The competition was strong in the 2021 KBDi Designer Awards Traditional category, and the battle for first place was tight. Accordingly, the judges nominated a winner and a high commendation. In this feature, we’re celebrating both.

On behalf of KBDi and the category award sponsor, Cav’Art Designer Stone, we extend our huge congratulations to the category winner, Sydney’s Jacquelyn Carroll from Degabriele Kitchens.

About Jacquelyn’s entry

This spectacular space has all the bells and whistles from a cooking point of view, and decorative delights from every angle. From the profiled panels to the custom corbels, from the blues to golds and timber tones, the designer has had a hand in every square foot of this traditional space.

And kudos and congrats to Adelaide’s Tania Kloester CKD Au (TK Design). Tania was awarded a High Commendation with this high-class kitchen.

About Tania’s entry

A Georgian-themed display home required a suitably styled kitchen, and this designer delivered! With a stunning selection of fixtures, fittings and finishes and a well-planned layout, the kitchen captures the feel of a bygone era while cleverly showcasing the builder’s exacting standards and high-end inclusions.

Congratulations once again to Jacquelyn and Tania, and huge thanks to Cav’Art Designer Stone for their much-valued support.

The award for KBDi Certified Designer of the Year is a hard-earned accolade. The winning designer needs to demonstrate exponential design thinking and present their solution through the highest standard of documentation.

KBDi Designer Awards Certified Category judge, Rina Cohen CKD Au, summed up the intent of our program perfectly at our Virtual Gala. When addressing our finalists and special guests (through the power of Zoom), Rina shared the following:

“I am delighted to see that kitchen and bathroom design is alive and healthy. The designers and the designs we have applauded tonight are not just pretty pictures; they are real bathrooms and kitchens that affect and enhance the lifestyle of our clients. It is important to realise that our environment shapes and informs us all, especially at the moment as our homes are where we live, work and play. In saying this, I urge you to take a moment to consider how you might step up, add value and present yourself as a design professional by becoming a KBDi Certified Kitchen or Bathroom Designer.

This years KBDi Certified category entries displayed a quality aesthetic with a creative and practical approach to their respective design briefs. The judges focused on the precision of the documentation and the way it was referenced in accordance with the competition guidelines. The design, the material selection and the final images made for interesting discussion with regard to how these kitchens support lifestyle in 2021. The Certified Designer was definitely on trend with a design that was homely, enhanced the many aspects of collaborative living and nurtured the individual.”

So who was crowned the KBDi Australian Certified Designer of the Year in 2021?

Adelaide’s Tania Kloester CKD Au took out the title with this fabulous kitchen design.

The judges loved Tania’s response to a complex and challenging brief. With careful space planning, thoughtful product selection and a great appreciation for the ‘feel’ of the home, the designer created a collaborative, nurturing and ultra-appealing space. Combined with clear and comprehensive specifications and a cohesive plan set, the submission was an excellent example of the standard expected of a KBDi Certified Designer.

With a background in visual art and design and almost two decades of experience working with Adelaide’s leading joinery companies, Tania has a winning combination of aesthetic intelligence and practical manufacturing knowledge. She has an impressive list of awards to her name and was an esteemed member of the KBDi Designer Awards judging panel in 2019. We were delighted to see Tania on this side of the Awards program in 2021 and applaud her on this outstanding achievement.

Please join us in congratulating Tania in the comments below.