When acclaimed interior designer Sarah Nolen was asked to describe her latest kitchen project – which recently took home the 2025 HIA Australian Kitchen Design – her answer was simple: ‘It takes your breath away.’

Sarah has been an interior designer for 19 years and is the founder of Birdblack Design, so that’s no small claim. But once you step into this space, the statement speaks for itself.

‘It’s like nothing that’s ever been seen in Australia,’ says Sarah whose design firm is based in Wollongong, NSW. The kitchen, like the rest of the home, is a sculptural masterpiece – fluid, thoughtful and deeply connected to both the architecture and the clients’ lifestyle.

At the heart of the project is a concept as graceful as it is powerful: the wave. With the home located on a beach in Sydney’s South Coast region, this fitting theme anchors the design.

‘Nothing was decided without considerable thought,’ says Sarah. This philosophy is perhaps best embodied in the kitchen’s centrepiece: a stunning curved island with a flowing, organic shape. Its expansive size is tempered by a clever three-dimensional curvature, lending a sense of lightness and fluidity to the piece.

The kitchen’s custom rangehood continues the theme with gentle curves. There are no sharp corners here – only motion, connection and a sense of quiet awe. A striking copper liquid metal finish graces both the island and the rangehood, adding depth and intrigue to the area.

‘Our clients approached us with a vision of crafting a home that blends beauty with functionality, all the while adhering to Feng Shui principles,’ says Sarah. ‘The clients were originally from China, so they appreciate these subtle nods and hints towards that heritage.’

Feng Shui principles were applied in both the architecture and interior, but using contemporary elements. The splashback, along with a discreet door leading to the wet kitchen behind, features a microcement finish. This complements the French Vanilla marble on the floor and benchtop throughout the home, ensuring a seamless transition between spaces.

The functional wet kitchen serves as the practical hub for daily cooking and meal preparation, while ample bench space and storage solutions cater to the clients’ needs. The beauty of the wet kitchen lies in its ability to conceal any mess discreetly, allowing the main entertaining areas of the home to remain pristine and inviting.

What set this project apart was the trust between the client and the designer. ‘They were open from the very beginning,’ Sarah recalls. ‘They didn’t come to us with fixed ideas. They gave us the freedom to shape the vision – and they loved it.’

Materials

• Floor and wall surfaces: French Vanilla Marble, 1500 x 1500 x 20mm thickness, with Honed Finish from Atlas Marble
• SEIHA 1 tile sheets, 237 x 300mm, from Artedomus
• Paint: Dulux Natural White 
• Dishwashers: Miele; Fisher & Paykel Dishdrawer 
• Benchtop: French Vanilla Marble
• Sink: Oliveri Professional Series single standard bowl undermount.

First published on 8 October 2025.