This month the Housing Industry Association [HIA] announced the NSW finalists in the various categories for this year's Housing, Bathroom & Kitchens Awards. If you haven't already seen, I can tell you that all the finalists submitted high Quality spaces where Functionality combined with Beauty. For the winners in each category it’s a big honour as the HIA Awards recognise excellence within residential building and design, and with so many quality entrants, the competition is fierce!
As I work with a few select builders, (in addition to my individual clients) I have the privilege to combine my Interior Design decisions with the builders' vision to result in well designed spaces, which assert their unique identity whilst satisfying their clients' taste. Each individual builder has different taste, needs and budgets, so it’s therefore with great pride that I also celebrated on the night with some of my work being selected as finalist in six different categories, including Best Display Homes, Best Spec Home, Best Bathroom & Best Kitchen ... and here are the winning projects I have contributed to:
BEST SPEC HOME - to Camelot Homes
This is an elegant Sydney harbour-side home which required a well considered floor plan with no compromise on its high quality finishes. Whilst high end, the choice of materials were uniquely tailored to meet the meticulous attention of the owners, resulting in a comfortable and welcoming family home. The judges said: "This home has been built to maximise water views and make the most of a small site. Quality materials and many custom built features highlight the level of craftsmanship on this project."
BEST DISPLAY HOME [$300K-350K] - to Eden Brae Homes
The challenge with a display home is to create a property which is able to display the quality of build whilst also creating a space that is welcoming to the widest audience who visit. Display homes are a testimony to the Builder's capacity to deliver a quality product, with contemporary solutions and lasting design. With no one-single-client to satisfy, these homes are created to appeal to all who enter, and for the time of the display home being on show... quite a task.
BEST KITCHEN [10-20 sqm] - to Camelot Homes
Well this was a labour of love, working closely with the owners who also have a designer's eye. This space had to look elegant and stylish, whilst due to the small footprint, also had to perform as a functional kitchen and entertaining space. Sounds like a demanding brief. Well it was but thinking outside the box, and getting to design with another mind also full of ideas, the result was a very beautiful and functional space! The judges said: “An elegant and high-end kitchen in a narrow site is aesthetically pleasing with both the necessities for a functioning kitchen and the ambience and feel of an entertaining dining space. A great contrast of material and colour as well as a practical food preparation, storage area, light choice and well designed floating dining table.”
I also wish to extend my special congratulations to Eden Brae Homes for once again winning the esteemed and highly sought after Professional Major Builder Award "for having a strong emphasis on continuous improvement in their business; helping to maintain relevance in their market. Over the past year they initiated ‘virtual’ customer communication channels, provided English lessons to assist a number of contractors and improved their employee ideas hub". A well deserved award in recognition of their professionalism, the care of their clients and the well-being of their workers, indeed they also took out the 2019 HIA Award for Work, Health & Safety, proving that looking after the interests of their clients as well as their workers does pay off! Congratulations!
As part of the selection process the HIA Judges visited the finalist properties in person and explored them beyond what might otherwise be just a good looking photograph. It is such a great personal and professional satisfaction to have your work recognised at such a level. Job well done everyone ... now back to work ;)
James Treble is an ambassador for Planet Ark and firmly believes in sensible purchasing, recycling and creative re-purposing. James has three decades of accumulated experience in the Building Industry, Real Estate and Interior Design and regularly shares his knowledge and experience in adding value to properties through effective design & styling. Watch his free videos on YouTube, and follow him on Facebook and Instagram for more free information.
.