customer service. “My mantra is: it’s never about the price, it’s always about the outcome,” Rex says. “This reaffirms that if you focus on your client’s needs and satisfy those needs, your client will reach a point where they stop focusing primarily on the cost and instead focus on wanting “you” to do their project, because of their trust and faith in you and your care for them”.

Rex laughs when asked about the lessons he has learnt during his time in the industry and says that he was lucky to have learnt what not to do when he was younger. Today, he feels privileged to have had the longevity to create a profitable business with a full-service interior design firm, where the client’s needs are put first.

On his return from his first USA trip, Rex was keen on the idea of setting up an Australian Chapter of NKBA in Australia. The moniker NKBA was unable to be used then, so the initial iteration of the organisation was known as the Australian Kitchen & Bathroom Institute, (AKBI). Rex was in charge of memberships, as well as being the association’s President. It was a tough slog, because most firms were suspicious of Rex’s motives and he became used to hearing “what’s in it for you?”, when approaching new members. Eventually, a relationship with HIA was established and the organisation was renamed NKBA and it grew from there.

For many years, NKBA existed as a subsidiary of HIA until circumstances changed.  Rex explains: “HIA decided to shut down the NKBA as they realised they were a building industry lobby group, not a professional association, per se”.

“I had been trying to get it restarted when Ron Redman (then with Blum Australia) introduced me to Alex Milne, who was also trying to restart the NKBA. Alex had previously been QLD President of the HIA and knew everyone there. Alex and I had a number of meetings with HIA and they assisted us to create a new and independent organisation, that would become the Kitchen & Bathroom Designers Institute of Australia (KBDi), as we now know it,” he adds.

Today, Rex is as busy as he has ever been. “Even now, I still do all the staff training,” says Rex. “And that’s specifically because most people think it’s about how to sell kitchens, but it’s not”. Rex describes the ‘Let’s Talk’ approach as exemplified in the name of the business. “We have a chat, we have a conversation. There are no heavy sales tactics. Our focus is on help, advice and education,” he adds.

Rex feels it’s vital to allow the customer to walk their own path through the decision-making process, and to be able to do this in their own time. This also explains his insistence on the process not being driven by a commission – he doesn’t want to turn his designers into sales people. “It’s a methodology that’s grown organically over time. I do share my experience with design,” Rex explains “But my training is more about the interaction with the clients, how to talk them through the process of design and renovation, and how to create lasting relationships. Once that’s done, the sale takes care of itself”.

When asked about the future of the industry, Rex says he feels positive about the changes he has seen and the new approach to design which is evident throughout new graduates. “The industry now has a value and a standing in the minds of the consumer and I’d love that to become further entrenched,” he says. “I see a wider range of education options and registration of design professionals will mean a more specialised approach to the design process and a more ethical industry overall”.

For more information visit https://www.ltki.com.au/

From breathtaking architectural wonders to captivating interior masterpieces, each winner represents the epitome of excellence in hospitality design.

The submissions for the 4th edition of the LIV Awards closed at the beginning of February 2024, with an overwhelming response from professionals and students worldwide. The jury panel, comprising experienced architects, designers, and developers in the hospitality sector, reviewed over 540 applications from 43 countries to select the most outstanding projects in each category.

1 of 4

In the Architectural Design of the Year – Eating Space category, Daewha Kang Design secured the title for The Grand Courtyard and Pavilion at the OWO.

1 of 4

Richard Parr Associates triumphed with the Restoration of the Farmyard at The Newt in the Architectural Design of the Year – Living Space category.

1 of 4

Gabriel Velasco, hailing from Savannah College of Art and Design, emerged victorious as the Emerging Architect of the Year with Relinquetur.

1 of 4

For Interior Design of the Year – Eating Space, Run For The Hills claimed the top spot with Audrey Green & Larry’s Bar at London’s National Portrait Gallery.

1 of 4

Lambs + Lions impressed the judges with OKU Kos in the Interior Design of the Year – Living Space category.

1 of 4

In the Emerging Interior Designer of the Year – Eating Space category, Jiin Park from Art Center College of Design took the honor for Radiant (Wine Tasting Restaurant).

1 of 4

Mihika Chatterjee from New York School of Interior Design clinched the title for Inter(Vo)ven- A Fashion Hotel in the Emerging Interior Designer of the Year – Living Space category.

The LIV Hospitality Design Awards proudly remain at the forefront of the dynamic hospitality industry, recognising designs that elevate the guest experience and redefine industry standards.

For more information visit livawards.com

The studio was created by architect Elisa Ciucciovè and designer Giorgio Di Cesare, and the couple were winners of the last edition of the Design Warm Contest.

Tree is sculptural with a strong stage presence but at the same time has a light and minimalist appearance. Its versatility allows for placement in any room, and it features a convenient pedal button ignition with fabric cable and eight different colour patterns, allowing it to become an elegant bathrobe holder for the bathroom or a stylish clothes hanger in the living room.

“The project of Tree has thrilled us since the first sketch that was presented by Elisa and Giorgio. And when we finally realised, it was love at first sight. It is a product that for size and thermal performance was missing to our design collection and of which we really felt the need. We are convinced that Tree has all the credentials to become another of our most representative products” – Sabrina Mora and Eng. Filippo Arbellia (Scirocco H).

“Tree was born from some gestures that are part of our daily life, not only in the bathroom context but also in the other rooms of the house such as the living room or bedrooms,” say Elisa Ciucciovè and Giorgio Di Cesare of Duesette. “We liked the idea of combining what is the archetypal freestanding coat rack with the magic of warmth and at the same time working on the nomadism of this object, both in the domestic context but also in a public environment such as a waiting room, a restaurant or an office. The name comes from the tree’s ability to adapt to all seasons by changing its dress, Tree, past the cold winter days, does not hibernate but continues to inhabit the space in its guise as a coat rack.”

With dimensions of 1600mm x 600mm (300mm at the top), Tree is available in 79 colours from the Scirocco H range, including the new matte shades: Cloud Gray, Cookie, India Blue, Frog Blue, Glaucous Green and Pink.

For more information, visit sciroccoh.it

With this collection, the Californian duo MC+ (Mattia Biagi and Cardenio Petrucci) explored the fascinating imperfection of nature with a system of iconic products conceived as functional artworks capable of illuminating the domestic scene with new reflections on living.

The Limited Edition Kitchen Suite is 100% made in Italy and is named for the Latin name for “disorder” to evoke the breaking of patterns and the entropy that drives the organic evolution of natural ecosystems. The design is pure, organic and dynamic. This concept combines refined design, the finest Italian craftsmanship and the best raw materials, forged to be durable and environmentally friendly.

The internal structure of the three islands is made of ecological panels produced from recycled materials and wood fibres obtained from renewable sources certified PEFC, FSC and CARB-P2 (low chemical emissions). The side and front panels are made of steel processed using jewellery techniques to obtain different surfaces and effects of light: two super-gloss finishes (dark gold and nickel tones, a tribute to the warm reflections of the sun), combined with a super-matt finish (brass tones, a tribute to the icy surfaces of icebergs).

The worktops are made of high-performance ceramics in a dark slate shade and a three-dimensional Vulcan effect surface, inspired by pristine solidified lava. The cooking island integrates concealed induction technology, exploiting the technical characteristics of the ceramic material that allow electromagnetic transfer even in the absence of a glass cooktop. The washing island is equipped with a hand-assembled single-material sink using traditional stone-working techniques.

The Limited Edition Kitchen Suite was displayed in the stunning setting of the Sala Stoppani at the Istituto dei Ciechi di Milano to create an evocative contrast between matter and time.

For more information visit tmitalia.it/en/

Photos: VivaioCreativo

In recognising a demand for solid and veneer panels for the design and manufacturing industry, Cabinetti Panels has partnered with Italian company Latho Components to bring these quality products to renovations closer to home. The owners of Cabinetti Panels have real-life, hands-on experience in manufacturing, having been producing joinery and panels in their Sydney-based workshop for more than 22 years. This gives them a unique understanding of the needs of the industry and has underpinned their commitment to providing only the best and highest quality products for their customers.

Years of product testing and research led to the partnership with Latho Components, itself a family business with more than 50 years’ experience in producing surfaces for the furniture and furnishing industry. Located in Treviso, Italy, Latho Components is known for its industry-leading solutions and high-quality products, supported by its commitment to remaining 100% Made in Italy.

This partnership allows Cabinetti Panels to offer the industry a unique solution for joinery projects that combines the design aesthetic of a Made in Italy product, with a deep understanding of the Australian market and the needs of Australian designers and manufacturers. As the exclusive distributors for Australia, New Zealand and Oceania, Cabinetti Panels leverages its manufacturing expertise to provide customised substrates and materials tailored to various applications.

Two premium collections are offered; Milled and Move. Milled features solid timber skins and Move is a collection of patterned veneers, both natural and engineered. The collections include eight Milled profiles and 13 Move profiles, all available in stock as skins, and customisable on various substrates.

Customer service is at the heart of this business with equal passion for product quality as well as the customer experience. Coming from a joinery background, Cabinetti Panels has an in-depth understanding of the needs of manufacturers and a long history of co-operative relationships with designers.

An extensive sample pack is available for both designers and manufacturers, ideal for flat lays and on-site client meetings, and is available on request. These products are leading the way in the established design trends of the moment, offering the ideal panel solution for today’s renovation market.

For more information, or to request a sample pack, visit cabinettipanels.com.au/

Cabinetti Panels
https://www.cabinettipanels.com.au/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/cabinettipanels

“Our Leichhardt terrace project stands as a testament to the fusion of heritage charm and modern sophistication, breathing new life into a stately Victorian terrace house,” said Ben Tass, co-founder of Tass Construction Group. “Guided by the client’s vision to maximise space and light within the confines of a narrow site, our design journey was marked by ingenuity and a deep respect for architectural heritage to deliver a bright and delightfully textured home.”

Central to their client’s vision was the creation of a luminous sanctuary featuring an open plan kitchen, living, and dining space which seamlessly connects with the outdoors, infusing the interiors with an abundance of natural light. Renovation of existing ground and first floor spaces was complemented by ground floor and first floor extensions and re-purposing the attic to complete the project to the client’s brief.

Full-height sliding doors maximise light and connect the courtyard and garden with the living room. This natural light-filled space at the rear of the home is enhanced by a custom glass roof over the dining table, while five skylights installed further throughout the property help illuminate hallways, bathrooms and living spaces.

“Natural light is a precious commodity in traditional terraced houses and these strategically placed skylights brighten every corner of the residence,” said Ben.

The home effortlessly showcases the terrace’s historic features while presenting a modern design. Render from the existing partition wall was stripped, revealing majestic original brickwork which was tidied, sealed and then highlighted with recessed LED strip lighting in the shadow line of the cornice detailing.

“It really tells a story of the home and ties the new into the old perfectly,” said Ben, noting the splayed external façade details at the rear of the property adds a modern touch to a traditionally rectangular space.

Textured curves catch the eye in different parts of the home, adding a further modern touch. A curved kitchen island feature is complemented by the curved staircase, which cleverly hides the laundry, curved legs of the dining table, and a captivating curved wall in the renovated ground floor bathroom.

Ascending the stairs, an inviting second living space on the first floor has been carved from the original floor space, with a new bathroom and master bedroom created at the rear of the floor. From the first floor, a new staircase leads to the attic which Tass Construction Group repurposed into a loft, perfect for a fourth bedroom or study. 

Light and space is amplified by the loft’s half height wall which maximises light from the large ceiling skylight. A renovation and extension of a narrow historical terrace had its design and construction challenges, yet the final result is testament to the transformative power of design. From the light-filled spaces to original wall textures and curved components, every element speaks to the allure of creating spaces which conjure connections between past and present. 

For more information, visit tasscg.com

Whether your next project is a renovation, new build or commercial project, Modar has an LED cabinet lighting solution just right for you. Exclusive to Lincoln Sentry, Modar cabinet lighting helps achieve the right ambiance in any space with ease.

The biggest benefit for customers using Modar Made to Measure lighting is the simple online ordering system that provides immediate pricing, plus the simple and quick installation process. Despite many cabinet makers and joiners not generally working with lighting, Modar cabinetry lighting gives them the confidence to add this feature easily and efficiently to their next project.

All Modar lighting is made precisely to the customer’s measurements, quality checked and then safely packaged before being distributed. The Modar Made to Measure lighting product range is comprehensive, with nine types of strip lighting, as well as eight profiles available in silver, black and white.

There is also an extensive range of accessories including transformers, remotes, sensors and downlights. Next month the Modar lighting will expand with the launch of the DIY range that will include 5 metre rolls of strip lighting, a variety of 3 metre profile lengths and an extensive range of accessories, everything required for those customers who prefer to assemble all their own lighting.

To learn more about Modar cabinet lighting, visit lincolnsentry.com.au/page/modar-lighting

Lincoln Sentry
lincolnsentry.com.au
FB: facebook.com/lincolnsentry
IG: instagram.com/lincolnsentry

Perfect for today’s busy homeowners, Staron Solid Surfaces are virtually maintenance-free. Its high durability ensures it withstands daily wear and tear while its non-porous nature makes it resistant to stains, mould, and mildew by preventing liquid absorption—an essential quality for wet environments like bathrooms. Additionally, the hygienic and smooth surface makes cleaning the vanity a breeze.

Another stand-out feature of Staron Solid Surfaces is its ability to be thermoformed into almost any shape with no joins allowing for unique custom vanity designs and taking visions to the next level. To create a sleek and continuous look, Staron Solid Surfaces can encompass integrated sinks as well as the backsplash, further aiding the mould resistance and ease of cleaning.

Another benefit of solid surfaces is its longevity and the ability to refresh the surface to its original state, even after years of use, is easy to do. The material is uniform from top to bottom which ensures that scratches and minor damage can be sanded or buffed out without affecting the material’s appearance or structural integrity.

Now that engineered stone is banned for use in Australia, this zero-silica solid surface offers a safe alternative for your client’s home. Developed in 1992, Staron is manufactured from refined bauxite, a safe silica-free mineral, and blended with pure acrylic resin. This combination results in a high-performing and safe solid surface.

For more information on Staron Solid Surfaces, visit austaronsurfaces.com

Austaron Surfaces
https://austaronsurfaces.com/
FB: facebook.com/austaronsurfaces
IG: instagram.com/austaronsurfaces/

The Laminex story began in 1934 in suburban Melbourne where Robert Sykes started Laminex in a small tin shed. Over the years, this business grew to be one of Australia’s leading manufacturers.

While the iconic Australian brand has grown a lot over nine decades, its ethos has always remained the same – the belief that every Australian deserves great quality products with great quality design.

The evolution of Laminex began after World War II, when Sykes was captivated by a new trend appearing overseas for decorative laminates. He travelled to the US to research the fabrication of decorative laminates and began producing Australia’s first interior décor product range in the early 1950s. With Australia’s cities booming, new house builds thriving and a demand for affordable furniture escalating, Sykes’ foresight to innovate was astute.

The Cheltenham plant in Victoria was established in 1952, which featured a cutting-edge hydraulic press to enable rapid production processes and an expansion of the product range to meet market demand and improve revenues. It was here that Laminex became the only producer of thin high-pressure and more recently compact laminates in Australia and New Zealand – which still stands today.

For the past 90 years, Laminex has consistently set the benchmark for material innovation, leading to an extensive product range that has expanded to include modern laminates, acrylic surfaces, wall panelling products and more. For many Australians, Laminex products have been a fundamental part of their households – bringing durability, functionality, and personality to the heart of the home.

This year commemorates the remarkable 90-year journey of Laminex. This significant milestone is a celebration of the evolution of being the very fabric of Australian design. Over the past nine decades, Laminex has created a range of innovative and diverse brands that are serious multi-taskers, leading the way in expert quality, design-led materials for contemporary living. With an extensive portfolio across Laminex, Formica, Surround by Laminex and HI-MACS, there is a carefully curated product for everyone and every space.

The success of Laminex products can be attributed to an ongoing focus on product and manufacturing innovation, and a pursuit of continuous improvement, elevating performance across its entire spectrum of operations. Throughout the company’s 90 years in business, Laminex has continually adapted, reinvesting in the skills, safety, performance, and capacity of its plants through new equipment, training, and development.

90 years on, Laminex takes pride in knowing its customers can take comfort in the fact that the Laminex products used in their homes are not only design-led and durable, but also support the Australian economy and are backed by incredible sustainable credentials. The design world may be forever evolving, but one thing that remains the same is Australia’s love for Laminex – it isn’t just owned and manufactured in Australia; it’s loved in kitchens, bathrooms and beyond, nationwide. 

For more information on Laminex products, visit laminex.com.au