Blog - BuildHer Collective

All
BUILDHER MOMENTS
BUILDING & RENOVATING
CO-LABS
DevelopHer Tales
For the Home
FRIENDS OF BHC
HOME FEATURES
RENO REVIEWS
STUDENT STORIES
Uncategorized

Redefining Spaces: A Journey of Transforming Dreams into Reality

Nov 30, 2023

Meet Emily Nair, a passionate force in the design and construction industry. Her story is one of determination, breaking barriers, and transforming dreams into reality. On May 27th, Emily made a big move by buying an apartment that changed everything. It all started with a conversation that got her thinking. She talked about her love ...

Renovating 80’s Townhouse to Parisian Elegance: A Journey of Creative Challenges

Nov 17, 2023

In a whirlwind transformation, Jodi revitalized a neglected '80s townhouse, turning it into a stunning Parisian-inspired haven. Despite its unlivable state, she saw potential in its structure. Her vision for a Parisian-style renovation evolved amidst challenges, leading her back to the original inspiration. The renovation was a delicate balance between preserving and updating. Jodi selectively ...

Finance 101 with Entourage Finance

Oct 12, 2023

As a BuildHer, you’ve likely gone through the process of organising finance for a property purchase before. However, the lending environment can change quite quickly throughout the year. Entourage Finance broker and BuildHer Collective partner Leah Ziskos takes us through the basics of mortgages in 2023. Deposits Whether you’ve bought before or not, when buying ...

Fuelling Success: Strategies for Securing Financing and Building a Competent Development Team

Oct 5, 2023

Are you ready to bring your property development projects to life? In this article, we'll explore essential strategies for obtaining the necessary financial resources and assembling a skilled team to support your ventures. Securing Financing for Your Projects Property development requires adequate financial resources to fund acquisitions, construction, and other project-related expenses. Consider the following ...

Get The New French Look with Lauren Li

Sep 21, 2023

The New French Look is spirited and fresh, layered but never fussy, effortless yet always chic. It uses elements of colour and pattern confidently to create an elegant atmosphere, but with a sense of exuberance. It’s not all about the new either: it references history, without ever looking stale and stuffy. There’s a respectful nod ...

The Art of Conducting Market Research for Profitable Property Development

Sep 14, 2023

Are you ready to unlock lucrative opportunities in the world of property development? It all starts with conducting comprehensive market research. In this article, we'll delve into the art of conducting market research and how it can help you identify profitable opportunities. Get ready to tap into the secrets of successful developers and position yourself ...

Basia’s Journey – Learning To Love Building

Sep 8, 2023

This week we sat down with incredible woman, mum and BuildHer Basia Pham. As her beautiful property is about to go under the hammer at auction, we dig into the vision, process and partnerships that brought her iconic, contemporary barn to life.Thank you so much for chatting to us during such a busy time, Basia! ...

Choosing Your Architect: A Practical Guide

Aug 24, 2023

This week on our podcast we discuss the role of the architect in our current projects and share some exciting updates - including some fantastic Joint Ventures! Each of these projects bring their own complexities and opportunities, and through collaboration with some incredible women across our BuildHer and DevelopHer communities, we’re able to take the outcome ...

The Art of Hospitality Design with Samantha Eades

Aug 17, 2023

In the bustling world of design and architecture, the realm of hospitality design stands as a captivating niche. It's a domain where spaces become storytellers, where every element - from the colour scheme to the texture of a chair, collaborates to tell an immersive tale. Join us as we delve into the world of visionary ...

The 5 Essential Steps to Profitable Property Development

Aug 10, 2023

Unlock the Secrets to Transforming Your Passion for Property into Lucrative Profits with Proven Strategies and Expert Guidance. Are you ready to embark on a profitable property development journey? It all starts with a clear and compelling vision. In this article, we'll dive into the importance of defining your profitable development vision and how it ...

Embrace the Journey: A Transformative Renovation Story

Aug 3, 2023

We are thrilled to share an inspiring renovation journey led by Georgina, one of our passionate and practical BuildHer members. With a background in finance and marketing, Georgina, along with her husband, has embraced the world of property development and design. Let's take a glimpse into the extraordinary transformation brought to life through her vision ...

Masterful Transformation: An Architect’s Journey from Edwardian Charm to Modern Luxury

Jul 28, 2023

Embark on an architectural odyssey as we delve into the remarkable transformation of an Edwardian home into a breathtaking modern marvel. Meet Louise, a talented architect, and devoted mother, whose vision and ingenuity turned her family abode into a functional and visually stunning haven. Guided by BuildHer's invaluable support, Louise's project showcases the perfect blend ...

Celebrating an Incredible Success: Recap of Our Joint Venture Event!

Jul 27, 2023

Hey there, BuildHer Collective community! We hope you're all as thrilled as we are after experiencing the magic of our recent Joint Venture event. It was truly an amazing success, and we couldn't be prouder to share the highlights with each and every one of you! **An Electrifying Atmosphere with 50 Women Joining!** Our Joint ...

Unveiling the Masterpiece: Jessica Chamberlain’s Luxurious DevelopHer Creation in Templestowe

Jul 27, 2023

Are you ready to be mesmerized by a true architectural marvel? Step into the world of Jessica Chamberlain, the brilliant mind behind Chamberlain Property, and discover the epitome of luxury and low-maintenance living. Nestled on the doorstep of Templestowe Village, this spectacular four-bedroom residence is a symphony of thoughtful design, outstanding craftsmanship, and warm open ...

The Building BluePrint: Your Renovation/Building Process from start to finish.

Jun 22, 2023

Now that you’ve found the perfect property, it’s time to start thinking about building your dream home. The process of constructing a house is an exciting adventure, but also one of the most complex and expensive undertakings you can embark on. Fortunately, by understanding the steps involved, you can make this process as smooth and ...

Introducing: Winter Cosy

Jun 15, 2023

As the colder months approach, there's nothing quite like the feeling of retreating to a cosy and inviting room. The team at Carlotta + Gee, a trusted supplier of home decor, understands the importance of creating a warm and settled atmosphere during winter. In this blog post, we'll share six expert tips from Gee, Co-Founder ...

7 Key Tips for Staging Building Work to Maximise Value When Moving into a New Home

Jun 8, 2023

And our List for our New Home in the Hills! Moving into a new home can be an exciting time, but it can also be a lot of work. One of the best ways to maximise the value of your new property is to stage any necessary building work strategically. By making the right renovations ...

THE FUTURE OF PROPERTY

May 25, 2023

Recap of the Jellis Craig Event The following are my take always from a great property event put on by Jellis Craig last Friday where they had 450 real-estate professionals come together to talk about the future of property. In Summary Melbourne is a great market to be in for some of the following reasons, ...

Georgia’s Journey: Transforming a House into a Dream Home

May 4, 2023

Meet Georgia Meet Georgia, a successful HR professional with a passion for project management and design. In 2019, Georgia purchased a property that had great potential, but needed a lot of work to bring it up to her standards. The property was in liveable condition, had beautiful period details, and enough space to increase the ...

5 Tips on How to Design Your Dream Home

May 4, 2023

Create Your Perfect Dream Home with These Fun and Easy Renovation Tips & Tricks from BuildHer Collective Are you tired of living in a home that doesn't quite fit your style or needs? Do you daydream about a space that is uniquely yours? If so, it's time to start planning your dream renovation! Whether you're ...

Using the Blended BuildHer Model in uncertain times!

Apr 27, 2023

Using the Blended BuildHer model, Caity and her husband Daniel set about building and extending their home in Surrey Hills, Victoria. The original home was a gorgeous Edwardian that needed a lot of work,and the renovation was brought forward when the bathroom floor rotted out and was no longer useable. Jumping into their build, Caitlin ...

Inside an architect’s beautifully renovated 1960’s Robin Boyd Home

Apr 21, 2023

The designer and owner of this renovation bought the original 1960’s Fler home in 2021 as a family home for their young, growing family. Their plans for the renovation changed throughout the time they lived in the home. As they fell more and more in love with the home their decision for a larger renovation ...

Top Tips for a Great Kitchen Design

Apr 6, 2023

Kitchens are the heart of the home, there’s no doubt about it! But, for such a much-used space, we sometimes forget to put the finer details into the design. Here are out top tips for nailing the perfect kitchen. 1. Layout Ever heard of the kitchen work triangle? The first, and most important, thing you ...

Design Trends: Making your living room SING!

Mar 30, 2023

Styling a living room is exciting and rewarding. However, jumping in with enthusiasm and without a clear plan can sometimes lead you down a stressful path. Just like we make plans for everything else in our lives, we too need a plan for creating a cosy living space. Hierarchy of objects all contribute to harmonise ...

Things I love, and will miss, from our forever home

Mar 22, 2023

What I'm going to miss about our forever home As moving date has come and passed it has given me a moment to reflect on the beauty that we created at James St, a home that we loved, was uniquely ours and that we didn’t really intend to sell – until we did. So, I ...

Thought about running an AirBnb? Learn how Tamara created two purpose built holiday homes in historic Beechworth

Dec 13, 2022

Tamara, who is a very talented member of our BuildHer team, has spent the better part of the last 2 years building these amazing his and hers holiday homes in the picturesque town of Beechworth in country Victoria. Here's her story of how this idea came to fruition, and the journey she took to create ...

Miss Morris

Dec 2, 2022

You will probably know who she is by now. Rachel Collard is a powerhouse of a woman, with 3 boys, her own business R&Co Design Studio, and she's been a busy little bee earlier this year getting her gorgeous Miss Morris ready for visitors. Rach is a bubbly and vivacious human, and Miss Morris is ...

A home with passive home principle and doesn’t need heating at all!

Nov 18, 2022

We are so pleased to share with you the journey of one of our amazing BuildHer Suzanne who build a home with passive home principle and doesn’t need heating at all! Even on the coolest of winter days! Sustainability! Sustainability is top of mind this week with our Sustainability Podcast Series which you can listen ...

Meet BuildHer Kathryn Eggington

Nov 11, 2022

Her story isn’t a straight forward one, that’s for sure, but it does end happily with a stunning home in Albert Park ready for a new owner! Purchased in November 2019, the plan was to get the build underway in mid 2020. The house had been renovated approximately 35 years previously adding vital space on ...

Building with a Volume Builder

Oct 20, 2022

Once upon a time we had a wonderful BuildHer, Shaya (this is a true story)! Sheya had a lovely but sad and tired home that she was looking to renovate and refurbish to suit her growing families needs. Sheya thought that renovating her existing home would be the best and most cost-effective process for her ...

Renovate for Profit with These 8 Steps

Oct 7, 2022

Renovating a fixer-upper and renovating it for a nice profit… that’s the dream, right? While a renovation project can be a great way to make money, it's not a get-rich-quick sell strategy. After all, each project is unique and has its considerations. And if you're thinking about giving renovating for profit a try, you need ...

What Is House Flipping? Costs & Considerations

Oct 4, 2022

Have you been dreaming about flippling houses after watching some of those TV shows? Do you think that it might be a fun way to make some money? Perhaps an opportunity to flex your creative skills too? This is great news! In this article, we will look to give an overview of house flipping and ...

4 Best Renovations to Increase Value Of Houses In Australia

Sep 29, 2022

When you decide to sell your property, you want to maximise its value. But what are the best renovations to increase value of houses in Australia? You must remember that not all home renovations are created equal. Some may offer a better return on investment than others, so it pays to do your research before ...

Avoid a Flop With These 15 House-Flipping Tips

Sep 21, 2022

Every investor knows that house-flipping or renovating for profit can be incredibly profitable. But, if you're not prepared, you could end up with a flop on your hands instead. Mishaps can happen, even to some experienced renovators. So, to help you avoid any costly or time-consuming missteps, look no further. Here are things you'll discover: ...

Flipping Houses in Australia and Tips to Doing It Right

Sep 16, 2022

It’s no secret that the property market in Australia has been continuously booming. In fact, it is one of the strongest markets in the world! And this trend has led to increased interest in flipping houses in Australia as people try to profit from this game. But before we discuss how you can earn an ...

What You Need to Know About Renovating to Sell

Sep 13, 2022

Have you considered renovating your home or investment property, and how much value you’ll get before selling it? You are not alone! Many homeowners renovate their homes before putting them on the market to get a better return on investment. However, there are a few considerations if you intend to renovate for sale. In this ...

Top 6 tips to engage a builder

Sep 9, 2022

So, you’ve got your property, have the plans ready but where do you go from here? One of the most important things when it comes to building is organization. Yes, things will come up and you will have to pivot from time to time, but if you are organized, things will run a lot smoother. ...

5 Lessons from Petra to renovate a home and create an amazing space for family living

Sep 2, 2022

Petra is one of our amazing DevelopHer’s and her and her partner are absolute Queens and Kings of the renovation for profit game! What they see that others don’t is potential! Potential not for the biggest most extravagant project, but for reusing the bones of a home and creating an incredible space that people will ...

From 70’s disaster to dream home – look at this amazing transformation by DevelopHer Taeler!

Aug 16, 2022

Renovations and transformations are so much fun and this one is a cracker! Before stood a dark and dingy 1970’s concrete block-work home, but after Taeler was finished, we have seen this transformed into an architecturally designed home which can adapted and change with a family over time. To do this, Taeler and her team ...

Ariane’s First Renovation Project

Aug 5, 2022

Ariane, one of our BuildHers, started her very first renovation project in 2019, where she created a calm and cohesive home that utilizes open plan living spaces and clean lines which are accentuated by breathtaking raked ceilings and a neutral colour palette. Nestled in a traditional wooden exterior, this renovation saw old meets new with ...

What to do when your ideas don’t fit the ‘cookie cutter’

Jul 22, 2022

Here we have the multi-talented BuildHer, Justine Gaitz. She's a copywriter (she wrote her blog), artist, and creative director of Terren, which you will learn about later. Not only that, she's a mum and lives next door to her parents! Read how she started down one path on her building journey, then ended up on ...

Devaki’s Renovation Journey

Jul 8, 2022

All images by @dylanjamesphoto/ Devaki, one of BuildHer’s DevelopHers, started her renovation journey in 2015 which saw a fierce passion for design and interiors grow. What started out as a small scale renovation to make the home fresher, more functional and liveable with a tiny scope of which included moving a couple of walls and ...

Make sure you don’t overcapitalise on your build or renovation!

Jul 7, 2022

No one wants to overcapitalise on a build. Building is expensive, yes, we know it is! Especially when those dollars paying for the renovation are hard earnt and have taken years to save. It can be really hard to know what direction to go in, do you hire an architect or draftsperson or perhaps go ...

11 Insights to buying the right site to renovate for profit!

Jun 29, 2022

There are many considerations that you will need to take into account when assessing if a potential site is good for development or renovation for profit. Here are our 11 Insights to point you in the right direction. At BuildHer Collective we understand that there is no one way to develop, build or renovate a ...

Rathmines South House Is On the Market, But How Did We Do It?

Nov 25, 2021

That is the Million Dollar Question! The beautiful Rathmines South House is on the market! And the BuildHer8 are as proud as punch! We have been overwhelmed by ladies in our community asking us if we are doing any more JV’s as they want to learn more and see behind the scenes. This is amazing, ...

Laundry Design Ideas

Nov 11, 2021

All photography by Dylan James Photography featuring Samsung Smart AI washing machine and dryer Table of Contents The Laundry – Our BuildHer top tips! What are the must-haves? What can you save on in the laundry? What should you splurge on in the laundry? The ideal depth of benchtops How wide should you do your new laundry? What to ...

A Dream Home Is Within Your Reach

Nov 4, 2021

Four Big Questions to be Answered You’ve heard us say it – Building and renovating is fun but there is another side to the story. It can also be overwhelming because there are SO many decisions to make. When we are dreaming about designing & building our dream home, we often struggle to visualise the ...

Jan’s Home Tour

Oct 21, 2021

Welcome to Jan's home! This is Jan’s home tour – she’s all the way in Canberra so we can’t see her, but we can celebrate her and her beautiful home. Join us to check it out… Who lives here? Jan, her husband Nick, and 2 little kids who are 4 and 2 live here. They ...

Natural V Reconstituted Stone

Oct 15, 2021

What is the difference and what is better? Like with basically all answers we give, its about finding the right product for your application. Nether is better or worse than the other, but there are different consideration for to each of the products. As you will see below we love and use both in our ...

Meet Jacqui!

Oct 7, 2021

We are so exited to introduce you to the lovely Jacqui! A student in our DevelopHers Masterclass, we met Jacqui last year at our Weekend Intensive and we are so proud of her big life changes so far. We sat down and had a chat with Jacqui about her past and what is in her future – ...

Hot House / Cold House – Our top five things you need to know from your installer

Oct 1, 2021

Heating and Cooling, what's to know? When you think about building a new home or renovating/extending one do you instantly think about your heating and cooling solution? Um, no! Image via Pinterest – source unknown Well, us ladies over here at BuildHer Collective are here to tell you that maybe you should – ok well, ...

An example of colour used perfectly!

Sep 22, 2021

All Photography by Glenn @glennhester Colour Flow with Lauren Egan Lauren Egan is an interior decorator and stylist and consults with Haymes Paint to help people choose colour, so it was no surprise that her home was filled with the most magnificent shades. What is a little surprising to some would be how many different colours that have ...

To Pool or Not to Pool?

Sep 16, 2021

To Pool or not to Pool, that is a common question! Frequently we get asked do I need a pool? Or will I get my money back? Or do I need a pool if I am selling for x price? These questions are all great, but there are no hard and fast rules, you need ...

Joni – It’s a family affair and all cards are on the table!

Sep 9, 2021

All property images taken by SpacecraftLandscape design by Bespoke Landscapes Thinking of packing your family up and moving interstate? Joni and Alex have recently started their new life in Queensland, with a newborn baby and a 2 year old! As a dynamic duo, Joni is a lawyer her husband (Alex) is a builder, she was always thinking about ...

Why yes, I do want to make a profit from my reno!

Sep 2, 2021

Developing is a fun and amazing way of life. FACT. Well, that is what we at BuildHer Collective believe! Being able to make a home that someone will love and cherish is an amazing gift, but also so much fun! The truth is that we hear from so many women who want this lifestyle too. ...

16 Questions to ask an architect before jumping into bed

Aug 20, 2021

Does the thought of having a conversation with an Architect or Designer scare you a bit? That’s ok! We hear from loads of ladies that they are a bit nervous speaking with Architects or Designers – especially if they themselves feel as though they are NOT so creative. The truth is, if you are hiring any professional ...

Follow your instincts

Aug 12, 2021

All photography taken by Dylan James @dylanjamesphoto Follow you instincts This is the home of our DevelophHer and BuildHer Kirsty Ristevski and her family. Kirsty is a passionate boutique residential Property Developer. She shows us that sometimes in life (and Developing), you just need to follow your instincts. Kirsty and her partner, Alex, purchased the property in 2017 as a potential ...

How long does it take to renovate a house, what’s the process?

Aug 5, 2021

The Process When you are looking at how long it takes to renovate a house, there are a few things you need to consider! In this topic we will talk about the various stages which affect how long it takes to renovate a house. The biggest thing you can do to reduce the amount of ...

Colour me Happy with Haymes Paint

Aug 1, 2021

Do you need a bit more colour in your life? With much of us back in lockdown, the lovely Australian paint company Haymes Paint, that we love and use for all our projects have just released a new colour library! “When we spoke to Wendy she said Fuzzy is the best colour ever and there ...

How’s Your Relationship Going?

Jul 29, 2021

Build a strong relationship with your team No, we don’t mean your home life – we mean with your builder! We need to build a strong relationship with our team as a foundation from the start. This relationship will help with trust and delivering a project with relatively low levels of stress. In a family ...

A Perfect Extension!

Jul 22, 2021

HOW TO GET IT RIGHT Justine and husband Nick had been planning their renovation for years! They love their tree lined street, love their home and knew the house had a little something more to give and they wanted to get it right. They got some plans drawn up by a local architectural designer and ...

Is Living in a Happy Healthy Home in your future?

Jul 15, 2021

living in a healthy HOME We are passionate about creating and building not just beautiful homes but spaces that are functional and healthy for whoever is living in it and the environment. Living in a healthy home environment is so important. More than ever now, when we strategise to combat Climate Change and the choices ...

Dreams do come true!

Jul 8, 2021

Creating a Low-tox beautiful and functional home with BuildHer Rachel Harris Let’s meet our BuidHer Rachel. She focused on creating a “low tox” home and now we welcome you to join us and take a tour with us. We love this beauty! She – yes, she is a SHE and is full of depth, classic design, love ...

Selling off the Plan V Going to Auction

Jul 1, 2021

Do i sell off the plan, or go to auction? That is the question Did you know The BuildHer8 project AKA Rathmines is almost at lock up stage. What an accomplishment, right?!!! Even with all the COVID lockdowns and availability of stock, Beirin Projects have kept on schedule and surpassed our expectations. By now you know that we use ...

Owner Builder or Blended Builder

Jun 24, 2021

buildher and photographer jodie johnson shares her story We almost want to let the images speak for themselves when it comes to Jodie’s home… but we also feel that we would like to celebrate her wins on so many levels. One of the big (sometimes costly) decisions from the start is, to be an owner ...

Money for Jam

Jun 17, 2021

Make money off your house! Did you know that you can make money off your home, pre or post build, without having to lift a finger? When we talked to Jo & Bella from Photoloco, they described to us the process of renting your house out for photoshoots as “money for jam”. ...

Rebeka’s Story

Jun 10, 2021

having the right support is key to achieving your dreams Unrealistic expectations are normal, but honestly the view from the outside is so different from the feels from the inside. Not always but frequently! I thought I would try to explain the what and why of what we do and how I became a DevelopHer. But, ...

The Best Tools, Tricks and Tips for Managing your Build

Jun 2, 2021

If you are working with a builder or trades, then you’ll want to know the best tools tricks and tips we at BuildHer Collective have for managing your Build. Depending on what your building pathway will look like, we have some tips just for you. They will help you avoid wondering where you stand, what’s ...

Allie’s BuildHer Story

May 27, 2021

A story of optimism, designing your outcome and building a ‘dream team’! Whether to knock down and rebuild or renovate is so often a question that we ponder and struggle to find the best answer to. When we are looking at creating our home it is tricky as there are no clear answers, no definitive ...

The Right Fit For You – Ultimate Guide to Hiring a Builder

May 20, 2021

before hiring a builder, understand these 8 things: Firstly, let’s acknowledge how important it is to hire the right fit for you in terms of a builder. They need to match your expectations, be able to deliver your home, and for most people, they will be building a home that they will live in for a long ...

INSULATION – MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE!

May 20, 2021

How's your insulation? Said just about no one ever! Building a new home is a gift and as such we all have a responsibility to do our bit for the environment, but the thing is, insulation is just a bit confusing. How your home performs thermally will affect you every single day, so insulation is ...

The Blended BuildHer Model – A Collaborative Approach to Building Pays Off!

May 13, 2021

Welcome to another blog about one of our BuildHers, Celina. A collaborate approach to building really paid off for her. We thought is would be a good idea to dive in a little deeper about the blended BuildHer model that she adopted! Photography by Ben Hosking USING HISTORY TO CREATE THE FUTURE Implementing the blended BuildHer ...

Site jargons… and how a site walkthrough can help you learn the lingo!

Apr 28, 2021

Ever heard of a Rebate, Conduit, Noggin, Stud, Racking forces or Bracing? Ever felt like the construction industry has their own language? You are not alone! It can feel hugely overwhelming when building or renovating simply because of the terminology or jargon used through the build process when communicating with designers, builders, and trades. Conversations ...

Joint Venture Insights – Let’s Explore!

Apr 14, 2021

Thinking about Joint Venturing on a Property Project? Joint ventures can be a great way to undertake property development projects, particularly if you don’t have the funds, time, know-how (or confidence) by yourself. BuildHer8’s Rathmines Project, which is building at full steam, has drawn a lot of interest from our DevelopHer community in JVs. For ...

Yolanda’s Renovation Journey is Finally Finished!

Mar 26, 2021

Building houses to bring people together All images supplied by Spacecraft DevelopHer Yolanda’s Northcote oasis is a sight to behold. She certainly doesn’t shy away from a challenge, even when it is as far removed from her day job as possible! Both career driven individuals, Yolanda Aarons and her partner work by day in senior roles ...

Renovation Marathon – Does This Sound Like You Too?

Mar 18, 2021

Have you heard already, I am on a renovation marathon – are you? KRIBASHINI'S STORY... In 2017, you can see I was into the blues! All photos taken by Dylan James If you are like me, you are renovating in stages and doing it as you can fund it. It is fun to have a ...

A big HELLO from the BuildHer8!

Feb 18, 2021

BuildHer8 conducted their last fortnightly B8-Summit on site. Fierce. It’s 2021. We’ve just cruised through lockdown-3.0 and the Rathmines project by the BuildHer8 has well and truly kicked off with a bang! It’s all happening. So exciting! Especially because we have a promo code to share! Read on to find out. Anyway, I got to thinking… you may ...

Rathmines – The Best of 2020

Dec 18, 2020

WHAT A YEAR! What an extraordinary year 2020 has been. Nup, nothing ordinary about this one. As we swap “wrap-up” meetings and for physical wrapping up (of presents), I thought it’d be fab to reflect on our #buildhermoments for the BuildHer8 Rathmines Project throughout this year. As you’re reading this, I hope that it inspires ...

Karen Roebuck’s Richmond Development

Nov 27, 2020

1 HOUSE AND 5 APARTMENTS... DONE! Running Melbourne-based domestic building company Kadabra Group with her business partner, Karen has recently put this Heritage redevelopment on the market in Richmond, Victoria. Having seen the potential in the site early on, Karen created an impressive family home in the sought after inner suburb of Richmond. In the roles of ...

Out of the Woods with Anita!

Nov 20, 2020

A RENOVATION & EXTENSION IN ROBERT ST, BENTLEIGH For Anita, one of our Master BuildHers, property was a passion shared with her father in her youth that carried through to adulthood. With a cosmetic renovation under her belt, plus the project management and interior styling of a Phillip Island holiday house, Anita gained confidence in ...

THIS IS HOW A DEVELOPHER ADDS “WOW” TO A TWO BEDROOM RENO!

Nov 11, 2020

LISA'S BACK STORY - HOW SHE GOT STARTED It’s not every day that you see a two-bedroom unit transformed to deliver a genuine WOW factor – yet that is exactly what Lisa Kefford has achieved with her recently completed Carnergie apartment; a high-end apartment intently focused on breaking the dollar value in the local market. ...

How a Kitchen Guru Can Save Your Sanity

Oct 29, 2020

THE FORM-FUNCTION-BUDGET TRILEMMA The importance of well-designed joinery in a home cannot be understated. At no other point of a renovation is the tensional trilemma between form, function and budget more obvious than in the kitchen. The dizzying number of options, and thus decisions, all packed into the one space. Materials, finishes, profiles, handles, open ...

A BuildHer Building Tale with Sarah Wood

Oct 15, 2020

SARAH'S TONAL NORTHCOTE HOME Build Like a BuildHer, Masterclass student and Colour Consultant Sarah of Sarah Wood Designs (find her on Facebook HERE) was always destined to be a creator. Growing up with a builder for a father, the family were constantly purchasing new blocks in the neighbourhood, building new houses, moving, and repeating. But it was ...

Why Your Agent Should Be Your Ultimate Ally

Sep 29, 2020

A CHAT WITH SAM RIGOPOULOS As the Melbourne curfews are lifted, so are our collective spirits! Hooray for that!Unsurprisingly, the BuildHer8 team and many of our BuildHer Members are always keeping a close eye on the property market. And amongst the restrictions being eased earlier this week are property inspections! Buyers and renters in Melbourne are ...

Want to Know How to Paint Brickwork?

Sep 25, 2020

WELL YES - YES YOU DO! How to paint brickwork – that’s what we’re talking about! You may have seen the recent stories on our Instagram account of John, myself and ALL of the children painting. As over 700 hundred of you wanted to know more about how to paint brickwork, I thought I had ...

My Life – Past, Present and Future, with BuildHer Style Guru Rachel

Sep 17, 2020

You may or may not be aware of our lady of many hats, Rachel Collard. Actually everyone here at BuildHer Collective wears many hats (that’s called working in a small business), however Rachel’s many hats come from the many roles and skills she has here with us. Feeling “excited” about turning 40, we asked Rachel ...

Setting Up For Success, with Ohnmar Ruault

Sep 10, 2020

DEMOLITION TIME! As we all take a collective sigh here in Melbourne, the team at BuildHer8 continues to buckle down using this time to plan, plan, plan – and ensure we are setting up for success on site! When life gives you lemons… You know what Ivy says? Make gin and tonic!!! With all the ...

Tips for Renovating Your Bathroom

Sep 4, 2020

KRIBASHINI'S (AKA RORY'S) BATHROOM RENO STORY! Are you thinking about renovating your bathroom, but not sure about what happens when? If you though “yeah I am”, then we’ve got you covered! Today, we’re giving you our tips for renovating your bathroom! A little more than a year ago we were thinking about renovating our bathroom. After ...

133 Things to Think About Before you Build or Renovate!

Aug 20, 2020

YOUR QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE… Building can be really daunting because there are so so many things to think about! Where to start!?! We know that you need to get this right the first time you build. To help you do that, we’ve put together a list to help you get started. This is by no ...

Creating an Interior Concept, with Alison Lewis Interiors

Aug 19, 2020

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE NORTH HOUSE! In spite of the multitude of challenges presented by this second lockdown, the highly motivated BuildHer8 ladies have been ramping up the momentum at the Rathmines Project. We have now almost completed our ‘take off’, and the tender process has officially commenced with leading trades and contractors! What’s more, ...

FRIENDS OF BUILDHER – ABI INTERIORS

Aug 12, 2020

ABI AND THE JAMES STREET PROJECT Online shopping is on the rise, especially if you are in Melbourne. Sadly for the retail sector, amongst others, we are in a Stage 4 lockdown. Whilst I shop local for gifts and small things, when it comes to building products and renovations I really appreciate being able to ...

An Insight into Buying Art – What, Where and How?

Jul 31, 2020

BUILDHER EMILY MACALPINE FROM MARG.STUDIO EXPLAINS Today we have a real treat! One of our incredibly talented BuildHers, Emily MacAlphine, an interior designer and art advocate from MARG.Studio has written a guest blog post on how to choose, buy, frame and hang artwork! MARG.Studio is a Melbourne based interior design studio specialising in designing for a long ...

Up Close & Personal with Ben Callery Architects

Jul 23, 2020

THE TEAM BEHIND BUILDHER8'S RATHMINES PROJECT We all know that there are many different types of residential architects. Their purview can range from modest homes to an entire city, involving design, develop, present, and management all sorts of projects. Choosing the right one will go a long way in helping you achieve your desired outcome. ...

A BuildHer Building Tale with Alison Lewis

Jul 10, 2020

LET'S TAKE A DEEPER DIVE INTO HER KEW RENOVATION Like many of us, Alison has worn a number of hats, collecting experience in a range of complimentary roles that led her to the hard hat she wears now. Harnessing the analytical side of her brain for her early career years working in cybersecurity and finance, ...

PROJECT CO-LAB WITH THE BUILDHER8 (RATHMINES PROJECT)

Jun 5, 2020

INTRODUCING THE BUILDHER8 In an exciting leap, BuildHer Collective’s next development is a completely unique model, a Community Collaboration Project with the BuildHer8. Born from a desire to help women build, we’re using our next project to demonstrate a new market model for funding property developments and growing wealth, together. Property development doesn’t have to mean moving back ...

A BuildHer Building Tale with Ivy Huang

Feb 7, 2020

Ivy Huang and her partner Adrian were on the hunt for a family home. Finding the Melbourne property market within their budget overall disappointing, Ivy changed strategy, and was won over by a really old 1910 Edwardian weatherboard cottage with great bones, huge bedrooms and 3.5m ceilings. Set on a quiet Armadale cul-de-sac minutes from ...

BuildHer Moments of 2019

Dec 13, 2019

BuildHer moments of 2019 2019 has come and gone! And it’s been such a huge year for us at BuildHer Collective. We just wanted to take a minute to share a few of our highlights – most of which involve ALL OUR LOVELY MEMBERS. From finished dream homes, to auctions and developments … family and ...

ALL OF THE LIGHTS!

Dec 6, 2019

‘Without light, colour does not exist…’ This is a statement I have never forgotten since my studies at Design School. It reminds us just how important lighting is not only in design but in life in general. Some lucky BuildHers were fortunate enough to visit One Mani House earlier in the year which was a ...

Styling Bone Inlay with Mahlia Interiors

Nov 21, 2019

You may have noticed that we had a few pieces of bone inlay featured in the Bayview house. This was the first BuildHer house that we’ve styled with inlay, but we wanted to add a new texture to the mix, and we love the way that these pieces make a statement. Inlay creates a point ...

It’s a long weekend for some… DIY here we come!

Nov 1, 2019

Welcome to The Little Three Cafe! For some, there is no long weekend. They will be at work slogging it out. For others, they will enjoy the spoils of a long weekend and spend it away with family or friends, perhaps at a winery or the beach (if this beautiful weather holds out!). Let's face ...

The Sunken Lounge – The Comeback

Oct 25, 2019

Stop. Right. There. I know exactly what you are thinking! Your mind has gone straight to the 60s or 70s, velvets, shag rugs and the colour of the era- orange (and brown!)!!! Robinson Beach House by Cera Stribley Architects | Photography by Emily Bartlett But let me tell you, the sunken lounge of today is ...

Three steps to creating the ULTIMATE moodboard

Sep 26, 2019

Creating a moodboard is a great visual tool to collect your thoughts, reflect your vision for a space or even just see how materials interact with each other. You don't have to be a professional to put together a moodboard, you just have to give it a go. Stunning Materials board by Studio David Thulstrup ...

DOT + POP AND THE ALBERT PARK PROJECT

Sep 12, 2019

Curator Eve Gunson describes Dot + Pop as "an online destination for all things design, home and renovation" and heck yes it sure is! Focusing on interiors; architecture and design; renovations and the Australian lifestyle, it is clear to see how Dot + Pop, once an avenue to share inspiration behind personal projects ...

#bayviewphotocomp Let’s do this!

Sep 12, 2019

So after much debate (within my own mind of course- I tell ya, the Gemini in me was going berserk!), I've finally selected the gorgeous Master Bedroom at Bayview House as my favourite room! Why? As mentioned, this room gives me all the good feels. It is the perfect fusion of classic and contemporary and ...

Up Close and Personal with Globewest

Sep 6, 2019

Earlier this week I was lucky enough to get invited to and attend the GlobeWest Collections 2020 release. And oh was it fabulous! Believing in choice and a diverse range of products to fit within every home's unique blueprint, it is clear that our trusted supplier and friends at GlobeWest have paid careful attention to ...

How Interior Designers Collaborate with Draftspeople and Building Designers

Aug 30, 2019

It is well known that there are many different types of designers available when considering building a home. They range from those who design products to those who engineer skyscrapers! Considering which designers could help you achieve your aims in residential building is a useful exercise. When consulting with an Interior Designer, Draftsperson or Building ...

10 Kitchen Do’s and Dont’s

Aug 23, 2019

The Kitchen is the heart of the Home! SO cliché right? But most of us, when designing a house, will overlook this space or leave it to last because we find it too overwhelming. I am here to give you some tips to make the process easier and get the best out of your kitchen ...

11 Budget Bathroom Brainwaves

Aug 16, 2019

1. Build a bath seat Depending on how old your kids are you may end up spending A LOT of time sitting on or next to the bath edge! Believe us you will be thanking us for this idea later. By adding a seat sized ledge which really doesn’t cost any extra if you have ...

One Mani House – Using Space Smartly and Making People Smile

Aug 9, 2019

We were lucky enough to get a sneak peak into ONE MANI HOUSE Fitzroy North, as a special BuildHer Members Only event and boy was it divine! Mani Architecture are behind this four bedroom home featuring a plunge pool and a plethora of space saving solutions which took 12 months to design and 14 months ...

Do we really need a designer or can we design ourselves?

Jun 15, 2019

Whilst I have always advocated for using designers where required (Architects, Interior Designers, Building Designers and Draftsmen) I am also an advocate for research and well, nailing your design yourself. So, do we have to be ‘designers’ to create a designer space? The simple answer, well, no. If you can put time and effort into your design, ...

BuildHer Student Story – UPDATE Clarke Street

Nov 15, 2018

Can you believe that two months has gone by since the first project update? And what a hectic two months it has been. Progress on paper, progress on site, two kids birthday’s and one European sojourn later and I am ready for a sleep in this weekend! I guess nothing inspires progress like paying rent ...

The Outlook of this 1940s Home Just Got a Lot Brighter…

Oct 30, 2018

Designed by Baker Drofenik Architects Photography @hilarybradfordphotography One of the greatest improvements you can make to a house is to introduce more natural light. Light makes a home feel larger, more welcoming and fills those who live in it with life and energy. In the search for more space filled with natural light, Baker Drofenik ...

Friends of BuildHer… Harbro Furniture

Oct 24, 2018

When we needed a custom sofa to fit the space perfectly at our Alpha House perfectly, we called on Bryce and his team at Harbro Furniture knowing they could do the job… and do the job they did! Not only once… but twice! The custom designed sofa sits perfectly in our Alpha House Living Space ...

A Modern Take on the Traditional Fibro Beach Shack

Oct 2, 2018

Designed by Bourne Blue Architecture “Blueys Beach is a popular holiday destination, on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, Australia. The original houses in this coastal village are simple fibro or weatherboard structures. They are weather-beaten and basic, yet they generally offer a relaxing beach holiday experience. Unfortunately, when properties change hands, original ...

A BuildHer Collective Student Story… Alison Lewis

Sep 26, 2018

Meet Alison, another of our Masterclass Students. Alison is currently onto her second project and is owner building the process. A challenge for sure, but one she feels she can handle with the team from BuildHer by her side every step of the way. Here’s her story: "My name’s Alison and I’m an interior designer ...

Friends of BHC… Plyroom

Sep 19, 2018

Their ethos is simplicity, their furniture is beautiful. I recently had the pleasure of visiting the Plyroom showroom and sat down for a chat with the lovely Elise, Founder of Plyroom. Elise’s heritage is Italian. Her Mum was born there and migrated to Australia when she was 10. In 2012, Elise and her husband decided ...

A Renovation Which Resulted in Less, Not More. But Who’s Complaining?

Sep 5, 2018

Set in an existing 1950s bungalow in Castlecrag this is an addition with a grand total of zero extra square metres. Castlecrag is a suburb originally designed by the infamous architect/husband and wife team Walter Burley and Marion Mahony Griffin to blend into the environment; a suburb set in bushland. In contrast, “developer-driven suburban sprawl throughout ...

Friends of BuildHer… Sarah Kelk – Artist

Aug 29, 2018

Sarah Kelk is a Melbourne based painter whose work is expressive, colourful and abstract. Energised blocks of colour are central to her work, and although traces of structure appear, references to decorative arts, patterns, architecture and nature are visible in a less ordered energy. Her approach is fluid and intuitive, exploring bold structure without abandoning ...

Aug 15, 2018

This is Yolanda. Yolanda is part of our BuildHer Masterclass where we teach you to build and renovate just like us! Yolanda and her family have recently started their reno project and are currently knee deep in demolition (and loving it!) Since so many of you are either planning builds or renovations, halfway through, or ...

Hawthorn House Embraces the Challenge of Renovating a Terrace

Aug 8, 2018

Designed by Chan Architecture Renovating and extending a typical Victorian terrace always poses a unique set of challenges. The blocks are often long and narrow, with a symmetrical arrangement of period-style bedrooms at the front of the house divided by a central corridor, leading out to a small lean-to structure that was typically constructed in the ...

Could You Live at Home While Your Extension is Being Built?

Jul 27, 2018

DESIGNED BY MODSCAPE A gaping hole in the wall. Builders constantly banging away. All. Of. The. Dust. Deciding to live at home while your renovation is being built is a living nightmare. And borderline insane. It can also cost you. Builders prefer to have full access and control over the site, so they'll often add a ...

Stuck on Whether to Renovate or Demolish and Start Over?

May 4, 2018

Designed by TONIC Design How do you decide whether to renovate or demolish and start again? In need of a new master bedroom suite, better living spaces with a connection to the outdoors and separate children’s spaces, the owners of Garden View House in Moorooka, Brisbane faced this problem. But, with the help of TONIC Design, they were ...

A Small Addition Creates a Home Greater Than the Sum of Its Parts

Apr 29, 2018

Designed by MRTN Architects Light and dark, east and west, new and old, Dark Light House's new living pavilion contrasts without simply doing the opposite. When a humble, but beloved beach-house becomes a full-time family home, it becomes necessary for a little more living space. MRTN Architects'modest addition transforms and reorients the home, respecting the ...

A New Rear Living Area Creates a Better Connection to the Outdoors

Apr 21, 2018

Designed by McManus Lew Architects We love to get out and enjoy the backyard, but too often our homes are disconnected from our outdoor spaces. Saturn II shows you what you can do... Creating a great connection from living spaces to the backyard can offer you a whole other room of outdoor space. Even a ...

1970s Apartment Update for a Professional Couple and Their Bulldog

Apr 14, 2018

Designed by Studio Benicio This young professional couple and their adorable bulldog were lucky enough to snag an apartment in a great location (Sydney's stunning Northern Beaches). The only problem was, after being built in the 1970s, the apartment had barely been updated, leaving it feeling tired and out-dated. The couple came to Studio Benicio ...

Hold the Wrecking Ball! When Demo, Then Reno Is Not the Solution

Apr 7, 2018

Designed by Jos Tan Architects Oftentimes, the tiniest of renovations can have the biggest impact. Weighing (measuring?) in at 35 square metres of renovated space and mere metres of additional floor area, Coronet by Jos Tan Architects is undeniably small. The owner of Coronet, a keen cook, wanted an entertainer's kitchen and dining area big ...

A Tight Site and Heritage Controls; Dealing With All the Constraints

Mar 24, 2018

Designed by Dan Webster Architecture Styled by Larritt-Evans, Built by Made Form, Photographed by Eve Wilson Have you ever noticed a small tree which has burst through layers of concrete only to emerge in the middle of a median strip with several lanes of traffic either side? The tree's struggle, against all odds, makes for ...

Architects Use Renovation as an Opportunity to Chase the Sun

Mar 17, 2018

Designed by Davidov Partners Architects Chase the sun. Not just my favourite song of the early 2000s, but also a rallying call to all home builders and renovators, and exactly what Davidov Partners Architects have done in the reno of this Caufield North Californian Bungalow. Maybe they're Planet Funk fans too? Derived from a destination ...

THAT House Defies Its Neighbours In Every (Good) Way Possible

Mar 9, 2018

Designed by Austin Maynard Architects The site of THAT House neighboured by huge houses. Austin Maynard Architects were asked to provide the family with ‘just the right amount of space’… By creating large openings and generous connections to the garden the architects aimed to make this modest-sized home feel abundant and broad. The result is a home ...

High House Reno Takes Light, Functionality and Space to New Heights

Mar 3, 2018

Designed by Dan Gayfer Design Living close to the city certainly has its advantages - good public transport, the buzz of the inner-city and easy access to all the coolest bars and restaurants. The downside - especially in older terrace houses - is the cramped and dark living conditions. High House is in Melbourne’s trendy ...

A Wash of White Unifies Old and New

Feb 23, 2018

Designed by Kennedy Nolan Architects Westgarth House Sitting on a corner site in a quiet, leafy street, Westgarth House would not be out-of-place in a sleepy country town. The original timber Edwardian home faces the narrow street frontage while a much wider, north-facing boundary faces a generous grass nature strip. Kennedy Nolan Architects transformed the ...

Narrow Terrace Hides Several Space-defying Surprises

Feb 17, 2018

Designed by Pandolfini Architects In spite of the voracious redevelopment that's happened in Port Melbourne over the last 20 or so years, the original cottages and terraces are stamped with strict heritage and building controls. The design of this Port Melbourne home had to show sensitivity to these rules while aiming to create a family ...

Some Simple Modifications Transform This Unrenovated Family Home

Feb 10, 2018

Designed by Winwood Mckenzie Architecture Simple ideas = huge impact. Winwood Mckenzie Architecture transformed this post-war cream brick house into a light-filled and functional family home by maintaining and refreshing the majority of rooms, while making a few key investments... The architects were asked to "transform the unrenovated house into a contemporary light filled residence and reorient the ...

How Can You Fit a Family of Six in 140 Square Metres?

Dec 23, 2017

Designed by buck&simple As our houses get bigger (they’re already the biggest in the world), and our families get smaller, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to imagine how you could fit a family of six in a three bedroom home. We’ve become accustomed to all that space. But is it really necessary? Buck&simple show us it’s not with ...

A New Living Pod Creates a Central Courtyard at This Brunswick Home

Dec 16, 2017

Designed by ArchiBlox A prefabricated extension in Brunswick by ArchiBlox is set well away from the original house to create a central courtyard which all living areas wrap around... The new addition contains a lounge, dining area, kitchen and study nook. A generous pantry and seperate laundry is also provided behind the kitchen. By creating an open-plan living space in the addition, the original ...

An Elegant Black Timber Extension Compliments a 19th Century Home

Dec 11, 2017

Designed by Ola Architecture Studio An elegant and restrained timber addition provides the perfect modern living space for a family of five (plus two energetic dogs). The home, in Melbourne's Northcote was a dilapidated 19th Century home with a warren of back-room additions. OLA Studio's solution removes the ineffective addition and replaces it with a double storey open-plan addition in brooding black ...

A Quirky Renovation Beautifully Reinterprets this 1930s Bungalow

Dec 1, 2017

Designed by Tribe Studio If you've got it, flaunt it. This modest, but well-constructed 1930s bungalow in Sydney certainly had its charms - complete with whimsical herringbone brick gables, a glorious brick sunburst over the door and a touch of Tudor detailing. By accentuating her assets, Tribe Studio made-over House Au Yeung with a series of decorative flourishes... While the brick bungalow ...

The Newest House on the Street Looks Like It Could Be the Oldest

Nov 24, 2017

Designed by Austin Maynard Architects Strolling down the back streets of Richmond gives you a different perspective of the hip inner-city suburb. Tightly-packed terraces turn their backs on bluestone laneways, the relics of an era of thunderboxes and nightmen. But the laneways of Melbourne are changing. People are finding new uses for these forgotten spaces. Brickface by Austin Maynard Architects is an example ...

Creative Entrepreneur Builds Home to Balance Design and Affordability

Nov 18, 2017

Designed by Hip V. Hype With land prices skyrocketing and housing affordability a distant memory, inner suburbs are becoming denser by the day. Unfortunately, this density often comes at the expense of quality of life, with pokey apartments and bare minimum balconies now the norm for inner-city living. Liam Wallis of Hip V. Hype set out ...

A Series of Airy Spaces Cascade Down the Natural Slope of This Block

Nov 10, 2017

Designed by Julie Firkin Architects Taking advantage of a sloping site (not something you get everyday in Melbourne), Julie Firkin Architects have created a series of bright, airy spaces which cascade down the slope towards a generous North-facing courtyard in inner-city Fitzroy... The new upper storey is clad in zinc and cantilevers dramatically over the rear courtyard, shading ...

Old Meets New – Creating a Northcote Family Home

Oct 20, 2017

62 Barry St, Northcote Built in the early 1900s, this inner northern city block was in need of a transformation. Hatch Design + Construction could see its potential and have brought the Victorian home back to life by creating a striking frontage and a contemporary rear extension. The heritage façade has been beautifully restored, presenting ...

In a Neighbourhood of Workers’ Cottages, There’s One Dark Horse

Aug 29, 2017

Designed by Architecture Architecture In a neighbourhood of workers' cottages, there is one Dark Horse. With a stepped parapet, centred window, side door and an entrance awning, this home may, at first glance, seem like its much older neighbours. But this home is different - sleeker, more contemporary... As soon as you step inside, the ...

A Modern Wooden Box Extension Complements a Century Old Weatherboard

Aug 14, 2017

Designed by Moloney Architects If you take an elegant, century-old home in the regional Victorian town of Ballarat and add a modern, wooden box, what do you get? A delightful, light-filled, modern home, that's what. Mick and Jules Moloney, co-founders of Moloney Architects created this delight for themselves, with their architecture studio in the front two rooms of the Victorian-era ...

Tiles, the make or break of your bathroom

Jul 29, 2017

Tiles can be daunting as they are a permanent fixture in the house and its not like you can change them on a whim. Bathrooms are now becoming show pieces of the house, they are luxurious and one of the most functional spaces of the house. When it comes to tiles you have a few ...

Voids, Voids, Voids: Add drama to your renovation

Jul 22, 2017

The main feature of this house was a stunning two storey voids on top of the living room. It added drama and light to a south facing back yard which could have felt otherwise cold and dark. (In fact prior to the renovation dark and smokey was what the tini-tiny living room was all about.) ...

Modern Barn Outside, Minimal Studio and Gallery Space Inside

Jul 22, 2017

Review By Lunchbox Architect I'm a sucker for a good studio and this minimal, refined studio in the small Victorian town of Blackwood is a particularly nice one. Designed by Adam Kane Architects. The new garage and studio are seperate structures in matching materials clustered around a central courtyard to create a sense of community on the expansive ...