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The Traditional/Themed Design category continues to be a popular choice in the KBDi Design Awards, offering designers the opportunity to reinterpret historic architectural styles for contemporary living. Sponsored this year by Cav’Art Designer Stone, the category encourages entries that capture the spirit of styles such as Georgian, Victorian, Federation, or Art Deco, while meeting the needs of modern life.

This year, Studio Minosa impressed the judging panel with their thoughtful transformation of a modest 1929 Federation bungalow into a timeless family haven.

The Design Brief

The clients of this heritage home wanted a space that respected the character of their 1929 bungalow while adding flexibility, storage, and smooth flow for a busy family life. Their goal was a modern classic interior—a bright, welcoming area with separate zones for cooking, dining, and relaxing, and the option to hide mess when entertaining. An easy, flowing connection from the carport through to the laundry, kitchen, and living spaces was also a must.

The Winning Design

Studio Minosa responded with a design that balances heritage sensitivity with contemporary functionality. The new layout overcame the challenges of a narrow floor plan, creating a spacious open-plan kitchen and living area. Wainscot panelling, custom timber details, and a heritage-inspired green joinery palette referenced the home’s original craftsmanship. These features were complemented with chevron timber flooring and marble benchtops, adding timeless elegance to the interiors.

To meet the brief for concealment and adaptability, Studio Minosa designed retractable doors to discreetly hide the cooktop, ovens, and even a home study nook. Sliding doors and joinery allowed zones to open up or close down as needed, supporting both everyday family life and seamless entertaining. Importantly, a cleverly positioned drop zone created efficient circulation between the carport, kitchen, and laundry, reinforcing flow throughout the home.

The result is a home that celebrates its past while supporting the future—a modern, practical family environment that maintains heritage charm.

About the Category

The Traditional/Themed Design Award is open to KBDi Associate, Designer, and Certified Designer Members. Entries can feature any residential interior space designed around a particular architectural style—from Georgian to Art Deco, Federation to Tudor—and must clearly show the connection between the design and its chosen genre.

Judging criteria evaluate not only aesthetic balance and innovation but also compliance, layout, and the integrity of genre-inspired detailing. Entrants are encouraged to demonstrate both technical excellence and creative flair.

The 2025 Awards demonstrated how traditional homes can be reinterpreted for modern family living without losing their essence. With the backing of Cav’Art Designer Stone, this category continues to support designers who honour history while embracing innovation.

About Dulux Finnegan 

As indicated above, the Minosa team wanted a ‘heritage green’ colour to reflect the history of the home, but needed a special hue to fit their style.

The colour they ultimately specified was Dulux Finnegan. This is a sophisticated grey with green undertones. It is an adaptable shade from the Dulux Greys range, recognised for its chameleon-like qualities that enable it to shift between warm and cool tones depending on the lighting and surrounding colours. 

While it is officially classified as a grey (SG5H9), its formula includes a strong green tint, giving it a subtle green undertone that can seem more pronounced in certain settings. This nuanced blend makes Finnegan suitable for both contemporary and traditional spaces, offering depth and complexity that can appear as a greeny-grey or even a heritage green, especially when paired with complementary finishes. 

Paired with Dulux Natural White, we believe it was an all-class solution for this particular design. What do you think? Share your comments below.

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