The KBDi Design Awards Certified Designer of the Year category recognises the high standard of work expected of KBDi Accredited Designers.

Entries submitted by KBDi Certified Designers are automatically entered into this dedicated category and carefully scrutinised by a select panel of judges.

This year, we were delighted to have on board two KBDi Certified Judges who perfectly represent the industry professionals within our accredited cohort.

Marianne Gailer CKD NZ & Au, CBD NZ & Au

Marianne Gailer has been in the interior design industry for decades. While she currently resides in New Zealand and runs her own company, Design by MG, she has spent several years practising in Australia, too. She holds accreditation and has won multiple awards in both countries, and has been a finalist in the prestigious international SBDI awards.
Marianne is highly involved with the National Kitchen and Bathroom Association (NKBA) of New Zealand, serving as an executive board member, a representative of the Designers of the NKBA advisory group, and an elite designer, the highest membership tier.

Alysia Pekel CKD Au

With 14 years of experience as a Senior Interior Designer at Western Cabinets, Perth’s Alysia Pekel has garnered a reputation for excellence and innovation in kitchen, bathroom and furniture design. She has made many appearances on the KBDi stage over the last few years, collecting a swag of well-deserved awards and earning multiple state titles, and is a much-valued member of KBDi’s WA community.

We were thrilled to work with Marianne and Alysia in judging this year’s KBDi Certified Designer of the Year Awards, and we sincerely thank them for their commitment and time.

We look forward to announcing the winner of this esteemed category at the KBDi Design Awards Gala in Melbourne on Saturday, 17 August.