In this episode of the Downsize with Style podcast, I chat with Freedom Coach Lucille Rogers about letting go of physical stuff, emotional burden and old belief systems to return to yourself and find out what freedom means to you. Lucille and her family left their 'old' life in Sydney behind to travel through Europe for 15 months. She tells her sto…

Discover new colour trends and learn more about the Dulux colour forecast 2017 Antidote - A Colour Cure in my interview with Andrea Lucena-Orr, Colour Planning & Communications Manager at Dulux Group. We met at an event hosted by the Design Institute of Australia at Sydney Design Festival. The four colour trends at a glance: Sentience: A Tactile Re…

In this episode, I talk about the act of ‘letting go’. Letting go of thoughts, actions, things that do not serve us any longer. I would like to encourage you to think about things, beliefs and habits that you have been holding on to for a while, or maybe years, and what this does to you. Does holding on to your things prevent you from downsizing an…

Colour is the most powerful tool in non-verbal communication. Colour impacts on a subconscious level on our behaviour, wellbeing, emotions, and decisions. No matter if you would like to become clear about a creative process in your personal or professional life, it is helpful to know the basic meaning of colours. Colour not only plays an important …

In this episode of the Downsize with Style podcast show I talk about the power or positive psychology and establishing routines to become more creative. I also share my five strategies to boost your creativity when it comes to decorating your home or apartment. Show Notes Positive Psychology White Paper Book Tip: The Organised Mind by Daniel J. Lev…

In Episode 70 of the Downsize with Style podcast you will hear: Tips to choose the right chair for your home What to consider when deciding between fabric and leather Where to download resources to help you make the right decisions Show Notes Downsize with Style toolbox resources HomeStyling 101 e-course The post DWS 70: Finding the Right Chair app…

In episode 69 of the Downsize with Style podcast you will hear how you can use the versatile mood board technique to visualise your retirement lifestyle. Translating your ideas on a vision board will • Provide Clarity: How and where do I want to live after downsizing? • Provide you with a tool for communication • Help you stay in control of your pr…

Interview with Jola Jackson, who publishes the UK blog Build Mum a House. When her mother could not maintain the family home any longer and it was time to downsize, Jola and her husband decided to build her a house with all the facilities she would need to enjoy her own home despite her reduced mobility. Listen to how Jola approached this building …

Interview with Naomi Findlay, CEO of Silk Home and Founder of the International Institute of Home Staging about styling your home to live in. Topics: 3 Tips to style your home for sale Do not de-clutter the soul out of your home How to optimise storage in an apartment How to spruce up a bland bathroom Plants that thrive 'on neglect' How to improve …

You might have been living in your apartment for a while and feel that it’s time for a change. If you’re looking to update your home decor, it can be difficult to know where to start – especially if you are not an expert in interior decorating. So, before you take on the task, listen to this podcast for five simple tips that could help spruce up yo…

January usually is the month when we are full of energy in regards to the things we want to achieve in the upcoming months. We intend to start fresh and organised in the new year to get on top of things. Maybe your goal is to downsize your home, to start a new hobby, to write a book or to learn how to paint. No matter what it is, it is always good …

This episode of the Downsize with Style podcast features extracts of three shows that have been most popular in 2015 to help you downsizing your home: 1. Decluttering by Categories 2. 7 Things to Consider when Downsizing 3. Case Study: From Empty Nest to No Nest If you could leave a rating on iTunes to help promote the podcast, that would make my d…

Are you overwhelmed with the number of retirement housing options to choose from? Are you not sure if a retirement village is your thing? Would you like to learn more about community living? Stay tuned to this podcast and you will find out why living in a retirement village could be the right choice for you. In this episode, I talk to the Manager o…

Have you ever considered community living and moving into a retirement resort? Would you like to hear first hand what the advantages of apartment living are? Are you curious to learn more about the life in a resort-style community? Tune in to episode 62 of the Downsize with Style podcast to listen to Sydney couple Jenny and Mike, who moved to The G…

In this episode, I share seven things to consider when downsizing your home, such as costs, lifestyle, location, funcitonality, and your social network. I also talk about mood boards and why you should consider using a mood board when furnishing your new home and interior decorating. Show Notes: 5 Reasons Why you Should Consider a Mood Board for Yo…

Affordable housing for a growing population is a hot topic in Australia. In the past year, I interviewed many people on this podcast helping empty nesters find the right place to live for their retirement. In the US, shared housing is a massive trend and follows the sharing economy from Airbnb and Uber. According to Karen Venable, founder of RoomMa…

In this episode, I chat with Veronica and David, a couple from the US, who downsized from their family home to a campervan travelling the world. They share their their experiences on their blog and in their book Going Gypsy - One Couple's Adventure from Empty Nest to No Nest at all. You will hear how they managed to let go of things, why they prefe…

You are downsizing and looking to create an inspiring, stylish, and personal home. In order to achieve this, you need to find your personal decorating style. I believe that everybody has a certain decorating style, some people just don’t know how to name it. Don’t be confused if you like a mix of different styles and things. If you are not sure wha…

In episode 57 of the Downsize with Style podcast, I share 5 Tips to de-clutter your paperwork. Show Notes: DWS 36: Downsizing Case Study Case Study: Embrace Clever Design and Live Smarter The post DWS 57: Decluttering Paperwork appeared first on Bettina Deda.By Bettina Deda

Australia’s first apartment dog park has been announced in Melbourne. The Gardenhill Project will feature a securely fenced ground floor off-lead area for dogs with seating, drinking facilities and a dog-cleaning station. According to the RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), there are over 33 million pets in Australia, wi…

Downsizing, de-cluttering, selling your family home, moving to a smaller space – the entire process can be very stressful. Therefore, it is important to look after your health and wellbeing when starting your downsizing journey. In this podcast, I talk with Susan Kath, a Nutritionist and Wellness coach. She is very passionate about food and growing…

Do you have difficulties to let go of things because you might need them someday? Well, you are not alone. "Someday" is the our biggest enemy of most people, as it prevents us from focussing on the things that are important to us right now. In this podcast, I share a little exercise from The Minimalists - one of my favourite blogs - to help you bec…

In episode 53 I share three essential steps to make most out of a spare bedroom. Often, spare bedrooms are not very spacious in the first place. You might also find built-in wardrobes or large windows that take away wall space and make it even more difficult to work out the best room layout. Tune in to this podcast to learn how to avoid costly mist…

Do you want to know How to Make the Rest of Your Life the Best of Your Life? Tune in to episode 52 of the Downsize with Style podcast with leadership coach and author Victoria Rose. Her book is a celebration of smart, single women over 60 and the many roles they play over their lifetime. It is based on a five-part formula ‘From NOW to WOW’, and you…

You turned 50 and now what? How are you going to navigate the next stage of your life or career? What are you passionate about? What is important to you? In this episode, I speak with Joanna Maxwell about her new workshop Journey Without Maps, tools to spark your creativity, methods to sort out your stuff and concentrate on the essentials only. So,…

A while ago, I came across an article in The Retiree Magazine from psychologist Fiona Robards, author of the book What Makes You Happy. The article summarised a chapter of her book where she suggests that the easiest way to feel happy and confident is to dress as though you already feel it. Fake it until you make it! You choose how you feel! If you…

In this podcast, I speak with Lisa McAdams, a personal trainer and transformational couch specialising in helping women, who went through a divorce or are in the process of divorcing. Lisa's motto is Life by Design, not by default. A divorce is often a reason to downsize your home. The family home is going to be sold, and the owners will go their o…

I have been working on a downsizing campaign with Howard's Storage World over the past six months. In this podcast, I speak with Cathy Player about the two downsizing case studies published in the July catalogue, storage concepts for apartment living and how to participiate in the Downsize With Style Facebook competition. The first prize is a one-h…

In episode 47 of the Downsize with Style podcast, I chat with interior designer Babette Hayes about love in the home and how to create a happy home - no matter how big or small it is. We cover a broad range of topics such as colour, storage, space planning, decorating essentials, art placement, de-cluttering, and prioritising what to keep. If you c…

Apartment living is becoming more and more popular. A Tsunami of articles has flooded the media landscape about minimum sizes, affordability, and the importance of good design in smaller spaces. Life in Windowless Box: The Vertical Slums of Melbourne is the title of an article by Ralph Horne and Megan Nethercote, RMIT University, stating that, on a…

In this episode of the Downsize with Style podcast show we are talking about Lifestyle Planning and what to consider when downsizing. It is vital to become clear about your emotional needs after downsizing in order to avoid costly mistakes. • Do you want to stay in the same area? • Would you prefer to move out of the city? • What do you need to be …

In this episode, Bettina talks about versatile apartment furniture – spotted at IKEA – for living areas and bedrooms as well as some interesting solutions to create a small workspace in your apartment. She also discusses why it is a good idea to browse furniture showrooms if you are downsizing to an apartment or smaller home. If you find this podca…

In episode 43, Bettina speaks with Chris Johnson, CEO of the Urban Taskforce Australia. In the first part, Chris shares his downsizing journey and how he let go of an extensive aboriginal art collection and some of their furniture. He also explains how their lifestyle changed after moving to a 2-bedroom apartment. In the second part, Bettina and Ch…

Do you know your finances? Do you have an idea what you will need for your retirement? What lifestyle you would like to have? Are you in a position to make informed decisions about your future? Tune in to our podcast this week to hear a discussion with financial planner Steve Barber. Steve and I discuss the major strategies for apartment downsizers…

In this episode, Sally Hart reports live from New York City where she speaks with former clients who have downsized several times and now live in a 1-bedroom apartment in Manhattan. They also own an apartment in Sydney. Tune in to hear how this couple managed to de-clutter, why it is important for them to keep some sentimental items in external sto…

Did you know that 56 percent of Sydneysiders are involved in apartment living? And that 40 percent of apartment owners are baby boomers? In episode 40 of the Downsize With Style podcast I share some interesting research results from a poll commissioned by the Urban Taskforce Australia. Tune in to hear who is attracted to apartment living, why peopl…

Granny flats are an option to keep your family home for your children and downsize on your property to a more compact space. Our interview partner today is Wally Gebreal, Head Designer and Partner of Grannyflatsolutions. Grannyflatsolutions is a granny flat builder and division of BuildSense Solutions, bringing together a dedicated team of qualifie…

Moving to an apartment or smaller home means to start from scratch with your home entertainment system. You might face difficulties in setting up your internet connection in the rooms you want, moving your TV away from the pre-installed connection, or setting up an audio system throughout your apartment and outdoor area. Listen to this episode of t…

When downsizing to a smaller home or apartment, people often take the oppportunity to create something new, a different style, a different look in their new home. As I get often asked where to buy stylish and functional apartment furniture, I invited Eliza Williams, Marketing Manager of BoConcept, to the show. BoConcept is a Danish furniture design…

In episode 36 of the Downsize With Style podcast, I interview Tami Marlowe, who downsized with her husband from a 3-bedroom property in the suburb of Eastwood to a 2-bedroom apartment in the iconic Sydney beachside suburb of Manly. Learn about their biggest challenges, why they decided to downsize and how they found the ideal location for their new…

Have you used your garage as art studio or workshop? And now you are wondering where to move this favourite space with all its items when downsizing to an apartment with no extra storage? Defining your future lifestyle and what is important for you after downsizing is an important topic to discuss before moving. Your hobbies are a vital part of you…

"Action may not always bring happiness, but there is no happiness without action." Benjamin Disraeli Tune in to this episode of the Downsize With Style podcast where Sally and I discuss simple things you can do to feel happier at home. Some of them do not cost the world and only take a few minutes of your time every day. Start experiencing the impa…

In episode 33 of the Downsize With Style podcast, Sally Hart talks with Laurel Grey from Happily Organised, specialising in streamlining digital work spaces, about how to sort out your paperwork, email and life – online and offline. Hear about some great apps that are free to download and will help you reduce stress and overwhelm. If you could leav…

Storage is a major topic for any homeowner – no matter how large or small a home is. And it is even more important for empty nesters downsizing to a more compact space. We all tend to have too much stuff and accumulate more and more over time. Therefore, it is vital to have a ‘home’ for all of your items to be able to easily find and retrieve thing…

Today I am talking to Julie Nelson, an aromatherapist, natural beauty consultant and artisan perfumer, about how aromatherapy can help you reduce stress when downsizing. The idea to invite Julie to the show was born when I read an article in the Australian Financial Review last year that downsizing is one of the major causes for anxiety and depress…

In episode number 30, I am talking with Arif Imran from Shady Designs in Sydney's Inner West, offering bespoke lampshades. We met a couple of years ago, when I introduced my art-inspired fabrics to him. He recently told me that they have quite a few empty nesters as customers, asking for help with new custom-made lampshades for their existing lamp …

Discussing one of Sally's ideabooks on houzz Australia, we share some strategies and tips to find the right mindset for de-cluttering and accumulating less in the future. We talk about philosophy, behaviour, and creating your individual systems to keep your home tidy and organised. Tune in to our podcast show, as downsizing has never sounded so eas…

This is the first episode with storage designer Sally Hart as co-host. Sally will join me and contribute with her knowledge and tips to make your life easier when downsizing. In this episode she shares her unique downsizing story, having downsized in her family home without moving and selling her property, which she and her children love. Learn mor…

Finding your personal decorating style can be challenging and is one of the reasons why Australians use houzz, a combination of an interior design online directory and glossy design magazine. What started out in the US in 2009, has now spread over the globe and connects homeowners with industy professionals in ten countries. The online pin board Pi…

In the podcast I talk about a book I recently came across and that is very close to my heart: Be Happier At Home by Gretchen Rubin. In one of her chapters she suggest being a tourist in your own city to discover the beauty that lies in everything around you. As this relates very much to step 2 of my 5-step process to downsize with style – Finding Y…