Last week I was asked to quote on interior design work for a couple of projects. And I spotted an issue that often comes up. There is a focus on tile selections, tapware, appliances etc, but the floor plan still needs work.   A lot of new build floor plans tick the buildability and council compliance boxes, but the layout hasn’t been finessed.   Interior designers focus on end users - that’s designer-speak for buyers or clients.  Optimising floor plans matters just as much to

You've been asked for a finishes schedule—or maybe you're the one doing the asking. Either way, you need to understand what goes into this document and why it matters so much to everyone involved in your build or renovation project.

The Mediterranean aesthetic has been trending for the last couple of years in Australia and doesn't look to be losing popularity. It is even said that Mediterranean is the new Hamptons, although I believe the Hamptons look is fairly immune to changing trends!

You’ve been asked for a finishes schedule for your building project. Here is the essential rundown on schedules and a link to get a free schedule. Finishes schedules are one of the key documents an interior designer creates for a project. It's basically a master list of everything going into your project—tiles, paint, appliances, fixtures, hardware. On large complex projects there are often multiple schedules – paint, lighting, hardware, furniture, joinery. However most small

Design details sell property - and right now tapware is one of the loudest signalers of quality and style. The variety of finishes now available is phenomenal. From brushed brass and copper to gunmetal and matte black, to textured metals and even stone inlays, tapware has shifted from purely functional hardware to "jewellery of the home." Minimalism is giving way to warmth and the handmade. These artisanal details signal something deeper: interiors are embracing personalisati

A number of global paint brands have released their 2026 colour predictions, and while specific colour choices vary, the underlying sentiment is consistent: people are seeking calm neutrals and colours that deliver comfort. Warmth dominates. Everything is moving toward warmth - warm neutrals, warm greys and warm timbers. The cooler palette of the 2010s is fading. Interestingly, Dulux's iconic 'Hogs Bristle Quarter' is having a renaissance moment after being sidelined during

Want finishes that still feel right when your project settles? History offers the clues. After years of minimalism, interiors are shifting towards warmth and handmade character. Used selectively—textured finishes, artisanal lighting, or crafted details—this trend adds depth and appeal without sacrificing longevity or market confidence.

The first category of lighting design is general lighting which I talked about in an earlier post.  The second is task lighting.  In...

My hallway - with tulips grown from bulbs, a seashell passed down from a grandparent (probably from PNG or the South Pacific) and an...

It’s certainly a dogs life at the moment, with at least two walks a day and the humans are home ALL the time. The extra walks are giving...

I work from home and have done so for years, unless I'm on a building site.  Usually this looks like working from the sofa, the dining...

General lighting is a well know term that describes the overall lighting in a room.  Its purpose is functional and there are charts that...

In the design of the built environment, lighting is one of the more scientific and seemingly abstract elements, and one of the hardest to...

Italy has been in my thoughts over the last week and I'm hoping for happier times ahead for this beautiful country.  Seeing as my page is...

After Professional photography and staging make a huge difference in a real estate sales campaign. The only new items in this kitchen...

My dream project is an entirely sustainable dwelling or development.  It would feature a thermal mass floor in the living area that faces...

In the real estate game, styling gives a sales campaign an advantage as most people don’t want to have to imagine what a home would look...

It’s certainly a dogs life at the moment, with at least two walks a day and the humans are home ALL the time. The extra walks are giving...