A well-designed kitchen isn’t just about looks—it’s about how it works for you.

In our latest episode of our podcast 'Two Gins In, A Designer’s Perspective', we unpacked the essentials of kitchen design, from selecting the perfect materials to maximizing storage and avoiding common mistakes.

 Whether you're planning a renovation or just dreaming of your perfect space, here’s a deep dive into the key elements of a well-thought-out kitchen.

1.  Understand Your Kitchen Needs

 Every household is different, and your kitchen should reflect your lifestyle. Do you love entertaining? What type of cooking do you mainly do? Need extra storage for bulk groceries? Identifying your needs helps lay the foundation for a practical, functional space.

📝 Pro tip: Map out your daily kitchen routine before finalizing the layout.

2.  Layout & Workflow: The Golden Triangle

The classic work triangle—connecting the sink, stove, and fridge—is a timeless rule for optimising movement. However, modern ...

Design Trends for 2025: A Sneak Peek

Welcome to the future of interior design!

In Episode 37 of our podcast Two Gins In - A Designer’s Perspective, we explored the hottest trends shaping interiors in 2025. From colour palettes to vintage decor, the episode is packed with inspiration for anyone looking to refresh their space or start a new project. If you’re a fan of design, this blog post is your gateway to what’s trending — and why you should make it your own.

What’s Trending in 2025?

1. Mocha Mousse: The Colour of the Year

Pantone’s 2025 Colour of the Year, Mocha Mousse, is an earthy, grounding tone perfect for creating warmth and depth in any room. We spoke in the pod about its versatility, particularly when paired with trending shades like:

• Red: Back in various bold and muted tones.

• Pale Blue: Perfect for a serene, calming effect.

• Yellow: Adds a pop of cheer and brightness. 

2. Vintage Decor: Storytelling Through Design

Vintage pieces are more than ju...

Characterised by a light and airy ambiance, this design aesthetic celebrates the beauty of natural materials and a soothing neutral colour palette. In this blog post, we will delve into the essence of Hamptons style, exploring its signature features, colour palette, materials, and the tranquil atmosphere it creates. 

1. A Serene Colour Palette: Hamptons style embraces a serene colour palette that evokes the tranquility of the beach and the timeless elegance of coastal living. Whites, creams, beiges, and soft blues, greens, and greys take centre stage, creating a harmonious and calming atmosphere. These colours reflect the natural elements of sand, sea, and sky, infusing your space with a sense of serenity and relaxation.

2. Embracing Natural Materials: To capture the essence of coastal living, Hamptons style interiors embrace natural materials that exude warmth and character. Natural fibres like linen and cotton dominate upholstery and drapery, lending a soft and inviting texture t

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Palm Springs style—a design aesthetic that emerged in the mid-20th century in the sun-drenched oasis of Palm Springs, California. Renowned for its minimalism, simplicity, functionality, and captivating use of bold colours, this style pays homage to the stunning desert landscape that surrounds it. In this blog post, we'll dive deep into the vibrant and colourful world of Palm Springs design, exploring its key elements, signature colours, and iconic materials. We can vouch for the stunning desert landscapes and those colours as we were fortunate to visit PS in March 2020, we took an architectural homes tour and fell in love with the style and the place...we can't wait to visit again!

A VIBRANT AND COLOURFUL AESTHETIC

At the heart of Palm Springs style lies a vibrant and vivacious colour palette that echoes the hues of the desert and the boundless skies. Bright blues reminiscent of crystal-clear pools, sunny yellows that mirror the endless sunshine, and warm oranges that reflect the des...

Coastal Contemporary design is a captivating fusion of natural elements and a palette that effortlessly embodies the Australian lifestyle. In this blog post, we'll delve into the design principles that define this style and provide valuable tips on how to incorporate its essence into your interiors. 

HARMONISING NATURAL ELEMENTS

Coastal Contemporary style revolves around creating a seamless connection to nature. To achieve this, it is essential to incorporate natural materials such as wood, rattan, stone, and clay. These elements infuse your space with warmth, texture, and a sense of organic beauty. Consider incorporating a statement wooden coffee table or a stunning stone accent wall to anchor the room. Rattan furniture pieces can add a touch of coastal sophistication, while clay pottery or vases bring earthy charm to the space.

A SOOTHING PALETTE

The colour palette plays a crucial role in Coastal Contemporary design. Opt for breezy and light tones like whites, creams, and soft ...

The construction industry is an ever-evolving industry that requires a comprehensive understanding of the entire building process to ensure a project's success.

The pre-construction phase is a crucial component of any residential building project, and it is during this phase that the foundation of the entire project is established. In our podcast series, we will be interviewing guest experts in the construction industry to provide our listeners with valuable insights, knowledge, and expert advice.

Our first guest expert, Aaron Tass, the owner and director of Tass Constructions, emphasised the importance of the pre-construction phase in any building project. During the interview, Aaron highlighted the essential elements of the pre-construction phase, including design, planning, and budgeting. He explained that it is during this phase that the vision for the project is established, and all parties involved must work collaboratively to ensure that the project is completed on time, withi...

Welcome to McRae + Lynch Designs! 

If you've ever wondered what a day in the life of a building and interior designer looks like, you're in the right place. We're Karyn and Helen, the owners of McRae + Lynch Designs, we take our craft seriously but most importantly not ourselves and we're excited to share with you what our day-to-day work looks like.

First off, it's important to understand that no two days are the same for us. Our work is constantly changing and evolving as we work on different projects and collaborate with various clients and trades, However, there are certain aspects of our work that are consistent.

Our day usually starts with a cup of coffee for Helen and I Chai for me and a quick review of our project schedules. We then meet with our admin / client liaison assistant Clare to discuss the priorities for the week in terms of the admin side of the business. To manage the admin we use a project management tool called Monday.com to keep track of our tasks and deadline...

Building or renovating a home can be an exciting and rewarding experience, but it can also be a source of stress and uncertainty. The process of designing, constructing, and finishing a new home or renovating an existing one comes with a number of pain points that can cause anxiety and frustration for you the homeowner. 

From supply chain disruptions and labour shortages to budget constraints, the challenges of home building and renovation post COVID-19 can seem daunting. However, with the right tools, knowledge, and approach, these pain points can be overcome and the process of building or renovating your home can be made smoother and more enjoyable. 

In this blog, we will explore some of the common pain points of building and renovating and offer solutions and tips for overcoming these fears ensuring the success of your project.

The common pain points that we hear from our clients are.

1. Budget constraints
2. Time management 
3. Difficulty in making design decisions
4. Difficulty in ge
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Designing a kitchen can be both an exciting and daunting task. With so many elements to consider, it is important to stay organised throughout the process and ensure that all safety regulations are met. For those designing a Kitchen in Australia, there are some specific standards that should be followed.

 Overview of Australian standards for kitchen design

There are standard dimensions that should be adhered to when designing your new Kitchen, let's start from the floor up.

• Kickboard height - The height ranges between 100 - 200mm. TIP: If you choose to go to 200mm you can make use of the kickboard space for drawers to store trays, shallow baking items etc in. 
• Bench top height - Ideally this sits at 900mm +/- 20mm (35 inches). Some clients, particularly if they are tall, have requested to have their bench height slightly higher at 950mm (37.4 inches). Note: This height is based on the finished floor level. If you choose to go any higher with your bench top and you have a dishwa
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If you're  planning on renovating or building a new home you may be concerned about the increased costs of building materials and labour that we've seen over the past few years, as well as the impact of rising interest rates, so it pays dividends to build the smart way and reduce your costs wherever your can.

Here in Australia the cost of building escalated substantially during COVID. The rise in costs of materials such as steel, timber and labour were due to a number of factors. Timber was in short supply due to not only the renovation boom, but also the devastating bushfires of the previous years. The supply could not keep up with the demand, and at the same time the cost of labour increased in line with the residential construction boom. Trades were in high demand and good trades were booked out months in advance. Like anything that is in high demand, a price increase usually follows. Many industries suffered during COVID. Residential building in Australia has definitely picked up ...