50. Managing stress, burn-out & relationships while building & renovating
Host and interior designer Tanya Neufeld Flanagan discusses the emotional challenges of home renovations, offering insights into managing stress, burnout, and relationships during the process. She shares her own personal experience renovating a Georgian protected structure as well as practical advice on navigating the stress and expectatons from the very beginning of your home journey through to snagging. Takeaways Understand that stress and disappointment start to build up from the buying process Expect cumulative "micro-frustrations" throughout the renovation, and energy will ebb and flow Do as much as you can when you're excited about the project as it will stand to you when you hit roadblocks or have to make a lot of decisions in quick succession Stand up for your role as client, but also know when to walk away/hire different people Divide tasks based on skillset within your family to manage workload effectively Adapt to the informal nature of the trades industry to avoid resentment Keep detailed records of instructions to avoid misunderstandings Be prepared for unexpected costs and have a contingency plan Use creative energy from others to overcome challenges Sound bites "Front-load decisions to avoid fatigue." "Adapt to the informal trades industry." "Keep detailed records of instructions." "Be prepared for unexpected costs." "Divide tasks based on skillset." Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction to Renovation Challenges 00:03:00 Managing Stress and Burnout 00:09:00 Planning and Design Insights 00:15:00 Navigating Unexpected Hurdles 00:21:00 Conclusion and Personal Reflections
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49. The impact of bespoke joinery with McNally Joinery
In this episode, Tanya Neufeld Flanagan interviews Grace McNally from McNally Joinery, discussing the importance of joinery in interior design and architecture. They explore the evolution of McNally Joinery, the services offered, the design process, and the benefits of bespoke joinery. Grace shares insights on material choices, the significance of specialization, and the collaboration with clients and other trades. The conversation highlights the value of investing in key joinery pieces and the unique aspects of timber compared to other materials. Grace also discusses exciting current projects and encourages listeners to reach out for bespoke joinery solutions. Takeaways Joinery is essential in transforming spaces. McNally Joinery has a rich history since 1978. Bespoke joinery offers unique solutions tailored to clients. Specialization in joinery leads to better quality and efficiency. Supply and installation options are flexible based on client needs. Sound bites "Specialization is key in joinery." "Bespoke means the sky's the limit." "Don't be ashamed to ask for a price." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Joinery and McNally Joinery 03:09 Specialization in External Joinery 07:40 Design Process and Client Collaboration 11:12 Combining Materials and Collaborating with Other Trades 12:12 Benefits of Bespoke Joinery 15:02 Investment in Key Joinery Pieces 16:21 Material Choices for Bespoke Joinery 18:57 Timber vs. Metal in Joinery 22:53 Weatherproofing and Structural Integrity 29:18 The Aesthetic and Emotional Value of Timber 30:54 Choosing the Right Materials for Durability 32:11 Understanding MDF vs. Solid Timber 33:59 Timber Selection for Internal Doors 36:16 The Role of Veneering in Joinery 41:03 Exciting Projects: A Unique Front Door 43:16 The Impact of Bespoke Joinery on Space 45:04 Managing Staircase Changes in Renovations 47:20 Getting Started with Your Joinery Project 50:08 Understanding Lead Times for Custom Work 53:31 The Importance of Budget Conversations
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48. Top 5 interior design misconceptions
In this mini episode of the Interiors Podcast amidst a choatic move, interior designer and host Tanya Neufeld Flanagan discusses the five biggest misconceptions about interior design. She emphasizes that interior design is not just a luxury for the wealthy, but a crucial aspect of improving quality of life and maximizing space. The conversation covers the importance of understanding the true nature of interior design, which goes beyond mere aesthetics to include functionality, budget considerations, and the need for a cohesive design strategy. Takeaways Interior design is a transformational tool for improving quality of life. It's not just a luxury; it's essential for maximizing space. Interior design involves optimizing layouts, not just choosing furnishings. Budgets for quality interior design can be significantly higher than expected. Interior design can save on construction costs by optimizing existing spaces. It's better to execute interior design projects all at once for efficiency. Interior designers help question and refine client assumptions about their needs. The bespoke nature of interior design contributes to its cost. Interior design overlaps with essential renovation finishes. A cohesive design strategy is crucial for successful interior projects. Â
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47. Georgian reno BTS: The kitchen design process
In this episode, host and interior designer Tanya Neufeld Flanagan shares her extensive journey of designing her kitchen, which has been three years in the making. She discusses the importance of functionality in kitchen design, the challenges faced during the process, and how design decisions were influenced by the architecture of her home. Tanya emphasizes the need for a kitchen that not only serves its purpose but also complements the overall aesthetic of the house. She provides insights into the workflow of the kitchen, the significance of the kitchen triangle, and the creative solutions she implemented to maximize space and storage. Takeaways The kitchen is often the most significant investment in a home Functionality should be prioritized over aesthetics in kitchen design Personal preferences play a crucial role in kitchen decisions Iterative design processes lead to better outcomes The kitchen triangle is essential for efficient workflow Storage solutions should be cleverly integrated into the design. A kitchen should be designed to blend with the architecture of the home. Consider the orientation of rooms when designing a kitchen. Using existing rooms creatively can eliminate the need for extensions. Timestamps 00:00 The Kitchen Design Journey 09:47 Creating a Functional Space 19:52 Final Design Considerations
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46. Elevating spaces with textiles ft. Chase Erwin CEO Lauren Stonnell
In this episode, Lauren Stonnell, CEO of Chase Erwin, discusses the luxury fabric industry, her journey from working in interiors in New Zealand to leading a prominent English fabric house, and the importance of quality materials in interior design.  She emphasizes the significance of understanding fabric performance, the trends in upholstery and drapery, and how layering fabrics can enhance the aesthetic appeal of a space.  Lauren also shares insights on working with interior designers, the shift towards sustainable choices, and the versatility of fabrics in creating personalized interiors.   Takeaways Chase Erwin is a luxury fabric house, founded 40 years ago Quality fabrics can last for decades, making them a sustainable choice Understanding fabric performance is crucial for interior design Layering fabrics adds depth and sophistication to spaces Trends are shifting towards multicolored yarns and warmer tones Direct-to-consumer offerings include curated cushion collections Investing in a designer can lead to a cohesive interior scheme Natural materials are essential for creating timeless designs The Chelsea Design Center is a key location for exploring luxury fabrics  Sound Bites "Sheers can soften modern spaces." "Fabrics can express your personality." "Invest in quality that lasts 20 years."  Chapters 00:00Introduction to Chase Erwin 03:18Lauren's Journey to CEO 05:16Understanding Luxury Fabrics 08:57The Importance of Material Selection 11:22Trends in Upholstery and Drapery 15:04Layering Fabrics for Aesthetic Appeal 19:44The Versatility of Fabric in Design 24:17Direct-to-Consumer Offerings 29:34Shifts in Consumer Preferences 33:14Working with Interior Designers 38:15Sustainable Investment in Fabrics 42:22Final Thoughts on Fabric and Design
An interior design show aimed to help you elevate your space in conversations with industry professionals and homeowners in Ireland. Hosted by Tanya Neufeld Flanagan, expat and interior designer based in Dublin, Ireland.
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