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 ...

From bold colour palettes to luxe fixtures and fittings and smarter technology, bathrooms are becoming a reflection of our lifestyles and personalities. As we move into 2023, the trend is no different; we're seeing more innovative technologies, and eco-friendly materials that can help you turn your bathroom into a personal sanctuary. Let's take a look at what some of the most popular bathroom trends will be for this coming year and beyond.

Bold colour palettes 

Bold colour palettes are becoming increasingly popular. Not only do they add vibrancy and energy to the space, they also help create a more inviting atmosphere. When incorporating bold colours into your design, it’s important to create a cohesive palette that will tie the entire space together.

DESIGN TIP: From concrete coloured basins and baths to the now vast array of finishes in tap ware you need to ensure your bold selections are balanced with your tile and vanity selections. And the bathroom itself should reflect elemen...

Our main focus in our design business is to provide our clients with a professional, creative, high quality design service that takes the stress and overwhelm out of a new build or renovation. How do we do this? By providing fully documented architectural plans, elevations & detailed schedules which enable our clients to bring their new home dreams to life.

We have a true passion for what we do and a wealth of knowledge and design experience that goes with it. Our project success stories come down to our preparation, meticulous planning and documenting every little detail from the very inception of each project. It's the work we put into what we call the 'pre-planning stage' that ultimately sets the project up for success.

Over the years we've had quite a few clients who are already well into their project, sent our way. They've  either been encouraged to give us a call by Builders that we've worked with in the past, or referred onto us by past clients or friends. To be honest mid-pr...

When a client engages our design services for their new build or renovation, the excitement for the impending project has them instantly focusing on what the finished project will look like. We fully appreciate and understand our clients excitement, after all that's what it's all about right, the look?!

Most clients are keen to discuss within the first few meetings what the finishes are going to be. They ask questions such as... Are we going to have a tiled or metal roof?... What are the windows going to look like?... What type of taps are we using in the bathrooms?...What does the kitchen bench top look like, what colour are we going to paint the walls??  

This is the point where we as the Designers need to reign that initial excitement in and implement the correct game plan to ensure the project is a success. The selection process of the finishes and fittings is certainly the fun and exciting part however there are a few steps in the process that we need to nail before we introdu...

Understanding complex floor plans comes easy once you break it down into its basic components.

Reading plans may come naturally to some, but for others who don’t have a sense of space or can’t visualise a plan in 3D, it can be a little overwhelming – there is a lot to take in. To move forward with your Designer or Architect’s preliminary plans, you need to have a firm understanding of what you’re looking at. Otherwise, you may end up with a renovation that looks nothing like you had imagined.

Let’s look at a floor plan and its elements in detail.

M + L Design 

What is a floor plan?

By definition, a floor plan is a drawing to scale, showing a view from above of the relationships between rooms, spaces and other physical features at one level of a structure. It is a two- dimensional drawing that shows spaces with labels so we know what their function is.

What is typically shown on a floor plan?
The plan is essentially the most detailed and important drawing to understand. A floor pl...

A renovating television series can give you the inspiration to take on your own renovations; you’ve watched the couples demolish, design and construct and you're thinking...if they can do it, so can I !!

So you clear your diary and plan on knocking over a complete bathroom renovation in just under a week, because that’s all it takes, 6-7 days according to the show, right?

Wrong…there is nothing quite like a reality check when it comes to real home renovations. Reality renovating television shows are one of the key factors in the surge in DIY home renovating over the past few decades and like many TV shows, the story line is somewhat fictional. The reality is that it takes weeks, if not months (depending on the size of the renovation) and the use of experienced tradespeople to complete a renovation successfully, particularly as large renovations have to meet building code standards and to also stand the test of time.

In TV land a lot of cash is thrown around to complete a renovati...