Behan sits down with Josie Martin, owner of Decor Avenue, kitchen designer and cabinetmaker with over 20 years of hands-on experience. They dive into what really makes a kitchen functional, beautiful, and built to last. From how wide your island bench should be to whether pot drawers are worth it, Josie shares expert advice on layout, budgeting, and materials that will save you time, money, and stress. They also dive into the latest design trends, like fluted paneling, curved benchtops, and porcelain splash backs plus the common kitchen mistakes that look great on paper but fail in real life.
Chapters:
01:10 – Meet Josie from Décor Avenue
02:20 – How she got started in kitchen design
04:00 – What makes a kitchen actually functional
06:35 – Island bench sizing & walkways
09:10 – The problem with “too many drawers”
11:45 – Storage design that fits your lifestyle
14:20 – Hidden costs people forget when designing a kitchen
16:55 – Latest kitchen trends: fluted panels, curves & porcelain
20:25 – Stone benchtops vs engineered options
23:05 – Why lighting can make or break your kitchen
25:30 – The most common design mistakes homeowners make
28:15 – Josie's advice for anyone about to start designing
30:10 – The $10K home improvement question
About Our Guest: Josie Martin
With over 20 years of experience in the interior design industry, Josie is the creative force behind Decor Avenue an Australian design studio known for not being afraid of colour. Specialising in unforgettable Airbnb fitouts and home renovations, Josie blends practical building knowledge, good listening skills and a passion for everything interior design to create the best spaces possible for her clients. Whether it’s a cozy sanctuary or a chef-worthy kitchen, her work is all about transforming spaces into unique, feel-good homes that clients are proud of. At Decor Avenue, Josie empowers clients to make selections they would not normally chose themselves, always focusing on colour, practicality, comfort, and a five-star experience.
Website: https://www.decoravenue.com.au/
Socials: Instagram | Facebook
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