5 Lessons from 10 Years in BusinessThis 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 designer in that time. 5 lessons from 10 years in practice:1. Design takes time2. &nb...

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 success2. Perfectionism is a handbrake3. Don’t be afraid to ask for helpAs I sign off today, yes we will be posting from Italy! Please feel free to follow along as Ralff and I get our dancing shoes back on and journey through the Amalfi Coast, Sicily and Puglia. Ciao for now xxCo...

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 part of a growing group of builders implementing a solution that’s changing the way we design and...

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 itJoin me as I chat through the dollars and sense of procurementConnect with us: Website https://janeledger.com.au Instagram https://www.instagram....

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 smoother too. Join us as we talk project costs, square metre rates, ice baths and more. Connect wi...

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 Simone hereWebsite https://robesonarchitects.com.au/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/robeson_ar...

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 think about these 3 words I’d love to change.Connect with us: Website https://janeledger...

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 builders % margins• What level of documentation do you need?• Prime Costs vs Provisional Sums• Selectin...

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 then there’s the professional fees of your architect or building designer, interior designer a...

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 site when you launch in too quickly. And how to put yourself back in the drivers seat of you...

In today’s episode I’m chatting with in-demand Landscape Architect, Tristan Peirce on how to go about designing your outdoors - landscape, pool and garden design.In our conversation you’ll discover:1. How to become a client How to get started on the process and when. We talk through Tristan’s onboarding process and how he takes on new clients2. Budget allocationWhat proportion of your total project budget should you be allowing for landscape design?3. MindsetI loved this one! Tristan sha...

Wondering who you need to engage on your reno or new build project? Who you should approach first? Is it the builder, architect, interior designer, landscape designer?Truth is, you’re going to need more than one design professional. And probably all of these. In this episode I’m sharing 4 tips on how to create the dream team of professionals on your project. A team who’s aligned with your dreams, collaborative, curious and creative. Dedicated to you. HINT: it’s not a batting line up...

I’ve just about seen it all when it comes to costing a project. Wishful thinking to hopeful estimates to “what do you reckon?”You want to know how much your project’s really going to cost, but it seems like no one can tell you, or they just say what you want to hear “yeah we can probably do it for that”.What I’ve learnt in this industry is that it’s always better to know the actual cost. Not an estimate or ballpark figure but the real cost. In this episode, I want to help you. A way of ...

In this episode I’m sharing the two things I’ve learnt in my years as an interior designer that will make a huge difference to the success of your project, and the way you feel about it on the way through:1. Timing - taking enough time at the beginning of your project to plan, and starting that planning IN enough time2. Team - getting the right people on your team. Aligned professionals who work with you and each other from the beginning to achieve your dream outcomeIf you’re feeling overwhel...

Welcome to the Season Opener for Season 2 of Inside Design. In this episode, Sarah Maxwell chats with Jane Ledger about the second part of her journey in design from Sydney to Perth. This time the story takes us inside a smoky nightclub and what happens after she meets a mysterious man on the dancefloor. But it’s what happens decades later that is the greatest surprise of this story. As you listen, Jane shares how throwing away the ’shoulds’ of her life and moving beyond the expectations and ...

As I wrap up Season 1 of Inside Design, today I’m talking freedom. What your ticket to freedom looks like and how it will change the course of your new build, reno or furnishings project. A penny-drop moment happened for me when I was producing this one. The thing that made me realise WHY so many people are under-prepared when it comes to their new build or reno project:• Why they get caught on the hop with selections• Why they don’t have a clear picture of what the INSIDE of their home ...

Sam Fazzari was born and raised in the furniture making and design industry. And he lives and breathes it now in his business Mobilia. “Design is a way of life” he says. Today we get to the heart of what authentic design is all about, why we feel so passionately about it and how you as our clients and customers can embrace it too.Listening to Sam’s stories about iconic designers past and present makes us realise that ‘design’ is not status-driven or intimidating. It’s about recognising h...

“I add the final layer”. Come inside the incredible mind of Bea Lambos as we discover what goes the final layer of your home - styling. The final piece of the interior design story that gives your space its personality and soul. This isn’t about filling your space with stuff or buying lots of vases. It’s not about “shelfies” or forced styling either. And I don’t think we mentioned a cushion the entire episode! Bea’s approach to styling is so much more than this. It’s instinctual, ...

Doing the interiors of your new build on your own? Not engaged a team of professionals yet? It can be easy at the start to think you can do it all yourself. But the more you get into the process, the more you’re finding yourself overwhelmed with decision-making and multiple emails from your builder. Emails with questions about your interiors you can’t answer, like plumbing pre-lay, appliances, tile set outs and light fittings to name a few. Today Jane helps you understand the 3 emai...

Today we’re taking you inside client Presentation Day where you’ll discover what goes into it and how you can get the most out of this exciting stage of the design process. I love how Emma describes the presentation as a story, with different layers and elements of the design unfolding during the presentation and coming together in a cohesive, measured and highly detailed outcome at the end.Emma has some great advice for clients in this process, including allowing time for the ‘back of h...