Innehållsförteckning för Issue#22.4 - December 2015 från Kitchens & Bathrooms Quarterly

LAUNDRY TIP FROM HIDEAWAY BINS Install multiple hampers side by side for separating laundry. Introducing the new and practical 60L Base Mount laundry hamper by Hideaway Bins: an ideal storage solution installed inside your laundry cabinets or under a laundry chute to catch dirty clothes and keep them off the floor. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics' 2005 Year Book Australia, as residential lot sizes decrease and floor areas increase, the demand for two-storey homes has grown — and we’re now seeing laundry chutes on the rise again to help deal with laundry from the upper levels. The Base Mount laundry hamper is the ideal solution for installation under a laundry chute and can be easily retrofitted, as there are no fixings required on the sides of a cabinet.…

COLOUR THERAPY The KBQ team recently attended a launch at the Cosentino Australia showroom in Sydney, following ultra-compact surface brand Dekton’s release of seven new colours inspired by solid greys and ochres, concrete, stone and timber, dubbed Ventus, Korus, Galema, Keon, Kelya, Borea and Makai. Only weeks later, Cosentino held a colour psychology seminar, during which the company released the limitededition Silestone colour for 2015: Acqua Fraccaroli. This new quartz surface is sure to inject colour and vibrancy into kitchens and bathrooms nationally. MASTERCHEFS IN TRAINING KBQ editor Carla May and Completehome.com.au’s Ben Nour had the exciting opportunity to attend a cooking class run by Julie Goodwin. Read all about how the day went on page 52. HEARING FROM YOU We love hearing how Kitchens & Bathrooms Quarterly has helped…

Contrary to what you might think, the KBQ and Completehome.com.au teams aren’t especially experienced — or if we’re being honest, talented — when it comes to cooking. So it was with great excitement that we accepted an invitation from InSinkErator to attend a cooking class at Julie’s Place, run by MasterChef 2009 winner Julie Goodwin. After watching Julie demonstrate the day’s menu, we were split into teams and placed at workbenches to complete our own cooking challenge. An hour and a half later, we sat down with Julie to feast on our hard work. Lebanese baba ghanouj, chicken tawouk, lamb kofta and fattoush — delicious! One thing that quickly became apparent about Julie, aside from her mastery of cooking, was her reliance on InSinkErator’s food waste disposal system, of which…

THE DESIGN AGE IS DAWNING Living in a fast-paced, digital world, we are now placing more importance on designing objects and spaces that are unique, bespoke and individual. Through extensive global research, Bio Fragility, Future Past, Retro Remix and Infinite Worlds are the four expertly curated colour palettes comprising the 2016 Dulux Colour Trends. Apart from using distinctive designers and creators to help showcase each colour trend concept, Dulux also collaborated with Fleurage to craft perfume scents embodying each Design Age palette — launching the Dulux Colour Trends through a truly unique crosssensory experience. Here are the four Dulux colour palettes to help inspire your next home revamp… FOR MORE INFORMATION Dulux Website dulux.com.au 1 RETRO REMIX No longer only captivated by the Memphis movement, this palette seeks to widen…

The Kitchen and Bathroom Designers Institute (KBDi) is an industry association representing Australia’s finest kitchen and bathroom design professionals. Each year, the organisation hosts an impressive awards program that showcases and rewards the efforts of its talented membership. During this period, keeping an eye on the design trends is high on KBDi’s agenda. Here are their top four favourite kitchen trends to look out for over the next year. 1 50 SHADES OF GREY The classic white kitchen will always be popular, but some deeper shades of grey are making an impact in Australian kitchens. Look out for “almost black” browns and greys in cabinetry or benchtops and on trendsetting black or coloured appliances. 2 WARM UP WHITE White kitchens are holding their ground, but they’re being “warmed up” with…

Choosing the right type of flooring for your home is as important as the very roof over your head — after all, the right floor surface can make your house a warm, comfy and beautiful home. However, with so many options to choose from, shopping for flooring can be overwhelming. Here, with help from Carpet Court ambassador Darren Palmer, as well as industry experts from Cosentino and Concreate, we compare most flooring types to help guide you through this important building step. CARPET For softness under foot and effective sound insulation, carpet is a great flooring option, especially in apartments or two-storey homes where insulation and soft footfalls are appreciated. Aesthetically, carpet provides visual softness and a continuous, flat colour. One advantage of carpet is that there is something for…

Residential Category Project Colour House Design Ande Bunbury Architects Colour House focuses on small and sustainable living. It creates practical and functional spaces using beautiful green interiors. In this project, materials and finishes were selected for durability, low toxicity and local providence. Education Category Project Katoomba Library Design CK Design International This project is an example of innovative and excellent design practise as it proposes new ways of working within a library space. Using environmental products throughout the space truly shows what is achievable, not only in an educational arena but also at home. Office Category Project Schneider Electric Design Futurespace This project presented the opportunity for Schneider Electric to demonstrate to its peers and the business community a commitment to ecologically sustainable development initiatives associated with the design, fit-out…

What do you love about your new kitchen? The beautiful clean lines and how easy it is to keep clean. I had a party recently and red wine was spilt on the benchtop. It wiped up easily with no stain left. It’s nice to have friends around and have them up on the stools, sitting around while I cook and chat. It’s really social now, rather than before when it was dark and there wasn’t anywhere for my friends to hang out. When I’m cooking, the neutral colour scheme allows my ingredients, produce and finished results to sing. I love the soft-close doors too. I just love how it’s a really quiet space — there is no slamming of doors and drawers. I love it! What are some special design…

John Spiteri is a certified bathroom designer and licensed builder with more than 20 years’ experience in home renovations. Visit brindabellabathrooms.com.au or brindabellahomeimprovements.com.au for more ideas and expert advice. If your bathroom is tired, old and dated — and isn’t meeting your aesthetic or functional needs — it’s time to look at your options. Your two main avenues to rectify the problem are a full renovation or a makeover. Here, we take a look at why a renovation will serve you much better than a makeover in the long term. When considering a bathroom renovation, it’s important to think about layout and functionality. If a bathroom has lost its aesthetic appeal but is functional, most homeowners will stick with it a bit longer. However, it doesn’t matter how fabulous your…

THE PET The Neato Botvac 85 is new on the market and its capabilities herald a more intelligent era for robot vacuums. While most of the vacuums in the trial were more efficient and intuitive than the robot vacs that were first on the market, the Neato Botvac straight away wows with its ability to avoid furniture and walls. Its weight keeps it firmly on the ground, which, together with its powerful suction, helps it achieve a thorough clean of carpets and hard floors. It also moves effortlessly from room to room. While robot vacs are designed to be used between cleans, the Botvac can be used as an effective carpet cleaner straight after a clean to remove extra dirt and hair deep in carpet. Using what’s called its “botvision”,…

Allergic diseases are on the rise in Australia. The Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA)* reports that 18 per cent of Australians suffer from allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and are three times more likely to have asthma. It is predicted that by 2050, the number of those affected by allergic diseases in Australia will increase by 70 per cent. While a greater exposure to VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) and other air pollutants can be linked to the exacerbation of allergies and asthma, allergens such as fibres, hair, dirt and dust mites are the biggest potential triggers of allergic rhinitis and asthma in the home. So it's no surprise that people are now making flooring decisions that ensure easy cleaning and the minimisation of allergens. Although regular vacuuming is…

In an exciting collaboration, Reece has teamed up with Australian design brand Zuster, which has expanded its design empire with a bespoke furniture collection for the bathroom. Bringing the Zuster signature style into the bathing space, the ISSY by Zuster collection offers users a fresh and inspired approach to beauty, style and luxury. ISSY by Zuster encompasses two designs: the Z1 Ballerina vanity and Z8 Butterfly bathroom collection. Conceived by the famed Zuster sisters Wilhelmina McCarroll and Fleur Sibbel, Z1 Ballerina and Z8 Butterfly feature a dream list of bathro om luxuries designed especially for beauty and personal grooming. According to Reece Bathrooms business manager Daniela Santilli, ISSY by Zuster is a breakthrough for the bathroom. “It is a collection that has been designed by women for women and addresses…