My Forever Home

In this episode, Frances explores how to design your home for the way you truly live day to day — not for occasional use. From spare rooms and theatre spaces to oversized hallways, she shares practical strategies to avoid wasted space and create a home that works harder, feels better, and supports your Forever Home™ lifestyle.

In this Facebook Live, Frances outlines the key differences between using engineered timber flooring and timber tile flooring. She walks through the advantages and disadvantages of each and discusses criteria for when you may use one over the other.

In this final episode of the Bathroom Design Essentials Season, Frances outlines some of the key take-aways from each episode as an easy reference tool for you to know where you need to listen next.

 In this episode of the Your Forever Home Podcast, part of the Bathroom Design Essentials Season, Frances outlines some of the major mistakes she sees people make when designing their bathroom. Expensive mistakes that can be avoided, which she outlines in this episode, so you're not having to live with a less than desirable outcome. This is a must listen if you're designing your bathroom. SHOWNOTES    Major mistakes:  No Internal Elevations  Homeowners often feel they don't need internal elevations for their bathroom design, as they feel they can easily instruct the cabinet maker or builder in this area. This can unfortunately lead to lots of (avoidable) issues on siteand ultimately lead to miscommunication and a less than ideal outcome.  Benefits of Internal Elevations:  Provides a clear roadmap for your builder.  Allows your builder to give you an accurate quote.  It shows your cabinetry design and fittings.  You can view everything before it is built, which allows you to make changes and discuss things with your family during the early stages.  Freestanding bath not suitable for the space  Adding a freestanding bath that is not suitable for the space is a design compromise. Not only that, but it makes cleaning difficult as it would be hard to reach in behind the bath. . It also needs adequate space between the wall and the bath to give the aesthetic look that a freestanding bath needs. Freestanding baths are also expensive to retrofit because they cost more than a standard bath.   Inadequate storage  Towels, shampoo bottles, toothbrushes, toilet rolls- you'll need to find room for all of these things if you haven't allowed for adequate storage in your bathroom. Don't compromise storage over aesthetic in your bathroom.   Determine what you need to store.  Then work out your storage requirements.   Don't underestimate eye height storage   Lack of adequate task lighting  Consider having task lighting as well as downlights in your bathroom. This will be helpful when you are getting ready in the morning or at night.  It is benefitial to have multiple light sources to meet your requirements and also the ability to dial up or dim down as you need to.   Tile Layout  A shower niche that does not match the tile layout.   If there are other tiles at the doorway, it needs to marry up with the tiles in the bathroom so the look is seamless.   No Ventilation  It is important to have a window that opens in the bathroom. You need to allow the moisture to escape and fresh air to come in.   Toilet Position  Avoid placing the toilet in front of your bathroom door. If possible, try to tuck your toilet around the back of the door, or to the side. Toilets are expensive to move, but when you are building a new house it's worth the investment to get an internal elevation as it will help you get the design right – from the start.    Mixer inside the shower   Consider placing the mixer at the side instead of having it right next to the shower rail so you don't get wet turning it on.   Window treatments  Spending a lot of money on window treatments without considering moisture resistant properties and accessibility.   Natural Light  Consider introducing natural lighting by adding a window at eye height. If it's not possible, you might want to opt for the following:  Skylight- Make sure that it actually opens , and that it has also a blind that can block the sun during the summer.   Highlight window    Links mentioned in the Podcast   Episode 45: Kitchen Design Essentials - Internal Elevations & Joinery Design   Why Internal Elevation are Critical for Your Home Blog  Services   Book a Chat       If you're thinking about renovating or creating a new bathroom, I would love to hear from you. You can contact me by booking a 15 minute chat here.       Join the "Renovating and Building your Forever Home" Facebook Group       Want to be inspired to create a home you truly love? One that is 'future proof' and adaptable as your family's needs change? Join our exclusive (but inclusive)  Renovating and Building Your Forever Home Facebook Group.          

In this episode of the Your Forever Home podcast Frances covers off the topic of creating a bathroom that is accessible for when you get older, or are less able-bodied. She outlines design elements that can be incorporated now that will make a big difference later on, and some that can simply be provisioned for and installed later. Through her passion for creating 'Future Proof' homes, this is another area that adds to the liveability of your home well into the future. SHOWNOTES  Bathroom Accessibility  Next to the kitchen, bathrooms are the most used space in our home and one of the most difficult and dangerous places for elderly home owners. They are an essential part of your daily routine, yet they hold so many challenges and pose so many risks. Fortunately, there are a range of practical bathroom alterations that will make it safer and easier to use.   Walk in shower-step free  A walk in shower, without any hurdles upon entry makes a lot of sense. One option is having a curb-less shower entry. It looks great and is also a lot more accessible as they prevent bathroom accidents – such as tripping over the curb while getting in and out of the shower.  Add a built-in shower seat  Standing in the shower for long periods of time can be difficult for some people, so a built-in shower seat can help give more stability.. However, if it's not within your budget or you don't like how it looks, you might want to consider having a waterproof stool that can be moved in and out when needed.  Place grab bars in the shower and near the toilet  Grab bars are another excellent feature as they provide good stability and support. You don't necessarily have to install them right away. This is something that you can provision for by pre-determining the length and position of the bars in your bathroom.  Install an adjustable shower on a rail with a handheld showerhead  This enables you to move the shower head up and down the rail, giving you more options to suit your needs. It is ideal in a family household as it serves many different purposes.   A tall person can have the shower head longer and higher up on the rail.   Kids can bring the shower head down and lower on the rails.   Can be used in cleaning the actual shower.  Can be used to wash pets.  And for when you are older, you can easily sit on the shower seat and move the handheld shower up and down to reach you  Select mixer/lever taps for basin and shower for easier operation  Knobs can be difficult to turn when you have arthritis, so having a mixer tap with a lever is easier to use when turning the shower on and adjusting the temperature   Cavity sliding doors for ease of opening and closing  It enables you to have more space in the actual room and it's essential for increased accessibility – particularly if you are in a wheelchair or have a walker. Not only are you creating a bigger thoroughfare for entry, it is also easier to  maneuver around in within the space.  Considerations:  Ideally, you need a turning radius of around 150 centimeters  The floor surfaces need to be flush so you can easily roll in and out of the space  Doorways should beat 900mm  Mount the basin close to the edge of the vanity for easier use   It is also easier to access if it's at one end.  Select easy-glide or soft close drawers for the vanity  Make sure that your hardware is qood quality so the drawers glide easily  Select higher than standard toilets (becoming more and more common)  Higher toilets are now becoming more popular as they allow you to get up and down with ease. I anticipate that this will soon become the new standard.  Place toilet min 45cm from any walls, shower screen or bath.  30 or 40 cm is the norm but 45cm is better so that you've got that extra space for maneuvering and accessibility. SERVICES AT WHITE PEBBLE INTERIORS Book a Chat      If you're thinking about renovating or creating a new bathroom, I would love to hear from you. You can contact me by booking a 15 minute chat here.       Join the "Renovating and Building your Forever Home" Facebook Group      Want to be inspired to create a home you truly love? One that is future proof and adaptable as your family's needs change? Join our exclusive (but inclusive)  Renovating and Building Your Forever Home Facebook Group.     

In this episode of Your Forever Home, Frances outlines several decorating tips on how to create a warm and inviting bathroom. She offers plenty of insight and advice to allow you to make the finishing touches to your bathroom to create a space you can be proud of. There's nothing worse than a sparse bathroom with no soul, so this episode will give you confidence to try her creative and insightful ideas. From plants, towels and mirrors, to artwork, stools and baskets – there's plenty to experiment with to make your bathroom a haven!   SHOWNOTES Plants    Adding plants is a number one rule of thumb in decorating across the entire home. In a bathroom, plants add a beautiful lease of life. They generate oxygen and add an instant "lived in" feeling and a sense of calm.  Most plants thrive in bathrooms because of the high humidity and moisture.   Examples:  Add a trailing pot like a devil's ivy on window sills, shelves or shower niche  Put plants on plant stands as they add height to a corner  Hangi plants from the ceiling  Pop a small plant on your vanity  Plants to try:  Devil's Ivy  Orchid- to add a little bit of colour  Chain of hearts  Spider plants- you can hang them as they drape beautifully  Air plants  Towels  Towels are a fantastic way to inject texture, pattern and colour into the space. It can also reflect your mood or serve as a seasonal décor. Keep in mind, try to marry the colours of the towels with the tone of the bathroom- I.e cool or warm tones.   Artwork  A painted wall is an ideal location for hanging artwork. Try leaving a wall free of tiles to allow for hanging artwork.. It adds personality and a unique touch to the space.  Examples:   Artwork from travels   A piece of artwork that makes you feel relaxed and calm  Artwork with your favourite colours  Mirrors  Shaving cabinetscome in a variety of different shapes which can add to the aesthetic and also give additional storage space.   In a powder room where storage requirements are not as necessary, opt for a decorative mirror  Framed mirrors can add an element of design.   Opt for organic shapes such as oval or round as it can break up all the rectangles in the space. It's also softer and more visually appealing.   Baskets  Baskets always make a space feel homey and inviting. They can be purely decorative or can be an added storage option.   You can use a basket for many things, including somewhere to store your:Plants   Towels   Toilet rolls   Stools  Can be placed in the corner, by the bath or even in the shower.  Used as a side table when in the bath  You can place a plant on it  I love vintage timber stools as it adds character and texture to the space!     YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS MY NEXT FREE WEBINAR!    "The 5 Costly Bathroom Design Mistakes and How to Avoid Them"  Are you aware of the top 5 costly bathroom design mistakes and how to avoid them?  Join me in this webinar as I prepare and arm you with critical information that will save you time and money creating your new bathroom.  Far too many people make costly mistakes when creating their new bathroom – don't let this be you!    Book a Chat      If you're thinking about renovating or creating a new kitchen, I would love to hear from you. You can contact me by booking a 15 minute chat.            Join the "Renovating and Building your Forever Home" Facebook Group      Want to be inspired to create a home you truly love? One that is future proof and adaptable as your family's needs change? Join our exclusive (but inclusive)  Renovating and Building Your Forever Home Facebook Group.     

Frances is super passionate about this topic, and it clearly shows in this episode of Bathroom Design Essentials. Frances outlines the importance of internal elevations so you can create a well designed bathroom that allows you to be involved in the design process, make informed decisions, and mitigate expensive mistakes. Internal elevations also provide the builder with details of exactly what they are building, along with providing the opportunity for a more accurate quote. SHOWNOTES  What is an Internal Elevation?  Unlike a floorplan which gives you an aerial view of your design, an internal elevation drawing allows you to see the design "front on".  It will help you to avoid mistakes on site and allow you to have fixed price quoting  It also has a big impact on your overall design as it helps you to map out the layout of the space.   Why do you need Internal Elevations?  Not having them is similar to instructing your builder to navigate without a map.  It can lead to expensive mistakes and design disappointments that could have been avoided.  You might miss the opportunity to get the design right.     Cabinetry Drawings versus Internal Elevations  Some people get confused between cabinetry drawings and internal elevations.  The main difference is cabinetry drawings show "joinery only' and nothing else, whereas internal elevations show you the whole wall set upfront on. Allowing for a better "overall" design view. How does having an Internal Elevation for your bathroom help?   It allows you to view your bathroom design "front on" rather than an "aerial view".  It gives you detail of your bathroom design which instructs your builder what he needs to do, including:  joinery design (drawers, doors, heights, benchtop thickness)  tile size and location   placement of taps (wall, bench or basin mounted) and shower (ceiling or wall-mounted)  placement of towel rails and toilet roll holders  shower niche placement, size, and finish  powerpoints, mirror and cabinet placements  shower screen type, length, and height  Allows you to understand how the proposed spaces and rooms will look.  Helps assist you with decision making by letting you actualise visualise the location of vanities, windows, doors and powerpoints   By knowing the position of all the critical items in the room, you are able to make other dependent decisions Eg. wall finishes, extent of tiling around a bath, sink or window.  Far too often, we see people with only floorplans showing the aerial view of their cabinetry layout, or internal elevations with minimal design detail which opens up so much room for error, misinterpretation and misunderstanding about expectations on the final outcome.  It's a costly to get it wrong, so having an internal elevation is a key factor in mitigating mistakes, both before and once you start building.            Much of the design thinking is done at floor plan stage, and critical thinking about functionality and space planning happens with the drawings. This is where interior designers can really show their value around creating spaces that work!   LINKS MENTIONED IN THE PODCAST:  Why Internal Elevations are Critical For Your Home Blog   Episode 45: Kitchen Design Essentials- Internal Elevations and Joinery Design     SERVICES AT WHITE PEBBLE INTERIORS     The 5 Costly Bathroom Design Mistakes and How to Avoid Them  Are you aware of the top 5 costly bathroom design mistakes and how to avoid them?  Join Frances  in this webinar as she prepares and arms you with critical information that will save you time and money creating your new bathroom.  Far too many people make costly mistakes when creating their new bathroom – don't let this be you!    Book a Chat      If you're thinking about renovating or creating a new kitchen, Frances would love to hear from you. You can contact Frances by booking a 15 minute chat with her.            Join the "Renovating and Building your Forever Home" Facebook Group      Want to be inspired to create a home you truly love? One that is future proof and adaptable as your family's needs change? Join our exclusive (but inclusive)  Renovating and Building Your Forever Home Facebook Group.      

Frances welcomes guest James Lambrou from Est Lighting to the podcast for this episode of Your Forever Home. Together they chat about Bathroom Lighting and key considerations to think about to ensure your bathroom not only looks fabulous, but is also functional. They also discuss functional and aesthetic lighting, and how to use both to light up a space - including colour, temperature and side lighting. SHOWNOTES:  Good bathroom lighting shows consideration of  3 elements- functional, mood, and time of day. Bathroom lighting needs to balance shadow and mood for functionality.   You also need to consider bathroom fittings as it forms part of the overall design look and feel as they can add personality to a space.  Natural Lighting   Natural Lighting is the best lighting in a bathroom. It's a core consideration when designing bathroom spaces.  It's important to think about window placement, the size of the windows and how your window is going to  provide good lighting.   Artificial Lighting   Wall lighting  You can achieve a relaxed mood in your bathroom by using wall lights. When looking for wall lighting, you need to consider if it gives off an indirect or direct light.   Direct lighting is more practical as it provides a good amount of light on your face which is handy for getting ready in the morning – especially for putting on makeup or shaving!  Other considerations:  Custom joinery lighting-  direct lighting works best on custom joinery pieces with mirrors, incorporating a low glare diffuser such as led channels or a milky lens.  This will give you a beautiful amount of lighting covering the whole area of your face. On a separate light switch, it could double up as mood lighting.   For practical use, place the led lighting vertically, 8-14 mil width.  Placing it below will not give you functionality but will give you more overall ambiance and aesthetic.   Layering of lighting will give you the ability to be able to dial it up or dial it down.     Downlights  Downlights are fine if they are not used as the sole light source in a space. To prevent shadows, avoid putting downlight in front of the basin but rather put it behind you and then add another light source. If it's not possible, place it slightly in front of you so it lights up the space - and your face!   If you have a shower space that needs a lighting solution, it is best to remove any downlights and just add an IP 67 led strip within the cavity to the corners of the wall. This will give you a good amount of light which will highlight the textures and materials of the shower tiles.   Pros:   Create a great aesthetic   Nowadays they are much smaller and less intrusive  Types of downlights:  Recessed   Beam angle  Types of Lighting Placement  Uplighting -a beautiful way to light bathrooms  Lighting from below- ideal for showers that have textured walls to accentuate the materials and texture.   Frequent go to    Recommended Brand   XAL- an Austrian manufacturer of high-quality LED lighting systems. They have plenty of off-the-shelf surface-mounted strip lights to choose from.   Suggestions:  Recessed LED strip- mimics natural lighting as it provides light across the whole room.   Articolo Lighting – offers beautiful decorative lighting that gives you a good warm blast of light.    Information on IP rating regulations:  IP 44- A product that has a rating of IP44 means that it is protected against solid objects and water splashing from all directions. Thus, IP 44 is suitable for bathroom fittings.   Non IP rated-  should be placed at the far corner of the bathroom, at least two meters away from any running water. It will also depend on the discretion of the installer if they would allow a non IP rated product.   IP 67- You don't need an IP 67 in a bathroom, but if you are thinking about adding lighting in the shower or around the bath, IP 67 is  the safest option.   IP 55-  downlights must be at least IP 55 because they can withstand direct water  contact.  Make sure:  The electrician signs off  on the installation and fitting   Any fitting must be a minimum of 60 cm away from  any water flow  Cool vs Warm light  For bathroom lighting, the main go  to for warm spectrum lighting is the 2,700 Kelvin Light,   and for cooler lighting, the 4,000 Kelvin Light would be a good option.   Be mindful of choosing thecolour  temperature for bathrooms as it needs to match the colour tone of the space. (I.e Greys=Cool, Beige= Warm)   It is a good idea to have a separate switch for each colour temperature. For instance, you can use 2,700  Kelvin Lights during the night for the warm ambiance and 4,000  Kelvin Lights during the day for practical use.   Key Considerations:  Switching - being able to switch the light from warm temperatures to cool temperatures is an advantage  IP rating  Bathroom space- look at the space from a three-dimensional and holistic viewpoint. Start by looking at the space from the ground then move your way up – including the sides.  The colour tone of the bathroom  Position and placement of your lighting   Functionality  An opportunity to add personality into the space  Light fittings      Important links mentioned in the podcast   EST Lighting   Est Lighting is about balancing practical lighting tools with thoughtfully selected decorative pieces to arrive at a balanced lighting design for any space — solutions that sit comfortably and work in unison with the chosen environment. Visit their website here: https://estlighting.com.au/     EST Lighting Showroom  Sydney  479 Bourke St  Surry Hills NSW 2010  Australia     Melbourne  14 Willis St  Richmond VIC 3121  Australia    XAL  Articolo    Services at White Pebble Interiors     Book a Chat     If you're thinking about renovating or creating a new kitchen, Frances would love to hear from you. You can contact Frances by booking a 15 minute chat with her.      Join the "Renovating and Building your Forever Home" Facebook Group     Want to be inspired to create a home you truly love? One that is future proof and adaptable as your family's needs change? Join our exclusive (but inclusive)  Renovating and Building Your Forever Home Facebook Group.           

In this episode of Your Forever Home, Frances has guests Cathryn Matchett and Trisha Narde from Reece Bathroom Life to discuss different types of basins available and when one may be more suitable over another. They chat through different material types along with what to look for in a quality basin. Lots to learn to make good basin decisions.   SHOWNOTES  Types of Basins   Above counter- A popular wash basin that sits above the counter.    Can be used as a featurepiece in your bathroom   They are aesthetically pleasing because it allows you to show off the basin's beautiful design characteristic, colour and palette  They provide more storage underneath  The basin is deeper compared to other basins so are ideal for families   Undermount- Opposite to the above counter basin because the whole basin sits underneath the bench.  Available in different shapes  A clean and simple aesthetic  Doesn't allow a lot of storage underneath  More difficult to clean    Semi inset- Half of the basin is above the counter and the other half is underneath.   Semi Recessed-A wash basin mounted on a furniture unit or worktop.  The rear half of the wash basin is recessed into the top of the unit and all the pipe work can be concealed. The front half of the basin protrudes in front of the unit.  Wall mounted basins- are a great choice for small bathrooms or powder room as they are mounted against the wall.   Washstands- these wash basins are commonly seen in hotels and nightclubs.  They stand on the floor and are all in one piece.     Types of Materials  Steel- has beautiful,fine edges compared to ceramic and available in various different finishes.   Solid surface- made up of crushed minerals mixed with resin. Typically above counter basins are made in solid surface material and it is available in different finishes ranging from matte to gloss.   Porcelain/ Ceramic- these are the traditional materials for basins, and fortunately there have been many technological advancements in ceramic. For instance, Laufen, a swiss manufacturing company, makes ceramic with a mineral found in sapphires soit gives the material a flexural strength, equal to that of steel. It has the potential to have wafer-thin edges.   Concrete Basins- wash basins that are made of cement.   Porous material so it's a little bit difficult to clean.   If not properly sealed, it could stain and discolour.      Types of Colours, Textures and Finishes  Matte Finish- available in solid surface materials  Coloured basins- for cement or porcelain basins.   Ceramic in pottery- For instance,  Robert Gordon creates basins with different types of glazes    Different Buying Criteria  Shape- Rounded shape basins are recommended (such as oval), but you can also buy rectangular or soft square.   Ease of cleaning   Depth of the basin  Which type of bathroom the basin is going into- For instance, typically you would like a beautiful basin in a master en suite, but a more simple option in the main bathroom.      Price points  Undermount basins- approx $300  Above counter basins- depending on material and quality, between $500-550  High quality basins from Laufendepending on their size, between $1,200-1,500  Solid surface- between $550-$700     What's popular at the moment?  Basins that have an Organic shape – eg circle, d-shape    Important links mentioned in the podcast:   Caroma  SaphirKeramik  Reece   Reece is Australia's largest plumbing and bathroom supplies business. Their plumbing and bathroom products are sourced both locally and internationally and can be found in over 600 locations across Australia. Visit their Website here.   Reece Richmond showroom   You can visit the showroom at 641-643 Bridge Rd, Richmond VIC 3121, Australia.      Services at White Pebble Interiors    Book a Chat    If you're thinking about renovating or creating a new kitchen, Frances would love to hear from you. You can contact Frances by booking a 15 minute chat with her.     Join the "Renovating and Building your Forever Home" Facebook Group    Want to be inspired to create a home you truly love? One that is future proof and adaptable as your family's needs change? Join our exclusive (but inclusive)  Renovating and Building Your Forever Home Facebook Group.   

Description: Not sure how to choose the right bath? Then this is the episode for you. Cathryn Matchett and Trisha Narde are back from Reece Bathroom Life to chat with Frances about all things baths. They discuss the different bath finishes, along with key considerations for free standing baths, opposed to hob or inset baths. Why choose one bath type over another, buying criteria and how you actually go about choosing the right bath for you. There is plenty to learn from this episode.    SHOWNOTES Different Types of Baths  Freestanding Baths  Back to wall- these are freestanding baths attached to the wall. One advantage is rather than needing to clean all the way around the bath, you just need to clean the sides and front. Plus, it's ideal for smaller spaces.   Back to corner- a great choice when you need to save some space.    Hob/ Inset Bath  A bath that is installed in a hob.   Most of them are flat-rimmed.  An advantage is that you can install flushing all the way around which gives you protection against water runoff.   Types of finishes available and advantages of each  Cast Iron- also known as pressed steel. There are different quality options available for this type of finish.   Advantages:  Can be re-enameled and repaired easily  Stronger and more premium than acrylic baths  Scratch resistant  Retains heat  NB Kaldewei is a German manufacturer producing pressed steel that is stain resistant, scratch resistant and UV resistant. They also offer a 30 year warranty.     Acrylic- This material has improved a lot over the last 10-15 years and is now manufactured using sanitary grade acrylic, which prevents the material from turning yellow.  Advantages:  Lightweight- can be transported easily.  Cost-effective  Can be molded into different shapes and sizes.      Solid Surface- A lot of freestanding baths are made from solid surface. This material is similar to stone, where minerals are crushed and mixed with resin.   Advantages:  Non-porous and dense  Indestructible   Scratch resistant  Easy to clean.   Disadvantage:  The material is very heavy and needs extra support on the floor    Limestone Bath- A luxury and beautiful material.   Advantages:  It retains more heat than any other material  A premium looking product    Buying Criteria and Consideration  Size – what size works best for the size of the bathroom  Shape - different shapes for different looks I.e. Egg-shaped  Comfortability - when visiting a showroom, it is a must to hop into the bath and give it a try before buying.  Style and design - what look and feel do you want for your bathroom  Shower bath- The bath needs to have both a flat end and an inclined end so that you can either soak in it as a bath or be able to stand under the shower.  Durability  Price points   An inset bath made with acrylic material - estimated price: $450   A pressed steel bath - estimated price: $1600-$1700  Back to wall or corner baths (depending on the material);  Acrylic - estimated price: $1800  Solid surface- estimated price: $3600  Luxury Limestone – ranges from $5,000- $6,000  Misc  Acrylic materials are a safe option for baths   Solid surface has high integrity  Be mindful of materials manufactured using lots of resins as they are more likely to turn yellow.   It is well worth investing in a surface that is not susceptible to scratching.    Important links mentioned in the podcast:   Kaldewei   Reece   Reece is Australia's largest plumbing and bathroom supplies business. Their plumbing and bathroom products are sourced both locally and internationally and can be found in over 600 locations across Australia. Visit their Website here.   Reece Richmond showroom   You can visit the showroom at 641-643 Bridge Rd, Richmond VIC 3121, Australia.      Services at White Pebble Interiors    Book a Chat    If you're thinking about renovating or creating a new kitchen, Frances would love to hear from you. You can contact Frances by booking a 15 minute chat with her.     Join the "Renovating and Building your Forever Home" Facebook Group    Want to be inspired to create a home you truly love? One that is future proof and adaptable as your family's needs change? Join our exclusive (but inclusive)  Renovating and Building Your Forever Home Facebook Group.         

In this episode of the Bathroom Design Essentials Season, Frances welcomes back Cathryn Matchett and Trisha Narde from Reece Bathroom Life. Together they discuss all there is to know about choosing the right toilet. There is a lot more the buying a toilet than you may think, like height, pan type, rimless design and self cleaning. There is plenty to learn in this episode so you can select a toilet that will right for your home.   SHOWNOTES  Toilets   Different types of toilets  Back to Wall  The cistern is hard up against the wall. It's easy to clean.   Close coupled toilet- Old fashioned style of back to wall toilet. A cost effective style where the cistern sits on top. You can choose to have an over height pan or a standard height pan.    Standard height pan- sits 400 mil off the floor.   Over height pan sits between- 425- 450 mil off the floor, depending on the brand. It is ideal for tall people or those who have mobility issues. It does cost a bit more because there are more materials involved in the manufacturing process.   Rimless Toilet   A toilet without a box room. It has a direct flush technique that shoots water around the edge of a smooth pan. As there is no rim, rimless toilets are easy to clean and more hygienic than a traditional toilet.  The range of price points are reasonable.   Smart Toilet   Similar to rimless toilets, smart toilets are easy to clean and more hygienic. It has a built-in spray in the toilet seat which will wash and dry for you. You can control everything with a remote - including water pressure, temperature and the position of the wand for self-cleaning.   Wall Cisterns  The water tank that flushes the toilet is hidden so you only see the toilet pan at the cistern.. I Ideal for small bathroom spaces.   Be mindful that it doesn't work with every stud wall. If you have a brick wall, you will need to create another wall inside.   With a hidden cistern, you can choose either a floating pan or one that sits on the floor.   Something else to consider is the colour of the flush button as colours are limited.   A lot of clients prefer to use white as it blends in with the wall tiles.   Flush plates are sensor operated. To access the flush mechanism, you may wish to install an access panel for ease. This will allow you to access a few of the movable parts inside the cistern.  Good Quality Toilet  Key considerations:  Type of materials    A clean  coat on top of the ceramic  Design features- I.e Roberto Columba and Patricia Urquiola  Design Components - beautifully designed products will cost more  Cost effective  options can sometimes have an inferior flush mechanism  Recommended Brand  Geberit from Switzerland  15-year warranty  One molded piece in the system  A lot smoother and more comfortable  Coloured Toilets   Coloured toilets are making  their way into the Australian market so keep an eye out for them.   When choosing toilets, itsimportant to visit showrooms and actually sit on them . You can't possibly know if it's going to be comfortable unless you sit on it!    Important links mentioned in the podcast:   Join the '5 Costly Bathroom Design Mistakes and How to Avoid Them' Webinar If you like this and want to learn more, I've got a webinar coming up on 24th November from 7PM-8PM AEDT. Click here to find out more and register. Geberit  Laufen Palomba Collection Designed by Roberto Palumbo  Laufen Sonar Designed by Patricia Urquiola  Reece   Reece is Australia's largest plumbing and bathroom supplies business – found in over 600 locations across Australia.. Their  plumbing and bathroom products are sourced both locally and internationally.  Visit their Website here.   Reece Richmond showroom   You can visit the showroom at 641-643 Bridge Rd, Richmond VIC 3121, Australia.     Services at White Pebble Interiors    Book a Chat    If you're thinking about renovating or creating your kitchen get in touch with Frances directly, by booking a 15 minute chat with her.        Renovating and Building your Forever Home Facebook Group    Want to be inspired to create a home your truly love, that is future proof and adaptable as your family's needs change? Join our exclusive (but inclusive)  Renovating and Building Your Forever Home Facebook Group.         

In this episode of the Bathroom Design Essentials Season, Frances welcomes guests Trisha Narde and Cathryn Matchett from Reece Bathroom Life. Together they discuss basin mixers Vs individual taps and why you may consider one style over the other. They also talk about the different types of bath taps and spouts available. Finally, they cover the ever important discussion on showers and what you will need to know when choosing the right type of shower for you.    SHOWNOTES Basin Taps  Mixer  Aesthetics-simple and streamlined  Ease of cleaning  Easier control over water temperature  Easier to operate  Water-saving- you achieve your temperature a lot quicker    Cartridge  The actual body of the mixer- it what mixes your hot and cold water to produce the temperature that you want  You can get the cartridge separate from the fitting itself with some brands which is easier at build stage and easier to retrofit  Brands where you can get a separate cartridge and trim kit  Hansgrohe  Grohe  Sussex    Individual Taps  If you have to use what's already existing and have two taps, then you need to retrofit with hot and cold tap  Buying Criteria   Quality  Warranties- 15-year warranty  Look for those which include labor and parts warranty  Brands that have good warranties: Grohe, Sussex, Brodware and Methven  Shapes, colours, and styles  Comfort  What Makes a Good Quality Tap?  Plumbing Components  Having solid brass Components  High-quality features  Grohe Silkmove- delivers gradual and precise control of the water flow and temperature.  Grohe Starlight- long lasting surface  Grohe Zero- No contact of water with lead and nickel due to isolated inner water ways  High-quality brand that offers warranties- 12 months      Different Types of Metals  Living Tumbled Brass  Most popular at the moment  Fits into many different styles of homes  Feels more organic than just using chrome or other metals.  Other metals are   Gun Metal  Coppers  Rose Golds    Black Tapwear  It won't go away anytime soon.  You just have to make sure that it's a high quality tap  Electroplated rather than powder coated  Bath Taps  Types of Bath Taps  Floor Mounted  Opulent look  More expensive to install  You need space around the bath as well  Wall Mounted  Swivel tap  Ideal for families-prevent children from hitting their heads  Bath Spouts  The length of bath spout depends on the style of your bath.   For instance;  Freestanding bath- ideal length would be 200 mm  Inset Bath- 150-160 mm  Recommended Brands  Sussex  Grohe  Shower  Reece has a fantastic display of showers where you can feel the water pressure on your hand. It is recommended to utilise these displays to give you an idea of what shower to choose.   Types of Showers  Rail  Has a flexible hose with fixed rail on the wall  It allows you to move the shower head up and down the rail   It's ideal for families as can adjust shower height, especially good for kids.  Makes it easy to clean the shower (and your feet)  Ideal for couples with large height differences.  Flexible and functional     Ceiling mounted  You need to consider the ceiling heights  Be mindful of length of ceiling arms - eg. extra long for tall ceilings  Wall Mounted   You need to make sure that the installation height is correct based on tallest person who will use it.  Length of the arm comes out far enough so you are not against the wall.   A smaller shower space, ensure shower head not to big for the space, consider scale.   Large/Rain Shower Head   Most large shower heads on the market are 3-star rated. They use between 7.5-9 litres per minute   A lot of them have different technologies which give a powerful spray without utilising too much water  Turbine Technology by Nickles   Built-in turbine that will spin and push the water through  A quality shower head means better technology  Methven  Satinjet shower - gives a misty type of jet, but it is powerful with 20% more coverage than a regular shower.   Methven Aurajet  Methven Satinjet  Function of Sprays in shower  Option for jet spray- good for massage  Thermostat showers  Thermostatic mixers  Mixers where the thermostat is built into them for constant temperature control  You can't retrofit  New technology for thermostat  Separate controller for temperature  Push and turn technology  A popular technology where you push it to turn it on and the dial for pressure and your temperature will set there for you.   The temperature doesn't fluctuate.  It has a safety mechanism so cannot burn   Water saving   Bathroom Accessories  Whatever coloured taps you have, the accessories need to be the same.- I.e Black tap and black accessories  Heated towel rails  Available in several types-   Will not replace having a heater in the room. They provide ambient heat, not heating!  Electric –quicker to warm up than hydronic. You can't have them next to bath based on regulations.  Hydronic –has a copper tube inside where the water heats up. It is more radiant compared to electric,  Single individually heated rails- a combination of 3 or 5 in bathrooms. Also available in vertical.      Current regulations- at least 500mml between the water source and power source.     Important links mentioned in the podcast:  Join the '5 Costly Bathroom Design Mistakes and How to Avoid Them' Webinar If you like this and want to learn more, I've got a webinar coming up on 24th November from 7PM-8PM AEDT. Click here to find out more and register. Sussex   Grohe Silkmove  Grohe Zero   Grohe Starlight  Nikles Techno 300 LED Shower Head Chrome (3 Star)  Methven Aurajet  Methven Satinjet  Reece  Reece is Australia's largest plumbing and bathroom supplies business, as well as 8 others in allied industries. Our plumbing and bathroom products are sourced both locally and internationally which you can find in over 600 locations across Australia. Visit their Website here.  Reece Richmond showroom  You can visit the showroom at 641-643 Bridge Rd, Richmond VIC 3121, Australia.    Events and Services at White Pebble Interiors   Book a Chat   If you're thinking about renovating or creating your kitchen get in touch with Frances directly, by booking a 15 minute chat with her.    Renovating and Building your Forever Home Facebook Group   Want to be inspired to create a home your truly love, that is future proof and adaptable as your family's needs change? Join our exclusive (but inclusive)  Renovating and Building Your Forever Home Facebook Group.     

In this episode of the podcast, Frances walks through the different types of vanity options available, along with custom Vs off-the-shelf designs discussing what may work best for your requirements. She also looks at material types and what to consider when specifying for wet areas.    SHOWNOTES:    Vanities are a strong focal point that can make or break the overall design and functionality of a bathroom.     Custom Design Vanity  Allows you to customise the design, shape, configuration of the material and the material being used for the vanity.   Flexible in design   Scaled for the space  Created based on your needs, storage requirements, and bathroom usage .  Custom materials – any combinations – i.e colours, styles  Customise size and configuration    Off the shelf  Sometimes able to  customise certain elements  Choose between different stone tops  If you want a coloured cabinetry, choices are limited  Generally available in standard sizes- 600, 900, 1200, 1500 and 1800 mm.   Standard size may not be the right scale for the room, so it may not be ideal  You may not be able to choose the material type that you want  Limited colour choices – specific colours may not be available with off the shelf products.  Storage Configurations  What you need to store is going to drive the design and functionality of your vanity.   Drawers- How deep and wide you need your drawers Open Shelving- Combination- For instances, a combination of drawers, cupboards and open shelves.  Cupboards  Benchtop only with exposed pipework  Freeform concrete or a piece of stone that forms a vanitytop.   No storage – very minimal look  Can be used in bathrooms where storage is not critical- i.e guest powder room     Different Types of Vanities  Floating/wall hung vanity  Creates an illusion of space as you can see the floor underneath.  Ideally 25-30 cm off the floor.   Looks a lot more sophisticated as things don't feel bulky Ideal for smaller bathroom space   Has a more refined, superior finish If you have a well-designed floating vanity, then you are going to get much more functionality and usability  More often than not, more expensive than floor mounted vanity  Floor Mounted vanity  Has a kicker at the bottom   It can look bulkier  Doesn't maximise on creating an illusion of space  Benchtops  Stone- all types of stone  Opt for a lighter coloured stone  if you don't like the watermarks  Laminate  If you like an under mounted sink, laminate will not be a great choice  Timber  Need to be sealed to prevent watermarking and damage  Cabinetry  Laminate  2pac  Thermo wrap  Timber- veneer and solid timber needs sealing as moisture can affect it.      Links mentioned in the podcast:     Episode 36: Kitchen Design Essentials – Benchtops part 1  Episode 38: Kitchen Design Essentials-Benchtop Criteria and Materials – Part 2  Episode 41: Kitchen Design Essentials – Cabinetry Materials      Join the '5 Costly Bathroom Design Mistakes and How to Avoid Them' Webinar If you like this and want to learn more, I've got a webinar coming up on 24th November from 7PM-8PM AEDT. Click here to find out more and register. Book a Chat   If you're thinking about renovating or creating a new home  get in touch with Frances directly, by booking a 15 minute chat with her.    Renovating and Building your Forever Home Facebook Group   Want to be inspired to create a home you truly love, that is future proof and adaptable as your family's needs change? Join our exclusive (but inclusive)  Renovating and Building Your Forever Home Facebook Group.         

Choosing tiles is a main consideration in your bathrooms. It's the main material that will be used and impacts functionality as well as aesthetics. Not all tiles are the same, so it's important to know the buying criteria so you can choose the right tile for the right application.  In this episode of the podcast, Frances is joined by Tiling expert, Richard Earp from Earp Bros.  Richard shares his amazing knowledge on tiles to discuss the different types of tiles and differences between poor and good quality tiles.     Shownotes:  Different Types of Tiles  Ceramic- the material has a moisture absorption of more than 3%, ideal for walls  Gres Tiles- the material has a moisture absorption of between 3% and 0.5%  Porcelain- are low absorption product (0.5% or less).  Can be used on the inside, outside, wall and floor   Technical Porcelain- has a 0.1% moisture absorption and are generally used in high-performance areas such as airports, shopping centers, and Melbourne Exhibition Centre.  Other types of porcelain:  Glaze Porcelain  Full Body Porcelain  Double Charge Porcelain  Triple Charge Porcelain  Polished Porcelain      Things to consider when choosing porcelain material:  Porcelain varies in quality mainly with accuracy and surface flatness which effect how its laid and the overall finish  Design and the surface  Colour separation rooms for glazes to create a depth of colour not seen cheaper version tiles. The more colour separations used, the better the quality.  Cheaper Porcelain tiles generally cut corners in the manufacturing process. Reduced processing of raw materials, the use of more glass as a fluxing agent to incorporate with ball clays and porcelain clays. On the other hand, high-quality tiles have lesser fluxing agents, longer firing times using higher technology to press, and the raw materials are extracted.   Terracotta-can be formed in different ways-extruded, molded and etc. It has a very high absorption material and generally requires sealing.   Cement tiles- like terracotta, cement tiles also require sealing  Placing a tile that has a higher (10%) moisture absorption on the floor is not ideal as they are not dense. If you drop something on the floor, it can easily crack, break, or chip. The moist absorption gives an indication of what type of materials the factories are manufacturing  Sealers   There are sealers that are designed to breathe in stone, terracottas and cement.   Topical Sealer- sit on top of the material  Penetrating Sealer- shields against moisture penetration and chemicals. Usually, they provide invisible protection without changing the surface appearance, and most products are breathable, allowing moisture vapor to escape.  Tile Sizes  How the size of tile impacts your selection  Spatial Awareness - larger format tiles can look great in some spaces, but a small space with large format tiles in many instances won't work. Instead of a 800x800mm tile, 600x60mm may be better. Cost – will cost more to use larger format tiles – product and labout. Porcelain sheets (2.7, 3.2 meters sheets, 1.2 meters wide.)- needs a specialist to install which costs more than 20-30% of premium. Why it costs more?  Delivery of the material   Kitchen benchtop- must be fabricated off site and it get done by machine in specialist factories  Intricacies of installing them  Tile Types    Rectified- the tile is perfectly straight  When buying tiles manufacturers should be able to provide you with the following:  Installation Procedures  Sealing guide  Cleaning guide  Sustainability   Earp Bros joined the green building council in 2004 and was the first company that went through product certification. They use two certification systems:  Global Green Tags   Product Declare  Sustainable Criteria  Green Tag Accreditation  Life cycle assessment of materials   Tips when deciding on your tiles and getting a good result at the end  Understand what you need- I.e High-maintenance vs low maintenance materials  Visualise what you want before you start your journey- Create a pinterest board  Be fully accurate on what your budget is  Surround yourself with professionals. Find trustworthy companies and people    Tile trends  Large format tiles  Natural materials- Zellige tiles are popular now        Patterns and sheets of design, like big florals       Links Mentioned in the Podcast:  Join the '5 Costly Bathroom Design Mistakes and How to Avoid Them' Webinar If you like this and want to learn more, I've got a webinar coming up on 24th November from 7PM-8PM AEDT. Click here to find out more and register. Earps Bros  Whether you are looking for decorative splash-back tiles for your rental property, high performing commercial quantity slip resistant tiles or handcrafted artisan mosaics from Morocco, their range will add value to your project now and into the future. Visit their website here: https://earp.com.au/  Book a Chat   If you're thinking about renovating or creating your kitchen get in touch with Frances directly, by booking a 15 minute chat with her.    Renovating and Building your Forever Home Facebook Group   Want to be inspired to create a home your truly love, that is future proof and adaptable as your family's needs change? Join our exclusive (but inclusive)  Renovating and Building Your Forever Home Facebook Group. 

In this episode, Frances provides a summary of each episode of the Kitchen Design Essentials Season and how each episode adds another dimension to your overall kitchen design and outcome. From budgets to materials, from flatpacks to splashbacks, she outlines all episodes, providing a handy reference on what will be the episode to listen to next as part of the season.   SHOWNOTES:    1 – Episode 24: Kitchen Design Essentials - Season Overview Frances provided an overview of what's in store for the season- giving you a good insight into what was covered in the series. 2 – Episode 27: Kitchen Design Essentials - How to Determine What You Need in Your Kitchen This episode is about working out what you need in the kitchen.  Frances talked about the importance of doing a kitchen needs assessment- analysis of your lifestyle, type of cook, storage requirements and the number of people working into that space.  Ideally using the Clear Clarity Design Worksheet from the Beautiful Kitchen Design Made Easy course. 3- Episode 30: Kitchen Design Essentials -Kitchen Design Layouts and Location Frances, and guest Interior Designer, Fabieli Fontana talked about Kitchen layouts and locations in the home.  Kitchen Layout and the advantages and disadvantages of each layout- U shape, Lineal, L shaped, Galley The best location that brings in natural light 4 – Episode 32: Kitchen Design Essentials –The Builder's insight This Kitchen Design Essentials episode had special guest, Jeremy Gates from Gaia Construction, who provided the builder's insight on mistakes people make when creating a new kitchen. He focused on setting a budget, and avoiding mistakes such as undercapitalising  being worse than overcapitalising by not utilising the space the best way possible. He felt homeowners esigning their kitchen was a mistake too as it held to a whole heap of issues. 5 – Episode 34: Kitchen Design Essentials – Key Kitchen Design Mistakes This episode brings back our guest Fabieli Fontana, where she and Frances spoke about key kitchen design mistakes. They chat about experiences with clients and errors caught early enough to be reflect a better overall design- window placement, size & height, structural constraints. 6 – Episode 36: Kitchen Design Essentials – Benchtops part 1 Frances and her guest Laura Neville from Cosentino discussed the various products available from Cosentino, namely natural stone, reconstituted stone, and Dekton. 7 – Episode 38: Kitchen Design Essentials-Benchtop Criteria and Materials – Part 2 Frances talked about benchtop criteria in terms of you and your family's needs. She also mentioned other benchtop materials such as timber, porcelain, recycled glass, stainless steel, paperock, concrete, laminate, and solid acrylic surface. 8 – Episode 39: Kitchen Design Essentials – Splashbacks Being a self-confessed fan of splashbacks, Frances outlined several splashback materials including glass, stone, windows, mirror and porcelain, including her favourite – tiles. She also pointed out how splashbacks can determine the entire selection for your kitchen. Lastly, she talked about the considerations from a regulation perspective- gas or induction stove tops 9 – Episode 41: Kitchen Design Essentials – Cabinetry Materials In this episode, Frances spoke about cabinetry materials and the advantages and disadvantages of each materials- 2Pac, thermal wrap, laminate, timber, and Dekton.  She also talked about kickers, sizes and material options. 10 – Episode 43: Kitchen Design Essentials – Flatpack Vs Custom Designed Kitchens Frances walks through the differences between flat pack and custom designed kitchens. She shared considerations that you need to think about when choosing between flatpack and custom kitchens such as design and materials constraints,  constraints and possible compromises on layout. 11 – Episode 45: Kitchen Design Essentials - Internal Elevations & Joinery Design In this episode, Frances discussed  Internal Elevations and Joinery Design and why it is important in your kitchen design, why it is worth the investment and what could go wrong if you don't have them in terms of cost and design considerations. She referenced the blog too  Why Internal Elevations are Critical for your Home, which you can read here. 12 - Episode 47: Kitchen Design Essentials – Key Kitchen Measurements Frances outlined the key kitchen measurements to make sure that your kitchen is functional and workable. She ran through key metrics for kitchen planning such as gaps between rear-bench and island bench, the ideal length for island benches, depths of cupboards and other space considerations for fridges. 13 - Episode 49: Kitchen Design Essentials – Butler's Pantries and Pantries This episode talked about Butler's pantries and pantries and the difference between the two. She also debunked the concept that pantries are critical in every home  and presented other options such as appliance cupboards, step-in pantries and pantry drawer systems 14 - Episode 51: Kitchen Design Essentials- Kitchen Taps and Sinks In this episode, Frances and her podcast guest Trisha Narde from Reece Bathrooms talked about kitchen taps and sinks. They discussed the different types of sinks and taps available and buying considerations for both.  What makes a good quality tap and sink?  What makes a cost-effective tap and what are some of the issues that pose? And if you planning to incorporate Billy and Zip taps in your kitchen, don't miss this episode as Frances and Trisha gave an in-depth review about it. Lastly, they talked about the very controversial black tap and black sink.  Should you or shouldn't you? 15 - Episode 53: Kitchen Design Essentials – Appliances - Part 1 We featured another guest in this episode- Rob Sinclair, the managing director of e&s Trading. This episode focused on fridge, dishwasher, oven or steam ovens, the buying criteria for each and great brands to look out for. He also suggested that when choosing appliances, it's important to assess your needs, lifestyle and cooking requirement. Rob and Frances also talked about integrated, semi and freestanding options for your appliances. 16 – Episode 54: Kitchen Design Essentials – Appliances Part 2 Part 2 of the Appliances Episode with Rob Sinclair talked about stove tops and rangehoods- the best range hood and why it's worth spending the extra money. Other appliances like built-in coffee machines were also discussed in the episode. Rob also shared the latest kitchen appliances to look out for 17 - Episode 55: Kitchen Design Essentials- Handles and Hardware Frances talked about how handles and hardware affects your kitchen's design and functionality.  She also talked about the advantages and disadvantages of handles and knobs, material considerations such as shapes, sizes and types (leather, timber, metal finishes).  Lastly, she touched on the different types of cabinetry internal hardware like runners and other proprietary systems. 18 - Episode 57: Kitchen Design Essentials – How to Choose Kitchen Colours In this episode of the Kitchen Design Essentials Season, Frances chats through how to choose colours for your kitchen. When choosing for your colour scheme, floors would be a good starting point, as well as your leading material (I.e splashback). Most importantly, Frances said that continuity and flow is essential in your design, so make sure that you are using the same tones, whether they are cool or warm colours throughout the home 19 - Episode 59: Kitchen Design Essentials – Kitchen Lighting Frances ran through the different types of kitchen lighting- task, ambient and decorative lighting and how you can incorporate all of it into your kitchen. She also opposed only using downlights in the kitchen and suggested different combinations of light sources to be able to dial your lighting up or down accordingly.   20 – Episode 61: Kitchen Design Essentials – Budgeting Frances walked us through creating budgets. She outlined what needs to be considered and items that should go into it. She also ran through what you can expect to be able to do at certain budget levels ($5,000 vs $20,000 vs $40,000 vs $80,000 budget). And once again, she put emphasis on undercapitalising being an issue when  not using the space to its optimum 21- Episode 62: Kitchen Design Essentials – Outdoor Kitchens The final episode of the season talked about the growing popularity of Outdoor Kitchen.   She ran through the different types of suitable materials and options Lastly, she talked about the location for your outdoor kitchen- separate to the house or added as an extension to your home.   Services Available: Beautiful Kitchen Design Made Easy Course Access the 'Beautiful Kitchen Design Made Easy' Course for only $99. It has over 21 lessons and transcripts from the Kitchen Design Essential Podcast and professionally designed downloadable resources including Top 12 Must-Do's Planner, All-In Appliances Checklist, Clear Clarity Design Worksheet, All-Inclusive Kitchen Materials and Fittings Template (including WIP) and Kitchen Budget Template. This simple to follow short course will leave you feeling confident that you have information at hand to help you navigate your own kitchen design with ease. Click here if you are ready to build your beautiful kitchen. Online course - $99 with over 21 lessons and transcripts from podcast, PLUS downloadable resources.   Top 5 Tips for Designing your Forever Home Webinar Obtain key information to prepare you for your Forever Home with the 'Top 5 Tips for Designing your Forever Home' Webinar on 26th November 2020 at 7:00pm (AEDT)via zoom. In this webinar, we will cover the following topics- Assessing for floorplan flexibility, How to get your kitchen design right, Why internal elevations are critical, How to create zones in the home and Creating different lighting options. Sign up now!   Book A Chat Ready to renovate or create your kitchen but not sure where to start? Get the help of a property expert and save yourself from making costly mistakes with a free Forever Home chat. Click here to get access to Frances' calendar;   Kitchen Bliss Package Overwhelmed by the amount of decisions that need to be made when creating a stylish, functional and durable kitchen? What materials to select, what colours will co-ordinate together, what design is going to best suit the space, and your requirements. We offer kitchen design packages that include joinery design and material selections for a complete kitchen design. Click the link here to find more.   Thank you so much for listening to Kitchen Design Essentials Series. We are working hard to provide you high-quality contents and your review could greatly help us to continue doing so. We appreciate you taking out the time to help us improve our podcast!    

In this episode of Your Forever Home, as part of the Kitchen Design Essentials Season, Frances walks through what needs to be considered when planning the budget for your kitchen, including items that are often forgotten. She also runs through what you can expect to be able to do at certain budget levels.    SHOWNOTES:   Determine your goals and objectives when creating your kitchen. Are you doing a makeover, some basic cosmetic changes to freshen it up? Is it going to be a renovation? Basic Renovation- replacing what's already there and not changing the actual layout Full Rip out- Changing the layout, creating a different space. Brand new kitchen Kitchen to flip- short term fix Forever Home Mindset- a kitchen that would last for 10+ years In doing so: You will be able to work out on a realistic budget. You will be able to identify what you need to invest for the best outcome. It will guide you on choosing the type of materials, finishes appliances that sit within your budget.   The kitchen is one the most important spaces in a home, so compromising elsewhere could be well worth it. If part of the bigger project, some areas can be delayed allowing you to allocate more on the kitchen.. For instance, delay builtin cabinetry or an ensuite renovation. It may be worth waiting a little to get it right because it is such an important space.   Not utilising the space in the best way possible- In the Episode of Kitchen Design Essentials- Builder's Insight, Jeremy from Gaia Constructions highlighted one of the biggest mistakes homeowners make when creating a new kitchen. Engaging with experts (eg, interior designer, engineer) will save you money and minimise regrets that you are going to have. Compromising on design as you don't want to spend getting the design drawings done is a compromise on the space- cabinetry to fit a space rather than it being properly designed. We were able to achieve things for clients what they never thought possible - Walk in pantries, appliance cupboards, servery windows – all because we have a different expert eye that can see things you may not. It's what we're trained to do. It's what you pay us for. How to set your budget What do you need to spend your money on? Design and consultants Interior Designer- Elevations and layouts Engineers- Removing walls Products & materials Demolition Cost – If you are not doing it yourself. Rubbish removal Lighting designer Different tradespeople (if managing yourself) Freight- getting resources and materials from different locations   Other costs to consider;- Plumber Electrician Tiler Plasterer Painting Flooring Handles Caulking Sealing Opportunity cost- taking the time off work to manage all the trades, which means you need to consider; Insurance Warranty on workmanship Your skillset and confidence to manage all grey areas that may come up when a builder is not involved.   How much do you want to spend? If part of a larger home, you may want to get advice on where to spend and where to save. Are there materials that you can re-use or upcycle? Are there any things that you can do yourself, without compromising the outcome? I.e Painting – be mindful of building regulation for complicated tasks.   What budget can you afford? Validate what you can afford with the real costs, so you can determine what you can feasibly achieve. Allocate 15% for contingency Particularly relevant for renovations – come up against unknowns.   Let's talk figures – what can you do – indications only (2020) These estimations will depend on the finishes, extent of cabinetry, benchtops, and WIP. Remember that one material/ fitting maybe important than the other, so this is not saying you can't have it! Compromise may be required.  

In this Kitchen Design Essentials episode Frances runs through the critical element of lighting in your kitchen. She discusses the need for task, ambient and decorative lighting for different scenarios, particularly for kitchens in an open plan space. She also discusses the many different alternatives available to using downlights, and why it's important to use a combination of light sources. SHOWNOTES: Lighting affects your mood and your ability to work in a space. It is a key component to the overall functionality of your kitchen. Task Lighting Provides specific and increased light to accomplish specific task (E.g reading, working, or cooking). Task lighting is critical in the kitchen, as it is in a bathroom. Proper task lighting enables work surfaces to be illuminated such as island benches, under overhead cupboards, and corners. A good artificial light is required regardless of what natural light is available Natural Lighting – Nothing beats good natural light How much natural light you have depends on orientation of the kitchen and the kitchen location in the home. Skylights- Can be openable which allows hot air to be released. Ambient/Mood Lighting Kitchens are often placed in an open plan area where it's open to lounge and dining. To avoid only having task lighting, ambient lighting is needed to create mood and atmosphere in the whole open plan space, including your kitchen. Dimmers- an important way to create ambient lighting Downlights- Choose a downlight that is good quality LED Has broad beam which reach more space Decorative Lighting Decorative lighting plays a big part of interior design Pendant lights- serves as a decorative element but can also be used as an ambient light. If selected well, and is over an Island bench it will function as task lighting, ambient and decorative lighting. Allows for soft lighting to be used in the overall open plan If you want your pendant lights to provide task lighting over the bench, need to consider the light illuminated from the fitting. Need a number of pendants to match the size of the bench. Scale is important. Pendant lights allow you to add your personality into the kitchen but make sure that it coordinated back to the cabinetry material. Have a combination of task lighting, ambient/mood lighting, and decorative lighting so you have the ability to dial your lighting up or down as required. Alternatives to downlights Directional spots Sit in the ceiling just like a downlight Can move around so you can get light exactly where you need it. Track Lighting Can be mounted on the ceiling and offers multiple lights from one track You can point them where you need them to be. LED Strip Lighting – multiple types Strip under the front of the island bench for ambient/decorative effect. Under the overhead cabinetry to illuminate bench under the overhead cupboards. On the top of the overhead cabinetry pointing up to the ceiling to reflect light off the ceiling. Uplights Provides excellent task lighting, good ambient lighting and is also   Available in different styles Ideal for homes with high ceilings Wall Washes Installed in the ceiling like a downlight Points to the wall and bounces light off the wall. Beautiful for highlighting artwork. Cove lighting Sits above the overhead cabinetry. It creates a strip of light that pushes lights down into space. It can be built into the bulkhead. Under cabinetry lighting Instead of strip LED, you may want to consider smaller lights (i.e circular or square) that sits in the overhead cabinetry. Light from your rangehood A good light source Illuminate your stovetop It is worth investing in getting your lighting design for your kitchen (or your whole house). Engage either a lighting designer or an interior designer that is able to do a lighting plan for you. It is only when you live with poor lighting, that you understand the value of having really good light and the impact on how it makes you work and feel in space   Available Services; Beautiful Kitchen Design Made Easy Online Course Ready to design and create your own beautiful kitchen? Get all the interior designer insider knowledge in this online course to create your dream kitchen. Find out more and join here  Book A Chat Ready to renovate or create your kitchen but not sure where to start? Get the help of a property expert and save yourself from making costly mistakes with a free Forever Home chat. Click here to get access to Frances' calendar;  Kitchen Bliss Package Overwhelmed by the amount of decisions that need to be made when creating a stylish, functional and durable kitchen? What materials to select, what colours will co-ordinate together, what design is going to best suit the space, and your requirements. We offer kitchen design packages that include joinery design and material selections for a complete kitchen design. Click the link here to find more:   Related Resources: Why Internal Elevations are Critical for your Home Kitchen Design to Match your Lifestyle Episode 55: Kitchen Design Essentials: Handles and Hardware  Episode 54: Kitchen Design Essentials- Appliances Part 2 Episode 53: Kitchen Design Essentials – Appliances - Part 1 Episode 51: Kitchen Design Essentials- Kitchen Taps and Sinks Episode 50: Kitchen Design Essentials- Kitchen Taps and Sinks Episode 49: Kitchen Design Essentials – Butler's Pantries and Pantries Episode 47: Kitchen Design Essentials – Key Kitchen Measurements  Episode 45: Kitchen Design Essentials - Internal Elevations & Joinery Design Read our latest blog on Internal Elevations and Joinery Design here;  Episode 43: Kitchen Design Essentials – Flatpack Vs Custom Designed Kitchens  Episode 39: Kitchen Design Essentials – Splashbacks  Episode 38: Kitchen Design Essentials-Benchtop Criteria and Materials – Part 2-  Episode 36: Kitchen Design Essentials – Benchtops part 1  Episode 14: Forever Home LIVE- Joinery Drawings and Why Do Them Early On- Episode 30: Kitchen Design Essentials -Kitchen Design Layouts and Location-  Episode 32: Kitchen Design Essentials – The Builder's Insight  How to Choose the Right Bench Top-  Top 5 tips for selecting benchtops-   

In this Forever Home Live, Frances chats about things you can do to ensure an all-white kitchen is not clinical and soulless, with a few ideas about material selections and also decorating tips to add pops of colour.

In this episode of the Kitchen Design Essentials Season, Frances chats through how to choose your colours for your kitchen – and she's certainly encouraging you to use colour – if you love it! She walks you through how to determine 'what comes first' when creating your design scheme and runs through popular combinations. Finally, she gives some great advice and tips on decorating your kitchen, and how to make it your own and give it some personality.   SHOWNOTES: Your kitchen does not have to match everything else in the home. For instance, if you are using a particular tile in the bathroom, you don't necessarily have to bring that across to the kitchen. Make your kitchen a unique space! Have a consistent colour tone to create continuity and flow. For example, if you have a warm home, you need to make sure that you also use warm coloured materials. Warm tones = Beige Cool tones= Greys When thinking about the tone for your home, think about the colors you naturally gravitate to and often it's the colours you wear. For Open plan, you need to coordinate the style of your Kitchen and colour with the rest of the home. For example, a country style kitchen in a modern home will not work. If there isn't consistency throughout the whole home, it will not feel or look right. Choosing material and their colours Start with the floor – Everything gets built up from the floor. For instance, if you've got a timber floor, are you going to have  timber cabinetry that matches the floor or are you going to create a contrast? Choose your leading piece and select other materials around that piece You can choose the colour and design of your kitchen based on your Splashback tile, cabinetry colour (eg. apple green) or natural stone feature. Don't start with your paint colour! There's over 10,000 to choose from. Choose something that you love. Everything will go out of date except the things that you love the most- material, tile, colour or shape When building her Forever Home, Frances used Patricia Urquiola tiles that she had loved for years, for her splashback. It then became her leading piece and she designed her kitchen around it.    Dark or light cabinetry? An all white kitchen can be clinical – A safe option when you are not sure what goes with what, but it is uninteresting unless you're going to brighten it up with something else. Choose off white or warm grey. We have our go-to – not quite grey and not yellow based either. Work with warm and cool interiors. Add texture, shape or colour to break it up – generally in the splashback or benchtop that has movement in it. Create contrast – with benchtop and cabinetry, or with splashback. Eg. Light cabinetry and dark benchtop or vice versa Sleek and sophisticated – less is more. For instance, Dark or timber cabinetry with the benchtop and splashback the same. Use Maximum of 3 materials. Timber in a kitchen Timber is a sustainable material which is quite popular at the moment. Gives an organic feeling which is difficult to replace. Natural timber comes with a premium price compared to veneer. If you have timber cabinetry overhead, then you may want to use a contrasting material such as aa plain cabinetry underneath or vice versa. Keep in mind that the timber underneath needs to work with any timber floor. All timber finish can be paired with light or dark benchtop, just make sure that the benchtop coordinates back to the  timber kitchen. Can also have a timber benchtop with plain cabinetry or a timber benchtop with coloured cabinetry. Use  timber handles as an accent Timber floating shelves as an accent. Avoid grey based timbers – They are artificial and don't  look real. It will  date because it's not a natural timber  colour. Combine cool tones using other materials, rather than using grey in the timber.  Avoid mixing different types of timber because it will become too busy. Stick with one. My preference is to contrast the timber floor with any timber cabinetry – if in doubt, have the timber cabinetry overhead. Maximum 3-4 different materials. Eg benchtop, cabinetry, splashback and accent material or 2nd cabinetry colour instead of accent colour. How to bring in colour An easy and obvious way is adding it in the Splashback– able to change relatively easily Cabinetry – Avoid trends and choose the color that you really love. If you stick with the colour that you gravitate into, you will never get tired of it. Benchtop – natural stone or otherwise Use tonal changes. If all white, but with a slight tonal change, and texture can make such a difference. Coloured appliances – Dolce and Gabbana Fridge. Smeg coloured fridges. Also counter appliances eg. Coffee maker, mix master, blender, toaster, kettle etc Consider appliance colours Are they going to be a Stainless steel, black, white, integrated? Do you want them to recede and blend in or are you okay with contrast? (eg stainless steel fridge) Dealing with oven walls and fridges areas together Create a block of one material and colour with these placed together. Consider how they will work with overhead cupboards and under bench cupboards run the same colour overhead or contrast against it Some popular combination choices; Timber and plain coloured cabinetry. Timber goes with everything, so you are open to colour options--- Cool or warm Dark timber cabinetry only with a lighter coloured benchtop and splashback. Dark overhead and light underneath with light benchtop Light overhead and dark underneath with light benchtop Dark benchtop and light cabinetry, above or below or both All light cabinetry (above and below), light benchtop and coloured splashback All light cabinetry with dark benchtop and coloured splashback Monochromatic – different tones from same colour family Eg, greys – dark and light grey and white (charcoal and light grey cabinetry) Decorating The kitchen can be decorated beautifully. You can make something rather bland into something lived in and special. Don't overdo it. Don't clutter your benchtop. You may use a few things that you use daily as for a decorating element.  A few things is all you need to make it feel lived in,personable and homey. Best to display items that you use too; Timber chopping boards and cheese boards Salt & pepper shakers- You can have them in different sizes Scales Oil canisters- stainless steel or ceramic Salt dish Floating shelves – add trailing plants (eg devil's ivy ), cook books, jug, heirloom/special cup and saucer Teapot Herb pots- Adds green  in the kitchen and it's easy to access for cooking Place them on a board or a tray or on the window sill Coloured tea towels/hand towels- Another way to inject colour – some great designs around Artwork- Can be used to fill a bare wall Large decorative clock- not only useful but beautiful too. Particularly good  for a Hampton style kitchen Centrepiece (or not centred) on one end of bench or dining table in same space Fruit bowl/ tiered platter Tray with a few items together Decorative dish/platter/bowl Plant Proportion important for it to look right   Available Services;   Beautiful Kitchen Design Made Easy Online Course Ready to design and create your own beautiful kitchen? Get all the interior designer insider knowledge in this online course to create your dream kitchen. Find out more and join here Book A Chat Ready to renovate or create your kitchen but not sure where to start? Get the help of a property expert and save yourself from making costly mistakes with a free Forever Home chat. Click here to get access to Frances' calendar;  Kitchen Bliss Package Overwhelmed by the amount of decisions that need to be made when creating a stylish, functional and durable kitchen? What materials to select, what colours will co-ordinate together, what design is going to best suit the space, and your requirements. We offer kitchen design packages that include joinery design and material selections for a complete kitchen design. Click the link here to find more:    Refrigerator of Art Smeg and Dolce&Gabbana If you are interested in Smeg's Dolce and Gabbana Refrigerator of Art, click the link here;    Related Resources: Kitchen Design To Match Your Lifestyle Blog- Episode 55: Kitchen Design Essentials: Handles and Hardware  Episode 54: Kitchen Design Essentials- Appliances Part 2 Episode 53: Kitchen Design Essentials – Appliances - Part 1 Episode 51: Kitchen Design Essentials- Kitchen Taps and Sinks Episode 50: Kitchen Design Essentials- Kitchen Taps and Sinks Episode 49: Kitchen Design Essentials – Butler's Pantries and Pantries Episode 47: Kitchen Design Essentials – Key Kitchen Measurements  Episode 45: Kitchen Design Essentials - Internal Elevations & Joinery Design Read our latest blog on Internal Elevations and Joinery Design here;  Episode 43: Kitchen Design Essentials – Flatpack Vs Custom Designed Kitchens Episode 41: Kitchen Design Essentials – Cabinetry Materials-  Episode 39: Kitchen Design Essentials – Splashbacks  Episode 38: Kitchen Design Essentials-Benchtop Criteria and Materials – Part 2-  Episode 36: Kitchen Design Essentials – Benchtops part 1  Episode 14: Forever Home LIVE- Joinery Drawings and Why Do Them Early On- Episode 30: Kitchen Design Essentials -Kitchen Design Layouts and Location-  Episode 32: Kitchen Design Essentials – The Builder's Insight  How to Choose the Right Bench Top- Top 5 tips for selecting benchtops-   

In this Forever Home Live, Frances chats through the importance of the orientation of your home and why a north-facing rear garden is premium. She walks through how it's the first thing she reviews when conducting a Floor Plan Sanity Check, along with the use of doors to improve flexibility, privacy, zoning, and heat retention. These are the first two key areas she reviews as part of the Sanity Check process.

In this episode of the Kitchen Design Essentials Season, Frances discusses handles, and the options available (including having no handles), along with cabinetry hardware and internals, and what options are available to improve design and functionality in your kitchen.   SHOWNOTES: Handles and hardware add the perfect finishing touch to your kitchen. They can absolutely make your kitchen, or they can let it down. Good news is, they are easy to replace to create a whole new look.   Handles   They add to overall finish of kitchen and to the overall design. They complete the aesthetic on the style of your kitchen Hamptons or shaker style kitchens needs handles to complete the look/aesthetic Contemporary style may mean handles intrude on aesthetic They add personality to an ordinary kitchen. A quick fix for make overs too – replacing handles can really update a kitchen. Functionality- allow for easy opening of cupboards and drawers Personal preference – some prefer to have handles and some don't. Handle Types Fingerpull – A simple solution for opening your cupboards or drawers. It has a rebate that is either built into the top of drawer or underneath overhead cupboards that allows your fingers to pull open. Streamlined and clean finish Can affect depth of drawer (storage) depending on finger pull type being used. Push to close – We don't normally suggest this type of mechanism to clients. As you work at the bench, legs can push open cupboards/drawers too easily If opting for handle-less finish – prefer finger pull Handles Generally easier to use across the board especially for kids and elderly. Handles are much easier to use than a knob for opening heavy drawers They can be placed vertically or horizontally on overhead cabinetry. For pull-out pantries or fridge doors, a vertical handle is preferrable Drawers commonly use horizontal handles Better to have one longer handle than two smaller for ease of opening Ensure the handle is long enough for the drawer Be mindful of T-bar handles because it can get caught on clothing Make sure that the style of your handle is in line with the complete aesthetic of your kitchen. Not something that conflicts or clashes with overall look. Needs to complement. Knobs It is better for overhead cabinetry than under bench cabinetry. Knobs overhead handle underneath Can be a lot smaller compared to handles so can be more discreet Can be difficult to open drawers and heavier cabinetry such as  fridge fronts Need to coordinate with handles Finishes – There's an incredible selection of knobs and handles. Anything that you can think of. Metal- a very popular choice Living Metals- naturally tarnish over time - organic feel Burnished- It is not shiny and has more organic feel to it as well Matte Polished Satin finishes Solid Metal- i.e stainless steel, chrome or solid brass Timber: knobs and handles Different profiles- Round, concave, semi-circle Can soften the look. Leather –handles, straps, knobs Can also patina over time, with the oils from your finger. Combination of materials eg. Timber and metal, leather and metal. Colours – Your handles do not have to match your tap. However, be mindful of the continuity that is going through the rest of the space/ home. Eg, light fittings, other door hardware. Size or the Proportion of the handle Position on doors, centred or left/right aligned If you can, visit showroom with handles to test for the feel and grip, and if you like it. Hardware & Internal Hardware improve the functionality of the internals of your cabinetry. It improves the design, and worsk particularly well in smaller kitchens where space is tight and sophisticated design required. Cheap runners and cheap hinges are not going to last, so invest in a good quality ones. Types of hardware & internals Lift up cupboard fronts Oopens upwards so you have got a complete visibility of contents. Not restricted leaving cupboards open and seeing contents – won't knock your head. Manual or electronic (push button)– Electronic comes at a cost Pull out shelves Have a shelf with appliances that allows you to pull it out. Ideal for tight kitchen Bifold doors It can be useful if you have an appliance cupboard. Retractable doors It opens like a hinge door, but it retracts back into the cavity. Space saving However, a space for cavity should be consider when getting a retractable doors. Electric mechanism For cabinetry fronts to auto close. Excellent for fridges & pantry doors. Pullout Pantry systems Old Pantry pull out Systems- You can't see all the items, and things fall over. New Pantry System- Items are completely visible and you can customise how things stand up in each of the drawers. Ideal for small kitchen because of the storage it provides Oil and spice drawers Bins – bin drawers 1, 2, 3, 4 types of bins – think recycling, compost, soft plastics and waste Dedicated pull out drawers with full bins or double bins in each drawer, normally about 15 litresfor smaller bins. Under sink – custom made or system from eg. Blum – good for space saving Size depends on space available Drawer runners and hinges Hettich & Blum – lifetime guarantee. Have their own individual hardware systems and offer excellent hinge and drawer solutions. Cheaper versions it wears out easily, drag, or don't slide well. Every drawer in your kitchen should be fully extendable and soft close Touch to close/soft close overhead Visit showrooms to see the different types of mechanism that are available and to see the difference between cutlery drawers set up or drawers heights. Available Services; Beautiful Kitchen Design Made Easy Online Course Ready to design and create your own beautiful kitchen? Get all the interior designer insider knowledge in this online course to create your dream kitchen. Find out more and join here.  Book A Chat Ready to renovate or create your kitchen but not sure where to start? Get the help of a property expert and save yourself from making costly mistakes with a free Forever Home chat. Click here to get access to Frances' calendar;  Kitchen Bliss Package Overwhelmed by the amount of decisions that need to be made when creating a stylish, functional and durable kitchen? What materials to select, what colours will co-ordinate together, what design is going to best suit the space, and your requirements. We offer kitchen design packages that include joinery design and material selections for a complete kitchen design. Click the link here to find more.   Related Resources: Episode 54: Kitchen Design Essentials- Appliances Part 2 Episode 53: Kitchen Design Essentials – Appliances - Part 1 Episode 51: Kitchen Design Essentials- Kitchen Taps and Sinks Episode 50: Kitchen Design Essentials- Kitchen Taps and Sinks Episode 49: Kitchen Design Essentials – Butler's Pantries and Pantries Episode 47: Kitchen Design Essentials – Key Kitchen Measurements Episode 45: Kitchen Design Essentials - Internal Elevations & Joinery Design Read our latest blog on Internal Elevations and Joinery Design here;  Episode 43: Kitchen Design Essentials – Flatpack Vs Custom Designed Kitchens Episode 41: Kitchen Design Essentials – Cabinetry Materials- Episode 39: Kitchen Design Essentials – Splashbacks  Episode 38: Kitchen Design Essentials-Benchtop Criteria and Materials – Part 2- Episode 36: Kitchen Design Essentials – Benchtops part 1  Episode 14: Forever Home LIVE- Joinery Drawings and Why Do Them Early On- Episode 30: Kitchen Design Essentials -Kitchen Design Layouts and Location-  Episode 32: Kitchen Design Essentials – The Builder's Insight  How to Choose the Right Bench Top- Top 5 tips for selecting benchtops-    

Following on from last week's episode on Appliances Part 1, Rob Sinclair, of E&S Trading and Frances continue their discussion on key kitchen appliances. This episode focuses on Stove Tops and Rangehoods, plus other appliances to consider. As ever, Rob shares his incredible knowledge and practical advice about buying criteria for these appliances. SHOWNOTES: Stove tops Buying Criteria Control- Any hot plate that gives you more temperature control Whether it is gas or electric, do I have a real visible range or step of temperature Space- Creation of space and being able to fit How much space do I have at home? What are the pots I like to use, and do they fit next to each other when you are doing what you want to do? Lifestyle- What type of cooking do you use your stove top for? Induction Vs Gas Cleaning requirement- Induction stovetops are typically easier to clean than gas. Design Perspective- Induction are seamless compared to gas tops. Deliver Control- There are not as many brands available for gas that deliver a large amount of temperature control. Those available are high end products. On the other hand, induction has up to 18 different temperature settings. When it comes to high heat, induction is about twice as fast as gas will be at bringing water to boil. Flexibility- Induction has more flexibility for any cooking style. Budget- Induction starts at $1,000 Safety perspective with kids- The only thing that gets hot on an induction hot plate is the pot or the pan itself. There is no naked flame with induction, unlike gas. Additionally, pots won't tip on an induction top because of its flat surface, unlike gas that has uneven surface. Performance and efficiency- There is a big range of both gas and induction hot plates available. Brands that offer a high quality gas stovetop are ASCO, Franke Professional and the Wolf Gas Hotplate. Highly recommended brands for Inductions are Mieli, Siemens, Neff, Smeg and AEG Range Hoods Buying Criteria Air Movement- A high quality range hood is moving air around 700-900 cubic metres per hour. Specialty brands of range hoods will do 1800 cubic metres per hour. And if you are buying a rangehood with three motors,  these  move air at 2,700 cubic meters per hour. Style of cooking- If you only do casserole then a 400-500 cubic metres per hour could work. Noise Type of range hoods- undermount, slideout, canopy Undermount Vs Slideout Vs Canopy Undermount- Integrated into the joinery across the top of your stovetop. Slideout- It is very popular in the 90's but not necessary to increase rangehood capacity of air movement.   Canopy- Gives more an industrial  look. It gives the appearance of a commercial style kitchen. Cylinder- A  cylinder style overhead rangehood is quite popular at the moment. Brands Specialty brands develop rangehood products that suit nearly every application. Sirius- A company from Italy that makes high quality rangehoods Falmec- Another Italian Brands that specialise in rangehoods Qasair- Australian made company that has a solution like no other rangehood manufacturer. They allow custom build models to suit certain widths and applications. Cheaper alternative brands are Bosch, Miele and Smeg Ceiling cassettes and Downdraft Ventilators Creates ultimate design, particularly good for smaller spaces or when design is of utmost importance. You can have unrestricted ventilation and still have the headspace above your hot plate particularly in front of windows where there are views. Brand to consider- Bora Options for Air Sealed Homes Plasma rangehood technology- It has an activated filter that captures the fat and oils. It reduces and changes the molecular structure of fats and carbons that comes through. No odors No fats No smoke The cartridge needs to be changed about once every five years. It lasts a lot longer before they are clogged with fats and oils which makes it the more a suitable application than a mesh fiber or charcoal filtration. It also doesn't require external ducting making it a perfect solution for air-sealed homes. However, it comes with a higher price which is about $3,000. Brand: Qasair (part of the Condari group) Other appliances for the kitchen Coffee machines- Miele have beautiful built-in and integrated coffee machines that are worth considering. Their new high end model has three different beans installed in the machine. Built-in coffee machines ranges from $4,000- $10,000. Pitt Cooktops- Glass hotplates integrated into the benchtop whether it's reconstituted stone, natural stone or Dekton. Creates a stunning design aesthetic and continual benchtop flow. Subzero Fridges- They are an ultimate in food preservation. It filters ethylene gas which prevents vegetables and fruits to ripen easily. Subzero Fridges cost up to $17,000 or more.    Available Resources e&s TRADING Visit the E&S Website  at https://www.eands.com.au/ BEAUTIFUL KITCHEN DESIGN MADE EASY ONLINE COURSE Ready to design and create your own beautiful kitchen? Get all the interior designer insider knowledge in this online course to create your dream kitchen. Find out more and join here . BOOK A CHAT Ready to renovate or create your kitchen but not sure where to start? Get the help of a property expert and save yourself from making costly mistakes with a free Forever Home chat. Click here to get access to Frances' calendar. KITCHEN BLISS PACKAGE Overwhelmed by the amount of decisions that need to be made when creating a stylish, functional and durable kitchen? What materials to select, what colours will co-ordinate together, what design is going to best suit the space, and your requirements. We offer kitchen design packages that include joinery design and material selections for a complete kitchen design. Click the link here to find more: Related Resources: Episode 50: Kitchen Design Essentials- Kitchen Taps and Sinks Episode 49: Kitchen Design Essentials – Butler's Pantries and Pantries Episode 47: Kitchen Design Essentials – Key Kitchen Measurements  Episode 45: Kitchen Design Essentials - Internal Elevations & Joinery Design Read our latest blog on Internal Elevations and Joinery Design here. Episode 43: Kitchen Design Essentials – Flatpack Vs Custom Designed Kitchens  Episode 41: Kitchen Design Essentials – Cabinetry Materials Episode 39: Kitchen Design Essentials – Splashbacks  Episode 38: Kitchen Design Essentials-Benchtop Criteria and Materials – Part 2 Episode 36: Kitchen Design Essentials – Benchtops part 1  Episode 14: Forever Home LIVE- Joinery Drawings and Why Do Them Early On Episode 30: Kitchen Design Essentials -Kitchen Design Layouts and Location Episode 32: Kitchen Design Essentials – The Builder's Insight How to Choose the Right Bench Top Top 5 tips for selecting benchtops  

In this episode of the Kitchen Design Essentials Season, Frances has guest Rob Sinclair, Managing Director of E&S Trading on the show to discuss buying criteria and performance for kitchen appliances. This episode focuses on Fridges,  Dishwashers and Ovens and Rob's passion for appliances and buying with performance in mind, is wonderful to listen to. Join Frances as she chats with Rob and hears his amazing advice and knowledge on these key appliances for your kitchen.   Key Buying Criteria When Choosing your Kitchen Appliances Understand your requirements - Understand your needs and requirements at home and then find an appliance that is going to deliver you the performance to the best of your budget. Pedigree of Performance- Performance is crucial so find brands that have pedigree of performance or brands that specialise in a particular appliance. Look at product service and ability to get parts and be fixed, after the sale Reliability   Fridges Buying Criteria Seek out quality brands- i.e Westinghouse, Fisher Paykel, Mitsubishi, Liebherr and Miele Great refrigeration performance- good quality, temperature control and temperature settings Food storage benefit- Freezer Vs Fresh Food Consider how an integrated fridge compliments the overall aesthetic, and may be crucial in smaller kitchens Has great after sale service and accessibility to spare parts Cost- Freestanding fridge costs between $1,600 to $2,000, while a fully integrated version costs between $4,500-$5,000.   Integrated Fridges Integrated fridges can be expensive because of their unique style and coming from a specialty manufacturer. Integrated fridges can be easily replaced particularly Liebherr and Fisher Paykel,. as their fridge measurements have remained consistent over the years. Fisher Paykel- Cost effective, bigger cabinet for an integrated refrigerator. Cost up to $4,500 Liebherr- German manufactured and a high-end integrated fridge, usually starts at $7,000 New features and technology coming out in fridges now – what can we expect Samsung- It has a limited availability of spare parts which can prevent the product getting fixed. Fisher Paykel- gives more rack positions inside the fresh food compartments Humidity control and compartments for preservation of fresh food   Dishwashers Buying criteria Choose a dishwasher that suits your needs Stackability- Understand what it is you are putting in (i.e wineglasses, baking dishes, coffee cups and glasses, large plates, bigger colanders) Organising – a Cutlery tray takes time, but it allows you to separate the cutlery out to wash them perfectly.  You can unload them faster out of the dishwasher too. Wash performance Drying Noise – machines that are getting beneath 50 decibels are what you need to look for. Flexibility – options to stack what is needed for that wash cycle Size - extra large dishwashers- ideal for families who loves to entertain and cook regularly Brands Brands that have a pedigree in making great quality dishwashers Bosch (Siemens, NEFF and Gaggenau)- Global player in manufacturing They provide a different aesthetic across the range Miele – has great stacking flexibility Asko – reliable and quiet AEG - released the new ComfortLift dishwasher. If bending down to load and unload your dishes is a chore, the AEG ComfortLift has a lower basket that slides out and upwards.   Integrated, semi-integrated and freestanding Integrated - Fits into the style of the rest of your kitchen cabinets in a seamless fashion. Price range is between $1,000- $3,000 Semi Integrated- Has a control panel at the top and an integrated door beneath it. Price range is between $1,500- $2,000 Free standing- An affordable option. You may be able to buy a Bosch freestanding dishwater at $800-$800 New Release Miele's G7000 dishwashers includes a circular pocket that holds and dispenses dishwashing  detergent automatically. Less detergent to use Environmental-friendly Great wash performance 450mm Dishwasher Space saver which is ideal for apartments or smaller homes Can be less cost effective from around $1,400 Brand: Miele, Bosch and NEFF Not as popular in Australia due to the cost Ovens Buying Criteria Lifestyle Requirement- Are you a big cook? Do you love to entertain? How do you want to ideally be able to bake? Performance If the budget allows - self-cleaning Oven Capacity- Do you need two 600mm or 900mm wide Good Accessories that comes with the brand- i.e biscuit trays or baking dishes – they are made to fit the appliance perfectly Upright oven 900mm wide giving you a bigger oven capacity and cooking surface Cost effective- Ranges between $2,000- $5,000 Aesthetically pleasing Depends also on aesthetic of kitchen. Can look more commercial in style. Recommended brands: Westinghouse, Smeg, ILVE, Fisher Paykel and Falcon Wall Ovens Gives more flexibility- you can choose steamers, microwaves or a combination of both for the oven. Having 2 ovens allows you to cook multiple dishes at once eg, dessert and main Integrated Ovens (built-in) Depending on the manufacturer, you can get an integrated ovens in 700, 800 and 900 cm wide. Steam Ovens Perfect for cooking vegetables, fish, and chicken fillets Costs - around $2,000 Its large capacity enables it to be very gentle in the way it steams. Gives so much flexibility in the kitchen- combination of steam, roast, steam roast or bake bread The ability to control the style of cooking you want Gas Ovens The old models ovens doesn't have a fan so you need to regulate the temperature Ideal for bakers Depends on what you are use to. Still popular. Smaller Inside Vs Bigger Cavity Manufacturer are catering to all types of cooking around the globe. They also make sure that the temperature in the bottom, middle and top shelf is all the same.   Available Resources BEAUTIFUL KITCHEN DESIGN MADE EASY ONLINE COURSE Ready to design and create your own beautiful kitchen? Get all the interior designer insider knowledge in this online course to create your dream kitchen. Find out more and join here. BOOK A CHAT Ready to renovate or create your kitchen but not sure where to start? Get the help of a property expert and save yourself from making costly mistakes with a free Forever Home chat. Click here to get access to Frances' calendar;  KITCHEN BLISS PACKAGE Overwhelmed by the amount of decisions that need to be made when creating a stylish, functional and durable kitchen? What materials to select, what colours will co-ordinate together, what design is going to best suit the space, and your requirements. We offer kitchen design packages that include joinery design and material selections for a complete kitchen design. Click the link here to find more:  E&S TRADING e&s has helped countless Australians create their dream home with exciting and innovative kitchen, bathroom and laundry appliances since 1962. Check the website here; https://www.eands.com.au/   Related Resources: Episode 50: Kitchen Design Essentials- Kitchen Taps and Sinks Episode 49: Kitchen Design Essentials – Butler's Pantries and Pantries Episode 47: Kitchen Design Essentials – Key Kitchen Measurements Episode 45: Kitchen Design Essentials - Internal Elevations & Joinery Design Read our latest blog on Internal Elevations and Joinery Design here; https://www.whitepebbleinteriors.com.au/internal-elevations-and-joinery/ Episode 43: Kitchen Design Essentials – Flatpack Vs Custom Designed Kitchens  Episode 41: Kitchen Design Essentials – Cabinetry Materials Episode 39: Kitchen Design Essentials – Splashbacks Episode 38: Kitchen Design Essentials-Benchtop Criteria and Materials – Part 2 Episode 36: Kitchen Design Essentials – Benchtops part 1  Episode 14: Forever Home LIVE- Joinery Drawings and Why Do Them Early On Episode 30: Kitchen Design Essentials -Kitchen Design Layouts and Location Episode 32: Kitchen Design Essentials – The Builder's Insight  How to Choose the Right Bench Top https://www.whitepebbleinteriors.com.au/how-to-choose-the-right-benchtop/ Top 5 tips for selecting benchtops https://www.whitepebbleinteriors.com.au/top-5-tips-for-selecting-benchtops/  

In this Forever Home Live, Frances chats about how to determine the functionality required in your kitchen and determine what you actually need. She outlines how this will enable you to assess your kitchen design with your requirements in mind, rather than just aesthetics. She walks through the Clear Clarity Design Worksheet (a resource provided in the Beautiful Kitchen Design Course) and how these prompts you to think about your needs and how you will store items, and cook in your kitchen. Finally, she touches on The Top 12 Must Do's resource (as part of the course) and how that helps with the process for designing your kitchen.

There's so much more to Kitchen Taps and Sinks than you may think. In this episode, Frances and her podcast guest Trisha Narde from Reece discuss kitchen taps and sinks and what to look for in each. What makes a good quality tap and sink? What material composition should you look for in standard sinks and taps, but also in black? Not all black is the same! They also chat about Billi and Zip taps and how to allow for them in your design.   SHOWNOTES In this episode, Frances, and guest Trishla Narde, Branch Manager at Reece Bathroom Life discuss kitchen taps and sinks and what to look for in each. They cover Billi and Zip taps and how to allow for them in your design, as well as black tapwear and sinks and how to choose wisely. Kitchen Taps Main things to consider when looking for a kitchen tap Think about the way you use your sinks and taps. For instance, gooseneck gives you a little bit of height so you can get larger pots and pans underneath. Where the taps are located - Heavy taps that sit on the sink are not recommended. Whether you have a window behind the tap or not The long or short lever that is easy to maneuver Other features for your kitchen tap – the latest of the latest sensor taps Sensor taps have recently been released. It turns on and off by a sensor therefore making hand washing more hygienic, especially in households where multiple people live. Children can easily access it without grabbing the lever. The price range is between $600- $900                 Pull out the nozzle with a spray function built-in Great for getting pressure on stubborn stains and also getting into the corners of kitchen sinks Quality tap wear When it comes to technology and manufacturing differences there is what's called Zero technology. It's an inlet pipe within the tap that prevents the water from touching any other parts of the tap. Another feature that comes with a higher quality tap is the silk move technology, which allows to cartridge operates smoothly and easily   Some cheaper taps on the market can lead to faster malfunction and they are made from a thinner skin of material, so less durable. Warranty When it comes to warranties, Sussex, Billi, and Mizu offer up to 15 years of warranty, wiht  Grohe offering 5 years on parts and labour as well.   Black and other coloured taps for Kitchen Coloured taps These work perfectly if you want a statement in your kitchen. There is no requirement to have your Kitchen tap the same colour or brand as other tapwear throughout the home. Black taps Black can wear off over time if you're selecting a poor quality tap When choosing a black tap, you have to consider the plating process to ensure the black doesn't wear off PVD Finish (Pressure Vapor Disposition)- strongest finish – suitable for outdoors and commercial settings Electroplating- plated like chrome and won't wear off. Totally suitable for domestic purposes without the black wearing off. Powder coating- least extensive to create and can come off easily with use. Billi and Zip Taps Generically these taps provide boiling, chilled and sparkling water all in one tap, or separately. Zip Tap Has a great market presence Have beautiful colors and style They are 30% more expensive compared to Billi 12-month warranty Manufactured in US   Billi Tap Also has a lovely range of colours, but not as extensive as the Zip tap. Has a 2 warranty Is an Australian brand   Placement in the kitchen – WIP or main kitchen They are placed in either the WIP or Main Kitchen, depending on the frequency of use and how the WIP and kitchen are used and where the main place for preparing food takes place. The installation also needs to be considered, as they require a 600mm cupboard to store the water units to heat or cool the water. A vent in the cupboard is also required, and can also determine whether the tap will be placed in the WIP or main kitchen.   Cost It costs between $3,000- $7000   Sustainability These taps are not regarded as a particularly sustainable option due to the energy required to retain boiling and refrigerated water 24/7. Sinks Opting for the cheapest sink is not going to give you a product that will last. There is a distinct difference between high quality and low-quality sink. Quality Sinks Stainless steel A combination of 18% chromium and 10% nickel – 304-grade stainless steel or higher is better Durable- doesn't rust and is not a thin sheet of steel that dents Some stainless steel has a sound deadening pad around the surround 16-18 gauge stainless steel – the lower the number the better the quality of the steel being used Polishing – higher quality sinks have a better polishing finish which means the scratching is less visible. Good quality also means steel is a minimum 3mm thick. Lowe quality can be as low as 1mm thick.   Sink Brands in Australia Franke- a Switzerland brand Clark Types of sinks Undermount Visually attractive because the rim of the sink is not showing Easier to clean It has more depth with the 20mm of stone adding to the overall sink depth Can't be used with laminate With the under-mount sink, the stone is visible so it needs to be polished which can be an additional cost Can be susceptible to chipping especially if heavy-handed with saucepans etc The most expensive type of sink Can we use it with laminate or timber benchtops, as the water can affect those materials. Flush mount Flush with the benchtop Needs precision in grinding the stone 2-3mm to allow for the sink to sit flush. Not as popular as other sink types Inset Regarded as a more traditional style of sink The sink sits into the gap in the benchtop, so doesn't require polished edges Most cost-effective The only option for timber or laminate taps Buying Criteria when choosing for Sinks Depth Depth should be considered based on the size of the cookware you use for cooking The position of the waste Traditionally, the waste is always in the center of the sink but now they moved it to the back of the sink which gives more space underneath in the cabinetry. Black Sinks Quality black sinks are made with 80% crushed stone or granite and 20% resin that binds the materials together (similar to a stone benchtop). Non-porous, so great for sanitation Scratch-resistant Colour goes all the way through A good quality black sink needs to made of a stone composite, and not coated with black colour. Black Sink and Black Tap Easily able to have a black sink and chrome or coloured tap. In most instances, the black sink and black tap are likely to be too heavy. Taps can still be the showpiece, and need to match the sink. Available Services: BEAUTIFUL KITCHEN DESIGN MADE EASY ONLINE COURSE Ready to design and create your own beautiful kitchen? Get all the interior designer insider knowledge in this online course to create your dream kitchen. Find out more and join here.   BOOK A CHAT Ready to renovate or create your kitchen but not sure where to start? Get the help of a property expert and save yourself from making costly mistakes with a free Forever Home chat. Click here to get access to Frances' calendar;   KITCHEN BLISS PACKAGE Overwhelmed by the number of decisions that need to be made when creating a stylish, functional, and durable kitchen? What materials to select, what colours will co-ordinate together, what design is going to best suit space, and your requirements. We offer kitchen design packages that include joinery design and material selections for a complete kitchen design. Click the link here to find more. Related Resources: Episode 47: Kitchen Design Essentials – Key Kitchen Measurements  Episode 45: Kitchen Design Essentials - Internal Elevations & Joinery Design Read our latest blog on Internal Elevations and Joinery Design here. Episode 43: Kitchen Design Essentials – Flatpack Vs Custom Designed Kitchens  Episode 41: Kitchen Design Essentials – Cabinetry Materials Episode 39: Kitchen Design Essentials – Splashbacks Episode 38: Kitchen Design Essentials-Benchtop Criteria and Materials – Part 2 Episode 36: Kitchen Design Essentials – Benchtops part 1  Episode 14: Forever Home LIVE- Joinery Drawings and Why Do Them Early On Episode 30: Kitchen Design Essentials -Kitchen Design Layouts and Location Episode 32: Kitchen Design Essentials – The Builder's Insight  How to Choose the Right Bench Top Top 5 tips for selecting benchtops

In this Forever Home Live Frances provides a Top Tip when designing your kitchen, relating to the selection of appliances. She also provides an overview of the brand new Beautiful Kitchen Design Made Easy course, outlining some of the key resources available in it to provide confidence, knowledge, and empowerment to design a kitchen, for those who complete the course.

In this Episode of the podcast, Frances discusses the key differences between Butler's Pantries, Walk in Pantries, Pull-out Pantries, Appliance Cupboards, Cupboard Pantries and Step in Pantries. She also walks through the key components of a well-designed walk in pantry, and discusses some key questions relating to pantries – doors, cabinetry fronts, sinks and windows. SHOWNOTES: A walk-in pantry has become one of the must-have features within a home. However, if you are trying to create a home that doesn't have a large footprint, perhaps a walk in pantry or butler's pantry is not necessarily going to serve you as much as you think. Butler's pantry Acts as a secondary kitchen that functions not only to store food but also serve as your food preparation area. A sink is the minimum for a Butler's pantry with other appliances an option. Sink + window 2nd fridge Sometimes dishwasher and oven – only if 2nd appliances not instead of kitchen Walk in Pantry A space to store food and small appliances such as coffee machine, mix masters, blenders, and microwaves. Traditional Pantry Usually a cupboard used for storing food but doesn't have enough space to store your appliances. Traditional pantries are a good solution when you don't have much space for a walk-in pantry. Appliance cupboard Can be used instead of a walk-in pantry to store appliances when space is tight. If it's combined with your pantry space, it can reduce the amount of food you can store in your pantry. It can have roller doors, bi-fold doors, etractable doors that go back into the wall, or hinged doors Step in pantry To make good use of corners, we often design what we call a step-in pantry. It creates the illusion of a walk-in pantry and gives a bit of bench space where you can place your appliances, and also your food Pull out Pantry Items are not easily accessible Sides are not always high enough to store tall bottles Items tend to fall over if not packed in, which can be annoying Wire frames not great to visibility and holding items fixed   For a better solution, use a pull-out system with specially designed hardware that is designed much better. Companies such as Blum or Hettich have specially designed pull out drawer pantry systems.   A Butler's pantry and walk-in pantry is an area where you can store things away. It is not an area that is meant to be revealed for guests.For this reason, I suggest the following;- Items are visible, accessible because of its open shelves. Drawers for cans, spices, small items – cake decorating stuff Sliding door – to keep the space out of view If doors are not possible, you may need to have cabinetry doors Open shelves for platters can get dusty, but still allows for clear visibility of everything you store. Allows you to store long and wide items or appliances that you don't use all the time. If you have the space, you may add a sink and a window for a natural lighting – really good for dumping dishes, coffee prep, baking prep It may also be an opportunity for you to create a different Splashback- only needs to be 500mm high Same benchtop as kitchen or opt for laminate top to save money You can't really design something until you know what you need. The functionality, your lifestyle, how you cook, how you prepare food, how are you going to use the space drives the design. White Pebble Interiors will let you complete a deep dive need assessment (Clear Clarity Design Worksheet) to understand what you need and where you will be storing everything as part of kitchen design. It allows you to think about what you need, instead of 'just want a WIP' That will determine if you need a WIP or butler's pantry What needs to go in one? 2ndfridge – drinks fridge, entertaining fridge, overflow microwave, Daily appliance use: coffee machine, toaster, kettle Dry good, appliances Platters, entertaining items, cook books How many of you are using that space (cooking and food preparation)? How can you use that space in a better way?   A walk- in pantry can sometimes be as large as a bathroom – can you use that space in a better way in your home?     Available Services: BOOK A CHAT Ready to renovate or create your kitchen but not sure where to start? Get the help of a property expert and save yourself from making costly mistakes with a free Forever Home chat. Click here to get access to Frances' calendar. KITCHEN ONLINE COURSE WAITLIST Ready to design and create your own beautiful kitchen? Get all the interior designer insider knowledge in this online course to create your dream kitchen.   Join the waitlist so you're the first to know about this course; https://www.whitepebbleinteriors.com.au/kitchen-design-online-course/ KITCHEN BLISS PACKAGE Overwhelmed by the amount of decisions that need to be made when creating a stylish, functional and durable kitchen? What materials to select, what colours will co-ordinate together, what design is going to best suit the space, and your requirements. We offer kitchen design packages that include joinery design and material selections for a complete kitchen design. Click the link here to find more: https://www.whitepebbleinteriors.com.au/new-homes-and-renovations/#kitchen   Related Resources: Episode 47: Kitchen Design Essentials – Key Kitchen Measurements Episode 45: Kitchen Design Essentials - Internal Elevations & Joinery Design Read our latest blog on Internal Elevations and Joinery Design here. Episode 43: Kitchen Design Essentials – Flatpack Vs Custom Designed Kitchens Episode 41: Kitchen Design Essentials – Cabinetry Materials  Episode 39: Kitchen Design Essentials – Splashbacks Episode 38: Kitchen Design Essentials-Benchtop Criteria and Materials – Part 2  Episode 36: Kitchen Design Essentials – Benchtops part 1  Episode 14: Forever Home LIVE- Joinery Drawings and Why Do Them Early On Episode 30: Kitchen Design Essentials -Kitchen Design Layouts and Location Episode 32: Kitchen Design Essentials – The Builder's Insight  How to Choose the Right Bench Top Top 5 tips for selecting benchtops

Frances is not a fan of TVs being the focal point in a room. In this Forever Home Live, she walks through different options for TV placement, and how they do not necessarily have to be wall-mounted and centered on the wall. She discusses how to balance the TV with other items in the room so it's not all about the TV! Finally, she talks about TVs above a fire and why this is not ideal.

In this episode Frances outlines the essential measurements to ensure your kitchen is functional and workable. She discusses the kitchen triangle and the theory behind how this works in your kitchen, cabinetry size standards, appliances, splashbacks and also some of the regulations to check.   SHOWNOTES Kitchen Triangle You need to be able to access things easily and move between key areas for food preparation such as your sink, fridge,stove top and ovens. Ideally, it you need to have a maximum of 7 metres between all these areas.   The theory behind it is-; Have bench space near the fridge so you can put your items down Adequate space next to the stovetop Easily unpack dishes from the dishwasher Space on either side of the sink (i.e for handwashing, preparation, washing vegetables and etc)   Check your local regulations with regards to how close a water source can be next to electricity– normally at least 500mm.   Splashbacks Check with the local building regulations but as a guide. Electric - 600mm between the stove and overhead cupboards Gas - 650mm from top rivet of the stove to underside of the lowest point on overhead cupboards Induction – 650mm   The height of your splashback may impact the splashback tile that you choose.   Cabinetry When we are doing deep dives with our clients, we consider how many people are going to use the kitchen so we can design it specifically on how many people are going to cook or prepare food in that space.   Between benches - 1000mm minimum is allowable but ideally it should be 1200mm. If there are two cooks working together, we would recommend a minimum of 1200mm between benches Between the Island bench and dining area, minimum measurement of It gives you adequate space for chairs to be pulled out and still be able to flow and walk between the spaces. Ideally, you need 300 millimeters between the edge of the bench and the sink. You don't want to have your sink hard up against the edge of a bench as you have got nowhere to put anything down Ideally, the dishwasher should be 500mm from the corner – can also be placed at the end if need be. Ideally, 300-400mm bench space either side of stovetop Standard bench height is 900mm – go higher if you are taller Standard bench depth is 600mm Kicker/kickboard which is at the bottom of the cabinetry is generally anywhere between 90 and 150mm. Setback is about 50mm. Overhead cupboards are anywhere between 300-350mm deep Island bench Ideally it should be at a metre But in apartments that may not be achievable, so then they would be between 800mm-900mm. For benchtop overhangs, 400mm is a good measurement as it allows you to tuck stools under. However, 300mm is also sufficient. Benchtop – 8-40mm thick is available in various materials. Island bench can be a feature and be thicker than rear benches Suggest 20mm -25mm – depending on material – 40mm for feature stone Laminate benchtops 33mm as standard Solid acrylic surface can be any thickness Appliances From a functionality perspective, it's better to have your microwaves either on the bench or overhead rather than underneath the bench. Standard dishwasher size is 600mm but you can get a smaller size at 450 mm. Not so popular in Australia as they are in Europe. Standard wall oven size 600mm – free standing ovens can be 600, 750, 800, 900 Fridge cavity – minimum 1000mm for a 900mm fridge & 1800mm high. If you want to future proof your space, measure your fridge cavity first so when you upgrade your fridge you will have enough space for the new one. Double sink allow about 800mm x 480mm deep   Available Services BEAUTIFUL KITCHEN DESIGN MADE EASY Ready to design and create your own beautiful kitchen? Get all the interior designer insider knowledge in this online course to create your dream kitchen. Join the waitlist so you're the first to get the launch special offer!   BOOK A CHAT Ready to renovate or build your kitchen but not sure where to start? Get the help of a property expert and save yourself from making costly mistakes with a free Forever Home chat. Click here to get access to Frances' calendar;    KITCHEN BLISS PACKAGE Overwhelmed by the amount of decisions that need to be made when creating a stylish, functional and durable kitchen? What materials to select, what colours will co-ordinate together, what design is going to best suit the space, and your requirements. We offer kitchen design packages that include joinery design and material selections for a complete kitchen design. Click the link here to find more.     Related Resources: Episode 45: Kitchen Design Essentials - Internal Elevations & Joinery Design and you may watch our video for more info here. Read our latest blog on Internal Elevations and Joinery Design here. Episode 43: Kitchen Design Essentials – Flatpack Vs Custom Designed Kitchens Episode 41: Kitchen Design Essentials – Cabinetry Materials Episode 39: Kitchen Design Essentials – Splashbacks Episode 38: Kitchen Design Essentials-Benchtop Criteria and Materials – Part 2 Episode 36: Kitchen Design Essentials – Benchtops part 1  Episode 14: Forever Home LIVE- Joinery Drawings and Why Do Them Early On Episode 30: Kitchen Design Essentials -Kitchen Design Layouts and Location Episode 32: Kitchen Design Essentials – The Builder's Insight  How to Choose the Right Bench Top Top 5 tips for selecting benchtops

In this Forever Home Live Frances discusses ceiling heights and why you would opt for an optimal ceiling height of 2.7m at a minimum and why the investment is worth it. As you Forever Home, Frances is a strong believer in getting your building structure right, and ceiling height is one of those core foundations.

Frances is pretty passionate about internal elevations making or breaking the outcome of your home, which is definitely apparent in this episode of the podcast. She outlines what internal elevations are, what advantages they provide, and further, what can go wrong if you don't have proper internal elevations for your kitchen. Without them, it's like asking your builder to navigate without a map! In this episode, you'll get to understand why they are so important and how critical they are to you getting your kitchen design right.   SHOWNOTES   So often we see people not fully understanding the investment benefit in having detailed Internal Elevations and Joinery Design completed for their kitchen (and their home)   In today's episode, Frances outlines what you can achieve in completing internal elevations and joinery drawings before the build starts. She covers; What are internal elevations and how they make a difference and why they are critical for so many reasons How they serves you and your builder How not having them can lead to expensive mistakes and design disappointments The difference between cabinetry drawings and joinery design   Cabinetry Drawings vs Internal Elevations Cabinetry drawings show the joinery only, while internal elevations show everything that you will see when facing the wall front on. Think, splashbacks, appliances, tap position etc.   What are Internal Elevations? While afloorplan gives you an aerial view of the design, Internal Elevations will show you the detail front on..  Typically, there are four internal elevations for each room showing each wall and what you can see on that wall, as if you are facing it. It provides specific details such as; Size and placement of cabinetry Design and construction notes Detailed joinery design- i.e Is it floating? Placement of taps Tile layout Accessory placement Handle details Anything else that is visible front on   When working from floorplans only,  you, nor your builder can see what is required. Things that can't be seen in a Floorplan but ONLY shown in on Internal Elevations; Are you having cupboards, drawers, how deep, how wide, floating height of cabinetry Benchtop thickness, waterfall edges and shadow lines Extent of splashback, tiling, feature walls and skirting tile Any overhead cabinetry, or shelving, thickness and placement Fireplace detail, location, height, surround Location of heating and cooling ducts   Some homeowners feel they can easily instruct the cabinet maker or builder onsite. Cabinet makers are not designers perse. They have great ideas, but may not take into consideration your lifestyle and functionality requirements. Can lead to lots of issues onsite, and miscommunication about what's actually wanted.   Why are Internal Elevations so important? Allows you to have an understanding of how the proposed spaces and rooms will look. Helps you visualize, and assists you in making decisions on the location of cupboards, windows, doors, and power points. By knowing the position of all the critical items in the room, it allows you to make other dependent decisions such as wall finishes, doors, and windows. Lack of good internal elevations leads to unnecessary guesswork on-site for the builder, owner, and contractors. Everyone is looking for answers on how to build and detail certain elements of your home. Fair too often we see people with only floorplans showing the aerial view of their cabinetry layout, or internal elevations with minimal design detail which opens up so much room for error, misinterpretation, and misunderstanding about expectations on the final outcome. Cabinetry to fit a space without any design consideration around functionality and needs for space is also not design. It's a costly exercise to get wrong.   Here are some of the ADVANTAGES for investing in good internal elevations. Allows you to manage, assess, tweak and finalise exactly what is being built before it is built. Gives you visualisation to make a sound and informed decisions. Fixed price quoting – The builder can quote a fixed price because he can see exactly what's going on. Build accuracy – The builder knows exactly what he needs to build and he knows exactly what is expected of him. He can see the detail and not have to guess or assume anything. Less stress – All details are finalised at plan stage so you're not being rushed to make decisions and being asked things you don't know enough about.  Minimise overwhelm – It's all been decided well before the builder starts. Manage costs – Able to make changes if needed, before the building starts, minimizing variations Mitigate mistakes – Everything is detailed on the drawings which means all parties know what is required of them. And you've had time to explore options  to make the right decisions. Saves you time – Minimise the amount of calls from the builder to seek clarification. Holistic  approach – All the people that are working on your project are working together according to your master plan. When done well, internal elevations may show impacts on spaces or other rooms and being able to have conversations up front to make tweaks and changes for the best overall outcome.   Here are some of the DISADVANTAGES for not investing in good elevations. Some believe that they can instruct the builder and cabinet maker on all the joinery details Think they will save money by not investing in elevations Instructing them at build stage, often with the frame already completed, has a knock on effects of joinery design on others areas such as windows, or doors which  are generally too late to change. Compromises are already occurring  Increases cost when variations occur on site    How do we do Internal Elevations at White Pebble Interiors? Briefing Session What's important to you, What functionality requirements you have What's the look and feel you want   Detailed Deep Dive Needs Assessment Allows us to understand your lifestyle How you use your kitchen What you need to access to What you need to store We analyse the Brief and Deep Dive documents. We consider the space, and set about designing with functionality and flow in mind, and how that will meet your needs. We think, collaborate and consult with you so we design something that will fulfill your functionality requirements and your vision. We discuss our Design Rationale with you, highlighting why the design is the way it is, what factors were considered in our approach, and how certain aspects may work better in some layouts than others. It's easy to fill a space with cabinetry, but it's the thinking behind the design that sets homes apart and make them function in the best way possible. Design can look amazing but if it does not work it is a waste design-- Functionality is KING. This arms you with the information you need to make informed decisions. The right decisions for you and your lifestyle.   Available Services BOOK A CHAT Ready to renovate or build your kitchen but not sure where to start? Get the help of a property expert and save yourself from making costly mistakes with a free Forever Home chat. Click here to get access to Frances' calendar;  KITCHEN ONLINE COURSE WAITLIST Ready to design and create your own beautiful kitchen? Get all the interior designer insider knowledge in this online course to create your dream kitchen. Join the waitlist so you're the first to know about this course; KITCHEN BLISS PACKAGE Overwhelmed by the amount of decisions that need to be made when creating a stylish, functional and durable kitchen? What materials to select, what colours will co-ordinate together, what design is going to best suit the space, and your requirements. We offer kitchen design packages that include joinery design and material selections for a complete kitchen design. Click the link here to find more. Related Resources: Read our latest blog on Internal Elevations and Joinery Design here. Episode 43: Kitchen Design Essentials – Flatpack Vs Custom Designed Kitchens Episode 41: Kitchen Design Essentials – Cabinetry Materials Episode 39: Kitchen Design Essentials – Splashbacks Episode 38: Kitchen Design Essentials-Benchtop Criteria and Materials – Part 2 Episode 36: Kitchen Design Essentials – Benchtops part 1  Episode 14: Forever Home LIVE- Joinery Drawings and Why Do Them Early On Episode 30: Kitchen Design Essentials -Kitchen Design Layouts and Location Episode 32: Kitchen Design Essentials – The Builder's Insight  How to Choose the Right Bench Top Top 5 tips for selecting benchtops

In this Forever Home Live, Frances has just been onsite and runs through the type of things she was checking on site, and why you need to negotiate with your builder to get access and be on-site at certain stages of the build to check what's going on.

Feature walls do not necessarily mean a bold colour on one wall in a room! In this Forever Home Live, Frances chats about elements you can use to create a feature wall in your Living Room, with a big emphasis on not having the TV as the focal point. She highlights the use of texture through various materials such as wallpaper, textured paint, Unitex and stone to create impact and layers in a room.

In this episode of the Kitchen Design Essentials Season, Frances outlines some core differences to be aware of between flatpack (off the shelf) and custom-designed kitchens. She walks through some of the core differences and what compromises may need to be made with a flat pack kitchen with its sizing constraints. She also discusses material and hardware differences that may impact your decisions. As always, the focus is on Forever Homes, and she chats through compromises that may impact you later on, and cost a lot to rectify. SHOWNOTES When it comes to kitchen renovation or building a new kitchen, it can be difficult to decide what route to go down in terms of flatpack or custom kitchens. You may wonder about the difference between a custom and flatpack design, and so in today's episode, Frances chats about the key difference between off the shelf / flat pack kitchens and custom kitchens. A customized kitchen allows you to create a kitchen that is exactly what you what and needs as it is designed from the outset specifically for you, space and your requirements.  You will generally get a better finish and a wider selection of options to choose from in terms of materials, finish, and hardware. If you're creating a kitchen for your Forever Home, having the design that you want is important. Compromising on design elements due to flatpack constraints can be a frustration if you're going to live there for 10+ years. Frances has had flatpack kitchens in two apartments she owned in London and Amsterdam.  She had a top-end Ikea kitchen in Amsterdam and put her own stamp on it by adding handmade splashback tiles. However, she too at to compromise on the design outcome as cabinetry components did not go wall to wall and so she ended up with a gap at one end, which wasn't ideal.   Flatpack Limitations on the height of cabinetry – Flatpack has a standard cabinetry height so it won't go as high as you would like or need. Not all cabinetry sizes will suit the exact measurements of the kitchen which may compromise the aesthetic or functional aspect of your kitchen. Often don't have solid backs – Flatpack kitchens frequently have a flimsy backing board, it goes straight to wall – just like on a Billy Bookcase. Customised normally provides for a  minimum 16mm backing compared to abput4mm for a flatpack. Can be limited in choice of materials, colors, and finishes Hinges and hardware are not as normally as good quality –  They won't have a lifetime guarantee It's can be time-consuming to install a flat pack kitchen. With the additional labour cost, a flat pack kitchen may not be a cheaper option. If ordering online – there is no room for error. You are responsible for the precise measurements to get the right size materials, so you bare the risk if it's incorrect.  Also, if ordering online, ensure to get samples of the materials as colours can be different online.   Sometimes a flatpack kitchen can be like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole to make it all work. Custom kitchen Built by a cabinet maker, so everything can be cut it to size and be precise. A designer and a Cabinet Maker – A designer is designing the kitchen cabinetry with a lot of consideration for functionality, flow, and owner requirements. A cabinet maker is the maker of the design, so is not necessarily considering other factors and may only be looking at cabinetry to fit the space. Design is not just about the material and how many cupboards or drawers you can fit into space. Kitchen design is about how it works and flows and how and where you access what you need in terms of food prep, storage, cleaning and so forth, which all needs to be considered in-depth for a custom design Fully custom Give you more options in terms of Colour, Material, Finish and overall Design Able to consider additional hardware features- i.e retractable pantry or bi-fold doors or other hardware features from kitchen hardware specialists No 'make do' when sizes don't fit – can be made to fit so it looks right. Material sheet size dependent on material type. Std sizes: 2440/2700 x 1200mm. Having a customised kitchen allows you to work with different thickness of materials- i.e 16, 18, 25 & 33mm, which can be used for different aspects of your kitchen. Add little details important to you and accessories Specific drawer sizes, custom bin systems. More flexibility on where you store what you need and how it's stored to suit you. Have the things as you want as you are involved in the design process. Add in design features not always available with flat-pack Eg – retractable doors, BLUM pantry drawer system, customized drawer inners. Can choose to have it made from materials higher durability, which may not be the case with flatpack materials. Your kitchen is a space that needs to work super hard for you. It is the hub of the home where we entertain, do homework, and catch up with friends. A customised kitchen is designed to fit your needs and lifestyle which is an important element when building your Forever Home. Therefore, Frances always advises her clients to plan their kitchen carefully and get it designed as it's well worth the investment for your Forever Home.      Available Services: Book- a-chat If you're thinking about renovating or building your own "Forever Home", get in touch with Frances directly, by booking a chat with her. Kitchen Design Sanity Check Kitchens are such an important part of any home and they need to work super hard for you. Getting the design right is critical to the functionality, flow and useability of the space ultimately affecting your lifestyle. Want a second opinion on your kitchen plan? Book a kitchen design sanity check today. Kitchen Bliss Package Overwhelmed by the amount of decisions that need to be made when creating a stylish, functional and durable kitchen? What materials to select, what colours will co-ordinate together, what design is going to best suit the space, and your requirements. We offer kitchen design packages that include joinery design and material selections for a complete kitchen design. Click the link here to find more.   Related Resources: Why Internal Elevations are Critical for Your Home Episode 41: Kitchen Design Essentials – Cabinetry Materials Episode 39: Kitchen Design Essentials – Splashbacks Episode 38: Kitchen Design Essentials-Benchtop Criteria and Materials – Part 2  Episode 36: Kitchen Design Essentials – Benchtops part 1  Episode 14: Forever Home LIVE- Joinery Drawings and Why Do Them Early On- Episode 30: Kitchen Design Essentials -Kitchen Design Layouts and Location Episode 32: Kitchen Design Essentials – The Builder's Insight  How to Choose the Right Bench Top  Top 5 tips for selecting benchtops

There are many factors to consider when choosing the right cabinetry material for your kitchen. Budget, aesthetics, cleaning requirements and durability are just a few. In this episode, Frances outlines seven different materials to consider and some of the reasons they would work well in your kitchen, or if you may need to think about something different to meet your needs. Often people resort to the products they know, rather than being aware of all that's available and selecting a product that will really work for them and their lifestyle. This episode will arm you with information on the many options out there. Finally, Frances chats about kickers and how they can be approached in the design of your kitchen.   SHOWNOTES There are many factors to consider in terms of what you choose for your Forever Home Kitchen and how it's going to serve you as you need it to. Durability- invest in products that are going to last Aesthetic- The type of door profile that you choose can impact the type of material you can choose for your kitchen cabinetry Door design and profile Colour Cleaning Requirements Easy to clean Budget   Types of Cabinet Materials 2pac Pros Has a hardened surface- it won't peel There's a wide range of colours to choose from Available in different sheen levels- matte, satin and metallic No edging as the paint wraps around the door front and sides Wraps seamlessly around the corners It is available in any door profile Tight and crisp edging Cons Can chip easily, particularly if you are using a fingerless pull Not suggested for family kitchens or those with heavy user expectations Thermal Wrap Has had a bad reputation during the nineties for peeling particularly cupboards close to heat sources. However, because of technology improvements it has also improved significantly over the years. Pros Vacuum sealed Has great durability Ideal for family kitchen as less susceptible to chipping Available in multiple array of door profiles It wraps around the door edging providing a seamless edge Cons Profile doors may not have profiles as sharp as with 2Pac Not suitable for particularly high cabinetry doors because it can warp overtime Laminate Pros Available in different finishes- natural, satin, gloss, matte, fingerprint and chemical resistant finishes, wood grain or embossed finishes Can be cost-effective depending on the finish you are choosing It is available with a matching ABS edging tape to match the door fronts It comes in a wide variety of colors and finishes Cons Unlike 2Pac and Thermal wrap, it doesn't wrap around the door front for seamless edging. Timber Veneer A premium product that has a very thin slice of real timber on furniture grade MDF. Pros Sustainable and natural product. Cons High-end premium product - requires a higher budget for high-end kitchens It is not as durable as other materials, as it can absorb moisture Higher maintenance than other products as needs gentle cleaning Can scratch more easily than other products. Dekton Dekton by Cosentino is a product that can be used for anything. From floors to façades to benchtops and cabinetry fronts. Pros Pretty much indestructible Graffiti proof- Your kids can draw all over it Very Durable Scratch-resistant Sun resistant. Suitable for outdoors Comes in different industrial style finishes- iron, burnished metal Cons Higher price point compared to thermal wrap and laminate Glass Pros Can break up the aesthetic of solid cabinetry fronts. Appealing for those who wish to showcase cupboard contents Glass comes in various types for different looks eg, clear, frosted, fluted Cons Not great if you want to hide cupboard contents Can be expensive Requires frequent cleaning - streaking Kickers Kickers are the piece of material that runs from the bottom of the cupboard to the floor. They are generally between 100 and 150 mm high and rebated back from the cabinetry front. Different materials can create a different aesthetic and contrast to the cabinetry. Some considerations: Stainless steel, stone, thermal wrap, 2Pac or laminate Available Services: Small changes to your home's floor plan can completely revolutionise its functionality. A 'sanity check' can give you incredible inspiration or confirm you're on the right track with your new build or renovation. Book a Floor Plan Sanity Check with us and have one of our team look over your plans. Overwhelmed by the amount of decisions that need to be made when creating a stylish, functional and durable kitchen? What materials to select, what colours will co-ordinate together, what design is going to best suit the space, and your requirements. We offer kitchen design packages that include joinery design and material selections for a complete kitchen design. Click the link here to find more. If you're thinking about renovating or building your own "Forever Home", get in touch with Frances directly, by booking a chat with her.    Related Resources: Episode 39: Kitchen Design Essentials – Splashbacks Episode 38: Kitchen Design Essentials-Benchtop Criteria and Materials – Part 2 Episode 36: Kitchen Design Essentials – Benchtops part 1  Episode 14: Forever Home LIVE- Joinery Drawings and Why Do Them Early On Episode 30: Kitchen Design Essentials -Kitchen Design Layouts and Location Episode 32: Kitchen Design Essentials – The Builder's Insight  How to Choose the Right Bench Top Top 5 tips for selecting benchtops-   

In this Forever Home Live, Frances shares her story as a Small Business owner during Covid 19 Stage 4 lockdown and what it means for her business White Pebble Interiors. She outlines how as a small business she has been able to adapt, be flexible and still serve her clients, and use the processes and systems that are already in place from serving regional and interstate clients for several years now. She is super grateful and proud, that she can has not laid off any staff, and is proud to employ a team during this time.

Splashbacks can be a key feature of your kitchen and create a real point of difference. In this episode Frances outlines several splashback materials including glass, stone, windows, mirror and porcelain, that can be used, including her favourite – tiles. Further, she discusses how a splashback is a wonderful opportunity to inject colour, texture or shape into your kitchen. She is a real advocate in the splashback being a chance to reflect your personality and create a point a difference. SHOWNOTES: Adding a splashback is a great way to make a statement and inject some of what you love into your kitchen. A splashback is a great opportunity to inject, colour, shape or texture to differentiate your kitchen and make it a reflection of what you love. Different types of Splashback options; Stone Seamless between benchtop and splashback. Unified and seamless look Easy to clean Types of Stones Reconstituted Stone (e.g Caesarstone, Silestone, Smart stone)- It's not something that can be used as a Splashback with a stovetop that has a naked flame due to the resin used in its production. Natural stone is not bound by resin or polymer so it can be used close to a naked flame. Porcelain/Dekton  Same aesthetic as stone for a seamless finish. Fire-resistant, so able to be used with a gas cooktop Glass Maintenance: Needs to be cleaned regularly – may look streaky Can be a bland aesthetic Not as cost-effective as other options Colour changes behind the glass due to the green tint in the glass Mirror Sophisticated Creates an illusion of space, so great for small kitchens. Bronzed or tinted mirror add an additional level of sophistication Maintenance of regular  cleaning Cleaning can also make it look streaky Quite expensive Window Ensure there is a view out from the window (greenery, landscaping), so there is something to look out to. Great for bringing the outside in Maintenance- needs daily cleaning Tiles Adds personality, colour, shape and texture to your kitchen. A lot of variety to choose from at varying price points. Amazing choice and variety to choose from Creates a beautiful point of difference Can be more -effective Grout – can be spray sealed or use epoxy grout that is nonporous and won't discolour. Metaline Great for makeovers when you don't want to strip out your current splashback or want simple cost effective option. Slight reflective metallic finish 3mm applied directly over current splashback. Can be easily cut and installed by a cabinet maker Limited colours Has a similar effect to glass type look Things to consider; Think about GPOs in splashback and how they impact the aesthetic.          Are there any other options available? Do you want to use             Pop up GPOs? Budget, your style, colours, maintenance have it as a feature or not.   Available Services; Overwhelmed by the amount of decisions that need to be made when creating stylish, functional and durable Kitchen? What materials to select, what colours will co-ordinate together, what design is going to best suit space, and your requirements. We offer several kitchen design packages to assist with your kitchen design – be it a makeover, renovation or new kitchen. Click the link here to find more. Get the help of an expert and save yourself from making costly mistakes with a free Forever Home chat. White Pebble Interiors provides the vision and direction you need, offering innovative solutions that will maximise the floor plan, space available and colour scheme. Book a chat here; Related Resources: Episode 38: Kitchen Design Essentials-Benchtop Criteria and Materials – Part 2 Episode 36: Kitchen Design Essentials – Benchtops part 1 Episode 14: Forever Home LIVE- Joinery Drawings and Why Do Them Early On Episode 30: Kitchen Design Essentials -Kitchen Design Layouts and Location Episode 32: Kitchen Design Essentials – The Builder's Insight How to Choose the Right Bench Top Top 5 tips for selecting benchtops

In this episode, Frances continues the benchtop discussion outlining an additional 10 benchtop materials to consider. She also outlines the criteria to assist in deciding what benchtop material is going to be the best for your kitchen. SHOWNOTES In the last episode of the Kitchen Design Essential (episode 36), 3 key materials were discussed with Laura from Cosentino; Dekton Reconstituted Stone Natural Stone In this episode, Frances cover other benchtop materials including Recycled glass, porcelain, Paperock, Timber, Solid acrylic surface (Corian), Concrete, stainless steel, laminate. Key criteria for choosing your benchtop;- Budget Product Cost Laminate Low Porcelain High Low Paper Rock Low Timber Medium Low Stainless steel High Medium Solid acrylic surface (Corian) High Polished Concrete High 100% recycled glass High 85% Recycled glass Medium High Durability Type of cook and you are How else you use your kitchen – Type of entertaining Homework Casual eating Aesthetic How it fits in the home How aesthetic will reflect the kitchen you have Details that are important to you – no joins, thickness – 40mm or more Maintenance Durability Material size - Standard slab size: 2800-3200mm x 1000-1200mm Overhang Overhang on island bench – 300-400mm – not all materials allow for overhang more than 300mm (eg, Dekton), so check. Waterfall edges Good for durability – hardier material as gets knocked into a lot with kids. How thick do you want the benchtop? May like thinner and have shadow lines Solid acrylic surface can be as thick as you like it – no limit Laminate – difference thicknesses with square or rolled edge (bullnosed) Concrete – no limit and cast to suit requirements like solid acrylic Reconstituted stone – 20mm and then thicker is achieved with a piece added to the face. Benchtop materials – Part 2 100% recycled glass– Newish Product available in the market. Heat-treated Compacted and looks like stone Sustainable  More expensive than a reconstituted stone Only available in limited colors 85% Recycled glass– It is bound with bio-resin so the glass particles are visible – like a terrazzo. Can be mixed with different colored glass or one colour, and you can make it a big feature. Porcelain– a ceramic material made by heating materials Can have a thin profile - 6mm thick Very durable and resistant to wear and tear Stronger than granite – can be compared to Dekton – but not made of minerals. Not made of minerals but a porcelain product They come in big slabs so they can be tricky onsite Paperock– layer upon layer of renewable paper sources and bonded with resin and heat/pressure cured. It is a remarkably strong composite building material suitable for wet areas Sustainable Most cost effective than stone Timber –  Sustainable Natural product Needs maintenance- sanding, and sealing. Special sealer available via Ecotimber than makes suitable for wet areas. Solid acrylic surface -It is made with a mold, can make any shape or thickness. Great for curved benchtops and illuminating Has technology to create charger in benchtop No joins Repairable Non -porous and hygienic The darker color are more susceptible to the scratches being visible compared to a lighter color. A little bit more expensive than a reconstituted stone. Concrete- freeform concrete is often made on site. It is made with a mold so it can be any color or shape any shape or colour no joints Very durable Will chip and crack – can be fixed Not completely stain resistant Stainless steel- Anti-bacterial Stain resistant Heat and fire resistantsurface Easy to clean Timeless Can scratch and smear when cleaned Not a cost -effective option Laminate Cost effective – lots of different finishes mimic stone, concrete Different edged finishes Not heat resistance and can stain Not water resistant if water gets into particle board under surface - it will expand Can't have undermount sink with it.   There are so many choices for your benchtops. We encourage that you do your research and ensure you have the right benchtop to suit all your needs. Look at your objectives, the things that are important to you, and any sustainable criteria.   Engaging with an interior designer might help you determine what's best for you, when there is so much choice available.     Available Resources: Overwhelmed by the number of decisions that need to be made when creating a stylish, functional, and durable Kitchen? What materials to select, what colours will co-ordinate together, what design is going to best suit the space, and your requirements. We offer several kitchen design packages to assist with your kitchen design – be it a makeover, renovation or new kitchen. Click the link here to find more:  If you're thinking about renovating or building your own "Forever Home", get in touch with Frances directly, by booking a chat with her. Events We have a full calendar of Webinars throughout the year, so be sure to view our Events page to find out about upcoming events. Related Resources: Episode 36: Kitchen Design Essentials – Benchtops part 1 Episode 14: Forever Home LIVE- Joinery Drawings and Why Do Them Early On Episode 30: Kitchen Design Essentials -Kitchen Design Layouts and Location Episode 32: Kitchen Design Essentials – The Builder's Insight  How to Choose the Right Bench Top Top 5 tips for selecting benchtops 

In this Forever Home Live Frances discusses the reasons for opting for good quality upholstered furniture and the options it provides you over decades of use. She discusses fabric considerations, construction, the sustainability considerations, and outlines what reupholstering can provide and the impact on your choices today. She walks through solutions for families and how to maximise the life of your good quality furniture, If you're in the market to buy new or replace your upholstered furniture, this gives you some great advice and insight about your purchase.

In this episode, part 1 of benchtops in the series, Frances welcomes her guest, Laura Neville from Cosentino to discuss three main benchtop applications – reconstituted stone, natural stone (by Cosentino), and Dekton. They outline the differences between the 3 products and why you may choose one over the other, considering functionality, durability, budget, and aesthetics. Fabulous insight is provided on manufacturing differences, cost differences, and application. SHOW NOTES Things to consider when choosing for benchtops • Think about how you are going to use the kitchen 5-10 years' time Are there cooks in the family? Do you have a large family? Is budget a constraint? • Durability and longevity of the product • Budget • Natural light in the kitchen space • Finish preference for the benchtop Polished finish Matte Finish Suede Finish • Color and Design of the overall kitchen and home • Maintenance Reconstituted Stone Depending on the brand, reconstituted stone is a mix of different minerals that are bound together with an acrylic resin to create a workable surface. It is guaranteed to maintain consistency in aesthetics throughout the slab, so if you are after consistency, this is a great choice.   The customization of your kitchen is stone to the look of your stone through choices of colour, texture, and composition. Cosentino treats nearly all of their reconstituted stone slabs with a coating called N-boost. Its a technology they've developed to minimise the porosity of the stone, preventing the absorption of everyday kitchen liquids (including red wine and lemon). Silestone brand reconstituted stone     Minimal amount of resin which does not discolor the slab over time Offered in 12-20mm slabs Flexibility in the thickness Has N-boost technology Cosentino offers a 25-year warranty on all of their product Has a beautiful suede finish option made in Spain Other brands of reconstituted stone High percentage of resin - Will discolor the slab over time Not available in all finish types – particularly matte or suede finish May not have as many colour options available Warranty not as long Disadvantages of reconstituted stone Not able to be used outdoors Can't be used behind gas as a splashback Not heat resistant Can change colour over time if high quantities of resin present in the product Can stain if stain in left for a period of time Dekton A mix of different natural minerals that are liquified, compressed, and baked. It often compared to porcelain but is a different composition.  Dekton is classified as an ultra-compact surface. It is more durable as it is completely solid the whole way through. It can be applied to any surface such as kitchen benchtops, stair treads, swimming pools, cabinetry fronts, floors, saunas, and facades. Pros Durability- Dekton has virtually zero porosity Heat Resistant No issues with discoloration when heat touches the surface Low care and maintenance, perfect for cooks and families Graffiti proof Available in 6mm,8mm,12mm Cons More costly for a stonemason to prepare than stone. Natural Stone Sensa by Cosentino Sensa by Cosentino is a natural stone that consists of granite and quartzite. It is treated with a coating developed called Senguard. Pros Virtually zero porosity Heat resistant up to 300 degrees Can be used in exterior applications It has a Dekton finish that is durable and hard-wearing Cons Expensive- starts at the mid-range of Dekton   You can find Cosentino's showroom in every major city in Australia. And you can find different colors and sampling across all the products i\on their website. https://www.cosentino.com/   Available services; Overwhelmed by the amount of decisions that need to be made when creating a stylish, functional, and durable Kitchen? What materials to select, what colours will co-ordinate together, what design is going to best suit space, and your requirements. We offer several kitchen design packages to assist with your kitchen design – be it a makeover, renovation, or new kitchen. Click the link here to find more:  Get in touch with Frances directly, by booking a chat with her.   Upcoming Event; Gain essential insight and avoid costly mistakes at the 'Forever Home Kitchen Masterclass' Webinar presented by leading interior designer and author of 'Your Forever Home', Frances Cosway of White Pebble Interiors. It will be on Thursday, 30th July 2020 at 7:00pm- 8:00 pm AEST. Click here to register;  Related Resources; Episode 14: Forever Home LIVE- Joinery Drawings and Why Do Them Early On Episode 30: Kitchen Design Essentials -Kitchen Design Layouts and Location Episode 32: Kitchen Design Essentials – The Builder's Insight  How to Choose the Right Bench Top Top 5 tips for selecting benchtops  

In this Forever Home Live Frances discusses the option of having a mirrored or window splashback and their advantages and disadvantages. The ability to create extra light, to create a sense of space, yet also the high requirement of frequent cleaning.

This episode brings back our guest Fabieli Fontana, from White Pebble Interiors. She and Frances discuss some of the key design mistakes they have seen (and mitigated). Windows in a location that compromise design and functionality, the consideration of materials, and how they affect design outcomes. Some big-scale issues with pantries, using corners, right down to little details such as lining up cabinetry, power point locations, picture windows, and visual bulk mitigation. They discuss how the rationale of the kitchen design is critical to understanding how it works. That your desires may not be a functional choice, so understanding the rationale of the design is crucial in the process. Finally, they cover why elevations are so important to design details and discuss how not having them leads to big issues later on. SHOWNOTES Frances and Fabi discuss some of the key design mistakes they've encountered while working as interior designers and the impact they have on kitchen design. In many instances, if design mistakes are picked up early on , they can improve the aesthetic or functionality of the kitchen. In this episode, they share the design mistakes and what changes they suggested to improve the outcome for the client. Key Kitchen Design Mistakes Windows                 No openable windows- Make sure you have  openable windows as kitchens need natural ventilation.                 Window Locations  Consider window frames aligning with cabinetry, centre sinks and taps on centre panes of windows, and balance splashbacks with windows for correct proportions. An example  Fabi and Frances discuss is that of a kitchen with a highlight window not centred above the cabinetry, and the window being too low that it affected the cabinetry height – making looks stumpy, but also affecting storage. This was picked up early allowing discussions with the architect to have the window moved and the size changed                  Wish list Vs practicality – You may desire  an open island bench for seating at one end, but if space is tight, storage is scant and the dining table is close by – functionality over a wish list item may not be a smart design option.   Looking at the kitchen design as a whole, not in isolation makes for a better overall outcome for the home.                 Stovetops under windows are not everyone's ideal. They may look amazing, but cleaning the grease off  the window each day is not everyone's idea of fun and is not regarded as low maintenance.   Internal Elevations and Joinery Design Sometimes people feel they will save money by not getting elevation drawings done for their kitchen, and rely on the floorplan and talking to the cabinet maker.   This is a dangerous route to take and will inevitably lead to big mistakes, little mistakes and regrets. Precise details will be unknown, exact layouts uncertain, and details for proper construction and quoting incredibly limited. As Jeremy Gates said on the previous podcast (Builder's Insight" – {MICHAELA _ ADD LINK}not having proper drawings is one of the biggest mistakes leading to under capitalisation on your overall kitchen outcome. Fridges Fridges are deeper than standard cabinetry depth, so clearance for door operation needs to be factored into the design.   Allow enough clearance between the wall and the back of the refrigerator for adequate air circulation. And if a flush fridge with cabinetry is desired, benchtops and cabinetry will need to be altered to allow for this. Place fridges to the outer edge of kitchen design for easy access. Ensure you have space between the fridge and bench. Ideally  1.1 metres. Material Selection Some materials may not be suitable for your design. Thermo doors may warp if too long, sheet sizes may not be large enough for cupboard doors. Galley kitchens, pantries and laundries link up in a linear fashion. Flooring considerations for aesthetic purposes along with wet area functionality need to be determined. The mistake of breaking the floor line leads to be substandard finish. Minimal flooring types in a home make for a more refined finish and continuity across spaces. U-shaped Pantry Dealing with corners in a U-Shaped kitchen can be tricky. Both Frances and Fabi use a design solution for dealing with corners that allows for a step-in pantry, that also uses an otherwise underutilised corner. Powerpoint Locations                 Imagine having a stunning splashback, but then see a  white powerpoint popping out. This is something that can be avoided, with planning and using alternatives that allow your splashback to take centre stage.   Designer Rationale A lot of detailed planning and thinking goes into a professional kitchen design. It stops many mistakes happening as a detailed analysis of space is going on in the design process. Don't underestimate the mistakes that can be avoided due to this. You should be able to ask your designer for their rationale and thinking behind the design they have created. There is likely to be many aspects they have been considered that may not be obvious to you, so understanding the rationale behind the design lets you understand this process.   Design is thinking and planning, so your designer should be able to explain their rationale for something being the way it is. Your designer will pick up things that you hadn't even thought about or realised made a difference.   Available Services Overwhelmed by the amount of decisions that need to be made when creating stylish, functional and durable Kitchen? What materials to select, what colours will co-ordinate together, what design is going to best suit space, and your requirements. We offer several kitchen design packages to assist with your kitchen design – be it a makeover, renovation or new kitchen. Click the link here to find more:    If you're thinking about renovating or building your own "Forever Home", get in touch with Frances directly, by booking a chat with her   Related Resources: Episode 14: Forever Home LIVE- Joinery Drawings and Why Do Them Early On Episode 30: Kitchen Design Essentials -Kitchen Design Layouts and Location Episode 32: Kitchen Design Essentials – The Builder's Insight How to Choose the Right Bench Top Top 5 tips for selecting benchtops  

In this Forever Home Live Frances is on holidays, and chats about holiday homes in general and what they represent to her. She references how holidays during Covid 19 are a different beast, and how people are now diverting their holiday funds to improving their home. She chats about the implications of Covid 19 lockdown 2 for Melbourne and how her business has pivoted to service clients in the 'new normal'. She also references the great desire by many to paint original timber accents and features in a home and her view on this.

This Kitchen Design Essentials episode has special guest, Jeremy Gates from Gaia Construction chat with Frances about some of the key mistakes people make when embarking on creating a new kitchen – and not really understanding the impact of these decisions. Jeremy shares his vast experience as a carpenter and builder on how to avoid mistakes when designing your kitchen, and how a builder can really assist you to meet expectations if engaged early on in the process. A very insightful discussion for getting your kitchen right.   SHOW NOTES Jeremy Gates Managing Director of Gaia Construction joined Frances in this episode to discuss kitchen design and mistakes, from a builder's perspective. The biggest oversight that creates problems for builders from a kitchen design perspective; When somebody has a concrete floor and it's difficult to get the plumbing in, or there will be damage to the current floor. If you put it in a induction cooktop, and depending on what your fuse board, you may need to upgrade it.  Communicating you have a water point for the  fridge Anything can be done but the implication is the cost. Being informed allows you to make the right decisions that matter to you. When designing kitchens, builders look at it from the practicality point of view and how it can be constructed. The best way to approach designing your kitchen Decide on a budget as it often decides which direction the kitchen is going to be. What are the finishes? Have you got a young family? How are you going to use the kitchen? Is it the hub of the home? Do you do lots of cooking? What are the appliances you want in there? Have a look  friends kitchens and what may also work for you. Work out on the appliances you need Do you need a wine fridge? Coffee machine Steam oven Double oven Cooktop size Think about storage and make sure everything is in the right place Engage with an expert Get people on your job that are going to share the journey with you, that put your priorities first. If you want something that they don't really think works properly, that's fine. Understand their reasoning, so you can make the right decisions. They need to listen and really understand what you're trying to achieve because it is your kitchen, not theirs. The best time to engage a builder Engage with a builder early on so you can start seeing realistic costs compared to your budget. It's good to have an idea about what's realistic in terms of what your expectations are. Avoid building a kitchen without joinery design The cabinet maker's job is to build what is drawn. To do their job properly it has to be drawn properly as joinery drawings, so it's easy to review, quote accurately, and adjust if needed. The drawings are essential to provide details such as drawer handles, depth of our drawers, exact measurements, and materials. Best way to work with a builder For Jeremy, the first meeting is at no charge. Once you engage the builder it will be for a fixed fee treat your builder as a professional. Ensure they are qualified, and consider their vested interest when giving advice. Things that clients can do at the detriment to themselves and the end result They design the kitchen themselves and end up paying \ They under-capitalise in their kitchen, which is just as bad as over capitalising! Eg. Not making the best use of space in your kitchen. Not being aware of products that are available, that can improve the design, functionality, durability, and aesthetics of the kitchen. Number one tip for those who want to renovate or build a new kitchen Find a designer and a builder that have the same priorities as you. Somebody who is on the same journey with you and your kitchen. You have to be comfortable with the people you're working with. You've got to keep focused on the fact that it's your journey and that you are able to relate to the people on your team. If you don't actually get along with them or relate to them, you're never going to get the proper outcome anyway. Learn more about Gaia Construction and Jeremy's Services here Available Services Overwhelmed by the amount of decisions that need to be made when creating stylish, functional and durable Kitchen? What materials to select, what colours go with eachother? We offer several different kitchen design packages to assist with your kitchen design – be it a makeover, renovation or new kitchen. Click the link here to find more. If you're thinking about renovating or building your own "Forever Home", get in touch with Frances directly, by booking a chat with her.   Related Resources: A Beginner's Guide to Reading Building Episode 14: Forever Home LIVE- Joinery Drawings and Why Do Them Early On Episode 30: Kitchen Design Essentials -Kitchen Design Layouts and Location Episode 31: Forever Home LIVE- Styles - and how a brief determines the outcome The five building stages What you need to know before you build The building stages and what to expect  

In this Forever Home Live, Frances discusses the outcome of projects and how they are determined by the brief for the designer. She chats about how the style created in a place is the outcome of the brief, and that as a designer, she may not necessarily like everything personally herself, but as long as it's cohesive, has flow, and colours, tones and materials all relate to each other – this is the important part. And most importantly, the client loves it. She gives some examples of recent clients, and their briefs and how that will determine the outcome they create for the clients.

Where your kitchen is located in the home, and getting the layout right is critical to good kitchen design. In this episode, Frances, and guest Interior Designer, Fabieli Fontana talk about the different locations of a kitchen in the home, along with different layouts and what some of the advantages and disadvantages are of each. An interesting discussion between two interior designers on optimum kitchen design! SHOW NOTES When it comes to kitchen design, there really is more to it than meets the eye. It is important to know how to determine the best location and design layouts for your kitchen to make sure that your space is functional in a way that suits you and your family's lifestyle needs. Things to consider in choosing the right location for your kitchen Good access to natural light Other rooms that you are designing Personal preference for kitchens to be located Internal position How can you make things work the best way it can be with the conditions you have Discussion in this episode covers South Facing Kitchen Possible issues with west and east facing kitchens How your kitchen is located in terms of access to the outdoors Use of servery windows, outdoor dining, views to garden, play areas and possible pool Orientation of your kitchen Consider where you are going to prepare food or where you're going to be standing when you have guests – how does this affect your vision of what's going on in the rest of the house. Views and Windows How they impact your kitchen design – in terms of capturing views, access to ventilation, and impact on cabinetry. Floor plan is king! It's important to get the design and layout of the kitchen right, while it's still on paper, as it's very difficult to change it later without going through large expense Spend the time analysing how your location and flows are going to work before you even start getting into details of joinery design Key Design Kitchen Layouts overview Galley Style Kitchen Can be one wall or dual-sided Space-saving option L-shaped Works well in terms of storage and an easy layout to work with. Provides a lot of design flexibility You can also move around the kitchen Butler's pantries easily flow from these designs U-shaped Designed with either attached benchtop or floating island bench when attached, can make flow and access less than ideal. Have more corners to deal with When we're designing kitchens, we always conduct a  Kitchen Deep Dive, to consider and design around our client's unique lifestyle and personal requirements to come up with a solution that would meet their needs, takes the whole home into consideration so flow and the overall design is integrated. Kitchen Triangle The kitchen triangle is not something to get fixated on. Ideally, the triangle needs to be up to seven meters cumulative so that you're not working more than seven meters between key elements of the kitchen. Key is not to have key components of a kitchen, such as an oven or pantry, crossing a thoroughfare Available Services: Will your floor plan, and particularly your kitchen, work for you for years to come? Get a second opinion from an expert team. Find out more about our Floor Plan Sanity Check. Overwhelmed by the amount of decisions that need to be made when creating a stylish, functional, and durable Kitchen? What materials to select, what colours go with each other? We offer several different kitchen design packages to assist with your kitchen design – be it a makeover, renovation, or new kitchen. Click the link here to find more. Related Resources: How to Choose the Right Bench Top Top 5 tips for selecting benchtops Top 5 ways to make best use of your floorplan Creating "Forever Home" floorplans and getting them right Kitchen Design Essentials - Season Overview Kitchen Design Essentials - How to Determine What You Need in Your Kitchen

Frances recorded this Forever Home Live during the Covid 19 isolation period, when many people were working from home for long periods of time. She talks about what you can do to create a working from home space that is productive, personal and allow you to work in a happy environment. Lots of tips to allow you to carve out your own space!

In this Forever Home Live, Frances outlines reasons why having a door on your walk in pantry is a good idea. She talks about the ideal door scenarios too!

What do you need to do before you start designing your dream kitchen? In this episode, as part of the Kitchen Design Essentials Season, Frances outlines how you determine what you need in your kitchen (rather than worrying about what everyone else has) and how to determine the what, how and where for your storage requirements, critical to the foundation of your overall kitchen design. Frances also discusses the importance of your lifestyle, and your cooking requirements to really determine what you need in your kitchen and how you need it to work for you. Being the hub of many family homes, kitchens need to perform many roles, and be many things, so thinking about how you live and what you need out of your kitchen is critical to getting a design that works. SHOWNOTES As kitchens are the main hub of a family the home, they have multiple functions. From cooking to casual eating areas, breakfast bars to entertainment zones homework areas and workspaces. All in all, your kitchen needs to be designed around your needs and work super hard for you. In this episode Frances walks through the essential elements to consider when you are determining what you need in your kitchen. She emphases the point that your Forever Home should be designed for yourself, your family and what you need, not what other people's expectations are. This is also the beauty of creating your own Forever Home kitchen, as it's all about you and what you need and want from your kitchen. This is where an external party can assist you to think outside the box and provide solutions you haven't even thought of or knew were available. Things to think about when determining what you need in your kitchen. What type of cook you are and how you need the kitchen to work. How often do you entertain? Do you bake often, make jam and preserve food? Determine the space you'll need for food prep and the appliances you'll need. How does the kitchen needs to perform for you and your family. If cooking infrequently, perhaps it will be more of a show kitchen. How much lateral space do you need for food prep Entertainment zone, casual dining area and breakfast bar. For your storage think about what, how and where you need to store items. Eg, appliances, tea and coffee station, kids prep area, baking, Bins, chopping boards, cookware, crockery, glasses, and mugs. Plastic containers, pens/paper, tea towels. Do you want anything on show?   Available Services: The Kitchen Deep Dive mentioned in the Podcast is available to clients designing or specifying their kitchens with White Pebble Interiors. If you need assistance, get in touch! We are here to help you get the best out or your kitchen.  Get in touch with Frances directly, by booking a chat with her  Related Resources: How to Choose the Right Bench Top The Art of Decluttering Podcast

To black or not to black – that is the question often asked of interior designers regarding black tapwear and accessories. Will they date, and should you use them? Frances discusses this topic in this Forever Home Live, putting her view forward, along with industry experts she's chatted with too. And if you do decide to use black – how to buy quality.