EPISODE 24 - Road trip with M & L
Fri, Apr 05, 2024 7:29AM • 16:05
SUMMARY KEYWORDS
renovation, building, architect, thinking, project, budget, home renovation, design, lifestyle, designer, interior designer, talking, plan, clarity, helen, tips, floor, heading, road trip, podcasting
00:05
Welcome to Tea jeans in a designer's perspective,
00:08
We're your hosts Karyn and Helen both qualified and experienced building and interior designers
00:14
So grab your favorite drink as we sit chat and dive into the world of Interior Design and Construction sharing expert insights, trends, creativity and inspiration cheers to insightful perspectives with a few laughs along the way.
00:33
Welcome to our latest podcast episode, where we're hitting the road on our way to Mudgee, New South Wales. The car is packed with samples in anticipation for our Mood boarding Masterclass that we'll be presenting to a group of eager individuals all set to embark on their renovation journeys. From flooring to tiles, fabrics to laminate and paint colors to textures, we’ve got it all covered.
As we journey to this beautiful regional town today, we'd like you to buckle up and join us in the car as we delve into the essential topic of home renovations and where to start, from gaining clarity with your projects to knowing your budget limitations, understanding where it can potentially blow out and how your involvement can have a substantial impact on the successful outcome of your project.
As Karyn and I pass the time in conversation, let’s embark with us together on the road to creating your dream valuable tips and advice to help you kickstart your innovation journey off on the right foot.
01:32
Well, Helen, I always say well, well Hello. Where are we today and this is a very different location for us to be recording a podcast isn't it
01:41
is it is Friday afternoon. So we're sticking to that however, we are on a road trip at the moment. So we're recording in a car which of all cars the recording is probably not the best because it is a bit of a noisy car. It's big four-wheel drive, we've got the car packed to the hilt.
01:59
We've [got] samples, finishes, carpets,
02:04
the whole thing that you need for your renovation. We've also got gift bag an overnight bag because we
02:09
well that was downsized because of all the other stuff
02:12
bare minimum. So what we're doing is we're heading into Mudgee yes for the weekend to present one of our mood boarding masterclasses. And we're doing it with the lovely Ali's Bronowski
02:27
feather in Majeed. That's right into her property at muddy. Yeah,
02:32
we can't wait to see. Amazing and she's very kindly hosting one of our master classes, which we are really looking forward to as
02:40
well. And we were thinking because we've been incredibly busy lately, which is great that we would catch up on podcasting, recording, because it's a four-hour drive for us there and back, we can certainly talk. So let's make the most of the talking time and share some knowledge.
02:58
And I’m going to apologize in advance just in case I need to express a little bit of road rage. We're on the highway at the moment. But who knows people do crazy things.
03:09
There's no kangaroos,
03:10
or I shouldn't be jumping
03:12
forward. Right? We'll be all right. It shouldn't be this time. All right. So let's kick it off. Okay, so talking about home renovations and where to start? I we both think that when you start a renovation, you really need to gain clarity and think about the why. Why are you doing it and get really specific on the why?
03:34
Well, most people when they get into renovation carrying like they've thought about it, obviously, thought about it, because it is a lot of money. It's a big commitment. And they need to make sure that they've got the time and the funds to do so. However, what we have found is a lot of people generalize with what they actually want for the renovations. So for example, you know, there might be upsizing or the house might be a little bit tired and needs refreshing. And while they're doing that they may, you know, think about adding another room or changing the layout a little bit, but they haven't really gotten into the nitty gritty of what it is they want. Well, they kind of have know what they want. But they're not really understanding or not understanding. But in delving into specifics of the specifics of it, and why they're doing what they're doing, and noting it down and listing the things that they want. That's a good thing that they need. Always say like, and another exercise that we get people to do is to be mindful of how they function and operate in their existing space and their existing home. Because you're in a routine. And sometimes you think that's the best way. Well, it probably is for the space that you're in, but maybe not for them. Maybe not for the newspapers because you're actually improving it. And quite often
04:51
when you're a little bit vague on the brief, you're not aware that one part of the house so it's just an average renovation, it might be a kitchen bar Through the laundry, the overflow of that into the other spaces can be overlooked. So if you're not specific and getting to the detail of what that renovation impacts that can be overlooked in terms of the project size, the project budget, the kitchen may be sitting on a floor that you feel it's isolated, but it's not actually isolated, it leads into the living room, for example, and so then the whole floor has to be replaced, or there's extra dollars. So if you're not specific about what you're renovating, you can overlook and under estimate your budget, but you think, Oh, for
05:35
sure, absolutely. And with your budget to, obviously, you have some idea of what you can afford to spend or what you would like to spend, you need to also be mindful that the cost of building as we all know, today is a lot more expensive than what it was pre COVID. And you might be out of touch with what things are going to cost. So you might have the preconceived idea of your budget. But then when it comes to designing, if you haven't really thought about it, and thought about how far you want to go with that budget, you get halfway through the design or at the end of the design, and then discover that you were nowhere near the budget that you had thought it was going to be and you end up the whole project just doesn't help the cause. And so it's
06:16
never actually
06:19
happened. So what we often get people to do is to think about the budget that they can afford comfortably and how far they're prepared to stretch that budget. If things come up on the added expenses, or things come up that perhaps they weren't thinking about doing at the time, but while they into it have come up and or actually, you know, this would really work well for me, but I need an extra dollars. Yeah, that's we have to consider a contingency. Yeah. And then contingency as well, for those unforeseen
06:51
and renovation things that often happens. They may be old wiring, you may be upgrading appliances, they may be an induction cooktop and your power source doesn't take that. So there's all those little bits and pieces that add to the budget, you might be ripping up a floor and then you discover the barriers and the joists that need replacing, there might be termite damage, there's a hole. Exactly, there's a whole lot of aggravation and might not be secure enough or strong enough or you need to reconsider though. So you definitely need to allow for that. So before moving on to the next step. Let's just recap a little bit. So you need clarity need to be specific, you need to think about the
07:33
why and write it down like it actually should write it down. Right. So the brief pretty much even ICFO bullet points and kind of stick to it as well try not to change your mind. That's why you need to think it through really carefully before you even start thinking about gauging an architect or building designer to help you with your plan. Really think about it, discuss it, mull over it, think about options, think about everything. So that when it comes to the next stage is when you're going to engage an architect or building designer that you're very clear and firm on what it is you want. Because you need to impart that knowledge sorry, that information to your architect or building designer exact so they can then interpret what it is that you're trying to achieve, and and create key change.
08:26
Manual driving here.
08:27
I know you do very well, I know we're struggling
08:32
to get a manual car as we get where are we now heading into the Blue Mountains. Okay, so you just summarize that point. So the next step in the way to start is having clarity before you approach the architect and the only designer, interior designer and your builder. So the architect is most likely for major renovations. And that usually involves counsel. So variations on types and sizes of projects, you may not need an architect, if you do be highly documented, as Helen said, have clarity before you approach the architect, you may want to use a building designer. There's a lot of rules around building designers now. Changing lanes. The
09:13
car speeding up beside me, okay, well
09:15
don't pull out. While we're podcasting, that would be interesting. The next person you may engage as an interior designer like ourselves, and you may just be doing kitchens bathrooms. Well, we cover both building design and interior design. And then there's the builder. So as Helen said, documented or down, be clear on where you're heading and before you approach the professionals is the best way to start your project out there. Now the next point is to be heavily involved. As you said before, don't just leave it to them. Don't give away as much of your headspace your lifestyle what you're thinking delve into the family dynamics, How many children do you have? Do you have children? Do you not have children? Do you have pets? Are you planning how long do you have do are you in entertainer you're not an entertainer. Do you like outdoors indoors? It's your lifestyle. All of that needs to be imparted noted down and handed over to what a professional you engage to Yeah, you need to be highly involved, don't you?
10:13
Oh, absolutely. You basically the architect or building designer is designing for you and your space, your lifestyle, your needs and wants. They're not designing for them. They're not designed for them. That's right. It's not about them trying to create some amazing looking building, which Kay is great, and it's commendable, and they're using their creativity. But the fact of the matter is, doesn't matter how amazing the building looks. If it's not functional for you, and your lifestyle practical, it's not really worth the know, the time and the effort to do so. Yes. Time and money. Yes. So definitely really know what it is that you want from your architect in your building designer and give them that information. As silly as you might think some pieces of information are don't think that way. Because every statement
11:03
is silly. What is exactly. And I think another point is you're going to give away all that information, which is really, really relevant and relates back to your lifestyle, but only relevant really, really relevant. Yes, the imparting of your lifestyle, sharing that information. Another point that we always say is just take your time, don't rush the process, plan well in advance, be organized. Don't think that everything's going to happen overnight. It doesn't there's there's a process and there's this step by step process to follow when doing a renovation, a lot of clients would like everything finished in a heartbeat. But we all I would say, well, it doesn't happen that way. Yeah, it's a long process. So plan prepare well for it. And that's the way to be successful. Don't
11:50
put yourself under unnecessary stress.
11:54
It's a stressful situation, when it happened.
11:57
Underway it is and so many people add to that stress by giving themselves an unrealistic deadline. And if you're not sure how long the process is going to take, or what kind of potential issues would come up, have a chat to an architect, have a chat to a builder that's in the area that's reputable. And just say, hey, look, we're thinking about doing this in a few years time or a year's time or whatever. How long do you think this process is likely to happen? How much time should we allow? And of course, they're not going to be able to give you a set answer to that. Because really, how long is a piece of street? Yeah, that's right. But they will be a give her done many projects an idea, they'll have an idea as to how long how much, then you can plan a bit. I'll give you the time to prepare properly, and not be rushed. Because the last thing you want to do is an account you don't want to be rushed and make a decision and click Give me those essential for our that'll do because you don't have time to think it through. So one entrepreneur yourself a massive favor.
13:03
Wasn't that an ad when we were kids? Probably. Okay, so in summary, on this road trip, home renovation, where to start is clarity. Think about the why be specific. And when you have that clarity, then approach your architecture building designer in part as much information about your lifestyle, your family, your wants, and your needs, get really specific, write it down, document it exactly. And then enjoy the ride as we are this afternoon on the way. So that's our tips for home renovations, where to start where to begin? From our perspective, if you've got any question and thinking about doing yourself, feel free to reach out send us a DM and we've got a checklist on where to start and building so we'll put that in the show notes. And here's cheers to Friday thing that we didn't hang on chain another tip because
13:54
we are heading off to Mudgee to do a mood boarding masterclass is we're kind of really more I guess, talking about the planning and the layout and the functional side of things. We also you also really need to have some idea of the kind of style that you're after what you like and what you don't like and narrow that down as well. In that planning stage. Think about that. Because that can affect the design of a building. Consider the area that you're living in, consider the style of house if it's a renovation, and then also you need to make selections of materials and fittings and what am
14:31
I talking about then the next one, because the next one on the road trip to my G I think the next topic is Council processes with renovations and buildings. So I think we should dive into that. I am because we had planned this and it was used the bullet points for the next. So
14:50
my excuse is you're driving I'm driving training and you're getting carried away because that's what I do. Well all right. Well, let's wrap it up. Next time I will talk to you next time. Have a great weekend. And thanks for joining us. Yeah. Thanks, guys.
15:08
Thanks for joining us on the Two Gins In design podcast. We hope you've enjoyed today's episode and insights on the world of design and construction. We look forward to our next episode with more design inspiration, tips from the experts, and a behind the scenes look at our latest projects. If you want more design information, or simply want to check out our portfolio of projects, visit our website at https://www.mcraeandlynch.com.au/ and our Instagram @mccraeandlynch and feel free to reach out to us on our social media channels if you have any comments, questions, or even topics you'd like us to discuss, and please don't forget to leave us a rating and review.
15:47
Thanks again for listening. And if you've enjoyed this episode, we'd love you to share it with your friends and family. We look forward to catching up with you on our next episode. Have a great weekend. Cheers
