Get It Right With Undercover Architect

This episode is Part 3 of my conversation with David Clarke from Solve My Claim. In it, David will be helping us understand some specific terminology in your insurance policy, and also how to protect yourself when making your claims. If you haven’t listened to Part 1 or Part 2, pause this podcast, and head back do that now. We’ll be here when you get back.  Otherwise, let’s dive into Part 3 now (and check resources for more helpful links and the transcript to this episode). SHOW NOTES: In November, 2008, we went through The Gap storms. A big Silky Oak fell on our roof and cracked it open. Rain poured in through the ceiling and window heads, over furniture and rugs, and through the timber floorboards into the garage below. A few days later, heavy rains came again, and flooded the home. Then ensued a 13 month battle with our insurer debating what was ‘flood damage’, what was ‘water damage’, what was damage made by a ‘storm-created opening’. We finally s

In this episode, we’ll be talking with David Keane, from Solve My Claim. We’re specifically talking about insurance claims, and what might happen if you don’t want to rebuild what you lost, or have only suffered partial damage to your property. If you haven’t listened to Part 1, pause this podcast, and head back do that now. We’ll be here when you get back.  Otherwise, let’s dive into Part 2 now (and check resources for more helpful links and the transcript to this episode). SHOW NOTES: Solve My Claim provides expert support and assistance to anyone struggling with their insurance claims. Their main office is in Alice Springs, and they assist with claims across the whole nation of Australia. Solve My Claim’s director, David Keane, has been involved in the insurance industry (primarily in the area of claims management, loss adjusting and assessing services), for more than 24 years.  Solve My Claim has expertise in property, motor vehicle, business and other c

Hello! In this episode, I’m kicking off a 3-part episode conversation with David Keane from Solve My Claim. Solve my Claim provides expert support and assistance to anyone struggling with their insurance claims. And having gone through this personally, I’m so glad to introduce David Keane to you. If you ever need to purchase insurance for your home, or need to make a claim on your policy, what David will be sharing is essential knowledge so you don’t get caught out.  David is an experienced and wise voice to help you navigate what can seem confusing. And especially during the stressful time of making a claim, this is such helpful guidance. So, let’s dive in (and check resources for more helpful links and the transcript to this episode). SHOW NOTES: David is the Director of Solve My Claim, and he has been involved in the insurance industry for more than 24 years. During this time, he was constantly amazed at how many people came to him with insurance problems, complaints, disputes

Be sure to subscribe to this season, and also head to Undercover Architect’s YouTube Channel for video interviews. All interview transcripts are available at www.undercoverarchitect.com/rebuild Welcome to the first and introductory episode of Season 12, Rebuild + Build Better. This season of the podcast is a range of conversations with some fantastic experts and professionals.  And we’re diving into a range of topics related to rebuilding after bushfires, building or renovating in bushfire-prone areas, and, more generally, designing and building more resilient homes. In this introduction episode, I’m going to introduce the season give you some background information, and  highlight some of the guests we have coming up.  And I’m also going to encourage you to stay tuned, even if you aren’t rebuilding or building in a bushfire prone area, because there will be some incredible gold nuggets of advice and wisdom shared in this season that can really help anyone who is

Hello! This episode is a one-off I’m doing to catch you up on a few things that have been happening behind the scenes at Undercover Architect and to also share news on what’s on the horizon. I’ve got some super helpful info in this episode, so stay tuned. SHOW NOTES: It’s been a very strange time (COVID19, preceded by fires, floods, and where we live, plagues of insects). I hope wherever you are, and whatever has been happening for you, that you’re faring well, and staying safe through all of this. Yet, in the background of all of this, I have been passionate about creating and producing things that can be really helpful for homeowners who are planning to renovate and build, or already in the process of navigating that journey. In this episode, I update you on some fantastic help I’ve been creating over the past couple of months. Firstly, if Kitchen Design is something you need help with, and you’d like to learn the practical formula to designing a stunning kitchen yo

This, believe it or not, is our final episode for what has been an epic season called “Interior Design Basics”. So, stay tuned, as I do a wrap-up for the season, give you some extra tips and ideas for your home’s interiors, and share some other great info with you. SHOW NOTES: As I said upfront, Interior Design Basics has been an epic season … with this episode being Number 25, and it’s been running since October last year. Phwoar hey? So, let’s do a bit of a wrap-up and reminder of the episodes, and I’ll share some extra tips along the way. You can use this as a reminder of episodes you might want to relisten to, or perhaps missed during the season. Throughout this season, I also shared with you information about our online course, Interior Design 101.  It’s an amazing course, which contains the full versions of all of the interviews I conducted throughout this season, plus loads more helpful info.  What’s brilliant is that we’ve broken e

We’re back this week with the gorgeous Jessica Bellef, freelance stylist and author of the amazing book “Individual: Inspiration for creating a home that is uniquely your own”.  This is part 2 of my conversation with her, so if you haven’t listened to the last episode and Part 1, then stop now … and go back to do that straight away. We’ll be here when you’re done. Otherwise, let’s dive into Part 2, and continue hearing from Jess right now. SHOW NOTES: “We all deserve to live unapologetically in homes that reflect who we are. Instead of a cookie-cutter approach, we crave spaces that make us feel secure and connected, nurtured and enriched.” - Jessica Bellef, “Individual” “Individual” is described as a visual feast of 15 quirky Australian interiors brimming with the personality of their owners, where the inspiration is not about buying more stuff but putting your personality into your place. Jessica Bellef is a freelance s

This is the first in a 2-part interview with Jessica Bellef, freelance stylist, and author of “Individual: Inspiration for creating a home that is uniquely your own”. I’m super excited to be bringing Jess to you, and sharing all her amazing insight and tips for creating a home that truly suits and reflects you. Let’s dive in. SHOW NOTES: A showroom is no place to live. It’s like the set of a play … A showroom isn’t a personal space in which to be. It’s no place for the tangle of layered memories and the mercurial nature of daily life. - Jessica Bellef, “Individual” 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. H

My guest for this episode is Craig Thomas, Managing Director of Caribou. With over 20 years in the industry, he is SUPER passionate about lighting and the impact it can have on how our homes look, feel and function. He’s got loads of helpful tips to share with you. SHOW NOTES: Homeowners often create their lighting design through early conversations with their electrician. By then, you can already have missed the opportunity to create a beautiful, functional result in your home, through successful (and affordable) lighting design. Craig Thomas, Managing Director of Caribou, has over 20 years in the business, and has a huge wealth of knowledge and experience to share when it comes to achieving brilliant results with your lighting design and selections. Caribou is a professional, dedicated and experienced team providing lighting solutions for residential, retail, commercial and industrial projects. Based in Brisbane, Australia, Caribou works directly with architects and designers, lighting engineers, deve

This episode is the second of a 2-part interview I have with Evan Montero, Co-founder and managing director of DIY Blinds … so if you haven’t listened to the last episode, stop now, and go back and listen to it now. Or, stay tuned to listen to part 2 of my conversation with Evan. SHOW NOTES: Plantation Shutters have become a popular choice for window furnishings. They’re a big investment, and so getting it right is essential to avoid disappointment and cost blowouts. DIY Blinds is an online ordering site for window furnishings. With a huge range of products from blinds, to curtains, to plantation shutters, you have the ability to request fabric samples, choose your fabric, learn how to measure and install your blinds, and order them online … all from your sofa.  The DIY Blinds website does a great job of stepping you through the things you need to consider, and how to make your selections. And they’re made in Australia, mostly available within 2 weeks, and also have a 5 ye

People who are renovating or building new will often leave window furnishings until the last minute, or until after they’ve moved in. As a result, they miss huge opportunities.  So, this episode and the next will be brilliant for you to see what’s possible, and why thinking about them during the design phase is so important. DIY Blinds is an online ordering site for window furnishings. With a huge range of products from blinds, to curtains, to plantation shutters, you have the ability to request fabric samples, choose your fabric, learn how to measure and install your blinds, and order them online … all from your sofa.  The DIY Blinds website does a great job of stepping you through the things you need to consider, and how to make your selections. And they’re made in Australia, mostly available within 2 weeks, and also have a 5 year warranty. Evan is really passionate about homeowners knowing what they need to know, and also what’s possible in really elevating the deta

Choosing the best paint product can seem confusing. Are they really that different? The answer is “YES”, and this episode shares why. Josh is the Interior Products Technical Manager at the DuluxGroup. What does that mean? Well, Josh and his team are the ones responsible for all the science and technology behind the paints and products created by Dulux. If you’re picturing labs and white lab coats, you’re not far wrong.  Josh has a Bachelor of Applied Science in Chemistry and has worked as an Industrial Chemist. He’s won awards for his skills as a technologist, and I’m super excited to be bringing him to the UA Community. I see homeowners get really focussed on their colour and material selections for their interiors, but then will often not get involved in the actual product specification process.  This is particularly relevant for painting, when you may be using a painter for your project, and often simply going with the product and brand they use and recommend.&

Frances and I see homeowners regularly make some common mistakes when it comes to their interior design.  This can be related to  who they choose,  how they go about their design and selections,  decisions they make about specific elements of their interior design elements they forget to consider in the design phase that then get stuffed up during construction right through to missed opportunities and expensive errors So, it made sense for us to talk about the ones we feel are not only regularly made, but have the most significant impact in diminishing the feel and functionality of your home. Listen carefully, so you can learn how to avoid these for your project, and hopefully save yourself money, stress and drama not only in the process of your interior design, but in the result you create in your finished home. I hope you enjoy this episode. Listen now. INTERIOR DESIGN 101 Would you like to simplify your choices, and have total clarity and confidence that your interior design will help

If you’re designing your new home or renovation, have you started thinking about the lighting design?  I find many homeowners will leave their lighting design quite late in their project. Some even leave it as late as construction, waiting for their walk-around with their electrician at frame stage to finalise their choices on lighting numbers, types and positions. As you can imagine, waiting until your walk-around can cause extra costs and disappointment, as often your contract will not have a sufficient allowance for light fixtures, and you’ll be hit with a variation … and the higher margin to go along with it. Lighting can and should be a design process you work through similarly to the rest of your interiors. Considering how it will work functionally, as well as the feeling and mood it’s capable of creating, means you’ll optimise what’s possible for your budget and your home.  There’s a lot of terminology when it comes to lighting, and specific things t

How do you create the ideal Interior Design ‘look’ for your family home? Liz Hayward from Hayward & Co gives us tips on moodboards, creating interior palettes, and making confident choices for your interior design. Liz is a firm believer that a quality, thoughtful, tailored interior should be available to everyone and that amazing results can be achieved on almost any budget. Following her years spent in professional roles working in and around the interior design sphere, the establishment of a bespoke interior decoration agency represents a new and exciting phase in Liz's creative journey. Based on her instinctive ability to see the possibilities of any space she enters, Liz has developed a design process that is as calm and considered as the interiors she ultimately creates. Combining the many snippets of inspiration she collects from the decors she encounters each day with the tastes and input of her clients', Liz designs timeless interiors that reflect the unique personas of the people tha

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. Heading up the bathroom marketing business at Reece brings together her passion for beautiful, functional design and architecture with her commitment to outstanding customer experience in retail. The Reece group operates Australia’s largest plumbing and bathroom supplies business, as well as 8 others in allied industries. Reece’s plumbing and bathroom products are sourced both locally and internationally which you can find in over 600 locations across Australia and New Zealand. They’re continually expanding into fresh areas, developing new techn

How can you, as the homeowner, draw up 3D models of your new home or renovation design? So you can be sure you’ve got it right inside a computer BEFORE you commit to building it? You can learn Sketchup. (Check out https://undercoverarchitect.com/sketchup) Sketchup is a great piece of software that’s available both as a free and paid version, that enables you to draw you design in three dimensions, generate views and walk-throughs so you can experience it inside the computer before committing to it for your real life, and also generate drawings from. Clare Le Roy is an interior designer, educator and Mum of 3 boys, and her business is The Little Design Corner. And she’s also the creator of “Sketchup for Interior Design - Beginners Course”. And now, Clare is an approved training partner for Sketchup. Clare created this course because she wished it had been around when it had first started her business. It would have saved my hundreds of hours of searching YouTube videos and making

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. Many homes these days will have more than one bathroom. There may be a separate toilet or powder room as well. And so you can be juggling the selections for not one room, but several. Do they all need to be matchy matchy? Can they be different? And how does what you select here then relate to other wet areas such as your laundry as well. In this episode, France and I talk through the various selections you’ll need to make for your bathroom, and what to know so you’re choosing things that are durable, easy to clean and will function well. We dive into detail into shower screens, freestanding vs built-in baths, and selecting all the fixtures so that they’re timeless and well-coordinated.   During our conversation, we dive into … + shower screens + freestanding vs built-in baths + fixtures such as your towel rails, tapw

Is choosing the right colour for your home something you’re enjoying, or overwhelmed by? Dulux have 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.  Andrea joined the company with a strong background in colour and design. Her role at Dulux Group encompasses trends and colour forecasting and presenting her findings to trade, retail and media – and of course her recommendations play an integral part in Dulux Group marketing strategies. A member of the international Colour Marketing Group (CMG) and International Color Association (AIC), Andrea scours the globe in pursuit of her passion – colour forecasting. Dulux has been officially colour forecasting for 21 years.  In September 2019, they released their latest: 2020’s colour forecast, which is united by the theme “Essence”.  There

Join the free 5 Day Home Design Challenge (it’s running from 29 Jan - 2 Feb 2020) >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/challenge And check out Home Design Masterclass for more help and support in your floor plan design >>> www.howtodesignahome.com It can be common for homeowners to get really caught up in worrying about the finishes, the builder, the quality of construction. But one thing I know for sure is this: you can have a home with all the high-end finishes, built by the most amazing builder to the highest quality, and still have a terrible design that makes the home horrible to live in on a day-to-day basis. I firmly believe that those lines on a page, the drawings that you’re creating either by yourself, or in working with someone, will dictate how you get to live, feel and function both in and beyond your home for years and years to come. And I think it can be the most frustrating and slow part of the renovating or building process for homeowners, for a few reasons. Sooo