Bulbs in the bathroom

Bulbs in the bathroom

by | Dec 10, 2021 | Bathroom Design, Lighting, Video Conferences

Tuesday | 18 January 2022 | 4 pm ADST

*Note: Australian Daylight Saving Time (ADST) applies to NSW, Victoria, Tasmania and ACT only. In Queensland, this session will commence at 3pm (AEST), and WA should clock in at 1pm (AWST). SA guests should note a 3.30pm (ACDT) start.

Kick off the New Year with a professional development session sure to inform and enlighten you. Lighting design expert Adele Locke (Mint Lighting) will once again share her wise words and wisdom about lighting interior spaces. In this one hour session, Adele will focus on the three key areas of bathroom lighting: ambiance, practicality and compliance.

Register

Bold design requires brave clients (and the best 3D renders)

Bold design requires brave clients (and the best 3D renders)

by | Nov 26, 2021 | Bathroom Design, Design Software

A message from our Corporate Partners, Pytha 3D CAD

Darren Genner CKD Au (Minosa Design) is no stranger to the industry’s podiums. He has a long and impressive list of accolades to his name, including the national title of KBDi Australian Bathroom Designer of the Year 2021.

Pytha Partners have long been fans of the work that comes out of the Minosa studio. What they admire most (not surprisingly) is the excellent standard of the design team’s PYTHA 3D rendering.

Bold design like that produced by the Minosa crew requires brave clients. Homeowners prepared to step ‘outside the box’ – whether cautiously or with enthusiasm – can have tremendous confidence in their designer’s intent and plenty of room for excitement when ultra-realistic renderings are part of the presentation package.

From the finishes to the fixtures and fittings, and from the layout to the lighting, the Minosa team can skillfully sell every element of their design. And in today’s limited-contact selling environment, these visual aids are a game-changer.

Learning how to use PYTHA 3D CAD
Of course, producing high quality renders like those above takes practice, skill and tenacity. Pytha Partners offer a range of software packages to suit you and your business, and critical training and support options to ensure you get the most bang for your buck. Learn more at pythapartners.com.aupythapartners.com.au.

People’s choice winners of 2021

People’s choice winners of 2021

by | Nov 11, 2021 | Bathroom Design, KBDi Awards, Kitchen Design

KBDi and Kitchens & Bathrooms Quarterly by Universal Media Co were delighted to collaborate once again to present the People’s Choice Award of 2021.

All finalists for the KBDi Designer Awards kitchen and bathroom categories were showcased on the Complete Homes website. Over 18,000 votes were received, and we’re delighted to announce the winners below.

WINNER: KBDi and KBQ People’s Choice Award – Kitchen Design

Kate Anderson | Kate Anderson Design

WINNER: KBDi and KBQ People’s Choice Award – Bathroom Design

Ioanna Lennox | Ioanna Lennox Interiors

Huge congratulations to both Kate and Ioanna. They’ve each earned themselves an incredible marketing package (a whopping $8,000 in value) with Universal Magazines, and we look forward to seeing their fabulous projects on the glossy pages of our favourite magazines.

Big thanks, too, to Kitchens and Bathrooms Quarterly by Universal Media Co. Your ongoing support is enormously appreciated.

Powder room perfection

Powder room perfection

by | Nov 5, 2021 | Bathroom Design, Inspiration

As the name would suggest, powder rooms traditionally had more to do with powdering than toileting. In eighteenth-century homes, the powder room or closet was the small space dedicated to refreshing one’s wig. When wigs fell out of fashion, the powder room became a convenient place for guests to ‘powder their noses’ and attend to their appearance. The powder chair was eventually replaced with a chamber pot and wash basin, bringing it closer to today’s definition of a powder room:

A small compartment housing a toilet and basin, generally located within close proximity to the main living areas of a home.

Powder rooms are increasingly popular in Australian homes, and offer a fantastic opportunity for designers to have some fun with a space that is both functional and decorative. In this feature, we’re sharing four of our faves from the KBDi Designer Awards of 2021.

Members, have you downloaded the KBDi Bulletin regarding Powder Room Clearances? This paper sets out the clearances recommended for this (often) small space, and highlights NCC requirements associated with sanitary compartments. You’ll find it in your exclusive Members Portal.

This perfect little powder room was designed by Melbourne’s Matthew James (MJ Harris Group). We love the calming combination of the Tassie Oak tones and the gorgeous green pencil tiles, and note the cute geometric repetition in the mirror, basin, tapware and lighting.

The client wanted ‘a contemporary, sexy but sophisticated powder room worthy of a luxury hotel’, and we think Sydney’s Ioanna Lennox (Ioanna Lennox Interiors) nailed it! We love the daring combination of patterned floor tiles, black pencil wall tiles and shimmering wallpaper, and the drama of the strikingly-veined stone vanity.

Sydney design duo, Kate St James and Catherine Whitting, created this magical space for a client with a love for Parisian interiors. The misty ‘Morning Fog’ wallpaper is the hands-down hero of the powder room, and we love the metallic highlights, too. 

Beautiful brass fittings, striking white dolomite and a deep blue herringbone marble floor make an all-class combination in this Parisian-inspired powder room designed by Melbourne’s Penny del Castillo (Studio del Castillo).

Can you pick a favourite from the four above? Share your vote below.

Building bathroom design resources

Building bathroom design resources

by | Oct 14, 2021 | Bathroom Design, Knowledge and Know How

It’s been a while since we shared a ‘one question Wednesday’ survey – it turns out there are only so many questions we can come up with on our own. 🤨🤷🏻‍♀️ To make this a valuable exercise (and to allow us to build useful resources), we really need to know what you need to know, so we’re starting afresh with the following.

Bathroom planning presents many challenges to even the most experienced designers. While the physical footprint is often small, the product and trade knowledge required in these wet areas is expansive. As we prepare our next round of technical bulletins, we’re keen to know which areas stump you (or your clients or trades) most often and the specific topics you would like our ‘cheat sheets’ to cover.

Bathroom Design Technical Resources

Name(Required)
KBDi Membership Status(Required)
Waterproofing
Tiling
Glazing
Cabinetmaking
Painting
Electrical
Plumbing

Judges wowed by beautiful bathrooms

Judges wowed by beautiful bathrooms

by | Oct 8, 2021 | Bathroom Design, KBDi Awards

The KBDi Designer Awards 2021 judging panel was blown away by the beautiful bathrooms in this year’s competition. These relatively small spaces need exceptional space planning in order to meet the inevitably long list of client wants and needs. The following designers delivered, creating highly functional and aesthetically on-point retreats.

Sydney designer, Darren Genner CKD Au (Minosa) is certainly no stranger to the Australian design community. He has a long list of accolades from KBDi and other industry groups, and this year added another national award to his resume. This beautiful bathroom earned Darren the State and National Titles of KBDi Bathroom Designer of the Year 2021.

The judges loved the pared-back, sophisticated elegance of this beautiful bathroom. Very clever space planning allowed multiple zones in a moderately-sized space, while high-end fixtures, fittings and finishes added a new level of luxury.

Melbourne’s Kia Howat (GIA Bathrooms and Kitchens) earned a state title with this serene space.

This light-filled master suite is a stand-out example of timeless design. Exceptional space planning, delightful detailing and smart and stylish specifications have come together to create a truly blissful bathroom sure to be loved for many years.

The Tasmanian KBDi Bathroom Designer of the Year 2021 was awarded to the very talented Lydia Maskiell of Lydia Maskiell Interiors.

Layered lighting, exquisite detailing and a warm and earthy palette make a strong statement in this beautiful bathroom. The judges commended the designer on her vision, style and professional presentation.

And Perth’s Michelle Ashley-Emile (Element Design Studio) secured the title of KBDi Bathroom Designer of the Year 2021 – WA with this relaxing retreat.

A beautiful bush setting is the backdrop to this tranquil space and a great inspiration to the designer. The warm, inviting finishes complement the vista, and thoughtful space planning accommodates the hustle and bustle of three young boys.

Congratulations to all of the winners above, and huge thanks to our KBDi Designer Awards bathroom category sponsors, E and S Trading, for their ongoing support.