On a night for which the phrase ‘raining cats and dogs’ could have been coined, an impressive number of Australia’s designers and architects braved the downpour and headed to Cult’s huge multi-roomed space in the inner Melbourne suburb of Abbotsford for the 2026 Interior Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) Designer of the Year presentations.

Following on from a similar event for the Emerging Designer of the Year shortlisted studios in August, the evening featured the six practices shortlisted for one of IDEA’s special prizes – the Designer of the Year.

Welcomed to the expansive space by Cult CEO Richard Munao, guests were able to spend time before proceedings kicked off exploring the beautifully designed showroom, accepting delicious beverages from the amenable bar staff and helping themselves to treats from a charcuterie table that was a genuine work of art itself. 

Truly, it was one of those arrangements that almost seemed too perfect to disturb… almost.

Fed, watered and dried off after the undignified scuttle from Uber/car/cab into the showroom, the crowd moved into the back room for the main event.

Among the crowd were the IDEA jury panel, listening intently in preparation for the following day, when they would be cloistered away making the final judgements for all 21 IDEA categories, including Designer of the Year.

After an official welcome and acknowledgement of Country from Munao, and introductions from Niche’s commercial team, Jillian Hood and Melanie Lord, Australian Design Review’s managing editor, Madeleine Swain, took the mic to emcee the event.

Appearing in strict alphabetical order, the six practices were allotted 10 minutes a piece to explain why they would be the worthiest winner of the Designer of the Year award for 2026.

COX Architecture was represented by director Brooke Lloyd. 

Folk Studio was up next, with creative director and co-founder, Mariah Burton presenting. 

She was followed by Gray Puksand, with partner Dale O’Brien and lead Queensland partner Maria Correia doing the honours.

Hassell was next, with Melbourne studio principal Rosie Morley taking the mic.

The penultimate presenter was SJB, with managing director interior design, Andrew Parr, and director of interior design, Ljiljana Gazevic, speaking in the spotlight.

And closing out the presentations was Woods Bagot, headed by CEO Sarah Kay and director Bruno Mendes, the former suggesting that the studio will be changing its name to Bagot Woods for future years, so that it gets to present first instead of last. We think she was joking… we think.

With all of the pre-events now concluded, all eyes are on Friday 4 December when the most anticipated celebration on the A+D calendar, the annual IDEA gala, will unfold at Melbourne Museum. Tickets are on sale now.

For more information about the Interior Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) 2026 and to see all shortlisted projects and practices click here.

IDEA 2026 would not be possible without our overall sponsor Miele, alongside sponsors Crafted Hardwoods, Clipsal, Cult, Designer Rugs, ForestOne, Herman Miller, Roche Bobois, Laufen, Signature Appliances powered by Miele and Zenith. We are eternally grateful for their continued support of IDEA and of Australia’s design community. We are also hugely thankful to our event partners Axolotl, The Melbourne Gin Company, Jansz and Yalumba, which help the IDEA gala sparkle even brighter.

Photos: Scott Gick.

Top image: Rosie Morley (Hassell), Mariah Burton (Folk Studio), Brooke Lloyd (COX Architecture), Maria Correia, Dale O’Brien (Gray Puksand), Ljiljana Gazevic, Andrew Parr (SJB), Bruno Mendes, Sarah Kay (Woods Bagot)