Get It Right with Undercover Architect

Julia Levitt and Fiona Ericsson are the team behind Sticks and Stones Landscape Design, and in this episode, we’re talking about what a Landscape Designer does, and how they can help your renovation or new home.  Now, as we near the end of Season 4, we’ve had some amazing professionals sharing incredibly useful information with us about what they do, and how their role can help you in your project.  And in Episode 6, Luke Jones of Larc Collective talked through the role of a Landscape Architect in helping you with your outdoor areas and exterior landscape design.  Landscape Designers are another discipline, or profession, that can assist with the design and construction of your garden and outdoor areas.   So, I’m really excited to sit down in this episode with Fiona and Julia from Sticks and Stones Landscape Design.  Sticks & Stones Landscape Design is a Sydney-based dynamic and contemporary young business with an ambitious and energetic approach. Their stunning work has been published in several magazines including House & Garden, Inside Out and Better Homes & Gardens.  The team consists of Fiona Ericsson and Julia Levitt, who met while studying Landscape Design and Horticulture.    With Julia’s passion for plants and Fiona’s background in Fine Arts, they discovered that together they had something special. They decided to harness their complementary talents and take the industry head on.  In 2014 Fiona was recognised with a Design Award for her creative and innovative use of space.   Shortly afterwards, Sticks & Stones designed a show garden at Grand Designs Live Expo, Sydney. I remember seeing it at that Grand Designs Live Expo that year. There were these amazing free-standing installations done by various landscape designers, all using the same floor area. I saw Sticks and Stones design as this fresh, light, clever display. It was this gorgeous urban landscape, with a pizza oven and BBQ, and cluster of pendant lights set against beautiful textured brickwork and sculptural planting. So much functionality and fun squeezed into a compact space.   And the wins keep on coming … In 2016 Julia celebrated an Australian Institute of Landscape Designers and Managers (AILDM) National Design Gold & Best In Category Awards.  Sticks & Stones’ projects include such varied work as designing office spaces in Fox Studios around a bespoke hanging garden, to lush Northern Beaches home gardens and compact courtyards in the Inner West.   All of their designs, however, hinge on the two fundamental principles of garden design: creating a space that is aesthetically pleasing, while still being highly functional.   This achievement comes about through close discussion with the clients around their needs, a well-balanced canvas of materials and plants and, above all, attention to detail.   Sticks & Stones approach each project individually and work to seamlessly connect architecture with the landscape, to create a unique space that transforms the clients’ experience of outdoor living.   Because this is the thing isn’t it … most homeowners I speak to are seeking a beautiful finished new or renovated home. And nothing ‘finishes’ a home or … and nothing improves the quality, functionality and feel of your home - like the landscape design   It’s great to sit down with Julia and Fiona and discuss the role of a Landscape Designer, and how they can help in your project.   This is about the WHO, the WHAT, the WHEN and the WHY of using a Landscape Designer for your renovation or building project.    Our “Get it Right” podcast partner for Season 4 is COLORBOND® steel and their Matt range.  COLORBOND® steel Matt is a great choice for creating a stunning, sophisticated and subtle look for your home. With a beautiful and neutral look, it has an elegance I know you’ll love, and diffuses light for a soft, natural, textured finish.   And not only does COLORBOND® steel Matt look gorgeous … It’s also durable, strong, 100% recyclable, high tech, tested and designed for the Australian climate, a choice for bushfire zones, able to give your home a contemporary and sophisticated feel, AND has 50 years of history behind it as a brand.  Head to www.colorbond.com/undercoverarchitect for more info  FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we’re talking about what a Building Certifier is, and why you need them – in fact, in most cases, they’re essential to any building or renovation project. They can also be known as a Private Certifier.   Mick Tyrell is a Brisbane-based licensed Building Designer, with over 15 years industry experience.   Mick is someone I’ve known and worked with for many years. I actually worked with his brother for many years at Mirvac – he was on my project team documenting the homes we were doing in Bulimba in Brisbane. So, it’s been a family affair!   Mick was the Private Certifier on my own most recent renovation, and was an essential team member in helping us see that project through.   In addition to being a Building Certifier, Mick is also a registered Queensland Structural Engineer. So, in his all his work, building safety is his priority. And this combination of skills – certification and engineering – is a great asset to a project.   In my experience of working with lots of great, and not so great Building Certifiers, the best ones become really collaborative members of your team.    They help you streamline the process overall when they can strategically think about how to help your design perform the way it needs to, so it can be approved and be built. They’re not simply someone who gets a pile of drawings dumped on their desk at a specific point in your project to then tick a bunch of boxes, and do their job.   Working with Mick like this has always been an important part of ensuring we can get to site as simply as possible, and be assured there’ll be no unnecessary stalls or hiccups in that process.   In addition to his engineer background, he has over seven years experience of domestic building certification for homeowners, builders and designers in Brisbane and beyond.   He works incredibly hard to provide every client with the prompt personalised service and attention to detail they deserve. And, he’s just completed his own home renovation – so he has that personal insight into understanding the peace of mind that comes from professional, streamlined and efficient certification!   Building Approvals and Advice is a Brisbane-based team of building certification consultants. They work on projects throughout Queensland, and partner with designers, builders, architects, planners and engineers across a range of domestic and commercial projects.  And, as managing director of Building Approvals and Advice, Mick also coordinates their experienced team.   They have recently been recognised as the Building Certification Team of the Year at the National RICS awards for a second year in a row (2016 and 2017).   They can help with services including building inspections, pool fence compliance certificates, energy reports and relaxations. Mick’s personal experience extends from underpinning, renovations, to new homes and house demolition or removal.   Not sure what all of those things are, and why you might need a Building Certifier to help out with them? Well, that’s some of what we’ll be talking about in this episode.   It’s great to sit down with Mick to talk about the role of the Building Certifier. There can be a lot of confusion over what a Certifier does, and why you might need one. And given that you, in most cases, can’t even commence construction on your project without getting one involved, it’s worthwhile understanding more about what they do.   This is about the WHO, the WHAT, the WHEN and the WHY of using a Building Certifier for your renovation or building project.    Our “Get it Right” podcast partner for Season 4 is COLORBOND® steel and their Matt range.  COLORBOND® steel Matt is a great choice for creating a stunning, sophisticated and subtle look for your home. With a beautiful and neutral look, it has an elegance I know you’ll love, and diffuses light for a soft, natural, textured finish.    And not only does COLORBOND® steel Matt look gorgeous … It’s also durable, strong, 100% recyclable, high tech, tested and designed for the Australian climate, a choice for bushfire zones, able to give your home a contemporary and sophisticated feel, AND has 50 years of history behind it as a brand.  Head to www.colorbond.com/undercoverarchitect for more info  FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I speak with Matthew Willis of Bushfire Planning Services. Matt is a Bushfire Consultant, and will be sharing with us when you require this role in your renovation or building project.   Now before you think: Bushfire Consultant? Why would I need a Bushfire Consultant? I don’t live near the bush, I don’t have any bush nearby, and fire isn’t an issue for my property.    Wait.  Surprisingly you don’t need to live right near a large area of bush to be impacted by a bushfire risk.  In fact, I first connected with my guest for this episode when looking at a suburban home in Sydney. The Bushfire risk come up in my early council searches, even though this home didn’t look like it was anywhere near any significant bush.   However, the site did back onto a narrow reserve. And then that reserve was this thin sliver of treed area than gradually connected into larger bush area, and then National Park. And that posed a bushfire risk to this property, and hence brought about the bushfire overlay.    I’ve had a similar experience with a property in Perth that was simply located in a suburban area where each block was quite steep, had significant trees on it, and there was a reserve nearby.  And if you’re in a regional location, you may also be aware that you have a bushfire risk to manage for your property.   So, let me introduce Matthew Willis. Matt is a Bushfire Consultant and Principal at Bushfire Planning Services.   Bushfire Planning Services is an established and professional consultancy firm specialising in Bushfire Risk Assessments and compliance issues, mainly within NSW.  With over 15 years’ experience in the bushfire mitigation and compliance industry and with thousands of successfully approved projects, Bushfire Planning Services is one of the most experienced companies in the industry today.   They have extensive knowledge of the finer points of the NSW requirements for building in bushfire prone areas, types of products available for construction and the requirements of the Australian Standard for building in bushfire prone areas.   Matt personally has extensive knowledge of construction methods and materials gained through 10 years of prior involvement in the building industry.    And he was a Fire fighter with the New South Wales Fire Brigade (now New South Wales Fire and Rescue) and is also one of the first people in Australia to gain a Post Graduate Degree in Planning for Bushfire Prone Areas.  Matt has also sat on industry committees with the New South Wales Rural Fire Service and has a good working relationship with both the RFS and many local councils.  Over the years Bushfire Planning Services have established good working relationships with the New South Wales Rural Fire Service and local councils alike. This allows them to discuss projects prior to submission, which in turn allows for a smooth passage through the approval process, saving time, money and heartache.  This is a great opportunity for us to understand more about how a Bushfire Consultant can help you and what you may need to be aware of if this is something to consider for your property.  This is about the WHO, the WHAT, the WHEN and the WHY of using a Bushfire Consultant for your renovation or building project. So, let’s get into the episode.  Our “Get it Right” podcast partner for Season 4 is COLORBOND® steel and their Matt range.  COLORBOND® steel Matt is a great choice for creating a stunning, sophisticated and subtle look for your home. With a beautiful and neutral look, it has an elegance I know you’ll love, and diffuses light for a soft, natural, textured finish.   And not only does COLORBOND® steel Matt look gorgeous … It’s also durable, strong, 100% recyclable, high tech, tested and designed for the Australian climate, a choice for bushfire zones, able to give your home a contemporary and sophisticated feel, AND has 50 years of history behind it as a brand.  Head to www.colorbond.com/undercoverarchitect for more info. FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode is all about Interior Designers, what they do and how they help you.  I know this is an area where homeowners can get confused. I see some homeowners using an Interior Designer to simply choose soft furnishings like cushions and fabrics … through to getting their help for the overall vision for the internal colour and material palettes … extending through to being a partner, working alongside them in their project in the design of interior elements like joinery and fitout of their home … and even through to designing whole extensions and renovations. It’s a wide pool of work isn’t it!  So, Melissa Wittig of Healthy Interiors is joining me in this episode to share her knowledge about how an Interior Designer can help your project, and some key tips to help you along the way.  Now, Melissa is a “health focused” Interior Designer. What does this mean?   Well, Melissa can explain that a little more, but basically, our indoor environments are not always the healthiest places for us to be. Choices we make in materials, soft furnishings, paintwork, and other things we live and work around everyday can impact the air quality and how well we thrive in these spaces.   So Melissa’s work not only focuses on Interior Design, but also in helping homeowners understand how to make choices that create healthy interiors.  Melissa’s work and knowledge has been published in various publications including, Sanctuary and House & Garden Magazines. She is also the author of several award recognised design resources including an App and a book called The Smart Living Handbook, which she co-authored with Danielle King.  In fact, it’s via this book that I found Melissa. I personally was doing some research for Alexx Stuart’s Low Tox Life Community about how to renovate and build in a Low Tox way. I found and bought a copy of Melissa and Danielle’s book, and have had it sitting on my desk since. I use it for the members of my online program Your Reno Roadmap, as some have families with allergies, so choosing carpets or other items for example, that don’t cause problems for them, is a key concern in renovating their homes. If renovating or building in a healthy way is something you’d like to learn more about, the book is a great place to start.  Melissa has over 15 years experience and a culmination of skills and knowledge that assists clients to create beautiful, functional homes with consideration to lasting functionality and property value.  And Melissa is also passionate about helping homeowners and their families discover how to create a beautiful home that is energy efficient and supports good health.  I’m really excited to be sitting down with Melissa.  This is about the WHO, the WHAT, the WHEN and the WHY of using an Interior Designer for your renovation or building project.    Our “Get it Right” podcast partner for Season 4 is COLORBOND® steel and their Matt range.  COLORBOND® steel Matt is a great choice for creating a stunning, sophisticated and subtle look for your home. With a beautiful and neutral look, it has an elegance I know you’ll love, and diffuses light for a soft, natural, textured finish.   And not only does COLORBOND® steel Matt look gorgeous … It’s also durable, strong, 100% recyclable, high tech, tested and designed for the Australian climate, a choice for bushfire zones, able to give your home a contemporary and sophisticated feel, AND has 50 years of history behind it as a brand.   Head to www.colorbond.com/undercoverarchitect for more info. FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we head outside … and into the gardens and exteriors of our homes.  When we’re renovating or building our home, we are often seeking a big improvement in our lifestyle at home. This can mean enlarging our home, or building a bigger one. And generally it means creating fantastic living / kitchen / dining spaces, that then flow to outdoor entertaining areas and functional gardens.   Our connection with nature, with our environment, can make a big difference to how we feel, and how our homes feel. Creating gardens and outdoor areas that are safe, secure and that add lifestyle to our homes, can make a huge difference to our finished project.   BUT … and it’s a big but …   Often they get left off the budget altogether. Or cut off at some point during the project when money gets tight. Or set aside as a DIY job with some Weekend Warrior, Backyard Blitz action planned … that never quite happens like we plan for it.  And yet, they’re such a big part of helping our projects feel finished … and also helping our homes work well. To have that space around your home – be it compact or generous – that is well designed and beautiful to be in, is so significant for our homes and our lifestyles in them.  Homeowners are often surprised at the cost of their landscaping. It can vary based on your site, and the nature of topography, how easy access is for machinery, and what you’re seeking to create in your project.   As you can imagine, it can be fairly labour intensive – especially if your site is hard to get gear into, and work is being done by hand. And dirt has this handy way of expanding in size when you pull it out of the ground, and so moving it around, and getting it off site, can get expensive. Add to that any retaining and services you want to add, plus the style and design of your hardscape or paved areas, and planting … it’s like designing another room to your home. And it’s so worth the effort when you get it right, so it’s great if you can give it attention and budget in your project.  I think too, it’s one of those areas that we think we can all tackle ourselves. But when you see landscaped areas that have had design input from a professional, it can be amazing what a difference it makes to how the garden and outdoor areas function and feel – both in the daytime, and at night.  So, I’m really excited to be sitting down with Luke Jones of LARC Collective.  LARC Collective formed in 2012, when Luke returned from a year-long adventure. Experiencing the extreme landscapes of the Mexican desert, freezing waters of New Jersey and rocky mountains of Canada from the solace of a van - he became acutely aware of space and thus space-saving solutions.   LARC Collective specialise in what they call “unique solution-based design”. This means that they listen carefully to clients' needs to collaboratively create with these objectives in mind.  They work in a range of project types, including commercial, multi-residential and single residential.   Their work has been published in Inside Out magazine, and they have this fantastic collaborative approach to all their work.  Luke is actually based near me, and connecting with him recently is a funny story. See Luke and I actually worked in the same office about 17 years ago. When I worked for Arkhefield in Brisbane, we shared an office with a Landscape Architecture practice that Luke worked with. It was called Stephen Pate Landscape Architects – or SPLAT for short. Arkhefield and SPLAT teams would often all have morning tea together, do Xmas parties together and we also enjoyed working together on certain projects.  I was at a friend’s birthday dinner recently, and was introduced to Luke – who now sports a beard – and he was keen to hear about how my hubby runs our property as Luke has recently bought one of his own in the hinterland.   He looked familiar, but I couldn’t work out why. And then Luke remembered me from Arkhefield before I recognised him through his beard, but had this hilarious experience of thinking “Oh my gosh that’s Luke!” (and pulling from my memory the image of his clean-shaven face!)  Luke himself has over 15 years of experience in various Landscape Architectural practices. He’s worked on a huge range of projects of all scales.   It is with great pleasure that I sit down with Luke to talk about the role of the Landscape Architect, and his tips on how to get the most from working with one, plus answers to some of the key questions you may have about the landscaping component of your project.  This is about the WHO, the WHAT, t

In this episode, we’ll learn all about how a structural engineer will help you in your project, and why you need one.  Josh Neale is a Structural Engineer. He’s also the NSW Office Manager and Structural Project Engineer for Westera Partners.  Westera Partners is a highly respected Australian consulting engineering firm that has been practicing on the Gold Coast since 1981, Brisbane since 1998 and Northern New South Wales since 2009, in both structural engineering and civil engineering.   The company has extensive experience residential housing, higher density projects such as townhouses, and apartment buildings … right through to factories, warehouses, aged care facilities, retail, office buildings and schools.  Westera Partners seek to provide educated and informed feedback to minimise construction costs and reduce construction times. Their service ensures every project is designed or supervised by a senior engineer with over ten years experience. So they are approachable, reliable and experts in their field.  Josh himself has 16 years designing diverse structural engineering projects. His special fields include the design of medium density and complex architectural housings, resort structures, complex and luxury housing, renovations to existing structures and various commercial projects.  Josh has a thorough knowledge of timber framing, steel work, concrete and masonry structures, with a particular interest in sustainable design. He provides consultancy services to architects, builders and developers regarding structural optimisation, cost effective materiel planning and construction techniques. Josh prides himself on presenting his clients with creative and economic solutions while maintaining a high attention to detail.   A structural engineer becomes a key part of your team when renovating or building your home. The structural design of your home – basically how it stays standing, and doesn’t move too much, deflect or fall down over time – is an important part of its longevity. And a big part of your budget can be spent on the structure of your home. So being efficient with it, and it being well integrated with the overall design, is necessary in getting it right.   It’s fantastic to get Josh’s help in explaining more about how structural engineers can work with you, your designer and your builder, to help your project overall.   And he’s also going to help us understand about some of the other information that’s helpful in your structural design.  This is about the WHO, the WHAT, the WHEN and the WHY of using a Structural Engineer for your renovation or building project.    Our “Get it Right” podcast partner for Season 4 is COLORBOND® steel and their Matt range.  COLORBOND® steel Matt is a great choice for creating a stunning, sophisticated and subtle look for your home. With a beautiful and neutral look, it has an elegance I know you’ll love, and diffuses light for a soft, natural, textured finish.   And not only does COLORBOND® steel Matt look gorgeous … It’s also durable, strong, 100% recyclable, high tech, tested and designed for the Australian climate, a choice for bushfire zones, able to give your home a contemporary and sophisticated feel, AND has 50 years of history behind it as a brand.  Head to www.colorbond.com/undercoverarchitect for more info  FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The requirements for working with a Town Planner, when you’ll need one and what you’ll need one for, will vary from state to state, suburb to suburb and house to house. However, there are some key consistencies to know, and ways they can make your journey simpler overall. So listen carefully for tips for your project.  Let me introduce Nuala Dewhurst.  Nuala grew up in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney and after living and working in Sydney and Broome WA, she moved back to the mountains and has raised her 4 kids there.  Nuala decided on a career in town planning after getting sick of the lack of pram ramps she experienced as a young mum in the suburbs. She’s been in the industry now for over 20 years.  With extensive experience in the Blue Mountains, Nuala specialises in character and heritage assessments and preparing Statements of Environmental Effects. These are a required document when you lodge a Development Application in with Councils in NSW, and whilst I’ve seen some homeowners have a crack at writing these reports themselves – or use other consultants, such as their designer, to write them – my recommendation is it’s a job best done by a Town Planner. And Nuala will explain in more detail why.  Nuala has worked for State and local government and has always been passionate about the way our communities work. Her career has included assessing proposals for development and preparing city wide plans. She has worked as a town planner in local government for over 15 years before moving to consultancy planning. So she’s worked both sides of the desk – in assessing applications inside council, and in making applications for her clients’ projects. It’s a great set of skills to have – as someone who’s worked on the inside can often provide great insight into how to get your project approved.   Nuala has now established her own business - Griffin Planning. She and I actually met when a client of mine brought me a preliminary planning report she’d commissioned Nuala to prepare on the block of land she planned to build on. I was so impressed with how comprehensive it was, and how much information it gave me in order to design a home for this block, I connected with Nuala. She was also kind enough to attend my last Sydney Workshop and assist attendees with queries they had around Council approvals and Council rules.  It’s great to sit down with Nuala Dewhurst and talk about the role of the Town Planner. I think you’ll learn a lot, wherever your project is located.   This is about the WHO, the WHAT, the WHEN and the WHY of using a Town Planner for your renovation or building project. Listen to the podcast now.  Our “Get it Right” podcast partner for Season 4 is COLORBOND® steel and their Matt range.  COLORBOND® steel Matt is a great choice for creating a stunning, sophisticated and subtle look for your home. With a beautiful and neutral look, it has an elegance I know you’ll love, and diffuses light for a soft, natural, textured finish.   And not only does COLORBOND® steel Matt look gorgeous … It’s also durable, strong, 100% recyclable, high tech, tested and designed for the Australian climate, a choice for bushfire zones, able to give your home a contemporary and sophisticated feel, AND has 50 years of history behind it as a brand.  Head to www.colorbond.com/undercoverarchitect for more info   FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we’ll be diving into the role of Building Designer. Aaron Wailes is a Brisbane-based licensed Building Designer, with over 15 years industry experience.    Now, Aaron is a friend and colleague I’ve known for many, many years.   Aaron and I first met at Mirvac over a decade ago. When 5 colleagues and I set up our architectural practice, DC8 Studio, Aaron was our first crew member.    And, Aaron and I have continued to partner each other to deliver projects in our respective businesses. In fact, if you’ve checked out the Project Diary on the UA blog, where we’re following the renovation of a Queenslander cottage, you’ll see Aaron was responsible for the documentation and on site management of the project.   Aaron set up AWBD – or Aaron Wailes Building Design in 2009. He and his wife had been living and working overseas in the United Kingdom for some time, and they returned to Brisbane to set up AWBD Design Consultants.  Aaron is incredibly passionate about good design. He’s worked across many different project types, from retirement living, housing developments, apartments and office buildings … both here in Australia, Europe and the Middle East.  One of the things I love about how Aaron works is the way his practical construction knowledge gets brought together with his design skills. When you work with a designer, you want them mentally building whilst they design. So, what I mean by this, is that as they’re drawing lines in a design concept, they’re also thinking about the constructability, the structural design … how all these things come together to meet your brief and your budget. Aaron works in this way with his clients to help deliver them great results.   Aaron is also a gun on Revit, which is a 3D computer documentation tool. So, Aaron will ‘build’ the project inside the computer, before it gets built on site. It’s a great way to uncover and anticipate any issues at the drawing stage – which in turn manages your risk on site during construction. And whenever a designer works with you in 3D, it helps you see the solution before the solution is built, and have that design vision communicated to you.  It’s great to sit down with Aaron to talk about the role of the building designer, and his tips on how to find one, how they’ll help and the way to get the best in working with one.   This is about the WHO, the WHAT, the WHEN and the WHY of using a building designer for your renovation or building project.   Listen to the podcast now.  Our “Get it Right” podcast partner for Season 4 is COLORBOND® steel and their Matt range.  COLORBOND® steel Matt is a great choice for creating a stunning, sophisticated and subtle look for your home. With a beautiful and neutral look, it has an elegance I know you’ll love, and diffuses light for a soft, natural, textured finish.   And not only does COLORBOND® steel Matt look gorgeous … It’s also durable, strong, 100% recyclable, high tech, tested and designed for the Australian climate, a choice for bushfire zones, able to give your home a contemporary and sophisticated feel, AND has 50 years of history behind it as a brand.  Head to www.colorbond.com/undercoverarchitect for more info   FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So we’re in for a treat in this episode. The first interview in Season 04 is with Shaun Lockyer of Shaun Lockyer Architects.   Now, if you’re based in Brisbane and planning your renovation or new home, chances are you’ve already come across Shaun’s work. It’s prolific and award winning and a huge body of new and renovated homes all over Brisbane – and in fact, in other parts of Queensland and Australia … and even overseas!   Shaun Lockyer Architects (or SLa) has a huge following on social media, an enviable list of clients, projects and awards, and a great reputation for beautiful, sustainable and efficient design solutions that add value to the lives of their inhabitants.  Shaun himself has over 20 years of international design experience, including four years as an associate at SAOTA in South Africa, and nine years as Director and Partner at Arkhefield in Brisbane, QLD.   In fact that’s where Shaun and I first met … in 2001, when we started at Arkhefield, 2 weeks apart from each other. Both fairly new to Brisbane, we sat opposite each other and – as Shaun reminded me the last time I saw him - we actually had to be separated at one point because we spoke too much and made too much noise. We’ve been friends since that time.   Personally, I’ve watched with huge admiration and pride, as my friend has built an extraordinary career with such commitment, incredible client service and sheer hard work. In the early days when we were at Arkhefield, he would always talk ad infinitum about his love of designing individual homes: the opportunity to work closely with clients in a trusting relationship, the love of crafting a container for their family lives, and exploring space and volume, light and materials that would surround them each day. He’s always been passionate about residential architecture.   In 2009, he started his own practice, Shaun Lockyer Architects. This practice engages in the design and delivery of bespoke architectural homes for private clients who value a collaborative and transparent design process. Each commission employs a versatility and passion that transcends scale and budget.  The outcomes of all the work at SLa are a reflection of the extraordinary efforts of the team which is comprised of Shaun Lockyer, Jen Negline, Lucy Hyndman, David Gockel, Michael Ford, Ash Hughes, Adam Laming, Kevin Li, Lyle Mitrovich, Katy Roberts, Alex Kean, Ivy Verlaat  They’ve won a mountain of awards … Shaun himself has been recognized for the contribution he’s made to architectural education – and he’s as committed to his role as an industry mentor as he is to being an architect.  It is with great pleasure that I sit down with Shaun to talk about the role of the architect, and his tips on how to get the most from working with one, plus answers to some of the key questions we, as architects, often hear from homeowners about getting us involved.   This is about the WHO, the WHAT, the WHEN and the WHY of using an architect for your renovation or building project. So, let’s get into the episode.  Listen to the podcast now.  Our “Get it Right” podcast partner for Season 4 is COLORBOND® steel and their Matt range.  COLORBOND® steel Matt is a great choice for creating a stunning, sophisticated and subtle look for your home. With a beautiful and neutral look, it has an elegance I know you’ll love, and diffuses light for a soft, natural, textured finish.    And not only does COLORBOND® steel Matt look gorgeous … It’s also durable, strong, 100% recyclable, high tech, tested and designed for the Australian climate, a choice for bushfire zones, able to give your home a contemporary and sophisticated feel, AND has 50 years of history behind it as a brand.  Head to www.colorbond.com/undercoverarchitect for more info   FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are you confused about who you’ll need on your team to renovate or build your home?  Homeowners often tell me they are. They’re not sure who to speak to first, what costs to expect from everyone, how to know if they’re finding the right people, and when to get them on board.  And sometimes they also don’t understand why they’ll need a specific professional.  I’m not talking about tradespeople here. This is about all the various roles and professionals you may have on board up to the point you commence construction. And then some you need to keep on board, and some you don’t – whilst you build your home.  Some professionals are essential. For example you legally require them to get your project finished, or they’re necessary, because they perform a required role as part of you getting your project built or renovated.   And other professionals will be a choice. For example, you might get an architect, a building designer, or a draftsperson to design your home. Or you may choose to design it yourself. Now – of course, that’s not something I recommend – but it is possible!  And it’s important, when setting your budget, that you have an understanding of who you’ll need, why you’ll need them, what they do and will charge for it, and when they need to come on board.  In this episode, I go through a list of professionals you may need for your project – and outline the role that each performs. I also help you with recommendations about where to start, and how to assess their fees.  Listen to the podcast now.  Our “Get it Right” podcast partner for Season 4 is COLORBOND® steel and their Matt range.  COLORBOND® steel Matt is a great choice for creating a stunning, sophisticated and subtle look for your home. With a beautiful and neutral look, it has an elegance I know you’ll love, and diffuses light for a soft, natural, textured finish.   And not only does COLORBOND® steel Matt look gorgeous … It’s also durable, strong, 100% recyclable, high tech, tested and designed for the Australian climate, a choice for bushfire zones, able to give your home a contemporary and sophisticated feel, AND has 50 years of history behind it as a brand.  Head to www.colorbond.com/undercoverarchitect for more info.  FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Season 4 is called “Know Your Team”, and in this season, we’ll be exploring the roles of the various professionals that can help you when you’re designing, building or renovating your home.  Often homeowners tell me that they’re confused about who they need to get on their team and which person or role they hire first. And this is the thing about the construction industry … there are loads of different specialisations and professional roles. To be honest, it can be confusing to know:  who does what  who is necessary and compulsory, vs who you might feel you need help from  who is really going to help you achieve what you want to do  what these different professionals will all cost  where to find them  how to make sure they’re a good fit for you and your needs  when you need to get them on board  and why you need to get them involved in your project  So that’s what Season 4 is all about.   Regardless of where in Australia – or in fact the world – you might be listening to this podcast, there are going to be some amazing tips and information for you in this season. My guests are all incredibly experienced, and have been amazingly generous in providing their expertise and knowledge as we talk about their role in renovations and new builds.  I can’t wait to get this season kicked off. So, join me next time for an overview of the many and varied roles you can have on your project – whether you’re building or renovating your home.  And then from the following episode, we start the interviews. There are 10 episodes where I speak to the 10 key professionals you are most likely to come into contact with, need the help of, or want to consider for your new home or renovation project.  I worked out that, between all my guests, there’s over 160 years of experience in the residential industry of design, building and renovating … so this an extraordinary brains trust I’m tapping into!   I’m really hoping this Season 4 helps you understand more about the various professions that can assist you with bringing your home dreams to life. And their key tips on getting it right in your project.  Listen to the podcast now.  Our “Get it Right” podcast partner for Season 4 is COLORBOND® steel and their Matt range.  COLORBOND® steel Matt is a great choice for creating a stunning, sophisticated and subtle look for your home. With a beautiful and neutral look, it has an elegance I know you’ll love, and diffuses light for a soft, natural, textured finish.   And not only does COLORBOND® steel Matt look gorgeous … It’s also durable, strong, 100% recyclable, high tech, tested and designed for the Australian climate, a choice for bushfire zones, able to give your home a contemporary and sophisticated feel, AND has 50 years of history behind it as a brand.   Head to www.colorbond.com/undercoverarchitect for more info   FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are lots of mistakes that I see homeowners make when it comes to building and renovating their homes. Mistakes that cost them extra time, money and stress along the journey.  Some of the main mistakes – the most stress-inducing mistakes – come from how homeowners manage their communication. So, I’m referring to their communication with their team, with establishing their vision and in managing the elements of the project along the way. I have 3 key mistakes to share with you so you know what to avoid in your renovation or new home. These mistakes relate to how you communicate, and what you might avoid communicating – to the detriment of your project. What are these mistakes? They are: #1: Getting lost in the weeds #2: Giving accusations not feedback #3: Hanging on for too long. Listen to the podcast now for more information on these mistakes, and learn how they can really cause problems on your project. I also share critical ways you can avoid making these mistakes yourself. FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We continue our interlude - examining how to use communication as the powerful tool it can be, to get it right in our renovation or new build. In the last episode, I took you through the first 3 Communication Tools you can use in your project to help it go more smoothly, and achieve success overall. Do you remember what they were? They were: Your team, Your brief, and Your language. In this episode, I’ll take you through 4 more Communication Tools, and explain how to use them effectively as you move towards the building stage, and during construction. These 4 Communication Tools are: Your quotes Your legals Your project management Your result Listen to the podcast now to learn more about these last 4 Communication tools so you can get it right. FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I want to take a moment to deep dive into one key area that can be the cause of loads of challenges in your renovation or new build.  I’m not overstating it, when I tell you that this one thing can be at the heart of most building disputes, errors and costly mistakes. In fact, a lot of serious litigation cases can be credited to this one thing failing or missing.  So what is it? This one crucial tool?  It’s  … COMMUNICATION.  When it’s done well, it helps projects run smoothly, achieve great outcomes and create homes that are a joy to live in.  And when it’s not. Well, it’s how projects unravel, money and time is wasted, loads of stress is caused as well, and the whole experience of renovating or building made awful.  When you build or renovate your home, there are so many moving parts to pull together. Different team members, different ideas, decisions, processes … boxes to tick, rules to satisfy, budgets to meet …  And in the middle of all of that will be you, and anyone else in your family who gets a say, figuring out what you want from your finished home – and how to bring it to life.  That’s the sometimes-hilarious-sometimes-frustrating thing isn’t it? Not only do you have to get it right in communicating your vision to those helping you design and build it. You also have to get on the same page as your partner, or your family members, in actually creating that vision in the first place!  No wonder it can get hairy sometimes.  So, in this episode and the next, I’ll take you through some of the most important elements of communication for your project, and how to use them successfully to get great results, and save yourself headaches along the way.   And then in the third episode of this interlude, I’ll share some of the key mistakes I see people make, so you can avoid those too.   What are the first 3 Communication tools? They are:  Your team  Your brief  Your language  Listen to the podcast now to learn more about these first 3 Communication tools so you can get it right.  FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As you begin to design and plan your new home or renovation, chances are you’ll be:  looking at the spaces you want to create  how you want to wrap them up (their size, shape, etc )  and what you want to put in them (finishes, fixtures, furnishings, etc)  When you start to allocate your budget to these dreamed and imagined spaces, finishes and fixtures, it can be a surprise to see how quickly it gets consumed.   And often, in my experience, the reaction can often be “But where is all the money going?”  There are many things required to create a working, finished new or renovated home, and they can chew up a significant chunk of your budget – and yet be almost invisible in the finished product.   So in this episode, we go through the main areas where money can disappear in any project, so you can manage them in yours. I share the main hazards to be aware of, and how you can protect your budget in each of these areas.   Of course, the ones I’m listing here are not exhaustive – the best way to manage your budget is to manage all of it!    However, I’ve seen these areas regularly surprise homeowners, and end up costing them far more than they intended.   I take you through 4 main areas that can swallow your budget for a seemingly invisible result. I also share key tips to help you protect your budget in these areas – and overall.  Money gobbler 1:Services (especially electrical and plumbing)  Money gobbler 2:Excavation and retaining  Money gobbler 3:Your home’s skeleton (the structure)  Money gobbler 4:Extra living expenses during your project   And one last word on this …   I see some homeowners behave like it’s a foregone conclusion that their project will blow budget and timelines. Renovating and building doesn’t have to be that way.  The renovating and building journey is not a one-step process. It’s a step-by-step journey of discovery and selection. Sometimes you only have 2 options. Sometimes you have 200. Sometimes you may feel like you’re crawling, and at other times it feels like big jumps towards the finish line.  The most straight-forward way to avoid nasty surprises on your reno or new home journey is to start with good information and a reliable team. Then you can also work to make informed choices as you go. Checking and adjusting along the way. What did we say in an earlier episode? ADAPT AND INNOVATE!!  Revisiting your design, your budget and your timeline at each of these stages will help you do this, and make the best choices for you … your budget, your site and your life. That’s the way you create the perfect home for you.   Listen to the podcast now to learn more about these 4 main areas, and how to protect your budget, and manage your risk overall.  This season, Undercover Architect has a podcast partner: Kiiko LED.  Kiiko LED is customisable, DIY, LED strip lighting, that you can order online to your specifications, for your needs and project.   Kiiko LED is founded by Craig Thomas, who I’ve personally had the pleasure of working with for over 12 years now, in my own projects, and in client projects.    And so I’ve been able to organise with Kiiko a fantastic UA Community only offer. If you head to their website at www.kiiko.com.au/undercoverarchitect you’ll be able to access a $25 discount to use on your first order.    Check it out, and start building your Kiiko LED strip lighting now!   FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the things I often see occurs is that homeowners will be so diligent during their early phases of their projects. Total ninjas when juggling competing demands, sorting their priorities, hunting down bargains, making strong decisions so they meet their budget.  And then construction will start.    They’ll head to site and start seeing progress. And then they’ll start changing things. Or they’ll see a material or fixture somewhere, fall in love with it, and have to have it – even though it’s more than what they’d originally budgeted for, or already selected.  This might be because construction feels like the last point at which you can be sure you’ve got it right. Your last opportunity to ensure you’ve made the best choices, because once it’s in, it’s permanent and you’ll be living with it.  And perhaps too, it’s because it can be hard to visualise things when they’re all on paper. You’re looking at lines on a page that represents rooms and spaces and joinery. Often homeowners will walk on site and say “Oh, is THAT what it looks like” like it’s the first time they’ve actually realised.   When you make changes on site: be it because you’ve not understood how something actually was designed … or you see an alternative product or material you would rather use … or you change your mind about anything you’ve previously selected or included in your design … these changes rarely save you money.    More often than not, they cost MORE in time and money.  And it’s in these changes that homeowners can blow their budget. They’re spending a little extra here and there. All those ‘little extras’ add up over time, get a builder’s margin added onto them, and can end up being a big budget blowout.   In this episode, I share the ways you can spend your budget wisely, and stay on track for your project, as well as the tools you can use. I go into detail on these three specific strategies:  Strategy 1: Start how you intend to finish … and finish how you started  Strategy 2: Monitor your progress – in time and money  Strategy 3: Be realistic about your own abilities  Following these strategies will help you to manage the spending of your budget with the same discipline you set it with. And ultimately that will help you stay on track in your renovation or new build, and deliver the finished result without huge financial headaches.   Listen to the podcast now to learn more about these strategies and stay on track with your spending!   Links mentioned in the podcast  Microsoft now has a template you can use to set up your budget in excel  https://www.microsoft.com/australia/madewithoffice/article/how-to-keep-track-of-your-diy-renovation-in-excel.aspx  Pocketbook is one of my favourite apps for streaming your bank account and tracking / categorising transactions  https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/pocketbook-personal-finance-expense-tracker/id653330894?mt=8  Renovation Budget Tracker ($4.50)  https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/renovation-budget-tracker/id381991960?mt=8   AMP Budget Tracker  https://www.tracker.qandamp.com.au/  Tom’s Planner  https://www.tomsplanner.com/  LED Lighting and how to get it right  http://undercoverarchitect.com/what-is-led-lighting/   This season, Undercover Architect has a podcast partner: Kiiko LED.  Kiiko LED is customisable, DIY, LED strip lighting, that you can order online to your specifications, for your needs and project.  Kiiko LED is founded by Craig Thomas, who I’ve personally had the pleasure of working with for over 12 years now, in my own projects, and in client projects.   And so I’ve been able to organise with Kiiko a fantastic UA Community only offer. If you head to their website at www.kiiko.com.au/undercoverarchitect you’ll be able to access a $25 discount to use on your first order.   Check it out, and start building your Kiiko LED strip lighting now!  FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When homeowners find out – often with total shock – that their expectations for their renovation or new home project don’t match the reality of its cost, a readjustment has to occur for them to keep going on their journey.  The challenge is that many homeowners often wait far too long to get to this point of readjustment.   They hop on a train towards their destination (that is, their new or renovated home), without checking that they’re on the right train. It’s only several stops along their trip that they check, and discover they’re on an express train to somewhere they didn’t mean to go.   So, how do you avoid this? How do you avoid the hurt of derailing a train (ie your project) and it ending in disaster?  Simple. Get your expectations meeting reality as early as possible. If you can readjust early, then you can hop on the best train for you.  Part of this is working out the cost of your renovation or new home. Homeowners often feel this is a one-step process, however it’s definitely not.  This is how Amelia recommends you source costing information on your new home or renovation project … and when. And then manage your budget and spending along the way.  There’s several steps, and in this podcast, we move through them one by one …   Step #1: At the very start  Step #2: To help you choose the best design concept to move forward with  Step #3: Before you lodge for your Council Approval (DA, Development Application, Development Approval)  Step #4: Before you get Building Approval   Step #5: Before you sign a contract with a builder  Step #6: During the construction project  Step #7: Before making the final payment  If there’s anything you take away from this season of the podcast, Amelia would love it to be this …  Determining what your project will cost is an incremental process.   You set your budget at the beginning, and you keep testing and adjusting as you go. Providing more information, resolving more detail, and finding out cost estimates along the way.  Amelia has said it before, but it’s literally like moving through a funnel … one that gets narrower as you go … and moves you towards where you want to get to as you sift and filter all the info you need along the way.  Listen to the podcast to learn more about these steps, how to get costing information, and who to talk to.    Links mentioned in the podcast  Definition of Provision Sums and PC Items: http://www.build.com.au/prime-cost-and-provisional-sum-traps  This season, Undercover Architect has a podcast partner: Kiiko LED.  Kiiko LED is customisable, DIY, LED strip lighting, that you can order online to your specifications, for your needs and project.  Kiiko LED is founded by Craig Thomas, who Amelia has personally had the pleasure of working with for over 12 years now, in her own projects, and in client projects.   And so Amelia has been able to organise with Kiiko a fantastic UA Community only offer. If you head to their website at www.kiiko.com.au/undercoverarchitect you’ll be able to access a $25 discount to use on your first order.    Check it out, and start building your Kiiko LED strip lighting now!  FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s a saying that goes something like this …  “A new home or renovation will always cost twice as much, and take twice as long, as you expect it to”  It’s usually given as a warning to those embarking on their project. And often it’s handed out at school gates or BBQs or in the workplace … where well-meaning friends and colleagues who’ve been through a project of their own, share learnings from their own experience.  However, in Amelia's opinion, there’s a big issue with this piece of advice. What she actually finds is this:  Homeowners in fact start their project expecting that it will take half as long, and cost half as much as it actually will.  Amelia dooesn't know how expectations and reality got so far apart. Perhaps it’s a diet of reality TV programs and big shed hardware stores.  So, let’s look at what can happen when you realise your budget is unrealistic, and how to get yourself back on track so you can keep going on your project.   There are four main areas where Amelia see homeowners run into trouble and discover their budgets are unrealistic for what they’re seeking to build or renovate.   These 4 main areas are really categorised by red flags, or warning signs, so Amelia's going to talk about them in that way so you can keep them on your radar for your project.   These 4 main warnings or red flags are:  Looking for magic pills  Not understanding the impact of your decisions (and this extends to those you’re working with not advising you either)  Not listening to warning from your professional team  Not tracking your budget  So, is your budget unrealistic for your project vision? Listen to the podcast now to get help on what to do if it is – and keep you moving forward towards your finished home.   This season, Undercover Architect has a podcast partner: Kiiko LED.  Kiiko LED is customisable, DIY, LED strip lighting, that you can order online to your specifications, for your needs and project.  Kiiko LED is founded by Craig Thomas, who Ameilia personally has had the pleasure of working with for over 12 years now, in her own projects, and in client projects.   And so Amelia has been able to organise with Kiiko a fantastic UA Community only offer. If you head to their website at www.kiiko.com.au/undercoverarchitect you’ll be able to access a $25 discount to use on your first order.   Check it out, and start building your Kiiko LED strip lighting now!  FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you’re first starting out on your project, you’re generally looking for a designer or a builder (or both). And ultimately you’re trying to find someone you can trust, and who is a good fit for your project.  It can be tricky to know how much to say, and whether to admit you don’t know what you’re doing. This episode is all about how to have that first conversation with your potential designer or builder.   Amelia shares what goes wrong when you don’t choose well, and what can go right. And she also gives key tips for how to speak with them when first on the hunt for yours.  Amelia thinks that when you understand what can go wrong, and what it looks like when you get it right, it helps you be more alert and aware in your search for your team at the outset.  When you find the right designer and builder for you, these two professionals can be the ones to facilitate a great outcome for your project, and help you create a home you love to live in.  Finding the right designer for you:  What can go wrong:  Not be able to communicate effectively  You’ll take a long time to reach a design resolution  The designer will overspend your budget and timelines  What happens when you get it right:  Process overall will be simplified  It will also be more efficient  You’ll have more certainty around cost and time   Tips for how to have the first conversation with your potential designer:  Speak about your budget in ranges  Let them know what the budget needs to include  Look to designers with demonstrated experience in projects similar to yours   And finding the right builder for you:   What can go wrong:  You expect your builder to be a designer as well  Communication breakdowns occur  Poor management and quality in your project   What happens when you get it right:  The builder is efficient, polite and organised  Site is a great place to be  Honest and open communication skills  Tips for how to have the first conversation with your potential builder:  Review the language you use  Check previous experience  Check credentials and licenses  When it goes well with your design and builder – and it can – your reno or new home project can be enjoyable. Even when unexpected challenges come up, having the right team around you can make those experiences so much simpler to tackle.   And relying on your team to carry you, support you and share your journey, can help you feel confident that all the effort, time and money will deliver the home – and lifestyle – you’re hoping for.  This season, Undercover Architect has a podcast partner: Kiiko LED.  Kiiko LED is customisable, DIY, LED strip lighting, that you can order online to your specifications, for your needs and project.  Kiiko LED is founded by Craig Thomas, who Amelia has personally had the pleasure of working with for over 12 years now, in her own projects, and in client projects.   And so Amelia has been able to organise with Kiiko a fantastic UA Community only offer. If you head to their website at www.kiiko.com.au/undercoverarchitect you’ll be able to access a $25 discount to use on your first order.   Check it out, and start building your Kiiko LED strip lighting now!  FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amelia wants to take you through some of the early mistakes she sees homeowners make. Ones that can cause budget blowouts down the track – before you’ve even begun your renovation or new build. These are the components that homeowners can overlook completely. And in doing so, they miss the opportunity it gives them to be strategic in their project. And, they potentially set themselves up for extra costs or cancelled projects. Amelia recommends that you wrap your head, and your budget, around these things as early in your project as you can. Because doing it early can impact the choices you make about how you renovate or build your home. And about how you create your home design. So what are these early components that get missed by many? Well, if you’re renovating, it how you deal with what needs to occur to your home as part of its maintenance and upkeep anyway. And if you’re building, it's how you deal with what needs to happen to prepare your land for a new home. In this episode, Amelia explains how to use early information in your renovation project to impact what and how you renovate. And to bring clarity to your overall budget, and strategic thinking to your decisions and choices. And Amelia also explains how to investigate the land you’ll be building on, to see what it can tell you about how to build, what to build and how to save money doing it. Listen to the episode, as Amelia shares what can go wrong, and what you should do instead. This information can help you make those first steps in your project far more confidently. And they can prevent big budget blowouts that derail and kill projects altogether. This season, Undercover Architect has a podcast partner: Kiiko LED. Kiiko LED is customisable, DIY, LED strip lighting, that you can order online to your specifications, for your needs and project. Kiiko LED is founded by Craig Thomas, who Amelia has personally had the pleasure of working with for over 12 years now, in her own projects, and in client projects. And so she's been able to organise with Kiiko a fantastic UA Community only offer. If you head to their website at www.kiiko.com.au/undercoverarchitect you’ll be able to access a $25 discount to use on your first order. Check it out, and start building your Kiiko LED strip lighting now! FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are 5 top money saving ideas Amelia hears homeowners use to explain how they’ll save big money in their reno or new build. In this episode, Amelia share why these can be in fact MYTHS. Huge mistakes that can actually cost you far more in the long run. So what are these money saving ideas? They are … Money Saving Idea #1:“I can get cheap tiles … or paint … or timber … via a friend / family member etc, so I’m going to save loads of money” Money Saving Idea #2:“My friend / family member is a builder / electrician / plumber and will be doing the job for us at cost, or for free”. Money Saving Idea #3:“I’ll save money because I’m going to buy all my fixtures and finishes separate to the builder's contract. I’ll be able to find bargains, and avoid the builder’s margin on these items.” Money Saving Idea #4:“I’m going to project manage my renovation or new build.” Money Saving Idea #5:“I’m going to do my project as an Owner-Builder.” For each of these 5 Money Saving Ideas, Amelia shares what can and does go terribly wrong. She also shares her main tips for each one, to help you avoid the pitfalls. And, she also shares with you what one big key is to saving money on your project. If you’ve been thinking of any of these 5 Money Saving Ideas as the reason you’ll save money on your renovation or new home … or it being the reason you can actually afford your project, then listen to this episode now. Learn why these 5 Money Saving Ideas can actually be myths and cost you far more in time, money and stress. This season, Undercover Architect has a podcast partner: Kiiko LED. Kiiko LED is customisable, DIY, LED strip lighting, that you can order online to your specifications, for your needs and project. Kiiko LED is founded by Craig Thomas, who Amelia has personally had the pleasure of working with for over 12 years now, in her own projects, and in client projects. And so Amelia has been able to organise with Kiiko a fantastic UA Community only offer. If you head to their website at www.kiiko.com.au/undercoverarchitect you’ll be able to access a $25 discount to use on your first order. Check it out, and start building your Kiiko LED strip lighting now! FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Often when you’re starting to think about your project, and trying to determine the budget you need to set aside for it, you don’t to have to many public conversations about it. This is for a few reasons. One might be that you just feel clueless. You don’t know who to start speaking to, or the questions to ask. And in feeling like that, you may be worried that you’ll look foolish. Say something you’re not supposed to, or give professionals and builders information that gives away too much. It may be too that you don’t want to give too much away too soon. Show your hand and then be at the mercy of trusting everyone to not be taking advantage of you. Amelia knows that one thing that many homeowners she speaks to fear, is all the unknowns. And whenever you’re in that kind of territory, feeling out of your comfort zone, it’s can be a hard place to be. And to admit that you don’t really know what you’re doing whilst you’re there. Amelia would like to say this to you, though, if this is how you are feeling. You aren’t supposed to know what you’re doing – especially if this is the first time you’ve renovated or built your home. However, you’re sitting at home, and you’re thinking this whole renovation and building thing through. You’ve watched The Block, and House Rules, and Fixer Upper. And you’re thinking, I just want to get a handle on budgets, and how much things cost, before I start bothering anyone, or feeling like I’m wasting anyone’s time. So, how can you do it? Let Amelia give you some places to start. FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finding out what your renovation or new home will cost you is not a one-step exercise. In fact, in Amelia's experience, the best results come from approaching this question from various angles.   When you work out what your project will cost you in a more holistic way, using several inputs and types of information, you ultimately come up with a much more reliable answer. And can be more confident your project will stay on budget, PLUS create a great outcome for you as a finished home.  So, what does Amelia mean by this?   Over the course of this season, Amelia will be taking you through various strategies you can use to determine what your renovation or new home will cost. And what to do when it’s looking like it will cost more than you want to spend. What information to trust, and what not to. And how to stay informed and involved throughout. Because staying on top of your budget is one key factor to staying in control of your project overall.    So let’s start at the beginning. Where do you start when determining your budget? What are the first steps you can take when trying to work out what it WILL cost you to renovate or build your home. Or more to the point – what it COULD cost you and what it SHOULD cost you.   Amelia thinks that’s the key … we’re really looking at three costs here when it comes to setting your budget. What it COULD cost you.  What it SHOULD cost you.  And what it WILL cost you.  And each of those three figures might be entirely different from each other, and also impacted by many other factors.   In this episode, Amelia gives you tips to get started on determining each of these ‘costs’. And she also talks about cost vs value, and how you can use it to gain great clarity for your project.  Listen to the episode now, and learn where to start when determining your budget for your renovation or new build. It’s an important first step in any project starting well.   This season, Undercover Architect has a podcast partner: Kiiko LED.  Kiiko LED is customisable, DIY, LED strip lighting, that you can order online to your specifications, for your needs and project.  Kiiko LED is founded by Craig Thomas, who Amelia personally had the pleasure of working with for over 12 years now, in her own projects, and in client projects.   And so Amelia has been able to organise with Kiiko a fantastic UA Community only offer. If you head to their website at www.kiiko.com.au/undercoverarchitect you’ll be able to access a $25 discount to use on your first order.   Check it out, and start building your Kiiko LED strip lighting now!  FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the years Amelia has been working with homeowners, she has often them asked this question …    “What are you most afraid of when renovating or building your home? What makes you most nervous, causes the most stress and brings about that feeling of overwhelm?”   The answer to this gets delivered in different ways. Sometimes with tears, and sometimes with hearty chuckles. Sometimes with quiet whispers like it’s something they don’t want to admit. But it always (and Amelia means ALWAYS) the response is similar.   There are a few main fears, and this one generally jumps out first. This is what you tell Amelia:  You’re nervous about what it will cost you to renovate or build or home  Can you afford to do what you want to do, this dream you have in your head (and heart) about your future home  How can you know you can start and won’t blow your budget along the way, and   How do you avoid being taken advantage of due to your lack of knowledge … being ripped off … being made a fool of … or making expensive mistakes.  These fears are understandable and totally justifiable. For every story of a successful renovation or building project, there’s a disaster story as well. One where homeowners have overspent by huge amounts sometimes. And we’re often talking about sums of money we’re borrowing from the bank, or have spent a long time saving or earning.   And, of course this fear is real because when you stuff it up at this scale, the consequences can be far reaching … financially, mentally, emotionally. It can impact so many areas of your lifestyle and your life – and those that you share it with.  In this podcast episode, Amelia shares the 3 main animal types (!) that homeowners can turn into when navigating this fear during their projects. And what goes wrong when they do.  And, she also asks you to flip your thinking about your project budget … in a way that can fundamentally change the journey, and the outcome you create in your finished home.  Listen to the episode now, and you’ll hear more about what’s coming up in this Season 3 of the “Get it Right” podcast, and how it will help you if you’re building or renovating.  And, for the first time ever, Undercover Architect has a podcast partner: Kiiko LED.  Kiiko LED is customisable, DIY, LED strip lighting, that you can order online to your specifications, for your needs and project.  Perhaps you’ve been looking for that integrated, designed lighting solution, and found it really hard to access as a one-off for your project. It’s expensive to get made to order, or requires your electrician to do a bunch of work on site to make it happen.  Previously this level of customisation and design was only accessible to those in the trade. Kiiko instead brings custom linear LED to you, from their headquarters in Brisbane, Australia.   You can order online via the Kiiko website. So you pick your design, your length, your LED light type. If you need help with designing your LED strip lighting solution, you can always jump on the phone or email to one of their team too.     Kiiko is founded by Craig Thomas, who Amelia personally has had the pleasure of working with for over 12 years now, in her own projects, and in client projects.    And so Amelia has been able to organise with Kiiko a fantastic UA Community only offer. If you head to their website at www.kiiko.com.au/undercoverarchitect you’ll be able to access a $25 discount to use on your first order.    Check it out, and start building your Kiiko LED strip lighting now!  FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our homes’ front entries and front gardens are how our homes present themselves to the world.   This episode brings us to the front of your home – which is usually the most public face of it. It’s actually the side of your home that most people see. It presents your chosen aesthetic, personality or style to the street.   And it’s usually the first thing you see as you drive up each day and think “I’m home!”   Amelia has seen homeowners work very hard to decide how they want this side of their home to look and feel. The style to do it in. Design, materials and colour scheme.   In this episode, she specifically talks about the front entry of your home, and the design of your front garden. And she talks about some big design concepts to help you determine how to create the best front entry design for your place. So it’s a chunky episode, but packed full of lots of useful ideas for your place.   Amelia takes you through the four F’s to help you think about what will work for your new home or renovation. She also shares 3 mistakes to avoid, and 3 key design tips to consider for your project.   The top 3 mistakes Amelia shares are:   Mistake #1: is hiding your front entry from the street  Mistake #2: is not putting ‘eyes’ on the street  Mistake #3: is to ignore your front garden as a valuable outdoor space for your home  There are also lots of design tips. Here are the top 3:  Design tip #1: use different levels to achieve privacy and specialness for your home  Design tip #2: be aware of whether your design works with a front door or not  Design tip #3: separate where people and cars move  And, because this is the last episode of Season 2, Amelia shares some final tips to remember as you design your home.   Listen to the podcast now, and learn how to get it right.   FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode is about your outdoor living spaces … so your alfresco, or deck, or patio, or terrace, or outdoor room. Amelia will also be talking about swimming pools.    In so many parts of the world – and especially here in Australia – we’re blessed with a great climate. This helps us really expand the interior of our homes into the garden around them. So let Amelia share some great tips with you to get it right in planning your outdoor living spaces.  Whether you live in a large home on a big block of land, a compact home on an urban block, or in an apartment, this much is true. Having a great outdoor living space can do wonders for how your home feels.  Adding a deck on, or improving your outdoor area to create a space to live outdoors and entertain, is one of the more common renovations that people do to their home. And getting it right when you’re building new is one of the keys to helping your home flow, and to making the most of your home and your site.  Many places around the world, including Australia, have a great climate where outdoor living is a big part of enjoying our homes. Maximising the use of our outdoor spaces is a great way to expand the experience of your home – to make it feel larger and more spacious – and help you feel better in it.  Research shows that connection with nature is fundamental to our wellbeing too. So it makes sense on lots of levels to create outdoor spaces for your home that are useful, functional and enjoyable to be in.  Amelia takes you through the four F’s to help you think about what will work for your new home or renovation. Amelia also shares 3 mistakes to avoid, and 3 key design tips to consider for your project. And she talks a little about swimming pools to help you if you’re planning one for your place.  The top 3 mistakes Amelia will share are:  Mistake #1: choosing high maintenance materials for your outdoor living spaces  Mistake #2: making the connection to the garden difficult  Mistake #3: thinking that bifold doors are the best way to get a great indoor / outdoor connection  There are also lots of design tips. Here are the top 3:  Design tip #1: provide spaces other than a table to sit at in your outdoor living spaces  Design tip #2: don’t compromise your indoor living spaces to accommodate an outdoor one  Design tip #3: remember to design in privacy   Listen to the podcast now, and learn how to get it right.   FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stairs and garages. Whilst it may seem odd to put these two items together, there’s a few things they have in common.   Firstly of course, they don’t need to go into every home. If you’re renovating or building a single-storey house on perfectly flat land, there’s going to be part of this podcast not relevant to you! And not everyone wants to or needs to build a garage.  Secondly, stairs and garages need to be a certain size to actually work – to even be worthwhile including.   And thirdly, and this is probably the most surprising – how they are designed and where they’re located, can be the starting point for the rest of your home design.  So, in this podcast episode, Amelia tackles stairs and garages separately. As Amelia normally does, she takes you through the four F’s. And she also provides you with some mistakes to avoid and design tips to help you get it right.   Amelia's big mistake to avoid with stairs is this:   Not designing the stairs accurately at concept stage. If you fudge the size and layout of them, it can get you into serious trouble as you resolve your design, and don’t have sufficient room for the stairs.  Amelia's big design tip to get it right with stairs is:  Play with the location and design of the staircase and see what it helps you change overall in your home design.  And Amelia's big mistake to avoid with garages is this:   Don’t size them to be too narrow (this happens a lot in new homes, especially project homes). Amelia's big design tip to get it right with garages is:  Be careful about designing your layout so you’re walking from your garage through pantries and other similar spaces to get into your home.   Listen to the podcast for more tips, and also for great information about your garage space (and there’s a bonus in there for carports too!)  FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to this episode to learn how to get it right in your study nooks, studies and home offices. Our lives are busy. And whilst we do what we can to bring intention and quiet into them where possible, and focus on one thing at a time … sometimes we are juggling. Often we are juggling. And this seems to be most true in how we balance work and family life in our homes. We find the edges can be a little blurred. So that means that we’re bringing work home. Or we’re building businesses from home. And with kids growing through school and university, they’re also studying at home and needing space to do it. As parents, and often working parents, trying to combine all these activities with everyday family life can be challenging. And it can be critical to give everyone the space and quiet to focus on their work when needed, in order for our homes to work well. So creating spaces and rooms where this work can occur in a semi-uninterrupted way, can help with family sanity overall. Amelia knows personally. She's run businesses from her dining table, and it’s not fun for general family life. So if you’re renovating or building, it can be a simple inclusion to provide a space or room for work in your home, and improve your lifestyle overall. Amelia will start with the four F’s and how they relate to study nooks, studies and home offices. The top 3 mistakes Amelia will share are: Mistake #1: poor furniture planning in the studyMistake #2: forgetting storage and space for all the other things that need to go in a home office or studyMistake #3: forgetting a place for a printer There are also lots of design tips. Here are the top 3: Design tip #1: your power points don’t all need to be down at skirting board heightDesign tip #2: provide seating alternatives to your desk chairDesign tip #3: if sound separation is a big issue for you and working from home, consider extra insulation in your home office. FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode is all about secondary bedrooms. “Secondary bedrooms” is the terminology Amelia uses to refer to any bedrooms that aren’t the main bedroom. These can include: Nurseries for infant babies and toddlers Kids’ bedrooms, for kids as they grow into their teenage years and beyond Guest accommodation for friends and relatives that may come to stay Bedrooms for elderly family members who may move in at some point – either temporarily or permanently Bedrooms for any other people you may have live in your home – such as a nanny or au pair Of course, Amelia will be sharing the four F’s and how to use them to get it right in these bedrooms. And, she'll also be identifying key mistakes and big design tips to help you design great bedroom spaces. You’ll probably find too that this podcast episode will pose a lot of questions to you. When it comes to family homes, some choices are really personal, and about how you need to live in your home. These choices will be about who lives in your home now, and who might be living in your home in the future. So, Amelia will be taking you through the various things to consider when determining how to include these bedrooms in your home. And she’ll share mistakes to avoid and key design tips for all types of secondary bedrooms. Listen to the podcast now, and learn how to get it right. It’s a chunky episode so Amelia hopes you find it super useful! FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Amelia will be talking about wardrobes, linens, laundries and mudrooms.   She'll also cover walk-in robes and other storage. These spaces can be important to get right for a home to work well, so let’s learn more.   In this episode, Amelia talks about the four Fs upfront and gets through them quite quickly.   Then, she tackles each of these spaces individually, and shares some key mistakes and design tips for each. And in each she talks about where to locate it in your home, and how to connect it to other spaces and rooms so it works as conveniently as possible.  Because convenience is what these spaces are ALL about. When you get it right in these rooms and spaces … when you nail how they work functionally … then it not only assists you in your home. It makes life simpler for everyone, and is a serious sanity saver in family homes.   This is the list of rooms and spaces Amelia talks about in this episode.  Firstly, wardrobes. So these are built-in robes that are a fixed object in a room – and usually a bedroom.    Then there's walk-in robes. These are little (or big) rooms for storing clothing. They’ll sometimes be more like a dressing room, with an ottoman or something similar in the middle.   Next, there's linen cupboards. So these are for storing sheets, towels, blankets, and other types of items required for our beds and our homes. They can also be general storage for other things.  There’s also broom cupboards. These are generally similar to linen cupboards, with less shelving in them, so you can have space for vertical items such as brooms and mops.   Then, Amelia talks about two rooms … mud rooms and laundries. These rooms can be two separate ones in different parts of your home from each other. They can also be right next door to each other, or combined into the same space. Another name for a mudroom is a boot room.   Listen to the podcast now, and learn how to get it right in your wardrobes, linen, laundry and mudroom.  FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode is about the wet areas in our home, namely bathrooms, ensuites and powder rooms.   These are cost-intensive areas in our home. They, as well as our kitchens, will have the highest cost rate in $ / m2 compared with the rest of the home (when looking at your project overall). This is of course because of the electrical, the plumbing, the finishes, and the fixtures in these rooms, all crammed into quite a small area.   These rooms also need to function. In some pretty core and fundamental ways! When these areas aren't arranged well, when elements in them aren't sized appropriately, and when these rooms sit in difficult positions within our homes, they can seriously impact the convenience of daily routines.   In this episode, Amelia gets clear on the terminology used for these rooms, and what generally goes in each of them.    Then, of course, we'll explore the four F's and how they relate to your bathroom, ensuite and powder room.  And Amelia will share 3 mistakes and 3 design tips.   There are some general pieces of advice that apply whether we're considering the bathroom, ensuite or powder room. And then there's info that is specific to particular rooms. So whilst this episode relates to all 3 of these rooms, Amelia will identify some things to know with each room, individually.  The top 3 mistakes she'll share are:   Mistake #1: the toilet is visible with the door open (and is the first thing you see)  Mistake #2: locating your powder room so it’s directly accessed off your main hallway  Mistake #3: not planning the location of the towel rail during design  There are also lots of design tips. Here are the top 3:  Design tip #1: locate your vanity so it's the first thing you see  Design tip #2: ensure you give the bath enough room ... (whether it's free standing or built in)  Design tip #3: choose your tile extents and types early, as it impacts your budget  It may feel like there’s a lot to think of, but next time you’re sitting in your bathroom, look around and make a list of all the things that are permanently fixed in there. There is a lot packed into a relatively small area.   It all needs to function well, be durable and easy to clean and maintain, in order for your wet areas to not cause you issues. So of course, planning these things early will make your process simpler overall.   Listen to the podcast now, and learn how to get it right in your bathroom, ensuite and powder room.   FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The main bedroom of the house … Bedroom Number 1. This can be simply a bedroom, or it can be arranged in combination with extra or attached spaces such as a walk-in-robe, ensuite and even a parents’ retreat. Other names for it are the master bedroom, or master suite.   Ensuites and walk-in robes will come in Episode 6 and Episode 7, so Amelia can give you more detail about them separately.  Something to know first about this episode ...  A lot of what Amelia will be sharing is options that are available to you. She'll actually be asking a lot of questions. You can then ask these of yourself, or discuss with your partner, to work out the best design choices for you.  Unlike some other parts of the home, the way a master bedroom is designed isn't too prescriptive in order for it to work. There are of course some fundamental things that work and don't, and she'll be taking you through those.   However, so much of the design aspect of the main bedroom involves super personal choice. And, as with your whole home, Amelia wants you do design it with intention. Actually think about how you’ll use it, and design it to suit you.   Amelia will be sharing the four F's and how to use them to get it right in your main bedroom. And, as always, she'll be identifying 3 key mistakes and 3 big design tips to help you design a beautiful master bedroom for your home. But actually – there’s a lot of mistakes and design tips in this one, so listen out!   The top 3 mistakes Amelia shares are:   Mistake #1: forgetting the circulation space required in this bedroom  Mistake #2: arriving into the master on the side or head of the bed  Mistake #3: not privatising the view into the room from within and outside the home  There are also lots of design tips. Here are the top 3:  Design tip #1: position the door into the room so you can see across the foot of the bed as you walk in  Design tip #2: choose and design your lighting for flexibility of use, and so you can turn off the last one from bed  Design tip #3: consider whether locating your master bedroom close to your kids’ bedrooms is the right choice  The main bedroom can often be the only space in our family homes that feels like ‘our own’. It’s a grown up space that gives us an opportunity to escape from busy, crazy family life. And gives us the chance to be secluded, and get some relaxation space of our own.   Listen to the podcast now. Amelia hopes you find it helpful in getting it right in your master bedroom or master suite.   FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s a huge amount to consider when it comes to designing your kitchen. And it, more than any other area of your home, you can feel a lot of pressure that you’ll stuff it up.  This episode is about kitchens … all thing kitchens, which means Amelia will also talk about butler’s pantries, walk-in pantries and appliance cupboards.   Your renovation or new build can the opportunity you’ve been waiting for to finally get a kitchen that works. One with decent bench space, great storage, and a layout that enables you to enjoy being in it, using it, and getting the most from it.  So, in this episode, Amelia will cover the 4 “F’s” and how they relate to your kitchen. She’ll also share 3 mistakes to avoid, and 3 design tips to aim for so you nail this space in your home.   When a kitchen works, it ends up being amazing for improving your time and life in your home overall.   The thing is, for most homeowners she works with have families. And when you have kids, the way you usually entertain is at home. It’s hard, and expensive, to take a tribe of children out somewhere. And even when you do, you never get to actually speak to your friends, because you're too busy watching the kids!  So getting together with your friends and family usually involves being at someone’s home. And having a lovely open plan kitchen / living / dining area, that then flows to outside, is such a winner with easy family living and entertaining. Sounds good hey?  So what are these mistakes? She mentions a lot in this podcast episode, and here are her top 3:  Mistake #1: not planning out the storage you need  Mistake #2: island bench is too stumpy in proportion  Mistake #3: using a corner pantry  There are also lots of design tips. Here are the top 3:   Design tip #1: keep all services out of the island bench (including your sink)  Design tip #2: remember that your fridge is deeper than your kitchen joinery  Design tip #3: consider whether you need an island bench at all  Kitchens are a big deal in our homes. They're the source of a lot of angst when they don't work well, and so can be pretty stressful to get right. And, they also chew up a lot of our budget.   Listen to the podcast now. Amelia hopes you find it helpful in getting it right in your kitchen design.   FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode is about the second living space in our homes. It goes by lots of different names, but most homeowners planning a renovation or new home want to create one. So, let’s learn more about how to get it right.  This episode may also be a little controversial, as Amelia challenges you to consider whether you really need a second living space in your home. As you stretch your budget and your space to accommodate all the dreams you have for your new or renovated home, you may end up compromising everything.  She's not here to crush your dream. If you want a second living room, can afford one and want to know how to create one that works, then this episode is for you. There are also some suggestions for alternatives if you’ve been weighing up whether you can create this space in your home.   Australian homes are among the biggest in the world.   And, in Amelia's experience with renovating and building, there’s a great mismatch between homeowner expectations and actual costs and timeframes. They say it always costs twice as much to renovate and build, and takes twice as long. Instead, Amelia suggest's that homeowners begin their project thinking it will take half as long, and cost half as much, as it actually will. And the readjustment as they find this out can be super challenging on their journey.  So, how to do you get this second living room working in your home? We dive into the four “F’s” to understand how they apply to this space.   Amelia also shares 3 key mistakes she sees many homeowners make when designing their second living room. She’ll go through these in detail so you can avoid them in your design. What are they? Here’s a summary:  Mistake #1: not being strategic about where you locate this room in your floor plan  Mistake #2: creating a design that is too fixed in how the room needs to be used  Mistake #3: closing the room up too much  She also provides 3 design tips to help you get it right in your second living room. Here’s those 3 tips briefly:   Design tip #1: using it to zone the home, and improve the functionality overall by creating seasonal spaces with how its oriented and what it's connected to  Design tip #2: designing for flexibility in how you fit out the room so it serves lots of different functions  Design tip #3: use the room to provide breathing space to open the home up where needed - for spaciousness and light  This room is usually created to provide separation and choice in a home. But what other functions does yours need to perform? And how can you create it so it suits your family now, and always?  Listen to the podcast now. You’ll be on the way to getting it right in your design for your second living room.  FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The question we’re asking today is: How do we make our living and dining rooms, great spaces in our new or renovated home? We spend a huge amount of our time in our homes in our main living and dining rooms. In fact, these spaces, along with our kitchen, get prime use in our homes. So, getting it right in these rooms can and will have a significant impact on how our home feels and functions overall. In this episode, Amelia shares some amazing research that will help you understand where to place the lion’s share of your effort, energy and budget in your renovation or new home. It’s a game-changer. She also shares detail about how to achieve the four “F’s” in your main living and dining space. She'll uncover how to tailor this learning to your own design, so you can create a great living and dining space in your home. There’s 3 key mistakes Amelia sees many homeowners make when creating their living and dining rooms. She’ll go through these in detail so you can avoid them in your design. What are they? You’ll need to listen (!) … but avoiding these mistakes will help you … Mistake #1 Avoiding this will help you enhance the relaxation of your living space Mistake #2 Knowing this one will mean you don’t create a modern problem in how you use this room Mistake #3 Not doing this is a sure-fire way to build in flexibility and comfort into your main living room Amelia will also provide 3 design tips to help you get it right in these spaces. She goes through them in detail, how to execute them, and give you some action steps. Design tip #1 Tells you where to locate your living space in your home Design tip #2 Gives you tips about what you should be doing early on in the design process Design tip #3 Outlines how to arrange the room so you see certain elements first (There’s also key tips about your dining room – and how to avoid a big mistake many homeowners make in where they position it in their reno or new home design). Listen to the podcast now. You’ll be on the way to getting it right in your design for your main living and dining spaces. FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Let’s get down to the fundamentals. This episode introduces the "four F"s Amelia likes to consider when designing any room in your home. And in designing your home overall.  What are these four Fs? They are:   Functionality  Flexibility  Furnishability  Flow  (There’s a secret fifth F too!)  Amelia will share with you what each of these mean, and how to use them to create a home design that suits you now, and always.   She'll also outline what ‘design’ actually means. This isn’t an elite, unrealistic or unachievable design. This is the design that makes your everyday life in your home better, simpler, more convenient and more fun. Sometimes the measure of it is that it’s so good, you don’t even notice it.   This episode sets the stage with the core info you need to know before we dive into the rest of the season. As we move forward to discuss each room or space individually, you’ll have a framework to help you get it right.  This episode also begins to answer one of the most common questions Amelia receives: "How do I create a design that works? Especially when I plan on being in this home for 10 to 15 years? How do I predict what my family will need in the years to come, as well as be great for us now?" Listen to the podcast now. You’ll be on the way to getting it right in your design for your home.   FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"What makes you think you're qualified to design your own home?!"  Many of Amelia's industry colleagues will think this when a homeowner designs their own home.   Amelia can understand why homeowners do this, though. It’s your home. Your budget. Your needs. Your family. Your site. Your life. Your future. Your dreams.   Because there's so much at stake, you want to control the outcome as much as possible. At least ensure you'll get it right, and achieve the home you dream of.  At Undercover Architect, Amelia will always recommend you work with a designer to create your home design. Even though it’s not legally required in Australia, Amelia thinks when you find the right designer for you, it helps your home reach the best possible outcome.  However, if you want to design your home, or at least get a head start on it, how can you know you’re getting it right?  That’s what Season 02 of the “Get it Right” podcast is all about … to help you do just this.   Listen to the podcast now. Amelia will introduce you to this season, outline what we’ll be covering, and who should be listening to it.  FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is Episode 11 of Season 1.    In this last episode of Season 1, Amelia uncovers the 4th tool we have available to create spaciousness in our homes: Indoor / Outdoor Connections.  This first season of the “Get it Right” podcast has been taking you through what matters most.   These are the first and most fundamental choices and information you need to get it right in your new home or renovation. When you put these decisions first, then it simplifies the rest of the journey. It also helps you create a home that will feel great – and that you’ll feel great in.   As a client of Amelia’s once said “The wall costs the same, whether you put it in the right place, or the wrong place!” The same can be said for design generally. Great design isn’t any more expensive. It’s about having the knowledge to make the right choices, and making those choices first so you get to a great home at the end of your journey.  So how do you use indoor / outdoor connections to create spaciousness?  Many homeowners want to open up their home to bring the outside in. There’s the practical need to connect to their gardens, supervise their kids whilst they play, and make the most of our great climate here in Australia.   There’s also the desire to make our home feel larger, more light-filled and calm as well.  However, you don’t need a big block to make great indoor / outdoor connections. And cutting lots of holes in the walls of your home isn’t always the best approach either (that’s actually a sure-fire way to cause lots of additional costs in engineering and structure!)   There are 4 key ways to think about indoor / outdoor connections. When you approach your home design with these in mind, you can make sure you get results that work.  Head to the podcast to learn what these 4 ways are >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/indoor-outdoor  Amelia will take you through them, and help you understand how to create spaciousness, whilst maintaining security and privacy in your homes as well. She'll also share some images of projects – they may give you some ideas for your place that you hadn't thought of!  Listen to the podcast now.  FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is Episode 10 of Season 1.    In this episode, Amelia shares how great storage creates spaciousness. This is the third tool we have in our toolkit to create spaciousness in our homes.  Storage can be fundamental in creating a physical sense of spaciousness. However, it is also key in creating mental spaciousness. That sense of calm that comes from feeling organised because there’s a place for everything, and everything is in its place.  The aim is to design our homes to support us, and our lifestyles, all the time. Especially at those hectic moments of the day that test the calm in any family home.   Did you know, many homeowners move house due to a lack of storage in their homes?   This isn’t only about decluttering. This is about creating storage solutions that improve the management of your everyday life. It’s the streamlining of our daily routines to make life more convenient, and our homes more relaxing. How you design your home can make this happen.  Amelia will share 3 specific design inclusions to consider in your new home or renovation. She’ll also highlight 5 tips to consider when sizing and designing storage for your home.   Head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/spaciousness-storage for some fantastic projects which illustrate how to get this right in your new home or renovation. There’s also other useful links for your project there.  And look forward to dramatically transforming how calm and peaceful your home (and you) will feel – regardless of how big it is. This is how to make your home your sanctuary.   Listen to the podcast now.  FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is Episode 9 of Season 1.   In this episode, Amelia shares how light to can create spaciousness. Light is the second tool we have in our toolkit to create spaciousness in our homes.  Amelia will take you through both natural and electric night. After all, you want your home to feel spacious during the day, and after dark, don't you!  Many homeowners, when describing how they want their homes to be, use the words 'airy' and 'light' or 'light-filled'.    And we know intuitively that filling our spaces with light will make them feel great. And we also know that natural light does wonders for our moods and sense of comfort in our home.   We can create a feeling of relaxation that we can tap into almost the moment we walk into our homes. That helps us create that emotional connection with our homes, that make us feel 'at home'.    There are specific ways you can use light to create spaciousness, both during the day, and at night.   Amelia will identify the main mistakes homeowners make when using light in their homes, and the spaciousness and comfort killers they can be.  She’ll also outline 3 design strategies you can use to create spaciousness in your home, using both natural and electrical light.  Head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/spaciousness-light for some fantastic projects which illustrate how to get this right in your new home or renovation.   Amelia also shares some free resources you can use to get help with your electrical lighting design and layout. Yep, free resources!  Listen to the podcast now.   FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is Episode 8 of Season 1.   This season has been all about what matters most in designing your new home or renovation.  Many homeowners dream of a home that feels spacious. And they fall into the trap of believing that this means their home has to be bigger.   And it's understandable. Especially when we're renovating or building family homes. Often the need to renovate or build will be brought about because we feel we need more space. This might be because of the addition of new family members. Or it will be because our existing family members are growing and becoming more active.  So 'spaciousness' becomes about creating 'more space' or 'extra space'. Bigger rooms, and extra rooms.  There are a few ways to achieve spaciousness. Even in the most compact of homes. And not all of them are about 'more space' or 'extra space'. In fact, it’s worth knowing that 'more space' won't necessarily bring a feeling of spaciousness to your home.  Amelia believes that when our homes are designed well, they make our lives better. Simpler, more convenient, more beautiful, more fun. They work so well, and enable us to seamlessly integrate them into our everyday live. In short, our homes get out of our way. They support us being the best version of ourselves.   It may be hard to imagine this is possible if you're living in a home that is a daily inconvenience. Where your home is another hurdle you have to overcome each day to go about your life of juggling family, friends, work and other commitments.    It is possible though. It's actually the aim.    Listen to the podcast to learn how to use volume in your home to create spaciousness. Amelia will outline 3 mistakes homeowners make that are volume killers, and 4 fantastic design tips to get it right in your home.  FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is Episode 7 of Season 1.   In this episode, Amelia shares some of the other assets you have available that can add great value to your home. At no cost to you. It's simply about knowing what they are, and choosing them first in your design.  So much of designing for new homes or renovation is about unlocking what is possible. About understanding the potential for your home and land, and enhancing it. About realising the potential of the natural assets and enhancing what's already freely available. Bringing these natural assets to the fore so they can make your home and your land really enjoyable. Which in turn, enhances the quality of your everyday life.  So what are these natural assets for your home and land? And how can you maximise them as an asset, or minimise them if they're a drawback?  These natural assets exist in all locations … from the most rural to the most urban. And they can be optimised to enhance the quality of your home. They are:  Sunlight  Shade  Breezes  Landscape  Views  Privacy  These are all things that can and do exist naturally in a home and site. And not all designs make the most of them or do them well.   Amelia will take you through these one by one, and show you how to get it right for your home.   Listen to the podcast now to learn how to get this right and add value to your design for free. Unlock the potential of what is already available to you, your site and your home.  FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is Episode 6 of Season 1.   This episode will give you some free and low cost online resources to help with designing your home for your climate, and the movement of the sun. As well as some others to get you started on your project.  Only a couple of these resources are Australia only, and most can be used globally.   These online resources and apps will help with:  Understanding more about your local climate and how to design for it  Getting specific information about the movement of the sun over your home or site  Using the 4 special days each year to provide information to make your home better  Creating floor plans of your existing home  Designing new floor plans and experimenting with your project  Seeking inspiration and ideas for your renovation or new home  Keeping track of all your ideas and information in a digital filing system  Also managing your budget and expenses for your project – even on the go  Keeping track of all of your online communication and tasks for your project   Head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/episode6-resources for more information, as well as all the links and info about the recommended resources and apps Amelia mentions.  Listen to the podcast now for some seriously helpful tools, apps and online resources to make your home great, and help with those important decisions as you design your renovation or new home.   FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is Episode 5 of Season 1.   This episode is the last of our four orientations. Over the last 3 episodes, we've talked about north, east, and south sunlight and orientations.   In this episode, we’ll talk about all things WEST.  This will help you get it right if you’re seeking ways to make your home feel great, and also if you have you have a west-facing home.  So what do you need to be aware of with western sunlight?   This can be the most challenging orientation to deal with. West is the direction our sun sets in, and even in the cooler months, it can still be a harsh quality of light. Yet, there are still ways we can create homes to manage it, and respond to it.   Let’s dive deeply into:  What western sunlight is like  What’s not great about western sunlight  How we need to shade and shelter from western sunlight   You’ll understand in detail:  What rooms need to be facing west  What rooms don’t need to be facing west  5 tools you can use to protect your home from western sun  And if you have a west-facing home, you’ll learn:  What your priorities should be if you’re designing a home for a west-facing orientation  What can go wrong in designing for western sunlight  How to use the strategies to add design value for free  What else you need to know about designing for a west-facing home  There’s a lot of great information crammed into this podcast … you may want to take notes! Listen to the podcast now.  FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is Episode 4 of Season 1.   So far this season, we've been exploring the idea of orientation. And the importance of knowing yours when designing, renovating or building your home. We've talked about northern and eastern orientations and sunlight.  In this episode, we’ll talk about all things SOUTH.  This will help you get it right if you’re seeking ways to make your home feel great, and also if you have you have a south-facing home … or a home that faces south-east or south-west.  So what do you need to be aware of with southern sunlight? (And is there such a thing, given that in the southern hemisphere, our sun moves through the north?)   A southern orientation can be challenging to work with if you want to maximise northern sun in your home.  Amelia will outline 5 specific design strategies you can implement in creating your new home or renovation, that will bring northern light into a south-facing home.  Let’s dive deeply into:  What southern light is like  What’s not great about southern light  How we need to shade and shelter from southern light (it’s actually the sunlight on the edges of our southern orientation)  You’ll understand in detail:  What rooms need to be facing south  What rooms don’t need to be facing south  5 key strategies to use in your design  And if you have a south-facing home, you’ll learn:  What your priorities should be if you’re designing a home for a south-facing orientation  What can go wrong in designing for southern sunlight  Some homework for you as you research your project  What else you need to know about designing for a south-facing home  There’s a lot of great information crammed into this podcast … you may want to take notes! Listen to the podcast now.  FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is Episode 3 of Season 1.    In this episode, we continue on our adventure of uncovering what matters most, and what decisions to prioritise when designing your new or renovated home.   In this episode, we’ll talk about all things EAST.   This will help you get it right if you’re seeking ways to make your home feel great, and also if you have you have an east-facing home.  So what do you need to be aware of with eastern sunlight?   And how should you optimise this to make your home feel great?   This podcast will teach you how to understand morning sun at your home, and manage it effectively year-round.  Let’s dive deeply into:  What eastern sunlight is like  What’s not great about eastern light  How we need to shade and shelter from eastern light  Something you may not know about the sunrise everyday  You’ll understand in detail:  What rooms need to be facing east  What rooms don’t need to be facing east  What to do if you have a view but need to shade from morning sun  Specific solutions to help you with shading   And if you have an east-facing home, you’ll learn:  What your priorities should be if you’re designing a home for an east-facing orientation  What can go wrong in designing for eastern sunlight  What happens when we get this right in our homes  What else you need to know about designing for an east-facing home   There’s a lot of great information crammed into this podcast … you may want to take notes! Listen to the podcast now.  FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is Episode 2 of Season 1.   We continue to explore what matters most, and what decisions to prioritise when designing your new or renovated home.    In this episode, we’ll talk about all things NORTH.   This will help you get it right if you’re seeking ways to make your home feel great, and also if you have you have a north-facing home.  So what do you need to be aware of with northern sunlight?   And how should you optimise this to make your home feel great?   Let’s dive deeply into:  What northern sunlight is like  What’s not great about northern light  How we need to shade and shelter from northern light  You’ll understand in detail:  What rooms need to be facing north  What rooms don’t need to be facing north  A trick if you’re trying to stretch your budget and create great living spaces   And if you have a north-facing home, you’ll learn:  What your priorities should be if you’re designing a home for a north-facing orientation  What to do if your home doesn’t face due north (but faces north-east, or north-west, for example)  What can go wrong in designing for northern sunlight  What happens when we get this right in our homes  What else you need to know about designing for a north-facing home   There’s a lot of great information crammed into this podcast … you may want to take notes!  FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is Episode 1 of Season 1. This season Amelia is going to be taking you through what matters most. What are the most essential choices when designing your home? And in this first episode of the season, Amelia is diving into the very first choice - the most important thing to know - to make your home great. Whatever your dreams, your location or your budget. Today's episode is going to bring immediate clarity to you as you design, renovate or build your home. And Amelia means immediate. It's a big promise isn't it? It's not one she makes lightly! This is largely because of this fact: renovating and building aren't one big decision or choice. They're a series of choices made one after the other. At any point, you may have 2 options, or 20 options, or 200 options. This is the thing Amelia hears regularly - the difficulty that homeowners have in knowing what option to choose in these myriad of options. What if, instead, you could know the most important thing to prioritise? The first choice to make in your design that will make every subsequent choice simpler and streamline your design overall? There are lots of reasons why knowing this most important thing will help you in designing your home: You can design a home that suits your specific location and site You can design a home that supports your well-being You can design a home that costs you less in the future You can design a home that gets its Building Approval more simply You can design a home that’s good for the planet You can avoid wasting space that you’re paying for anyway You can simplify your design choices, and make your project easier, and life less stressful FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Amelia will be helping you answer the last question, which is “What do you, and your family, actually need from your home – now and into the future?” This may seem like a repeat of the first step, but stay with us here … Australia has the largest average home size in the world. Yes, that’s right. Bigger than our USA counterparts. And it’s climbed quickly.  In 1984, the average size of an Australian home was 162.2m2. In 2012-2013 ABS figures, this had jumped to 241.1m2. And our families haven’t got any bigger – in actual fact they’ve got much smaller. We all want more. The world of home ownership is littered with images to seduce us into wanting more and more from our homes. It’s also human condition to strive to improve and achieve. And there’s nothing wrong with that. However, when you really determine what you need to create a home that works for you, chances are you’ll find it’s actually pretty simple. And this is what Amelia knows, from the countless homeowners she speaks to and work with, most homeowners want from their home …  Space to be together. Space to be apart. Lots of natural light. Heat and warmth when you need it, and cooling breezes when you need those. Flexibility, functionality and durability. Comfort Somewhere to be proud of, to show all your hard work And a home that supports you living your best life – because it doesn’t tax you, stress you, or get in the way of you being awesome.  This isn’t about having less – it’s about simplifying. Keeping this front and centre as you move along your journey will help you navigate the noise and distractions. It will lead you to the home that is perfect for you.  FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode uncovers question 3: What can your budget afford?  Ugh … money. At some point it was going to get here, wasn’t it?!  Budget is the main thing that concerns homeowners embarking on their project. What will my build or reno cost me? And will it blow out along the way? In the last financial year (2015/2016) Australians spent a record $7.7 billion on home renovations according to the latest ABS figures.  That’s over $150 million a week. The figures for new homes are similar. When most of us tackle a renovation or new build, we have a figure in mind about how much we’d like to spend on our project. So our research and preparation becomes a study in what our money will buy us. How far we can stretch it, and whether it’s enough for the dreams we have for our home. Amelia starts with this advice. Do not ignore your budget. Do not avoid setting one. Doing this work early is one of the most significant things you can do to preserve sanity for your project, and not have it run away from you.  It may sound obvious. However, the countless conversations Amelia has had with homeowners that have got terribly awkward when she's asked “OK, so what is your budget?” shows her the gaping hole in how we plan our projects!! Set a budget early. Of course, it won’t be perfect, or fixed, but don’t let this stop you! Start crunching the numbers and determining rough estimates for your plans. Then you can finesse and firm up as you progress along your journey.  There are many free online calculators you can check out. This is a fave: Home Design Directory And cost guidelines are also useful for new homes: Construction Cost Calculator Flip your thinking … Your budget is actually what is enabling you to undertake this project. Many homeowners see it as a limiter, because it never feels like enough to do all the things they want it to do.  This may sound a little woo woo … but if you see it as a limiter, you’ll be fighting it every step of the way.   Instead, think of it as the tool, the facilitator, of your build or reno. It’s fantastic that you can access these funds to create a home for your family! Don’t be scared to talk about it, and keep tracking it the whole way through. Educate yourself on what things cost, how to stretch your budget, and empower yourself to invest it well.   Amelia is a firm believer that your home can be great, whatever your budget.   How do you get bang for buck? Get professional help Take your time in preparing Be aware of the costs in the things you don’t see Head to the podcast now for more detail on my tips to get bang for buck in your project.  FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.