Proudly presented by our Experts Directory sponsors InStyle Ceramics. When I first set about creating a portfolio of local design talent, it was to ensure that the information I shared with those who followed Spreading Roomers didn’t just start and finish with me. I had gained considerable ‘inside knowledge’ yes, and to this day I research, research, research; however - the accessible conversation I am able to create is because I am surrounded by so many talented people in the design industry here in Perth, WA. They lead by example, and they continue to raise the bar in local architecture, bu ..read more

Case Study - Woodlands Project Feature - Merge Building Budget $155k pricing based from March 2021 (design and drafting not included). Works Completed June- September 2021. Merge Building was brought in as the builder for this project by Studio McQueen. All plans and selections were completed by the designer. BACKGROUND. The house is a modest family home built in the 60s and was in need of a facelift. The house has already been extended with a second living, bathroom, laundry and two bedrooms added to the rear; however, there was no real connection between the old and the renovation which wou ..read more

Let’s be honest, you don’t just buy a piece of furniture because you need it, you buy it because of the relationship between the artisan and the piece of furniture being created. We know this because mass-produced furniture doesn’t nearly come close to that experience. You have no real say in its form, it may not quite function quite as you’d like, and the materials were not of your choice - but you buy it as it will serve your needs in the immediate future and that’s ok. Buy buying a piece that you had a say in, whether that’s in materiality or dimension, that was conceived with an absolute ..read more

A Land Of Plenty is an immersive art experience by Australian still-life artist Sarah Abbott, hosted by The Eden Reserve in Brigadoon, WA. in association with The Eden Reserve THE ART. With a dozen or so pieces on display strategically adorning the walls of The Eden Reserve, Sarah Abbott will be creating an experience I am very familiar with. Having hosted my own an at-home in-situ event a few years ago alongside another prominent Perth artist, there really is no greater way to exhibit or appreciate the scale and proportion of a piece of art than when it’s hung on a wall in familiar surrounds ..read more

You may know that each year the Australian Institute of Architects’ roll out their annual awards programs designed to celebrate the innovation in architecture across our state chapters; yet I bet many of you were unaware that you had a say in these awards too? The annual WA Architecture Awards are not just an opportunity for peer voting, (which, a little like the Academy Awards, punters assume the small conservative clique will push out the heartwarming underdog); but rather they are also a chance for you to help ‘award’ a Perth architect too. The structure of the awards must have peer to peer ..read more

Slowly boiling away amongst the throes of typical consumerism and a 'now' approach to living, is a beautiful underbelly of the artisan skills of old, and a modern-day heirloom love of object. WA has steadily fallen in love again with the magic of handmade. It’s no longer enough to consciously purchase a piece that captures those old school feels, but the longing to learn, find focus, slow down and enjoy the process too has undergone a massive resurgence. From the mastery of slow craft, artistic creativity, sustainable skills and hobbyists turned teachers, I decided to pull together yet anothe ..read more

THE ODYSSEA BY OSWALD HOMES. Interior Design : Kestryn Chaloner | All Images : DMax Photography One of Perth’s most respected custom home builders, Oswald Homes, have recently opened their doors to ‘The Odyssea’, their new display home in the Perth costal suburb of City Beach. Designed as with a modern Scandi feel throughout, with a sweeping gable roof line channeling the abundant light, and detail upon detail of ‘pulse’ racing through the layout and textures across every space, this prominent beach-side abode was an absolute joy to tour! [ you can see the full ‘front to back’ here ]. I’m not ..read more

A few weeks ago, due to receiving regular messages of frustration from local mums and dads around the drop in communications between them and their preferred design industry ‘other’ I put together an IGTV to assist others who may be sharing those frustrations. It’s no exaggeration that right now is an unprecedented boom and alongside matters such as the housing grant which has seen an enormous uplift in some sectors ; others, less effected by the surplus are still being hit by global timber shortages and supply chain issues (hello Suez Canal) that all goes into the melting pot to create a bott ..read more

You may have noticed in the last few years, that accommodation has become utterly beautiful. From architect designed pods and cabins, to the elegantly styled and purposeful spaces within them, our getaways used to range from old pipeline bunks, and rubbish tip furniture all the way to luxury hotels and remote exclusivity. Now however; luxury has taken on a whole new meaning. It has changed and our translation of it looks and feels far simpler than it used to. Much like our yearning for McMansions and over the top trophy houses is on the serious wane [ and not before time ], we are drawn like ..read more

If you don’t know the difference how will you know who to hire for your project ? Google is laden with various examples but still, there’s a lot of noise with each tilting toward their individual expertise. The truth is, each has it’s place and it’s not just down to cost. But on that note; last year when we touched on the subject of fee’s on Design Banter - namely how much interior designers charge, we noticed a huge amount of traffic found the podcast both refreshing (for broaching the dreaded dollar subject) and frustrating (as we didn’t end up throwing out any real figures). FACT : That con ..read more