Building With BuildHer

In this episode, we sit down with Shaun Palkhiwala from RMS Traders to talk about one of our favourite materials - natural stone! As someone who grew up in the family business, Shaun has a wealth of knowledge on the beauty and durability of natural stone, and he offers insightful tips on how to select the perfect stone for your next project, ensuring that you balance both aesthetics and practicali...

In this episode, Rebeka welcomes listeners back to the podcast for 2025 and introduces a new series of design chats she will regularly host with BuildHer Collective’s Head of Interiors, Rebecca Papas. Rebeka and Rebecca dive into what they believe are the fundamentals of interior design, focusing on understanding a client’s lifestyle to create a home that truly works for them. They dis...

We're excited to be joined by Nickolas Gurtler in today's episode - an award-winning Interior Designer who has fast become renowned for his bold and luxurious style.  Nickolas' journey didn’t start with blueprints and fabric swatches—it began in the fast-paced, visually rich world of merchandising, where every display told a story. He shares with us how those early days shaped his...

In this episode, Rebeka sits down with Fleur Watson and Anne-Laure Cavigneaux to chat about the incredible new book,  March Studio: Making Architecture, Material and Process. A collaboration between RMIT and Thames & Hudson, this monograph dives deep into March Studio's unique approach to design, from their early days crafting iconic Aesop interiors to their larger-scale public projects t...

In this chat, Rebeka sits down with Danielle, a talented friend and lighting designer from Lights, Lights, Lights and covers why getting a lighting designer involved early in your build or reno is such a game-changer. Think of it as weaving lighting seamlessly into your home's architecture—it's better than trying to squeeze it in at the last minute. They talk about the magic of a well-thought-out...

Evan Montero from DIY Blinds and Home Pro is no stranger to the BHC community and today he and Rebeka explore the art of designing and installing window furnishings, from selecting the perfect fabric or material, to planning architectural features that create a seamless, luxurious look. Evan shares why starting early with a design consultant is key to nailing both the aesthetic and practical eleme...

In this episode we are joined by Kerry Armstrong, a self-taught and widely celebrated Abstract Expressionist and artist – and the visionary behind the Studio Gallery Group! She opens up about her inspiring journey, from a high-stress notable corporate career and a life changing health-diagnosis of a brain tumour, through to finding her calling and becoming a thriving artist and gallery owner.   Sh...

This week we have interior designer Claire Larritt-Evans of Larritt-Evans join us for a chat! She shares her insights on what an interior designer really brings to a home project, from planning, designing, and carefully detailing the interiors of a house, whether it's working independently or teaming up with an architect. Claire points out the benefits of architects and interior designers collabor...

In this episode, Rebeka chats with Steph Bailey, one of our DevelopHers who's just completed and put her latest beautiful project, 'Fontayne', on the market! Having come from a background in digital and tech, Steph explains how being exposed to property and design from a young age through her parents sparked her interest to take the leap herself. They cover everything from her design choices to th...

In this episode, we're joined by Sarah Bryant from Bryant Alsop Architects who breaks down the process of hiring an architect and how important it is to find the right fit between you, your architect, and your builder. Sarah also gives us a peek into the range of services her firm offers, from design and documentation to contract administration and assisting with tenders, and walks us through the...

On this week's episode, we're joined by Cameron Gray, the National Product Training Manager at Kaboodle Kitchen! As many of you already know, Kaboodle Kitchen is a leading supplier affordable of retail kitchen products across Australia and New Zealand. Exclusively available at Bunnings, kaboodle supplies a high quality, wide range of cabinets, doors and panels, benchtops, hardware and accessories...

In this episode, Rebeka sits down with BuildHer Kate Hawkins to talk about her recent renovation project in Geelong, which she impressively finished in just six weeks! Having made a bold move to uplift their family's life from New South Wales, Kate opens up about how she found the property and the vision that guided the renovation. They dive into the satisfaction that comes from hands-on work, and...

In this episode, we welcome Kristen Jackson of Wealth House back to the podcast. Having recently completed a new project, Rebeka and Kristen talk about her innovative approach to property investment - Pre-sale Renovations. Kristen shares her experience of helping clients maximise their property value without needing a large upfront investment. They explore the importance of doing your own market r...

Welcoming Glen Chamberlain of Chamberlain Architects on the podcast this week!  We cover all things architecture, but specifically, the difference hiring a full-service architect can make and the value of design integrity.  Having appointed Glen and his team for our Clarke Street JV, we have had the pleasure of this experience first-hand and share what we personally found the benefits to be and wh...

Joining us on the podcast this week is Karin Bochnik of KB-ID, specialising in Interior Direction. She explains how Interior Direction differs from styling and how she helps developers, homeowners, and architects create visually appealing spaces that target specific buyers and showcase their work in its best light - typically a dreamy setting! She touches on how this role has shifted over the year...

In this episode we welcome Climate Scientist and DevelopHer, Dr Heather Stevens! Heather takes us into how climate change is shaping property investment and development, with a focus on fire and flood risks. She points out how crucial it is to factor in these risks when purchasing or developing properties, as they can heavily influence building requirements, insurance premiums, and even interest r...

In this episode, Rebeka and Josh Arkey of JALA Studio dive into the world of landscape architecture, focusing on how important it is for designers and clients to build strong relationships. They break down the differences between landscape architects and designers, talk about why it’s so crucial to collaborate early on in a project, and highlight the beauty of creating a seamless flow between indo...

In this episode, we speak with Kerri-Ann Hooper from Carnelian Projects, a builder in the Hunter Valley, who shares her insights on the journey of volume building and the considerations required for knockdown-rebuilds. She talks about how crucial it is to really understand the full cost of a new build, making sure you’re aware of all the inclusions and requirements. Kerri-Ann also gives practical...

In this episode, Rebeka highlights the importance of doing your homework when it comes to building and renovating and how understanding the process can help you make smart, cost-effective decisions. She encourages listeners to push past their fears and take advantage of the current market in Melbourne, which she sees as full of opportunities for buyers and investors. Overall, it's all about puttin...

In this episode, we chat with DevelopHer Taeler Jordan of FTLO Design about her latest project, an Eltham renovation and extension named Napoleon House. We cover the importance of considering the orientation and site implications when choosing a property. She also explains how she dealt with the challenges of a sloping block and incorporated height changes in the design. Taeler emphasises the use...

In this episode, we chat with Kelly Thompson - a multi-disciplinary artist, designer and stylist about her approach to interior styling and curating spaces. She covers her niche of mixing old and new, and handcrafted pieces to create a unique and personalised aesthetic. Kelly shares her process of working with clients, starting with understanding their vision and then curating a collection of furn...

In this episode, Rebeka discusses the Jessie Street project, a joint venture for building a large family home. She explains how they have streamlined the construction process to maximize efficiency and minimize costs. Rebeka highlights examples such as using a waffle slab instead of a raft slab and designing the roof structure with trusses. She emphasizes the importance of investing in quality fin...

It's easy to design whatever you want - as long as you’ve got no budget! While some homeowners have the luxury of seeing every detail of their vision come to life, most of us will need to make compromises to align with our financial parameters.   Today, I’m joined by Shah de Saxe, an incredible interior designer who has extensive experience in residential design. She’s currently halfway through he...

I’m super excited to get into today's topic, because it's one that I've been talking about a lot with our community. It also seems to be something that we as whole are struggling with.   In this episode, I’m giving you an overview of feasibilities and the best method to accurately assess your building costs and profitability.   Why Feasibility Studies Matter So, why do we need a feasibility study?...

As women, we often won’t talk about finance or loans and how to navigate them when looking to start a build - it even seems a little taboo!   However, understanding how it all works is crucial in completing a successful renovation or home build. Today, Leah Ziskos from Entourage Finance is back to chat all about understanding construction finance and where to begin when looking at the different op...