With Australian retail first.
Specialist South Australian retailer, Rawsons Appliances has unveiled its new Abey bathroom showroom showcasing a full Gessi range of products – a first in Australian retail, soon after opening its dedicated Weber store.
Rawsons has been trading as an independent family business for 73 years and has been located at its current site in Plympton, South Australia, since 1984. Since then, the retailer has made efforts to acquire the house next door to its showroom and was successful in doing so in 2017.
Upon acquisition, Rawsons commenced construction of transforming the existing 1950’s home into a dedicated Abey product showroom.
“We toured the Gessi Milan showroom and Abey Melbourne showroom seeking inspiration to do justice in showcasing these brands,” Rawsons sales director, Jon Pysing said.
Rawsons collaborated with Cosentino Spain to provide the backdrop for Gessi, using Dekton, Silestone and Sensa product.
“Cosentino, like Abey were seeking a more central location to highlight the architectural, design and specification community. The façade of the existing house was re-designed then clad using Dekton material. Believed to be the first such project in Australia finished using Dekton. The interior showcases more Cosentino product in several working shower and bathroom areas. Gessi ranges including Eleganza, Cono, Rettangolo K, Wellness and the exclusive Gessi Sistema 316,” he said.
Planning included this year’s release of the exclusive Gessi Inciso bathroomware, unveiled by famed New York architect David Rockwell, at EuroCucina 2018.
“This bathroom showcase opened just before Christmas and has since played host to SA KBDI, Cosentino’s launch of the new world range Stonika with over 200 guests and already many kitchen, architecture and building companies with alfresco dining spaces allowing for more relaxed and casual networking events,” he said.
During the bathroom renovation, Rawsons partnered with Weber Australia to produce South Australia’s only Weber store concept, measuring more than 250 square metres to cater for indoor/outdoor Weber BBQ displays. Every Weber BBQ is showcased including premium gas, Weber Q range, charcoal and newly released electric pulse, as well as all Weber BBQ accessories.
A full alfresco working area allows for constant in-store cooking demonstrations, both planned and spontaneous. Clients can see and use any of the range of over 50 different models of Weber BBQs.
“Both Gessi and Weber sit alongside Rawsons historical brands such as Gaggenau, Miele, Smeg, Franke, Neff, Bora and Liebherr. The pillar of the two showrooms is that only products from worldwide manufacturers responsible for making their own products are part of the range. To that end Gessi and Weber are welcome additions to the Rawsons family,” he said.