I have been ask to write about my five favourite things following on from Barbara’s five. Whilst thinking that this must be an easy topic, I found myself struggling when I realised I have many favourite things! There are a lot of things that makes me happy. Tea is one of them, but that won’t be useful here hey?
So to cut my list short and to make this article to be somewhat ‘architecturally based’, I ask myself, ‘What products brings me joy now?’ What are my go- to products or items that flashes through my mind when I’m processing a thought for something. I then noticed that my natural reaction to those products would have a direct correlation to the senses. I suppose when something is similarly admired from one person to the next, it is said “Oh he’s got good taste!”.
Similar to Barbara, I find that teasing out a client’s ‘taste’ for what they like and do not like to be an interesting process. It then allows us to tailor their needs into creating a beautiful environment that I think they will inherently enjoy.
Without going any much further, for this week, let me share with you how my senses have helped me in selecting these 5 products and why I simply like them.
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Sense of Sight: Velux Skylight
We often associate sight with light. In its right context, a brightly lighted space is a far more inviting space than a dark one. Light often gives the illusion of vastness, thus making an area appear bigger, and of course, light allows you to be able to see!
A common problem in most renovations usually comes from the lack of natural light a space is getting. Clients would often approach us in wanting to “open up the space”, or some would say, “please let the light in”. So, taking aside better space planning, (which is usually the problem in the first place) one of the easiest methods to achieve more natural light in a space is by introducing skylights!
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Hear: Self Closing Drawers and Hinges
Can’t stand the sound of slamming doors and drawers? Because I for one definitely cannot, and a great resolution to this is BLUM’s self closing fittings. I am a great advocate for there work, especially when it involves peace and quiet!
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Taste: Miele integrated kitchen units, Miele Oven and Fridge.
Miele is a widely recognised kitchen appliance brand. While it is no secret that it is on the pricier end with other competitive brands being more affordable, I can’t deny how I’d simply love my Miele oven at home. Its easy to programme & cooks well. Which only means, food taste well too!
Mine is not an integrated unit, but here’s one of our projects which has included the full range. And we are yet to hear any complaints!
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Smell: A Low to Zero VOC Paint range.
If you’ve ever done a painting job, you’ll certainly remember the horrible smell during and after its application that makes you wait for days before being able to use the space. That is the smell of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). The smell produced by these toxic chemicals is triggering your senses as alarms to make you stay away from them. Luckily, a lot of research and testing has been done with modified or Low VOC paints being now made available for the Australian market.
Without singling out one specific brand name, the website link below shows the ‘ECO-priority guide’ to Paints for the Australian market. It basically lists the brands and the chemical & impacts each range carries. This table helps in the decision making process best suited for your projects.
http://www.ecospecifier.com.au/knowledge-green/setting-priorities/eco-priority-guide-paints/
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Touch:
Aahhhhhhh touch. We desire it from the moment we were born and there is just so much to write about it! So focusing back on things, touch can certainly reveal a product in many forms. For instance, the softness and plushness of a good quality carpet to the buttery leather feels of a sofa, to a humanistic feel that oozes out from filling up a solid timber cabinetry or furniture.
So today, I’ll end my blog with my very favourite item of the day.
An item that comforts me when I hold it, every day, without fail.
It is my tea mug.
The solid circular shape of the vessel, the feel of strength of the ceramic and the soft colour always makes me slightly gleeful when I take a sip.
Its warmth (obviously from the tea) is assuring me that I go on for another couple of hours. No matter how hard a day can be, nothing than a tea in your favourite tea mug wont cure.. Life simple pleasures.
Nurul Sedek
Project Architect
BY Projects Architecture
08/05/2017
I highly recommmend the team at BY Architecture.
Barbara, Howard and the team designed a wonderful extension to my late 1960s Melbourne home, ran the tender process to find me a builder, and superintended the build contract.
The design process that Barbara took me through was comprehensive, well-considered and highly collaborative, and the resulting extension and renovation was incredibly well-tailored to my specific needs and desires.
The tender process was similarly well-run, and we ended up choosing a builder that Barbara had worked with many times before and recommended. The recommendation was a great one and the entire build ran very smoothly, with the many quirks arising in a typical renovation being dealt with intelligently and with no fuss.
During the entire time I worked with them, Barbara and her team went over-and-above to keep me happy. As a result of their attention to detail and their focus on customer service, they ensured that what can often be a stressful time was actually a pleasure. I cannot thank them enough and would work with them again in a heartbeat.
Barbara, Howard and the team designed a wonderful extension to my late 1960s Melbourne home, ran the tender process to find me a builder, and superintended the build contract.
The design process that Barbara took me through was comprehensive, well-considered and highly collaborative, and the resulting extension and renovation was incredibly well-tailored to my specific needs and desires.
The tender process was similarly well-run, and we ended up choosing a builder that Barbara had worked with many times before and recommended. The recommendation was a great one and the entire build ran very smoothly, with the many quirks arising in a typical renovation being dealt with intelligently and with no fuss.
During the entire time I worked with them, Barbara and her team went over-and-above to keep me happy. As a result of their attention to detail and their focus on customer service, they ensured that what can often be a stressful time was actually a pleasure. I cannot thank them enough and would work with them again in a heartbeat.
Barbara is very friendly and easy to work with. Thank you for the great advices.
Response from the owner 23:14 17 Jun 24
thank you Arik. Happy to be helpful 
Barbara and the BY Projects team were fantastic to work with for our knockdown-rebuild. We had no idea what we were doing or getting ourselves in for, and through every stage of the process Barbara explained everything and was supportive and transparent.
She drew plans for a beautiful house for us which fulfilled everything we wanted while adding such flair and style that we never could have imagined ourselves.
I was so glad to have her and her team on my side throughout the build process, as we would have struggled to advocate for ourselves (or even notice) mistakes or defects by the builder.
Overall, we just couldn’t be happier with the final result.
She drew plans for a beautiful house for us which fulfilled everything we wanted while adding such flair and style that we never could have imagined ourselves.
I was so glad to have her and her team on my side throughout the build process, as we would have struggled to advocate for ourselves (or even notice) mistakes or defects by the builder.
Overall, we just couldn’t be happier with the final result.
Response from the owner 06:53 31 May 24
Thank you for your enthusiasm Emily. And thank you for trusting us with your dream Home. It's been a pleasure working with you and your family, and we trust you will enjoy your home for the years to come. 
We recently had the pleasure of carrying out a renovation for Barbara and BY Projects Architecture.
The project ran very smoothly from receiving the plans, to handover day.
Barbara pays very close attention to detail and takes great pride in her work.
We look forward to working with BY again on future projects.
The project ran very smoothly from receiving the plans, to handover day.
Barbara pays very close attention to detail and takes great pride in her work.
We look forward to working with BY again on future projects.
Response from the owner 22:11 30 Mar 21
Thank you Koray. It was a pleasure working with AMCON Homes, we look forward to working with you again in the future. 
Barbara provided excellent professional advice regarding Town planning and approval process by the Council. She went out of her way to find the right information and help me. Will surely use their services again when necessary.
I would highly recommend them.
I would highly recommend them.
Response from the owner 01:37 16 Feb 21
Thank you Jarardhan. We do hope you find a more suitable site soon to build your dream homeBarbara 
We were in a very difficult position after a VCAT rejection. Barbara came into our project and reimagined what was possible with our property. Going from a house with three shops with significantly reduced value to a development with two town houses, a cafe and all able to be subdivided into three separate properties. Barbara was positive, enthusiastic, charming at planning meeting and all in all kept us positive and hopeful. Barbara went through the whole process with us and I would say went above and beyond what would generally be expected. She worked well with our development team, working out strategies for planning challenges. We are very thankful for her time and energy.
We engaged Barbara and her team many times over many years for our Building Development Projects, including Multi Residential, Child Care and Mixed Use. Most recently for a couple of houses in Port Melbourne with complex Heritage Overlay requirements.
Barbara worked with us closely to ensure all design requirements were achieved to exceed market expectations. All permit requirements were managed in a professional and timely manner, and all processes were met on time and on budget.
The finished buildings were outstanding and the realized sales well above market expectations.
We highly recommend BY Projects Architecture for their Design sense and construction experience.
Barbara worked with us closely to ensure all design requirements were achieved to exceed market expectations. All permit requirements were managed in a professional and timely manner, and all processes were met on time and on budget.
The finished buildings were outstanding and the realized sales well above market expectations.
We highly recommend BY Projects Architecture for their Design sense and construction experience.
I have worked with Barbara and the team at BY Projects on a number of projects now. Its hard to think how you could get better value for money. They are great architects - that goes without saying. But its the extra mile they go to on your behalf in order to secure the very best for you that makes all the difference. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them for your next project.
Response from the owner 06:02 24 May 19
Thank you Virginia for your kind words. It is always a pleasure working with you. 
