Interior design taking overt inspiration from the Australian bush has found the spotlight, with Sydney firm SJB awarded the coveted Belle Coco Republic Interior Designer of the Year Award.
It was a sweet victory for the SJB interior design team, which has been a finalist several times in the awards' seven-year history.
"We were up against really stiff competition from reputable design companies who've produced amazing work," said SJB interior design director Jonathan Richards. Shortlisted alongside SJB for the top accolade were Sydneysiders Arent & Pike and Smart Design Studio, and Melburnians Mim Design and Fiona Lynch.
William Smart of Smart Design Studio collected three awards across the course of the evening, including the Best Residential Interior Award for the much-lauded project Indigo Slam, leaving SJB doubtful of taking out the crown.
"The more awards he received, the more we really started to think we're not going to get it," said Richards. "So we were just euphoric when they called our name out."
Belle editor Tanya Buchanan, one of the award judges, said SJB brought a "sophisticated and assured Australian sensibility to its work", earning the team global recognition.
That Australian sensibility saw SJB take out a second award for the Best Hospitality Interior for 12 Micron, a Barangaroo restaurant, dessert kitchen and bar that opened its doors three months ago. The owners were looking for authentically Australian design and the result is a colour palette inspired by the spotted gum and materials referencing our indoor/outdoor lifestyle.
SJB's involvement in the project was somewhat serendipitous.
"[12 Micron] gave us a very short time-frame," explains Richards. "They had another designer involved but it wasn't working out and they were looking for an alternative. They wanted a distinctively Australian space and Lendlease put us forward. With [fellow director] Kirsten Stanisich in charge, we were able to put up a design that gelled with the client and we created a contemporary take on what good Australian design is."
Joinery is crafted from spotted gum and the upholstery picks up the muted pinks and deep greens of the tree, while the floors are a combination of stone cobbles and granite.
Richards' agrees Australian designers have a long history of borrowing trends from overseas, but believes the industry is now happy to be guided by its own back yard.
"Really, the most special way of approaching a project is to make it local and to say a little more about where it is by using local materials, local furniture designers and giving it a sense of Australian-ness," says Richards.
The next big awards night is on June 9 when the Australian Interior Design Awards are presented at a gala dinner at The Glasshouse in Melbourne. 12 Micron is again on the shortlist for the Hospitality Design award alongside Mosman Hotel The Buena, a collaboration between SJB and Tess Regan Design.
Richards is optimistic about a second gong.
"We've got to be a big chance! Like the Golden Globes predict the Oscars ... we're feeling very hopeful."
