Kitchen & Bathroom DESIGN Awards 2011 - Reflection on past winners

As we are about to leave for the Gold Coast and the 2011 Kitchen & Bathroom design awards (KBDI) we thought we would share some of the past kitchens and bathrooms that have been successful for Minosa over the past 10 years.

It is not widely known that Minosa dokitchens as well as bathrooms or for that matter is it widely known that we are interior designers first, our range of bathroom products have really justtaken overour business over the last 5 years.....

So Minosa first entered the kitchen awards way back in 2003 with our first real kitchen since we had started up Minosa in 2001, this kitchen was a real game changer for us as it was the first kitchen that we had designed that really integrated the open plan idea.....the dining table is attached to the island unit making it a fixed piece of joinery and the bench seat behind the table is a great place to sit and read or drop the shopping when you come home and it is at a great height and easily accessible...it also makes for a great spot for the kids to hang out whilst Mum is in cooking the evening meals.

The amazing partabout this kitchen is there are some 12 finishes used and they are applied to great affect and it is as modern today as it was the day we created the 3D walk thru for our client (see youtube) .

This kitchen won 6 awards, wasfinalist in another two including the International Kitchen & Bathrooms in London in 2005.

Thenext year2004 was a massive year for us at the the HIA awards, we had entered three kitchens & one bathroom and walked away from the NSW regional awards with 6 awards and finalist in another 3,

The most successful on the night was our Balmain kitchen....this was a great project as it was a small space with only one wall to work with and clients that loved to cook.....challenge! This kitchen had gadgets everywhere to utilise every square millimetre of space under the bench making it a dream kitchen to use! and difficult to build. Also check out Youtube for the animated 3D walk thru of this space.

The Bathroom we had entered was also very successful, like the top kitchen this bathroom was a game changer for us and really defined our style to a certain degree. A centre wall divides the space and is a great back drop for the freestanding bath, clad in Bisazza tiles with a inset of frosted glass it looks incredible. There is a double walk in shower accessible from either end of the bath and the toilet is tucked away out of site....finally there is a double washbasin set up with wall to wall drawers and shaving cabinets above...we created custom basins for this project taking the Scoop washbasin and thickened up the edge and created a non drip edge....

The Pallucco Italia Mirror applied to the curved wall works a treat as it guides you thru the space whilst giving a great dressing area also. Love it!

In 2006 we entered what i think is one of our best pieces of work, but sadly the judges did not see it the same way.....great kitchen.

2007 sore Minosa enter the Portland Stproject into the Corian design awards...we picked up the round victory and then in 2008 the overall prize for best interior using Corian as a integral part of the interior.....there is a lot to talk about with these spaces but i think i will let the images do all the talking.....

2009 brought a change, the KBDI had been formed (kitchen & bathroom design institute). The KBDI was created to focus on the design of kitchens, offer a training program that specialised in the the teaching of kitchen & bathroom design.

In 2009 we received three awards with two separate projects....Waverly kitchen & Queens Park bathroom both similar in the design layout...long and narrow spaces.

Hopefully on Saturday night our Bondi project receives recognition for it's design, these spaces are real stand outs. I will share more on this nest week.

Cheers

The Cliff House by Saville Isaacs - Minosa Bathroom Products

As far as complicated sites go, they don’t get much tougher than a cliff top, but the challenges of site created nothing but opportunities for this home.

Architecture will always be a response to site, even in cities where the only physical limitations are other buildings. So while a difficult location might present certain challenges, it also inspires the

most beautiful homes.

This cliff top home south of Sydney takes in views across the Pacific Ocean. “The site posed exciting opportunities rather than anyassociated difficulties in achieving the views,” explains principal Steven Isaacs of Architecture Saville Isaacs.

“Its position and location are unique and incredibly inspirational. The site does have some serious Geotechnical issues being on an eroding cliff edge.” However, Steven explains, this was overcome by cantilevering the building from the top of the site.

“The design of the house is all about how it is placed in nature and how it relates to its surroundings.”

Each aspect has been carefully considered for its use and relationship to the outdoors, from the dramatic sweeping views over the cliff edge, to the framed glimpses of the treed mountain behind and the intimate use of liveable outdoor spaces such as the entry courtyard and the outdoor undercroft deck.

The architects have used a number of contrasting materials, including recycled timbers, glass and a fibre-cement product called Cemintel to create a polished concrete feel for the floors throughout and for the bathroom walls.

The internal spaces each offer unique views, “whether it’s a large open space or view or a small tight composition showing glimpses of green, grass, leaves, rocky mountain, wide blue sea and sky”.

“Wherever one is in the house one is constantly connected to place.”

The Above is taken from the Habitus Living News letter, for more great Design news visit http://habitusliving.com

Architecture Saville Isaacs
architecturesavilleisaacs.com.au

All bathroom products for this amazing house have been supplied by Minosa and features the Minosa products - Double ScoopED Custom, Scoop Washbasin, Kava Washbasin.

Home Beautiful Bathroom Design Ideas - 50 of the best Australian Bathrooms 2010

For those seeking modern bathroom design ideas go out and grab a copy of the Home Beautiful Bathrooms book just released; it features 50 of the best Australian bathrooms.

Minosa has two of our completed design projects in this edition & our bathroom products are featured in another three modern bathrooms. We also have few more completed projects in the editorial section in the front of the magazine.


Featured Bathroom 1 PG 70-73. Contemporary Chic - Minosa Design

Queens Park - Sydney NSW

This is a bathroom we have featured on our blog late last year. This modern bathroom setting is filled with design features and for a long narrow space has great function.

Bathroom Products used to create this space are;

• The Ovo washbasin in Venaro White
• Rettangalo Tapware by Gessi
• Parisi Wall Hung Toilet
• Kaldewai free standing bath
• Hydrotherm floor to ceiling heated towl rail
• Luca Drawer unit under the Milana bench
• Minosa D20 Ceiling mounted (flush) soaker
  

Featured Bathroom PG130-131. Nature Calling - Minosa Design

Dover Heights, Sydney NSW

This modern bathroom/powder room features a great splash of colour, varying textures & light sources to make a wonderful bathroom setting.

Bathroom Products used to create this modern bathroom setting;

• Scoop Washbasin - Venaro White
• Milana Bench - Walnut
• Alessia two drawer unit - Ripe Avacardo
• Ovale tapware - Gessi
• Steing lighting
• Rettangalo accesories

Bathroom Featuring Minosa washbasin PG126-127 - Subtle Impact

This elegant modern bathroom features the Ovo washbasin sitting on a beautiful piece of Calcutta Marble. The Calcutta marble is a great contrast to the Pietra Grey wall tiles. This modern bathroom has been lovingly detailed, a real triumph.

Featured Minosa Bathroom Product;

• The Ovo washbasin in Glacier White

Bathroom Featuring Minosa Products. PG138-139 - Bowled Over

The starting point for this comtemporary bathing space was the Ovo washbasin. Our client fell in love with the Ovo washbasin when it was on display at the Power House Muesum as part of the 2008 Product of the Year awards.

This inspired our client to want to create a bathing sancutary for their family, the use of travertine gives this bathroom a real classicaly contempary look & with the darkness of the Luca bench the Ovo washbasins is the centre piece to this bathing space.

Featured Minosa Bathroom Products;

• Ovo washbasin in Venaro White
• Luca Bench - 1500mm with concealed drawer

Bathroom featuring Minosa Products - PG 88-89 - Access All Areas

The Puddle washbasin is used to great affect in this vibrant bathroom setting. The washbasin is wall mounted opening up the space and providing a very contemporary look.

Featured Bathroom Products

• The Puddle Washbasin
• RAW001 Stainless Steel wall bracket

This is a great magazine for those that are seeking modern bathroom design ideas, it is filled with design concepts to suit all budgets.

Cheers

Tom Ferguson Design - Modern Bathroom Design & fitout with Minosa bathroom products

The Design team at Tom Furguson Design have taken to what was an old understyled bathroom space and turned it into the modern bathing sanctury their clients where searching for.



This wonderful modern bathroom space features the Minosa ScoopED washbasin finished in Glacier White Corian, other modern features are the linear stip drain that runs the length of the bathroom to allow the use of over sized floor tiles. It also adds a great contrast to the dark floor tiles and finishes of the modern design.

Lighting is a large feature of this modern bathroom as it is in a terrace development there is no external window or natural light so the use of artifical light is crucial to this bathroom design.



Personally I love the look of the textured wall tiles and the use of the concealed flurocent light to high light the stunning feature tile, it also offers a great backdrop to the freestanding bathtub.

To read more about this wonderful modern bathroom grab a copy of the Current Inside Out Magazine (March-April 2010)this bathroom is featured in the kitchen & bathroom section.

Images Supplied by Tom Ferguson Design

ScoopED Washbasin - Interior Design by Kidd & Co Gold Coast

This interior fit out was completed by local Gold Coast Architect - Stephen Kidd of Kidd & Co.

For further information & images from this beautifully finished apartment, grab a copy of the current Queensland Homes.

Featured washbasin - ScoopED

Bathroom Designer of the Year 2009 - NSW Sydney

Simona Castagna of Minosa has been awarded the NSW Bathroom Designer of the Year Award for the stunning Queens Park bathroom, this project has also won the NSW Large Bathroom of the Year 2009 and was finalist in the National Bathroom Awards also.

Simona was also awarded the Medium Size Kitchen project award for NSW. In total Simona was awarded with three awards.

This years Design09 on the Gold Coast was a fantastic event; we would like to thank the KBDI for their support & for supporting our industry. We look forward to watching this insitute grow and develop.

To all the entries and winners congratualtions & to all the sponsors of the event; thank you we know these events could not be possible with out you.

Award Winning Design & Manufacture.

Corian® Du Pont™ Design Awards 2008
Winner - Residential GRAND PRIZE Design Award

IDEA - Inside Magazine Product of the Year Awards 2008
Finalist – Bathroom Product – ScoopED Washbasin

Finalist - Emerging Design Team

Australian Home Beautiful Magazine “Product of the Year” Awards 2008
Finalist – Bathroom Design – ScoopED Washbasin

Corian® Du Pont™ Design Awards 2008
Winner – Edition 1 – Residential Design Winner

Australian Home Beautiful Magazine’s “Product of the Year” Awards 2007
Finalist – Luxury Bathroom Product – Ovo Washbasin

HIA Australian Housing Awards 2005
Finalist - HIA - Parbury Australian Kitchen Project of the Year
Finalist - HIA - Homesite Australian Bathroom Designer of the Year

HIA - NSW Kitchen & Bathroom Awards 2004/2005
Kitchen Project of the Year
Small Kitchen Project of the Year
Medium Kitchen Project of the Year
Bathroom Designer of the Year
Bathroom Project over 5sqm
Bathroom Designed to a Modern Theme
Finalist – Large Kitchen Project of the Year
Finalist - Kitchen Designers of the year
Finalist – Bathroom Project of the Year

Australian Home Beautiful Magazine’s “Product of the Year” Awards 2004
Finalist – Luxury Bathroom Product – Scoop Washbasin

2004 International Radiolab 3D CAD Software Competition
Winner - Best Animation. (Walk Thru)

HIA - CSR Australian Housing Awards 2004
HIA - Laminex Group Australian Kitchen Designers of the Year 2004
Finalist - HIA - Parbury Australian Kitchen Project of the Year 2004

HIA - NSW Kitchen & Bathroom Awards 2003/2004
Best Kitchen in an Apartment/Terrace
Best Kitchen Designed to a Modern Theme
Finalist - Kitchen Designers of the year

HIA - Star Newspaper Hunter Housing Awards 2003
New Kitchen over $12,000
New Kitchen Project of the Year
Kitchen Project of the Year
Kitchen Designers of the Year
Finalist - Customer Service Award

HIA - NSW Kitchen & Bathroom Awards 2002

Most Innovative use of Finishes in a Kitchen or Bathroom
Finalist - Kitchen Designed to Specific Theme - Modern
Finalist - Geoff Solomen Achievement Award

Reece Your Bathroom Your Life - Grand Prize

Two years in a row a Minosa product is showcased in this award.

This stunning parents retreat features the Kava washbasin in Glacier White sitting on the Milana (1800mm) bench finished in Oak with recessed mirrored storage cabinets. Lisa Capezio has done a wonderful job with this interior.

Below is the extract from the Reece website.

Final Winner

Geraldine and Michael
Forest, ACT

Here is what the winner, Geraldine Papandrea, had to say about her bathroom.

What does your bathroom mean to you?

Our bathroom is not just a place for daily ritual, but also a place for rest and relaxation.

Who uses this bathroom?

This bathroom is the ensuite to the master bedroom and is used by my husband, Michael, and I. However our two lovely children, Ella and Max, love using the bathtub occasionally for a bit of fun!

Where did you get your inspiration?

The bathroom is a collaboration of ideas from Interior Designer Lisa Capezio, Architect Steven Cetrtek, Michael and I. Keeping in with the clean and simple lines of the house’s architecture, we wanted to create a space that was unique but inviting, using finishes of natural stone and wood, which are used extensively in other parts of the house.

What do you like about the open plan style bathroom?

The open bathroom is easily accessed by the bedroom and gives the feeling of space and openness. The bathroom has been carefully designed so that while there is a sense of openness, there is also demarcation between the two spaces. This was achieved by using a raised platform and lower ceiling for the bathroom. There is also a large concealed sliding door that can be used if desired. Privacy has also been considered by use of blinds and cleverly concealing the shower and toilet behind a wall of marble.

What is your favourite part of your bathroom?
The bathtub, which boldly overlooks the pool, is almost like a sculptural piece that can be seen from most parts of the house.

Tell us about your product selection. Why did you choose these products?

We discovered the beautiful Minosa Kava basin and Milana bench in a magazine and travelled to Sydney to view them. We were referred to Reece bathroom life™ in Surry Hills where we selected the toilet, bidet, outlets and mixers, which follow the same gentle curves of the Kava basin and the Napoli bathtub beautifully.

Where did you get the idea to have the bathroom in the bedroom?

The open bathroom concept was made attractive to us after holidaying on tropical Hamilton Island with friends at their spectacular home, which features an open ensuite to the main bedroom. The integration of our bathroom with our bedroom and pool makes us feel like we are on holiday every day!

A huge congratulations to Geraldine & Michael Papandrea of Forrest, ACT, who are the overall winners of the Reece Your bathroom. Your life. Competition.They receive $15,000 for their efforts.

We’re sure you’ll agree that this bathroom is a most deserving winner.

Geraldine said, ‘We were inspired by holidays to North Queensland. We wanted to create an integrated bathroom and bedroom that felt like a tropical retreat.’ It was this unique design approach that ultimately tipped the judges decision in their favour.

Geraldine’s sister, Interior Designer, Lisa Capezio, was given the task of turning the vision into reality.

They have certainly succeeded with a bathtub that overlooks a resort style pool and the shower and toilet neatly concealed behind a wall of solid marble. The result is a beautifully inviting sanctuary defined by simple lines and high quality fittings. It’s fair to say that bathrooms don’t get much better than this.'

For a full product listing visit the Reece web site listed below.

(Extract taken from http://www.reece.com.au/)