This month, and the first for 2025, we are excited to shine the spotlight on Alex and Janette Stritt.

Stritt Design and Construction specialises in traditional coastal homes on Sydney's Northern Beaches and North Shore. 

After the success of our Designer Spotlight Series we wanted to showcase the work of the hardworking Builders & Trade in our Industry.

Please enjoy our Q & A with Tim and Lauren from Kai Konstruct.

What are your top 3 tips when planning your build?

• Take photos of messy areas and use them to plan cabinetry that meets your storage needs.
• Gather your entire team-building designer, interior designer, and construction team-at the outset for better results.
• Keep a 10% buffer in your budget for unexpected expenses or design changes.

What's your best advice when planning a kitchen?

• Stay authentic to your family's kitchen habits.
• If you cook a lot, add bench space and storage. If not, opt for a minimalist design.
• Conceal everyday appliances for a streamlined look, and integrate them where possible.

Which materials do you find the most effective in your projects?

Natural materials like travertine, marble, and handmade tiles are timeless and develop a beautiful patina over time. Proclima and Wedi Board aren't visible but provide significant benefits to our builds.

What do you like about Hepburn Hardware products?

We love the variety of colours and how all the styles complement each other beautifully.

Three main things to consider when designing a bathroom?

• Wet areas can be more compact yet highly functional-avoid wasted space.
• Tailor the bathroom to your family's needs to reflect your lifestyle.
• Install a pan fan to remove odours, viruses, and bacteria from the toilet.

How do you ensure your projects stay on schedule and within budget?

Collaborating as a team from the beginning helps avoid budget overruns. Our in-house carpentry team and proactive planning ensure we stay on schedule.

What trends do you see emerging in home building and renovation?

We prioritise quality over quantity, preferring smaller, well-built spaces. Cabinetry is being designed to look like furniture, integrating with the surroundings.

Thank-you to Lauren and Tim for sharing their wealth of knowledge with us all.
HEAD TO https://kaikonstruct.com.au/ to learn more about their business.

We recently chatted with Kate Walker on her BARRINGTON project & got into the finer details with how she selects her hardware on her projects & important things to consider when selecting.

Q: Can you tell us about the inspiration behind the Barrington project?

A: We aimed to capture the essence of an English gentleman seaside manor while infusing it with modern conveniences. The facade was meticulously crafted to exude a sense of age and history, resembling a renovated heritage property rather than a new build.

Q: How would you describe the overall aesthetic of Barrington?

A: Barrington embodies a distinguished English seaside charm with a contemporary twist. The interior evokes a sense of nostalgia and romance, providing a welcoming retreat for a large family.

Q: What elements contribute to the masculine flavour of the design?

A: The design incorporates a blend of materials to bring a masculine sophistication to the space. Every detail is carefully considered, adding to the overall refinement and character of the home.

Q: Could you elaborate on the attention to detail in Barrington?

A: Attention to detail is paramount in Barrington. From the moment you enter through the front gates, you'll notice the meticulous craftsmanship and thoughtful design choices that enhance every space, creating a truly comfortable and inviting environment for its inhabitants.

Q: Can you talk us through your hardware selections?

A: Selecting cabinetry hardware for a project is never an afterthought or adjunct to a design. We see it as the jewellery that adds flair and a foundation.

 The selection of finishes now available ensures that you can marry the hardware finishes to, or contrast them with, the tapware selection and the detailing in the joinery design. 

The way each knob and handle feels to the touch, and the way the finish ages and patinas over time, is a very important consideration for every design project.

It’s so important to pay attention to those items that are used multiple times a day in a home, from the doorknobs to the tapware, to the handles and knobs on cabinetry doors and drawers.

 This selection process leans into our design ethos of blending form and function to achieve the best possible outcome.

Q: What would you say were the top 3 things for someone to consider when selecting hardware?

1. Quality
2. Aesthetic compatibility
3. Touch, feel, texture and tone.
   
    
   

Some excellent tips & info here we hope you enjoyed.
Thank you to Kate for sharing her insights & inspo.

Please feel free to reach out if you need any assistance with your hardware selections.

Join us as we delve into the visionary minds behind the Hepburn Hardware X REN STUDIO Collaboration Collection with a fun & informative Q&A.

What sparked the idea for this exciting collaboration?

REN
I guess for us it was two fold – we were constantly on the lookout for the perfect streamlined handle for our clients, but could never find exactly what we were after to pair with our ranges of fronts.  Our general approach is less is more and we always our clients to achieve the sophisticated outcome we love and know works well.  The second reason – we love Hepburn Hardware’s approach to doing business, and their team!  The treat their clients and staff very well, which strongly aligns with our business philosophy.  We’ve known Alison for a good few years now and have become great friends, and our fronts usually require hardware, so it was a really logical, fun collaboration for us.

ALISON
Chatting with the girls about their clients needs and the limitations of us fulfilling that separately sparked the idea. We've been friends way longer than we've had our businesses, so it wasn’t hard to get the whole idea off the ground once we figured out. Cabinets and handles are the perfect pairing and working with Sarah and Hayley has been so nice due to everyones blunt directness of what will and won’t work. Less fluff and all action.

How would you describe the overall theme and vibe of this collaborative collection?

REN
The vibe is definitely a minimal one.  We find simplicity in (nearly) all design elements is what speaks to us, our clients, and stands the test of time well.  We knew exactly what we were looking to achieve in our first hardware collection, and this is it!  We’re thrilled with how the range has come to life.

ALISON
This collection would be the most modern hardware we've done, so it plays to more pared back simple architecture, whilst staying very functional.

What makes this collaboration uniquely Australian?

REN
It’s been designed by Australian designers, specifically for Australian projects.  We have a clear aesthetic and this range speaks to the simplicity and elegance we strive for in all of our product offerings.  Proportion and finish were particularly important to us during the design process.

ALISON
Randomly this style of handle was one of the first pieces that caught my eye as timeless hardware when I first started this business 10 years ago. There is a book I have of Australian modernist homes of the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s and it suits this aesthetic perfectly. So timeless and simple, however the finishes they come in make them really beautiful.

Any favourite collaboration moments or anecdotes during the creative process?

REN
Is it wrong to say design meetings over lunch?!  Shoutout to Bam Bams…  In all serious it’s been great to learn the intricacies of hardware  – products we’ve long specified and recommended, and to have a deeper knowledge of the design and production process has been a great learning experience for our team.

ALISON

How can customers get their hands on this limited-edition collaborative collection?

REN
Through either the Ren Studio or Hepburn Hardware websites.

ALISON
The collection will be found on our website as well as Ren Studio’s. You can also order it through our stockists, which is also on our website.

Any plans for future collaborations or exciting projects on the horizon?

REN
Absolutely.  I won’t spoil the surprise, but stay tuned…

ALISON
This was our first collaboration and it was a really interesting experience from start to finish. I’m always on the look out and asking people what they can’t currently find and how I might be able to fill that gap. There is so much room to move in the hardware industry, so watch this space as we start dive into new areas. I can’t wait to get it all out.

VIEW COLLECTION HERE