A transformed waterfront holiday villa in Sydney’s Palm Beach, a warehouse turned into a library nirvana in the heart of Surry Hills and a contemporary brasserie pairing oceanic influences with modern design are among the honourable winners of Australia’s most prestigious design awards program, the 2018 Belle Coco Republic Interior Design Awards.

Hosted by Belle magazine and Coco Republic, the awards attract submissions from the most respected and recognised interior designers around Australia. With categories spanning residential, commercial and hospitality sectors, the awards show the very best design Australia has to offer.

Scooping the pool with a trio of wins was Sydney-based interior design firm Alexander & Co. for their work on Palm Beach House and restaurant Sean Connolly at Dubai Opera. With an emphasis on integrating the natural landscape in both the five-bedroom beach house and the 350-person establishment, Alexander & Co. elegantly showcases a uniquely Australian aesthetic in both the interior and exterior spaces.

To top off a fabulous night, the biggest accolade of the evening, Belle Coco Republic Interior Designer of the year, was also taken out by founder of Alexander & Co. Jeremy Bull. With his unique approach to multi-disciplinary design, Jeremy Bull now joins the ranks of past winners who are known for their incredible contribution to Australia’s creative landscape.

Kate Nixon’s interior design studio, Studio Kate (Busatti), won the award for Best Commercial Interior for their work on internationally renowned bookstore, Hordern House. Its offices were transformed to house the incredible collections of rare books, manuscripts and paintings in an open plan layout that skilfully balances the old with the new.

Claiming the prize for the Best Bathroom Design was Woollahra House Bathroom Two by Decus. A bold bathroom design, it is a dynamic interior that catches the eye immediately. The recipients of the Belle Coco Republic Emerging Design Star award were Felicity Slattery and Sarah Cosentino of Studio Esteta. The talented design duo takes a collaborative approach to interiors, creating unique spaces that eschew convention in favour of a bespoke approach. With Fonda Bondi and Workshop Brothers Glen Waverly the designers have proven deft at creating incredibly responsive spaces.

Juliette Arent and Sarah-Jane Pyke of Arent & Pyke took out the award for the Best Work with Colour for their beautifully realised palettes in an array of residential spaces. Their work spanned a vast plethora of hues imbuing every project with a sensitive balance of liveability and beauty.

“Congratulations to all of our 2018 winners,” said editor of Belle magazine, Tanya Buchanan. “We are incredibly proud to drive these awards each year and are delighted that the awards are in their eighth year. The entries in 2018 were of the highest calibre and it was an honour to see firsthand the expertise and imagination behind Australia’s most outstanding interiors.”

The awards evening took place at the Coco Republic showroom in Alexandria on Wednesday, May 23. A guest list of established industry professionals and emerging designers joined to celebrate the winners.

The winners of the Belle Coco Republic Interior Design Awards 2018:

Belle Coco Republic Best Residential Interior
Palm Beach House by Alexander & Co.

Belle Coco Republic Best Commercial Interior
Hordern House by Studio Kate (Busatti)

Belle Coco Republic Best Hospitality Interior
Sean Connolly at Dubai Opera by Alexander & Co.

Belle Coco Republic Best Residential Kitchen Design
1906 by Amber Road

Belle Coco Republic Best Bathroom Design
Woollahra House Bathroom Two by Decus

Belle Coco Republic Emerging Design Star
Felicity Slattery and Sarah Cosentino of Studio Esteta

Belle Coco Republic Best Work with Colour
Juliette Arent and Sarah-Jane Pyke of Arent & Pyke

Belle Coco Republic Best Residential Interior – Readers’ Choice
Hamilton Island House by Greg Natale Design

Belle Coco Republic Interior Designer of the Year
Jeremy Bull of Alexander & Co.