Get It Right with Undercover Architect

Let’s get down to the fundamentals. This episode introduces the "four F"s Amelia likes to consider when designing any room in your home. And in designing your home overall.  What are these four Fs? They are:   Functionality  Flexibility  Furnishability  Flow  (There’s a secret fifth F too!)  Amelia will share with you what each of these mean, and how to use them to create a home design that suits you now, and always.   She'll also outline what ‘design’ actually means. This isn’t an elite, unrealistic or unachievable design. This is the design that makes your everyday life in your home better, simpler, more convenient and more fun. Sometimes the measure of it is that it’s so good, you don’t even notice it.   This episode sets the stage with the core info you need to know before we dive into the rest of the season. As we move forward to discuss each room or space individually, you’ll have a framework to help you get it right.  This episode also begins to answer one of the most common questions Amelia receives: "How do I create a design that works? Especially when I plan on being in this home for 10 to 15 years? How do I predict what my family will need in the years to come, as well as be great for us now?" Listen to the podcast now. You’ll be on the way to getting it right in your design for your home.   FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"What makes you think you're qualified to design your own home?!"  Many of Amelia's industry colleagues will think this when a homeowner designs their own home.   Amelia can understand why homeowners do this, though. It’s your home. Your budget. Your needs. Your family. Your site. Your life. Your future. Your dreams.   Because there's so much at stake, you want to control the outcome as much as possible. At least ensure you'll get it right, and achieve the home you dream of.  At Undercover Architect, Amelia will always recommend you work with a designer to create your home design. Even though it’s not legally required in Australia, Amelia thinks when you find the right designer for you, it helps your home reach the best possible outcome.  However, if you want to design your home, or at least get a head start on it, how can you know you’re getting it right?  That’s what Season 02 of the “Get it Right” podcast is all about … to help you do just this.   Listen to the podcast now. Amelia will introduce you to this season, outline what we’ll be covering, and who should be listening to it.  FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is Episode 11 of Season 1.    In this last episode of Season 1, Amelia uncovers the 4th tool we have available to create spaciousness in our homes: Indoor / Outdoor Connections.  This first season of the “Get it Right” podcast has been taking you through what matters most.   These are the first and most fundamental choices and information you need to get it right in your new home or renovation. When you put these decisions first, then it simplifies the rest of the journey. It also helps you create a home that will feel great – and that you’ll feel great in.   As a client of Amelia’s once said “The wall costs the same, whether you put it in the right place, or the wrong place!” The same can be said for design generally. Great design isn’t any more expensive. It’s about having the knowledge to make the right choices, and making those choices first so you get to a great home at the end of your journey.  So how do you use indoor / outdoor connections to create spaciousness?  Many homeowners want to open up their home to bring the outside in. There’s the practical need to connect to their gardens, supervise their kids whilst they play, and make the most of our great climate here in Australia.   There’s also the desire to make our home feel larger, more light-filled and calm as well.  However, you don’t need a big block to make great indoor / outdoor connections. And cutting lots of holes in the walls of your home isn’t always the best approach either (that’s actually a sure-fire way to cause lots of additional costs in engineering and structure!)   There are 4 key ways to think about indoor / outdoor connections. When you approach your home design with these in mind, you can make sure you get results that work.  Head to the podcast to learn what these 4 ways are >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/indoor-outdoor  Amelia will take you through them, and help you understand how to create spaciousness, whilst maintaining security and privacy in your homes as well. She'll also share some images of projects – they may give you some ideas for your place that you hadn't thought of!  Listen to the podcast now.  FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is Episode 10 of Season 1.    In this episode, Amelia shares how great storage creates spaciousness. This is the third tool we have in our toolkit to create spaciousness in our homes.  Storage can be fundamental in creating a physical sense of spaciousness. However, it is also key in creating mental spaciousness. That sense of calm that comes from feeling organised because there’s a place for everything, and everything is in its place.  The aim is to design our homes to support us, and our lifestyles, all the time. Especially at those hectic moments of the day that test the calm in any family home.   Did you know, many homeowners move house due to a lack of storage in their homes?   This isn’t only about decluttering. This is about creating storage solutions that improve the management of your everyday life. It’s the streamlining of our daily routines to make life more convenient, and our homes more relaxing. How you design your home can make this happen.  Amelia will share 3 specific design inclusions to consider in your new home or renovation. She’ll also highlight 5 tips to consider when sizing and designing storage for your home.   Head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/spaciousness-storage for some fantastic projects which illustrate how to get this right in your new home or renovation. There’s also other useful links for your project there.  And look forward to dramatically transforming how calm and peaceful your home (and you) will feel – regardless of how big it is. This is how to make your home your sanctuary.   Listen to the podcast now.  FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is Episode 9 of Season 1.   In this episode, Amelia shares how light to can create spaciousness. Light is the second tool we have in our toolkit to create spaciousness in our homes.  Amelia will take you through both natural and electric night. After all, you want your home to feel spacious during the day, and after dark, don't you!  Many homeowners, when describing how they want their homes to be, use the words 'airy' and 'light' or 'light-filled'.    And we know intuitively that filling our spaces with light will make them feel great. And we also know that natural light does wonders for our moods and sense of comfort in our home.   We can create a feeling of relaxation that we can tap into almost the moment we walk into our homes. That helps us create that emotional connection with our homes, that make us feel 'at home'.    There are specific ways you can use light to create spaciousness, both during the day, and at night.   Amelia will identify the main mistakes homeowners make when using light in their homes, and the spaciousness and comfort killers they can be.  She’ll also outline 3 design strategies you can use to create spaciousness in your home, using both natural and electrical light.  Head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/spaciousness-light for some fantastic projects which illustrate how to get this right in your new home or renovation.   Amelia also shares some free resources you can use to get help with your electrical lighting design and layout. Yep, free resources!  Listen to the podcast now.   FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is Episode 8 of Season 1.   This season has been all about what matters most in designing your new home or renovation.  Many homeowners dream of a home that feels spacious. And they fall into the trap of believing that this means their home has to be bigger.   And it's understandable. Especially when we're renovating or building family homes. Often the need to renovate or build will be brought about because we feel we need more space. This might be because of the addition of new family members. Or it will be because our existing family members are growing and becoming more active.  So 'spaciousness' becomes about creating 'more space' or 'extra space'. Bigger rooms, and extra rooms.  There are a few ways to achieve spaciousness. Even in the most compact of homes. And not all of them are about 'more space' or 'extra space'. In fact, it’s worth knowing that 'more space' won't necessarily bring a feeling of spaciousness to your home.  Amelia believes that when our homes are designed well, they make our lives better. Simpler, more convenient, more beautiful, more fun. They work so well, and enable us to seamlessly integrate them into our everyday live. In short, our homes get out of our way. They support us being the best version of ourselves.   It may be hard to imagine this is possible if you're living in a home that is a daily inconvenience. Where your home is another hurdle you have to overcome each day to go about your life of juggling family, friends, work and other commitments.    It is possible though. It's actually the aim.    Listen to the podcast to learn how to use volume in your home to create spaciousness. Amelia will outline 3 mistakes homeowners make that are volume killers, and 4 fantastic design tips to get it right in your home.  FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is Episode 7 of Season 1.   In this episode, Amelia shares some of the other assets you have available that can add great value to your home. At no cost to you. It's simply about knowing what they are, and choosing them first in your design.  So much of designing for new homes or renovation is about unlocking what is possible. About understanding the potential for your home and land, and enhancing it. About realising the potential of the natural assets and enhancing what's already freely available. Bringing these natural assets to the fore so they can make your home and your land really enjoyable. Which in turn, enhances the quality of your everyday life.  So what are these natural assets for your home and land? And how can you maximise them as an asset, or minimise them if they're a drawback?  These natural assets exist in all locations … from the most rural to the most urban. And they can be optimised to enhance the quality of your home. They are:  Sunlight  Shade  Breezes  Landscape  Views  Privacy  These are all things that can and do exist naturally in a home and site. And not all designs make the most of them or do them well.   Amelia will take you through these one by one, and show you how to get it right for your home.   Listen to the podcast now to learn how to get this right and add value to your design for free. Unlock the potential of what is already available to you, your site and your home.  FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is Episode 6 of Season 1.   This episode will give you some free and low cost online resources to help with designing your home for your climate, and the movement of the sun. As well as some others to get you started on your project.  Only a couple of these resources are Australia only, and most can be used globally.   These online resources and apps will help with:  Understanding more about your local climate and how to design for it  Getting specific information about the movement of the sun over your home or site  Using the 4 special days each year to provide information to make your home better  Creating floor plans of your existing home  Designing new floor plans and experimenting with your project  Seeking inspiration and ideas for your renovation or new home  Keeping track of all your ideas and information in a digital filing system  Also managing your budget and expenses for your project – even on the go  Keeping track of all of your online communication and tasks for your project   Head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/episode6-resources for more information, as well as all the links and info about the recommended resources and apps Amelia mentions.  Listen to the podcast now for some seriously helpful tools, apps and online resources to make your home great, and help with those important decisions as you design your renovation or new home.   FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is Episode 5 of Season 1.   This episode is the last of our four orientations. Over the last 3 episodes, we've talked about north, east, and south sunlight and orientations.   In this episode, we’ll talk about all things WEST.  This will help you get it right if you’re seeking ways to make your home feel great, and also if you have you have a west-facing home.  So what do you need to be aware of with western sunlight?   This can be the most challenging orientation to deal with. West is the direction our sun sets in, and even in the cooler months, it can still be a harsh quality of light. Yet, there are still ways we can create homes to manage it, and respond to it.   Let’s dive deeply into:  What western sunlight is like  What’s not great about western sunlight  How we need to shade and shelter from western sunlight   You’ll understand in detail:  What rooms need to be facing west  What rooms don’t need to be facing west  5 tools you can use to protect your home from western sun  And if you have a west-facing home, you’ll learn:  What your priorities should be if you’re designing a home for a west-facing orientation  What can go wrong in designing for western sunlight  How to use the strategies to add design value for free  What else you need to know about designing for a west-facing home  There’s a lot of great information crammed into this podcast … you may want to take notes! Listen to the podcast now.  FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is Episode 4 of Season 1.   So far this season, we've been exploring the idea of orientation. And the importance of knowing yours when designing, renovating or building your home. We've talked about northern and eastern orientations and sunlight.  In this episode, we’ll talk about all things SOUTH.  This will help you get it right if you’re seeking ways to make your home feel great, and also if you have you have a south-facing home … or a home that faces south-east or south-west.  So what do you need to be aware of with southern sunlight? (And is there such a thing, given that in the southern hemisphere, our sun moves through the north?)   A southern orientation can be challenging to work with if you want to maximise northern sun in your home.  Amelia will outline 5 specific design strategies you can implement in creating your new home or renovation, that will bring northern light into a south-facing home.  Let’s dive deeply into:  What southern light is like  What’s not great about southern light  How we need to shade and shelter from southern light (it’s actually the sunlight on the edges of our southern orientation)  You’ll understand in detail:  What rooms need to be facing south  What rooms don’t need to be facing south  5 key strategies to use in your design  And if you have a south-facing home, you’ll learn:  What your priorities should be if you’re designing a home for a south-facing orientation  What can go wrong in designing for southern sunlight  Some homework for you as you research your project  What else you need to know about designing for a south-facing home  There’s a lot of great information crammed into this podcast … you may want to take notes! Listen to the podcast now.  FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.