Why Good Design Starts Before You Think You’re Ready

Let’s Talk About Adding Value to Your Home The start of a new year often brings fresh perspective. Over the holidays, many homeowners found themselves noticing how their home really works day to day, what feels easy, what feels dated, and what could be improved. Often, it’s not about wanting more, but wanting spaces that function better, feel more considered, and support the way you live now. Adding value to your home doesn’t always mean large-scale renovation. Thoughtful upgrades, particularly in kitchens, bathrooms, and key living areas, can significantly improve both lifestyle and long-term property value. Smart layouts, improved storage, durable materials, and cohesive design choices all play a role in creating a home that feels elevated and functional. The most valuable step in this process is planning. Design-led renovations allow you to make informed decisions before construction begins. Floor plans, spatial layouts, and material selections ensure your investment is purposeful, not reactive. When changes are guided by a clear design strategy, the result is a space that not only looks better, but works harder for everyday living. Visual planning is especially powerful when it c omes to adding value. Through detailed plans and 3D visualisation, homeowners can explore ideas, refine layouts, and see how design decisions will come together, reducing uncertainty and helping avoid costly changes later on. Whether you’re considering a full renovation or a simple kitchen update, the new year is the perfect time to revisit those ideas you’ve been sitting on and start a conversation. If you’ve been thinking about how to add value to your home, practically, aesthetically, or financially, we’d love to chat and help you take the next step with clarity and confidence. Our 2026 intake is now open, to learn more or book an initial consultation call 03 5662 5882 or contact us. Studio 44 is the home of the Bruce Family group of companies, Leongatha Kitchens & Bathrooms and VerdeLife Outdoor Kitchens. We are a multi-award winning design studio specialising in kitchens, bathrooms, interior and alfresco spaces. Servicing clients and builders throughout South Gippsland, Bass Coast, Melbourne and Australia-wide. MENU OF SERVICES Consultation, Design + Estimate – Concept + Pricing Drawings + Specifications – Working Drawings + Documentation Project + Trades Management – Consultancy, Assistance + Coordination Custom Cabinetry Supply + Installation – Manufacture, Build + Install ACCREDITATIONS Registered Building Practitioner (DB-L 64755, CDB-L 66067) HIA GreenSmart Kitchen & Bathroom Professional Certified Australian Made & Owned Licensee of SustainaPod Outdoor Kitchens by VerdeLife Members HIA, KBDi, ACFA FIND US AT @studio44.au

Issue No. 54, Summer/Autumn, Project Feature | Coast Magazine Visualised in 3D, Crafted in Inverloch | Cabinetry Artistry The White Family, Inverloch Designed by Dan Bruce Kitchen renovation with 3D Visualiser service, design and custom cabinetry Photography by Warren Reed As featured in @coastmagazine From Concept to Completion: Bringing Spaces to Life with 3D Visual Renders At Studio 44 Interior & Alfresco Design, we believe every great space begins with a vision, and our job is to bring that vision to life. From the first idea to the final installation, we guide our clients through a seamless journey: Concept. Plans. 3D Render. Finished Space. We’re not just cabinet makers, we’re an all-in-one, full-service interior design and project management studio. As a Registered Building Practitioner, we combine interior design expertise, custom cabinetry and trades management under one roof. Together with our sister companies, Leongatha Kitchens & Bathrooms and VerdeLife Outdoor Kitchens, we deliver bespoke, Australian-made designs built to last a lifetime. Our process begins with a consultation to understand your lifestyle, budget and aspirations. From there, our accredited designers craft a tailored design concept complete with floor plans, spatial layouts, materials, fixtures and sample selections that bring your ideas to life. We provide ready-to-build documentation, scaled working drawings and a detailed obligation-free project proposal, ensuring every client has a clear and confident path forward before a single cabinet is built. A standout feature of our process is our 3D Render and Video Walk-Through Service, an advanced visualisation tool that allows clients to explore their new space long before construction begins. Every detail is thoughtfully considered, from lighting and layout to materials and finishes, helping clients make confident, informed decisions and feel deeply connected to their design. This edition of The Coast Magazine features a perfect example of this process in action, the White Family’s Inverloch home. An active coastal couple renovating their beachside property, the Whites were seeking an affordable yet beautiful kitchen makeover that would complement their relaxed lifestyle. With their trades already organised, Studio 44 stepped in to deliver a quick, refined transformation, seamlessly combining practicality with timeless design. The result? A warm, modern kitchen that captures the essence of Inverloch’s coastal charm, designed through 3D visual renders and brought to life with our signature craftsmanship. In this project, the 3D visualiser allowed the clients to clearly conceptualise the curved cabinetry, curved bench-tops, and the contrast between the warm timber and crisp white finishes before a single piece was built. Whether you’re planning a new home, a full home renovation or a targeted kitchen or alfresco transformation, our process is built around clarity, collaboration and creativity. From concept through to completion, we’re here to make every step easy, inspiring and expertly managed. At Studio 44, we design and deliver more than beautiful joinery, we create spaces that evolve with you, crafted to reflect the rhythm of your lifestyle and the seasons. Proudly designed, built and made in South Gippsland, Victoria.

Cabinetry Artistry | Our collection of Coast Magazine Project Features. Coast is our region's artistically designed, collectible lifestyle magazine that celebrates life by the sea. Each issue is packed with inspiring stories, stunning photography, and the best of Coastal living.

Proudly Certified Australian Made & Owned Licensee Celebrating Australian Made Week It’s Australian Made Week —a time to spotlight the incredible quality of Aussie-made products, encourage local purchasing, and support Australian businesses keeping craft smanship and innovation on home soil. We’re proud that our SustainaPod® cabinetry—Sustainable. Pre-Assembled. Modular.—is officially licensed as Australian Made & Owned. Our All-Weather SustainaPod® Outdoor Kitchen Range includes: Custom Design+ Series: Tailored for any brand of sit-on or built-in barbecues Pre-Designed Series: Curated exclusively for Weber sit-on and built-in models As a certified Australian Made licensee, we’re committed to delivering quality, safety, consistency, and a longer product lifecycle. Our pre-assembled, modular design ensures easier installation and compliance with Australian Standards for fireproofing, ventilation, and materials. To earn the iconic green and gold kangaroo logo, businesses must prove their products are substantially made in Australia, with at least 50% of production costs incurred locally. It’s a symbol of trust, supporting Aussie jobs and our economy.  We’re proud to be part of the movement this Australian Made Week!

Issue No. 53, Winter/Spring, Project Feature | Coast Magazine Rhythm of the Prom Coastline | Cabinetry Artistry The T Family, Yanakie Designed by Dan Bruce x Zoe Kusberg x Studio 44 x Leongatha Kitchens x VerdeLife Outdoor Kitchens Photography by Warren Reed As featured in @coastmagazine With uninterrupted views of Wilsons Promontory, this once-humble seaside home has been transformed to fulfill the homeowners’ vision—a luxurious holiday retreat with the ambiance of a world-class hotel. As two busy professionals whose careers demand long hours and constant decision-making, they sought a space that required nothing of them—just the ability to exhale and unwind. Studio 44, led by Dan Bruce, Principal Designer; (pictured) Carrie Bruce, Managing Director; and Zoe Kusberg, Interior Designer, collaborated closely with the homeowners to deliver a full-scale interior renovation—from concept design and specifications to custom cabinetry manufacture, project coordination, and trades management. From the outset, it was a partnership built on trust. The homeowners brought their aspirations; Studio 44 brought the expertise to bring them to life. Working virtually between in-person meetings, the team refined every detail, seamlessly blending the clients’ vision with expert design recommendations. One decision in particular truly transformed the project: the introduction of microcement walls in the ensuite and open-plan fireplace feature wall. Originally, the homeowners envisioned a sleek, modern aesthetic, but as the design evolved, Studio 44 suggested rendered microcement to elevate the interior. The seamless, sculptural finish not only enhanced durability but added an organic, textural quality that softened the space, creating a perfect balance between refinement and warmth. It was a defining moment—one that turned a beautiful design into something truly extraordinary. In the bathroom, the microcement feature wall is paired with natural stone tiles, each piece uniquely rich in colour, shade, and veining. The same tile, in a herringbone cut, adds further dimension and visual interest in the kitchen splashback, celebrating the natural beauty of the stone. Custom cabinetry, crafted from Australian Spotted Gum timber veneer, infuses warmth, its golden hues harmonizing with the coastal landscape. Now, when the homeowners arrive, they step into more than just a house—they step into a sanctuary designed around them. It’s a space that allows them to leave behind the rush of their daily lives and embrace a slower, more intentional way of living. A place where time moves differently, where every detail is designed to make being effortless.

GreenSmart + Supporting Greenfleet Celebrating the Equinox & International Day of Forests As the seasons shift, the equinox reminds us of nature’s balance, making it the perfect time to reflect on our forests and commitment to being a sustainable business both in our processes and products. Tomorrow, March 21, is the International Day of Forests—a day to celebrate their crucial role in biodiversity and climate resilience. With this, we honour the ecosystems we help restore with Greenfleet. Our Commitment to Reforestation Since 2019, we’ve been offsetting our carbon emissions through our partnership with Greenfleet, restoring native forests in Australia and New Zealand. We believe both businesses and consumers must be a part of the solution. Our mission – cabinetry with purpose – embraces our passion beyond just lifestyle cabinetry. Our deepest purpose is as a company devoted to a holistic approach to environmentally sustainable design, manufacture and installation. Sustainability at Our Core Principal Designer, Dan Bruce, a certified GreenSmart® Kitchen Design Professional, and leads our mission to integrate environmentally preferable products and sustainable practices. From reducing waste to maximising recycling, sustainability is embedded in our process. A Greener Future Our six core values—customer satisfaction, simplicity, sustainability, ecological manufacturing, quality workmanship, and family-centered business—guide us in creating eco-conscious, long-lasting cabinetry. Let’s celebrate the forests that sustain us and commit to a greener future together.

Issue No. 52, Summer/Autumn, Project Feature | Coast Magazine Ripple House by Dan Bruce | Cabinetry Artistry The C Family, Inverloch Designed by Dan Bruce x Studio 44 x Leongatha Kitchens x VerdeLife Outdoor Kitchens Photography by Warren Reed As featured in @coastmagazine Like art, cabinetry design can mean different things to different people. Creating designs that inspire their users - something that will be valued, emotionally and functionally. This spacious and newly built oceanfront home overlooks the iconic Inverloch Inlet and features a first-floor entertainer’s kitchen, fully equipped butler’s pantry, outdoor kitchen and master ensuite and laundry. The clients are semi-retired professionals, made busier with a quintuplet of on-the-go grandchildren. They approached Leongatha Kitchens & Bathrooms to create a multifunctional design that frames local Australian artists and craft and serves as a hub for hosting guests young and old. This whole house project was superbly designed to flow between strategic vantage points connecting the rooftop deck, open dining, alfresco and lounge areas to the buzzing sidewalk along the rippling foreshore and historic Ripple vessel and Rocket Shed below. This design incorporates all the modern functional features including integrated fridges, dishwasher, warming drawers, undercabinet lighting and dish drawer, and purposely built storage zones, as well as a dry bar and wine fridge for bottomless entertaining. The butler’s pantry full kitchen sink and dishwasher allows for easy use and concealed clean-up. A freestanding cabinetry console in the lounge room conceals a motorised TV lift, enhancing the aesthetics of the room The client describes it as Contemporary Australian, featuring an array of carefully curated design embellishments by local and Australian artists, makers and designers. The kitchen’s locally sourced Silvertop Ash Australian hardwood island and wall features are a pleasant contrast to the sophisticated traceless Matt Black ‘Noir’ palette, while the matte Caesarstone Cloudburst benchtops and splashbacks add tone and warmth. The cabinetry perfectly frames a hand-crafted dining table made from Victorian Ash and Jarrah with unique curved edges and made from reclaimed floor boards from the first armory in Melbourne. A whimsical porcelain wall art piece is also featured with hand-pressed feathers gathered from nearby pelicans and hand-pressed and hung from driftwood procured from the town’s back beaches. The large low-hung porcelain pendant lighting above the kitchen island and dining table is Australian Made, provides accent and creates a feel of Australian coastal living opulence. Additional embellishments include a eucalyptus feature wallpaper in the powder room and locally sourced furniture, providing texture and depth. The stack-stone double-sided fireplace and external two-story feature walls were hand-shaped piece-by-piece using a traditional anvil and chipping hammer, giving a more natural look.

Issue No. 33 Project Feature - Melbourne Kitchen + Bathroom Design Magazine

Welcome to Seasons A season can signal the time of year marked by weather or a period of the year such as barbecue season - when alfresco lifestyle is in full swing. It can mark a change or time of life. In action, season means to add flavour – sweet, salty, herbs, spice – adding seasoning and tasteful depth to our palate. We explore all these definitions and more with Seasons. Join us for as we journey through the four seasons whilst pursuing design efficiency and culinary passion. Our award-winning design team personally takes you on an exploration of how beautiful design meets lifestyle and functionality.