As Featured in the South Gippsland Sentinel Times 17 March 2026 edition Photo: The expanded design and projects management team at Leongatha Kitchens from L-R, Pippin Rice, Zoe Kusberg, Dan Bruce, Monika Kucewicz and Brit Williames. LEONGATHA Kitchens & Bathrooms has expanded their design services for new homes and renovations, as well as increased capacity for project and trades management for renovations large or small. Studio 44 Interior & Alfresco Design, based at 44 Yarragon Road, Leongatha – the home of sister-companies, Leongatha Kitchens & Bathrooms and VerdeLife Outdoor Kitchens – has announced its 2026 intake is now open, offering coveted placements for homeowners seeking professional guidance on design-led home improvements or new home interior planning and design. The well-known local award-winning cabinet maker now boasts an expanded team of qualified interior designers and project management experts, specialising in kitchens, bathrooms and whole house interior spaces. With Registered Builder oversight, the team provides comprehensive design-led guidance from concept design through to completed renovation or new home cabinetry. Do you start with a builder? An interior designer? They do it all – through free personalised 1:1 planning and design services, they have the experience to guide you through the whole process and how choices impact function, look, feel and cost – providing peace of mind and often saving thousands in costly late-stage variations. “We’ve always offered free concept design plans and quotations.” shared Dan Bruce, 2nd generation cabinet maker, designer and Registered Building Practitioner. “We’ve now expanded our capacity to include full-service interior design, 3D rendering and enhanced project and trades management services.” With a focus on kitchens, bathrooms and key living areas, extended design services give clients a fully resolved aesthetic across multiple spaces — not just cabinetry. Through guided showroom appointments, the design team can assist with selection of tiling, flooring, fixtures & fittings, lighting, appliances and beyond. “For many local homeowners, the question is whether their home still works for them.” shared Mr Bruce. “Instead of selling, many clients are choosing to renovate and improve the homes they already love.” For clients having trouble visualising, the impressive new 3D Render Visualiser service allows clients to see exactly how it will look before it’s built. What is a 3D Render? It’s a powerful tool that brings designs to life with photo-realistic 3D images. By combining actual floor plans with materials, fittings, textures, colours, furnishings and lighting, a true-to-life preview of a space is created. One of the studio’s most popular services is their Projects Desk Concierge Service, a central point of contact that guides homeowners through all stages of a renovation or cabinetry project. Through a structured consultation and design process, clients receive build-ready plans, a clear project budget and a coordinated trades schedule — allowing workflow to run smoothly without the delays often associated with custom projects. For larger or more complex projects, they provide a full-service design and project management pathway, offering end-to-end oversight including Registered Builder supervision, qualified trades, compliance management, budget and structured scheduling. In addition to renovations, for independent builders and clients building new homes, the team offers concept design consultations or new home floorplan reviews with advice from smart storage solutions to durable finishes to cohesive design and improved spatial layouts, all before the build begins. Initial Consultation Bookings are now open. To learn more or book a consultation, visit www.leongathakitchens.com.au or call 03 5662 5882.

Studio 44 is the home of the Bruce Family group of companies, Leongatha Kitchens & Bathrooms and VerdeLife Outdoor Kitchens. With combined purpose, we are a professional design and custom cabinet making firm based in SE Victoria, Australia where we operate our technologically advanced and fully equipped workshop.

As Featured in the South Gippsland Sentinel Times 10 September 2024 edition Gippsland’s Finest: Leongatha Kitchens & Bathrooms Marks 44 Years and a Major Award Nomination In the heart of our region's heritage and growth, Leongatha Kitchens & Bathrooms stands out as a beacon of craftsmanship, business leadership and community spirit. Celebrating their 44th anniversary, this family-owned business, led by Dan and Carrie Bruce, continues to transform homes and lives with unparalleled dedication and skill. Visit them at Studio 44 - Interior & Alfresco Design, 44 Yarragon Road, Leongatha—the home of Leongatha Kitchens & Bathrooms and sister-company VerdeLife Outdoor Kitchens. Servicing clients and builders throughout Victoria’s South Gippsland, Bass Coast, Melbourne, and Australia-wide, the company is dedicated to delivering exceptional service and craftsmanship. From their humble beginnings on a Leongatha North farm, where Dan honed his craft under his father’s watchful eye, the company has evolved from a small workshop to a leading design studio and custom cabinet maker. Studio 44 is located in Leongatha’s industrial estate, including their fully equipped workshop and passionate team ensure that every project is handled with the utmost professionalism and care. As finalists in the 2024 Gippsland Business Awards, Leongatha Kitchens & Bathrooms were honored to be recognized in the competitive Mechanical Trades and Construction category. This accolade highlights their consistent excellence in business innovation, leadership and service. The awards, presented by Federation University, celebrate regional business achievements and offer a platform to showcase top performers. The company’s reputation is built on more than just creating beautiful cabinetry. It’s about crafting spaces that reflect the personalities and needs of their clients. Each project is approached with a unique touch, turning houses into homes and creating lasting memories for families. In addition to their cabinet-making expertise, Leongatha Kitchens & Bathrooms has expanded its offerings with VerdeLife® Outdoor Kitchens and the innovative SustainaPod® pre-assembled, modular cabinetry concept. This diversification underscores their commitment to sustainability and modern design, earning them the status of Australia's first official licensee of Australian Owned & Made outdoor kitchens. Despite their remarkable achievements, they remain focused on the future and there are still openings for 2024 projects, and their team is ready to bring your vision to life with precision and creativity. Leongatha Kitchens & Bathrooms offers an obligation-free consultation, design and quote, providing a seamless experience from concept to completion. Schedule your consultation today, to explore how Leongatha Kitchens & Bathrooms can transform your space. For 44 years, Leongatha Kitchens & Bathrooms has been a cornerstone of excellence in our community, and their recognition as a finalist underscores their remarkable legacy. As they continue to shape our region with their craft, we celebrate their outstanding contributions and look forward to their future achievements.

For Immediate Release: July 5, 2024 MULTI-AWARD-WINNING CABINETMAKER & DESIGNER ANNOUNCED AS FINALIST FOR 2024 GIPPSLAND BUSINESS AWARDS Leongatha, Victoria: Leongatha Kitchens & Bathrooms, have been named as a finalist for the 2024 Gippsland Business Awards in the Mechanical Trades and Construction category. The Federation University Gippsland Business Awards are the pinnacle business awards in our region, providing a unique opportunity to showcase the successful endeavours of Gippsland Business. Leongatha Kitchens & Bathrooms is a professional interior and alfresco design and custom cabinet making company with over 45 years of experience collaborating with clients and builders. Family-owned and operated by Dan & Carrie Bruce – Dan is a 2nd generation award-winning cabinet maker and designer. They are best known throughout their local region of South Gippsland and Bass Coast and service all of Gippsland, Melbourne and Australia-wide. “It is an absolute honour to have been named a finalist for an award of this calibre, at a regional level. This award celebrates our team’s hard work, passion and commitment to our clients,” says Carrie. In 2015, Leongatha Kitchens & Bathrooms launched their sister-company and product, VerdeLife® Outdoor Kitchens, and expanded their scope via the creation of a new innovative specialised joinery product – SustainaPod® – sustainable, pre-assembled, modular cabinetry. SustainaPod is Australia’s first official licensee Australian Owned & Made outdoor kitchen. Both companies run side-by-side and are based in Leongatha, Victoria where they operate our technologically advanced and fully equipped workshop. “We are honoured to receive this finalist nomination. We are an on-the-move company with established processes and systems and exciting strategic plans, backed by a passionate and experienced small team,” says Dan. The finalist company boasts a passion for professionalism with an extensive list of qualifications, certifications, specialisations and registrations. They provide full-service project management - from design to finish - to the new home builder, renovator and the commercial and residential building industry. Whether it’s a new home, remodel or commercial space, their team of accredited designers and qualified cabinet makers and trades work to bring the highest level of detail and professionalism to every project. The winners will be announced at a Gala Presentation Evening on Friday 30 August. Read more at https://gba.org.au/

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Leongatha Kitchens & Bathrooms are proud winners of the 2020 HIA Housing, Kitchen + Bathroom Awards, Kitchen Design category.

Leongatha, Victoria: Leongatha Kitchens & Bathrooms multi-award-winning cabinetmaker and designer, Dan Bruce, has today announced that they have been named as award winners in the Kitchen Design category in the 2020 Housing Industry Association (HIA) Eastern Victoria Regional Housing, Kitchen & Bathroom Awards. The awards were held in on online ceremony on 3 December. The judging criteria emphasises quality of workmanship, design appearance and innovation, technical compliance and presentation drawings and specifications. Established in 1980, Leongatha Kitchens & Bathrooms (formerly Don Bruce Kitchens) are a family-owned and operated professional design and custom cabinet making company, collaborating with local clients and builders. “This win is certainly the perfect highpoint of our 40-year anniversary celebrations this year,” shared Carrie Bruce, Leongatha Kitchens Business Manager. “It goes without saying that the past year has been one-of-a-kind. We have truly been humbled by support from our community during COVID-19 and the increased interest in renovations and new home projects. We are proud to be recognized to have reached the pinnacle of building standards demonstrated in these quality homes.” The win follows national recognition earlier this year in several categories for the 2020 HIA GreenSmart Awards and the Women’s Business School’s AusMumpreneur Awards, in the categories of GreenSmart Professional and Sustainability, Making a Difference (Environmental Impact). Through the years, Leongatha Kitchens have won several HIA awards for kitchen design and construction. The winning kitchen is in a newly built home by Hotondo Homes Inverloch. Nestled next to the Inverloch surf beach, it features an entertainer’s kitchen with a generous butler’s pantry as the heart of the home. Hotondo Homes Inverloch Directors Trent and Caroline Allen are thrilled to be a part of the win. They commented on the “effective design that exceeded the owner’s expectations”. The project showcases “excellent workmanship and attention to detail. The cabinetry work is exceptional.” The home’s owner describes the style as “coastal industrial noir” style, with black, white, concrete and timber components carefully intertwined, further accented with low-hanging industrial style pendants, copper and matt black fixtures and fittings throughout. “We knew the basic colour scheme we were working towards, but Dan perfectly recommended the style and design placement of the black, timber, white and concrete elements. It just feels balanced and perfect for the space. And I love the black kickers contrast on the timber floor,” says the homeowner. The space is high in design complexity with the added advantage of modern ergonomics, proving that industrial style does not need vintage elements to work. For further information or an interview, please contact: Carrie Bruce, Leongatha Kitchens & Bathrooms, 0488 361 027

By putting quality at the heart of our purpose, Leongatha Kitchens & Bathrooms continues to be a model design firm, as well as our region’s leading custom cabinet maker. We have attracted significant recognition for both design and workmanship, winning several awards for kitchen design appearance, innovation and customer service. AWARD WINNING DESIGN + WORKMANSHIP The HIA Kitchen & Bathroom Awards recognise Australia’s best kitchens and bathrooms. The awards acknowledge the talents of designers, manufacturers and installers to plan safe, functional and innovative kitchens and bathrooms. Leongatha Kitchens & Bathrooms are the proud winners of: 2005 HIA Victoria Home of the Year - Official Cabinet Maker 2008 HIA SE Victoria Kitchen of the Year 2009 HIA Victoria Special Needs Kitchen of the Year 2011 HIA SE Victoria Kitchen of the Year 2012 HIA SE Victoria Kitchen of the Year 2012 HIA Victoria Outdoor Kitchen of the Year 2013 HIA SE Victoria Kitchen of the Year 2013 HIA Victoria Outdoor Kitchen of the Year 2015 HIA SE Victoria Kitchen - Finalists 2019 HIA SE Victoria Home of the Year – Official Cabinet Maker 2020 HIA Eastern Victoria Kitchen Design BUSINESS + CUSTOMER SERVICE RECOGNITION Australian Business Quality Awards 2013 HIA Victorian Business Partner of the Year 2014 Gold Award - Excellence in Customer Service 2020 HIA GreenSmart Professional - Finalist 2020 AusMumpreneur Awards, Sustainability - Gold Award 2020 AusMumpreneur Awards, Making a Difference (Environmental Impact) - Bronze Award

Leongatha Kitchens & Bathrooms very own multi-award winning Dan Bruce announced as finalist for the 2020 HIA GreenSmart Professional Award