https://katrinaleedesigns.com/ [Life & Design] Fri, 10 Apr 2026 01:48:14 +0000 en-AU hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.5 https://katrinaleedesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/cropped-mylogohouse-1-32x32.png https://katrinaleedesigns.com/ 32 32 https://katrinaleedesigns.com/how-to-pull-a-room-together-when-you-have-no-idea-where-to-start/ https://katrinaleedesigns.com/how-to-pull-a-room-together-when-you-have-no-idea-where-to-start/#respond Fri, 10 Apr 2026 01:47:42 +0000 https://katrinaleedesigns.com/?p=88827 If you’ve ever stood in your living room thinking“Why does this still not feel right?”you’re not alone. Most people don’t have bad taste. They just don’t have a process. Here’s the order I always design in, and it changes everything. Step 1. Start with the layout Before you buy anything, figure out how the room...]]> https://katrinaleedesigns.com/how-to-pull-a-room-together-when-you-have-no-idea-where-to-start/feed/ 0 https://katrinaleedesigns.com/how-to-make-your-home-feel-custom-without-a-custom-build/ https://katrinaleedesigns.com/how-to-make-your-home-feel-custom-without-a-custom-build/#respond Fri, 10 Apr 2026 01:45:02 +0000 https://katrinaleedesigns.com/?p=88824 There’s a big difference between a house that looks “builder grade” and one that feels custom. And no, it’s not always about spending more. It’s about being intentional with a few key decisions that most people overlook. Here’s where the magic actually happens. 1. Go full height wherever you can Cabinetry that stops short of...]]> https://katrinaleedesigns.com/how-to-make-your-home-feel-custom-without-a-custom-build/feed/ 0 https://katrinaleedesigns.com/10-things-i-would-do-again-if-i-built-a-house/ https://katrinaleedesigns.com/10-things-i-would-do-again-if-i-built-a-house/#respond Thu, 12 Mar 2026 22:06:08 +0000 https://katrinaleedesigns.com/?p=88800 After going through a full house build, you end up with a long list of lessons. Some things you would change, and some things you are so glad you did. Building is a huge process and there are hundreds of decisions along the way. But looking back, there are definitely a few things that made...]]> https://katrinaleedesigns.com/10-things-i-would-do-again-if-i-built-a-house/feed/ 0 https://katrinaleedesigns.com/the-biggest-design-mistakes-people-make-when-building-a-new-home/ https://katrinaleedesigns.com/the-biggest-design-mistakes-people-make-when-building-a-new-home/#respond Thu, 12 Mar 2026 22:03:34 +0000 https://katrinaleedesigns.com/?p=88796 Building a new home is exciting, but it is also where a lot of small decisions add up to big consequences later. Over the years I have noticed that many of the same design mistakes keep appearing in new builds. Often they happen because people are focused on finishes and styling, while the underlying design...]]> https://katrinaleedesigns.com/the-biggest-design-mistakes-people-make-when-building-a-new-home/feed/ 0 https://katrinaleedesigns.com/8-star-energy-rating-explained-what-it-actually-means-for-your-home/ https://katrinaleedesigns.com/8-star-energy-rating-explained-what-it-actually-means-for-your-home/#respond Thu, 12 Mar 2026 21:58:26 +0000 https://katrinaleedesigns.com/?p=88793 You might have heard builders talk about a 6 star, 7 star, or even 8 star home, but a lot of people are not really sure what that actually means. It sounds impressive, but what does the number really represent, and does it actually make a difference to how your home feels to live in?...]]> https://katrinaleedesigns.com/8-star-energy-rating-explained-what-it-actually-means-for-your-home/feed/ 0 https://katrinaleedesigns.com/how-to-design-an-energy-efficient-home-in-australia/ https://katrinaleedesigns.com/how-to-design-an-energy-efficient-home-in-australia/#respond Thu, 12 Mar 2026 21:54:55 +0000 https://katrinaleedesigns.com/?p=88789 When people talk about building an energy efficient home, the conversation usually jumps straight to solar panels, fancy glass, or expensive upgrades. But the truth is, the biggest gains in comfort and efficiency usually come from simple design decisions made right at the start. Things like how the house sits on the block, where the...]]> https://katrinaleedesigns.com/how-to-design-an-energy-efficient-home-in-australia/feed/ 0 https://katrinaleedesigns.com/the-little-finishing-touches-that-made-my-8-star-home-feel-finished/ https://katrinaleedesigns.com/the-little-finishing-touches-that-made-my-8-star-home-feel-finished/#respond Tue, 17 Feb 2026 19:39:41 +0000 https://katrinaleedesigns.com/?p=88780 Getting to the end of my 8 star energy efficient build has been such a good feeling. All the big decisions matter, insulation, windows, orientation, but once those are locked in, it’s the smaller details that really make the house feel like home. I put a lot of thought into the areas around our doors,...]]> https://katrinaleedesigns.com/the-little-finishing-touches-that-made-my-8-star-home-feel-finished/feed/ 0 https://katrinaleedesigns.com/why-we-chose-weathertex-cladding-and-why-i-love-the-look/ https://katrinaleedesigns.com/why-we-chose-weathertex-cladding-and-why-i-love-the-look/#respond Tue, 17 Feb 2026 02:43:47 +0000 https://katrinaleedesigns.com/?p=88772 One of the most asked questions I get about our home is about the cladding. People love the exterior and want to know exactly what it is and how we achieved the look. We used Weathergroove Natural 150mm by Weathertex, finished with Intergrain Charred Black, and it’s honestly been one of my favourite design choices....]]> https://katrinaleedesigns.com/why-we-chose-weathertex-cladding-and-why-i-love-the-look/feed/ 0 https://katrinaleedesigns.com/my-skincare-journey-at-48/ https://katrinaleedesigns.com/my-skincare-journey-at-48/#respond Sat, 03 Jan 2026 01:38:12 +0000 https://katrinaleedesigns.com/?p=88755 What I’m doing, why I started, and why consistency mattered more than perfection I want to start this by saying, please don’t get mad if you think I’m doing this “wrong” haha. I’m not a skin expert. I’m an interior designer who likes to try things, stick to them, and see what actually happens. I’m...]]> https://katrinaleedesigns.com/my-skincare-journey-at-48/feed/ 0 https://katrinaleedesigns.com/energy-efficiency-mistakes-you-cannot-easily-fix-later-when-building-or-renovating/ https://katrinaleedesigns.com/energy-efficiency-mistakes-you-cannot-easily-fix-later-when-building-or-renovating/#respond Sat, 03 Jan 2026 00:29:30 +0000 https://katrinaleedesigns.com/?p=88745 From someone who has just built a super dooper energy efficient house Learn the ten most common energy efficiency mistakes in new builds and renovations. Discover practical solutions from someone who built an 8.3-star energy efficient home. Avoid costly regrets and create a home that stays comfortable year-round. When people think about energy efficiency in...]]> https://katrinaleedesigns.com/energy-efficiency-mistakes-you-cannot-easily-fix-later-when-building-or-renovating/feed/ 0 https://katrinaleedesigns.com/why-ceiling-fans-matter-in-an-energy-efficient-home-build/ https://katrinaleedesigns.com/why-ceiling-fans-matter-in-an-energy-efficient-home-build/#respond Wed, 24 Dec 2025 17:40:46 +0000 https://katrinaleedesigns.com/?p=88730 Ceiling fans are often treated as a finishing touch, but in an energy efficient home they are an essential part of keeping spaces comfortable. In a well insulated, airtight build, airflow helps regulate temperature and reduces reliance on heating and cooling. When chosen thoughtfully, ceiling fans quietly support lower energy use while making rooms feel...]]> https://katrinaleedesigns.com/why-ceiling-fans-matter-in-an-energy-efficient-home-build/feed/ 0 https://katrinaleedesigns.com/choosing-carpet-for-an-8-star-energy-efficient-home/ https://katrinaleedesigns.com/choosing-carpet-for-an-8-star-energy-efficient-home/#respond Tue, 16 Dec 2025 19:11:30 +0000 https://katrinaleedesigns.com/?p=88712 Choosing carpet was one of those decisions that felt simple at first, until I started looking at it through the lens of an 8 star energy efficient home. When you are building or renovating with performance in mind, the little things stop being little. Every material choice matters, not just for how it looks, but...]]> https://katrinaleedesigns.com/choosing-carpet-for-an-8-star-energy-efficient-home/feed/ 0