Perth Design Experts Share Their Top Tips With Spreading Roomers.
Proudly presented by our Experts Directory sponsors
InStyle Ceramics.
When I first set about creating a portfolio of local design talent, it was to ensure that the information I shared with those who followed Spreading Roomers didn’t just start and finish with me.
I had gained considerable ‘inside knowledge’ yes, and to this day I research, research, research; however - the accessible conversation I am able to create is because I am surrounded by so many talented people in the design industry here in Perth, WA.
They lead by example, and they continue to raise the bar in local architecture, building, and interiors luckily for us, and it is all held together by the best Perth trades and suppliers you could have. It’s a real community.
Together with our sponsors InStyle Ceramics, we will continue to share the virtues of that community - from its inside knowledge, on-site walkthroughs, project unpacks, and much more.
InStyle Ceramics has been in the Perth tile industry for almost 30 years. With their managing director Paul Spadaccini a past pro-wall-and-floor tiler, now retail hardware store owner and building industry supplier – this Myaree ceramics tile store also boasts its own trade centre meaning they can meet all of your Perth tiling needs and more!
On the ground from the start to the finish, ‘in the trenches’ so to speak, the team are warm, welcoming and so knowledgeable, their tile range extensive, and you get access to the best education in the business. InStyle really is one the best Perth tile shops around, plus you get good coffee too!
FEATURE EXPERT.
Merge Building is a prominent feature on the Experts Directory.
Having pulled together the ‘mother’ of all building and renovation tips for our downloads she’s also come up complete trumps with a case study aimed at educating anyone who’s wanting to renovate, understand the realistic costs associated with it before they jump in using her Woodlands project as muse.
Understanding how the pricing has changed will really make you realign your needs vs wants, so we’re starting this guide off with a massive bang starting with this impressive Perth builder.
Tip 1 - Don’t eat yellow snow (should I tell Andy he no longer lives in the mother country and ‘snow’ in WA is as likely as Scott Morrison getting re-elected?).
Tip 2 - Expect a professional stonemason to lay quality foundations with full planning and prep work. It’s not ad-hoc or just building a ‘puzzle’.
Tip 3 - It’s rarely a one-day job. We need to come and go a lot so good comms are a must!
Project update - Currently prepping for a cellar with a floor-to-ceiling stone wall including a vaulted (also stone) ceiling.
Install by Perth stonemason Andy Smith using Newport Stone from Eco Outdoor.
The BIG Tip - On every job in this market we are sending to an independent Building Estimator at Concept Stage for a preliminary estimate. Best 1k you can spend.
They are on the pulse, independent of builders going in low to try win work early, and for a bit more you can generally get an excel spreadsheet to update along the way... Brilliant!
Another way to tackle the budget vs scope head-on very early on. Saves time and money later: ) We use Jason at Westcoast Estimating all the time, he's a legend (a bonus free recommendation for you there folks!)
Project update - the ‘gidgy’ house in Gidgegannup is nearly ready. I am road-tripping with Spreading Roomers and Peter Ellery (photographer) to capture this unique home and share the virtues of good design far and wide (along with an obligatory stop at the Gidgy bakery!!).
Design by Perth Architect Keen Architecture of Burt St, East Fremantle. Image by Dion Robeson.
Tip 1 - Shop your home. We always have more than what we think and items in one room, when displayed in another, can take on a new life and inject a space with its personality in a new and vibrant way.
Tip 2 - Plants are Nature's Furniture. If there is a space that needs a little something in the corner or on a shelf, plants bring in form, colour, structure and improve mind and air quality. Plants are a versatile and economical form of decoration and work beautifully into vignettes.
Tip 3 - Never underestimate the power of paint. Paint the walls, that unused piece of furniture or the internal doors the colour of your dreams. Colour is hugely personal so listen to your gut and not the opinions of those who don't live with you, just the ones that do.
Project update - I am currently gathering ideas for an outdoor area for a client in St James.
My client is very artistic and is requiring guidance to create an outdoor space that can house a seating area, dining and space for creating artwork, lighting and of course, plants.
Midcentury modern lounge is this Perth Stylist’s own.
HOT TIP.
When choosing paint have a look in your wardrobe, there'll be clues in there that tell you what colours you are drawn to because you're wearing them 90 percent of the time. It's a good starting point. If you wear a lot of black, paint the living room wall black, it'll hide the tv and add sophistication to your room and everything pops against it! - Collette.
Tip 1 - Pick your team wisely and don’t be afraid to talk to Builders early on in the design process. The right Builder will be an extremely valuable resource to your project.
Tip 2 - When picking an Architect or Designer, make sure you ask questions about what’s included and what’s not included in their design service. Often a lower design fee means more work for you and a much lower quality build and design execution at the end.
Project update - Alterations and additions project in Trigg.
Our Trigg project is a renovation and extension of an original beach house. The family love their home and the relaxed lifestyle that comes with living so close to the beach it therefore wasn’t an option to move. The existing house, with its retro, beach-like charm, has been converted into the kids wing with three bedrooms and a rumpus/ living area that connects to the front garden. The rear extension includes a new grand entrance to the home with an entertainer’s kitchen, dining, and living with direct connection to the north facing backyard, and a private master suite to the second storey with views of the park close by.
Design by Perth Designer Seau Studio with image by Denise Rix Photographer.
BUILDING DOWN SOUTH?
Are you Designing & Building in the southwest (Margaret River, Dunsborough & surrounds) on a rural or rural Residential site?
“Straight up if you are looking for your dream site down south there is a good chance you will have ‘rose-coloured glasses on’, there are many potential traps for the unwary.
Here are just 3 of many critical items to check, which can blow the budget for the unwary.
Things the real estate agent most likely won’t tell you or want to tell you or tragically … not even know” - Marcus.
Image : Dion Robeson
Tip 1 - Check your Power Service. Consult with a local experienced electrical contractor to estimate
• Power run-in costs - Where is the site connection located?How far is it from your proposed building location / building envelope? What is the nature of the soil? (Rock breaking can get expensive).
• Power service - How many amps are currently available? Do you want full reverse cycle A/C? Do you want heated floors? Do you want a spa / hot tub? Do you want to a workshop? Do you want a heated pool? Do you want an Electric Car charging station? Is 3 Phase available?
* The various electrical needs of the items above (and this is not an exhaustive list) can add up beyond the current available service requiring you to apply to Western Power to ‘Increase Residential Supply’ or apply for a ‘Phase Conversion’
Tip 2 - Check potential site works. Consult with the local councils - planning, building and health department. Consult with a local experienced architect / building designer, custom/boutique builder (avoid project builders if you can), earthworks company (especially one who has recently completed earthworks nearby). Get a site classification report done from a local experienced geotechnical engineer.
• Soil classification - Can affect the type of effluent system you will need. Can affect the type of stormwater disposal system you will need. Critical for determining structural engineering requirements. Critical for determining sand pad / foundation requirements.
Tip 3 - Check your BAL rating. The BAL rating can affect where you can locate the building, outbuildings within the building envelope and BAL construction level you need to employ.
Arrange for an initial BAL assessment from a local experience and accredited BAL assessor to advise on potential bushfire regulations and management issues. (You will need to do this again once you have finalised a design for planning approval).
mi shack designed by Perth Architect Marcus Browne image by Dion Robeson.
FEATURE EXPERT.
The incredible Fiona Thompson was beyond generous with her expertise on how to create a beautiful and thoughtful garden design by incorporating edibles.
Post pandemic, our needs have hugely realigned and many of us are looking for build some sustainability into our gardens, to grow, to eat and enjoy and importantly to create a much needed biodiversity that was suffering in the years prior.
If you haven’t downloaded your complimentary copy, you are missing out!
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Principal designer Fiona Thompson carves the way for you to get out of your own way and create ‘not just a garden’
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Tip 1 - Plan ahead. Don’t expect the planning, reviewing, fine-tuning, sourcing, procuring, installing, checking and handover-ing to all happen in a weekend like it does on TV.
Tip 2 - Rather than spending your time obsessing about the look of your "dream" garden, focus how you would like the space to make you feel - your designer will know how to achieve this within your preferred aesthetic. Be generous with your time and honest with your thoughts when preparing the Brief, then trust them with the rest.
Tip 3 - Understand that plants have a ‘fourth dimension’ - time (in addition to height, width & depth). There are gaps in your newly planted garden because space must be left for them to grow to their mature size, and this takes time.
Project upate - Currently I am working on a large rural garden project in SW WA. It’s a completely blank slate - a new residential build on what was once a cow paddock. There’s scope for large productive gardens, a pond and boardwalk, bocce court, extensive native gardens for the birds and generous groves of shady trees. The house has double-height glass to showcase views out over the gardens and the surrounding valley. Designing it is a delicate balancing act between creating an intimate garden on a human scale while still embracing the wider landscape.
Rooftop garden by Fiona Thompson Garden Design with image by Daniel Tackenberg
Tip 1 - Did you know that all my work is dishwasher, microwave, and oven proof? Yep, that's right! You can reheat that tea or coffee in the microwave and get all the garlic off your graters in the dishwasher.
Tip 2 - Also, if anyone is keen to go to a casual wheel class, I'm officially teaching classes through Prickly Pear Studio in Fremantle! They are a lovely little studio, only opened in about March so still the new kid on the block. The classes I'm teaching are on their website with my name on them. They are also on Instagram so easy to find if you haven't already.
Handmade ceramics by mug handle specialist (he, he) Izzette Design.
Tip 1 - Watch out for pinholes on glazed ceramics as they cannot be considered "perfect imperfections”. Especially on tableware, oils and liquids seep through a pinhole and get trapped under the glaze making it unhygienic. You would actually be able to see it like a stain under the glaze.
Tip 2 - The clink test. A porcelain or stoneware crockery that has been fired to the right temperature should make a lovely clinking sound when clunk. If it’s underfired or there’s even a tiny hairline fracture that might not be easily seen will make a dull ‘thunk’ sound. (I will make a reel next week to show exactly what I mean.)
Studio update - I’m currently working on a brand new cup design, a new colour to add to my marbled range as well as trying my hand in a sculptural piece. I’m hoping I’ll be able to show a sneak peak of the new cup and the new colour soon but I’m still waiting for the big mould of sculptural piece to dry so that will take a while.
Tabak leather series by Beste Ogan, with image by Ambient Creative.
FEATURE EXPERT
Kelsie is one of the newest profiles on the directory.
Specialising in Landscape Architecture, it’s the details of the outdoor spaces she has a hand in creating and not just grandeur that make a KDLA-designed garden shine.
Each area within the garden has a purpose, meticulously thought out so that they appear effortlessly available. If you are not familiar with Kelsie yet, consider this your formal introduction; plus, she gave us 4 tips!!
Pool and landscape design : KDLA with landscape construction by JR Landscapes
Tip 1 - The key to good design is getting the layout right above all else. The style, material choice and planting are all icing on the cake but the layout will impact your day-to-day use of the space and how successful and engaging a landscape is.
Tip 2 - Choose plants for what they will look like in 5+ years’ time. I see it all the time people putting in huge birds of paradise and plants that are just not suitable for the location as they want that instant impact without thinking about what this will mean long term. We always design for a long-lasting garden and one that will still look good for years to come.
Tip 3 - Plant Trees and plant them with careful consideration. Plant wide canopy trees in suitable locations for summer shade, use deciduous trees in areas that you still need that low lying winter sun, use trees with noninvasive roots near sewer lines and pools and use natives whenever is appropriate.
Project update - An exciting project we are about to undertake is the construction of our very own humble garden space!!! It kicked off on the 19th September and it will run on Instagram stories so we can show you some before and after’s as it goes.
‘Palm Springs’ Perth Landscape Design - KDLA.
Home design - Mick Rule Design.
Perth landscaper : Spinifex Landscapes.
“Tip 4 - Budget. It's very common for people to have a champagne design brief but only a cask wine budget, and also very common for people to have really thought hard about what they want but have absolutely no idea what they are prepared to spend.
A widely accepted rule for landscapes is approx 10% of your property value but there are sooo many factors that will impact on this. Think about your budget, think about your design wishlist and be prepared to compromise and find alternative solutions if they dont align.” - Kelsie.
Tip 1 - Choose the right team (Builder and Designer/ Architect) and work with them from the start. This is one of, if not the most important decisions you will make. You’ll be working so closely with your builder, designer/architect throughout the process and your experience is largely determined by your relationship with them.
Tip 2 - Communicate everything and don’t assume anything. Mistakes will happen but mistakes can be minimised with good clear communication of what your expectations are. So many avoidable mistakes are made because of assumptions. Explain it, use visuals to clarify it and go over it again. Good communication is key!
Projects/ Services we are working on:
Design & Construct (New Build)
Evolution x Seau Studio - Arney Place, Melville
Project update - Currently working through the Documentation phase of this design and construct project. The house centres around a northern courtyard providing natural light into both the sleeping and living quarters. The orientation of the courtyard allows our clients to enjoy the indoor and outdoor spaces and the number of different views to the garden as they change throughout the day with the sunlight.
Build by Evolution WA
Design by European Concepts & Antonietta Miraudo
Kitchen by Doimo Cucine
Appliances by Winning Appliances & Fisher Paykel & Falmec Australia
BIG Tip - The Early Bird Catches The Worm! My top tip when planning your outdoor living space, is to engage a Designer as early as possible in the process. All too often I will arrive at a newly built home, where the concrete has already been poured, leaving little scope for the creation of a beautiful and functional garden. With a lot of the budget going into the build of your home, it's understandable that planning your external living spaces can end up at the bottom of the to-do list. However, it's worth noting that a well-designed landscape can add up to 30% to your overall property value. So if you are building, or renovating, I would suggest engaging a landscape design professional sooner rather than later and watch your garden grow!
Project update - Parkerville meets Versailles. I'm currently working on my largest residential landscape design yet. My clients are building a solar passive home for their family of five on an idyllic rural block in Parkerville. Design features include a formal tree lined driveway and entry, a generous alfresco and pool area, an intimate seating area surrounding a fire pit, a kid’s play area, large lawned areas bordered by layered plantings and feature trees, an extensive kitchen garden and arbor walkway, a fruit tree orchard, with access to a future granny flat and workshop at the rear of the property. Bush fires are a very real threat on the site, with the required clearance zones, water tanks and fire-retardant plant and tree species carefully selected and placed to mitigate this. The conceptual plans have been presented and now the fun begins with the final drawings!
Garden Design by Naturesque.
Landcaping by Inex Pro Outdoor Living
Pool by Villa Plunge Pools.
Tip 1 - look for ways to embrace imperfections in design as well as the perfectly curated. You need balance.
Because I originate from Italy, I have been brought up with ‘perfect imperfect’ even though to the outsider, Italy presents as one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Remember - by embracing its flaws it appears flawless!
Even now you can buy tiles from InStyle Ceramics made to look like their paint is chipping off. They are beautiful to touch, much like organic stone, and they have a ‘feel to them’ a pulse that gives the space you create the human element it needs.
Tip 2 - Be obsessed with colour. Somewhere, somehow, find a way to keep those little pops visible. Whether it’s through fabric, fruit, or decor, colour isn’t something to be afraid of.
Project update - Currently working on the #thezephyr residence with Aria Home Designs. This image is a glimpse at our selections. You can take a little bit more of a look around here.
Moodboard and interiors Giulia Nozzoli Design for Aria Homes.
FOR BUSINESS OR FINANCIAL STRATEGIES.
The Experts Directory will be expanding in 2023 to include more businesses in the business of helping those who work in good design.
Volta Consulting specialises in finances and has woven strategic planning and sustainable business practices into this special offering.
Tip 1 - Have a clearly defined scope of works for the investment. Be sure to include a clause in the contract that explains what will happen when something is outside the scope of the works – do you need agreement from the client before proceeding, and what is the cost associated? This way, there are no surprises, you are limiting scope creep, and everyone is clear on the parameters of the goods and/or services provided.
Tip 2 - In the words of Dr Jodie York – “every time you open your wallet is an opportunity to vote for the kind of world you want to live in”. Consider where you spend your money and their values – do they resonate? Consider the impact you can have by choosing to support a business. Will your purchase positively impact the community beyond your own use or that of the business?
Project update - I’m currently working on an online guided financial strategy course to suit both the new business owner to seasoned professionals. One of Volta’s aims is to empower women and those who identify as female economically. By providing them with an accessible option to participate in a course that takes them through the stages of personal budgeting, business budgeting, cash flow forecasting and pricing strategies, I’m aiming to provide them with the understanding and confidence to build a sustainable business that meets their goals and drives gender equity forward at the same time.
Now all that’s left to do is for you to share this fabulous guide with others.
By using @spreading_roomers #spreadingroomers (which I check regularly) you can add snippets to your socials to continue the value add.
And the next time you come across anyone considering a new build, renovation, interior styling or garden design you have some inside information of your own to pass along.
Deb x
