Mid-century modern kitchens have staged a vibrant comeback in Australian homes, blending nostalgia with contemporary design sensibilities. Originating in the post-World War II era of the 1940s to 1960s, these kitchens reflect a distinct aesthetic characterised by clean lines, minimalist forms, organic or geometric shapes and pops of bright, bold colour.

Of course, there’s much more to the design style than this list of features, and we’re counting down the days until we hear from one of Australia’s most highly regarded experts of this era. Patricia Callan founded Modernist Australia, an online archive of local mid-century architecture with a whopping following of over 40,000 fans. She has appeared on ABC radio, The Design Files, and in Fairfax publications to champion modernist architecture.

At this year’s KBDi Conference, Patricia will explore the history of Mid-Century Modernism in Australia and learn what variations one might see in any city. She’ll share the classic MCM conundrums encountered across the country and explore how to plan a sympathetic renovation.

Lapitec Australia is proud to be sponsoring this session. See the entire conference program and pricing here.

In the meantime, we’ve been oohing and aahing about some of the MCM entries that landed in our KBDi Design Awards Traditional or Themed Design category (proudly sponsored by CAV’ART Designer Stone).

The design team at SpaceCraft Joinery in Adelaide have positioned themselves as pros in this period style. Their work has been a highlight of the 2024 program, and we’re sharing three of our favourite mid-century modern makeovers here.

Sarah Katsaros | SpaceCraft Joinery
FINALIST KBDi Traditional or Themed Design

Designer Sarah Katsaros embraced the mid-century modern design of her client’s much-loved home, creating a minimalist design with maximum appeal. Sarah chose a warm Blackwood timber veneer as the hero material, with meticulously crafted Blackwood timber wave handles serving as an iconic nod to the mid-century era. A striking Zellige tile splashback adds a handmade appeal to the space, and the colour variations add interest and cohesion to the adjoining areas of the home.

Jessie Stevens | SpaceCraft Joinery
FINALIST KBDi Traditional or Themed Design

Glass display cabinets are a well-recognised feature of the mid-century era, serving a practical purpose and offering an aesthetic edge. Jessie Stevens designed the clear cathedral glass-fronted cabinet to provide privacy (with the separation of the kitchen and dining spaces) without compromising the natural light that pools into the space. Blackwood veneer is again the primary cabinetry colour, but the striking Pillar Box Red is the hero. A geometric pattern subtly appears in the splashback, and charcoal details add depth and contrast.

Bre Tarca CKD Au | SpaceCraft Joinery
FINALIST KBDi Traditional or Themed Design

The family occupying this Coromandel Valley home are vibrant and fun, and they sought a kitchen design to match. KBDi Accredited Designer Bre Tarca delivered, replacing her clients’ pokey plain white kitchen with a vibrant new space to play. She injected the mid-century modern-inspired design with fabulous eclectic styling to create a bold and joyful vibe. The dynamic kiwi green is balanced with the warm tones of timber, while vibrant orange, peach and yellow tiles add a geometric stamp to this fun-filled space.

Congratulations to all three designers above for making the finalists cut. We look forward to celebrating with you in Melbourne in August.

Inspired to learn more? Check out our KBDi Conference program and book your place here.