Recently opened Mak Bistro in Budapest, designed by Designfocus.

How brilliant is the vaulted ceiling? Yes, very…

As most of you design folk would know, Sydney Design 2010 is rapidly approaching (eek!) and with it a bunch of excellent events around our glorious city. Ummm… excitement! From this Saturday 31st July, until Sunday 15th August, Sydney Design will host one if its most dynamic programs in 14 years. The city-wide program boasts more than 70 events and activities, all with an engaging common theme ‘Tell us a Story’.

So if you are like me and can get easily overwhelmed by too much choice, I thought I’d share with you my picks of the events that are not to be missed. So here we go…

Kate Banazi is an illustrator and silkscreen printer from London who currently calls Sydney her home. I was quite taken with Kate’s creative sensibilities from the minute I saw her work a little while ago. I was instantly drawn to her strong graphic style, striking compositions, rich visual texture brimming with patterns, layers, colours and a sprinkle of optical illusion. Pure visual ecstasy! Kate is represented in Australia by the wonderful Jacky Winter group in Melbourne, who also represent some truly magnificent local talent…

Dutch design studio Ina Matt is a partnership between Ina Meijer and Matthijs van Cruijsen. This multi-disciplinary design duo is noted for their residential, retail and restaurant interiors, as well as events, products and identity design. I came across their work a little while ago, and I now can’t remember where and how – but luckily I remembered to bookmark their site. Speaking of their site, it’s still largely under construction, and I haven’t been able to find out any more information about them. Luckily their work is just so beautiful and it speaks for itself…

By now, you should be quite aware that I’m completely turned on by traditional materials and objects used in non-traditional ways.

Here’s a little tribute to the art of porcelain which has come a long way since the days of traditional bone china.

I’m sure you’ll agree…