Australian Interior Design Awards recognise and celebrate interior design excellence each year through their awards program, which is backed by the Design Institute of Australia (DIA), the professional body representing Australian designers. With a tagline “It’s what’s inside that counts”, their 2011 shortlist of projects was announced at the beginning of this week (7th March).

The awards time is a bit like the Oscars for the design industry, although perhaps not as glamorous and there’s definitely a lot less controversy around the winner’s outfits. Which is a bit of shame really. Alas, let’s not get off topic here, as the awards are a very serious business and a chance for the Australian design community to celebrate and reflect on their success and many achievements…

Paris based arhictect Joseph Dirand is so damn cool that he doesn’t even need an ‘about’ page. Cause if you don’t know who he is, simply don’t bother. Clearly.

Seriously though, I have been a pretty huge fan of his work for a while now. I must admit – I don’t normally think much of designers with ‘consistent signature style’ which become quite predictable at times. Having said this, I can’t seem to get enough of Mr Dirand’s chic interiors with a monochromatic palette, and (very) occasional accents of silver and gold…

Dorothée Boissier is an interior designer who spent three years as a project manager for Christian Liaigre before joining Philippe Starck’s agency. Patrick Gilles is an interior and industrial design, who also worked alongside Christian Liaigre. Their encounter ultimately lead to the founding of their own agency in January 2004. Apart from being business partners, Dorothée and Patrick are also partners in life…

Another day, another amazing talent, another inspiring interview… Oh yes, life is tough in the yellowtrace land.

I have admired Samantha Parsons’ work since first seeing her gorgeous ‘Ruby the Bookscreen’ (shown in images above), which was exhibited at the Powerhouse Museum for the SMH Young Designer of the Year in 2005. I’ve saved her site in my overflowing bookmarks folder, and I recently dug it out and instantly thought to myself – I absolutely must interview her and share her talent with you guys.

Samantha established her practice Studio Sam (formerly I am Samantha) in 2004, after twelve years of working as a landscape architect and interior designer at some of Australia’s leading design practices. Studio Sam is a multidisciplinary design studio and works across a number of disciplines…

Recognised by the design community as the country’s pre-eminent design awards program, Interior Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) have been held annually since 2001. IDEA promotes and rewards recent work in interior design and product design across 14 different categories, and also recognises emerging young talent and designers whose work demonstrates exemplary sustainable objectives.

IDEA 2010 shortlist has been announced last week. Golly – there are LOADS of projects on the shortlist this year. Tis a bit overwhelming really – see the complete list here…