Claudia Brdar from The Renovate Avenue takes us through what a style board is, why you need one to inspire and plan your home styling project and how to create one. This episode is part of a very special DIY renovation series. ⠀ Claudia from @therenovateavenue and Founder of the DIY Renovation Academy will join us once a month on the show to take you through EVERYTHING you need to know to DIY your reno.⠀ ⠀ This is like a little sneak peek into her super popular DIY Renovation Academy course.⠀ ⠀ This series is exclusively for Dream Home Movement listeners. Listen to Claudia's episode on How to choose a design style for your home How to contact Jo and Carl from Violeta Finance [email protected] 03 9775 0532 www.violetafinance.com.au Follow Claudia and The Renovate Avenue Facebook Instagram Website Follow the Dream Home Movement Facebook Instagram Web Follow Carl and Jo Violeta Facebook Instagram Web Guest bio Claudia and her husband Pete have renovated small properties right through to large scale projects. Several years ago they bought a run-down 1960's weatherboard house (purchased for $460K) and ended up completing a major renovation ($75K), creating a beautiful sought after home ... on a tight budget! They set the suburb record for a property price of $1.035 million (2017)! They're currently renovating a 1960's brick house to sell. Both Pete and Claudia have a real hands-on DIY approach when it comes to renovating, focusing on achieving that ‘WOW’ factor ... thinking bigger, outside-the-box, and never afraid to take a risk. Claudia created The Renovate Avenue to share her knowledge, and inspire others to climb the property market via the renovation avenue, building a financially stable future to retire earlier (and do what you love).

Sustainability is a common topic of conversation that comes up when I speak with Dream Home Movement listeners - particularly how to make sure our home improvement projects are environmentally sustainable. I chatted with Susanna Heiskanen aka @thenordicmum about her experience and tips for sustainable home projects. We covered a lot of ground, including: The importance of insulating your home How to communicate with your trades and building team to ensure your project is sustainable Repurposing and recycling materials Disposing of building materials responsibly Watching our for 'greenwashing' I thoroughly enjoyed creating this episode with Susannna and I'm sure you'll enjoy it too Follow Susanna Heiskanen (The Nordic Mum) Website Facebook Instagram Kitchen minimalism checklist Follow the Dream Home Movement Facebook Instagram Follow Carl and Jo Violeta Facebook Instagram Web Podcast episodes mentioned during the show How to repurpose materials for renovation and home improvement with Salvage Merchants https://player.whooshkaa.com/episode?id=718648 Sculptural furniture with Luke Neil of Luke David Designs https://player.whooshkaa.com/episode?id=328527 Guest bio The Nordic Mum Susanna, is a podcast host, blogger and organised mother helping you feel less overwhelmed by life. Through her podcast, blog, resources she’s here to help you to make better use of your time while making it all feel like walk in the park. When she’s not creating content or podcasting you can find her indulging in some salter liquorice while watching Netflix with her hubby and the occasional pino gricio in hand.

In this episode, friend of the show Claudia Brdar explains how to make your chosen interior design style for your home This episode is part of a very special DIY renovation series. ⠀ Claudia from @therenovateavenue and Founder of the DIY Renovation Academy will join us once a month on the show to take you through EVERYTHING you need to know to DIY your reno.⠀ ⠀ This is like a little sneak peek into her super popular DIY Renovation Academy course.⠀ ⠀ This series is exclusively for Dream Home Movement listeners. Listen to Claudia's episode on How to choose a design style for your home How to contact Jo and Carl from Violeta Finance [email protected] 03 9775 0532 www.violetafinance.com.au Follow Claudia and The Renovate Avenue Facebook Instagram Website Follow the Dream Home Movement Facebook Instagram Web Follow Carl and Jo Violeta Facebook Instagram Web Guest bio Claudia and her husband Pete have renovated small properties right through to large scale projects. Several years ago they bought a run-down 1960's weatherboard house (purchased for $460K) and ended up completing a major renovation ($75K), creating a beautiful sought after home ... on a tight budget! They set the suburb record for a property price of $1.035 million (2017)! They're currently renovating a 1960's brick house to sell. Both Pete and Claudia have a real hands-on DIY approach when it comes to renovating, focusing on achieving that ‘WOW’ factor ... thinking bigger, outside-the-box, and never afraid to take a risk. Claudia created The Renovate Avenue to share her knowledge, and inspire others to climb the property market via the renovation avenue, building a financially stable future to retire earlier (and do what you love). Transcript *This transcript is automated, so may not be 100% accurate* How to make your interior styling work - easy, practical tips with Claudia Brdar 00:00:00 - 00:00:04 I've got a confession to make. I'm not very good at interior styling. I don't 00:00:04 - 00:00:10 know how to make things look good around my home. I know what I like, but 00:00:10 - 00:00:15 I don't know how to make it work. I don't know how to translate my vision 00:00:15 - 00:00:20 what's in my mind into reality. And I know that might come as a bit of a 00:00:20 - 00:00:25 surprise or might seem a little bit weird, considering I host a podcast about 00:00:25 - 00:00:29 home improvement and renovation. You would think that I had some interior 00:00:29 - 00:00:36 styling skills, but sadly, I don't I guess that's kind of why I host this podcast, 00:00:36 - 00:00:42 because I can tap into experts who do have the skills. And so, for this episode 00:00:42 - 00:00:47 , Claudia Brdar from The Renovate Avenue is coming onto the show to take us 00:00:47 - 00:00:54 through how to make our design style work. Welcome to the Dream Home 00:00:54 - 00:00:59 movement. This is your weekly dose of home and property inspiration. 00:00:59 - 00:01:04 Bringing you clever tips and advice from the very best experts and real life 00:01:04 - 00:01:12 reno stories with your host, Jo Violeta. Hey, thank you so much for tuning 00:01:12 - 00:01:16 into this episode of the Dream Home Movement. I think you're going to love 00:01:16 - 00:01:22 this one. Lots of really practical tips from my dear friend Claudia, who is the 00:01:22 - 00:01:28 founder of The Renovate Avenue and the D.I.Y Renovation Academy. So 00:01:28 - 00:01:32 you might want to grab a paper piece of paper and a pen and take notes. But if 00:01:32 - 00:01:37 you're not able to, that's okay, because I’ve transcribed the episode so you'll be 00:01:37 - 00:01:42 able to see transcription and I will pop all the relevant information in the show 00:01:42 - 00:01:47 notes as well. So I've got you. Don't worry. And oh, hey, if we haven't met 00:01:47 - 00:01:52 before, my name's Jo Violeta, Thank you so much for listening to the show. I 00:01:52 - 00:01:57 Co-own an award winning finance business called Violeta Finance with my 00:01:57 - 00:02:02 husband, Carl. He is a mortgage broker. So if you need a hand financing your 00:02:02 - 00:02:07 home renovations, organising a home loan, refinancing your mortgage, maybe 00:02:07 - 00:02:10 you need to organise a loan for your next investment property or your first 00:02:10 - 00:02:15 investment property ‘exciting’ we would love to help you our contact details 00:02:15 - 00:02:21 will also be in the show notes, and if you're a regular listen of the listener to 00:02:21 - 00:02:25 the show, then you might be familiar with Claudia because Claudia is actually 00:02:25 - 00:02:31 delivering an exclusive little miniseries for Dream Home Movement listeners. 00:02:31 - 00:02:38 And it's based on her course Thie Renovation Academy. So last season she 00:02:38 - 00:02:43 took us through planning a home renovation. And then this season she's taking 00:02:43 - 00:02:49 us through actually planning your styling and doing the styling for the home so 00:02:49 - 00:02:53 last time she was on, she comes on about once a month to deliver these little 00:02:53 - 00:02:58 sort of like many lessons I suppose last month we spoke about choosing your 00:02:58 - 00:03:02 design style so it could be a Hamptons or industrial or contemporary, 00:03:02 - 00:03:07 she explained what those design styles are. And then she took us through. How do 00:03:07 - 00:03:11 we figure out what design style we're going to use for our home Oh my gosh, I 00:03:11 - 00:03:14 love that episode so much. If you haven't listened to it yet, you might want to 00:03:14 - 00:03:19 scroll back and listen to it. And then in this episode, Claudia is taking us 00:03:19 - 00:03:24 through how to actually make that design style work. So how to practically 00:03:24 - 00:03:30 bring it together? And can I tell you I needed this episode so so badly? And 00:03:30 - 00:03:35 I'm feeling far more confident now that I will be able to style, our next 00:03:35 - 00:03:38 property, which hopefully we're purchasing soon. All right, let's get stuck 00:03:38 - 00:03:45 into my chat with Claudia. Hey, Claudia. Welcome to the show. So lovely to 00:03:45 - 00:03:48 have you back again. Thank you so much for having me. I have a lot of fun 00:03:48 - 00:03:55 when I'm here with its great and I learned so much. So last time we were 00:03:55 - 00:04:00 together. Well, I just hit my microphone stand. That made a weird sound. 00:04:00 - 00:04:05 Anyway, last time we were together, we spoke about how to choose a design 00:04:05 - 00:04:10 style for your home. We spoke about Hampton style and contemporary and 00:04:10 - 00:04:16 modern and all of that sort of thing. But what I'm wondering now is, once 00:04:16 - 00:04:21 you've chosen the design style for your home, how do you actually put it all 00:04:21 - 00:04:27 together? Because for a home styling novice like myself, it can It can all feel 00:04:27 - 00:04:32 a bit overwhelming. Yeah, Yeah, for sure. Can be. Definitely can be. And I 00:04:32 - 00:04:38 have a lot of questions about all the time, So I get it. Well, I've got some tips 00:04:38 - 00:04:42 to share with you, Jo, and everyone that's listening. I wanted to start 00:04:42 - 00:04:47 talking about the seven elements of interior design. These are really important 00:04:47 - 00:04:56 because it includes space, line, form, light colour, texture and pattern. Now 00:04:56 - 00:05:03 just think about all these seven, and the key is to keep them balanced in a 00:05:03 - 00:05:08 really pleasing interior. So that is the key in a lot of different things as well. 00:05:08 - 00:05:15 Balance is very important, so I just want to say it again. It's space line forms 00:05:15 - 00:05:21 Light colour texture and pattern. Getting these balanced in your 00:05:21 - 00:05:26 environment is important, and if you want to write them down, having having 00:05:26 - 00:05:31 each of these in your space will make it a very pleasing and aesthetically 00:05:31 - 00:05:36 pleasing interior. That's what you want your place to really start and have a 00:05:36 - 00:05:40 think about those things. Incorporating those things into your space is 00:05:40 - 00:05:45 Important. Now for listeners, if you are driving right now or you're running on 00:05:45 - 00:05:50 the treadmill or something, like walking your dog or whatever, I will have the 00:05:50 - 00:05:56 list of those seven elements in the show notes if you can't jot it down. That's 00:05:56 - 00:06:01 fine. Claudia and I have got you covered, So can you tell us a little bit more 00:06:01 - 00:06:09 about each of those elements? Yeah, 00:06:09 - 00:06:14 I'll go through. If you also want to mention when I say colours and textures 00:06:14 - 00:06:18 and pattern. If you're unsure those three their colour, texture and pattern if 00:06:18 - 00:06:22 you're unsure of where to start with those because it can be quite 00:06:22 - 00:06:27 overwhelming. My number one tip stick to three colours, three colours or 00:06:27 - 00:06:32 shades. Don't go more. If you're really overwhelmed with it pick three 00:06:32 - 00:06:36 colours or three shades. If you've got a good idea of what your colour scheme 00:06:36 - 00:06:42 is, and if you're not sure, then grab some paint samples or go online and 00:06:42 - 00:06:48 have a look at what colours work together. So, that's a really handy tip is 00:06:48 - 00:06:56 stick to 3 colours or shades to start with. Light is really a 00:06:56 - 00:07:05 important in any space. Natural light is always beautiful feeling in any space, 00:07:05 - 00:07:10 so natural light. If you don't have enough natural light, then get it happening. 00:07:10 - 00:07:17 Get a skylight or, you know the windows light is very important aspect and 00:07:17 - 00:07:24 also lighting artificial lighting. Really think about where the lighting is being 00:07:24 - 00:07:30 placed and get rid of dark corners and things like that. So there's, um, really 00:07:30 - 00:07:35 quick sort of tips to really think about it. Incorporate into your home. Texture 00:07:35 - 00:07:40 is really important as well. To add to your home. You don't want just a blanket 00:07:40 - 00:07:44 of the same fabric, the same material in your home. You want to add texture 00:07:44 - 00:07:48 on texture. It's so important and really pleasing to have. And when I say 00:07:48 - 00:07:54 texture, I mean texture in your furniture pieces in your fabrics, in your decor 00:07:54 - 00:08:00 accessories in your window furnishings. Adding texture is important 00:08:00 - 00:08:03 because if you've got everything in a blanket of the same fabric texture of 00:08:03 - 00:08:09 material, then it starts looking very bland right. Okay, so you could have 00:08:09 - 00:08:13 that very basic colour palette, which is just three colours. Which sounds great 00:08:13 - 00:08:18 to me because that sounds just nice and simple. But mixing it up 00:08:18 - 00:08:25 and adding some depth and interest through texture. OK, I like that. 00:08:25 - 00:08:31 Another key thing to think about in your space choose a hero piece in each 00:08:31 - 00:08:39 room. So what I mean by Hero piece is a big, beautiful piece of art or a chest 00:08:39 - 00:08:47 of drawers, or a fabulous rug in your space. So 00:08:47 - 00:08:52 really think about what your key pieces in each room and then with that piece 00:08:52 - 00:08:55 Then you throw until complimenting colours as well that have hints that have 00:08:55 - 00:09:02 hints of colouring your major piece. So if you've got a big piece of art that's 00:09:02 - 00:09:06 got some blues through it, incorporate some complimentary blues as well into 00:09:06 - 00:09:10 the space. So it really works and flows together well, so that's that's another 00:09:10 - 00:09:16 key tip to think about in getting or interior style, right. How does that sound? 00:09:16 - 00:09:22 Oh, that sounds great. I love that. It's almost like an anchor for the room 00:09:22 - 00:09:29 . That's really clever Yes, yes, and anchor your room with a beautiful big rug. 00:09:29 - 00:09:35 Rugs have a great way of doing that. And rugs are a beautiful, a beautiful way 00:09:35 - 00:09:40 to add colour and texture and soften the room up as well. So the beautiful rug 00:09:40 - 00:09:46 really anchor's your room? Well, would there be any styles that are rug 00:09:46 - 00:09:49 wouldn't work with, Like you know how we were talking about the design 00:09:49 - 00:09:55 styles, for example, industrial. Can you still have rugs? You can for 00:09:55 - 00:10:01 sure. Yes, I probably wouldn't put a big plush rug in industrial style, but yeah 00:10:01 - 00:10:05 , definitely. I think rugs can work in any space, just getting the right texture 00:10:05 - 00:10:12 and colour. Right? Great. Another tip Jo is a mirrors, mirrors and magical 00:10:12 - 00:10:16 in a room they really are. They add light and depth in a room and can visually 00:10:16 - 00:10:21 make a space look better so they could bring white in a room. They 00:10:21 - 00:10:25 look beautiful, so they could really open up a space too. So have a think about 00:10:25 - 00:10:31 a mirror and have a think about a big one. I’m all about a 00:10:31 - 00:10:36 big mirror. You've seen my giant mirror in my old house in Seaford, which we 00:10:36 - 00:10:40 just left there because we couldn't get it off the wall. So our tenants are 00:10:40 - 00:10:48 enjoying that mirror. The next thing I want to share as 00:10:48 - 00:10:54 well Jo is for decorating the rule of three, which is a rule in decorating terms 00:10:54 - 00:10:59 . It means objects look better in a group of three. So there's this way to follow 00:10:59 - 00:11:06 the rule of threes to display a matching set of decor so it could be three pieces 00:11:06 - 00:11:13 Or three frames. It could be three vases also placement different sizes 00:11:13 - 00:11:19 next to each other. So try not to, have things. the same height as well 00:11:19 - 00:11:25 . Add two different heights and also so get creating odd numbered 00:11:25 - 00:11:33 arrangements like 1,3,5. So that's another little decorating. Tips 00:11:33 - 00:11:39 for you have the rule of three and add interest so add depth by adding 00:11:39 - 00:11:45 different textures to your items and pieces. Textures really, really 00:11:45 - 00:11:51 adds interest and also different heights and the rule of three. Next 00:11:51 - 00:12:01 thing I wanted to also mention is 60 30 10 interior design secret and which 00:12:01 - 00:12:08 I'm sharing with you all So 60 30 10. It's a timeless decorating rule that can 00:12:08 - 00:12:13 help you put a colour scheme together really easily. If 00:12:13 - 00:12:16 you're overwhelmed with colours, you're not sure what to stick to. Stick to 00:12:16 - 00:12:22 three colours or shades. This tip will help you with this. Also, because the 00:12:22 - 00:12:30 60 30 10 is a 60% plus the 30% plus the 10% proportion is meant to give you 00:12:30 - 00:12:37 balance to the colours used in any space. So 60 will be the walls 00:12:37 - 00:12:43 So that's the majority of the colour. 30% will probably be in your 00:12:43 - 00:12:49 furniture pieces. in room your armchair, 00:12:49 - 00:12:56 your coffee table that's your 30. And then your 10% ease your let's say, for 00:12:56 - 00:13:01 example, your 10% is your cushions, your throws. That's your accent colours 00:13:01 - 00:13:07 that you're throwing into match the rest of the space. So 60 30 10 is a really 00:13:07 - 00:13:13 good thing to consider when you're putting a space together. So 60 your 00:13:13 - 00:13:20 walls, then 30% furniture pieces and 10% is your decor 00:13:20 - 00:13:27 accessories, for example. So keeping all that balance and also sticking to 00:13:27 - 00:13:32 three colours or shades to really simplify it for you guys is a good way to start. 00:13:32 - 00:13:41 Okay, so So then what way would have the walls in one colour for example, And 00:13:41 - 00:13:46 then you don't have your decor and the accent same colour as the walls. For 00:13:46 - 00:13:53 example, you just write that 10%. That's like your accent colours. Yes, yes, 00:13:53 - 00:14:00 that's a good way of putting it s o that will help you understand of how a space 00:14:00 - 00:14:04 comes to get and how it can slow and look aesthetically pleasing as well. 00:14:04 - 00:14:10 That's another tip. Okay, good. o amongst all that'll amongst all picking a 00:14:10 - 00:14:15 colour, speaking the shades getting your style, right? Don't forget 00:14:15 - 00:14:18 about functionality because you don't want to pick pieces, and I'm going to be 00:14:18 - 00:14:23 functional. You don't want to pick a two seater when you’ve got a family of 00:14:23 - 00:14:28 five. So really consider what pieces air going to work in your space, because 00:14:28 - 00:14:35 if it's not functional than it may not be right. So functionality is really 00:14:35 - 00:14:41 important. Yeah, about everything. Don't forget when you're picking 00:14:41 - 00:14:46 Stylish and cool items. If it's not functional, maybe don't get it. So, like the 00:14:46 - 00:14:54 couch needs to be comfy. Yes, yes, we've got a big family yet Don't get a tiny 00:14:54 - 00:14:58 little so far with a huge living room as well. So I really think about what's 00:14:58 - 00:15:05 going to work. Yes, got it Gotta say, though. Claudia and I did a bit of a 00:15:05 - 00:15:09 shopping trip to Chadstone last year to remember that shopping trip, and we 00:15:09 - 00:15:16 went to Coco Republic, not sponsored by them or anything way. Their chairs 00:15:16 - 00:15:21 there are so gorgeous and they're so gorgeous that they look like they would be 00:15:21 - 00:15:26 ridiculously uncomfortable. And then you sit in them and I don't know what 00:15:26 - 00:15:32 what they've done. But those chairs are magically comfortable, aren't they? 00:15:32 - 00:15:37 Goodness, yes. And that furniture is amazing. And it takes three, I think 00:15:37 - 00:15:41 three. Sometimes six months for these pieces to come delivered to you. So 00:15:41 - 00:15:48 they're made for you. Well, they are absolutely amazing. Coca Republic. You 00:15:48 - 00:15:51 haven't been a cheque it out, guys. There's got beautiful pieces. And there 00:15:51 - 00:15:56 was a mirror there. George. Remember the mirror? Yes. And it was almost 00:15:56 - 00:16:01 like three days, So he'd say, like 100 of you standing in the back of the mirror 00:16:01 - 00:16:06 . That makes sense. I remember that. I went, I went Teo. I went to Coco 00:16:06 - 00:16:10 Republic a couple of weeks ago just to show car. I can't remember the 00:16:10 - 00:16:14 designer's name, but there's a specific designer has created a ll these amazing 00:16:14 - 00:16:18 pieces of cocoa a republic. And you know he's got the little show. They've got 00:16:18 - 00:16:23 like the back, like his little showroom, virtually just to show him that mirror 00:16:23 - 00:16:31 and designers work is amazing. We're digressing, though, but comfort is and 00:16:31 - 00:16:35 functionality is important as well. Really important. Don't don't forget about 00:16:35 - 00:16:40 functionality because you'll be kicking yourself later when, Yeah, it's not 00:16:40 - 00:16:45 gonna work in your in your space. You just you can just look at it and admire it 00:16:45 - 00:16:55 . But not any other tips for us to be a ble Teo. Pull it all together. So look, 00:16:55 - 00:17:00 that's that's, um, really easy sort of interior design decorating tips to start 00:17:00 - 00:17:05 thinking about to get it right. Onda again. The seven Elements of interior 00:17:05 - 00:17:10 design. Like I said, John, if you wantto go over it quickly again, so space 00:17:10 - 00:17:16 line forms light, colour, texture and pattern. There's a really this is the key to 00:17:16 - 00:17:21 keep everything balanced in your space. S O space is really important. You 00:17:21 - 00:17:26 want to get your space right and get the feeling right and the lines so the line 00:17:26 - 00:17:32 means the lines of your furniture pieces. The line. You know you can have a 00:17:32 - 00:17:39 curved coffee table, softer line on your sofa instead of a harsher line, which is 00:17:39 - 00:17:43 a more modern style, so sharper lines or a more modern modern style. 00:17:43 - 00:17:48 Whereas softer lines amore contemporary, more traditional, really think about 00:17:48 - 00:17:56 the key pieces of furniture when you're buying it as well On DH again light. 00:17:56 - 00:18:01 We've spoken about light. Yes, enough light in your space Colo are texture 00:18:01 - 00:18:06 and Patton. And again, you don't get too busy with your patterns, and you tell 00:18:06 - 00:18:10 us if you want to really simplify it, stick to three colours or shades. Like I said 00:18:10 - 00:18:15 earlier, that that will really help you find the balance in your space. The right 00:18:15 - 00:18:20 balance. Amazing. I love that. Those tips of fantastic. They're really practical 00:18:20 - 00:18:26 . They're easy enough for a novice like myself to understand an implement but 00:18:26 - 00:18:32 impactful enough to make a huge difference and good, full it altogether. Love 00:18:32 - 00:18:36 those seven design elements as well. As I said, we'll have those listed in the 00:18:36 - 00:18:43 show. No, Claudia, that was fantastic. Thank you so much for so glad If 00:18:43 - 00:18:48 people have any questions or they want Teo, get some more tips because 00:18:48 - 00:18:53 you've got loads of great tips on your website. Instagram and Facebook. How 00:18:53 - 00:18:58 can they get in contact with you? And how can they follow you and learn from 00:18:58 - 00:19:04 you? Yeah, I'm on Instagram and Facebook, the Renovate Avenue and also 00:19:04 - 00:19:08 my website. There were never any avenue dot com es so you can get in touch 00:19:08 - 00:19:13 through either of those avenues. I am always happy to track. They can get in 00:19:13 - 00:19:25 contact with the renovate avenue through any of those avenues. Yes, a again, 00:19:25 - 00:19:28 Thank you so much. And I look forward to chatting with you Claudia again in 00:19:28 - 00:19:34 about four weeks time about a month's time. And this time we are going to be 00:19:34 - 00:19:41 talking about how to create a style board. And that's a really important part 00:19:41 - 00:19:47 ofthe styling. Your home, isn't it? Yes, yes, this is fun. This is fun as well. 00:19:47 - 00:19:52 So it's all fun. Really. It's so much looking forward to that. Thank you again 00:19:52 - 00:19:56 for joining me and thank you, everyone for tuning in. Bye bye. Thank you. 00:19:56 - 00:20:01 Thanks for joining us on the dream home movement. Be sure to come over 00:20:01 - 00:20:06 and say hi on Facebook and Instagram. I hope that your dream home projects 00:20:06 - 00:20:10 are going well and I look forward to chatting with you again next week

The federal government recently announced proposed changes to responsible lending obligations. If you’ve consumed any media coverage on this topic, then chances are you’ve heard that it’s a bad thing. And well, I wouldn’t blame you for thinking that removing responsible lending obligations is a bad thing, I mean we all want banks to lend money responsibly don’t we? Do these proposed changes mean that the banks are going to be throwing money at people willy nilly? Are the most vulnerable people in out community going to put at financial risk? In this episode, I chat with a well known finance figure here in Australia, Brett Mansfield the CEO of Buyers Choice. We’re going to give you the real deal, the unsensationalised information on: What responsible lending means The proposed changes How the proposed changes could affect people looking to borrow money (for a home loan for example) and the flow of credit Follow Brett Mansfield and Buyers Choice Website Facebook LinkedIn Follow the Dream Home Movement Facebook Instagram Follow Carl and Jo Violeta Facebook Instagram Web

With COVID-19 restrictions and tightened lender criteria, some people are reporting that it may be more tricky to secure a home loan. But is that true, or is it just our perception? In this episode we look at :

• Whether COVID-19 restrictions have made it harder to secure a home loan
• Whether banks are being stricter when they assess home loan applications
• How long it's taking banks to assess and process loan applications
• What types of home loans and mortgages are harder to get approved
• How to make it easier for the bank to assess and process your home loan application

Follow the Dream Home Movement Facebook Instagram Web Follow Carl and Jo Violeta Facebook Instagram Web Guest bio Carl’s an award-winning Mortgage Broker and the Founder of Violeta Finance. Carl believes that every family should have a fair opportunity to achieve their homeownership and finance dreams. He can help you buy your next home or save money by refinancing. Carl specialises in helping first time investors buy their first investment property and securing finance for small business owners. When he’s not helping people find the right loan for their circumstances, Carl loves hanging out with his wife and two kids, watching his beloved Chicago Bulls play, and heading out to the golf course. Transcript *This transcript is automated, so may not be 100% accurate* 00:00:00 - 00:00:05 In this special bonus episode of the Dream Home Movement, we look at 00:00:05 - 00:00:11 whether or not it's harder to get a home loan now. With COVID-19 restrictions 00:00:11 - 00:00:18 and tightened lending criteria, some people are reporting that it may be more 00:00:18 - 00:00:23 tricky to get a home loan. But is that true, or is it just our perception? 00:00:23 - 00:00:28 To answer that question. I've invited a special guest and experienced Mortgage 00:00:28 - 00:00:33 Broker Carl Violeta, he also happens to be my husband onto the show. 00:00:33 - 00:00:38 Welcome to the Dream Home Movement. This is your weekly dose of home 00:00:38 - 00:00:43 and property inspiration, bringing you clever tips and advice from the very 00:00:43 - 00:00:49 best experts. And real life like Renno stories with your host, Jo Violeta. 00:00:49 - 00:00:54 Thank you for tuning in to this special bonus episode of the Dream Home 00:00:54 - 00:00:58 Movement. Now if we haven't met before. Hello, My name's Jo Violeta, and I 00:00:58 - 00:01:04 co-own a successful award winning mortgage brokerage with my husband carl. 00:01:04 - 00:01:09 It is Violeta Finance, and this episode is brought to you by Violeta 00:01:09 - 00:01:14 Finance. If you need help securing a home loan, refinancing your Mortgage or 00:01:14 - 00:01:21 organising a loan for your investment property. We would love to help 00:01:21 - 00:01:27 you. Now just to let you know who we are still in the midst of the COVID-19 00:01:27 - 00:01:32 restrictions here in Melbourne and that means that we are working from 00:01:32 - 00:01:37 home in very close quarters. So if you hear any background noises on this 00:01:37 - 00:01:43 episode, maybe kids doing crafts or playing or some typing or something like 00:01:43 - 00:01:49 that, it is because we are all working from home and also because of the COVID-19 00:01:49 - 00:01:53 restrictions. I don't have access to the usual recording equipment that I 00:01:53 - 00:01:58 would use for the podcast. I can't go to the radio station. I can't get into the 00:01:58 - 00:02:05 office to access my hi-tech equipment. So Carl and I huddled over a desk and a 00:02:05 - 00:02:11 microphone at home together, trying to record this episode for you. 00:02:11 - 00:02:15 Welcome to the show, Carl. It's lovely to have you back on. I haven't had you 00:02:15 - 00:02:20 on the show for a while. It has been a little while, and thanks for having me. 00:02:20 - 00:02:26 So today we are answering the question. Is it harder to get a home loan right 00:02:26 - 00:02:32 now? So let's first of all, look at it from the perspective of COVID-19. So 00:02:32 - 00:02:37 we're recording this episode on September 30th. We live in Melbourne in 00:02:37 - 00:02:45 Australia, so we are right in the still in the midst of COVID-19 restrictions. 00:02:45 - 00:02:50 Have covert COVID-19 restrictions made it harder for people to secure a home loan? 00:02:50 - 00:02:58 If a client has been affected by COVID, yes, it has been challenging to get 00:02:58 - 00:03:05 loans approved for them. But for other clients that the only effect of COVID 00:03:05 - 00:03:13 has been of a personal nature and not a financial nature then no that hasn't 00:03:13 - 00:03:18 really been any stoppage of the flow of finance for those types of customers. 00:03:18 - 00:03:26 Customers were working in the retail setting in sort of hospitality in the airline 00:03:26 - 00:03:31 industry then. Yet those those types of employment and those types of 00:03:31 - 00:03:36 customers would find it a bit challenging to try and secure finance. What about 00:03:36 - 00:03:42 the way lenders are assessing applications, especially expenses? What I've 00:03:42 - 00:03:48 heard is that lenders are going through applications with a fine-tooth comb now 00:03:48 - 00:03:55 Have you found that to be the case? It depends on the bank that you 00:03:55 - 00:04:02 suggest to the clients. There are banks that will go through bank statements to 00:04:02 - 00:04:11 verify living expenses as well as salary credits. But not all banks do do that, 00:04:11 - 00:04:16 eh? So, yeah, it really just depends on which path you take the customer in 00:04:16 - 00:04:22 relation to bank statements being forensically investigated. And is it just 00:04:22 - 00:04:25 the bank statements that they're going through and scrutinising are they 00:04:25 - 00:04:32 scrutinising other documents, other evidence or information asking for a lot of 00:04:32 - 00:04:38 additional documents, proof, evidence, that sort of thing? For sure, you know 00:04:38 - 00:04:46 , with COVID it has definitely added a layer of requirements for all banks, I 00:04:46 - 00:04:52 would say, particularly when a borrower self employed, they're now wanting 00:04:52 - 00:04:58 to see extra documentations. They just want to make sure that you know the 00:04:58 - 00:05:05 borrower's income is online or inline, I should say, than what their 00:05:05 - 00:05:11 income tax is suggesting it to be and that they haven't really had too 00:05:11 - 00:05:16 much of an impact with with COVID, particularly here in Melbourne, where 00:05:16 - 00:05:20 we've been the hardest hit. Yes. Oh, so to answer your question, yes, there 00:05:20 - 00:05:25 are a lot more documentations that need to be provided, particularly for self 00:05:25 - 00:05:30 employed customers. Okay, so banks are still lending money. If your income 00:05:30 - 00:05:36 hasn't been affected by COVID-19 restrictions, you still should be able to 00:05:36 - 00:05:40 borrow money. It shouldn't be any harder to borrow money, but the process 00:05:40 - 00:05:47 might be more involved, I suppose. It's just a little bit different to what many 00:05:47 - 00:05:52 customers might be accustomed to when they applied for finance pre-COVID. 00:05:52 - 00:05:58 And yeah, just if you know, if you're in a position to borrow money and 00:05:58 - 00:06:03 you know that you can borrow money, then you really got nothing to fear before 00:06:03 - 00:06:08 you place an application and if you're going through a broker then a broker's 00:06:08 - 00:06:14 going to tell you whether they can get the loan approved or not anyway. So all 00:06:14 - 00:06:20 I would say to customers is that you know, don't don't sort of fear the process, 00:06:20 - 00:06:25 provided that you know, your employment has been stable, your business 00:06:25 - 00:06:31 hasn't been affected and that, you know, you've got sort of strong, strong 00:06:31 - 00:06:39 finances going into the application. Okay, good. What about timelines? So is it 00:06:39 - 00:06:43 taking longer to get home loans approved? Should people allow a little bit 00:06:43 - 00:06:49 more of a time buffer when they're looking to apply for a home loan? I have 00:06:49 - 00:06:54 heard that some banks assessment and processing times are a bit longer than 00:06:54 - 00:06:59 usual. What's been your experience with that? Yeah, many customers are 00:06:59 - 00:07:06 looking to refinance at the moment and, many banks are offering cashback 00:07:06 - 00:07:14 offers. So banks that are offering cashbacks their lead times in processing 00:07:14 - 00:07:21 loans is not as desirable as other banks that are not offering cashback offers at 00:07:21 - 00:07:26 the moment. So again you know a good broker is going to be able to be 00:07:26 - 00:07:32 across that with lead times. If you know if your finances pressing, then 00:07:32 - 00:07:37 definitely avoid certain banks because you're not going to get the loan processed 00:07:37 - 00:07:43 in a timely manner. But if you're after, you know, the cash as part of 00:07:43 - 00:07:47 the refinance, let's say then, if you're happy to wait, then you know the 00:07:47 - 00:07:52 processing time is what it is. If you're purchasing a property, then definitely 00:07:52 - 00:07:57 steer clear of those lenders that are offering cashbacks at the moment, 00:07:57 - 00:08:01 particularly when your finances subject to... When your purchase, I should 00:08:01 - 00:08:07 say, subject to finance clause, there's nothing worse where a customer has 00:08:07 - 00:08:12 been placed with the lender, not knowing that the lead times are not going to 00:08:12 - 00:08:17 be able to meet their obligations on the contract when they're buying a house. 00:08:17 - 00:08:23 Okay, so a few things. I wanna clarify their cap by cashback that banks 00:08:23 - 00:08:27 offering, like a cashback offer. If you get a home loan with them or you 00:08:27 - 00:08:33 refinance with them, they'll say, we'll give you, like, $2000 or something 00:08:33 - 00:08:43 like that. So a cashback promotion relates to customers who are new to the 00:08:43 - 00:08:53 bank and that are refinancing. Okay. The cashback amount does vary it 00:08:53 - 00:08:58 varies depending on their loan size, and it also varies on the type of 00:08:58 - 00:09:06 bank that you're using. Okay, All right. And also again, apologies 00:09:06 - 00:09:11 for the background noises. We are working from home, and we've got little. 00:09:11 - 00:09:16 Marcus is trying extremely hard to be quiet. He's doing a wonderful job, isn't 00:09:16 - 00:09:24 it? He's a good boy. Just another thing that I wanted to clarify. So when 00:09:24 - 00:09:28 you're talking about putting in an offer when you put in an offer for a 00:09:28 - 00:09:33 property, if you haven't got a pre-approval on your finance yet, you can put in a 00:09:33 - 00:09:38 finance, clause, can't you? Yes, you can. And so you might say it's two 00:09:38 - 00:09:42 weeks or three weeks. We usually recommend three weeks, but If you have 00:09:42 - 00:09:46 been placed in the lender who's got really long processing times, that could 00:09:46 - 00:09:51 jeopardise your offer. So that's yet correct. Yes, you need to be aware of that. 00:09:51 - 00:09:57 What are there certain types of mortgages and home loans that are harder to 00:09:57 - 00:10:01 get approved? And not just speaking about COVID times, but just in general. 00:10:01 - 00:10:04 Are there certain types of mortgages and home loans that had just more 00:10:04 - 00:10:09 involved? You know, more workers involved or more paperwork is involved 00:10:09 - 00:10:13 there, there it more complex or tricky. A home loan application becomes 00:10:13 - 00:10:21 harder when you're asking for for their lending policy to be flexible 00:10:21 - 00:10:26 we call that in the industry when you're asking for an exception, that can 00:10:26 - 00:10:33 complicate lending assessment. And there could be a good chance that the 00:10:33 - 00:10:38 assessor, whoever's picked up the file, may not grant you those 00:10:38 - 00:10:44 exceptions. Complicated lending can make the process a little bit more 00:10:44 - 00:10:50 complex when, um, a borrower's a trust for an example. There's a lot more 00:10:50 - 00:10:55 paperwork that's involved with that kind of loans. There's a lot of 00:10:55 - 00:11:00 documentations that needs to be collected from the client to give to the bank. 00:11:00 - 00:11:09 Particularly it can complicate the assessment when the details of the 00:11:09 - 00:11:13 borrowing entity, in this case, being a trust like this example that I'm 00:11:13 - 00:11:17 using, you know, it's a lot of having to go back to the accountant getting that 00:11:17 - 00:11:21 issue fixed up. Then coming back to the client to get the documents signed 00:11:21 - 00:11:27 and giving it to the lender. So you know, it's just added layers. To simplify and 00:11:27 - 00:11:32 summarise loans can get difficult when you're asking for an exception from a 00:11:32 - 00:11:38 lender. What is an exception from a lender? So, for example, let's say that a 00:11:38 - 00:11:42 self employed customer is wanting to borrow money, and they've only been 00:11:42 - 00:11:48 self-employed for 12 months. But the lending criteria for the bank is that 00:11:48 - 00:11:52 you know the business needs to be established for two years. You know, that's 00:11:52 - 00:11:58 that's an exception, you know because it's outside policy. Another example 00:11:58 - 00:12:05 would bay if our customer's needing to use like overtime. And the 00:12:05 - 00:12:11 know, broker's place, the client with the lender that has a stringent policy 00:12:11 - 00:12:14 around. They're not accepting overtime at the moment because of COVID-19 00:12:14 - 00:12:19 for an example. You know that's asking for trouble. You know, you don't 00:12:19 - 00:12:23 want to muck around with those types of requests, best to just find 00:12:23 - 00:12:27 a lender. That's going to be able to work with the incomes that's being 00:12:27 - 00:12:33 presented rather than trying to jam jamming the deal with the lender 00:12:33 - 00:12:37 that it might be offering the best price. Or, you know, Quiet wants to deal 00:12:37 - 00:12:42 with would deal with that particular lender. I like that. Avoid trying to jam the 00:12:42 - 00:12:48 deal we make that it will have been turned into a tweet. Don't jam the deal. 00:12:48 - 00:12:52 Last questions. I know you've got to get back to work, and we've probably 00:12:52 - 00:12:57 only got another good two minutes out of Marcus being about to sit quietly 00:12:57 - 00:13:03 and watch his record a podcast. How can we make it easier for banks to assess 00:13:03 - 00:13:08 and process our loans? What can we do to make the assessor's jobs easier? 00:13:08 - 00:13:14 Provide the requested documentations as requested by the lender, particularly 00:13:14 - 00:13:21 with home loan refinancing. I find that customers can sometimes not 00:13:21 - 00:13:26 provide the correct documentation where they're taking a screenshot of their 00:13:26 - 00:13:29 home loan statement, but it doesn't have their names on it. You know, stuff 00:13:29 - 00:13:35 like that on. Many customers don't have access to computers or do everything 00:13:35 - 00:13:39 by phone and stuff like that. So well, especially now we've COVID-19 I mean, 00:13:39 - 00:13:43 how are we supposed to get out and get access 00:13:43 - 00:13:50 to a computer and a printer and a scanner and that sort of stuff. So provide 00:13:50 - 00:13:56 the right documentation to the broker. The broker should be very well versed 00:13:56 - 00:14:03 in what's required from from the lender. Make sure that whatever the 00:14:03 - 00:14:07 brokers asking, you you kind of give the right information back that way. 00:14:07 - 00:14:10 You know, you're not having to go back and forth back and forth all the time. 00:14:10 - 00:14:20 Sometimes it's unavoidable. But that would be one of my tips for trying to get a 00:14:20 - 00:14:25 loan application sort of done right the first time. That's a great tip. And I 00:14:25 - 00:14:31 would add to that, Do make sure that you use and you work with an 00:14:31 - 00:14:36 experienced mortgage broker because they know the lender policy inside and 00:14:36 - 00:14:41 out. And they will know how to package and present your home loan 00:14:41 - 00:14:47 application in the best possible way for that lender. And finally, don't jam the 00:14:47 - 00:14:51 deal. Thanks so much for coming onto the show that was really 00:14:51 - 00:14:58 informative. Thank you. Thanks for having me. And if you like this and if 00:14:58 - 00:15:05 you like this, give my mummy a five star review. I hope you do. Thanks 00:15:05 - 00:15:09 for joining us on the Dream Home movement. Be sure to come over and say hi 00:15:09 - 00:15:14 on Facebook and Instagram. I hope that your dream home projects are going 00:15:14 - 00:15:17 well, and I look forward to chatting with you again next week.

Should you renovate your home or knock it down and start again? This is a common dilemma faced by many home owners. I chatted with owner-builder, experienced renovator and mum of seven Helen Al Hariri about her knock down rebuild decision making process. In this episode we discuss: Why Helen originally considered the knock down rebuild option The factors that influenced her decision Helen's three best tips for anyone thinking of embarking on a major home renovation project Follow Helen and Haluna Happy Names Website Instagram Helen would like to give the Dream Home Movement's listeners a 15% discount code for her growing ‘World’s Best Tradie’ series of personalised thank you mugs currently available in her Etsy store. The code is DREAMHOME15 and it is valid until December 15th 2020. Here's the link to that collection: https://www.etsy.com/shop/halunahappynames?section_id=30178535 Follow the Dream Home Movement Facebook Instagram Follow Carl and Jo Violeta Facebook Instagram Web Guest bio Helen is a mother of seven children aged between 16 and 4. She is in the middle of her third owner builder project, all on one home in southern Sydney. Her renovation adventures started ten years ago, when she and her husband had ‘only’ four munchkins to manage. After learning a ton the first time round, the owner builder decision became an easy choice when the family was bursting at the seams again in 2018. Her building projects combine an emphasis on practicality - meeting her family’s specific lifestyle needs - with a wish for cost saving and a desire to take ownership of the whole process, including any mistakes along the way. Helen is the owner of Haluna Happy Names, which turns everyday items into cherished gifts through colourful and fun personalised designs that include an option for names and slogans written in Arabic.

Home Loans 101: Have you heard of Lenders Mortgage Insurance? In this episode we look at: What Lenders Mortgage Insurance is The pros and cons of Lenders Mortgage Insurance How to avoid it If you can't avoid it, how to reduce it Follow the Dream Home Movement Facebook Instagram Follow Carl and Jo Violeta Facebook Instagram Web Guest bio Jo Violeta is the host of the Dream Home Movement podcast and runs the awards winning mortgage brokerage Violeta Finance with her husband Carl. Think of Jo as your property finance translator. She explains complex finance concepts in a way that's easy to understand and accessible, so you can be feel confident and empowered.

In this episode, friend of the show Cluadia Brdar explains how to choose a design style for your home or investment property Claudia takes us through: The main types of home design styles, including contemporary, traditional and Hamptons The features of the different design styles such as colour palettes and textures How to decide which style to use in your home This episode is part of a very special DIY renovation series. ⠀ Claudia from @therenovateavenue and Founder of the DIY Renovation Academy will join us once a month on the show to take you through EVERYTHING you need to know to DIY your reno.⠀ ⠀ This is like a little sneak peek into her super popular DIY Renovation Academy course.⠀ ⠀ This series is exclusively for Dream Home Movement listeners. Follow the Claudia and The Renovate Avenue Facebook Instagram Website Follow the Dream Home Movement Facebook Instagram Web Follow Carl and Jo Violeta Facebook Instagram Web Guest bio Claudia and her husband Pete have renovated small properties right through to large scale projects. Several years ago they bought a run-down 1960's weatherboard house (purchased for $460K) and ended up completing a major renovation ($75K), creating a beautiful sought after home ... on a tight budget! They set the suburb record for a property price of $1.035 million (2017)! They're currently renovating a 1960's brick house to sell. Both Pete and Claudia have a real hands-on DIY approach when it comes to renovating, focusing on achieving that ‘WOW’ factor ... thinking bigger, outside-the-box, and never afraid to take a risk. Claudia created The Renovate Avenue to share her knowledge, and inspire others to climb the property market via the renovation avenue, building a financially stable future to retire earlier (and do what you love). Transcript *This transcript is automated, so may not be 100% accurate* 00:00:00 - 00:00:05 you want to know what I think is really exciting, it's that there are so many 00:00:05 - 00:00:10 different design stars that you can choose from for your house or your property 00:00:10 - 00:00:15 . You want to know what I think is really overwhelming and confusing that 00:00:15 - 00:00:19 there are so many different designs, tiles that you can choose from for your 00:00:19 - 00:00:25 house and property. So to help me out and I can't be alone with this problem, 00:00:25 - 00:00:30 I'm sure to help me out. I invited Claudia Baradar from the Renovate Avenue 00:00:30 - 00:00:38 on the show to talk to us about how to choose a design style for your house or 00:00:38 - 00:00:43 property. Eso. When I keep saying or property, it could be your investment 00:00:43 - 00:00:48 property that you're going to have tenanted or your house that you are going to 00:00:48 - 00:00:53 live in. So in this episode, Claudie will take us through the different types of 00:00:53 - 00:01:01 design styles, how to choose a design style based on your personal style, thie 00:01:01 - 00:01:10 actual property, the environment that the pop property is located in, and also 00:01:10 - 00:01:16 what you're actually going to use the property. For now, if Claudia's name 00:01:16 - 00:01:22 sounds familiar, then I'm guessing you're a regular listener to the show Claudia 00:01:22 - 00:01:29 came on last season and did a bit of a miniseries for us on how to plan a 00:01:29 - 00:01:34 renovation project. And to now we're kind of taking it to the next step. And 00:01:34 - 00:01:40 she is joining us again this season, Season five, to do another little miniseries 00:01:40 - 00:01:46 on How to style your property. So this week we're looking at in this episode, I 00:01:46 - 00:01:50 should say we're looking at choosing your design style when she comes back 00:01:50 - 00:01:55 again in about a month's time. We're going tio, explore how to make your 00:01:55 - 00:02:00 home Starling work when you've chosen your design style. And then she's 00:02:00 - 00:02:06 going to come back for the final episode off her little exclusive miniseries for 00:02:06 - 00:02:12 the Dream Home Movement and talk about how to create a style board or some 00:02:12 - 00:02:18 people call it a mood board. So I'm so high up. Tio, have Claudia coming 00:02:18 - 00:02:23 back on the show again for another exclusive miniseries. We are so lucky. 00:02:23 - 00:02:29 And before we get stuck into my interview with Claudia, I would like to 00:02:29 - 00:02:34 introduce myself in case we haven't already met. My name's Joe via letter E. 00:02:34 - 00:02:39 I'm the host of this show, and I also own a business called Violet of finance. 00:02:39 - 00:02:46 With my husband, Carl, we help people secure home loans, property 00:02:46 - 00:02:52 investment loans, refinance their mortgages to save money on their payments 00:02:52 - 00:02:59 and or to finance their home renovations So you can find us at Violet of finance 00:02:59 - 00:03:07 . It's just got one T v i o L. A finance on the Internet. We've got a website on 00:03:07 - 00:03:13 instagram and also on Facebook. So thank you so much for tuning in. Lovely 00:03:13 - 00:03:17 to meet you if I haven't done so already. And now over to my chat with 00:03:17 - 00:03:22 Claudia, Welcome to the Dream Home movement. This's your weekly dose of 00:03:22 - 00:03:28 home and property inspiration bring you clever tips and advice from the very 00:03:28 - 00:03:40 best experts and really like Renno storeys with your host Joe Violeta. Claudia, 00:03:40 - 00:03:43 thank you so much for joining me on the dream home movement today. It's 00:03:43 - 00:03:48 lovely to chat with you again. Love being here. I love having a chat with you. 00:03:48 - 00:03:54 Now what we're talking about today is how to choose your design style. And 00:03:54 - 00:03:58 this is something that I'm particularly interested in because we're buying a new 00:03:58 - 00:04:07 home soon. So we're going to take that opportunity, Teo, just reet restyle like 00:04:07 - 00:04:11 from the beginning, the entire place. We've had all our furniture for ages. So 00:04:11 - 00:04:17 we're looking at starting again, and I'm just so overwhelmed and confused 00:04:17 - 00:04:24 about what style to choose. There seems to be so many choices out there. So 00:04:24 - 00:04:29 what are some of the different design styles we can choose from? Let's start at 00:04:29 - 00:04:32 that point, and then we'll figure out how we actually choose. What is there to 00:04:32 - 00:04:39 choose from? Okay, look, there's a fair, few different styles, Joe. It can be 00:04:39 - 00:04:44 overwhelming. I know there's so many different designs out there. Look, let's 00:04:44 - 00:04:50 start with contemporary style because I think it's the most popular one, and it's 00:04:50 - 00:04:55 usually what's in style right now. So it's the current trends at the moment, 00:04:55 - 00:05:01 contemporary style. So if you're not sure what contemporary style looks like, 00:05:01 - 00:05:05 then you can try going to the mainstream retail stores such as freedom and 00:05:05 - 00:05:11 Design, and you'll soon get an idea of what the current trends are and where 00:05:11 - 00:05:15 they're at. That's usually your contemporary style, just to make it easier just to 00:05:15 - 00:05:23 give you a tip. Then you've got your traditional style, which is usually feature 00:05:23 - 00:05:28 pieces made from dark woods. Their ornate Lee, detailed as well and 00:05:28 - 00:05:34 traditional design draws its inspiration from 18th and 19th century England and 00:05:34 - 00:05:40 France. So this explains why it's common to find EXP offensive textiles like 00:05:40 - 00:05:47 silk, velvet and linen used in upholstery to curtains as well. And the fabrics 00:05:47 - 00:05:52 feature a variety of different patterns, such as florals, stripes and plaids as 00:05:52 - 00:06:00 well. So that's just sort of traditional style And what it looks like a traditional 00:06:00 - 00:06:05 eso contemporary that, Yeah, that would change often then, wouldn't it? So 00:06:05 - 00:06:10 what? Okay, so what's contemporary style now would be different to what 00:06:10 - 00:06:14 was contemporary style a couple of years. That's right. That's right. Yeah, 00:06:14 - 00:06:18 people get contemporary and modern sort of mixed up. The contemporary is 00:06:18 - 00:06:24 quite what's in trend now what styles Aaron fashion in trend now. So, like I 00:06:24 - 00:06:28 said, Teo, if you go into shops like freedom, it will give you an idea of what 00:06:28 - 00:06:34 in style at the moment. Okay, got it and then traditional. So I like watching 00:06:34 - 00:06:37 Do you watch the crown? I like watching that show the crown about the royal 00:06:37 - 00:06:44 family. It's quite good. So when you just described traditional that I'm Justin 00:06:44 - 00:06:50 visit, envisioning scenes from the crown. It would. I guess it's that kind of 00:06:50 - 00:06:59 royal traditional style, European style, almost that's your more traditional 00:06:59 - 00:07:05 style. Then we've got something about the Hampton style, which is quite 00:07:05 - 00:07:10 seaside coastal inspired, so you'll see a lot of the houses around the coast 00:07:10 - 00:07:15 Hamptons style inspired, and they've got your plantation shutters, your 00:07:15 - 00:07:22 nautical style decor, timber floor boards to the moulding, a long hallways and 00:07:22 - 00:07:28 staircases. Then it's also blue and white striped patterns for pillows, just to 00:07:28 - 00:07:35 give you a visual idea as well. White plush sofas. The painter Whitewood s. 00:07:35 - 00:07:40 O. Yet the intention is to create a relaxed, style, comfortable environment that 00:07:40 - 00:07:46 is inspired by the beach in the ocean. So that's your Hamptons style that's very 00:07:46 - 00:07:55 popular here on the Peninsula Hampton style. I've noticed E. S E. Touched on 00:07:55 - 00:07:59 . Modern Modern is a broad designed term, I think, and like I said to you 00:07:59 - 00:08:05 before modern and contemporary style often get mixed up. Modern refers to a 00:08:05 - 00:08:11 home with clean, crisp, sharp lines. It's a simple colour palette. Thie use of 00:08:11 - 00:08:18 materials is usually metal, glass and steel, and modern design also employs a 00:08:18 - 00:08:26 sense of simplicity and in every element including the furniture. So its sleek 00:08:26 - 00:08:35 there's not much clutter, sharp lines, and that's more of a modern style. Yeah, 00:08:35 - 00:08:41 that does so. The modern is very different. Teo temporary. I thought they 00:08:41 - 00:08:45 were the same thing, but they're very different. Got a lot of people. A lot of 00:08:45 - 00:08:51 people think modern contemporary are the same style, but there is a difference 00:08:51 - 00:08:56 there. That's probably a good way off describing contemporary and what I'm 00:08:56 - 00:09:01 just a difference in them. Eso There's also mid century modern. This's another 00:09:01 - 00:09:07 type of modern style just to confuse everyone. So mid Century Modern is a 00:09:07 - 00:09:12 streamline retro look that was popular in the 19 fifties and sixties, and it's a 00:09:12 - 00:09:18 classic decorating style that has really never gone out of fashion. It focuses on 00:09:18 - 00:09:22 functionality, too, so it's more the retro style really big in the fifties and sixties 00:09:22 - 00:09:30 . I quite like that, and again that the mid century modern is quite popular here 00:09:30 - 00:09:34 around the morning to peninsula as well, because you've got those houses from 00:09:34 - 00:09:42 that error and people are trying Teo freshen them up, but still keep the essence 00:09:42 - 00:09:47 of the original high. Yes, yes, exactly. And it's I think it's a great idea doing 00:09:47 - 00:09:50 that as well. So it, like you say, keeping the essence of the home and the style 00:09:50 - 00:09:56 that it was built in. I think if you've got an old with aboard house by the sea, I 00:09:56 - 00:10:01 think putting something in that theon visit of what that style leaves and what if 00:10:01 - 00:10:05 the body is going against it is probably not a great idea. So it's really 00:10:05 - 00:10:10 embracing when it was built in embracing that, So that's that's what that's my 00:10:10 - 00:10:16 opinion. But then we've got industrial style, so that's an urban look with an 00:10:16 - 00:10:23 edge. Industrial is characterised by raw textures, exposed materials such as 00:10:23 - 00:10:28 bricks and metal fixtures and finishes. I think of a really cool warehouse in 00:10:28 - 00:10:35 New York, my ideal place to live with stripped timber for awards, concrete 00:10:35 - 00:10:41 flaws, exposed beings, metal pipes and really low lighting. I quite like that 00:10:41 - 00:10:47 style, but it's not for everyone as well. So that's your industrial style. I love 00:10:47 - 00:10:54 that style it is, and I do picture it being like a loft in New York, with some 00:10:54 - 00:10:59 really gorgeous artwork from an up and coming artists on the walls and that 00:10:59 - 00:11:05 sort of stuff very very. I don't know if I'm quite cool enough for that. I would 00:11:05 - 00:11:10 like to pay e Love that style as well. What else? Have weak up? Another style 00:11:10 - 00:11:17 . Eclectic, So it collected his quite quirky fun. It's very mismatched. There's 00:11:17 - 00:11:21 no matching zour formatted patterns. It's just pretty much anything goes. But 00:11:21 - 00:11:27 it's done in a really fun on quirky style, so mixture of pieces as well could be 00:11:27 - 00:11:33 new and old pieces to S O. That's why eclectic is quite fun and that embodies 00:11:33 - 00:11:38 the person that lives there. I think is, well, that Yeah, I see. I see Cem 00:11:38 - 00:11:43 eclectic rooms on instagram. But I get would that be a hard look to pull off? 00:11:43 - 00:11:47 Do you think If you're not quite sure what you're doing and get it wrong, you 00:11:47 - 00:11:51 could definitely get it wrong. So it's really having an eye for colour and pattern 00:11:51 - 00:11:56 yet and having a bit of fun with it. A cz well, but it can. It can look quite zany 00:11:56 - 00:12:03 . Maybe if if there's too much going just like embrace the zaniness Gracia in a 00:12:03 - 00:12:11 freak s o. And there's also Bohemian, which is quite popular. A swell and 00:12:11 - 00:12:14 bohemian Khun mix up with contemporary because we're behaving. It is quite 00:12:14 - 00:12:19 on trend at the moment, and it embodies a sort of free form flowing. Ah, lot 00:12:19 - 00:12:23 of plants. You know, a lot of the chroma at the moment, which is very 00:12:23 - 00:12:30 popular and a lot of wicker A cz Well, so Bahamian is quite quite on trended 00:12:30 - 00:12:35 moment as well. It is. It's all about the weaker right now. Yes, love a bit of 00:12:35 - 00:12:39 makeup. So this is I mean, look that some of our styles that we've got 00:12:39 - 00:12:45 happening at the moment there's there's Mohr a CZ Well, that that's probably 00:12:45 - 00:12:52 the main ones that I've covered very briefly. Okay, good. So once we're 00:12:52 - 00:12:58 aware of what all the different design styles are, how do we decide which style 00:12:58 - 00:13:04 Teo use in our home? Yeah, OK. Eso Joe, this really depends on what 00:13:04 - 00:13:11 outcome you want for your home or property first. So So start at the end and 00:13:11 - 00:13:15 look, think about why you're keen and getting your style right. Are you 00:13:15 - 00:13:20 looking to sell your home or you wanting to stay There s o really have a think 00:13:20 - 00:13:24 about what the outcome is for you. What? The right outcome is, and that way 00:13:24 - 00:13:27 we'll give you a good road. Teo travel and know which way you're heading. 00:13:27 - 00:13:32 So are you planning on staying in your home for the next 20 years? Or are you 00:13:32 - 00:13:36 wanting to get the best price for your potential buyers? So knowing exactly 00:13:36 - 00:13:42 what it is that you want to achieve and then implementing the right style based 00:13:42 - 00:13:48 on that, it will differ for each of the outcomes. Joe. So if you are planning to 00:13:48 - 00:13:53 sell than design your home for your best potential buyers, make your property 00:13:53 - 00:14:00 is beautiful as possible. Choose a contemporary design, so a current style on 00:14:00 - 00:14:04 DH. Incorporate current styles, making the space look and feel desirable and 00:14:04 - 00:14:08 inviting a cz well for your potential buyers. If you have a home by the coast in 00:14:08 - 00:14:13 the peninsula, then consider a Hamptons or coastal resort style. That's the best 00:14:13 - 00:14:18 way to go. Maybe stay away from industrial industrial or eclectic style. And 00:14:18 - 00:14:25 don't put your Gothic doll collection on this way, wanting to sell at the best 00:14:25 - 00:14:31 possible price, then really keep your style. Have a think about the potential 00:14:31 - 00:14:35 buyers that are coming looking at your property and really design and style for 00:14:35 - 00:14:42 them, Not not for you. So if you desire, if it decided to stay in your home and 00:14:42 - 00:14:48 and you want to really make it authentic, then I truly believe that home should 00:14:48 - 00:14:53 be a reflection of who we are. And if you're not sure where to start, and I've 00:14:53 - 00:14:59 got some tips right for any of you that want to get started. So answer yourself, 00:14:59 - 00:15:05 Joe. So first things first to really get a picture of what your style is and what 00:15:05 - 00:15:10 will really work for you and your family looking your closet and noticed the 00:15:10 - 00:15:15 styles that you wear. Notice what you love what pieces draw you in and 00:15:15 - 00:15:20 inspire and have a good look and see what colour is. The patterns are your 00:15:20 - 00:15:25 favourite. Firstly, just have a really good think about what draws your eye, 00:15:25 - 00:15:31 Teo. Certain pieces in your closet. That's number one thing I can suggest. E I 00:15:31 - 00:15:39 never would have thought to do that in your closet. Also just backtracking a 00:15:39 - 00:15:46 little bit. Thanks for the tip on putting my gossip doll collection away. I will 00:15:46 - 00:15:54 put that into storage if ever I sell s o you looking a closet. Have a look at what 00:15:54 - 00:15:58 pieces You absolutely love these air address that you love the Excuse me, the 00:15:58 - 00:16:02 patterns The Colo Urs, what really draws you in? Even if you go out shopping 00:16:02 - 00:16:06 , what has always drawn you in what pieces? What colours again? Like I said 00:16:06 - 00:16:12 , what is it that you love? Next thing is look at your favourite most love. 00:16:12 - 00:16:15 Peace is in your house and bring them all together and notice what you love 00:16:15 - 00:16:20 about these objects again. The lines the Colo Urs, What does it provide to you 00:16:20 - 00:16:27 ? What emotion does it a vote so really Get to know what you love. That's how 00:16:27 - 00:16:34 you start next. I would suggest if you're not already on instagram or interest, 00:16:34 - 00:16:40 create an account and start searching and saving images off various interior 00:16:40 - 00:16:44 styles and spaces that you absolutely love that resonate with you that evoke 00:16:44 - 00:16:51 really good emotion. Start saving those images, screenshot ing them, and and 00:16:51 - 00:16:55 that you'll start noticing. A common theme is well within the images that you 00:16:55 - 00:17:02 saved. You will start taking notice of all the torus and the tones and the styles 00:17:02 - 00:17:08 and these sort of images. Will there'll be a on almost flow and a common 00:17:08 - 00:17:13 theme that will that will come to you. So it will really indicate what sort of 00:17:13 - 00:17:23 style you like. Right? So that's a really good three tips to start with, just to get 00:17:23 - 00:17:29 an idea off. What you like what you love, right? Okay, So think off the 00:17:29 - 00:17:36 purpose for the styling. Is it to sell toe livin and benefits to sell its a little bit of 00:17:36 - 00:17:41 a different approach? We're going Mohr, like modern or contemporary. Sorry 00:17:41 - 00:17:45 . No, no modern modernism, modern or contemporary. We're going 00:17:45 - 00:17:52 contemporary, continue current current. But if it's for us to live in, then we 00:17:52 - 00:17:57 really wanted to reflect us. And so you're almost going on like a little jenny of 00:17:57 - 00:18:04 self discovery. You like, you want to find the authentic you you want to make 00:18:04 - 00:18:08 your space something that you will love. And when you walk into you, it will 00:18:08 - 00:18:13 evoke positive emotion. Yes, for sure. So you want to create something that 00:18:13 - 00:18:17 you will enjoy and that you will find inviting for you and the people that leave 00:18:17 - 00:18:23 your family. Okay. Now we touched a bit on the difference between styling 00:18:23 - 00:18:29 for yourself and styling for sale. Is there any difference between the way we 00:18:29 - 00:18:34 should style our property if we're wanting to get tenants into it apart? A 00:18:34 - 00:18:40 supposed to selling it? Is that different, or is it pretty much the same? Yeah, 00:18:40 - 00:18:45 pretty much the same for your tenants. I mean, it's your investment property. 00:18:45 - 00:18:50 You want to get top dollar for it as well. You also want to create an 00:18:50 - 00:18:53 environment for attendance of they're gonna love because they'll look after 00:18:53 - 00:18:59 your look after the home as well. So I would invest some money into that so 00:18:59 - 00:19:04 you can also get the most out of it. And again, it's getting the most out of your 00:19:04 - 00:19:08 rental income as your investment property and also for your tenants. So I 00:19:08 - 00:19:15 would also create a beautiful environment for tenants to. So obviously, you're 00:19:15 - 00:19:22 not putting us much money. A cz you are a mature investment property. But 00:19:22 - 00:19:25 again, just be smart about how much you're putting into your investment 00:19:25 - 00:19:31 compared to your forever home and does very yeah, okay, but still do put a bit 00:19:31 - 00:19:40 of love into it to try to attack, not attack, attract thanked the right tenants 00:19:40 - 00:19:45 exactly exactly what air some practical tips. We've already covered a few of 00:19:45 - 00:19:50 them, but let's just give everyone a really practical action plan. So tips that 00:19:50 - 00:19:58 listeners can do straightaway to really get their style choice sorted. Sure, All 00:19:58 - 00:20:04 right. So number one Why are you wanting to design and style your property? 00:20:04 - 00:20:08 What's the outcome you want to achieve? That's your number one with a start. 00:20:08 - 00:20:13 Number two. How do you ascertain what style to incorporate, So once you 00:20:13 - 00:20:18 know your outcome, then work out what style it is you're going to create, the 00:20:18 - 00:20:20 one that will work best and in line with your outcome. So the one that will 00:20:20 - 00:20:26 bring the most value to you Number three is start researching. So start 00:20:26 - 00:20:30 researching now. That's where you can start. Well, if you're selling than 00:20:30 - 00:20:34 research properties in the area and take notes on what other properties have 00:20:34 - 00:20:38 created and what they're sold for, So go to the properties. If they're on sale in 00:20:38 - 00:20:43 the area and have a look, they would see what others have done and also see 00:20:43 - 00:20:49 what properties have reached in sale time as well. So if you're staying put like 00:20:49 - 00:20:53 I said, if you want to stay in your forever home. Then work out your best. I'll 00:20:53 - 00:20:57 know your authentic self and know what you'll love tourists around yourself 00:20:57 - 00:21:00 with the most what will work for you. What? We will make you the most 00:21:00 - 00:21:06 happiest. Yes, those those three to start with now. Perfect. I love it. Well, I 00:21:06 - 00:21:10 personally am going to start to pull everything out my wardrobe and have a 00:21:10 - 00:21:15 look. And I got I got a pretty good idea of what I like a ce faras clothing goes 00:21:15 - 00:21:24 very plain and lots of blue and white stripes go Hampton style. I think so. I 00:21:24 - 00:21:32 think so. The great the great flag. Well, e I just need to move to grace I e 00:21:32 - 00:21:39 quite well, e that's what it is. A Hampton style. Joe, if you're saying blues 00:21:39 - 00:21:46 and whites possibly maybe a coastal thing a resort style, that sounds good to 00:21:46 - 00:21:50 me. Well, thank you so much, Claudia. That was so informative for everyone 00:21:50 - 00:21:57 listening. I would love to see, I'd love to hear from you and hear what your 00:21:57 - 00:22:00 style is. So I'd love to hear the outcomes from you pulling everything out of 00:22:00 - 00:22:04 your wardrobe. Looking at the stuff in your around your house And how you 00:22:04 - 00:22:10 decide what your style is. Let me know. Message me on Facebook or 00:22:10 - 00:22:15 instagram a dream home movement and let me know what your personal 00:22:15 - 00:22:21 design style is And let Claudia No. A cz. Well, Claudia, how can people find 00:22:21 - 00:22:26 you follow you contact you or that sort of stuff? Yeah. Instagram Facebook. 00:22:26 - 00:22:31 I'm on there. The renovate Avenue s O. Please get in touch. Say hello. And if 00:22:31 - 00:22:35 you want to dive deeper into choosing your design style, I highly recommend 00:22:35 - 00:22:39 that you cheque out Claudia's course as well. Claudia, can you tell us a little 00:22:39 - 00:22:44 bit about your course? Yes, The D I Y renovation academy. It's an online 00:22:44 - 00:22:49 course, and also you get a one on one assistance with myself. And there's also 00:22:49 - 00:22:53 a Facebook group, eh? So we get to support each other through our renovation 00:22:53 - 00:22:58 journey, so you'll find all that information on my website. And also social 00:22:58 - 00:23:02 media, Facebook and Instagram. Brilliant. Thank you so much, Claudia, I'm 00:23:02 - 00:23:08 looking forward to chatting of you again in about four weeks time. Make sure 00:23:08 - 00:23:14 you tune in for that episode. We are going to talk about how to make your 00:23:14 - 00:23:19 home styling work. So once you've chosen your design style that your mission 00:23:19 - 00:23:23 for the next month, you then need to figure out Well, how do I actually make 00:23:23 - 00:23:27 this work? And that's what we will be covering next time I chat with Claudia 00:23:27 - 00:23:33 in about four weeks time. Until then, Do tune in again next week and make 00:23:33 - 00:23:37 sure that you subscribe to the podcast. So you never miss an episode. Thank 00:23:37 - 00:23:46 you so much for tuning in by listeners by Claudia. Thank you. Thanks for 00:23:46 - 00:23:50 joining us on the Dream home movement. Be sure to come over and say hi on 00:23:50 - 00:23:55 Facebook and Instagram. I hope that your dream home projects are going well 00:23:55 - 00:23:58 and I look forward to chatting with you again next week.

Love and home renos, do they mix well? Anyone who's undergone a home renovation would agree, I'm sure, that while the end result is usually amazing, the process can be stressful. Renos can put a HUGE strain on your relationships. Joy Ball from Solace Counselling Services shares her wisdom on how you can renovate your home without jeopardising your relationship. In this episode we discuss: ● Why relationships come under strain during home renovations ● What couples and families can do to maintain healthy relationships during home renovations **This episode of the Dream Home Movement was recorded live at the RPPFM** Follow Solace Counselling Services Website Facebook Instagram Download the list of must ask questions to help keep your relationship healthy during a reno Follow the Dream Home Movement Facebook Instagram Follow Carl and Jo Violeta Facebook Instagram Web Guest bio Since 2009 Joy has been committed in offering a solution focused approach to Relationship counselling. She has supported many couples and individuals over the years providing professional support, guidance and customised strategies which are all designed to support her clients in building happier and more sustainable relationships. Joy is also married to a builder and has experienced over the past 30 years, the highs and lows of building and renovating many homes.

Heard of Buyers Advocates but not sure what they do? Buyers Advocate, Sam Spernat from Rodney Samuels Consulting explains what a Buyers Advocate does and how they can help you make the best possible decisions when you purchase a property. Follow Sam Spernat and Rodney Samuels Consulting Facebook Instagram Website Follow the Dream Home Movement Facebook Instagram Follow Carl and Jo Violeta Facebook Instagram Web Guest bio Sam Spernat is an experienced property adviser who is also a qualified accountant with over a decade in the property and finance industries, he’s skilled at sourcing and selecting investment-grade assets that will grow his clients’ wealth. He specialises in sourcing properties that match his clients’ investment goals and negotiating the best possible purchase and sale price. The goal of Sam's company Rodney Samuels Consulting is to help his clients find and buy good quality investment properties and homes. Rodney Samuels Consulting also offers a Vendors Advocacy service that takes the guess work out of selling by helping his clients choose the right agent for their property, and also makes sure the agents are advertising the property and not themselves.