Lyndell Fraser

Revamp Your Home’s Functionality and Liveability

Revamp Your Home’s Functionality and Liveability – Without Breaking the Bank!

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In a world where home improvement shows often feature large-scale renovations and hefty budgets, it can be easy to feel like improving your home’s functionality and liveability requires a massive investment. But what if we told you that you can transform your space without emptying your wallet? At Detail 9 Fresh Spaces, we specialise in making your home work better for you through smart, innovative ideas that make a big impact – even on a modest budget. Why Small Changes Can Lead to Big Improvements The trick to achieving a more functional, comfortable home often lies in focusing on thoughtful, targeted improvements rather than complete overhauls. Small changes can have a surprisingly significant impact, especially when they’re tailored to the unique needs of you and your family. Here’s how we … Read more

Preparing your home for sale is all about making a great first impression

Preparing to Sell

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Preparing your home for sale is all about making a great first impression. Buyers need to envision themselves living in your space, so creating a clean, appealing, and functional environment is key. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to prepare your home for sale, focusing on budget-friendly strategies, effective planning, and common pitfalls to avoid. 1 The Best Approach: Prioritise Key Areas Before diving into any projects, it’s essential to assess your home objectively. Think like a potential buyer—what stands out, both positively and negatively? Some rooms and areas influence a buyer’s decision more than others. Focus on these high-impact spaces: Curb Appeal: The exterior is the first thing buyers see. Mow the lawn, trim hedges, plant seasonal flowers, power wash the driveway and clean the gutters and windows. Kitchen: … Read more

Master Planning

How an Architect Can Assist in Developing a Master Plan for Your Renovation Project

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Renovating your home is a significant undertaking that requires careful planning and expert guidance. One of the most effective ways to ensure the success of your renovation is by working with an Architect to develop a master plan. An Architect brings a wealth of knowledge, creativity, and technical expertise to the table, helping you transform your vision into a detailed and actionable roadmap. Here’s how an Architect can assist you in developing a master plan for your renovation project. 1. What is a Master Plan? A master plan is a detailed document that outlines the vision, goals, and steps necessary to achieve your renovation project. It encompasses various components, including site and planning considerations, your vision and goals, timelines, logistical considerations, and budget, creating a cohesive and structured approach to … Read more

Renovating on a Budget

Renovating on a Budget: The Smart Way to Use an Architect

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Renovating your home on a budget might seem like a daunting task, especially when considering professional help. However, hiring an Architect can be a wise investment, even when funds are limited. An Architect’s expertise can help you maximise your budget, avoid costly mistakes, and create a space that truly meets your needs. Here’s how you can effectively use an Architect while keeping your renovation budget in check. 1. Initial Consultation: Get the Most Out of It Many Architects, including Detail 9 Architects, offer an initial consultation, which can be incredibly valuable. Use this time to discuss your ideas, budget, and expectations. Pro Tip: Prepare a list of questions and a clear idea of what you want to achieve. Bring inspiration photos and a rough sketch of your ideas to help … Read more

Project Costs

Navigating Project Costs versus Construction Costs for Your Home Renovation

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Embarking on a home renovation project is an exciting journey that involves careful planning, budgeting, and decision-making. One of the crucial aspects of this process is understanding the distinction between project costs and construction costs. While they may seem similar at first glance, these two concepts play different roles in the overall financial landscape of your renovation endeavour. Understanding Project Costs Project costs encompass all expenses associated with the renovation project beyond just the construction itself. These costs typically fall into several categories: Design and Planning: Before the hammers start swinging, there are design and planning expenses to consider. This includes hiring an Architect to work with you to conceptualise the renovation, develop your preferred design concept, create detailed architectural drawings, and secure necessary permits. Materials and Fixtures: From flooring … Read more

Summer entertaining

‘Tis the Season for Renovation Planning: 5 Festive Steps to Prep for Your Project in the New Year

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If you’re planning to renovate next year and want to make the most of your Christmas break, here are 5 things you can do to get a head start on your renovation project: Create a Vision Board: Spend some time during the holidays collecting inspiration for your renovation. Create a vision board with pictures, colour swatches, and design elements that reflect the style and atmosphere you want to achieve. This will help you clarify your ideas and communicate them effectively to your Architect.  Build your vision board with ease in Pinterest or Houzz. Research and Plan: Use the extra time during the holidays to research Architects and builders in your area and familiarise yourself with their portfolios.  Using our Project Starter worksheet, will assist you to develop your design brief.  … Read more

5 Things to Expect when Renovating

5 Things to Expect when Renovating

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Renovations, despite thorough planning and preparation, often bring unforeseen challenges. Being aware of these potential issues can help you better navigate them as they arise during construction. If you opt to engage an Architect to oversee the building contract, you’ll benefit from the support of a skilled and experienced professional. Here are 5 key aspects to anticipate during your renovation construction: 1.  Inconvenience Living in your home during construction, can expose you to inconveniences like dust, noise, lack of heating and cooling, and temporary kitchen unavailability.  Renovations can extend for months testing your patience, with both the builder and your family.  It’s advisable to discuss strategies with your builder to minimise these impacts, or consider moving out.  2. Hidden Defects Design and planning can’t always unveil what’s lurking within walls … Read more

Sam's 1000

Sam’s 1,000 by Love Your Sister

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This week, we are thrilled to shine a spotlight on an initiative that holds a special place in our hearts here at Detail 9 Architects: Sam’s 1,000 by Love Your Sister. Founded in 2012 by Samuel Johnson OAM and his sister Connie’s during her courageous battle with breast cancer, Love Your Sister has been steadfastly committed to conquering cancer through cutting edge scientific research and the latest technologies.  To date, Samuel and the dedicated LYS community have raised over $20 million for medical research. In 2023, Samuel embarked on a remarkable new mission – to forge partnerships with 1,000 businesses united in the cause of providing Precision Medicine for all cancer patients, regardless of the type of cancer, age, location, income or status. Commencing with analysing a tissue sample, Precision … Read more

10 Essential Questions to ask an Architect

10 Essential Questions to ask an Architect

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Selecting the right Architect for your project is pivotal to its success. Interviewing several Architects before making a decision can help you identify your priorities and ensure that the chosen Architect is capable of meeting your needs. Here are 10 essential questions to ask when evaluating an Architect. 1. What is your design process? Understanding the Architect’s project workflow and methodology is essential, as Architects often structure their services differently.  Comprehending these processes will give you insights into how they manage projects and the steps involved. It’s important to have confidence in their well-established processes, with clear objectives and outcomes. Detail 9 Architects established process can be found here. 2.  What is your design philosophy? Architects may have a signature style or distinct approach to design.  Ensure that their design … Read more

5 Actions to Take Before You Renovate

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Renovating your home is a substantial commitment of both your time and financial resources. Therefore, it is imperative to engage in thoughtful pre-planning before embarking on any renovation project. These preliminary steps will not only set you on the right path but also ensure that you establish realistic goals and expectations for your renovation journey. The following five actions are essential to guide you through this preparatory phase: 1. Obtain a Property Appraisal Start by arranging for 1-2 local real estate agents to provide you with a detailed property appraisal, considering both the current state and potential post-renovation value. This step is pivotal in establishing a realistic budget for your renovation, to avoid overcapitalisation. Local estate agents possess insights into the specific preferences of potential buyers in your area.  They … Read more

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