In this episode, we sit down with DevelopHer Leanne Barbaro to unpack the journey of building her family home through a volume builder — and the gold is in the lessons learned. We talk through how volume building offers cost efficiencies but requires savvy planning to avoid cookie-cutter pitfalls. You’ll hear her tips on what to prioritise (hint: lighting!), how outdoor structures can impact natural light, and how long-term flexibility allows us to make up for the bold decisions we initially may...
May 08, 2025•19 min•Season 7Ep. 12
Let’s face it—your Pinterest board might have champagne taste, but your project budget is the reality check you need to consider. In this episode, Rebeka and BHC's Head of Interiors Rebecca, dive into the heart of what it really means to design smarter, not pricier. The key? Understanding the cost implications of your design choices from day one—and learning where a small tweak can save you thousands (without compromising on style). What you’ll learn: Why starting with a budget isn’t limiting—it...
Apr 23, 2025•18 min•Season 7Ep. 11
This week, we dive deep into the world of tapware with Rhys Beal from ABI Interiors—unpacking how this once purely functional hardware has evolved into a style statement and investment decision all on its own. You’ll get the inside scoop on how tapware has transformed over the years, moving beyond chrome to a stunning palette of finishes and materials. Rhys shares everything you didn’t know you needed to know about tapware—from durability and coatings to cost-effective design decisions that last...
Apr 11, 2025•32 min•Season 7Ep. 10
You’ve put your heart (and plenty of hard-earned money) into creating a beautiful home. But when it comes time to sell, it’s not just about showcasing the finishes, the fixtures, or the floor plan—it’s about selling a lifestyle. Cheyne Toomey of Spacecraft Media joins us in this episode to share the secret sauce of a successful sale: photos that don’t just show a house, but tell a story. Join us as we chat about why buyers need to see themselves in the space before they even step foot inside, an...
Apr 02, 2025•42 min•Season 7Ep. 9
In this episode, we chat with Kelly McCloskey from The Feng Shui Girl, a passionate expert in Feng Shui, uncovering how this ancient Chinese art of harmonising energy in spaces can directly influence your well-being, and even, property value. You'll get insights on how incorporating Feng Shui into your property design can enhance the flow of energy and attract higher-value buyers. Kelly breaks down the practical aspects of Feng Shui, from the ideal orientation of a home to subtle adjustments tha...
Mar 26, 2025•46 min•Season 7Ep. 8
Lighting is one of those things that, when done right, you don’t even notice it, it just feels right—but when done wrong, it's so obvious and uncomfortable. Enter the importance of lighting design! In this episode, we chat with Jodie Meier from About Space, who shares why good lighting is about more than just picking pretty fixtures—it’s about creating mood, balance, and functionality. Jodie explains the importance of layering light with a mix of task, ambient, and feature lighting to make a hom...
Mar 19, 2025•41 min•Season 7Ep. 7
Ever walked into a home that just feels right? It’s not just about colour or finishes—it’s about the moments built into the design. In this episode, we sit down with Rebecca Papas , Head of Interior Design at BuildHer Collective, to talk about the importance of shaping a home’s form before even thinking about colour. Bec shares her own experience designing her family home, breaking down how to create thoughtful spaces that elevate everyday living. We cover: Designing for experience – How intenti...
Mar 13, 2025•31 min•Season 7Ep. 6
When a devastating storm left DevelopHer Roxy’s home in ruins, she faced the daunting task of rebuilding—not just her house, but her entire approach to home design. In this episode, Roxy shares how she turned a challenging situation into an opportunity to build smarter, proving that a beautiful, high-quality home doesn’t have to come with an overwhelming price tag. From navigating insurance limitations and council regulations to researching cost-effective materials and creative construction meth...
Mar 05, 2025•29 min•Season 7Ep. 5
In this fun episode with Pip Brett, founder of JUMBLED, we dive into all things interior design, art, and her exciting latest project, a renovated bank turned luxury short-stay accommodation in Malong NSW named Sona. She opens up about her creative process, how she plays with colour, and why supporting Aussie artists is so important to her. Pip also talks about how art can completely transform a space and encourages listeners to trust their gut when choosing pieces they love. Get ready to be ins...
Feb 27, 2025•25 min•Season 7Ep. 4
In this episode, we dive into the art of renovating in phases—smart, strategic, and family-focused! Join us as we sit down with Anna Crawford, an incredible BuildHer and DevelopHer who has been part of our community for six years, and who we believe has mastered the balance of juggling a growing family and an ever-evolving home renovation. We chat about her beautiful latest project in Kew East, named 'Hale Cottage' and explore how to make spaces work best for your current needs while leaving roo...
Feb 19, 2025•30 min•Season 7Ep. 3
In this episode, we sit down with Shaun Palkhiwala from RMS Traders to talk about one of our favourite materials - natural stone! As someone who grew up in the family business, Shaun has a wealth of knowledge on the beauty and durability of natural stone, and he offers insightful tips on how to select the perfect stone for your next project, ensuring that you balance both aesthetics and practicality. We discuss everything from the importance of sealing stone to make it low-maintenance, to how to...
Feb 12, 2025•56 min•Season 7Ep. 2
In this episode, Rebeka welcomes listeners back to the podcast for 2025 and introduces a new series of design chats she will regularly host with BuildHer Collective’s Head of Interiors, Rebecca Papas. Rebeka and Rebecca dive into what they believe are the fundamentals of interior design, focusing on understanding a client’s lifestyle to create a home that truly works for them. They discuss real client briefs as examples of how individual needs can differ and share the design solutions they devel...
Feb 06, 2025•36 min•Season 7Ep. 1
We're excited to be joined by Nickolas Gurtler in today's episode - an award-winning Interior Designer who has fast become renowned for his bold and luxurious style. Nickolas' journey didn’t start with blueprints and fabric swatches—it began in the fast-paced, visually rich world of merchandising, where every display told a story. He shares with us how those early days shaped his fearless approach to design, where luxury and boldness take center stage. He takes us behind the scenes, from tacklin...
Dec 19, 2024•36 min•Season 6Ep. 33
In this episode, Rebeka sits down with Fleur Watson and Anne-Laure Cavigneaux to chat about the incredible new book, March Studio: Making Architecture, Material and Process. A collaboration between RMIT and Thames & Hudson, this monograph dives deep into March Studio's unique approach to design, from their early days crafting iconic Aesop interiors to their larger-scale public projects today. Fleur, the author, reveals how the book captures not just the finished projects but also the creativ...
Dec 11, 2024•33 min•Season 6Ep. 32
In this chat, Rebeka sits down with Danielle, a talented friend and lighting designer from Lights, Lights, Lights and covers why getting a lighting designer involved early in your build or reno is such a game-changer. Think of it as weaving lighting seamlessly into your home's architecture—it's better than trying to squeeze it in at the last minute. They talk about the magic of a well-thought-out lighting plan—one that goes beyond just functionality and focuses on creating the right mood for eve...
Dec 05, 2024•41 min•Season 6Ep. 31
Evan Montero from DIY Blinds and Home Pro is no stranger to the BHC community and today he and Rebeka explore the art of designing and installing window furnishings, from selecting the perfect fabric or material, to planning architectural features that create a seamless, luxurious look. Evan shares why starting early with a design consultant is key to nailing both the aesthetic and practical elements of your space, while also keeping budgets and timelines in check. They dive into fabric choices,...
Nov 28, 2024•44 min•Season 6Ep. 30
In this episode we are joined by Kerry Armstrong, a self-taught and widely celebrated Abstract Expressionist and artist – and the visionary behind the Studio Gallery Group! She opens up about her inspiring journey, from a high-stress notable corporate career and a life changing health-diagnosis of a brain tumour, through to finding her calling and becoming a thriving artist and gallery owner. She shares her emotional connection with art, the challenges she faced while making such a big career sh...
Nov 21, 2024•46 min•Season 6Ep. 29
This week we have interior designer Claire Larritt-Evans of Larritt-Evans join us for a chat! She shares her insights on what an interior designer really brings to a home project, from planning, designing, and carefully detailing the interiors of a house, whether it's working independently or teaming up with an architect. Claire points out the benefits of architects and interior designers collaborating closely to make sure the end result feels cohesive and well thought out. We go through her pro...
Nov 15, 2024•31 min•Season 6Ep. 28
In this episode, Rebeka chats with Steph Bailey, one of our DevelopHers who's just completed and put her latest beautiful project, 'Fontayne', on the market! Having come from a background in digital and tech, Steph explains how being exposed to property and design from a young age through her parents sparked her interest to take the leap herself. They cover everything from her design choices to the budgeting hurdles she had to jump, all while making sure it felt like home. Steph opens up about s...
Nov 08, 2024•21 min•Season 6Ep. 27
In this episode, we're joined by Sarah Bryant from Bryant Alsop Architects who breaks down the process of hiring an architect and how important it is to find the right fit between you, your architect, and your builder. Sarah also gives us a peek into the range of services her firm offers, from design and documentation to contract administration and assisting with tenders, and walks us through the five key stages of the architectural process: Concept Design, Design Development, Documentation, Ten...
Oct 31, 2024•33 min•Season 6Ep. 26
On this week's episode, we're joined by Cameron Gray, the National Product Training Manager at Kaboodle Kitchen! As many of you already know, Kaboodle Kitchen is a leading supplier affordable of retail kitchen products across Australia and New Zealand. Exclusively available at Bunnings, kaboodle supplies a high quality, wide range of cabinets, doors and panels, benchtops, hardware and accessories which can be used in the kitchen, laundry and anywhere throughout the home really! We explore the en...
Oct 24, 2024•44 min•Season 6Ep. 25
In this episode, Rebeka sits down with BuildHer Kate Hawkins to talk about her recent renovation project in Geelong, which she impressively finished in just six weeks! Having made a bold move to uplift their family's life from New South Wales, Kate opens up about how she found the property and the vision that guided the renovation. They dive into the satisfaction that comes from hands-on work, and the emotional connection that grows when you're personally invested in a project, making mindful de...
Oct 17, 2024•25 min•Season 6Ep. 24
In this episode, we welcome Kristen Jackson of Wealth House back to the podcast. Having recently completed a new project, Rebeka and Kristen talk about her innovative approach to property investment - Pre-sale Renovations. Kristen shares her experience of helping clients maximise their property value without needing a large upfront investment. They explore the importance of doing your own market research, how she builds trust with clients, and the different financial structures available. The ch...
Oct 10, 2024•26 min•Season 6Ep. 23
Welcoming Glen Chamberlain of Chamberlain Architects on the podcast this week! We cover all things architecture, but specifically, the difference hiring a full-service architect can make and the value of design integrity. Having appointed Glen and his team for our Clarke Street JV, we have had the pleasure of this experience first-hand and share what we personally found the benefits to be and who would most benefit from a full-scale service architect. Glen shares insights on the challenges of ne...
Oct 03, 2024•56 min•Season 6Ep. 22
Joining us on the podcast this week is Karin Bochnik of KB-ID, specialising in Interior Direction. She explains how Interior Direction differs from styling and how she helps developers, homeowners, and architects create visually appealing spaces that target specific buyers and showcase their work in its best light - typically a dreamy setting! She touches on how this role has shifted over the years - no longer forming part of the "final touch" of a project but more so being a strategic approach ...
Sep 25, 2024•36 min•Season 6Ep. 21
In this episode we welcome Climate Scientist and DevelopHer, Dr Heather Stevens! Heather takes us into how climate change is shaping property investment and development, with a focus on fire and flood risks. She points out how crucial it is to factor in these risks when purchasing or developing properties, as they can heavily influence building requirements, insurance premiums, and even interest rates. She also stresses the growing need for climate-adapted housing designs, especially when it com...
Sep 19, 2024•38 min•Season 6Ep. 20
In this episode, Rebeka and Josh Arkey of JALA Studio dive into the world of landscape architecture, focusing on how important it is for designers and clients to build strong relationships. They break down the differences between landscape architects and designers, talk about why it’s so crucial to collaborate early on in a project, and highlight the beauty of creating a seamless flow between indoor and outdoor spaces. They also touch on key details like working with budgets, choosing the right ...
Sep 13, 2024•56 min•Season 6Ep. 19
In this episode, we speak with Kerri-Ann Hooper from Carnelian Projects, a builder in the Hunter Valley, who shares her insights on the journey of volume building and the considerations required for knockdown-rebuilds. She talks about how crucial it is to really understand the full cost of a new build, making sure you’re aware of all the inclusions and requirements. Kerri-Ann also gives practical advice on assessing your site, considering factors like services, slope, and access. With her experi...
Sep 04, 2024•31 min•Season 6Ep. 18
In this episode, Rebeka highlights the importance of doing your homework when it comes to building and renovating and how understanding the process can help you make smart, cost-effective decisions. She encourages listeners to push past their fears and take advantage of the current market in Melbourne, which she sees as full of opportunities for buyers and investors. Overall, it's all about putting in the effort to get the results you want in the property market. See omnystudio.com/listener for ...
Aug 28, 2024•15 min•Season 6Ep. 17
In this episode, we chat with DevelopHer Taeler Jordan of FTLO Design about her latest project, an Eltham renovation and extension named Napoleon House. We cover the importance of considering the orientation and site implications when choosing a property. She also explains how she dealt with the challenges of a sloping block and incorporated height changes in the design. Taeler emphasises the use of flooring and lighting as key features in the home and discusses the intentional design choices sh...
Aug 20, 2024•27 min•Season 16Ep. 16
