Design Banter

We are Design Banter. We are taking a look at the ins and outs of choosing your fave white paint for your projects. So; what should you be considering before you head out and pick the white paint your friends recommended? Lets chat how white, why white and what is white for you.

We are Design Banter. We are taking a look at how to choose between the professions and what do those titles mean to you? We look at what questions you need to know as the client as well as the professional. Interior Designer, an Interior Decorator and an Interior Stylist. We will be leaving the technicalities at the door and having a good old fashioned chat about what you can expect from each of these services. [No cushions were harmed in the making of this podcast]

We are Design Banter. Today we are taking a look at both sides of the design coin - timeless vs trend. We've realised that we both strongly believe in buying the best you can at the time - whatever that might look like. Conversely; buying for either is strongly influenced by budget, personal beliefs, education, accessibility and social persuasion; and so we've concluded that individual style, is really the best yardstick when making those important decisions.

We are Design Banter. This weeks episode aims at the black and green thumbs of the design world and how we negotiate the use of greeenery in our homes. We have our top 3 plants to start with if you are notoriously bad at keeping the green in your life green...ish. We also chat about how plants inside can keep us happy.

We are Design Banter. We are discussing how crows feet and age spots can be as beautiful as a handmade ceramic cup with dimples, cracks and chips...Or was that the other-way around. You know we love to add a little bit of humour to the Interiors world so grab a cuppa and enjoy our take on beautifully imperfect interiors.

We are Design Banter. This week we discuss everything about Children's Interiors. From nursery to tween we have you covered. Our discussion covers what we see, what we think and what we know about children, their rooms and how to make them part of the design process. Which decisions do you hand over so they can have some ownership in their rooms.

We are Design Banter....but seriously who are we! Today you get to know us a little more. You see we are not just Design Banter, we are Deb (Spreading Roomers) and Kristie (Elements at Home) 2 completely seperate businesses that both sit in the interiors industry and provide different services to our clients. Grab a coffee and get to know us.

We are Design Banter. This week we are exploring the art of Flatlaying, how it works for Designers, Small Business and those with a creative bone. Weather you Flatlay or Faff we have you covered. We want to know if you Flatlay and why you enjoy it. Hit us up on Facebook and chat about your favourite Flatlay hashtag.

We are Design Banter. This week we are in, hands on the table where we can see them serious business mode. We are lifting the discussion lid on what we are worth, what we charge and what our clients still perceive as a cost and not a value. 

We are Design Banter. This week we are chatting about the 2018/2019 Interior Design Trends and Predictions. We also talk about how to add those trends into your home no matter what your style. Listen to the moment Kristie turns Millenial Pink.

We are Design Banter. This week we explore the idea of Deb renting out or selling her property and what she needs to consider in the time between her decision. Will she rip up the carpet now that I have been or will she just swap out her blinds. Either way we also get to hear from her son Jax who shuts down the episode quicker then we expected. 

We are Design Banter. So you have a design business and you think its time to branch out on your own. How do you be a sole trader or small business owner. Is a brand strategy, business plan or social media account the first place to start.  See what Deb thinks is the best part of the starting process.

We are Design Banter. Our first episode back for Season 2 and we are asking the question...What do you wish you knew when you first started out in the interiors industry. Kristie's journey may be different to yours but today she is sharing what she wishes she could tell herself about the journey ahead. Its ok to make mistakes its ok to celebrate the wins and its ok to hand over that experience to someone new in the industry.

We are Design Banter. Today we are talking about being responsible social influencers. The tips, the tricks and the reminders. Its all about being authentic and ethical in your approach. Own your influence, don't hide from it.

We are Design Banter. This week Kristie talks about the process of design and what some of her tips are for getting started in a room or an entire home. Also, if you ever wondered what goes into the fit out of a Display Home or how to help someone change the look of their space this is for you.  We nail down her process and where she starts when its time to create a colour selection for a new home. Find out if your process would be the same.    

We are Design Banter. This week we are trying to give a voice to those makers and creatives who pour their blood, sweat and tears into making original, sustainable and local only to find the multi nationals are more than willing to copy them and pull the wool from under them. We can only try and educate those around us and fight as one to change the way the Australian Government view this type of blatant disregard for copying the design communities Intellectual Property.

We are Design Banter. Today we talk about the relationships that need to be created and nurtured within our furniture suppliers to the Interior Designers, Decorators and Stylists. We also touch on the 2 way street this relationship needs to be successful and the different ways we all operate to get to the same result.

We are Design Banter. We will be bringing you Deb's knowledge about using your 4682 photos in your camera roll to create great content even when you feel like its been done and you cant possiblt bring it back. Kristie asks Deb all the questions you were thinking and if she didn't you can head to the facebook page and ask her there.

We are Design Banter. Today we look at some of the simple tips and tricks to decorating and styling a small space. We are all searching for clever ways of reducing our styling footprint and with more and more inner city homes, Kristie will bring you some easy design hacks that will make small spaces feel homely and spacious.

We are Design Banter. We are discussing how Networking can be cool again. That's right we are spreading the word and telling you how to harness the good Networking vibes and asking who would you want at your table. Lets get Networked together.

We are Design Banter. This week Kitchen design trends are brought to you by my wish list for all my clients and Deb's need to upgrade the Bounce House. As Deb glazes over Kristie talks about the bench top thickness we are considering and the types of things we should invest in if we had chunky budgets.

We are Design Banter. This week Deb tackles Productivity and the mindful ways we can tackle our days and how to get those tasks done, you know the ones we tend to put off and make excuses for. Those big tasks we leave until deadline time.

We are Design Banter. This weeks episode sees Deb talking about my tiger top and that is about as close as she gets talking about the exterior, meanwhile Kristie is telling us about the exterior inclusions and colour selections we should all be considering.

We are Design Banter. What happens when you want to photograph your new space, product or service. How you do you decide when to engage a photographer for your design business? We chat all things style and shoot from our own experiences.

We are Design Banter. Imagine what your fave client looks like, now imagine what your fave design project is or has been. Now put them together and name them and you have the Avatar of your Ideal client. Listen in and find out who Sandra is in our design banter this week.

We are Design Banter. This week we look at what will start filtering through as far as design aesthetics go. Some trends are on their way out and others are being adapted to suit previous looks. We look at ways to be mindful of why we are liking certain trends and what will make your home "feel" like your ultimate interior. What is your favourite trend on the uprise?

We are Design Banter. This week we look at ways to cover your ass. Seriously you need to be ready to make sure you talk through what is expected and what you think you need to be accountable for in your design biz. No this is not the Community for Young Apes or Classic Yacht Association but this week we look at how to Cover Your Ass.

We are Design Banter. This week Kristie is discussing cushions and how they came into play in our world of decor. What shapes, designs, sizes and fillers are important to consider. Are cushions just for those with extra money to burn or are they an important addition to your design aesthetic.

We are Design Banter. This week we talk about (actually, hold up) Deb talks about what you have to do when you have no Portfolio. Zip, nothing, nada.  You know, because its not like you can pretend Pinterest is all the images you got especially when they are not yours.

We are Design Banter. This week we unpack the tool belt of the Interior Designer. What are the Digital, practical and hands on tools that Kristie uses to communicate her vision to her clients. Do you magazines, blogs or P-Interest. Check in to find out why we spell it this way.

We are Design Banter. This week we are looking at creating a Moodboard for your Brand. Yes, a moodboard for your brand. Genius.

We are Design Banter. This week Deb and Kristie are discussing the pros and cons for taking on a client brief that another professional has been part of or content that has been created by someone else in your industry. How would you handle this situation? 

We are Design Banter. This week we talk Collabs. We know its one of those words that gets bandied around for different reasons in different business genres but we feel as a small business owner you can not afford not to collaborate with another creative moving forward.

We are Design Banter. This week it is time to discuss how budgets, planning and building all come together to become the best spaces they can be. Each component is important and toegther they can make the difference.

This week we welcome Siba Interiors as our new co-host to the poddy. An interior stylist by profession, this was a good excuse to unpack the various definitions & redefine what stylist's do exactly in 2020.

There has never been a better time to support local & invest in local design. In today's episode we take a closer look at Perth based textile design studio Ohh Happy Home, exploring their premium range of wool rugs and the new washables that just broke the internet.

When Andrea's bathroom bit the biscuit she had a limited budget to sort and fast. In today's episode we walk you through her choices, budget & give Perth listener's a chance to win in our first ever giveaway!

I'm pretty sure you've never met a more down to earth bloke than Kris. Architect, sometimes comedian, Kardashian in training - take a listen & learn a little more about what an architect does exactly!

Sustainability in essence requires a long game plan. We discuss some simple measures that you can all adopt that pull sustainable practices away from 'trend' and closer to being able to continue to live with these choices.

The Block may not be our favourite programming, but it did open the can of worms of how easy it is to lean into someone else's design. As our starting point, we discuss the issue in broad terms and what we can all do to stay mindful of the original & the unique.

Nancy honestly couldn't have been more generous with her time or her home when we visited her recently to really find out what it was like to work with Architect Kris Keen.

Lightingales is something of an institution here in Perth, and known by many. We wanted to find out what was in store for this fresh new version of the brand, talk about lighting & chat to the new owners Bec & Steve about what's to come for this newly reinvented icon.

In our 2020 Christmas episode we lay down a gift guide with one of the west's iconic online stores Cranmore Home & Co. To help you with your gift idea's, Andrea & Deb have secret Santa'd each other 5 fabulous gifts from this Perth small business. Plus there's a bonus code for you to use to. Take a listen.

There's no denying, this episode is lent more heavily to those 'within' the industry really keen to ensure that their brand messaging leads with purpose into 2021; particularly if you use social media.

We talk candidly with one of Perth's foremost premier custom home builders, Mark Diedricks of Arklen about everything from the industry standard, to the 'boom', 'what to expect' from your builder, what is a tender process (and why doesn't he subscribe to it) - and much, much more!

Getting published is typically quite high on many an agenda in the design world. There is nothing like flipping through a design glossy to see one your projects, products or images in feature. We talk to 'Feathers' about her experience in publishing and what you might do if being featured is high on your agenda.

Deb talks to Kim & Jeff from Studio Atelier about their journey as a design studio. We speak to identifying the right time to bring people in, attracting the right clients and how to sustain growth.

We jumped at the chance to sit down and talk with leading interior designer Jane Ledger because we all felt, the profession as a whole was often misunderstood, particularly around fees. We aim to bring a clearer sense to this role and guidance to those within the industry wanting to price their services appropriately.

We talk to leading design & build expert Sam De Vries of De Vries Designs, who, trained in industrial design has very much stamped his authority in this space and is an inspiring force in the landscape industry here in Perth.

We have the the original gangster back behind the mic this week as Kristie returns to join us for our final episode of Design Banter for this season. We'll be talking about her new build 'Fairfield Lane' and the process she has been through so far as the client.

Finding connection to country for some may not be that easy, as Leah's own journey will testify. But we were interested in understanding more about this incredible culture, what Leah has planned in furniture and homewares to share the depth behind First Nation's People and how we can be part of it too!

We loved doing this episode, not only because Deb is a good friend to us both, but because this 27 year journey has a lot of twists of turns in small business that we can all benefit from hearing.

We all have dream clients and some less, but when dealing with the tougher parts of a design relationship, how can you manage those that look to want to skirt around the process?

Mark Hughes has spent 14 years in the Perth design industry and runs two businesses - The Barefoot Renovator and Bauen Projects WA his boutique building arm. Yes, it's an extremely busy time, but Mark lifts the lid on the reality of renovating and offers some sage advice on how to move forward.

We get it, the last thing you want to do is market your business when realistically you only just keeping your head above water, but if you measure your ongoing success by your current your situation you may find it all falling flat if you don't put in place a little planning now to keep the momentum going.

We are not saying that there is never any original design out there, we are simply saying it's very difficult to ever really be the first. In this episode we break down some examples of how this line is forever blurred.

Season 9 starts with reaffirming who does what in the design world. This episode is ideal for those looking to hire a design professional, but also for those in the industry thinking about niching.

Why marketing to one another is great for networking but it won't pay the bills, attract your ideal client or generate great brand awareness. We talk on and off digital means to get the word out about you and your design business.

When you hire an expert, a consultation is the best place to start to unpack your needs for all their years of expertise, without it, it's a road trip without a compass. We unpack what you can expect and what you can do to make the most of this process.