Our SMOKO interviews continue out of lockdown… we had Katie Rees of Katie Rees Design invite us to her family home renovation project, in Somerville Victoria.
Question 1… Who’s the boss?
Katie: Well I’m the boss.. I bring in support staff as I need to help with administration and contract work. Apart from that, I control the design and documentation on every project, just because I think it’s important to get it right.
Question 2… What’s the best day on the job?
Katie: The best day is presenting the design to the client, reveal day! When you show them the plans and you see their eyes light up as they take in all the details.
A close second is going in and visiting them once their home is built, the furniture is in, and they are living in it, in a way that you imagined.
Question 3… What’s the worst day on the job?
Katie: Dealing with councils and building surveyors… not because it’s too hard or too difficult, It’s just the really technical side of things, getting all those things right.
Question 4… What have you learnt along the way?
Katie: Every project is completely unique. Every home is special and unique to the people creating it. There is a lot to consider in terms of building design.
Question 5… What do you wish everyone could know?
Katie: Home/ Building design has the ability to impact positively and intentionally the way that you live every day. So investing in great building design when you are looking at a renovation or a new home is really important. It’s not something you can skirt around, you need to protect that investment.
Tara Vandeligt: Thank you Katie for inviting us to your home & sharing your local industry insights. We look forward to seeing more of you in the Building Dreams Facebook group!