Design Insights (Blog)

This project began in a place I see quite often. The clients had already engaged an architect and had a full set of plans. The internal layout worked beautifully. The functionality was there. But when it came to the facade… something didn’t quite sit right. They...

If you built a project home 10–20 years ago, it probably served you beautifully. It was practical. Sensible. Within budget. It allowed you to live in the area you love. But now? You’ve grown. Your success has grown. Your equity has grown. And your home… hasn’t. The...

A coastal home renovation should make your house feel intentionally calm and cohesive, usually with the use of naturally warm colours and textures. Too many coastal-style renovations end up looking busy - all-blue (see below!), layered cladding, mixed materials,...

When people contact me about a renovation, they often lead with the same question: “What house colours should we choose?” And this is where I see the biggest mistake being made. Many homeowners believe that picking new colours is enough to transform their home. That a...

If you’re considering a carport extension, you might think you’re solving just one problem. More cover, more storage, and somewhere better to park the car. But in my experience, adding a carport, garage or extension is often the moment everything else finally clicks....

You don’t overhaul your outdoor living areas every day, so when you do, the vibe has to be right. Too often, outdoor spaces are reduced to a roof and a slab, without any real thought given to atmosphere, flow or how the space will be lived in. That’s the difference...

When I assess a home’s street appeal, I almost always start by looking up. Not at the paint colour, not the windows, not the landscaping - but the roofline and roof colours. Together, they quietly dictate the style, proportions and presence of the entire house. Low,...

When you renovate or build, it’s easy to get swept away by the look of something - the mood board, the inspo house, the one perfect photo on Pinterest. But gorgeous exterior design that only works in photos isn’t good design. Great design is practical, clever,...

When you first look at your home exterior design, you might see bricks, cladding and a driveway. I see a blank canvas - the starting point of a transformation that can completely re-shape how you feel every time you pull into the driveway. Take this home in the USA,...

Renovating your home's facade? The right exterior colour ideas can make or break your project - and it's always the colours, contrasts and textures working together that will create an effortless wow-factor. Once you've seen what a polished transformation looks like...