How can an Interior Designer save my sanity?
Let's get straight to the point. Building/renovating is bloody expensive. It's stressful and sometimes can be overwhelming. "What do you mean there is more than one one to choose from?"
Yes, hiring an interior designer is an added cost to consider, but can save you time, money and your sanity down the track. Let me explain how:
Part of my services includes sitting down together and sketching up layouts for your Kitchen, Bathroom, Ensuite, Laundry or other areas of your home. I provide detailed drawings to show you how each room will look and we will work together until you are completely happy with the outcome. We will note how high the tiles will be in the bathroom to which side you would like your dish drainer to go in your kitchen.
If you have problems visualising, that's not a problem! I provide 3D rendered drawings so you can get an idea of how it will look.
Once the drawings are confirmed, we will then work together to start selecting paint colours, flooring, benchtop, cabinetry, tapware, appliances, carpet... the list goes on. There is lots to select but I will assist you throughout the whole process, give you advice and point you in the right direction on trusted suppliers and brands.
We will visit showrooms together but if you don't have the time to do that- I will do the running around for you and present you with a suggested colour palette for you to approve.
Your style, budget and lifestyle are all taken into consideration throughout the whole process.
So now that the drawings are finalised, and colours are all selected, I can then issue you with a documentation package.
This includes:
- Full set of detailed drawings including elevations
- Colour and Materials Schedule
- Sample Board
What do these documents help with? Finding the right builder of course!
You can then hand these documents over to a few builders to start quoting. It is important that the builder includes all items listed in the Colour and Materials Schedule and drawings.
This means you will receive a fairly accurate price upfront and should eliminate any variations down the tracks.
Some builders just quote on standard items and then when it comes to ordering all your items, they realise the tiles we selected are 600x600 porcelain tiles and not the standard old 400x400 ceramic tiles he allowed for in his quote. It then means you get a rude shock and handed a variation every time this happens.
His quote might come back cheap at the start, but boy will it blow out once construction has finished.
Then finally once you have found the right builder, works can commence and the builder and myself can communicate together throughout the construction process to iron out any questions he may have.
So as you can see, there is more to an interior designers service offering other than "fluffing cushions".
As mentioned earlier, there are lots of elements to consider when starting your renovation or new build project and someone like myself can alleviate the stress and ensure you have a beautiful home that reflects your personality and needs.
Click on the button below to get in touch and we can arrange a quick phone call to discuss what stage you are at in your project and how we can work together.
How to Select Kitchen Finishes
Designing a new kitchen can be quite overwhelming and there are so many choices out there. Gloss? Matt? Stone? Marble?
I believe you can create a beautiful kitchen on all budget levels, so today I wanted to introduce you to a few options on cabinetry finishes. I've listed these different finishes from least expensive, to high end. I'm sure each cabinet maker will quote your kitchen slightly different but this is a gauge to know where to start selecting from.
Textured melamine
Laminex and Polytec have a great range of textured melamine in a range of plain and timber looks that give the appearance of timber veneer. This is an affordable option and has a beautiful grain to touch.
You can play around with the direction of the timber grain and run it horizontal, or vertical which is what I have done in our Williamstown project.(pictured right)
Sheen Melamine
If you are after a slight gloss to your kitchen, a sheen melamine board is a great alternative to achieve a gloss kitchen. Keep in mind with any lighter colours, you will notice a thin black edging.
Ultra Matt Melamine
This fantastic new product is a reveluction to the industry! You can create the look of a matt 2-pack high end kitchen with this affordable ultra matt product. Laminex call it AbsoluteMatte and Polytec called it Legato.
This velvet smooth finish is finger proof resistant (to some degree, I believe) is great for a handless kitchen and creates a contemporary look.
Vinyl Wrap
Vinyl Wrap is made by stretching a thin sheet of vinyl over a cut and routed piece of MDF. First, glue is applied to the door and edge and then the vinyl is vacuum sealed to the door so you get a seamless look with no visible edges. Its thermoformed surface makes it resistant to the usual knocks and bumps of a busy household and is easy to keep clean.
Vinyl wrap gives you the flexibility to introduce a range of profiles and is available in gloss, matt or textured finishes. There is a range of standard colours you can select from, depending on which brand you select.
Vinyl wrap cannot be used on horizontal surfaces such as shelves or benchtops.
Range of profiles for vinyl wrap doors
Example of a vinyl wrap kitchen
2-PACK
2-pack is a paint finish that is sprayed on just like a car. Due to being a paint finish, the colours are endless as you can colour match to pretty much any paint brand. The finish is quite seamless and is available in many more door profiles than vinyl. Vinyl doors aren't as crisp as profiles on 2 pack doors.
Do keep in mind the hard corners on a 2-pack kitchen can be prone to chipping.
Timber Veneer
Timber veneer is real timber, sliced very finely and pressed onto an MDF board. It is a renewable and sustainable resource. It has been used for many years, and the timeless beauty of antique furniture attests to the lasting quality of veneering art.
Decorative Veneer is produced by slicing or peeling selected logs to an approximate thickness of 0.6mm. You can select from a range of ways the timber is cut, as it provides many grain patterns and finishes. It’s durable and can be sanded back if damaged or scratched.
Timber veneer is a premium finish and can be quite costly but combine it with vinyl or 2-pack to balance the budget and keep a cohesive look. Use veneer in low-impact areas such as vertical surfaces (cabinet doors, for instance).
I hope this information has cleared up a few questions in regards to your Kitchen or Bathroom renovation and next week I will put together a range of different benchtop material options!
If you are needing assistance selecting colours and materials for your renovation, click on the button below and we can schedule a quick phone call to discuss how I can help eliviate that headache and ensure your renovation runs smoothly!
Melissa shares her Top 5 Bathroom Design Ideas
Bathrooms have changed over the past 10 years and homeowners are becoming a little more adventurous with design and material choices.
I have put together 5 of my favourite design elements that you can easily incorporate into your new bathroom.
Statement Vanities
I am noticing trends from Europe where vanities look more like pieces of furniture, they are quite detailed and add lots of character to the space.
Look for a vanity that has great storage and is easy to clean.
Coloured Tiles
There are so many beautiful mosaic tiles on the market at the moment, they can act as an accent wall to the bathroom by using them on the vanity or shower wall for full impact.
Bold Painted Walls
A non-committal way of introducing colour to your bathroom is by painting the walls in an accent colour. This is also a great way to save money on tiles as you can just use tiles around the mandatory areas such as around the shower, bath and vanity and paint the remainder of the walls in a bold colour. At the end of the day, it's just paint and can easily be painted over if you get tired of that colour!
Stone Slab Walls
If a minimal colour and material palette is more your style, its all about less is more. Introducing large format stone slabs is a great way to achieve that look. There is no grout lines and gives a sense of luxury. If natural stone is out of the budget, consider using porcelain slabs. They look very realistic, practically maintenance free and not as expensive as real marble.
All About the Shower Head
To create an amazing bathroom experience, I believe it all comes down to the type of shower head you select. There are so many shower systems out at the moment, it all depends on how you and your family live. Think about flexibility, you might need a hand held shower to easily clean the tiled walls and shower screen but prefer a large rain head to wash your hair. There are multiple options you can use so you dont have to just stick to one!
Still Feeling Overwhelmed?
If you are planning on renovating your bathroom and still feel overwhelmed on where to start or what floor plan and materials might look best, I'd love to organise a chat over the phone to give you some ideas on where to start and how we can best work together to make your project as stress free and seamless as possible.
Click on the button below to book in a time.
6 Fave Dining Chairs with Impact!
With lots of great trade fairs on at the moment, I love meeting new suppliers and catching up with existing suppliers that have just launched their new ranges for the season. So today I want to share with you my favourite contemporary dining chairs that I have come across during my travels.
These chairs can all work with a solid timber table and don't be afraid to mix different tones of timbers- not everything needs to be matchy matchy!
1. Max Dining Chair in Black Leather- Curious Grace
2. Ash Wood Dining Chair- Calibre Furniture
3. Wassu Dining Chair- La Forma
4. Avery Maja Armchair- Globe West
5. Lincoln Dining Chair- The Rug Collection
6. Brasilia Dining Chair- Zillo & Hutch
A few of these suppliers only sell to industry professionals, but lucky for you- you know an interior designer!
So if any of these gorgeous chairs or other items you see on their websites have caught your eye, reply to this email and let me know your wish list and I can send you through pricing and availability.
The best part is they offer 10-40% off RRP and I would love to share these great savings with you!
If you feel overwhelmed restyling your interior, click on the link below to find out more about my Furniture & Styling Service!
Interior Design Trends for 2018/19
During the workshop I held at United Interiors on Thursday night, I presented some key trends that I think we will start, if not already be seeing in the interior design world!
So today I want to share with you my trend forecast and let me know what you think!
Keeping an eye on trends doesn't mean you have to start from scratch and purchase everything all new- its purely a way to see the way design is evolving and give you confidence to try and introduce some key pieces into your home!
Terracotta
•It sounds natural, but it's best to start with small accessories, such as a terracotta planter or velvet cushion. If you feel bold, then you can opt for a couch or even paint an entire wall!
• The colours of the Terracotta range blend with grey, black, white, but also with natural materials such as wicker, rattan or wood.
Darker Timbers
•There is a slight move away from the light oaks and bleached timbers we have seen recently with the Scandinavian look, but rich walnuts and darker stained timbers are making a comeback.
Furniture pieces and kitchen cabinetry with beautiful details can create a warm and moody interior. Paired with deep blues and greens looks great.
Terrazzo
You have probably already seen an influx of terrazzo lately but this finish is one of my faves! Years ago, it was mostly used as flooring but the contemporary spin on this look has been to incorporate it within furniture, lighting, benchtops and furniture!
Kitchens
Natural stone benchtops are quite popular and are here to stay. A slight move away from the white Calacatta marbles with darker tones coming through.
Thin benchtops, creating a minimal look are huge in Europe and will start to be more prevalent in Australia.
A rise in porcelain products used for kitchen benchtops, splashbacks and bathroom walls. Porcelain is indestructible and slab sizes are huge, so minimal join lines!
Taking the stress out of building or renovating.
Are you about to build a new home or take on a major renovation but don't know where to start in terms of design and colour selections? In this short video, i explain how hiring an interior designer takes that stress away.
I am offering a Complimentary 20 minute phone consult to discuss your project and how I can help.
Click on the link below to book in your spot!
Redesign TV Show with Melissa Lunardon
I have been working on a very exciting pilot for a brand new tv show called REDESIGN, where I transform the ordinary cafe into Australia‘s best place to be, and take homes to the next level in contemporary design. The design and renovation process will unfold on your TV screen. I will take a basic design idea and craft it into something truly spectacular. In this nationwide TV show we travel the length and breadth of this great country to find cafes‘ and homes in desperate need of a makeover to create an inspiring and trendy interior for both the owners and their patrons to truly enjoy. It's all under wraps at the moment but I cant wait to share more! For now, here is a teaser....
Episode- United Interiors Interview
Melissa visits United Interior's showroom in Melbourne and views their newest range of art, furniture and homewares.
Episode - How to Select Paint Colours
Today I share with you my tips on selecting paint colours for your home.
For your free guide on selecting paint colours, and to see my top Dulux neutral colours I love to use frequently, head to my website to download now!
Episode- How to Select Pendant Lights
Pendant lights are a great statement piece to any room, so I want to share with you my tips on how to use them the right way.
Keep in mind the style of your home, and find a pendant that will suit as it will become part of the soft furnishings. Compliment your existing textures and a pendant light can tie the room together.
What will you be using the light for? If your after feature lighting, add a dimmer switch to create versatility.
What is the size of the space you are wanting to use a pendant light in? The pendant light needs to be in proportion of the space. A large pendant in a small room, can make the space feel cluttered.
If your hanging a pendant light over a dining table, they should be hung roughly 1.7m from the floor. This ensures the pendant light wont get in the way when seated at the table.
Pendant lights are a great way to zone areas and visually separate a large open plan space. You can do this by clustering pendant lights over a dining table or by using 2 larger pendants to make a statement.
You can use pendant lights as task lighting over an island bench and look better in odd numbers
They can also be used to fill a space such as stair voids, hallways or entrance areas.
I hope you find these tips helpful and please feel free to contact me if you need some advice on your next design project. You can email me at melissa@melissalunardon.com
Have a fabulous weekend!
Melissa xx