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Get It Right with Undercover Architect

If we haven’t met before, I’m Amelia Lee, the architect behind Undercover Architect: an online business to help and teach homeowners like you how to get it right when designing, building and renovating your home. Undercover Architect is all about giving you access to the industry knowledge and insights you need to avoid the mistakes and dramas that can cost you thousands, tens of thousands and even hundreds of thousands of dollars. And it’s about levelling the playing field, so that the world of renovating and building doesn’t seem so mysterious, and you can be the active driver in your project, navigating it with know-how and confidence.

Undercover Architect helps and teaches homeowners through this podcast, the website, and online courses and programs, including my flagship program, HOME Method. I truly believe that when you know the questions to ask, the steps to take and the best way to create a home that works, feels great, and that you feel great in, you can enjoy the process of building and renovating, as well as the home you move into at the end of this ambitious journey.

Consider Undercover Architect your secret ally: whoever you’re working with, and whatever your location, your budget or your dreams. For more, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com

Latest Episodes:

Bathrooms, ensuites and powder rooms - Episode 6 (Season 2) Apr 10, 2017

Show notes

This episode is about the wet areas in our home, namely bathrooms, ensuites and powder rooms.

These are cost-intensive areas in our home. They, as well as our kitchens, will have the highest cost rate in $ / m2 compared with the rest of the home (when looking at your project overall). This is of course because of the electrical, the plumbing, the finishes, and the fixtures in these rooms, all crammed into quite a small area.

These rooms also need to function. In some pretty core and fundamental ways! When these areas aren't arranged well, when elements in them aren't sized appropriately, and when these rooms sit in difficult positions within our homes, they can seriously impact the convenience of daily routines.

In this episode, Amelia gets clear on the terminology used for these rooms, and what generally goes in each of them.

Then, of course, we'll explore the four F's and how they relate to your bathroom, ensuite and powder room.

And Amelia will share 3 mistakes and 3 design tips.

There are some general pieces of advice that apply whether we're considering the bathroom, ensuite or powder room. And then there's info that is specific to particular rooms. So whilst this episode relates to all 3 of these rooms, Amelia will identify some things to know with each room, individually.

The top 3 mistakes she'll share are:

Mistake #1: the toilet is visible with the door open (and is the first thing you see)

Mistake #2: locating your powder room so it’s directly accessed off your main hallway

Mistake #3: not planning the location of the towel rail during design

There are also lots of design tips. Here are the top 3:

Design tip #1: locate your vanity so it's the first thing you see

Design tip #2: ensure you give the bath enough room ... (whether it's free standing or built in)

Design tip #3: choose your tile extents and types early, as it impacts your budget

It may feel like there’s a lot to think of, but next time you’re sitting in your bathroom, look around and make a list of all the things that are permanently fixed in there. There is a lot packed into a relatively small area.

It all needs to function well, be durable and easy to clean and maintain, in order for your wet areas to not cause you issues. So of course, planning these things early will make your process simpler overall.

Listen to the podcast now, and learn how to get it right in your bathroom, ensuite and powder room.

FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bedroom Number 1: Your master suite - Episode 5 (Season 2) Apr 03, 2017

Show notes

The main bedroom of the house … Bedroom Number 1. This can be simply a bedroom, or it can be arranged in combination with extra or attached spaces such as a walk-in-robe, ensuite and even a parents’ retreat. Other names for it are the master bedroom, or master suite.

Ensuites and walk-in robes will come in Episode 6 and Episode 7, so Amelia can give you more detail about them separately.

Something to know first about this episode ...

A lot of what Amelia will be sharing is options that are available to you. She'll actually be asking a lot of questions. You can then ask these of yourself, or discuss with your partner, to work out the best design choices for you.

Unlike some other parts of the home, the way a master bedroom is designed isn't too prescriptive in order for it to work. There are of course some fundamental things that work and don't, and she'll be taking you through those.

However, so much of the design aspect of the main bedroom involves super personal choice. And, as with your whole home, Amelia wants you do design it with intention. Actually think about how you’ll use it, and design it to suit you.

Amelia will be sharing the four F's and how to use them to get it right in your main bedroom. And, as always, she'll be identifying 3 key mistakes and 3 big design tips to help you design a beautiful master bedroom for your home. But actually – there’s a lot of mistakes and design tips in this one, so listen out!

The top 3 mistakes Amelia shares are:

Mistake #1: forgetting the circulation space required in this bedroom

Mistake #2: arriving into the master on the side or head of the bed

Mistake #3: not privatising the view into the room from within and outside the home

There are also lots of design tips. Here are the top 3:

Design tip #1: position the door into the room so you can see across the foot of the bed as you walk in

Design tip #2: choose and design your lighting for flexibility of use, and so you can turn off the last one from bed

Design tip #3: consider whether locating your master bedroom close to your kids’ bedrooms is the right choice

The main bedroom can often be the only space in our family homes that feels like ‘our own’. It’s a grown up space that gives us an opportunity to escape from busy, crazy family life. And gives us the chance to be secluded, and get some relaxation space of our own.

Listen to the podcast now. Amelia hopes you find it helpful in getting it right in your master bedroom or master suite.

FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All things kitchen (including butlers, walk-in pantries and appliance cupboards) - Episode 4 (Season 2) Mar 27, 2017

Show notes

There’s a huge amount to consider when it comes to designing your kitchen. And it, more than any other area of your home, you can feel a lot of pressure that you’ll stuff it up.

This episode is about kitchens … all thing kitchens, which means Amelia will also talk about butler’s pantries, walk-in pantries and appliance cupboards.

Your renovation or new build can the opportunity you’ve been waiting for to finally get a kitchen that works. One with decent bench space, great storage, and a layout that enables you to enjoy being in it, using it, and getting the most from it.

So, in this episode, Amelia will cover the 4 “F’s” and how they relate to your kitchen. She’ll also share 3 mistakes to avoid, and 3 design tips to aim for so you nail this space in your home.

When a kitchen works, it ends up being amazing for improving your time and life in your home overall.

The thing is, for most homeowners she works with have families. And when you have kids, the way you usually entertain is at home. It’s hard, and expensive, to take a tribe of children out somewhere. And even when you do, you never get to actually speak to your friends, because you're too busy watching the kids!

So getting together with your friends and family usually involves being at someone’s home. And having a lovely open plan kitchen / living / dining area, that then flows to outside, is such a winner with easy family living and entertaining. Sounds good hey?

So what are these mistakes? She mentions a lot in this podcast episode, and here are her top 3:

Mistake #1: not planning out the storage you need

Mistake #2: island bench is too stumpy in proportion

Mistake #3: using a corner pantry

There are also lots of design tips. Here are the top 3:

Design tip #1: keep all services out of the island bench (including your sink)

Design tip #2: remember that your fridge is deeper than your kitchen joinery

Design tip #3: consider whether you need an island bench at all

Kitchens are a big deal in our homes. They're the source of a lot of angst when they don't work well, and so can be pretty stressful to get right. And, they also chew up a lot of our budget.

Listen to the podcast now. Amelia hopes you find it helpful in getting it right in your kitchen design.

FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your second living space: Do you really need it, and how to get it right - Episode 3 (Season 2) Mar 20, 2017

Show notes

This episode is about the second living space in our homes. It goes by lots of different names, but most homeowners planning a renovation or new home want to create one. So, let’s learn more about how to get it right.

This episode may also be a little controversial, as Amelia challenges you to consider whether you really need a second living space in your home. As you stretch your budget and your space to accommodate all the dreams you have for your new or renovated home, you may end up compromising everything.

She's not here to crush your dream. If you want a second living room, can afford one and want to know how to create one that works, then this episode is for you. There are also some suggestions for alternatives if you’ve been weighing up whether you can create this space in your home.

Australian homes are among the biggest in the world.

And, in Amelia's experience with renovating and building, there’s a great mismatch between homeowner expectations and actual costs and timeframes. They say it always costs twice as much to renovate and build, and takes twice as long. Instead, Amelia suggest's that homeowners begin their project thinking it will take half as long, and cost half as much, as it actually will. And the readjustment as they find this out can be super challenging on their journey.

So, how to do you get this second living room working in your home? We dive into the four “F’s” to understand how they apply to this space.

Amelia also shares 3 key mistakes she sees many homeowners make when designing their second living room. She’ll go through these in detail so you can avoid them in your design. What are they? Here’s a summary:

Mistake #1: not being strategic about where you locate this room in your floor plan

Mistake #2: creating a design that is too fixed in how the room needs to be used

Mistake #3: closing the room up too much

She also provides 3 design tips to help you get it right in your second living room. Here’s those 3 tips briefly:

Design tip #1: using it to zone the home, and improve the functionality overall by creating seasonal spaces with how its oriented and what it's connected to

Design tip #2: designing for flexibility in how you fit out the room so it serves lots of different functions

Design tip #3: use the room to provide breathing space to open the home up where needed - for spaciousness and light

This room is usually created to provide separation and choice in a home. But what other functions does yours need to perform? And how can you create it so it suits your family now, and always?

Listen to the podcast now. You’ll be on the way to getting it right in your design for your second living room.

FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Living / Dining: How to design a great space for your lifestyle - Episode 2 (Season 2) Mar 13, 2017

Show notes

The question we’re asking today is: How do we make our living and dining rooms, great spaces in our new or renovated home?

We spend a huge amount of our time in our homes in our main living and dining rooms. In fact, these spaces, along with our kitchen, get prime use in our homes. So, getting it right in these rooms can and will have a significant impact on how our home feels and functions overall.

In this episode, Amelia shares some amazing research that will help you understand where to place the lion’s share of your effort, energy and budget in your renovation or new home. It’s a game-changer.

She also shares detail about how to achieve the four “F’s” in your main living and dining space. She'll uncover how to tailor this learning to your own design, so you can create a great living and dining space in your home.

There’s 3 key mistakes Amelia sees many homeowners make when creating their living and dining rooms. She’ll go through these in detail so you can avoid them in your design. What are they? You’ll need to listen (!) … but avoiding these mistakes will help you …

Mistake #1 Avoiding this will help you enhance the relaxation of your living space

Mistake #2 Knowing this one will mean you don’t create a modern problem in how you use this room

Mistake #3 Not doing this is a sure-fire way to build in flexibility and comfort into your main living room

Amelia will also provide 3 design tips to help you get it right in these spaces. She goes through them in detail, how to execute them, and give you some action steps.

Design tip #1 Tells you where to locate your living space in your home

Design tip #2 Gives you tips about what you should be doing early on in the design process

Design tip #3 Outlines how to arrange the room so you see certain elements first

(There’s also key tips about your dining room – and how to avoid a big mistake many homeowners make in where they position it in their reno or new home design).

Listen to the podcast now. You’ll be on the way to getting it right in your design for your main living and dining spaces.

FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How to design a home: The four “F”s of great home design - Episode 1 (Season 2) Mar 06, 2017

Show notes

Let’s get down to the fundamentals. This episode introduces the "four F"s Amelia likes to consider when designing any room in your home. And in designing your home overall.

What are these four Fs? They are:

Functionality
Flexibility
Furnishability
Flow

(There’s a secret fifth F too!)

Amelia will share with you what each of these mean, and how to use them to create a home design that suits you now, and always.

She'll also outline what ‘design’ actually means. This isn’t an elite, unrealistic or unachievable design. This is the design that makes your everyday life in your home better, simpler, more convenient and more fun. Sometimes the measure of it is that it’s so good, you don’t even notice it.

This episode sets the stage with the core info you need to know before we dive into the rest of the season. As we move forward to discuss each room or space individually, you’ll have a framework to help you get it right.

This episode also begins to answer one of the most common questions Amelia receives: "How do I create a design that works? Especially when I plan on being in this home for 10 to 15 years? How do I predict what my family will need in the years to come, as well as be great for us now?"

Listen to the podcast now. You’ll be on the way to getting it right in your design for your home.

FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How to design a home: Intro to Season 02 - Episode 0 (Season 2) Feb 27, 2017

Show notes

"What makes you think you're qualified to design your own home?!"

Many of Amelia's industry colleagues will think this when a homeowner designs their own home.

Amelia can understand why homeowners do this, though. It’s your home. Your budget. Your needs. Your family. Your site. Your life. Your future. Your dreams.

Because there's so much at stake, you want to control the outcome as much as possible. At least ensure you'll get it right, and achieve the home you dream of.

At Undercover Architect, Amelia will always recommend you work with a designer to create your home design. Even though it’s not legally required in Australia, Amelia thinks when you find the right designer for you, it helps your home reach the best possible outcome.

However, if you want to design your home, or at least get a head start on it, how can you know you’re getting it right?

That’s what Season 02 of the “Get it Right” podcast is all about … to help you do just this.

Listen to the podcast now. Amelia will introduce you to this season, outline what we’ll be covering, and who should be listening to it.

FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Creating Spaciousness: Indoor Outdoor Connections - Episode 11 (Season 1) Feb 20, 2017

Show notes

This is Episode 11 of Season 1.

In this last episode of Season 1, Amelia uncovers the 4th tool we have available to create spaciousness in our homes: Indoor / Outdoor Connections.

This first season of the “Get it Right” podcast has been taking you through what matters most.

These are the first and most fundamental choices and information you need to get it right in your new home or renovation. When you put these decisions first, then it simplifies the rest of the journey. It also helps you create a home that will feel great – and that you’ll feel great in.

As a client of Amelia’s once said “The wall costs the same, whether you put it in the right place, or the wrong place!” The same can be said for design generally. Great design isn’t any more expensive. It’s about having the knowledge to make the right choices, and making those choices first so you get to a great home at the end of your journey.

So how do you use indoor / outdoor connections to create spaciousness?

Many homeowners want to open up their home to bring the outside in. There’s the practical need to connect to their gardens, supervise their kids whilst they play, and make the most of our great climate here in Australia.

There’s also the desire to make our home feel larger, more light-filled and calm as well.

However, you don’t need a big block to make great indoor / outdoor connections. And cutting lots of holes in the walls of your home isn’t always the best approach either (that’s actually a sure-fire way to cause lots of additional costs in engineering and structure!)

There are 4 key ways to think about indoor / outdoor connections. When you approach your home design with these in mind, you can make sure you get results that work.

Head to the podcast to learn what these 4 ways are >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/indoor-outdoor

Amelia will take you through them, and help you understand how to create spaciousness, whilst maintaining security and privacy in your homes as well. She'll also share some images of projects – they may give you some ideas for your place that you hadn't thought of!

Listen to the podcast now.

FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Creating Spaciousness: Great Storage - Episode 10 (Season 1) Feb 13, 2017

Show notes

This is Episode 10 of Season 1.

In this episode, Amelia shares how great storage creates spaciousness. This is the third tool we have in our toolkit to create spaciousness in our homes.

Storage can be fundamental in creating a physical sense of spaciousness. However, it is also key in creating mental spaciousness. That sense of calm that comes from feeling organised because there’s a place for everything, and everything is in its place.

The aim is to design our homes to support us, and our lifestyles, all the time. Especially at those hectic moments of the day that test the calm in any family home.

Did you know, many homeowners move house due to a lack of storage in their homes?

This isn’t only about decluttering. This is about creating storage solutions that improve the management of your everyday life. It’s the streamlining of our daily routines to make life more convenient, and our homes more relaxing. How you design your home can make this happen.

Amelia will share 3 specific design inclusions to consider in your new home or renovation. She’ll also highlight 5 tips to consider when sizing and designing storage for your home.

Head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/spaciousness-storage for some fantastic projects which illustrate how to get this right in your new home or renovation. There’s also other useful links for your project there.

And look forward to dramatically transforming how calm and peaceful your home (and you) will feel – regardless of how big it is. This is how to make your home your sanctuary.

Listen to the podcast now.

FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Creating Spaciousness: Using Light - Episode 9 (Season 1) Feb 06, 2017

Show notes

This is Episode 9 of Season 1.

In this episode, Amelia shares how light to can create spaciousness. Light is the second tool we have in our toolkit to create spaciousness in our homes.

Amelia will take you through both natural and electric night. After all, you want your home to feel spacious during the day, and after dark, don't you!

Many homeowners, when describing how they want their homes to be, use the words 'airy' and 'light' or 'light-filled'.

And we know intuitively that filling our spaces with light will make them feel great. And we also know that natural light does wonders for our moods and sense of comfort in our home.

We can create a feeling of relaxation that we can tap into almost the moment we walk into our homes. That helps us create that emotional connection with our homes, that make us feel 'at home'.

There are specific ways you can use light to create spaciousness, both during the day, and at night. 

Amelia will identify the main mistakes homeowners make when using light in their homes, and the spaciousness and comfort killers they can be.

She’ll also outline 3 design strategies you can use to create spaciousness in your home, using both natural and electrical light.

Head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/spaciousness-light for some fantastic projects which illustrate how to get this right in your new home or renovation.

Amelia also shares some free resources you can use to get help with your electrical lighting design and layout. Yep, free resources!

Listen to the podcast now.

FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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