A monthly series from local Melbourne architect, Barbara Yerondais, sharing 5 of her favourite things.
I’ve always enjoyed seeing other people’s favourite things, it gives me an idea of who they are and what type of design style they’re attracted to. I know I could get lost for hours and hours just browsing through photos of products and ideas. But there’s something always missing from just looking at an image; it’s the story of WHY someone likes things. Is it the colour, the texture, the shape? Is the the light, or perhaps even the lack of light?
It’s all of these elements (and so much more) that I consider when I’m meeting with a client for the first time. They become like clues that will help me piece together exactly what clients want and need from the project I’m designing for them.
This week as I thought about how clients share with me the ideas they love and the things they like, I decided it would be great to share some of my favourite things so you can see my where my design influences start and get to know some of my quirks.
Smeg PGA96 Double Wok Burner Cook top
One of my passions, out side of designing homes for others, is being in my own home entertaining the people I love. As like many others, time isn’t always on my side though, and what better way to speed up the processes than preparing everything at once. I swear by my Smeg Double Wok burner to help me with this process, I recommend this product everyone.
Smeg PGA96 Double Wok Burner Cook Top ($2450.00 )
Website: www.smeg.com.au
Qasair Heritage Rangehood
I am sure everyone could agree that no matter how delicious, there is nothing worse than the lingering smell of your cooking hours after you’ve finished… especially when it is fish! That’s why my absolute favourite rangehood is the Qasair Heritage, it’s ability to draw is exceptional and will never leave any lingering smoke or smells.
Qasair Heritage Rangehood ($1845.00)
Website: www.condari.com.au
Villeroy & Boch Anmut (thin rimmed) Mug
As any other hard worker would agree, I cannot get through a day without my coffee! Although I can be a little picky when it comes to what mug I use. One of my little quirks is that I prefer my coffee out of a THIN rimmed mug, I might even agree that it makes the taste better.
Villeroy & Boch Anmut Mug ($49.95)
Website: www.villeroy-boch.com.au
Marbig A4 Double Pocket Presentation Folder
As an architect I take great pride in my work, as completed jobs are my only tool to present my skills to clients I need to have a carefully put together showcase of these works. I find the most appropriate way of demonstrating my skills is by outlining the process and journey that my clients and I will be taking. To present this I always rely on Office Work’s Marbig A4 Double Pocket Presentation Folders, they are a neat and tidy way of collaborating the appropriate information for each individual project.
Marbig A4 Double Pocket Presentation Folder ($22.94 per pack 10)
Website: www.officeworks.com.au
Post-it Yellow Sticky Notes
My brain is constantly racing, and one of the many downfalls of that is often forgetting a lot of thoughts I have throughout the day. I could not imagine how my business would still be functioning if it wasn’t for the convenience of post-it notes to document all my thoughts as I have them. I am yet to meet a person who doesn’t love yellow sticky notes!
Post-it Yellow Sticky Notes (varying prices)
Website: www.officeworks.com.au
13/04/2017
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. 
