Inspired Spaces

Robyn Hawke: Award-Winning Qualified Interior Designer

At age 43, with a severely disabled teenage daughter, a 6-year-old daughter and a husband who frequently travelled, I took the bold decision to go back to full-time study. Giving up a solid 20-year career in high school, teaching design, I chose to follow my passion. Despite all my in-depth knowledge, I still felt it was imperative to become fully qualified so I could confidently offer clients professional, knowledgeable and quantitative skills to give them comfort that my designs would be both structurally and aesthetically robust.

After graduating from the 3-year design course at Nepean Design Centre, I worked for Clarendon Homes to gain invaluable experience, learning how to design everything including the kitchen sink. This knowledge allows me to understand contracts, builder’s inclusions and anything associated with building. This expertise also translates well to commercial spaces.

ROBYN'S CREDENTIALS:
Robyn's highly regarded qualifications provide her clients with peace of mind when selecting an interior designer. When you work with Robyn, you know you are choosing a professional at the top of her field.

• Advanced Diploma of Interior Design, Nepean Arts and Design Centre, 2005
• Bachelor of Education, Hawkesbury Agricultural College (now UWS), 1981
• Member of the Design Institute of Australia (strict criteria must be met prior to being admitted as a member)
• Member of the Colour Society of Australia

WHO IS INSPIRED SPACES AND OUR AIMS

We are a creative team of interior designers who love creating both functional and beautiful spaces. At the same time, we are realistic and down to earth. Our passion is to educate people on how effective design improves their quality of life whether it is in the workspace or at their home. We are honest, trustworthy and transparent and strive for perfection. We aim to create amazing environments, whether they are huge homes or small commercial offices. Inspired Spaces aims to be the benchmark of design excellence.

Natasha Barons
Natasha joined the team at Inspired Spaces and is a qualified Colour Consultant. Natasha studied at the International School of Colour and Design and also TAFE NSW. Since obtaining her qualifications in 2005 she has worked as a Colour Specialist for Porter’s Original Paints and Resene Paints, along with running her own part-time business as a Colour Consultant. Other roles include working as a Property Stylist for the Coco Republic and working at Laura Ashley.

Silvia Rajek
Silvia Rajek has joined the team at Inspired Spaces as a qualified interior designer. Silvia loves all things design and colour. Her attention to detail is amazing and this translates into amazing end results. ⁠Her passion is for not only making spaces beautiful but also functional.

Lara Sheridan
As a recent interior design graduate, Lara has just joined the team as our Instagram guru and for styling and decorating. She loves being imaginative and creative and using her eye for design to transform the clients’ ideas into three-dimensional forms.

HOW OUR TEAM CAN HELP YOU
Here's how the team at Inspired Spaces can reduce the stress of your residential, commercial design or renovation project:

• By managing the entire design process for you
• By preparing all architectural drafting ready for council submission

INSPIRED SPACES MANTRA:

"Interior Design - A necessity, not a luxury"

Inspired Spaces has the talent and experience you need to reinvigorate your:

• Home
• Office
• Cafe/Restaurant
• Other Business Space

Initial Consultation
Every project begins with an initial design consultation based on your requirements. This is a time where your design dilemmas are discussed, solutions suggested and needs are clarified.

In this consultation, we visit every room and space that is part of the brief and make suggestions, recommend possible finishes and options to ensure all your needs will be catered for.

At the end of this consultation, an obligation free detailed project price is prepared for you. There is no obligation to proceed with Inspired Spaces.

Initial Design Consultation - up to 2 hours $425

Architectural Interior Design
We are qualified interior designers with 15 years of experience in the industry and Robyn, the principal designer has been involved in design her entire working career, previously as a teacher of design.  

This means our designs involve more than tossing a cushion, it is about maximising space within the constraints of the existing footprint, we jokingly claim to be able to defy physics and find space that you did not know existed.  

This is our speciality and we have been told by clients we do not waste a cm of space. Not only does our skill of creating functional spaces shine, but we also ensure they look beautiful at the same time.

Commercial Interior Design and your Brand
Your brand image does not stop at your website and letterhead or business card. Your physical environment is vital in cementing your brand.

Inspired Spaces can create an environment that showcases your products, choices, employees, brands and core values to your potential clients/customers. Inspired Spaces considers who you are, your mission statement, your target market and your brand before creating a unique solution to your workplace. No cookie-cutter solutions as one size do not fit all.

When designing your office or workspace Inspired Spaces considers space planning and accessibility to product, ergonomics, colour palette, natural sunlight and ventilation, noise minimisation and flow analysis. In fact, if you have not considered any or all of the above you may be in breach of OHS standards and contravening the BCA (Building Code of Australia).

Inspired Spaces is a necessity not a luxury if you wish to increase staff morale, productivity and profits. Your work environment is an extension of your personality and amplifies your corporate images and integrity through visual impact.

Starting prices from $5,000.00.

Residential Interior Design
Clever space planning is vital for the effective use of your home, whether it be a mansion on the water or a small bedsitter. A qualified Inspired Spaces interior designer can look at a space and see solutions you may not be able to imagine. This ability, coupled with our aesthetic skills, results in creating for you a lifestyle you will never wish to leave.

Enjoy browsing our residential design portfolio:

• Bathrooms
• Dining rooms
• Living / Family / Rumpus / Toy Rooms
• Formal lounge or sitting rooms
• Kids and teenagers rooms
• Kitchens
• Master bedrooms
• Study rooms and home offices
• Toy or rumpus rooms

First Floor Additions and Extensions
The Inspired Spaces design team loves creating new spaces for clients. We do this by meeting with the key decision-makers, obtaining a detailed brief to understand your needs and requirements and drilling down to understand how the users of the space function.

We then provide a minimum of two concepts - this includes a floor plan, a demolition plan and 3D drawings of what the new designs will look like. We can even provide animated walkthroughs so you can really experience the potential of your new space.

Once you have agreed to the final concept, we then move on to the documentation stage.

Documentation includes detailed floor plans with dimensions, elevations, sections and all finishes are specified, including the kitchen sink if needed.

At the same time, will take care of all the red tape for DA approval, construction certificates and scope of work for trades to quote on. Although we prefer to work with our trusted trades, we are still happy to work with your builder.

Once you are ready to start building the contract is between you and the relevant trades directly. Inspired Spaces is still involved but no third-party contracts, making it more cost-effective for everyone concerned.

Throughout the build, we come on-site to ensure the design is being constructed as per plan and to solve any issues that arise. The delights of renovations are that there is always a “surprise” which is why we insist on a contingency fund in your budget.

The final handover will involve us tweaking your new space if you choose to have us style it on completion.

DIY Property Styling
Want to sell your home for top dollar and within days of listing it for sale? Then Inspired Spaces DIY Styling Packages are your answer!

Neilsen research reports that 87% of home buyers use the internet to research real estate options, so if you wish to maximise sale potential, then making a good first impression is vital.

A prospective buyer will make a decision within seconds of viewing your property. Styling gives them a chance to view the property at its full potential. People purchase on emotion, so making the most of your home is vital if you are to receive top dollar when you sell your home.

Inspired Spaces DIY property styling package suit those who recognise the need to aesthetically improve the look of their home and understand how styling can achieve this.

The DIY Styling package provides a detailed step by step report that is individually written for each property, revealing how you can make the changes yourself without the need to hire someone to do it for you.

DIY Property Styling - $1,215 - or call us for a more individualised package

Colour Consultation
How many times have you brought home a colour chip from the hardware or paint shop only to find the white you thought was white looked yellow, pink, grey or blue in your home? Or the grey you thought would be a perfect exterior colour look purple?

How many times have you driven back and forwards and spent hours trying out sample pots only to find yourself more confused?

Inspired Spaces can solve this problem for you and can select all the colours for every room in your home or office in just a few hours. You will receive large brush outs of the colour and a comprehensive list of paints (a schedule) to give to your painter or to do yourself.

Inspired Spaces can recommend quality painters for you if you so require.

This is a great value service if you are on a tight budget!

Colour Consult - $425

Online Interior Design Service

• What does your family home mean to you?
• How do you want to feel in your home?
• What do you want people to say about your home?

If you have lots of ideas about how you wish your home looked but don’t know how to achieve them, then our online interior design service is for you!

How Our Online Interior Design Works

1. Select your ideal package. We cater from those who only require inspiration to those who want the indulgence of the entire package  - all from the luxury of your living room or kitchen bench. We can support you through the entire process online/virtually.
2. To start, you want to fill in our questionnaire to determine your wants and needs and we will provide you with your own private board to share images of what you like.
3. Identify your style preference.
4. Send us images and measurements using our guide to ensure you take the correct measurements.
5. Wait excitedly for our design.
6. Review and collaborate with the designer to fine-tune your final design.
7. You can use this service via email, phone or Skype/Zoom.

Inspired Spaces provides expertise on all your interior design problems. Here is a selection of Frequently Asked Questions and their answers.

• Why use an interior designer?
• Why can’t I just use a magazine for ideas?
• Why is office interior design important?
• Isn’t selecting a colour scheme as easy as finding colours you like?
• How does the design process work?
• What if all I want is a colour consultation?

Why use an interior designer?
Formal qualifications provide the knowledge, know-how and complexities of creating a space that cocoons people in a sense of well being and originality. Inspired Spaces is not just about making a space pretty, but increasing traffic flow, efficiency, ergonomics, comfort and security. Inspired Spaces can enhance the function, safety and aesthetics of the interior and exterior spaces. Inspired Spaces know how colours, textures, furniture, lighting and space work together to meet the needs of the user.

Why can’t I just use a magazine for ideas?
There is no reason why you can’t but at Inspired Spaces, we can enhance what magazines present and tailor it to meet your needs and cost-effectively adapt to your environment. Inspired Spaces also understands the complexity of the Building Code of Australia, Australian Standards, plans, and accessibility issues. We are also able to collaborate with electricians, plumbers, builders, cabinet makers, painters etc that have already proven their reliability and professionalism as well as be able to relate your requirements in the industry jargon that ensures all your design needs are meet. Inspired Spaces will take all the headache out of searching for reliable tradespeople and project management saving you time, money and energy in the long run.

Why is office interior design important?
Using Inspired Spaces can mean the difference between success and failure as the first impression your client receives of your space is often the reason for continued patronage and a long term association. Your space relays your professionalism, tells the prospective client that you are up to date with current developments and trends. It can make a customer feel secure and confident. This cannot be achieved with a weekend makeover. Efficient space layout, ergonomic workspaces can increase morale and productivity with increased profitability the off shoot of this. Effective and clever interior design can improve the quality of work. It does this by enhancing the function and well being of your staff by protecting their health and welfare through ensuring OHS safety issues are addressed.

Isn’t selecting a colour scheme as easy as finding colours you like?
No – the physics of colour is complex. Simple things such as a strong colour on the floor can make a colour appear washed out or dirty. The type of lighting used also affects the final colour. Inspired Spaces understands the intricacies of how shadow, light, aspect and even the surrounding environment impact the final perceived colour. It is important that colour imparts ambience to the space that complements the function of the design.

How does the design process work?
Inspired Spaces determines the client's needs and wants with an initial brief consultation and visit to the space.
Inspired Spaces finds out how the space will be used.
Inspired Spaces establishes clients’ preferences and budgets.
Inspired Spaces carries out a detailed inventory of existing equipment and furniture.
The client is then presented with a detailed brief to clarify their requirements.
After this, the actual design begins with a step by step collaboration with the client.

What if all I want is a colour consultation?
Not a problem, Inspired Spaces sends you a questionnaire prior to consultation where we gain an insight into your likes and dislikes and the needs of your space.

After the consultation, Inspired Spaces orders brush out samples of the selected paint colours and a report is produced outlining where each colour is to be applied.

Here's how the team at Inspired Spaces can reduce the stress of your residential, commercial design or renovation project:

• by managing the entire design process for you
• by preparing all architectural drafting ready for council submission