Northern Rivers based interior designer, Judy Parkin of Interior Blank has been named as a finalist in the Kitchens Plus category of the prestigious KBDI (Kitchen and Bathroom Design Institute) Awards. A kitchen and bathroom specialist for the past 15 years, Judy said it was an honour to be recognised alongside some of the most talented interior designers in Australia.

“These awards set the national standard for the industry and it is a privilege to have my designs recognised amongst some of the best in the country,” Ms. Parkin said. “The Kitchens Plus category is new to the awards. Rather than being a straightforward kitchen design, the category is for kitchen spaces which flow into another living space. In this particular property, the kitchen and living were the main features of the home and needed to have wow factor, while still fitting within the client’s set budget. We achieved exactly that.”

Judy spent several years expanding her design skills in London, and prides herself on creating individual designs for each client. “None of my designs replicate my own personal style. I believe that each individual space should reflect the style of its owners and that is my favourite part of what I do,” she said. Having grown up visiting building sites with her builder father, Judy developed a passion for the industry at a young age. “We used to spend school holidays helping my Dad on-site and I loved getting involved mixing mortar, rendering walls and even laying bricks when I was older,” she said.

Judy established Interior Blank four years ago when she decided she wanted to offer clients a different experience in Australia that was more similar to the services available to her clients in Europe. “I wanted to provide a more personalised experience for my clients, one where I was able to design for them, not sell to them.” The criteria for the Windsor residence, for which she was nominated, included a look of luxury, using the existing footprint of the kitchen. “We needed to create a seamless flow between the living area and the kitchen. The end result was exactly what the clients were looking for. The layout was carefully thought out with its zones for cooking and food preparation, coffee zone and easy access to the fridge from the rest of the room.”

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