Blogs

Celebrating Design Excellence: Enter the 2026 KBDi Design Awards

By Selina Zwolsman posted 5 days ago
Celebrating Design Excellence: Enter the 2026 KBDi Design Awards Each year, the KBDi Design Awards shine a spotlight on the creativity, innovation, and technical expertise that shape Australia’s kitchen, bathroom, and interior design industry. As entries open for the 2026 program, KBDi and ACFA members are invited to showcase the projects they’re most proud of — and to gain the national recognition that comes with being part of Australia’s leading design awards platform. Importantly, these are design awards . Entries are assessed on planning, innovation, functionality, documentation, and visual presentation — not construction or installation quality ...

Alunan T: Where Form, Function, and Flexibility Come Together

By Selina Zwolsman posted 5 days ago
A message from our Corporate Plus Partners, Harn. A Modular Drawer System Designed to Adapt to Modern Living At Harn, we believe drawers should do more than store. They should support the way people live. Alunan T is a modular drawer profile designed with this philosophy in mind, balancing refined aesthetics, dependable performance, and intuitive customisation. Built on the RITMA T Platform, Alunan T delivers smooth, quiet motion and a streamlined installation process, giving designers and manufacturers a system that is both reliable and adaptable. Its clean lines and considered proportions allow it to integrate seamlessly across a wide range of furniture ...

Hettich Australia Opens Sydney Experience Centre at Waterloo Design Centre

By Selina Zwolsman posted 5 days ago
A message from our Corporate Plus Partners, Hettich Australia. Hettich Australia has officially opened its new Sydney Experience Centre at the Waterloo Design Centre, marking an exciting new chapter in the brand’s connection with Australia’s design and joinery community. Designed as a hands-on, experience-led environment, the centre invites kitchen and bathroom designers, cabinetmakers, joiners, architects and builders to explore cabinetry hardware in context rather than in isolation. Instead of a traditional product display, ...

Terrazzo maintains its presence in contemporary design

By Selina Zwolsman posted 5 days ago
A message from our Corporate Plus Partners, Austaron Surfaces. Originating from a practical need to reuse broken stone and tile fragments, terrazzo was born from resourcefulness. Today, it is celebrated for its ability to add texture, depth, and personality to modern spaces. Terrazzo continues to be a desirable finish in contemporary interior design. Its sustained popularity speaks to terrazzo’s lasting charm, durability, and remarkable ability to stay relevant through shifting design trends. Complementing both bold and restrained design approaches, terrazzo offers: Timeless aesthetic: a balance of heritage influence and modern refinement Versatility: ...

Design Your Year: Mapping Out Time for Better Projects (and Less Panic)

By Selina Zwolsman posted 19 days ago
Great design doesn’t happen in the gaps between meetings. It happens when your time is planned with the same intention as space, materials and budgets. For many designers, the calendar fills up quickly with client appointments, site visits, documentation deadlines and daily business admin. Add industry events, professional development and Awards preparation — and the panic can start to kick in. A little forward planning can change that. Start with your core work rhythms Begin by blocking out the non-negotiables: Daily work activities like emails, quote sourcing, admin and supplier liaison Face-to-face client time — consultations, ...

Italian Terrazzo Expands the WK Stone Surface Collection

By Selina Zwolsman posted 23 days ago
A message from our Corporate Partner, WK Stone. WK Stone continues to build its curated portfolio of stone surfaces with the introduction of a new Italian-inspired terrazzo collection, arriving this summer. Designed with contemporary kitchens and bathrooms in mind, the range offers designers a fresh interpretation of a familiar material - one that balances character, durability, and versatility. Made in Italy, the terrazzo collection features ten carefully developed colourways, ranging from soft mints such as Amalfi to pale pink tones like Rosa, through to warmer terracotta and earthy hues, including Piazza, alongside classic black and white options ...

Ventilation Solutions for Healthier Homes

By Selina Zwolsman posted 23 days ago
A message from our Corporate Plus Partners, Schweigen. Designing spaces that look and breathe better Manning Residence by Nulook Homes in Perth - Winner of the Master Builders-Bankwest WA Housing Excellence Awards in the Energy Efficiency & Waterwise Home categories. The performance of a home - how it breathes, sounds, and conserves energy - is central to specification. Indoor air quality, acoustic comfort, and energy efficiency now drive decision-making - especially in homes that are becoming increasingly insulated and airtight. Founded in 2007, Schweigen began by addressing one of the most overlooked issues in residential design: the ...

V8 by GRASS

By Selina Zwolsman posted 23 days ago
A message from our Corporate Plus Partner, GRASS. Until recently, the very idea of reducing a drawer side to 8 mm and, moreover, making industrial production commercially viable would have been technically unthinkable. GRASS is now turning this vision into a reality. It is always a question of pushing the boundaries of what is feasible. And the slim drawer system is based on the same reasoning: How can we produce a highly effective and sustainable system using less space and less material? Boundaries may shift again at some point, but for the next decade at least, V8 will come to define things. If less is more, V8 offers a lot of it. Here ...

New possibilities with REVEGO

By Selina Zwolsman posted 23 days ago
A message from our Corporate Plus Partners, Blum Australia. The REVEGO pocket system from Blum offers a refined solution for projects where clean lines, flexible spatial planning and a seamless user experience is a priority. Whether you’re specifying a compact urban apartment, a multifunctional family kitchen or a luxury dressing room, REVEGO lets you resolve the tension between hidden function and visible form: doors that disappear into a narrow pocket, preserving uninterrupted surfaces and a restrained, coherent aesthetic. Blum’s REVEGO pocket systems use slim, slide-in doors that tuck away into a narrow cabinet, the pocket, so when closed you get a continuous, ...

Raising the Bar: A Design-Led Approach to Wardrobe Interiors

By Selina Zwolsman posted 23 days ago
A message from our Victorian Supplier Partner, Wardrobe Source. For years, wardrobe interiors have lagged behind kitchens and bathrooms in design considerations — often treated as purely functional spaces rather than opportunities for refinement and personalisation. But as expectations for storage, lifestyle planning and materiality continue to rise, designers and joiners are rethinking what a wardrobe can (and should) deliver. Enter Wardrobe Source , a new Australian supplier bringing a design-led approach to wardrobe interiors. Wardrobe Source delivers a curated range of wardrobe accessories designed to elevate both the function and aesthetic ...

Stronger Together, From Concept to Completion

By Selina Zwolsman posted 21-01-2026
As we step into 2026, you’ll notice a few changes — and we wanted to take a moment to explain what they mean for you. A refreshed look — and a shared direction You’ll see a subtle evolution of the KBDi brand in the coming weeks. Our logo has been carefully refined to sit alongside a new collaborative identity that reflects both KBDi and ACFA. This update reflects a stronger, more connected industry body — one that brings designers and manufacturers closer together while preserving KBDi's integrity and purpose. Introducing our new tagline: From concept to completion You’ll also see a new tagline appearing throughout our communications. ...

Make Your Own Grab Rails — Designed for Flexibility. Defined by You.

By Selina Zwolsman posted 21-01-2026
A message from our Corporate Plus Partner, Nero. Mecca Care’s Make Your Own Grab Rails initiative redefines accessibility by removing the limitations of fixed grab rail combinations. Designed to adapt to real spaces and real needs, this modular system allows users to create tailored grab rail configurations that suit their layout, functional requirements, and design preferences. Fully compliant with AS1428.1 standards , Make Your Own delivers reliable safety while maintaining a clean, contemporary aesthetic. A wide selection of components can be freely combined, offering greater control and creative freedom across residential, commercial, and aged ...

QASAIR Rangehoods – Powerful, Quiet & Beautiful

By Selina Zwolsman posted 21-01-2026
A message from our Corporate Plus Partners, QASAIR. Qasair Rangehoods have been manufactured for over 50 years, since 1972. Our rangehoods have the reputation of being Australia’s finest rangehoods on the market, known for their powerful airflow and quietness in operation. Manufacturing locally within Australia in Ringwood 3134, allows us to provide premium quality and flexibility in design. The exceptional effectiveness of our product sees that our rangehoods are a regular feature in award winning homes and developments around Australia and beyond. Our inhouse CAD team specialise in designing custom rangehoods for Undermount, Wall Mounted, Island ...

The Beauty of Simplicity: Why Lip Pulls Suit the Modern Home

By Selina Zwolsman posted 21-01-2026
A message from our Corporate Plus Partner, Momo Handles. In the world of interior design, simplicity isn’t about doing less, it’s about doing things with greater intention. From clean architectural lines to carefully curated palettes, today’s most timeless spaces are defined not by how much they contain, but by how cohesively every element contributes to the whole. In this context, even the smallest details matter, especially cabinetry hardware. Our lip pull collection reflects this philosophy of considered design. Sleek, unobtrusive, and elegantly functional, lip pulls allow materials, proportions, and light to take centre stage supporting a space ...

Nine fresh new Quantum Zero designs

By Selina Zwolsman posted 04-12-2025
A message from our Corporate Plus Partner, WK Stone. The Quantum Zero collection continues to evolve with the introduction of nine new colours that capture the spirit of natural stone with the innovation of sustainable design. This new release brings a considered mix of soft neutrals, creamy whites with golden veining, to more expressive designs. Ivory Perla leads the line-up as a fresh interpretation of Taj Mahal quartzite, offering its natural character in a durable, recycled surface that truly needs to be seen in person. Adding contrast are the statement colours, including Viola Lusso with its deep purple movement. Together, the nine designs form a ...

Smart kitchen design starts with the rangehood

By Selina Zwolsman posted 04-12-2025
A message from our Corporate Plus Partner, Schweigen. Prioritise the rangehood for better client outcomes When designing or specifying a new kitchen, it is natural for clients to focus on finishes and statement appliances like the cooktop, oven, or fridge. But before those selections are locked in, one decision has the greatest impact on function, health, and design flexibility - the rangehood. For builders and designers, getting this choice right early avoids costly rework, ensures compliance, and delivers a healthier, more liveable space. The Healthiest Appliance in the Kitchen The Belmont House by Randco Design Studio featuring the UM1170-9BS ...

The 2025 Hideaway Compact Refresh - Backed by a 2-Year Commercial Warranty

By Selina Zwolsman posted 04-12-2025
A message from our Corporate Partner, Hideaway Bins. In the world of kitchen hardware, durability isn’t just a promise, it’s a performance metric. That’s why the 2025 refresh of the Hideaway Compact Bin range marks a turning point. For the first time, Hideaway is proud to offer a 2-year commercial warranty, doubling down on the existing 2-year residential coverage. This isn’t just a marketing upgrade, it’s a reflection of two transformative design changes that redefine reliability for installers and cabinetmakers alike. Precision Door Alignment with Locking Bolt Security Getting a door panel perfectly aligned is one of the toughest parts of waste bin ...

The Art of Reduction: Introducing Gaggenau The Essential Induction

By Selina Zwolsman posted 04-12-2025
A message from our Corporate Plus Partner, e&s. Nothing but a dot, a surface, a knob. Experience the profound luxury of less with the revolutionary Gaggenau Essential Induction cooktop. Distilling professional cooking technology to its purest form, this innovation redefines kitchen architecture by seamlessly integrating the cooktop and worktop into a single, uninterrupted surface. Where traditional appliances create visual clutter, the Essential Induction delivers a sleek, minimalist canvas. The system is reduced to its essentials: the robust, high-precision control knob and a subtle LED dot that intuitively guides you while cooking. When the zone ...

Floor Wastes, Falls & Wet Area Waterproofing

By KBDi posted 20-11-2025
This Technical Bulletin summarises the National Construction Code (NCC) requirements relating to wet area design, including when and where floor wastes are required, acceptable falls to wastes, and waterproofing expectations for enclosed and unenclosed showers. It also clarifies definitions and materials for hobs and waterstops, and references AS 3740-2021 for compliance detail. Ideal for designers seeking practical, code-aligned guidance on achieving watertight, durable, and compliant bathroom and laundry designs. To download this Bulletin, you will need to be logged in and hold a current membership in the category of Student, Associate, Designer, Certified ...

Wrapping up the Year with Client Connection

By Selina Zwolsman posted 19-11-2025
With another busy year nearly behind us, the lead-up to Christmas presents a powerful opportunity to reconnect with clients — past, present, and potential. These final weeks of the year bring a blend of nostalgia, reflection, generosity, and planning. For designers, it's an ideal season to reignite old connections, nurture active projects, and gently set the stage for a strong start in the year to come. Below, we're sharing seven simple ways for you to connect with clients and kick off 2026 with a bang. 1. Send Personalised Christmas or Holiday Greetings Handwritten cards, thoughtfully chosen gifts, or bespoke branded surprises still strike a chord in a ...