In the penultimate (inside) for 2014 we showcase design and style at its very best, featuring the designers and projects shortlisted in the 2014 IDEA Awards – what a fabulous array of talent is on show. Australia can truly be proud of the innovation, creativity and expertise of our interior designers, architects and product designers. This year we received an unprecedented number of entries across all categories, up 16 percent from the previous year, with each category featuring projects at their very best.

Of course while half the magazine is dedicated to the IDEA Awards, we continue to feature myriad projects from the best Australia has to offer, with our regular features and talks with outstanding practitioners. We profi le Singapore-based product designer, Jarrod Lim (p36), and designers Arent&Pyke (p54). In practice we talk with Matthew Bird, a creative architect and designer (p50) who pushes the boundaries of his craft in unusual and exciting ways. Kitchens are the heart of the home and in this issue Annie Reid investigates the new trends from EuroCucina (p40) while Suzi Attiwill reports on a design symposium in Estonia (p32) with interesting results. At the other end of the spectrum, we talk with the inimitable US design heavyweight, Kelly Wearstler (p44), about her work and the longevity of her style and designs.

Our projects are all quite perfect in their own way. Oxford by Smart Design Studio (p58) transforms one of the late night icons of Sydney into a lively real estate agent. For a new experience with a Mexican flavour, Mesa Verde (p64) on the sixth fl oor of Curtin House is an immersive experience. Enjoying a drink or meal and watching spaghetti westerns is de rigueur in this unique venue that has been given a design overhaul by Grant Amon Architects.

On the other side of the world, the studio of Act 4 Entertainment by Rios Clementi Hale Studios (p70) has been transformed to host one of the most coveted art collections in the US, while closer to home Canterbury house by Beatrix Rowe (p76) is sublime in its simplicity and attention to detailed use of timber and stone.

There is much to admire in this special issue of (inside) design review and we hope that you are as inspired and delighted as we have been in compiling the magazine.

Don’t forget to book your ticket to attend the IDEA Awards party, this year at the Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney on 21 November. This will be an event to remember when the winners of this year’s awards will be announced and celebrated. While only a few will stand on the pedestal to accept a trophy, in our book, everyone who entered IDEA 2014 is a winner, so congratulations.

Jan and Gillian