Inside Design

In today’s episode Jane reveals how the previous life she turned her back on became a powerful asset in design.  We learn what inspires the creative concept behind every project and how she stays true to her design values in a world filled with sameness.  In this fascinating journey Jane dives deep into childhood idols, the magic of story telling and how to truly lead on a design project.  Connect...

From humble beginnings tinkering with furniture in an old warehouse apartment in North Melbourne, Nick McDonald left his career in the construction industry to forge a new path in furniture design. Inspired by a love of Danish design and the craft of sustainable furniture making Nick gradually gathered a team of specialist craftsman around him to build the business Made By Morgen.  In this episode...

Interested in buying original art but not sure where to start?  Today I sit down with Miranda Brown, General Manger of Linton & Kay Art Galleries, to chat about where to start with your art collection, how to invest wisely, and how you can bring the magic of art into your home.  If you’ve ever wondered how to find, choose, hang or connect with an artwork you truly love, this episode is for you...

Making final selections on your furnishings is an exciting milestone. But placing furniture orders isn’t the end of the design process. It’s the start of a whole new stage: implementation. A dynamic, live phase that sees your dream interior furnishings come to fruition.  More than just ‘coordinating furniture deliveries’ implementation is an art and a specialist skill requiring strategy, negotiati...

Have you ever spent money on a rug, only to be disappointed when it doesn’t last? Today my guest Chris Hoyne from Temple Fine Rugs shares the secret to finding the right rug and how to invest your money wisely.  You’ll discover: - What fibres are the best fibres to choose for a rug that’s going look beautiful and perform for you over the long term - The truth about what rugs can be washed and what...

In this episode I’m sharing how I create a Furnishings Investment Plan for my clients, using a design-led approach.  What does a design-led approach mean? ✨ Understanding quality. Where to invest in the items that matter most, eg a custom sofa that lasts for years and your whole family loves ✨ Providing a ‘total investment picture’ of your furnishings before you go out and purchase anything  ✨...

Tempted by the thought of buying vintage but not sure where to start? If you love the idea of layering old and new in your interiors, you’re going to fall in love with my guest today on Inside Design.  Bronte Taton shares the story of how she founded and grew her business Cleo Collects - a gallery of antique furniture, objets and art sourced from around the world - into a destination for design lo...

If you’ve ever been tempted to click “buy now” on a piece of furniture you’ve only seen on screen - this conversation is for you.  Today I’m reflecting on the reality of buying furniture online and how easily a well-styled photo can elevate a piece beyond its true quality.  Understanding what you’re buying online, what it’s made of and how it’s produced sounds pretty simple…until you get it delive...

What started out as a personal journey to find beautiful lights for their forever home, turned into a love affair with lighting for Marie Botsis-Premici and her husband Gino Premici. While travelling in New York, they discovered their dream pendants in Montauk, at the tip of Long Island.  Before long, after identifying a need in the market and keen to share their passion for lighting with others,...

“I have a good eye - I can just do it myself.” I know. You have good taste already right? So do a lot of my clients. But having a “good eye” can only get you part of the way. The real challenge? Is implementation.  If you’ve ever been let down by a trade, told ‘too small’, ‘too busy’ or had furniture just dumped at your front door, you’ll know exactly what I mean.  Today on the podcast I’m sharing...

Today I’m sharing my incredible conversation with furniture maker and timber craftsman, Nathan Day of Nathan Day Design.  You’ll learn: How knocking on doors can lead to unexpected and new horizons  What craftsmanship really means Why not all timbers are created equal  What to look out for when purchasing a dining table How ‘supporting local’ isn’t just about location. It’s about connection Connec...

Today I’m sharing the top 4 strategies I use when furnishing your luxury apartment or new home that save you time, money and stress.  1. Be super-careful when viewing developer or real estate floor plans that show furniture - they’re indicative only and not drawn to scale.  2. Get the original construction drawings. This will help you get millimetre perfect on your room sizes and what can realisti...

“Buying once is the ultimate act of sustainability” The other day, as Ralff and I picked our way over the stuff people had hauled out for the council verge collection, it became clear. A lot of it should never have been bought in the first place.  As a designer, this ‘bulk waste collection day’ drives me. It drives me to do better and to work with you my clients to buy better.  Today I’m sharing t...

You’ve planned every detail of your build or reno…but have you thought about this? It’s the difference between a house that looks good and a home that feels right. And it’s something you might think you can put off until later.  I’m talking about furnishings. Waiting to “figure it out later” is the fastest way to end up with a home that falls flat and just doesn’t feel right. Understanding the pow...

Welcome back, it’s great to have you here. For the opening episode of Season 3, we’re starting with a personal story of Jane’s, something she’s never shared publicly, on a topic you might not expect to hear on a design podcast.  We’re talking - Intuition.  Jane shares how she used her intuition in an unexpected way and how that experience underpins the unique way she approaches her design work.  J...

5 Lessons from 10 Years in Business This September marks 10 years in business for Jane Ledger Interiors. Wow, that time has sure flown. I remember the day I arrived back in Perth from Sydney in 2014, newly minted interior designer, leaving behind a career of over 20 years in corporate management. I had no idea how I’d get clients or run a solo business.  Today I’m sharing what I’ve learned as a de...

Oh my gosh, I can’t believe I’m wrapping Season 2! In this last episode of the series I’m reflecting on my 10 years in business and the personal breakthroughs that have got me here: 1.  Celebrate your success 2.  Perfectionism is a handbrake 3.  Don’t be afraid to ask for help As I sign off today, yes we will be posting from Italy! Please feel free to follow along as Ralff and I get our dancing sh...

I heard a stat the other day that shocked me: 75-80% of designs never make it to construction. Wow. That’s a lot. Such a disheartening experience to go through. You’ve gone to the time, expense and energy of planning your build or reno, only to find when the costing comes back it’s beyond reach. Buildability is a real issue in our industry. Today’s guest Nathan Johns from Forest to Coast Homes is...

A listener asked me recently what I meant by the word ‘procurement’. Is that like trade savings? Or something you do? What are the benefits? In this episode you’ll discover: - What procurement means in my business - Where it comes in the design process - How it’s calculated - Why I’m transparent about it, and most of all…   - The money you save from it Join me as I chat through the dollars and sen...

It sounds logical doesn’t it? The less you spend upfront in the planning process the more you’ll have in your pocket to spend on your build. What we discover today is the opposite is true. Mark Hughes from Barefoot Renovations shares why spending more upfront on professional expertise in the planning phase of your project, saves you money down the track. It also means your project will run a lot s...

In today’s episode I’m chatting with award winning architect Simone Robeson from Robeson Architects.  You’ll discover what it’s really like to work with an architect, the process Simone follows, the value this brings to your project and how you’ll be charged professional fees. We also tackle some of those common myths about architects and find out - do they really only wear black? Connect with Sim...

I love so many words in our design language. I love words full stop!! Because with the visual spaces I’m creating I’m also imagining the words that go with it.  But today, I’m sharing 3 words I just can’t handle in design. Words that have wormed their way into our lingo. Things I hear when people talk about design, and when they’re talking to their designer.  Is this you? I’d love to know what you...

If you’re thinking of renovating in the next 12-24 months you won’t want to miss this! Today’s conversation with builder Colin Campbell from Camstruct Design & Build packs a punch with real and raw insights into what it takes to renovate in the current market. We cover: • Should you have a Fixed Price or Cost Plus contract? • What’s the difference between an Estimate and a Quote? • Range of bu...

Often I see homeowners working out a budget for their new build or reno project - with only one figure in mind. The Construction Cost. But what you pay your builder is only part of the equation.  You also need to factor in all the costs of getting your project off the ground, planned, approved and ready for construction. Council fees, consultant fees surveyors, engineers, just to name a few. And t...

In this episode Jane speaks candidly about the No. 1 mistake she sees homeowners make when tackling their design project: rushing in. Rushing in to site works and construction without spending enough time, energy and resources in the pre-construction phase. Planning your design. Tweaking the design. Settling in and really getting comfortable with it.  Jane opens your eyes to what really happens on...