WALLS, DOORS,

WINDOWS & CEILINGS

MODU L E T H RE E : PDF FOU R

1 2 3 4 5 6
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WALLS, DOORS,
WINDOWS & CEILINGS
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It’s true that clever interior design and decorating

can disguise and distract from a crappy floorplan
Before
and dingy rooms. But if you’re wanting to create
a room that makes you FEEL WONDERFUL (which
you should always be aiming for), you need to get
some structural elements of your reno right first.

The elements I’m referring to are: your floorplans

and your natural light.

By Bonnie You’ve already learnt about both of these things

in Module 1, Topic 3 ‘Fabulous Floorplans’ … but I
really want to reiterate their importance here. The
right layout, coupled with a good amount of natural
light will set you up for a much more enjoyable
interior design journey. #bestblankcanvasever

Your walls, doors, windows and ceilings are the

bones of a room and can all be used to create light.
After
They form the foundation for how a space feels.
If you miss the mark here, no number of rugs and
karate-chopped cushions will right that wrong.
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WALLS
Flooring is my first decision, and walls are my White on White But if in doubt, white paint is a winner … and it’s not just me that thinks that!

second. It’s kinda like building a movie set

by Dulux (cool white)

“
before bringing in all the props and actors.
When talking walls, I think there are three main
things to consider: colour, texture and trims.

COLOUR is the biggest decision you’ll need to

make when it comes to your walls and I like to
ask myself some of these questions:
• What mood do I want to create? How do I
want to feel when I’m in this space?
I don’t generally like feature walls or any coloured walls, so I’m
Lexicon Half a big believer in all white walls. White walls make a home feel
by Dulux (cool white)
larger, lighter and cleaner and make it much easier to decorate.
Once you introduce feature walls, it can throw off the whole

“
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•
Which colours are coming through on my
vision board and Pinterest board?
Vivid White aesthetic of a room, while white will always work.
• What’s the overall colour I want the room to by Dulux (cool white)
be and is there a feature wall I could create
with a pop of colour or deeper shade?
– ZACH MILNE, CREATIVE DIRECTOR AT THE MODE COLLECTIVE.
• Would I like to create a pattern using wallpaper
for a statement wall?

• What furniture or linen do I think I’m going to

Parchment Paper
use in this space and how will that work with by Dulux (if you’re looking
the wall colour? This one’s tricky cos it forces
you to think ahead to the styling stage of a
for something other than white)
Tip: YOU ABSOLUTELY MUST TEST YOUR COLOURS ON THE WALLS
YOU PLAN TO PAINT! IT’S NON-NEGOTIABLE. AND MAKE
renovation. But if you’ve got some rocking
THE SWATCHES BIG! #GOLARGE! THOSE OF US WHO ARE
Pinterest boards this shouldn’t be as difficult
IMPATIENT MIGHT BE TEMPTED TO CHOOSE A COLOUR BEFORE
as it sounds.

I constantly consult my vision board, Pinterest

Beige Mystery THE PAINT HAS EVEN DRIED BUT DON’T. LET IT DRY, GIVE IT
AT LEAST 2 COATS AND THEN LOOK AT YOUR SAMPLES AT
boards and the Dulux Colour Trends for inspo by Dulux (l used this in the
DIFFERENT TIMES OF THE DAY, IN SUNLIGHT AND IN SHADE.
when making colour choices. We’ve already master suite of the River Shack)
covered off colour in the previous topic but for
walls specifically, here are some of my favourite
colours:
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TEXTURE

TEXTURE is usually associated with blankets, carpet and soft furnishings but you can also
bring texture into a room with your choice of wall materials too – your walls don’t all have to be
plasterboard #abitboring. Here’s how we’ve used textured finishes in our renos. Perhaps one or
two of these will give you some ideas:

PAINTED BRICKS IN
WHITE bring a completely
VERTICAL CLADDING (Scyon Axon) deconstructed, fresh
feeling to Lana’s home
was used to make a feature of the picture
window
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RENDER WITH ROUNDED EDGES

reflects the organic rendered forms
you see everywhere in Greece. This
idea came from Lana’s vision board.

Exposed original brick and timber features are other good ways to add texture to walls. Whatever
method you choose, the crucial thing to keep in mind is how the textured wall (or walls) will fit with
HORIZONTAL CLADDING (Scyon Stria) the rest of the room and the house as a whole. Do you want that wall to be a focal point of the
was painted dark to make a statement in the room or just a subtle feature? Are you going to paint it? What type of wall hanging or artwork will
front entrance and link that part of the house work with that textured finish?
to the modern box extension out the back.
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TRIMS

TRIMS are often overlooked, which is such a shame because they can make the world of difference
to a room. By ‘trims’ I mean skirting boards (which sit at the base of your walls) and the architraves
(which are the frames around your windows and door openings). If you’re not on your toes when
it comes to all the little details, you’ll end up with the standard trims your builder has chosen for
you. So, first and foremost I just want you to know that you have a choice. Once you’re clear about
that and assuming you do want to choose your own, you need to research different types of ‘skirts
and arcs’ (tradie lingo). A friendly word of warning: there are thousands of options available and
choosing between them can be totally overwhelming, so here’s how we do it.
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cornice

1.
Research online what type of trims are
traditionally used in the style of house
you’re trying to create. Refer back to your
vision board if needed. This will give you a
starting point by helping you understand
4.
When the time comes to paint your skirting
and architraves, a semi-gloss is usually the
best finish for that type of woodwork.

architrave which profiles will work well in your style

of home. Tip: TO REDUCE THE COST
OF SKIRTING AND

2. We then jump onto the site of our specialist

timber mouldings supplier, Intrim. Even
ARCHITRAVES, ASK IF
YOU CAN GET A THINNER
VERSION OF A PROFILE
if you don’t plan to buy from Intrim, their
website is a great place to research YOU LIKE. FOR EXAMPLE,
different profile types and work out what 6MM THICKNESS IS
you want. MUCH CHEAPER THAN

skirting
3.
30MM THICKNESS, BUT
Lana chose her skirts and arcs online, THE END RESULT CAN
whereas I prefer to eyeball them in person. LOOK VERY SIMILAR.
I took a trip out to the Intrim showroom and BOTH LANS AND I TOOK
it was soooo good to see all the options in THIS APPROACH IN OUR
the flesh. With the help of their team (shout FOREVER HOMES.
out to Rohan and Harvey!), I was able to
make my final decisions on the spot.
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DOORS & WINDOWS 1. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS DOOR?

DOES IT PR OVIDE ACCESS TO TH E BACK DECK? IF SO, I WANT AS W IDE A N O P E N I N G AS
POSSIBLE. W ILL IT BE MY FR ONT DOOR ? IN TH AT CASE IT SH OULD MAKE A STAT E ME N T A N D
Doors and windows have a HUGE impact on the interior of your home but I’m afraid to say they’re
ALSO LOOK AND FEEL SOLID AND SECUR E. IF IT’S GOING TO BE AN ACCE S S DO O R TO T HE
often an afterthought for many renovators who get distracted by more glamorous decisions
SIDE OF TH E H OUSE FR OM TH E LAUNDRY, TH EN I’LL GO FOR SOMETH IN G P RAC T I CA L T HAT
involving their kitchens, flooring and furniture. But long after those items have fallen out of fashion, ALSO LETS SOME LIGH T INTO TH E R OOM.
your windows and doors will endure. They’ll still be there. So, think of them like a Chanel ‘Little
Black Jacket’. They’re a major investment that will last a lifetime. I guarantee if you don’t invest time
in this area you’ll end up kicking yourself later when you realise your doors aren’t right and the
breeze you’re supposed to be feeling inside can’t make it into your house thanks to your poorly
chosen window placement. Have I got your attention now? Great, let’s do this!
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2. HOW OFTEN AM I GOING TO USE THIS DOOR?

IF I’M USING IT ALL THE TIME, HOW EASY IS IT TO OPEN AND CLOSE? FOR EXAMPLE, BI-FOLD
DOORS CAN BE A BIT FIDDLY SO YOU MIGHT OPT FOR SLIDING STACKERS IF YOU CAN’T BE
BOTHERED WITH BI-FOLDS. IF IT’S A DOOR I’LL ONLY BE USING EVERY NOW AND THEN, I
MIGH T MAKE A BUDGET CALL AND SPEND MOR E MONEY ON MY FR ONT DO O R I N ST E A D.

DOORS
When it comes to choosing doors you
need to consider their style AND purpose.
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3. WHO IS GOING TO USE THIS DOOR?
CAN IT BE OPENED EASILY BY THE KIDS SO THEY’RE NOT ASKING ME TO DO IT FOR THEM EVERY
5 SECONDS? DO I WANT THE KIDS TO BE ABLE TO OPEN THAT DOOR ON THEIR OWN?
IF IT’S A BATHROOM DOOR WITH A LOCK, CAN THAT LOCK BE POPPED OPEN EASILY FROM
THE OTHER SIDE? I DON’T WANT TO MESS AROUND WITH LOCKS AND HINGES EVERY TIME AN
UNDER-FIVE ACCIDENTALLY LOCKS THEMSELF IN THE BATHROOM (THIS HAPPENS MORE THAN
YOU MIGHT THINK!).
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4.WILL THIS DOOR BE LEFT OPEN A LOT OF THE TIME?
IF YES, PERHAPS CONSIDER BI-FOLDS OR STACKERS, OR ASK YOUR BUILDER TO FIX HOOKS TO
THE BACK OF THE DOORS WHEN THEY ARE FITTED SO YOU CAN SECURE THEM.
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5. DO I WANT TO SEE THROUGH THE DOOR?
BEDROOM DOORS ARE OFTEN USED FOR PRIVACY AND ROOM DARKENING SO A TRANSPARENT
DOOR IS USUALLY NOT IDEAL. BUT YOU MIGHT WANT SOME NATURAL LIGHT COMING THROUGH
OTHER DOORS IN THE HOUSE. THIS IS A GREAT OPTION FOR LAUNDRIES AND FOR SOME FRONT
DOORS. IF YOU LIKE THIS IDEA, THEN FROSTED GLASS MIGHT BE THE RIGHT OPTION FOR YOU.
IN LANA’S HOME, SHE WANTED TO LET LIGHT IN BUT DIDN’T WANT A GLASS FRONT DOOR.
INSTEAD SHE CHOSE A MASSIVE SOLID TIMBER FRONT DOOR TO CREATE THAT MEDITERRANEAN
LOOK, BUT SHE ADDED A SKYLIGHT ABOVE THE ENTRANCE FOR NATURAL LIGHT.
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6. WHAT STYLE OF DOOR DO I WANT? 8. WHAT CAN I AFFORD?

AS W ITH EV ERY TH I N G EL S E, R EF E R BAC K TO YO UR VISIO N BOARD AND PINT E RE ST BOAR DS DECIDE WHICH DOORS IN YOUR HOME WILL BE ‘PRIORITY DOORS’ THAT YOU WILL SPEND A BIT
TO SE E I F TH ER E I S A N Y TH I N G S PE C IAL ABO UT T HE D E SIG N O F T HE D O O RS T HAT YOU’VE MORE ON. PLAN TO SAVE MONEY ON THE DOORS THAT WON’T BE SEEN OR USED AS FREQUENTLY.
P INNE D. I S TH ER E A N Y TH I N G A B O UT T HE M YO U’ D L IKE TO RE PL ICAT E IN YO UR HOME? IT
COULD B E TH EI R PA N EL S , S H A P E, T HE T YPE O F HAND L E O R C O LO UR.
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7. DO I WANT A SOLID OR HOLLOW CORE DOOR?

T HINK A BO U T YO U R N EED S A N D YO UR BUD G E T. HO L LOW D O O RS ARE RE AL LY AFFOR DABLE
AT AR O U N D $ 5 0 EAC H . TH EY LOO K G RE AT BUT WIL L FE E L L IG HT-WE IG HT AND WIL L ALLOW
SOUND A N D H EAT TO TR A N S F ER T HRO UG H M O RE E ASILY T HAN SO L ID D O O RS. HAVI NG SAID
T HAT, L A N S A N D I C H O S E TH EM T HRO UG HO UT T HE INSID E O F O UR HO M E S AND W E’VE
Tip:
INCLUD ED TH EM O N O U R TH R EE BIRD S’ TO P 3 L IST O N T HE NE XT PAG E . YOU CAN SAVE SOME
SERIOUS COIN BY
OPTING FOR THESE
FRENCH DOORS FROM
BUNNINGS. WE PAINT
THEM WHITE AND
THEY ALWAYS LOOK A
MILLION BUCKS.
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THREE BIRDS’ TOP 3

1. FRENCH DOORS FROM BUNNINGS

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2. PANELLED INTERNAL DOORS FROM BUNNINGS

3. ENTRANCE DOORS FROM BUNNINGS

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DOOR FURNITURE
‘Door what’? ‘Door furniture’ is the fancy name
used to describe door handles and locks. Now I’m
guessing that door handles are pretty far down
your ‘wish list’ am I right? In fact, I’m willing to bet my Same Door - Different Vibe
door furniture budget that most of you don’t even
have door handles on your radar?

Well this little section serves as a reminder to

make sure you consider this detail just like you
need to every other detail we’re going to review
in this module. If you don’t tell your builder what
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door handles you want, you will arrive home one

day to find the decision has been made for you
#opportunitymissed. And trust me when I say you
want to have a big say in what door handles you
use as they can make a big difference to how a
door looks. Case in point, the Gainsborough front
door handle we used on our dusty pink door in
House 5.

And here’s another from the front door of

my cottage. I love these bronzed beauties.
You see? The power of the right door
handle.

You will need to choose a style of door furniture which ties in with your overall vision. Dedicate some
quality time purely focused on that task.
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SLIDING windows have been around for
donkey’s years and we often find them in the
WINDOWS houses we renovate. They’re easy to use and
allow good airflow into a room.
SASHLESS windows are the naked version
of double hung windows. There’s no frame
to obstruct the view but be prepared to pay a
premium for that.

Run through the door questions again, but this time with your windows in mind. Then CASEMENT windows are the ‘sideways sister’ of
go through the summary of window types below to help you work out which windows awning windows. They’re hinged at the side and
open out sideways. They allow for greater airflow
will best suit your reno.
as they are open from top to bottom.
LOUVRE windows are perfect when you want
to control airflow with ease. The window consists
of individual glass slats, which open a bit like
plantation shutters to let in lots of air. And, unlike
casement or awning windows, it doesn’t matter

Types of Windows which way the wind is blowing – you’ll always get
a breeze into your home with louvres.

BI-FOLD windows aren’t cheap but they are a

popular choice when opening up a wide space and
they are great if you want to connect that space with
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an alfresco area like I did in my home.

DOUBLE HUNG windows are one of the most

popular styles of windows around, and are found
in lots of original and new homes. These guys
can be opened at the top and bottom allowing
cool air to enter through the gap at the bottom
FIXED windows are an economical choice when you don’t need and warmer air to escape through the gap at
airflow but are after natural light and perhaps a view. We love boxing the top. Lana chose to keep her original double
them out and creating a picture window with built-in bench seating. hung windows when she did her reno, and even
though she installed a fixed pane window next
to them they still looked fine – in fact doing that
AWNING windows are very common – you’ve
made a nice feature of the double hung windows.
probably got some in your home. They look like
a fixed pane of glass but are hinged at the top
and crank open at the bottom. As their name
suggests they create an awning when open so
they can still provide great ventilation even in wet
weather. They’re also a good option for windows
located higher up in a house as they can be
smaller in size. Lana chose this style of window in
her master suite along with “Hush” glass to help
reduce noise from the street. Awning windows
close airtight so are a smart choice when noise
control and energy efficiency are important.
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GAS STRUT windows are the bees knees so I
saved the best for last! When we were renovating
our first house (AKA the Hoarder’s House) Lana
was ringing around to see who had the cheapest
bi-fold windows. Then, boom! Garry, from
Decorative Building Products suggested we try a
gas-strut window instead. He told us it would be
cheaper than bi-folds and that was all we needed
to hear to place an order. And holy moly we’ve
never looked back! In case you haven’t already
worked it out from the picture, here’s why a gas-
strut window is so great:
WALLS, DOORS, WINDOWS & CEILINGS — 23
ALUMINIUM OR TIMBER is another key decision you’ll have to make for your windows and doors.
Personally, I love the look of timber and how it makes me feel but sometimes you might not have a
choice. Depending on the BAL (Bushfire Attack Level) rating of your house, you might not be allowed
to have timber framework. This was the case in my home where I had to use aluminium along the
back of my house, which is BAL 40 rated. At the front of my house, I used timber. So, I have both types
of window frames in my house and it’s very hard to spot the difference. Aluminium windows are also
cheaper to buy, install and maintain, and they now come in loads of sleek designs with great powder-
coated finishes.
Tip: WINDOWS AND
DOORS CAN COST
A BOMB SO DON’T
GO OTT CRAZY ON
BUYING NEW ONES
IF YOU’VE GOT
Before EXISTING ONES
THAT ARE STILL IN
REASONABLE NICK.
LANA RE-USED
SEVERAL WINDOWS
AND BI-FOLD DOORS
IN HER RENO,
SAVING HER TENS
OF THOUSANDS OF
DOLLARS.
1. It offers an unobstructed view when closed
versus bi-folds, which have framework around
After
each little window.
2. T he ease of opening and closing. You literally
nudge the window and it opens up like it’s
motorised. But watch out because if you make
the window too tall, you might need a stool (or
a tall friend) to help you close it.
REMINDER:
Flyscreens! Don’t forget them! Depending on where you live and your BAL rating you may or may
3. It’s such a space saver compared to bi-folds, not need these on every single window and door. Living in Sydney, I know that Ez, Lana and I don’t
which stack up to one side and take up
have flyscreens on our bifold doors or gas-strut windows, but if you’re up in Queensland, you’ll want to
valuable servery and seating space.
get them retro-fitted. As for all of your other windows, talk to your window company about flyscreens
4. When open, it acts as an awning and provides as some designs and handle options don’t work with them. It’s also worth getting some quotes from
cover from rain.
flyscreen specialist companies as they may prove cheaper than having your window company make
5. Umm, it just looks hot! them for you.
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GLASS IS NOT GLASS!

Ok gang, this is where I get really excited to hopefully teach you something you didn’t know about
glass. Not that long ago, I thought ‘glass was glass’ #seethrough #clear #cleanedwithwindex.
Needless to say, my understanding was pretty basic. Boy how wrong was I!? I never knew there
are different types of glass you can put in your windows and doors to make your home more
comfortable. You’ll remember at the beginning of this module I said the key driver to a winning
interior design is how your home FEELS. Well the glass you choose (or don’t choose) is going to
play a big role here. So listen up!

HERE’S WHAT I NEVER KNEW:

• Ordinary 3mm or 4mm glass doesn’t do much more
than provide a clear surface for you to look through.
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It offers little insulation and leaks energy, leaving your

home feeling hot in summer and cold in winter.

•
Viridian’s SmartGlass, will improve insulation over
ordinary glass by around a third and can be fit into
existing window frames.
Ideally you would put performance glass in every part of your house. But if you’re budget can’t
•
Viridian’s LightBridge is double-glazed and will do
stretch that far, prioritise just a few places in your home that could really benefit from some special
an even better job of offering max insulation. In fact,
treatment.
it’s basically a see-through wall – that’s how well it
insulates. This type of performance glass is really only HERE ARE SOME QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU PRIORITISE:
an option in new windows though because it will need
• Where are the main living spaces in your home? E.g. if your family’s main living space is north
a strong frame to hold it.
facing, it will be exposed to direct sunlight so you may need to consider a glass that reduces UV
• Viridian’s ComfortHush glass cuts noise levels by up exposure and harsh glare
to 34 per cent compared to ordinary glass. Now just to
• Where are the bedrooms located? If they are at the front of the house near a busy road then
clarify, it doesn’t soundproof a room, but Lana tells me
noise may be an issue, in which case acoustic performance glass is helpful.
it’s definitely helped her cope with the bus driving past
her master suite at 11:30pm. • Do your kids play inside? If you’ve got a house filled with crazy kids playing indoor ice hockey
(like me #fourboys) you might want to get laminated glass in that space so it won’t smash into a
• ‘Solar control glass’ filters the light coming into your
thousand pieces.
home, reducing harmful UV rays while helping to keep
your floor and furniture from fading. I’ve used this for • What are the areas that your family use least? Rooms like the laundry or bathroom might be
my north-facing windows which receive all-day sun. spaces that can undergo window upgrades in the next round of renovations.

Now, if you’re thinking about putting these decisions off ‘til later, think again. You need to know
As you may have gathered, I like to use glass EVERYWHERE! I’m obsessed with natural light so
what glass you want EARLY so you can include it in your builder’s scope of work as it will affect his
of course I was going to put it in as many places as possible. To ensure we build comfortable
quote.
homes we go through the process of choosing and specifying the glass we want with our window
company, to ensure the right glass is included in the quotes.
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HERE’S A WHISTLESTOP TOUR OF 5 THINGS YOU SHOULD CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING WHICH WINDOW
COVERINGS ARE RIGHT FOR YOUR ROOM.

1. 3.
COLOUR: There’s a lot to consider when
choosing colour, texture and designs of blinds
and shades. Lighter colours will make a room
feel bigger and brighter while darker colours
can make a room feel smaller and more intimate.
Generally, we choose window coverings to match
the wall or architrave (bring on whimsy white) or
contrast it to make a design statement (like we
did in the River Shack)
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LIGHT CONTROL: Personally, I love waking

up to sunlight beaming on my face, but Erin and
Lana are the complete opposite and I suspect
most people prefer their bedrooms dark, to allow
for those Sunday sleep-ins. If that’s you, you
might want to consider ‘blockout’ blinds like the
ones Lana chose for Ruby’s room. There are also
‘room darkening’ materials, which are great for TV
rooms where glare can be a problem at certain
times of the day. Some blinds provide better
darkening than others, so if this is important to
you, talk to an expert to make sure you get the

WINDOW AND DOOR COVERINGS

right product for your needs.

I’ll be honest, I used to put glass and blinds in the same bucket – ‘the basic and boring’ bucket. It’s
true that I once had a poor opinion of both, but now I understand what a positive impact they can
2.
have on your home. PRIVACY: Think about this for all your rooms not
just bedrooms and bathrooms. Privacy creates a
When it comes to blinds I’ll admit I was traumatised by seeing those old aluminium venetians
sense of security and safety in your home. If your Remember that when your coverings are closed
everywhere as a child, their blades bent with a tangled cord that looked and felt like the knots in you’ll be able to see the colour of them from
room faces the street, the neighbour’s house or
my hair I’d been wrangling with for days. This was my view of window coverings until two years ago outside your house too. White is the most energy
a pathway where people walk, think about the
when Lana and I made a trip to our local Luxaflex showroom. O-M-G, were we blown away by how efficient choice because it reflects the sun but if
level of privacy you’ll want for both day time
far blinds have come! #lightyears. How had we missed this progression? Suffice to say, I now know and night time. I’ve told Lana that even though you have a dark-coloured façade, white might not
that window coverings are super important. They’re visually a major part of a room, and something she likes to walk around naked, her neighbours be the best look from the outside – in that case a
that you will interact with every day so you need to get them right. might not appreciate the view of her running up dark backing may be better.
that killer staircase in the buff.

2.
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4. 5.
ASPECT: This is less about looks and more about home comfort, which is key when talking interior 100% PURE AESTHETICS: There are those odd occasions where it’s all about looks, and functionality
design. Lana still raves about her ‘home comfort’ choices (insulation, air con, glass type, window doesn’t get a look in. Case in point, the curtains in Lana’s void, which are more wall art than window
coverings etc.). She says they’re the elements she enjoys most in her Forever Home. So, channeling covering. #whimsy #divine #wallart
my inner-Lana, here is my guide to where certain products should be located in a home, assuming
you live in Australia or New Zealand. For our Northern Hemisphere students, you can just reverse the
advice below:

• North-facing rooms: During summer, the sun is MYTH BUSTER

high in the sky and you won’t have a significant
amount of direct sunlight touching your glass
throughout the hottest part of the day. This Most people think that
means you can pretty much use anything for every room has to have
these windows. Too easy! the same type of window
covering for a consistent
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• South-facing these rooms can be dark and look. No way, Jose! You can
cold in winter. Try brightening them up by create consistency through
reflecting as much light as possible into complementing products
the room. Luxaflex have a special range of with the same fabric and
blinds called Silhouette, which is designed to colour. This doesn’t mean
bounce the light up to the ceiling and brighten they all have to operate
the room. #genius the same way. Windows
• East or west-facing rooms: These on the south side will need
windows will get a lot of direct something different to the
sun all year round and in the windows on the west, and
middle of summer these rooms if you have a corner room
could get uncomfortably hot. you may choose different
Rather than overload your air window coverings and
con trying to keep them cool, the keep them consistent by
matching the fabric. Did you
best solution here is to combine
know Lana used 9 (yes, 9!)
an external awning (to keep the
different types of window
direct sunlight off the glass) with
coverings in her home?
a serious window covering on
Each one contributes to the
the inside. Lana chose the most
interior design of the home
heavy-duty, insulating blinds
as well as the comfort levels
around, Duette Architella, for her for her and her family … and
east-facing lounge and kitchen. their bird.
She also reckons these blinds are
awesome in winter at keeping the
heat in. From my perspective, I
just love how they look!
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CEILINGS
Ceilings may not have a reputation of being the most exciting element of a room, but geez they
can make a big difference. First, you need to nail the structure of your ceiling before you move
onto the more decorative elements.
HERE ARE SOME THINGS TO CONSIDER:
HEIGHT: The higher, the better I say. I mean,
really, what’s not to love about high ceilings? They
immediately make a room feel more expensive,
spacious and airy – there’s literally more air
moving around. Apparently, high ceilings are one
of the most coveted features by people looking to
buy a house. Maybe it’s because there’s research
that says high ceilings promote clearer thinking,
MODULE THREE - PDF FOUR
higher energy levels and overall happiness!
Say whaaat? No wonder I love them. The only
downside I’m aware of is that noise can bounce
around a bit more, but this can be managed by
adding some soft surfaces in the room to help
absorb excessive sound.
P.S. Standard ceiling height in Australia is 2.4m …
how high are yours?
PANELLED: If I were Maria in The Sound of
Music, I would definitely put panelled ceilings
on my list of ‘favourite things’! I love the texture
and they work with lots of different styles,
from relaxed boho to formal Hamptons. Lana
used HardieGroove on her ceilings whereas
I chose Scyon Axon to create that panelled
look.
VAULTED: Most ceilings are flat, but
they don’t have to be. You might
be able to create a vaulted ceiling,
which follows the angles of your roof
to create a ‘loft-style’ feel. And don’t
feel you need to make every room
the same. We often vault ceilings in
one or two rooms to make a feature
out of them.
RAFTERS: Exposing the roof rafters adds an
authentic touch, especially when combined
with a vaulted ceiling. If you can’t expose
your rafters for whatever reason, ask your
builder to create cosmetic ones, like Lana did
in her lounge room and kitchen. They’re just
pieces of timber stuck onto the ceiling but
they make a big impact visually.
COFFERED: We’ve never done a coffered
ceiling but only because we haven’t had the
right style of house for it (yet). Coffers are
sunken panels that make the ceiling a major
statement. It’s quite a formal look that really
suits lounge or dining rooms with a statement
chandelier suspended from the centre coffer.
POPCORN: ‘I really want a popcorn ceiling!’
said no-one since the 1980s! Not sure what
the hell I’m talking about? Google it and ...
just don’t do it.
Tip:
WALLS, DOORS, WINDOWS & CEILINGS — 31
DECORATIVE ELEMENTS: There are loads of
ways you can dress up your ceiling - the most
common way being with your cornice. Cornice
is the decorative piece of plaster which hides
the join between the wall and ceiling. There
are literally thousands of profiles to choose
from or if you want a minimalist look you can
have your ceiling ‘square set’ ie – no cornice.
If your vision board is directing you down a
federation-style house you might want to add
ceiling roses or ornate plasterwork. I love this
website to see what’s out there in the world
of ceiling decorations.
WE ALWAYS PAINT THE CORNICE USING OUR
DULUX CEILING WHITE WHICH WE TINT TO BE
THE SAME COLOUR AS THE WALLS.
32 — THE RENO SCHOOL WALLS, DOORS, WINDOWS & CEILINGS — 33

Which ceiling style are you?

Refer back to your vision board and Pinterest boards to see if you can find any common themes (or
things you like) about the ceilings in the pictures you’ve pinned. Search Pinterest again by typing
something like ‘ceilings in coastal homes’ or ‘Hamptons ceilings’ and see what comes up. Then look
back through the list we just covered to try and identify what you want.

WHERE AM I IN THE PROCESS

Step 4. You need to have a good idea of what you want your walls, doors, windows and ceilings
to be so you can specify them to your builder before you finalise your quotes.
MODULE THREE - PDF FOUR

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
SHARPEN CHOOSE RESEARCH SPECIFY RECEIVE RENOVATE STYLE
VISION COLOURS PRODUCTS TO BUILDER QUOTE YOUR HOME

TAKE YOUR WORK OUT CHOOSE YOUR INCLUDE YOUR LEARN COST OF START FILL YOUR
VISION BOARD YOUR WINNING FLOORING, PRODUCT YOUR CHOICES PLANNING YOUR SPACE WITH
INTO EVERY COLOUR WINDOWS, CHOICES IN AND ADJUST IF STYLING DURING FURNITURE,
ROOM PALETTE DOORS, LIGHTS BUILDER’S BRIEF NEEDED THE RENO CUSHIONS, ART,
PLANTS, BOOKS

FANS: When I was growing up, ceiling fans were 90%

practical, 10% pretty. Nowadays, I think they’re 90% practical POST-RENO
and 100% pretty – if you choose the right one. Have a think PRE-RENO STAGE
STAGE
about the room you’re designing and try to visualise what
it would look like with a fan. I find they can make a space
feel more relaxed, so they’re perfect for lounge rooms,
undercover alfresco areas and bedrooms. Again, turn to
Pinterest for some inspo. We always get asked where we
get these fans from and you can understand why – they’re
so much more than a fan – they’re a piece of art! (For the
record, they’re from Beacon Lighting. #rundontwalk)
34 — THE RENO SCHOOL WALLS, DOORS, WINDOWS & CEILINGS — 35

Let’s recap! What’s Next ?

Lovely Lighting
BY NOW YOU SHOULD HAVE... MODULE 3 - TOPIC 5
I think most people know how important good lighting is. But knowing

1.
something and executing it are two very different things. In this next topic
R O O M - B Y- R O O M V I S I O N B O A R D S F R O M T O P I C 1
I’ll share all of my tips for how to create a lovely lighting plan for your home.
MODULE THREE - PDF FOUR

#lettherebelight!

2. A N I D E A O F W H AT C O L O U R C O M B O S W I L L
WO R K FO R YO U F RO M TO P I C 2
Bonnie, Erin + Lana x
3.
C L A R I T Y O N H OW TO C H O O S E YO U R F LO O R I N G
FROM TOPIC 3

4. A N U N D E R S TA N D I N G O F H O W T O D E S I G N T H E
WA L L S A N D C E I L I N G S F R O M T O P I C 4

5. A L I G H T I N G P L A N F O R Y O U R R E N O VAT I O N F R O M
TOPIC 5

6. A L L T H E I N FO YO U N E E D O N H OW TO P I C K
F U R N I T U R E A N D S T Y L E A S PA C E F R O M TO P I C 6
MODULE ONE PDF TWO

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#THERENOSCHOOL

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