Helen Baumann CKD Au is a qualified interior designer and KBDi Certified Kitchen Designer based in Sydney. She’s been a long-time Member of KBDi, and we’re proud to have her in our community. In this feature, we’re sharing a short story about Helen’s journey, and showing off one of her more recent kitchen projects.

Helen’s creative flair was born in the Design Department of ABC TV, where she worked on a range of successful productions including Brides of Christ, The True Believers, Enough Rope and Election Chaser. From 2011 to 2016, Helen was also the Set Designer for the successful children’s television show Giggle and Hoot. This position won her the prestigious Silver Promax BDA Global Excellence Award for set design.

Helen’s career has incorporated art direction, set design and graphic design for major entertainment companies including Warner Brothers, Southern Star & Fox Australia. She has held key roles in productions including Jack and Sarah (UK), Oscar and Lucinda (Aus) & Red Planet (US).

With a personal passion for interior design and a love of cooking and entertaining, kitchen design seemed a natural selection for a post-children career choice. Helen embarked on some specialised kitchen training (Cert IV in Design of Kitchens, Bathrooms and Interior Spaces), and began working at Sydney Kitchens. She soon branched off with her own business – Helen Baumann Design – and now enjoys working on a range of projects across Sydney.

The Design Brief

Helen’s clients commissioned her to transform their existing dark kitchen, lounge room and outside laundry into an extended open plan family space. They had a long list of practical and aesthetic requirements, including:

• an afterschool play area for grandchildren
• a long kitchen island bench for relaxed meals and afternoon tea
• a library area for computer, homework and books
• storage for toys, and a linen cupboard for vacuum cleaner etc.
• integrated hidden appliances
• a convenient space for keys and diary near the entrance of the kitchen area
• display areas for glasses and favourite pieces
• symmetrical cabinetry
• a calm, relaxed, timeless palette
• a visual break from the heavy heritage detail of front of the house (but with a subtle link to the home’s character)
• abundant natural light

See how Helen addresses all of the above in the video below.