Blogs

Celebrating Our Community Champions | Jen McAlister + Katie White

By Selina Zwolsman posted 2 days ago
Great industry associations are built on more than outstanding projects. They’re built by people. The people who give their time, share their knowledge, welcome new faces and create opportunities for others to connect. They’re the members working behind the scenes to build stronger Chapters, encourage participation, and help create the generous, connected community at the heart of KBDi. At the 2026 KBDi Design Awards Gala , we were delighted to celebrate two such people by presenting the inaugural KBDi × Nero Tapware Community Champion Award . A new award celebrating the people who make a difference Introduced this year as part of the KBDi Design Awards ...

Create an Architectural Statement with Mario Romano Walls®

By Selina Zwolsman posted 7 days ago
A message from our Corporate Plus Partner, Austaron Surfaces Mario Romano Walls brings together art, technology and material performance to create striking three-dimensional surfaces for residential interiors. In this sophisticated residential project, the Orbit design introduces texture, movement and visual interest to a predominantly monochromatic palette. Positioned along the pathway between the staircase and kitchen, the feature wall complements the surrounding sandstone, warm timber, muted leather and carefully placed greenery. The non-repeating pattern creates an impressive mural effect across the wall, turning the crisp white surface into a distinctive ...

Celebrating the Best | Meet KBDi’s Top Three Designers of 2026

By Selina Zwolsman posted 7 days ago
The 2026 KBDi Design Awards concluded spectacularly on Saturday evening, as Australia’s kitchen and bathroom design community gathered at the Hyatt Regency Sydney to celebrate an extraordinary year of design. Held in the hotel’s Maritime Ballroom as the finale of the 2026 ACFA × KBDi Conference, the eighteenth annual Awards Gala recognised the creativity, technical expertise and sheer dedication behind some of Australia’s finest kitchen and bathroom projects. There were plenty of memorable moments — and many worthy winners — to celebrate on the night. Over the coming weeks, we’ll take a closer look at the Conference, the Gala and the talented designers ...

Introducing Modar® Storage: A New Standard in Kitchen Functionality

By Selina Zwolsman posted 7 days ago
A message from our Corporate Plus Partner, Lincoln Sentry As kitchen design continues to evolve, storage is no longer just about capacity; it’s about how seamlessly it integrates into the overall aesthetic. Introducing the Modar® Storage Range : a design-led collection developed with careful attention to detail for contemporary kitchen fit-outs. Featuring soft-square profiles and solid metal sides, the range offers a refined balance between durability and visual softness. The modern matte white finish delivers a clean, crisp aesthetic, blending effortlessly into white cabinetry or creating a subtle, sophisticated contrast in darker designs. The result is ...

Air-Cooled vs Water-Cooled Technology: Why Zip is the Sustainable Choice

By Selina Zwolsman posted 7 days ago
A message from our Corporate Plus Partner, Zip Water Sustainability has become a key consideration for homeowners, designers and specifiers alike. As consumers seek products that reduce environmental impact without compromising performance, the technology behind everyday appliances is coming under greater scrutiny. One of the most significant considerations in the instant filtered water category is the difference between air-cooled and water-cooled systems. While both technologies deliver chilled drinking water, the way they remove heat is fundamentally different. Traditional water-cooled systems use mains water as part of the cooling process. According ...

Concelo® 1×35L Shallow Depth Laundry Hamper for Space-Restricted Cabinetry

By Selina Zwolsman posted 7 days ago
A message from our Corporate Partner, Hideaway Bins Hideaway Bins is expanding the Concelo range with the introduction of the Concelo 1×35L Shallow Depth Laundry Hamper , developed specifically for cabinetry where depth has traditionally limited laundry storage options. Built on a 350 mm runner, this new model brings the proven cleanability, functionality and durability of the Concelo system to space-restricted cabinetry such as bathrooms, wardrobes and small laundries. Designed for laundry and bathroom environments, the lightweight, fully removable 35L hamper promotes airflow where it’s needed most. Integrated ventilation allows damp fabrics to dry naturally, ...

It's Not About CAD. It's About Communication.

By Selina Zwolsman posted 22 days ago
Ask a room full of designers what CAD software they use, and you'll likely hear a dozen different answers. Every designer has a favourite platform, and each has its own strengths. But here's the thing: great design documentation isn’t all about the software*. It's about communication. No matter which program you use, or whether your concept begins with a pencil sketch on tracing paper, the purpose of a drawing remains the same: to clearly communicate your design intent to everyone involved in bringing the project to life. Today's kitchen and bathroom projects are more sophisticated than ever. They incorporate integrated appliances, complex lighting ...

Your Personal Invitation: Design + Build Collective Pyrmont Event

By Selina Zwolsman posted 22 days ago
Your Personal Invitation The Design + Build Collective is a group of trusted suppliers within the building and design sector who have come together to create a shared showroom. This collaboration showcases a collection of brands that complement each other within an intimate showroom setting. Additional products from aligned suppliers are thoughtfully integrated throughout the showroom, offering visitors a broader selection of design solutions and inspiration. As part of the build-up to the KBDi conference, we invite all KBDi members to stop by and explore this new, purpose-built space. Whether you have flown in early for the conference or are a Sydney ...

Quantum Zero: Understanding Full-Body Design and Fabrication Considerations

By Selina Zwolsman posted 22 days ago
A message from our Corporate Plus Partner, WK Stone. Quantum Zero: Understanding Full-Body Design and Fabrication Considerations Quantum Zero continues to evolve with increasingly detailed and sophisticated designs, making it important for designers and fabricators to understand how colour and veining may behave through the thickness of each slab. Quantum Zero is a resin-based surface containing no more than 1% crystalline silica. Most colours within the range are classified as mostly full body. However, “full body” does not mean that the colour, veining or patterning will always continue uniformly from the surface through the full 20 mm slab thickness. ...

Duct Design Influences Acoustic Performance

By Selina Zwolsman posted 22 days ago
A message from our Corporate Plus Partner, Schweigen. The Foundation of Effective Kitchen Ventilation Why Rangehood Ducting & Duct Design Matters When specifying a rangehood, attention is often given to airflow capacity, aesthetics, acoustic performance and product features. Yet one of the most critical determinants of system performance is rarely visible once construction is complete – the ducting system. No matter how advanced the extraction unit, its performance is ultimately governed by the efficiency of the entire ventilation system. Duct design directly influences airflow, acoustic performance, energy efficiency and the long-term reliability ...

Movement Systems for Household Appliances.

By Selina Zwolsman posted 22 days ago
A message from our Corporate Plus Partner, GRASS. Movement systems for household appliances. Not commonly known, but GRASS is also a leading manufacturer of specialist hardware for household appliances. Whether you're baking, refrigerating or opening and closing drawers and doors, our movement systems for household appliances ensure reliable function, high stability and remarkable ease of use in everyday life. With slides for baking appliances as well as slides and hinges for refrigeration appliances, our portfolio offers sophisticated solutions for a wide range of applications in modern appliance design. All movement systems for household appliances are ...

Good Ergonomics in the Kitchen: The Quiet Upgrade That Changes Everything

By Selina Zwolsman posted 22 days ago
A message from our Corporate Plus Partner, Blum. Good Ergonomics in the Kitchen: The Quiet Upgrade That Changes Everything A kitchen can look stunning and still be difficult to live with. Too many steps, awkward reaches, cluttered work zones, heavy doors, and storage that forces you to crouch, stretch, or “dig” for everyday items can turn routine cooking into a slow, frustrating (and sometimes painful) experience. That’s why designing the kitchen around real human movement matters as much as materials and aesthetics. When ergonomics is done well, you barely notice it because things simply work. You move naturally from storage to prep to cooking to clean-up ...

From Milan to Sydney: Unox Casa Shapes the Future of High-Performance Living

By Selina Zwolsman posted 15-07-2026
A message from our Corporate Plus Partners, Unox Casa. Unox Casa is the high-end residential division of UNOX, the world’s best-selling brand of professional ovens, born to bring the performance of the greatest starred restaurant to luxury private homes as well. SuperOven is the first oven that integrates the high technology of the best professional ovens into an iconic Italian design, suitable for the most exclusive kitchens. The first half of 2026 marks a defining and dynamic chapter for Unox Casa, shaped by a sequence of high-profile initiatives and meaningful international engagements. The journey begins with the resounding success of EuroCucina – ...

Completing the Mecca Collection with Refined 3-Piece Designs

By Selina Zwolsman posted 15-07-2026
A message from our Corporate Plus Partners, Nero Tapware. The latest expansion of the Mecca Collection marks a significant step in enhancing the structural versatility of the range. With the introduction of new 3-piece configurations, Mecca now offers a more comprehensive solution for projects that require both aesthetic refinement and functional flexibility. The new 3-piece sets provide a balanced, symmetrical layout—ideal for spaces that favour classic proportion and considered detailing. This configuration allows for greater design expression while maintaining the collection’s clean architectural identity, offering designers more flexibility across a ...

What makes Qasair Rangehoods so quiet?

By Selina Zwolsman posted 01-07-2026
A message from our Corporate Plus Partner, Qasair Since 1972, Qasair Rangehoods have been designed and manufactured in Australia. Our focus is on effectively removing cooking by-products from kitchens while maintaining quiet operation. As new cooking appliances enter the market, designs continue to evolve to accommodate the changing range of cooking equipment and cookware available in Australia. There are two important factors to consider when selecting a rangehood. The first is ensuring sufficient air movement (extraction capacity) to match the heat output of the cooking appliance. The second is using correctly sized ducting. Our ducting system is ...

From Great Design to Greater Confidence

By Selina Zwolsman posted 01-07-2026
A message from our Corporate Partner, Cyncly In a cautious market, the design consultation has to do more. Australian homeowners are still investing in their homes, but they are making major renovation decisions carefully. For kitchen retailers, that changes what a successful design consultation needs to achieve. A great-looking design is important. But by the end of the appointment, the client also needs confidence in what they are buying, exactly what is included and what it is likely to cost. This is often where sales momentum is gained or lost. A consultation may begin well: the layout works, the finishes appeal and the client can picture themselves ...

Specifying Luxury: Your Technical Guide to TOTO NEOREST

By Selina Zwolsman posted 30-06-2026
A message from our Platinum Partner, e&s. Integrating intelligent toilets into your upcoming bathroom projects requires a seamless blend of high-end aesthetics and precise technical planning. To ensure a flawless installation on your next project, keep these trade-essential steps in mind: Pre-Construction & Rough-In Electrical & Water: Plan for a concealed GPO and a dedicated water supply line. Ensure the site's dynamic water pressure meets the required 0.05 MPa to 0.75 MPa. Setouts: Confirm whether the layout dictates an S-trap or P-trap configuration, and verify standard rough-in distances on your plans prior to first-fix plumbing. ...

Reimagining Timber Through Engineered Surfaces

By Selina Zwolsman posted 16-06-2026
A message from our Corporate Plus Partner, Verdecor Timber remains one of the most enduring references in interior design. Its warmth, depth and natural variation continue to shape contemporary kitchens, wardrobes, wall applications and commercial interiors. Yet for many projects, designers are required to balance the visual appeal of timber with practical considerations such as durability, consistency, availability and ease of fabrication. Verdecor’s synchronised woodgrain collection has been developed in response to this balance. At the centre of the range is synchronised embossing technology, where the printed decorative grain and the surface texture ...

New Furnipart Handles | Wilson & Bradley

By Selina Zwolsman posted 16-06-2026
A message from our Corporate Plus Partner, Wilson & Bradley Wilson & Bradley are excited to introduce new finish options across the Manor and Villa ranges as part of our Furnipart 2026 Collection. Designed to complement a wide variety of cabinetry and furniture applications, these latest additions combine contemporary styling with the premium quality and functionality Furnipart is known for while offering greater versatility across a broad range of interior styles and applications. Furnipart Manor Range The Furnipart Manor range is now available in a new Matt Bronze finish across the Manor Round, Manor T, Manor Long and Manor Back 128mm and 192mm ...

The Enduring Appeal of Solid Brass Hardware

By Selina Zwolsman posted 16-06-2026
A message from our Corporate Plus Partner, Momo Handles Material selection plays a defining role in how a space performs over time. In hardware, solid brass continues to be specified for its durability, consistency, and refined appearance across a wide range of interiors. From kitchens and wardrobes to full-height joinery, solid brass offers a balance of performance and detail that supports both function and design. Why Solid Brass? Durability for Everyday Use Solid brass is built to withstand frequent use. Its density prevents cracking, chipping, and structural wear, making it a reliable choice for high-use areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, and cabinetry. ...