Hi Bobby, How exciting, your'e absolutely not alone in feeling anxious about wanting to get this right. These are the most costly rooms in your home to renovate so planning is key. There is a lot of detail to consider with these spaces and you will be expected to provide all this information to your builder before they start; so ensure you have your layout, joinery / cabinetry design, fixtures and finishes sorted first and foremost. Your builder can work with you or your designer to help keep these within your budget. You'll want this information to be as detailed as possible, this will give you the most accurate quote as well as the look and feel you're after. You don't want your builder telling you "I need your tile selection and I need it onsite the day after tomorrow" as more often than not you won't be able to get the one you really want and end up with something that you're not entirely satisfied with. As these areas are trade heavy I would suggest you hire a builder rather than separate trades such as carpenters / specialists that way they can arrange and manage all of this for you including ordering all your fixtures and finishes, saving you the headache and time of doing it yourself. Also in most cases these days if you're not self funding your lending institute will require a builders contract. Just remember to gather as much information as possible. The better prepared you are, the better prepared they are and the more smoothly the whole process will run. I hope this helped answer your question. Jade

The brief from our lovely clients was to create a family home layered with farm-house warmth and style where the owners could relax and be inspired by the surrounding natural landscape. It was also really important that we designed an interior that tells a story of the rural traditions and rustic charm, delivered within a unique country setting. The existing urban, red brick, three-bedroom house’s saving grace was a beautiful garden overlooking a national park, but it lacked country charm and the interior design was not connected to the verdant, exterior landscape. By layering and revealing textures the house was transformed into a lifestyle abode. Organic structures, rich earthy colours and traditional Australian, English and French Provencal farmhouse elements were blended together with hand-crafted macramés, tapestries and Moroccan rugs. Bespoke pieces were added, creating a relaxed yet sophisticated family mountain retreat. The old garage under the house was converted into an exterior, resort-style bathroom with recycled, grey-faced sleepers, shiplap cladding and artesian hand-crafted, white-washed brick walls. Bespoke exposed copper plumbing and custom-made hardware, a French provincial galvanised dog bathtub, retro vanity and concealed toilet were incorporated into the design. Exposed ceiling beams and large barn doors added further character and showed off the integrity of the build. At the side of the house, a large hand-crafted farm gate and fence was created, and four tall, recycled sleeper posts provided the structure for a shade cloth for the new carport. A system of stainless-steel sailing cleats and organic hemp-rope pulleys was designed as a quick release for fire truck access, if required. In the kitchen, new benches and lime-washed floors created a softer palette. Strategically placed lighting was used to create drama and mood and to highlight art pieces and macramé wall-hangings in rustic oranges and earth browns. Three teardrop, smoke-coloured pendants were chosen to accent the refreshed dining room. The joinery wall in the living room was redesigned to house the essential farmhouse fireplace. Open shelves were created to display farmhouse objects and curios that evoke an old-world simple rural life. Furniture was sourced for its rustic appeal as well as its functionality. French provincial workbenches complete with the original carpenter’s clamps and turn handles were used to make bespoke sideboards. The undercover deck at the rear of the property was restyled with a hint of the exotic. A hand-crafted, vintage Indian daybed, Moroccan floor rugs and a rattan table setting were key pieces. Concept design, plans, joinery, finishes, furniture and homeware selection, lighting design, exterior bathroom, barn doors, custom-built farm gate, and puppy agility course. Before: In Progress: After: Check out the entire project here!

Carpenter

Leading aluminium building products manufacturer DECO Australia has just unveiled its new timber-look aluminium post– DecoPost™. Made from solid aluminium and featuring DECO’s iconic timber-look DecoWood® finish, DecoPost™ is a solution to Australia’s current timber shortage and a long-lasting alternative to timber products. Available in two post sizes – 100 x 100mm and 150 x 150mm with a 3mm wall thickness, DecoPost™ is a flexible and durable post for use in a variety of applications where timber posts are typically used, including pergolas, fencing, porticos, alfrescos and other landscaping options. With a variety of set lengths available, builders, homeowners and carpenters can build their outdoor structures quickly, easily and with minimal hassle. DecoWood®, the marine grade timber-look finish by DECO Australia, creates a realistic timber appearance that is Super Durable and will not, peel or rub off over time. And best of all, it is extremely low maintenance and never needs, sanding, oiling, painting or staining. DecoPost™ is available in four popular DecoWood® colours, which replicate popular native timber species. A primer coat finish is also available for contemporary designs or adding your own wet paint finish, and is stocked and ready for delivery on order. To help choose your finish, colour swatches are available to order from the DECO website. DECO Australia Architectural Business Manager Simon Pearson said DecoPost™ will be a handy addition to a large variety of DIY and building projects. “DecoPost™ has opened up a whole new world of opportunity for home builders, carpenters, installers and DIY-ers,” he said. “Where timber may be difficult to come by, DecoPost™ offers that natural timber appearance with the durability of 3mm thick solid aluminium. Building projects such as fences, gates, porticos and more can be completed quickly and last significantly longer – and the best part is, DecoPost™ is stocked and ready to go now.” DecoPost™ is designed and manufactured in Australia. For more information on DecoPost™, visit www.deco.net.au or call 02 9603 1888.