25 Years, and Everything in Between

Reflecting on a year of design, art, friendships and shared experiences at KFive.

2026 has been a particularly memorable year for KFive. Marking our 25th anniversary, it has been a year of new partnerships, creative collaborations, familiar faces and experiences worth celebrating.

From Melbourne Art Fair and Milan Design Week to Sydney Contemporary and Saturday Indesign, the year has taken us across cities, countries and creative disciplines, bringing together the people and ideas that continue to shape KFive.

As we look back on 2026, we're celebrating the moments that made this year special, and the relationships that have grown alongside us over the past 25 years.

A Quarter Century of KFive

Co-founded by Erna Walsh in 2001, KFive began with a vision to bring original, thoughtfully designed furniture to Australia.

Twenty-five years on, our collection has evolved into a considered portfolio of Australian and international brands, each recognised for its distinctive approach to design, materials and craftsmanship.

Over the years, we've had the pleasure of working with leading architects, interior designers, artists and manufacturers, contributing to projects and conversations across Australia's design community.

Our anniversary has offered a moment to reflect on this journey, acknowledge the relationships we've built and celebrate the people who have contributed to KFive's story.

Melbourne Art Fair

We began our anniversary celebrations in February at Melbourne Art Fair, where KFive presented an exploration of art, furniture and the objects we live with.

Working alongside Broached Commissions, the VIP Lounge brought together sculptural furniture by Helen Kontouris, floral compositions by Hattie Molloy and a soundscape by k8 mo55.

The space created a dialogue between contemporary art and collectible design, bringing together different creative practices through a shared appreciation for materials, form and storytelling.

To mark our 25th anniversary, we hosted a special conversation led by Alice Blackwood, joined by Erna Walsh, Helen Kontouris, Lou Weis, Lincoln Perdrisat and Dr Lisa Dethridge.

Exploring comfort, memory and the rituals of everyday life, the discussion considered the meaning we attach to the objects around us and the role design plays in shaping our experiences.

The occasion also introduced Helen Kontouris's Petra Collection, alongside Australian design by Broached Commissions, Robin Boyd and Roy Grounds.

With more than 100 guests joining us, it was a wonderful way to begin our anniversary year, surrounded by the people and creative community who have been part of KFive's journey.

Milan & Beyond

In April, Erna Walsh and Claire Cormack travelled to Italy for Milan Design Week, joined by friends of KFive for a week of design, discovery and good company.

From the exhibitions at Salone del Mobile to time spent around Lake Como, the trip offered an opportunity to reconnect with international design partners and explore new collections, materials and ideas.

Highlights included catching up with Zanat, Nikari, Lammhults, Karl Andersson & Söner, Segis and Montbel, hearing directly from the people behind the designs and discovering what lies ahead.

Beyond the fair itself, it was the conversations, shared experiences and time spent together that made the trip memorable.

In a year celebrating 25 years of KFive, the visit was another reminder of the friendships and international relationships that have grown alongside the business.

Melbourne Design Week

In May, KFive participated in Melbourne Design Week through Knockout: 100 Chairs, presented at Abbotsford Convent.

The exhibition featured Danielle Brustman's Rainbow Chair, crafted from hinoki timber and defined by her distinctive exploration of colour, material and form.

Bringing together 100 interpretations of the chair, the exhibition offered a fresh perspective on one of furniture design's most familiar objects.

It was a pleasure to see Danielle's work presented alongside such a diverse collection of contemporary design practices, celebrating the experimentation and individuality that continue to shape Australian design.

Celebrating Excellence in Architecture & Design

Throughout 2026, we continued our support of Australia's architecture and design community through partnerships with two of the industry's leading awards programs.

In June, KFive returned as Category Partner for Interior Architecture at the Australian Institute of Architects Victorian Architecture Awards.

We congratulate Partners Hill, recipients of the Marion Mahony Award for Interior Architecture for Studio 8, alongside the many talented practices recognised throughout the evening.

In July, we joined the INDE.Awards as Category Partner for The Influencer, celebrating individuals whose work and ideas continue to shape design across the Indo-Pacific.

Held at 1 Hotel Melbourne, the evening brought together leading voices from across the region, recognising outstanding contributions to architecture and design.

We were also delighted to see Helen Kontouris's Petra Lounge Collection recognised at the 2026 Good Design Awards, following its introduction earlier in the year.

A fitting acknowledgement of Helen's distinctive approach to form, comfort and contemporary Australian design.

Sydney Contemporary

September brought another opportunity to explore the relationship between art and design, with KFive collaborating with Chalk Horse gallery at Sydney Contemporary.

Furniture from the KFive collection was presented alongside works by Sydney artist Jasper Knight, bringing together contemporary art and furniture within the gallery's exhibition space.

The collaboration reflected our ongoing interest in working across creative disciplines, exploring the ways furniture can contribute to the presentation and experience of art.

It was a pleasure to be part of an event celebrating Australia's contemporary art community and the artists, galleries and collectors who continue to shape it.

An Evening to Celebrate 25 Years

In September, we welcomed clients, friends and collaborators to our Sydney showroom for an evening celebrating 25 years of KFive.

The gathering brought together familiar faces and new friends, from long-standing brand partners and industry colleagues to the architects and designers we work with today.

It was an opportunity to reflect on the past 25 years, share stories and celebrate the relationships that have shaped our journey.

An evening of good company, conversation and a shared appreciation for design.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, and to those who have been part of KFive's story over the years.

Haltija: Saturday Indesign

The following day, our Sydney showroom was transformed for Saturday Indesign with Haltija, an installation inspired by the Finnish relationship with nature, craftsmanship and storytelling.

Named after the guardian spirits of Finnish folklore, Haltija brought together furniture by Nikari, textiles by Marimekko and sculptural works by Broached Commissions.

Through a considered arrangement of furniture, textiles, natural elements and moving imagery, the installation explored the materials and traditions that inform Finnish design.

Visitors experienced live kantele music, participatory activities and Future Forest, a film by Dr Lisa Dethridge.

We were also delighted to welcome Johanna Vuorio and Jenni Mikkonen from Nikari to Australia for the occasion.

As part of the program, At Home with Finnish Design explored Nikari's approach to craftsmanship, the influence of the natural environment and the role of furniture in everyday life.

Their visit also extended to Melbourne, providing further opportunities to connect with Australia's architecture and design community.

Haltija brought together an exceptional group of international and Australian collaborators, offering a thoughtful exploration of design, culture and the natural world.

Our thanks to everyone who contributed to the installation and joined us throughout the day.

Welcoming Established & Sons

2026 also marked the beginning of a new partnership, with British design house Established & Sons joining the KFive portfolio.

Known for its progressive approach to furniture and collaborations with internationally recognised designers, Established & Sons has built a distinctive collection exploring the possibilities of materials, technology and contemporary production.

The partnership introduces a new perspective to KFive's collection, complementing our existing portfolio of Australian and international design brands.

Among the designs we're looking forward to sharing is the Layup Lounge Chair by Nathan Martell, developed using an innovative three-dimensional veneer-forming process.

Its sculptural construction and considered use of timber reflect the technical experimentation and originality at the heart of Established & Sons.

Continuing the Conversation

In October, our Sydney showroom participated in The Design Walking Tour, welcoming architects, interior designers and design enthusiasts to explore our collections.

Events like these remain an important part of KFive. They offer opportunities to experience furniture firsthand, discover the stories behind the designs and exchange ideas with the people who specify and work with our collections.

Across our Melbourne and Sydney showrooms, these conversations continue to inform our approach and strengthen the relationships we've developed over the years.

The People Behind It All

Looking back on 2026, it's the people behind each project, exhibition and event who have made this anniversary year particularly memorable.

From the designers and manufacturers who bring their expertise to our collections, to the artists, architects, interior designers and creative partners we've worked alongside, each has contributed to KFive's story.

Our 25th anniversary has been an opportunity to acknowledge these relationships and the shared appreciation for design that has brought us together.

To our clients, collaborators, brand partners and friends, thank you for being part of the past 25 years.

Looking Ahead

As we look towards 2027, we do so with a renewed appreciation for the ideas and relationships that have shaped KFive.

With new collections, partnerships and projects ahead, we look forward to continuing our work with the designers, makers and creative community who inspire us.

Thank you for being part of our 25-year journey. We look forward to what comes next.

The KFive Team