The brainchild of interior designer and media personality James Treble, ‘Practical Design’ is a new online course created for those building or renovating a house as well as students of design. “The feedback I’ve often received is how practical my knowledge is, so I thought it was time to share it,” says James who presents the course alongside a team of industry-leading mentors. Created over a period of 18 months, the course features nine modules that contain a wealth of practical knowledge as well as a whopping 1800 inspirational images.
A display home designed by James
The first module covers the basics of design including colour placement and the history of architecture while the second module covers design documentation and planning. There are several other modules too, covering kitchen and pantry design, bathroom/laundry/mudroom design, internal and external selections, space planning, styling and more.
“The course is designed to teach people about how to understand space and materials and is brimming with practical information such as a full explanation of basin and tap styles as well as the differences between tile types, timber flooring and cabinetry profiles,” says James who believes that people need to understand all the pieces in the toolkit before they can appreciate how to apply them in their home.
Interior designer James Treble
“For someone building a new home, this course will give them immense confidence in the process. I work with people who are building with budgets between 775k and two million dollars and to get it wrong is frightening!” says James who explains that the course is designed to take the stress and pressure out of the process.
James believes that interior design students have plenty to learn from the course too given such practical advice often isn’t taught. “Students usually learn the fundamentals and understand the processes but what they miss is knowledge and experience which is where I come in,” says James who sees the course as an adjunct to formal interior design qualifications.
A display home designed by James
The course is presented via a combination of text and video and there are live quarterly workshops also. “They will be live via Zoom, and I’ll be explaining things and dealing with questions. There will be direct access to me.”
Twelve months of access to Practical Design is priced at $972 (or three $325 monthly instalments) and Interiors Addict readers are invited to receive a 20 per cent discount on the fee using the code THEINTERIORSADDICT.
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Read to the end for your chance to win a $997 virtual interior design consultation!
We all want our house to look like the pictures that grace the cover of home magazines but justifying the spend of an interior designer to help us achieve that goal can feel unattainable. Well what if I told you that using an interior designer can save you money? Seems a little odd right given it’s an extra expense that you need to fork out on top of the largest purchase you’ll ever make in your lifetime. But wait, let me explain how in fact we can save you money and time and create a beautiful space for you to enjoy!
Avoid expensive mistakes. Fixing a preventable mistake can end up blowing your budget and it’s an interior designer’s job to recognise these errors before it’s too late. Combining your vision and our know-how is why a designer should be hired as early into a project as possible.
Take advantage of trade discounts. Simply put, we receive special pricing on all items to do with interior design including fixtures, tiles, paint, furniture, appliances and décor. So, all that stunning furniture and décor you have been pining over is now attainable and at a very significant discount from retail pricing. By doing the maths on trade pricing, it can give you a basic idea of how much money can be saved at the very least. It’s as easy and awesome as that.
Time is money. That old saying applies here for a couple of reasons. Whilst it may take you months to figure out which paint, tiles, fixtures and design you want, we already have an excellent working knowledge about all of these options and can get this sorted and confirmed relatively quickly. The project management aspects of a renovation can be equally time consuming and frustrating. It’s our job to take this on for our clients and make sure everything runs smoothly – we liaise with your builders and give them precise, documented instructions so there are no miscommunications and costly mistakes made. We also can help ensure you employ the best trades for the work you require at a reasonable cost, both saving you time and money. A good designer makes the entire process easier and faster so that you can move on with the rest of your life.
Designers don’t follow trends. Designers simply don’t follow trends and replicate magazines that tend to focus on a current trend at any given time. This means you won’t have to re-do the space the minute the trend changes. A great interior designer helps you to identify which purchases matter for the future of your home and can spot quality immediately, helping you to make investments in pieces that will be both timeless and durable. Additionally, a great interior designer should focus on a little-known term called space medicine. This ensures that your space is designed taking into consideration our physical environment and the space we have to work with. Harnessing the power of light, colour, spatial arrangement and of course functionality, is a key. Interior designers save clients the heartache and unnecessary expense of a badly designed space.
Recycle, recycle, recycle. I personally love to upcycle anything I can, and give it a new purpose. And if you don’t have the budget to replace everything or want to save some existing pieces for keepsake reasons, who better than a professional designer to accomplish that for you?
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Maximise the value of your house. We are trained to see the potential in a property and are skilled at maximising that potential to maximise your investment. Having a smart and professionally designed, beautiful space, will only increase the value of your home along with the number of potential buyers. While you may end up paying an interior designer for their services and the cost of materials now, this ends up saving you money along the way and potentially making you a profit when you receive a higher bid on your home. Investing money into your home right now can pay off later.
Naomi Findlay is a renovation and interior design expert, author of the best-selling books Sell Your Property for More Money and The Start Up Guide to Renovating For Wealth, design expert on the TV series Changing Rooms as well as the producer and host of YouTube shows, Renovie and The Reno Show.
She created Design Decisions to allow allow everyone from around the country the access to a professional interior designer offering advice, a moodboard, design schedule with exact details on all items you require, all carried out online, from the comfort of your home, anywhere, anytime. We all deserve an amazing and beautiful space to live and work.
Win a virtual interior design consultation
For your chance to win a virtual interior design consultation with Naomi, worth $997, complete the form below by 11.59pm AEST on Thursday 9 July 2020 and ensure you’re following @naomifindlayofficial on Instagram
The prize includes a one-hour video consultation with Naomi, a moodboard, a physical sample box through the mail where applicable, a design schedule which specifies every last detail and can act as a shopping list for your trades, and more.
Open to Australian residents only.
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Available for the first time, IKEA Australia has launched a new, Virtual Interior Design Service to help Australians create their dream home with an interior designer, without having to leave their sofa. And for a limited time, it’s free!
The service will let customers from anywhere across Australia, connect with the expertise of IKEA interior designers. Customers can book online sessions with a member of the virtual interior design team, who will work with them to design spaces within their home. There are two options available:
Design Advice – This 30-minute session will be free for a limited time and involves an online meeting with an interior designer who will provide advice on various aspects including range, colours, textiles and storage, in addition to tips and tricks or additional services that are available e.g. home delivery or assembly services.
Basic Design Package, $79 – This 60-minute session with an interior designer, involves an online meeting that focusses on developing a personalised, singular solution for a space in the home. In addition to the advice provided in the free session, customers will receive a product collage and materials, a product list and a visual outline of their suggested solution, making it easy to implement straight away.
The service joins the other virtual service offerings from IKEA, including Kitchen and PAX Wardrobe planning where customers are provided professional planning consultation, free of charge.
Christine Gough, Head of Interior Design, IKEA Australia said, “At IKEA, we believe home is the most important place in the world. We understand the essential role it plays, and as leaders in life at home, through sharing our knowledge we want to help as many Australians as possible to live a better everyday life.
“We know that everyone is unique and that is why the members of our Australian, virtual interior design team are here to help our customers figure out what they need, when they need it, and where they need it. Our consultants have extensive knowledge and genuine enthusiasm for home furnishing and design. Each one of them is equipped and excited to help customers bring their dream home to life.”
Within the initial launch phase, the number of sessions available will be limited, with a view to expanding its availability in the future.
Book an appointment or find out more information here.
Launched recently by interior designer Tarmaine Hales, ‘Ask for 30’ lets you ask an interior design question for just $30 a pop! Amazing value, the online concept arose after the designer did some market research before launching her Canberra based business Harlo Design Studio recently.
“Initially it started with me noticing a repeat pattern of friends and family getting in touch to ask me a ‘quick question.’ When I started thinking more seriously about starting up Harlo Design Studio I did a lot of research and asked a lot of questions. I found those that hadn’t engaged an interior designer hadn’t done so primarily for reasons of price and accessibility. Also, many of them felt they didn’t necessarily need a full consultation,” says Tarmaine.
Interior designer Tarmaine Hales
“I felt there was a real gap in the industry to address those people that had done a lot of the ground work themselves, but just needed a little bit of professional help. Also, many people said they didn’t have the time to actually visit a designer,” says Tarmaine.
One of Tarmaine’s nursery projects
A straightforward system, clients simply ask a question online at a time and place that suits them before paying for the service upfront using Paypal. “It’s a very simple process. I ask a couple of questions about the client’s style and budget via an online questionnaire. I also provide visuals and an overview of various styles after which the client has the opportunity to upload their photos and submit their question,” says Tarmaine.
A bedroom designed by Tarmaine
“When I started my business I wanted to make interior design accessible to people and price played a real part in this. The intention with the really reasonable price is to get people thinking about their space and investing in it,” says Tarmaine of the service that has been operating for a couple of weeks now. “In the two weeks that it’s been live, the response has been really positive.”
When it comes to self-expression, interior design has become every bit as important as the outfit you’re wearing right now (hopefully you’re not reading this while wearing an ancient pair of trackie dacks). Like fashion, design trends change with the seasons, but here are 10 movements in interior design that will be making waves for the next 12 months.
1. Two-tone kitchens
Image source: Gisbert Poeppler
Stark and bold, the two-tone kitchen purposely limits colour range to create diversity in other ways, most notably finishes. From afar, the simple palette is deceptive because on closer scrutiny, brave combinations of textures reveal the complexity of the design. Rustic finishes on cabinets may not marry well with marble benches in your imagination, but in reality can work beautifully, creating a dramatic textural statement brought to life by the two-tone approach.
2. Wall tiles outside the kitchen and bathroom
Image source: Bonnie and Neil
Wall tiles are on the move, no longer trapped in their traditional domains. They’re migrating from kitchens and bathrooms to become features in common areas, and the effect is stunning. Now that they’re making their mark as ornamental bling in living areas, the humble tile is now enjoying a rapid evolution as designers compete to think outside the box and produce work that is aesthetically and practically superior. Tile designers are pushing the boundaries of shape, colour and functionality.
3. Mirrors as decor
Image source: The Hoxton
They’ve always been a handy way to trick the eye into believing a room has greater dimensions (or simply to make sure we’re gorgeous), but mirrors are now being used much more creatively. With an increasingly diverse range of shapes and colours, you can throw out your old notions of where a mirror belongs, and start considering them as a feature that will add vibrance to any room. As with the more unorthodox use of tiles, consider using mirrors as decorative elements rather than functional items.
4. Wallpaper becoming more a part of the room
Image source: Clarke & Clarke
Finally shedding the yolk of tradition, wallpaper is making a comeback by becoming a more active element in a room’s styling. Rather than a backdrop, it becomes a partner for furniture by matching wallpaper pattern with fabrics. This brave combination generates a striking effect on the eye that is currently inspiring a wallpaper renaissance.
5. High-gloss cabinetry
Image source: Kate Coughlin Interiors
Always preferred for its durability, high-gloss is now producing startling results in modern designs. Rich and vibrant, high-gloss is a finish that continues to surprise, using its relationship with light and reflections to offer a range of bold and unpredictable effects.
6. Pendant lights
Image source: Edward Linacre
Initially used to produce clean lines and hidden sources of light, pendants have evolved and are refusing to be concealed. With rising popularity, they’re being used more creatively and can now be seen creeping into design plans as decorative elements. No longer limited to select spaces, we’re seeing pendant lights as a general preference, even in powder rooms. With the right planning, it’s easy to use these lights more artistically by creating interesting sequences and patterns.
7. Moody colours
Image source: Debi Treloar
Expect deep and moody colours contrasted with two-tone walls. This is the trend of the year and although it may seem brave, this stark juxtaposition seldom fails when designed well. The same combination can also create a lighter, upbeat atmosphere but there’s no doubt that the use of deeper colours creates a sense of comfort. For added impact within the darker tones, a feature mirror can add spark.
8. Sustainability
Image source: Elle Decoration UK
The customer is always right and more clients are insisting on materials that satisfy their ecological standards. Although designers don’t usually embrace limitations, we certainly welcome sustainability. The preference for organic, recyclable and upcycling materials is now a mainstream trend. Aesthetics and textures are no longer enough. Rather than a hurdle for designers, embracing this trend can lead to the use of materials with greater character.
-Kerena Berry is an interior designer and co-founder ofDesignbx, Australia’s online interior design solution.
