Blogs

What makes Qasair Rangehoods so quiet?

By Selina Zwolsman posted 11 days ago
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 12 days ago
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 12 days ago
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 26 days ago
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 26 days ago
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 26 days ago
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. ...

Why Everything Looks the Same — and Why That's About to Change

By Selina Zwolsman posted 26 days ago
If you've spent any time scrolling through design content lately, you've likely felt it. Beautiful projects blur together. Kitchens, bathrooms and interiors from opposite sides of the world start to look remarkably similar. Trends spread at lightning speed, inspiration is increasingly algorithm-driven, and originality can feel harder to find. It's a challenge, according to keynote speaker Dana Tomić Hughes , that is shaping the future of design. Founder and editor of Yellowtrace, one of the world's most respected and trusted design resources, Dana has spent more than fifteen years cultivating an extraordinary editorial perspective on global design. Through ...

Have You Registered for the Kitchen & Bath Show Yet?

By Selina Zwolsman posted 02-06-2026
If the Kitchen & Bath Show is on your radar, this is your friendly reminder that complimentary tickets are only available until 11 June. With more than 1,000 products on display and over 90 speakers presenting over three days, the program is packed with ideas, innovation, and inspiration for designers, cabinetmakers, and industry professionals alike. Whether you're specifying for current projects or looking ahead to 2026 and beyond, it's an opportunity to see, touch, compare, and discover the latest products and trends, all in one place. Even if you missed the free registration period, the speaker line-up alone would justify the $50 entry fee. Fortunately, ...

BORA Professional 3.0 matt: A matt finish for a brilliant result

By Selina Zwolsman posted 02-06-2026
The high-end BORA Professional 3.0 cooktop extractor system, featuring modular cooktops, is now also available with a matt finish. This version of the extra-large cooktop is characterised by a soft-touch finish and a crystal-clear menu display, blending in with great visual elegance against a dark worktop. The functional benefits of the matt finish: cookware no longer slips, and signs of wear such as scratches, smudges and fingerprints are well concealed. Many recognise the classic control knobs of the BORA Professional 3.0 as a much-loved detail on the kitchen front, which often plays a role in the purchasing decision. BORA has taken this concept an innovative ...

Meet the 2026 KBDi Design Awards Judging Panel

By Selina Zwolsman posted 02-06-2026
Every year, the KBDi Design Awards celebrate outstanding achievements in kitchen, bathroom and interior design. Behind every finalist announcement and category winner is a rigorous judging process led by some of the industry's most experienced design professionals. The Open Awards are assessed by an independent panel of judges with expertise across kitchen design, interiors, colour, trends, materials, consumer behaviour and design excellence. Together, they bring decades of experience and an international perspective to the judging panel. In the first stage of judging, each entry is independently assessed by two judges using a detailed scoring rubric. The ...

Appliances by Häfele - European Design for Australian Homes

By Selina Zwolsman posted 01-06-2026
A message from our Corporate Plus Partner, Häfele. Designed for the Way Australians Live Introducing the new Häfele Lifestyle Appliances range, a collection thoughtfully designed for the way Australians cook, live and entertain. Combining elegant European design with Häfele’s trusted reputation for quality and innovation, the range delivers everyday functionality tailored to modern lifestyles. Created with both performance and practicality in mind, the Häfele Lifestyle Appliances range offers a seamless kitchen and laundry experience through a complete collection of cooktops, ovens, rangehoods, refrigeration and laundry solutions. Designed to integrate ...

Vionaro V8: One Drawer System, Endless Possibilities

By Selina Zwolsman posted 01-06-2026
A message from our Corporate Plus Partner, Grass Australia. One System For All Living Areas With Vionaro V8, GRASS offers the perfect solution for fitting kitchen, bathroom and living room furniture with the same drawer system. The purist, elegant design of Vionaro V8 ties areas of the home together. German Design Winner The true mark of engineering and design excellence. One Piece Solid Metal Drawer Sides It delivers maximum stability and durability while ensuring a recycling rate of almost 100%. A World First The 8 mm steel drawer has long been the first true innovation and guarantees our customers a significant competitive ...

Concelo Bathroom Bin | Designed for Modern Bathroom Storage

By Selina Zwolsman posted 01-06-2026
A message from our Corporate Partner, Hideaway Bins. Following continued demand for clean, concealed bathroom storage solutions, Hideaway Bins is pleased to introduce the new Concelo® Bathroom Bin, a purpose-designed 1×13L unit engineered specifically for today’s bathroom cabinetry. Dealing with waste in the bathroom has typically been an afterthought. While it’s not always obvious, bathrooms generate a surprising amount of everyday waste, yet the solutions have traditionally been limited. Small bins hung on the back of cabinet doors often lack capacity and practicality, which means they rarely do the job effectively. As a result, many homeowners end up ...

Join Hideaway at Kitchen and Bath Show

By Selina Zwolsman posted 20-05-2026
A message from our Corporate Partner, Hideaway. Exclusive Breakfast with Hideaway Bins Join Hideaway Bins for an exclusive breakfast event during the Kitchen & Bath Show. Enjoy a relaxed start to the day while exploring an extensive range of Hideaway Bins on display, gaining valuable specifier insights from our team, and being among the first to discover two exciting new product launches, designed specifically for bathroom, laundry, and wardrobe spaces. Friday 12 June, 2026 - ICC Sydney Hideaway Bins Stand #1324 Event Schedule 8:15 am – Arrival and registration collection at the kiosk 8:30 am sharp – Breakfast event commences 9:30 am ...

Expanding the Design Palette with Zip HydroTap

By Selina Zwolsman posted 20-05-2026
A message from our Corporate Partner, Zip Water. Expanding the Design Palette: Zip HydroTap range now with New Brushed Finishes for Contemporary Specification As kitchens continue to evolve into highly resolved, design led spaces, finish selection has become as influential as form and functionality. Recognising this shift, Zip is expanding its HydroTap residential portfolio with new brushed finishes from May 2026, giving designers greater freedom to specify appliances that sit confidently within contemporary interiors. Warm metallic finishes continue to gain momentum in premium residential kitchens, offering depth, character and a softer alternative ...

Modar® Handles | A Refined Approach to Modern Hardware

By Selina Zwolsman posted 20-05-2026
A message from our Corporate Plus Partner, Lincoln Sentry. The latest evolution of Modar ® handles from Lincoln Sentry delivers a thoughtful balance of design, functionality and versatility tailored for today’s cabinet makers and interior designers. With an expanded selection of styles and finishes, the refreshed collection responds to shifting trends across residential, commercial and custom joinery projects. Launched on 1 April, the update introduces 17 new designs across the redefined Contemporary and Traditional collections, alongside the debut of Modar ® Timber; a design-led addition that brings natural materiality to the forefront. A Natural Shift: ...

Extraordinary Surfaces for Kitchen Specification

By Selina Zwolsman posted 19-05-2026
A message from our Corporate PLUS Partner, Austaron Surfaces. Staron® Solid Surfaces offer designers an exceptional balance of aesthetics, performance and creative freedom. The benefits of incorporating solid surfaces into a home kitchen are extensive. Designers who understand the fundamentals of Staron quickly recognise how easily it supports thoughtful, functional and visually refined design solutions. In kitchen applications, Staron becomes a true one-stop design material. Its seamless construction allows two pieces to join as one, creating a continuous, uninterrupted surface. When translated into kitchen design, this means joinery and benchtop creations ...

Beyond the Budget Blues | Designing Confidence in a Cautious Market

By Selina Zwolsman posted 18-05-2026
Economic headlines have a way of creeping into the design studio, the workshop and the sales meetings. Over the past few weeks, Australia’s Federal Budget announcements have sparked plenty of commentary around cost-of-living pressures, consumer confidence and the broader outlook for small business. For those working in the design and construction sector, it can be difficult not to absorb some of that uncertainty. But while economic conditions matter, mindset matters too. One of the greatest risks during periods of negative media coverage is not necessarily the market itself — it’s how business owners begin to emotionally respond to it. When headlines ...

WK Stone Unveils New Italian Terrazzo Collection

By Selina Zwolsman posted 06-05-2026
A message from our Corporate PLUS Partner, WK Stone. WK Stone has introduced its latest Italian Terrazzo Collection, bringing a fresh perspective to one of design’s most enduring materials. Crafted in Italy and thoughtfully curated for contemporary Australian interiors, the collection features ten versatile colourways, ranging from warm, earthy neutrals to more expressive tones such as mint and blush pink. Available in both 20mm and 30mm slabs, the range has been designed with flexibility in mind, making it suitable for a wide variety of applications, including kitchen benchtops, bathroom vanities, flooring, and feature walls. Each slab showcases the ...

From Trends to Trade Skills: Inside the Kitchen + Bath Show Seminar Series

By Selina Zwolsman posted 06-05-2026
As part of the Kitchen + Bath Show seminar series, KBDi and ACFA are proud to present three days of insightful, industry-focused sessions to support designers, manufacturers and joinery professionals at every stage of the project journey. From global trend forecasting and practical profitability strategies to buildable joinery, apprenticeships and photography for design professionals, this year’s program brings together respected voices across the industry to explore the ideas, challenges and opportunities shaping kitchens and bathrooms in Australia. DAY 1 | Thursday, 11 June Global Trends, Local Reality | Eurocucina Insights for Kitchens & Bathrooms ...