'Get it Right with Undercover Architect' Podcast
Season 11: Interior Design Basics
In this season, we’re diving into Interior Design Basics. Materials, finishes, fixtures, design ideas, how to choose, how to get help and what decisions really matter in the creation of your future home’s interior design.
My co-host for much of this season is Interior Designer and Author, Frances Cosway of White Pebble Interiors, plus other fantastic industry suppliers and professionals also join us.
Get started on designing your future home ... and get it right! Request your free 5 Step E-Guide now.
[#133] Getting it Right in Your Home's Interior Design
Season 11 | Episode 00
How can you get it right in your home’s interior design?
Do you need help with your decisions and selections? And what will really matter in your home long-term?
Hello and welcome to a brand new podcast season! In this episode, I’m going to be giving you an outline of the season to come, plus tell you more about my co-host, and an exciting new online program that’s been created to celebrate this season too.
[#134] Why use an Interior Designer?
Season 11 | Episode 01
Why use an Interior Designer in your project? And when and how should you involve them?
Many homeowners are confused about if they need an Interior Designer, or when to bring one on board.
Frances is an interior designer, principal of White Pebble Interiors, and author of “Your Forever Home”, and she has some great insight to share so you can determine if an Interior Designer would be useful to have on your project, and how and when you can get them involved.
[#135] Top Myths About Interior Designers and Interior Design
Season 11 | Episode 02
Learn about some of the top myths perpetuated about Interior Designers and Interior Design.
These are myths not only talked about by homeowners – they also exist in the design industry as well.
Frances is an interior designer, principal of White Pebble Interiors, and author of “Your Forever Home”.
In this episode, we talk about some assumptions we see homeowners and the design industry make about Interior Designers and Interior Design, that can be problematic in any project.
[#136] The First Interior Decision: Choosing Flooring
Season 11 | Episode 03
What’s the first choice you should make when it comes to your interior design selections? It’s your flooring.
We know, from experience, that many homeowners DON’T start here.
So in this episode, we’ll be introducing you to the topic of flooring, and some key things you need to know and remember for your selections.
Frances is an interior designer, principal of White Pebble Interiors, and author of “Your Forever Home”. In this episode, Frances and I talk about what she believes is the first decision you need to make in your Interior Design selections.
[#137] Timber Flooring for your new home or renovation
Season 11 | Episode 04
Timber flooring can be a great and sustainable choice for your family home.
However, many are making terrible, low-cost choices that will be terrible to live with long-term.
In this episode, we talk about timber flooring: what choices you have available and what you need to know to make a great, durable and sustainable choice for your own home.
[#138] Choosing Tiles for your family home’s floors
Season 11 | Episode 05
Choosing tiles for your family home’s floors can be a fantastic, durable and sustainable choice. There are so many options now, with colours and patterns to suit any home.
Yet, many homeowners are put off by this type of flooring, and choose tiles only for their bathrooms and laundry.
Thinking them too hard, or too cold, I see homeowners avoid them for their main flooring. However, they’re a brilliant and affordable flooring choice when you understand the terminology, know how to choose well, and can make a great selection for your home.
[#139] Concrete and how to get it right as a flooring choice
Season 11 | Episode 06
Considering concrete flooring for your home? Be it polished concrete, burnished concrete or something else, you need to get it right.
Concrete flooring is super durable and long-lasting. So when you don’t get it right, the stuff-ups can mean long-term regrets, headaches and frustration!
Let me introduce my special guest for this podcast episode, Jess Ausburn. Jess is Owner of Diagrind NSW, as well as green cleaning supplies business, OCS Online Cleaning Supplies.
[#140] How to Choose Carpet for your family home
Season 11 | Episode 07
Want to know how to choose carpet for your family home and make the right choice?
There’s lots to know when it comes to carpet. How do you choose from all the different types, and understand all the terminology?
In this episode, I speak with Frances Cosway. Frances is an interior designer, principal of White Pebble Interiors, and author of “Your Forever Home”. We dive into the topic of carpets, and cover a range of industry information that’s critical to making an informed and confident choice for your home.
[#141] The Essentials of Kitchen Interior Design
Season 11 | Episode 08
Want to learn the essentials so you can choose well for your kitchen’s interior design?
Your Kitchen Interior Design can create a kitchen that works, is durable and looks great. But are you ready for ALL the decisions and considerations you need to make?
Kitchens are a big source of cost and angst in a home. They can be the hero of a family home and often the starting point for Interior Design direction for many homeowners.
[#142] Important Details to know for your Kitchen Interior Design
Season 11 | Episode 09
What are the important details you need to know for your kitchen interior design?
There are a lot of choices to make in any kitchen design, and it can be overwhelming for many. Tune in to learn the important details to not overlook.
In the last episode, which was Part 1 of our Kitchens Interior Design conversation, we shared a lot of information about the componentry of the kitchen. The cabinetry or joinery, and what you need to know so you can choose for performance and durability.
[#143] Colour Psychology and using it in your home
Season 11 | Episode 10
How can you use colour psychology to choose colours in your home, and help it (and you) feel great?
When we’re choosing colours for our homes, and especially for our interior design, we rarely think about ‘colour psychology’.
I think the conversation about colour psychology is a big missing piece in how we navigate the interior design of our homes. And more than this: an understanding of colour psychology has such far-reaching benefits for our lives overall.
[#144] Shopping online for tiles with TileCloud
Season 11 | Episode 11
What do you need to know about shopping online for tiles? We talk with Floss Kelly, co-founder, about TileCloud.
If you’re selecting and ordering tiles, there are key things to know so you don’t run into issues on site. Shopping online can be a great alternative.
Florence (or Floss as she first introduced herself to me!) is the Brand Director and Co-Founder of online store TileCloud, and she is one of three faces, of the tile store that Australian’s love.
[#151] Choosing the right colour with Dulux
Season 11 | Episode 12
Is choosing the right colour for your home something you’re enjoying, or overwhelmed by?
Dulux has been helping homeowners do this with their colour forecasting for over 20 years now.
I speak with Andrea Lucena-Orr, Colour and Communications Manager for the Dulux Group, about choosing colour, and their annual Colour Forecasting.
[#152] Interior design for your bathroom
Season 11 | Episode 13
Interior design for your bathroom, ensuite and powder room can involve a LOT of selections.
Many homeowners get overwhelmed or forget all the various items to choose and consider (and get included in their drawings and contract!)
In my experience, bathrooms often follow kitchens as an area where a huge amount of deliberation happens as homeowners work through their interior design selections.
[#153] Learn how to draw plans and 3D models of your home
Season 11 | Episode 14
What if you could test your ideas, and get your design right, before committing to spending all that money on it?
SketchUp is how you can design and walk-through your future home ... all before you make those expensive decisions permanent.
Learn more about SketchUp, and how you can use it to create a virtual version of your future home before you build or renovate. Listen to this interview.
[#154] Choosing your bathroom fixtures with Reece
Season 11 | Episode 15
What do you need to know about choosing your bathroom fixtures? Daniela Santilli, Bathroom Marketing Leader for Reece tells us.
Your bathroom fixtures – the basin, vanity, bath, shower, and toilet – are all very permanent choices in your home’s bathrooms. Getting them right at the beginning is critical to a functioning home.
Daniela Santilli is the Bathroom Marketing Leader for Reece Plumbing, and has been with the business for 11.5 years.
[#155] Moodboards and Ideas: How to create yours with Liz Hayward
Season 11 | Episode 16
How do you create the ideal Interior Design ‘look’ for your family home, and a moodboard to go with it?
Liz Hayward from Hayward & Co gives us tips on moodboards, creating interior palettes, and making confident choices for your interior design.
Putting all the ideas, inspiration, colour and textures together as a holistic vision can feel challenging.
In this episode, I speak with Liz Hayward, Interior Design and Founder of Hayward & Co. Liz has got some great ideas to help you feel more confident about it.
[#156] Successful lighting design for your home’s interiors
Season 11 | Episode 17
If you’re designing your new home or renovation, have you started thinking about the lighting design?
Successful lighting design is an aspect of your interior design that can have a HUGE impact on the feel and function of your home. So, including it in your design process is essential for maximising what’s possible.
In this episode, Frances Cosway of White Pebble Interiors and I discuss lighting, and how to include it in your interior design process.
[#157] The worst Interior Design mistakes many make
Season 11 | Episode 18
What are the worst Interior Design mistakes many make in their homes?
Wouldn’t it be great if you could learn the key mistakes many make in their interior design choices, so you can avoid them in your project?
Well, I’ve got great news, because in this episode, Frances Cosway of White Pebble Interiors and I talk about the many (and worst) mistakes we see homeowners make, and how seriously they can impact your project.
[#158] What to know about interior paint with Josh Plautz, Dulux
Season 11 | Episode 19
Choosing the best interior paint can seem confusing.
Are they really that different? The answer is “YES”, and this episode shares why.
I’ve got Joshua Plautz, who is the Interior Products Technical Manager for the Dulux Group. We’re talking all about the nitty gritty details of interior paint products and what you need to know.
It’s worth understanding though, that not all paints are the same, and specific areas require specific products for long-term performance, durability and ease of maintenance.
[#159] Window furnishings: Get it right with your curtains and blinds
Season 11 | Episode 20
Know what you need to know about curtains and blinds. Getting it right in your window furnishings can create amazing results, when you understand the key tips and design ideas to consider.
This episode is the first of a 2-part interview I have with Evan Montero. He’s the Co-founder and Managing Director of DIY Blinds, and he’s here to share some amazingly helpful info about window furnishings. Specifically, curtains and blinds.
[#160] Plantation Shutters and how to make the most of your window furnishings
Season 11 | Episode 21
Plantation Shutters have become a popular choice for window furnishings.
They can be a big investment, and so getting it right is essential to avoid disappointment and cost blowouts.
This is part 2 of our conversation about window furnishings.
In this second part, Co-Founder of DIY Blinds, Evan Montero, and I are continuing our conversation by talking about plantation shutters. These are a super popular choice and also can be a big investment, so Evan has some great tips to think about.
[#161] Lighting design 101 for your home | Craig Thomas, Caribou
Season 11 | Episode 22
Lighting design can make or break your home’s look, feel and function. Want to learn lighting design 101?
My guest for this episode is Craig Thomas, Managing Director of Caribou. With over 20 years in the industry, he’s got loads of helpful tips to share with you about lighting design.
We’ve talked about lighting before in this season in my conversation with Frances Cosway of White Pebble Interiors. However, this is such a big topic, I knew that you needed more!
[#162] Individual: Inspiration for creating a home that is uniquely your own | Jessica Bellef
Season 11 | Episode 23
This is the first in a 2-part interview with Jessica Bellef. She’s sharing all her amazing insight and tips for creating a home that truly suits and reflects you.
Jessica Bellef is a freelance stylist and writer, who contributes regularly to major interiors publications such as Inside Out and Home Beautiful.
She was Temple & Webster’s founding Head of Styling, which cemented her position as a home styling commentator and gave her insight into how Australian’s make a house a home. Jessica has taught extensively on the topic of creative design.
[#163] Balancing style and function in any home | Jessica Bellef
Season 11 | Episode 24
Is it possible to balance style and function in any home? Jessica Bellef, freelance stylist and author of “Individual” believes so.
This is the second in a 2-part interview with freelance stylist and author, Jessica Bellef.
You’ll continue to hear in this episode how knowledgeable Jess is about ways that you can style your home’s interior to really bring out the best of it, and you.
Through the way you choose the colours, furniture, textures, materials and objects you surround yourself with, you can, as Jess says” create an authentic space in which you can thrive.
[#164] Interior Design Basics: A summary of how to get it right
Season 11 | Episode 25
What does “getting it right” in the Interior Design of your family home mean? This summary will help.
We’ve spent 24 episodes diving into Interior Design Basics for your family home. In this episode, I wrap up the season, and share some extra tips and ideas for you as well.
With over 30 years industry experience, Amelia Lee founded Undercover Architect in 2014 as an award-winning online resource to help and teach you how to get it right when designing, building or renovating your home. You are the key to unlocking what’s possible for your home. Undercover Architect is your secret ally