What do you really need in your kitchen, to cook, live and work like a pro? Join panellists Kirsten Stanisich (Richards Stanisich), Carole Whiting (Carole Whiting Design), Domenic Cerantonio (Cera Stribley), Deanna Tambassis (Winnings Appliances) and Aleks Efeian (Gaggenau) as they share new intel on the appliances and design innovations leading the kitchen evolution and uncover how design and consumer culture are influencing change.
Speakers
Kirsten Stanisich
Kirsten co-founded Richards Stanisich with Jonathan Richards in 2018 after working together for 10 years.
Kirsten enjoys the development of design by innovating and pushing our experience with materials and detailing. She is restless in her pursuit of originality and will imbue a project with a sophisticated palette. She has a wealth of experience across the residential and hospitality sectors and works regularly with large corporate clients on CBD projects.
Kirsten regularly participates in industry events and award systems with her public speaking, participation on judging panels and has held prominent positions in the Design Institute of Australia.
In 2019, Kirsten was inducted into the Design Institute of Australia’s Hall of Fame.
Carole Whiting
Carole Whiting is a Melbourne based Designer with a background in film production.
After many years shooting tv commercials around the world she joined an architectural practice as Creative Director, focusing on interiors.
In 2015 Carole was invited to West Africa as guest creative director at Lintas for six weeks where she mentored young creatives and taught ideation and design research.
In 2016 she established her eponymous studio. Carole’s award winning work earned her a place in the Inaugural Dulux Study Tour to London and Stockholm. The studio produces elegant, calm and timeless design with Carole heading up a team of 4 with projects spanning residential, retail, hospitality, commercial and multi-res.
Awards include Dulux Colour Awards, Australian Interior Design Awards, Belle Coco Republic Kitchen of the Year, GREEN AWARDS, IDEA (commendation)
Aleks Efeian
Aleks Efeian heads the Customer Experience at Gaggenau Australia, backed by over 15 years’ experience in the home appliance industry.
Tasked at driving a customer-centric culture, his vision is to combine customer experience insights into the development of the culinary culture of the Gaggenau brand. A disciplined marketing professional and part-time design enthusiast, Aleks led the design and implementation of the company’s several multi-brand showrooms across Melbourne, Sydney and Perth, which was later punctuated by the launch of Gaggenau Melbourne in 2018 with the highly esteemed design team at Carr. Coupled with his former senior brand marketing roles, Aleks now connects with customers to capture design stories that he hopes can inspire others to consider their own relationship with their homes, in particular the kitchen, and explore first-hand the connection Gaggenau provides when working in a considered layout with the right combination of appliances.
For Aleks, the simple act of sharing stories creates endless satisfaction, particularly the joy from clients that embark on the customised design of their kitchen. Happiest behind a lens, he’s an enthusiastic travel and architectural photographer whose passion for detail has defined his pursuit to create memorable brand experiences.
Domenic Cerantonio
Domenic is a natural leader, managing a firm of over 40 employees. He manages the business finances and marketing, heavily involved with business operations and management. Beyond his role at Cera Stribley, Domenic is also the Board Director of the Penleigh & Essendon Grammar School, where he leads the business and finances of the school.
Domenic is also a member of several committees and organisations, such as SONA which support emerging Architects, often attending events and acting as a guest critic for The University of Melbourne’s capstone units. Domenic started the Penliegh and Essendon Grammar Business network to support former student in the business community and is the current President of the Former Students Association. Domenic was a judge for the 2019 Australian Institute of Architects Awards in the Commercial Architects category.
Deanna Tambassis
Specialising in the luxury retail industry, Deanna is inspired by beautiful design and how this translates into customer’s needs and desires.
Having worked in marketing and buying across multiple lifestyle segments, Deanna understands consumer interests and what motivates their purchasing decisions.
Deanna’s approach centres around the concept of Luxury not being a price but an experience and all clients deserve a world-class experience no matter their budget.