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- Start with a Clear Brief: Begin your design journey by creating a detailed brief that outlines your needs and desires. This will serve as a roadmap for your project, ensuring that your vision aligns with practical considerations. Consider factors such as lifestyle, family dynamics, and daily routines to create a space that truly works for you.
- Embrace Livable Luxury: Focus on blending beauty with functionality. Livable luxury is about incorporating elements that enhance your daily life, such as comfortable seating, efficient storage solutions, and durable materials. These details may seem small, but they can significantly impact your overall satisfaction with your home.
- Prioritize Spatial Planning: Effective spatial planning is crucial for creating a harmonious home. Analyze the flow of your space and consider how different areas will be used. This may involve creating distinct zones for relaxation, work, and entertainment, ensuring that each area serves its intended purpose.
- Consider Light and Materials: The right lighting and materials can transform a space. Pay attention to natural light sources and choose materials that complement the ambiance you wish to create. Durable materials like stone and timber can add warmth and character while standing the test of time.
- Collaborate with Professionals: Engage with experienced designers and builders to bring your vision to life. Their expertise can help you navigate the complexities of design and construction, ensuring that your project stays on track and within budget. This collaboration can lead to a more personalized and satisfying outcome.
Disclaimer: This article is based on a podcast featuring insights from experienced professionals and is intended for general information and inspiration only. While we aim to share valuable guidance, please seek personalised advice from qualified professionals before making decisions about your property, finances, or renovation plans.
Curious to see more practical advice from industry experts? Visit our Top Tips hub for quick, valuable insights shared by people who’ve been there, helping you plan smarter and avoid common mistakes.
Our Guides covers selecting frame materials, comparing glazing options, planning for natural light and adding security features that suit your lifestyle. Join MyTrends for access to this and a full library of guides to help you on your property journey.
Curious to see more practical advice from industry experts? Visit our Top Tips hub for quick, valuable insights shared by people who’ve been there, helping you plan smarter and avoid common mistakes.
Our Guides covers selecting frame materials, comparing glazing options, planning for natural light and adding security features that suit your lifestyle. Join MyTrends for access to this and a full library of guides to help you on your property journey.
Episode Overview
In this episode of the Trends Property Insight Series, we sit down with Shelley Ferguson, award-winning editor, media personality, and founder of SF Studio, to explore how great interior design transforms more than just spaces. From early inspiration to final installation, Shelley shares her process for achieving “liveable luxury,” a blend of beauty, durability, and function that supports real life in all its glorious messiness.
She unpacks why proportion, circulation, and cabinetry matter more than any Pinterest board, and how materials, colour, and natural light need to work with, not against, New Zealand’s unique conditions. Shelley also opens up about the emotional arc of a renovation or new build, and the pivotal role a designer plays in helping clients make the right choices in the right order.
- Start with a Clear Brief: Begin your design journey by creating a detailed brief that outlines your needs and desires. This will serve as a roadmap for your project, ensuring that your vision aligns with practical considerations. Consider factors such as lifestyle, family dynamics, and daily routines to create a space that truly works for you.
- Embrace Livable Luxury: Focus on blending beauty with functionality. Livable luxury is about incorporating elements that enhance your daily life, such as comfortable seating, efficient storage solutions, and durable materials. These details may seem small, but they can significantly impact your overall satisfaction with your home.
- Prioritize Spatial Planning: Effective spatial planning is crucial for creating a harmonious home. Analyze the flow of your space and consider how different areas will be used. This may involve creating distinct zones for relaxation, work, and entertainment, ensuring that each area serves its intended purpose.
- Consider Light and Materials: The right lighting and materials can transform a space. Pay attention to natural light sources and choose materials that complement the ambiance you wish to create. Durable materials like stone and timber can add warmth and character while standing the test of time.
- Collaborate with Professionals: Engage with experienced designers and builders to bring your vision to life. Their expertise can help you navigate the complexities of design and construction, ensuring that your project stays on track and within budget. This collaboration can lead to a more personalized and satisfying outcome.
Disclaimer: This article is based on a podcast featuring insights from experienced professionals and is intended for general information and inspiration only. While we aim to share valuable guidance, please seek personalised advice from qualified professionals before making decisions about your property, finances, or renovation plans.
Curious to see more practical advice from industry experts? Visit our Top Tips hub for quick, valuable insights shared by people who’ve been there, helping you plan smarter and avoid common mistakes.
Our Guides covers selecting frame materials, comparing glazing options, planning for natural light and adding security features that suit your lifestyle. Join MyTrends for access to this and a full library of guides to help you on your property journey.
Curious to see more practical advice from industry experts? Visit our Top Tips hub for quick, valuable insights shared by people who’ve been there, helping you plan smarter and avoid common mistakes.
Our Guides covers selecting frame materials, comparing glazing options, planning for natural light and adding security features that suit your lifestyle. Join MyTrends for access to this and a full library of guides to help you on your property journey.
Episode Overview
In this episode of the Trends Property Insight Series, we sit down with Shelley Ferguson, award-winning editor, media personality, and founder of SF Studio, to explore how great interior design transforms more than just spaces. From early inspiration to final installation, Shelley shares her process for achieving “liveable luxury,” a blend of beauty, durability, and function that supports real life in all its glorious messiness.
She unpacks why proportion, circulation, and cabinetry matter more than any Pinterest board, and how materials, colour, and natural light need to work with, not against, New Zealand’s unique conditions. Shelley also opens up about the emotional arc of a renovation or new build, and the pivotal role a designer plays in helping clients make the right choices in the right order.
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