Discover two standout kitchen designs by Marisa Ho of Mari Designs, recognised in the 2026 KBDi Design Awards.
Italian Elegance Meets Everyday Functionality
Kbdi Awards 2026 Entrants
Category: Small Kitchens Vic, First-Time Entrant
Designer: Marisa Ho
Behind the modest facade of a single-fronted Edwardian cottage in Fairfield, Victoria, an interior of quietly luxurious proportions unfolds. Designed by Mari Designs as part of a refurbishment and extension, the kitchen was conceived for a client who was not only the owner, but also the builder, bringing a deep understanding of materials, craftsmanship and construction to the project.
Quality and authenticity were central to the brief, with natural stone given permission to take centre stage. The result is a breathtaking New York Marble island, its expressive veining creating a sense of movement across the generous surface. Against this, warm-toned cabinetry introduces a softer, tactile note, balancing the stone’s dramatic presence with an enveloping sense of warmth.
One of the most striking elements is the monolithic matt-black wall constructed from Laminex Absolute Matte panels. Its deep, velvety surface creates a dramatic backdrop while concealing pivot doors leading to both the laundry and a newly configured walk-in pantry. What appears to be a beautifully restrained architectural plane therefore disguises a wealth of practical functionality.
The reworked layout was a key part of the design. Rather than simply developing cabinetry around the client’s original footprint, Mari Designs proposed a complete spatial rethink, introducing the concealed pantry while improving the overall flow and usability of the kitchen.
A masculine palette was softened by considered detailing, including Astra Walker tapware in a living-finish natural brass, selected specifically for the beautiful patina it will develop over time. The warm metal adds a subtle glow against the darker elements, while reinforcing the project’s emphasis on honest, enduring materials.
The finished kitchen strikes a careful balance between strength and elegance, combining Italian-inspired sophistication with discreet functionality. Every practical element has a place, but little competes with the sculptural beauty of the marble island at its heart.
Cabinetry: Kitchens by Peter Gill
Build: Corbuild
Photography: Elisa Watson
KBDi 2026 Awards: Second Nominee – A Warm and Luxurious Kitchen Transformation
Kbdi Awards 2026 Entrants
Category: Kitchens Plus Vic, First-Time Entrant
Designer: Marisa Ho
A kitchen only 12 years old should not feel dilapidated, yet poor-quality finishes, inadequate storage and a cold palette had left this Hawthorn kitchen feeling tired and disconnected from the family it was meant to serve. Mari Designs set out to transform it into a warm, luxurious and highly functional heart of the home, creating a space where family and friends could gather, cook and linger.
At its centre, a monolithic Lorde White natural stone island makes an immediate impression. The richly veined stone continues across the splashbacks and curves around the rangehood in a sculptural shelf, creating a continuous expression of natural material and quiet drama. New Age Veneer woodgrain laminate cabinetry brings warmth and tactility to the scheme, its timber-like grain softening the coolness of the stone.
A custom powder-coated Qasair island rangehood adds a refined architectural element above the cook zone, while a Modulo Panels feature wall introduces further texture and articulation to an otherwise blank surface.
Functionality is concealed throughout. Inner drawer systems improve accessibility and organisation, while an open pantry tucked discreetly within the butler’s space has transformed the family’s daily routine by bringing food storage into easy reach without compromising the kitchen’s clean aesthetic.
Durability was equally important. While the natural stone provides the visual impact, a resilient porcelain benchtop has been subtly introduced above the stone island base, separated by a fine shadow line. The detail allows the family to enjoy the beauty of the natural stone while providing greater confidence in the work surface for everyday use.
Miele appliances complete this high-performing kitchen, ensuring the space works as beautifully as it looks. The result is an inviting composition of timber, stone, porcelain and shadow, bringing a sense of calm and considered luxury to the family’s everyday life.
Cabinetry: Let’s Talk Kitchens
Build: L&G Creative projects
Photography: Elisa Watson
For more information
Mari Design
P 0423 535 809
E marisa@maridesign.com.au
I maridesignmelbourne