2020 was an interesting year… a lot of time was spent at home and there was no better time to freshen up your surrounds and it seems a lot of Australians had this same idea. One Gold Coast company that saw a huge surge in the home improvement space was ABI Bathrooms and Interiors. As one of the fastest growing bathroom suppliers, ABI’s aim is to bring Australia’s best prices on luxury tapware and bathroom products to you. We sat down with Co-Founder and Designer Luli Farrell on how ABI’s crazy year of growth and what’s in the works for this dynamic local company.

How long have you been a Gold Coast local?
Since forever! I’m GC born and bred.

What do you love most about living here?
I love all the amazing beaches and swimming spots there are. I also love the trendy cafes and restaurants that seem to be popping up everywhere. The Gold Coast has grown so much in the last few years, it’s an exciting time!

Tell us about your business ABI.
ABI is a family-owned business that was created with the mission to create high quality and beautiful bathroom and interior products that are accessible and affordable for everyone. We started out in the matte black tapware space, before introducing our rose gold finish, which was the real game changer for ABI. Since then, we have since grown our range to include seven different finishes in a wide range of products, including everything from mirrors to vanities and even baths. We have also begun expanding internationally into New Zealand and the UK which has been so exciting.

Tell us about your career thus far.
ABI was just starting out as I was just graduating from my Bachelor of Architecture. Being a family business, I got involved and it just so happened that I found a new love for product design. During the early days of ABI, I did everything from running the showroom to packing orders, designing new products, marketing and so much more. Although it felt like so much pressure at the time, I learned so much about running a business that I am so grateful for. Since then, I’ve been incredibly lucky to work with so many talented people like Shelley Craft. My team and I have also designed so many new products and we’ve built out our new office space (that we are already outgrowing). I now help manage a talented team of over 100 amazing people. It’s been a crazy ride!

Where do you draw your inspiration from?
I can find inspiration anywhere, especially when I’m not necessarily looking for it. Sometimes my inspiration comes from seeing a gap in the market or sometimes it’s finding a way to transform an everyday item into something beautiful. Other times it can be as simple as the shape of an earring I see. Customer and staff feedback also play a big part in shaping our product range.

Tell us about your new showroom.
Our new showroom was a huge project, but we are so proud of the result. Our main goal was to create a welcoming place where people can explore our range and feel inspired to create their dream space. We wanted people to feel completely at ease and confident during their ABI experience, that’s why we put so much thought into the space, from the working product displays to the smallest features and details.

What’s your proudest business moment?
I think the proudest moment for me would have to be at the end of last year, when I finally had the chance to stop and reflect on just how much we had accomplished since we started out! It’s amazing to think that this time last year we were less than half the size we are now. Also, the day we hit 100,000 followers on Instagram felt pretty surreal.

What else is in the works for ABI for 2021?
We have so many exciting things planned for 2021. ABI will be opening a showroom and launching online in the UK early this year. We also have so many new products in the works. We have a few other big announcements that we can’t reveal just yet – watch this space!

Any advice for someone wanting to start a business on the Gold Coast?
I’d have to say don’t let fear hold you back. If you want something badly enough you will find a way to make it work. I love the quote ‘one hour of doing is better than 10 hours of thinking’. You can’t plan for everything that might happen, you just need to go for it and learn from your mistakes.

Tell us your favourites on the Coast…
Café for breakfast: Refinery Coffee in Currumbin
Coffee spot: Weekdays: Next Door Espresso, our local in Burleigh and Weekends: Rafiki in Mermaid Beach
Restaurant for dinner: Definitely Eddy & Wolff
Bar or pub for a drink: A wine at home with family over a bar any day
How does your weekend usually look? It normally starts with a long walk on the beach before stopping for coffee & an açai bowl. Then I usually head over to spend time with my family and friends. It’s definitely my favourite way to spend my downtime.

Ryan Manthey is the Gold Coast local tradie turned business owner of Mint Designer Kitchens. From kitchen renos to multi-million dollar homes (we’ve heard there’s been remote-controlled drop down bars and showstopping back-lit marble counters), Mint has been specialising in making client’s dreams a reality since 2009. Operating out of a purpose-built, fully-equipped showroom in Southport, clients can be inspired by the full range on display. The recent increase of people spending more time at home has led to Gold Coasters reassessing their living situation and turning their home into a sanctuary, leading to a very busy time for Mint. We sat down recently with Ryan to talk about the company’s success and why Mint is leading the field in custom designer kitchens and bathrooms.

How long have you been a Gold Coast local?
As long as I can remember. I was born in Mackay and moved to the Gold Coast when I was two. My family lived in the same house on Hillview Parade at Ashmore until I was in my 20’s and since then I’ve bounced around the GC and am now living in Surfers Paradise.

What do you love most about living here?
I love everything about the Gold Coast – the laid back atmosphere, the people, my crew of friends and most of my family are here. On the weekends, when I get any free time, I go boating on the Broadwater or jet skiing with my friends. I love that at the end of a hard day at work I can walk to the beach, put my feet in the sand and the ocean and chill out.

Tell us about your career thus far.
After I left grade 12 at Trinity Lutheran Collage, I did an apprenticeship with a shopfitting company. Following this, I worked at large commercial joinery manufacturer. I started to think about starting my own business and in 2009 Mint Designer Kitchens was born. Mint started out with just me on the tools and has grown to one of the Gold Coast’s largest bespoke kitchen and joinery businesses with a large showroom and factory in Southport.

Tell us about Mint Designer Kitchens.
Mint Designer Kitchens is a leading Gold Coast designer, builder and installer of custom made, high end kitchens, bathrooms, bars and laundries on the Gold Coast and Brisbane. We started out in 2009 as a small business and in the following eleven years, have grown both our factory and our staff to enable us to deliver many different projects per week. Our designer kitchens range from renovations to transforming our client’s homes to new builds and rolling out multiple kitchens, bathrooms and laundries per week for our builder/developer clients.

What sort of projects do you work on?
As we are a large business with salespeople working in multiple verticals, we always have a wide range of projects on the go ranging from multi-million dollar builds to large scale builders and commercial joinery. We are known for our unique and complex designs, often building solutions that other cabinet makers won’t even attempt.

What is the process of creating a kitchen/bathroom from concept to reality?
Firstly, one of our experienced kitchen designers meets with the client to help them visualise and realise the design that would best suit the aesthetic of their house within their budget. As this is what we do all day everyday, we are able to guide them as to the best concepts that will maximise their end product from both a design and functionality perspective. We draw each project up and produce a full 3D render so they can see exactly what it will look like. Once that is signed off, one of our drafters will complete the functional design and embed the drawing to our machinery using the latest technology ensuring our joinery is absolutely accurate. Once the board and stone has been cut, our installers install the finished project ensuring the client is 100% delighted before completion.

What are some of the items that I can save on in the renovation of a bathroom or kitchen? And what should you never do on the cheap?
It all comes back to design and materials. There are many ways to design a functional amazing space to a budget. We could use some standard range materials and highlight some features is a good way .

What does Mint do differently? 
Mint custom makes our clients’ projects meaning that the end product is specifically suited to their environment and style. We believe in using quality products and not cutting corners with cheap materials that save money up front but will cost more in the longer term. We only employ the best of the best, both in our showroom and on the shop floor, so whatever stage of the process, you will be dealing with people who know what they are talking about. Our designers are up-to-date with the latest designs and technologies, so we are able to offer innovative solutions that the client may not be aware exist. We also take pride in letting nothing beat us, so you if you look at our Instagram or in our showroom, you will see projects that other cabinet makers are not able to build (such as our unique drop down bars).

What can a customer expect when working with Mint?
We will not finish a job until the client is 100% delighted with their final product. Most of our work comes from referrals which tells us that our customers are very happy with our process and proud of their new kitchen.

Tell us your favourites on the Coast…
Restaurant for dinner: Edgewater Dining & Lounge
Bar or pub for a drink: Northcliffe Surf Club
Café for breakfast: Koi Dining & Lounge Bar
How does your weekend usually look: Most weekends I work Saturdays and the rest of the weekend I spend as much time as possible with my beautiful one year old daughter Vivi.

The time of year when we get to peek inside people’s homes and beautiful architectural buildings across the Coast without getting into trouble for being creepy is upon us once again Gold Coasters.

That’s right friends, in just a few short weeks, iconic Gold Coast buildings and some absolutely mind-blowing homes will throw open their doors so you can waltz on in and learn a thing or two about our local heritage and marvel at some insane architecture.

On Saturday 19th October 2019, the fifth annual Gold Coast Open House unlocks places and spaces right across the city. From heritage gems to sports venues and inspiring buildings, homes, churches, schools, universities, museums, art galleries, TV and radio stations, public utilities and workplaces, all of which reflect our city’s unique architecture and urban design.

We’ve chosen five spaces to chat about so you get a look into what’s on offer when Gold Coast Open House rolls around.

Gold Coast Mosque
We have quite honestly never set foot inside a mosque but what an honour it is to be able to do so thanks to Gold Coast Open House. The building, with a large green dome the most prominent design feature, was built in 1996 and if you choose to tour through the space, you’ll get to peek inside the prayer room complete with an intricate chandelier conveying transcendental symbolism. It’s the perfect opportunity to learn a bit more about a culture that we don’t often have access to, so highly recommend getting on board for this one.
Where: 144 Allied Drive, Arundel

Southport Bathing Pavilion
A beautiful building on the beach at Southport, the bathing pavilion was built in 1934 as a change room for people visiting the Broadwater beach. The Pavilion is historically significant as it demonstrates the development of the Gold Coast as a seaside resort in the 1930s and reflects a new culture associated with beach going. Pop in to learn about some interesting Gold Coast history and check out the gallery for some old school local imagery. Don’t miss this spot.
Where: Marine Pde, Southport

Surfworld Gold Coast
A museum dedicated to surfing is the perfect Gold Coast thing and if you’ve not yet had to pleasure of setting foot inside Surfworld, down Currumbin Way, now’s your chance. The museum has one of Australia’s, if not the world’s, greatest surfboard collections, including the Caballito de Totora which is the earliest known wave riding craft used to fish and catch waves. It’s a really cool place to check out and we highly recommend adding it to your list.
Where: 35 Tomewin St, Currumbin

Keith Williams House
Talk about a house you want to sticky beak at. Tourism entrepreneur, the late Keith Williams built this beauty in 1984 and it is unlike anything we’ve seen before. The three-storey rendered brick mansion was designed by Brisbane architect Roger Parkin in grand southern Californian style and it boasts a timbered billiards room and eight-seat cinema to name but a few small features. Overlooking the canals and with room for you and all your friends, go and pretend you’re living the high life just for a day.
Where: Commodore Dr, Surfers Paradise

Gold Coast Little Theatre
Dating back to 1950, Gold Coast Little Theatre (GCLT) is the Gold Coast’s oldest community theatre. In the early days, plays and musicals were staged in what is now known as Molly’s – two World War II Army Huts that sit one on top of the other. The main theatre building, which opened in 1983 has intimate seating for up to 150 guests. There are whisperings of a ghost, so keep your eyes peeled for that little guy (or gal).
Where: 21A Scarborough St, Southport 

Words by Kirra Smith