The Interiors Podcast

• 39. How to solo self-build with Jade Kirwan @my_solo_self_build

  In this episode of The Interiors Podcast, Jade shares her inspiring journey of self-building her own home in Ireland.   From the initial decision to take on such a project to the challenges of planning permissions, budgeting, and managing local trades, Jade provides insights into the realities of building a home solo. She emphasizes the importance of having a clear vision, making sacrifices, and learning through the process.   Jade's story serves as a motivational guide for anyone considering a self-build project, highlighting that with determination and the right mindset, it is possible to create your dream home. In this conversation, Tanya and Jade discuss the complexities and challenges of self-building a home, focusing on budgeting, material management, and the balance between DIY efforts and hiring professionals.   Jade discusses the realities of budgeting, prioritizing structural elements over aesthetics, and the emotional rollercoaster of the self-building process. Her story serves as a motivational guide for others considering a similar path, highlighting the value of perseverance and community support.  

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• 38. Working with an architect (Part 1) with Sarah McNulty of McNulty Smyth

  In this episode, architect Sarah McNulty shares her journey in architecture, emphasizing the importance of empathy in understanding client needs. She discusses her experiences in building her own home, the diverse projects she undertakes, and the significance of a well-defined brief.    The conversation highlights the challenges of budget constraints, the importance of proportions in design, and the collaborative nature of architecture.   The conversation also highlights the significance of solar gain in design, emphasizing the balance between natural light and comfort in living spaces.   Sarah also reflects on a case study of a 1930s renovation, illustrating how client needs evolve and how architects can adapt to create functional and beautiful spaces.   In this conversation, the speakers delve into the intricate process of architectural design, from initial sketches to the complexities of planning regulations and tendering.    Sarah and Tanya discuss the importance of detailed drawings and bills of quantities in ensuring accurate pricing and project management.    Takeaways Empathy is crucial for architects to understand client needs. A well-defined brief leads to better architectural outcomes. Budget constraints often require compromises in design. Proportions in design significantly affect the feel of a space. Good design should reflect the client's personality and lifestyle. Collaboration between architects and interior designers enhances the final result. Understanding the emotional response to a space is essential. Architects should consider both interiors and exteriors from the start. The design process is iterative and may require adjustments on site. Investing time in the brief stage pays off in the long run. The design process begins with sketching to explore options. AutoCAD can make designs feel too rigid compared to sketches. Understanding planning regulations is crucial for project timelines. Detailed drawings are essential for accurate tendering and pricing. Bills of quantities help ensure builders price projects accurately. Building relationships with contractors is key during the tender stage. Solar gain is important for optimizing natural light in homes. Value engineering can help clients make cost-effective design choices. The architectural process can take a year from initial discussions to site work. Consultations with architects can improve project outcomes.

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• 37. Crafting your personal style with fashion & interiors journalist Sarah Macken

  Interior designer & host Tanya Neufeld Flanagan interviews fashion and interiors journalist Sarah Macken (aka @ohegartysarah) about personal style, its evolution, and the intersection of fashion and interiors.   They discuss the importance of authenticity in style, the tools available for developing a personal aesthetic, and the impact of social media on fashion choices.   Sarah shares her journey from fashion intern to editor and freelancer, emphasizing the significance of understanding one's preferences and the influence of various cultural elements on personal style. The discussion also touches on navigating trends, the language of interiors, and the joy of creating unique spaces.   Some key takeaways: Personal style evolves over time and is influenced by experiences. The three-word method can help distill personal style into practical, aspirational, and emotional descriptors. Social media can create pressure to conform to trends, but authenticity is key. Exploring various forms of art can enhance personal style and interior design. It's important to assess whether purchases align with personal style rather than trends. Finding unique pieces can be a rewarding process, especially in local markets. Balancing personal style with trends requires thoughtful consideration and experimentation. The language of interiors is less defined than fashion, allowing for more instinctive choices. Creating joyful spaces can be achieved through small, thoughtful purchases. Minimalism can be overused; it's essential to question if it truly resonates with personal taste. Follow Sarah @ohegartysarah on Instagram Follow Tanya and the podcast at @tanyaneufeldflanagan and @theinteriorspodcast Get the latest on interiors and renovation tips and deep dives on podcast topics by joining Tanya's Substack or subscribing to The Interiors Newsletter  

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• 36. Building for your budget with self-builder Jenny Balfe

  In this episode of The Interiors Podcast, host and interior designer Tanya Neufeld Flanagan interviews Jenny Balfe, social worker, mother of three and self-builder behind the @building_willow_cottage Instagram account. Jenny and her husband have successfully self-built their dream family home in Wexford, 3km from Rosslare aided by their contractors, Next Level Construction. In this episode, Jenny dives into how and why they opted to build and their journey to finding their site, including working with local planning authorities, evaluating county development plans and testing a site's drainage quality. She worked closely with an architect technician to help identify the kind of home they could afford, and walks us through the revisions to the plans and sacrifices made along the way. One of the key takeaways in the conversation centres on how the reduction in their bungalow's footprint allowed for the house to meet their brief while still ensuring they could have the finishes they wanted - a mistake many make when stretching themselves perhaps to have a larger house for the sake of it. Jenny and her husband were able to design a home that suited their family's needs after renting for a long time and ideating on what their ideal home would look like, especially as their children ranged from 5 to 13 years old while they lived on-site in a mobile while building. In the redesign process, Jenny talks about reducing bedroom size and number of bathrooms they actually needed, and how to ensure you have separate spaces for your family, plus some of the downfalls of open plan living. We walk through some of the grants and the build process itself, why Jenny opted for a contractor versus the direct labour route which can offer savings but requires a lot more hands-on work and knowledge, as well as limited access to trades during times in which labour can be hard to find. All this journey is amidst the backdrop of Ireland's housing crisis, and Jenny's self-build experience shows how buying a site and building a house from scratch can be done really effectively, achieving great value, and a home that fits your needs perfectly. It requires a lot of research and in-depth work on floorplans, and a lot of gumption. Follow Jenny @building_willow_cottage to learn more about all her self-build and get helpful tips on everything from self-build mortgages to help with refining layouts. Follow interior designer and host Tanya @tanyaneufeldflanagan and at the podcast's Instagram @theinteriorspodcast.

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• 35. Interior design pet peeves: materiality, kitchens, hotel aesthetic & bad styling

  Welcome back to The Interiors Podcast! Today, Tanya is chatting design pet peeves with her friend Jenny, founder of Jennifer Anne Interiors. The two go on and on about their biggest interior design pet peeves. This episode hopefully inspires and challenges you to look around in your space, and see where you can make some small and affordable adjustments.  They start off discussing materiality pet peeves in homes. The materials chosen for a home can make a huge difference, from tile, porelain, and wood. Often people will opt for the fake version of a certain material, without realizing how it can dull and 'cheapen' a space. There are certain materials that are meant to have wear and tear, and some that will not actually last as long.  They then go into the pet peeve of poorly designed kitchens. Both have seen very impractical and lazy kitchen designs. There are a lot of design mistakes that people make, such as excess bulky cupboards, or a washing machine in the kitchen. We spend a lot of time in our kitchens, and Jenny and Tanya give a lot of great tips to make sure the space does not end up getting cluttered and busy. They also discuss how fashion and certain trends have started to take over, and people have lost their sense of personal style. They encourage people to really think through a certain choice when paying for something. Will it last long? Do they actually like it? Does it reflect their style? Photographs, rugs, cushions, and blankets. They discuss it all. Where they should be placed, better fabric options, all things to think about when designing. (And no, you don't need that Dior coffee tabel book!) This discussion is not intended to offend or make anyone feel like they have to make huge changes to their space if they have some of the mentioned designs already. Jenny and Tanya have seen loads of design mistakes, and they want people to be aware of them, while giving more practical choices, while encouraging them to stay true to their own personal style.      

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