Behind The Design
- Episódios
- 56
- Publicação
- semanal
- Último episódio
- 11 nov 2026
Sobre o podcast
Behind the Design is a podcast that brings you closer to the projects, people, and untold stories behind the Pinterest saves you’ve been obsessing over for years. Hosted by Camilla Ingall, interior designer and founder of Unfolded, each episode goes beyond the finished photos to unpack how great design actually comes to life through honest conversations with designers, architects, stylists, builders, and creatives. If you care about thoughtful design and want a deeper understanding of what really goes on behind the scenes, you’re in the right place.
Episódios 56
56. How to Save a Project's Budget and Keep Its Soul: Matt Lane of Unita
Every project has a moment when the pricing comes back and the room goes quiet. Matt Lane, CEO of Unita, has spent his career in that moment. Unita is a national fit-out and construction business that has …
Notas do episódio
Every project has a moment when the pricing comes back and the room goes quiet. Matt Lane, CEO of Unita, has spent his career in that moment. Unita is a national fit-out and construction business that has delivered more than 5,000 projects over two decades for brands including Supernormal, Sephora and Uniqlo, and Matt treats the money conversation as part of the design process.
Camilla and Matt go back to where it started, after school in his parents' building supply store in Grafton, then into construction management and a stint on the client side that changed how he works as a builder. They unpack what value engineering really means once you're in the room, where to start when a project comes back over budget, and how Unita protects the hero elements by finding savings in the places customers never see. Matt walks through a GP clinic that priced at almost double the client's budget, the alternative sink that became a go-to spec, and the concrete bar at Hamsi at the new Sydney Fish Market that couldn't physically be poured.
It's a conversation about being honest early, protecting what matters most, and making sure everyone leaves the job wanting to work together again.
In this episode:
How growing up in a country hardware store and sitting on the client side shaped the way Matt works as a builder
What value engineering actually means, and the difference between smart solutions and cutting the guts out of a job
Where to start when a project comes back over budget, and why function and durability come before finishes
Keeping the design intent on a GP clinic that priced at almost double, and why a little extra time finds a better solution than the cheapest option
Why trades are subject matter experts, and why you should never throw the architect under the bus
Workshopping the micro cement bar at Hamsi at the new Sydney Fish Market, and how systems keep five teams in four states consistent
Join The Behind The Design Collective
https://youreinvited.behindthedesignco.au/Follow the guest
Unita website: https://unita.com.au
Unita Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unita/Photography
Hamsi: Sam van Dyke, Kosk Photography
Place Wooloongabba: Scott Burrows PhotographyFollow Unfolded & Behind The Design:
https://www.unfolded.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/unfolded_
https://www.instagram.com/behindthedesignpod_/00:00 Intro
01:02 Welcome to Behind the Design
01:37 When the pricing comes back and the room goes quiet
02:36 Growing up in a Grafton building supply store
03:19 What the client side taught him
04:20 Choosing uni over the family business
04:59 Construction management and learning on the job
05:47 His first job: a bar for hospitality training
06:21 How he came to Unita
07:26 What value engineering actually means
10:56 When a project comes back over budget
12:25 A GP clinic priced at almost double
15:50 A word from Unfolded
16:06 The sink that became a spec
17:50 Earning a designer's trust
18:30 How many options is too many?
19:04 What trades see in a set of drawings
21:17 The line he won't cross
21:48 Never throw the architect under the bus
23:07 When something goes wrong on site
25:39 The concrete bar at the new Sydney Fish Market
26:58 What workshopping a problem looks like
28:27 Does Unita ever say no?
29:30 Systems and processes across four states
30:37 Staying technical as CEO
31:30 Three questions in three minutes
33:43 What people should understand about what goes on behind the design
34:13 Wrap upinterior design
residential interiors
creative business
design consultancy
Behind the Design podcast
Camilla Ingall
Matt Lane
Unita
value engineering
commercial fit-out
hospitality fit-out
office fit-out
construction budgets
design intent
builder and designer collaboration
working with trades
Sydney Fish Market
Hamsi
Place Wooloongabba
national construction businessChaptersKeywords
55. Why Builders Aren't Charging Enough: Andrew George on AI, Pre-Construction and Systems For Builders
Two years ago, Andrew George sat in this chair known as the Passive House guy. Now he's back, and he's not so sure he ever was. In this return conversation, the owner of Lou Projects looks back on the hardest …
Notas do episódio
Two years ago, Andrew George sat in this chair known as the Passive House guy. Now he's back, and he's not so sure he ever was. In this return conversation, the owner of Lou Projects looks back on the hardest stretch of his career: a run of complex projects, rushed contracts, countless variations, supply issues and long-distance jobs that left his business running on fumes, all while building a new shed, workshop and office and welcoming his son, Enzo.
Camilla and Andrew talk about what it took to rebuild. Andrew shares how he turned dozens of spreadsheets into his own pre-construction platform, why he cut his subcontractor checklist from 50 items down to 10 or 15 quality questions, and why bringing 3D modelling in-house saves time and money. He also explains why he's let go of the Passive House label, how he talks to clients about budget, and why he believes most builders aren't charging enough because they don't understand the cost of running their business.
It's a conversation about taking responsibility, slowing down pre-construction to speed up construction, and the kind of resilience that comes from quietly rebuilding one system at a time.
In this episode:
What growing the team to around a dozen people really costs
Why rushed contracts and unasked questions lead to variations, and the simple process to avoid this
Turning dozens of spreadsheets into a pre-construction platform
The difference between being thorough and being useful
Why he no longer wants to be "the Passive House guy"
Why builders aren't charging enough, how overheads explain the gap between quotes, and why he'd like to mentor other builders
How Andrew uses AI in his business to save time and money
Join The Behind The Design Collective
https://youreinvited.behindthedesignco.au/Follow the guest
Lou Projects Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lou.projects/
Website: https://louprojects.com.au/Follow Unfolded & Behind The Design:
https://www.unfolded.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/unfolded_
https://www.instagram.com/behindthedesignpod_/00:00 Builders aren't charging enough
01:27 Welcome back to Behind the Design
02:07 Engaged, a baby, a new home and a hard-fought business
03:15 What growth actually cost
05:36 Custom homes roaring in, and Lou Homes on hold
06:24 The hardest stretch: rushed contracts and variations
09:50 A series of chaos, and the moment things had to change
11:49 Taking responsibility and weekly team meetings
14:01 A word from Unfolded
14:28 Pulling back to the Central Coast
16:04 Who you bring into a project
16:52 Building his own pre-construction platform
19:41 RFIs and the discover, develop, deliver stages
21:30 Thorough vs useful: cutting the checklist down
23:14 Bringing 3D modelling in-house
25:28 No longer "the Passive House guy"
28:28 Passive House windows and long lead times
29:14 Talking budget and Passive House principles with clients
30:19 Status symbol, or health and durability?
31:43 Why builders aren't charging enough
33:28 What would surprise him from two years ago: resilience
35:17 Demystifying overheads and mentoring builders
37:57 Three questions in three minutes
40:02 Wrap upinterior design
residential interiors
creative business
design consultancy
Behind the Design podcast
Camilla Ingall
Andrew George
Lou Projects
Central Coast builder
custom home builder
pre-construction
building variations
scope of works
builder overheads
quoting a build
3D modelling for builders
Passive House
Passive House principles
heat recovery ventilation
resilience in businessChaptersKeywords
54. Chloe Matters on Walking Away From Tom Mark Henry to Build Something More True
Chloe Matters co-founded Tom Mark Henry, one of Sydney's most recognised design studios, and then walked away from it. Pregnant and working hours that left no room for family, she stepped back to work out what …
Notas do episódio
Chloe Matters co-founded Tom Mark Henry, one of Sydney's most recognised design studios, and then walked away from it. Pregnant and working hours that left no room for family, she stepped back to work out what kind of mother, designer and business owner she actually wanted to be. That reset became Matters and Made, a studio known for calm, tonal, deeply tactile homes.
In this episode, Camilla and Chloe get honest about what happened next. Chloe relaunched the studio during Covid with a one-year-old and a six-month-old, grew it far too fast without the systems to hold it, then made the call to downsize the team so she could stop feeding the machine and get back to the work she loves. She shares how her behavioural studies background shapes the way she reads clients, why she tailors her process to every one of them, and how a divorce and a rental she couldn't renovate led to her newest venture, Slow Matters.
It's a conversation about reinvention, saying no, and the quiet power of a home that genuinely supports you.
In this episode:
How saying yes to every client after returning from Europe turned into co-founding Tom Mark Henry
What a creative partnership teaches you, and why it only works when everyone stays in their lane
Why her behavioural studies degree has been more useful than her design degree for reading what clients really need
Growing too fast during Covid, missing time with her kids, and why she chose to trim the business back
The rental, the lamps on timers and the small changes that sparked Slow Matters, plus how the home wellness check and 21-day reset work
The hard questions Chloe asks herself before saying yes, and what's ahead for Matters and Made
Join The Behind The Design Collective
https://youreinvited.behindthedesignco.au/Follow the guest
Matters and Made: https://www.mattersandmade.com
https://www.instagram.com/mattersandmade_
Slow Matters: https://www.instagram.com/slow_matters/Follow Unfolded & Behind The Design:
https://www.unfolded.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/unfolded_
https://www.instagram.com/behindthedesignpod_/00:00 Intro
02:25 Welcome to Behind the Design
03:34 Co-founding Tom Mark Henry
04:21 What a design partnership teaches you
05:12 Why hospitality design builds a name fast
07:13 Pregnancy and the decision to leave
08:23 Behavioural studies and hearing what clients really need
09:59 Ten Pinterest styles and trend-led clients
10:59 Concrete pots on the balcony
11:57 Defining a calm, tonal aesthetic
13:37 Going solo: one vision, not a shared one
14:22 A word from Unfolded
14:52 Relaunching during Covid and growing too fast
15:47 Systems, structure and what she'd change
16:11 Downsizing to stop feeding the beast
17:53 Two babies, divorce and learning to prioritise herself
19:25 What the studio looks like day to day now
20:36 Four-year projects and earning client trust
21:51 Adapting the process for every client
22:51 The rental that sparked Slow Matters
25:44 Naming the problem: the home wellness check
27:02 Why your home deserves the same attention as your body
28:16 The 21-day reset, three minutes a day
31:20 Turning something personal into a product
32:45 Where the name Slow Matters came from
33:14 Trust your gut: the questions to ask yourself
34:48 What's next for Matters and Made and Slow Matters
35:25 Three questions in three minutes
36:11 Wrap upinterior design
residential interiors
creative business
design consultancy
Behind the Design podcast
Camilla Ingall
Chloe Matters
Matters and Made
Tom Mark Henry
Slow Matters
Sydney interior designers
home wellness
designing a calm home
rental styling
business partnerships
working mothers in business
reinvention after divorceChaptersKeywords
53. 20 Years of Woods & Warner: What Running a Design Studio Really Takes
Twenty years ago, Sonia Warner and Jacinta Woods started Woods & Warner with two people, no plan B and a shared goal of creating beautiful spaces. Today they lead a seven-person Sydney studio, and most of what …
Notas do episódio
Twenty years ago, Sonia Warner and Jacinta Woods started Woods & Warner with two people, no plan B and a shared goal of creating beautiful spaces. Today they lead a seven-person Sydney studio, and most of what they know about running it was learned the hard way.
In this episode, Camilla sits down with both directors for an honest look at what it really takes to build a design studio that lasts. They share the seven-bedroom project they designed without charging a cent, only to have it cancelled in a ten-minute meeting. They talk about IVF, bed rest and the mother guilt of building a business with three children under five, and how those years shaped a studio culture that genuinely supports motherhood. And they relive the morning their Hunters Hill project landed the front cover of Belle, just as their website and Instagram were hacked.
It's a conversation about knowing the value of your design intellect, hiring properly, reading your clients and finding joy in the work for the long haul.
In this episode:
Why they ignored a mentor's advice to stick to one style and five suppliers, and what that choice has cost and given them
The unpaid seven-bedroom job that taught them to charge for their time and put contracts first
How IVF, bed rest and early motherhood forced them to build a business that could run without them
Reading clients: telling the difference between a budget problem and a fear problem
The year they broke down in tears over the wrong team, and why paid trial days are now non-negotiable
Using AI to cut hours of admin, collaborating with architects and builders, and how they define success after 20 years
Join The Behind The Design Collective
https://youreinvited.behindthedesignco.au/Follow the guest
https://www.woodsandwarner.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/woodsandwarner/ (confirm handle)Follow Unfolded & Behind The Design:
https://www.unfolded.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/unfolded_
https://www.instagram.com/behindthedesignpod_/00:00 The job that changed everything
01:00 Welcome to Behind the Design
02:50 20 years of Woods & Warner
03:51 IVF, bed rest and being forced to step back
06:10 Mother guilt and a studio that supports motherhood
08:27 Structure, chaos and a week in the studio
09:24 Two directors, two lanes
11:57 Settling creative disagreements
13:01 The advice they ignored: one style, five suppliers
15:21 No signature look: connection as the signature
17:02 A word from Unfolded
17:39 Budget problem or fear problem?
21:23 The year they broke down in tears
24:34 Hiring for passion
27:12 Using AI to cut the admin
30:07 Hire like a corporate: paid trial days
32:28 The seven-bedroom job they never got paid for
38:50 Contracts, staff and the 50% nobody sees
40:43 Working with architects and builders
45:37 A Belle cover and a hacked website
48:45 The next 20 years
49:56 Success, gratitude and taking the plungeinterior design
residential interiors
creative business
design consultancy
Behind the Design podcast
Camilla Ingall
Woods and Warner
Sonia Warner
Jacinta Woods
Sydney interior designers
charging for design fees
hiring in a design studio
working mothers in business
Belle magazineChaptersKeywords
52. I Studied Law to Hide Who I Was. Design Brought Me Back
What happens when a designer spends years pursuing the practical path before finally trusting his creative instincts?Stefan Vignogna of Bespoke Joinery Design built his career around bespoke kitchens …
Notas do episódio
What happens when a designer spends years pursuing the practical path before finally trusting his creative instincts?
Stefan Vignogna of Bespoke Joinery Design built his career around bespoke kitchens, considered interiors and technical expertise. In this episode of Behind the Design, he joins Camilla Ingall to share the personal and professional decisions that shaped his journey, from studying law to building a design business on his own terms.
They explore why Stefan chooses to stay small, what eight years on the workshop floor taught him, and why great joinery involves far more than beautiful finishes.
In this episode:
- Why Stefan walked away from law to pursue design
- Stefan’s journey in coming out and what happened when he finally did
- What years of hands-on joinery experience taught him that formal education couldn't
- How he built a referral-based business without chasing growth
- The underrated power of setting boundaries with his work
- Why the details behind great joinery matter more than most people realise
- How he's making specialist design knowledge more accessible
It's an honest conversation about finding your creative direction, building a business around your values, and deciding what success actually looks like.
—------------------------
Follow Stefan Vignogna
https://www.stefanvignogna.com/https://www.instagram.com/stefan_vignogna
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefanvignognadesigner/
https://www.facebook.com/stefanvignognadesigner/
Follow Unfolded:
https://www.instagram.com/unfolded_
https://www.instagram.com/behindthedesignpod_/
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Chapters
00:00 Why Stefan Vignogna Chose Interior Design Over Law02:15 Growing Up Creative and Discovering a Passion for Design
03:46 Why Stefan Studied Law Instead of Following His Creativity
06:20 From Office Furniture to a Career in Interior Design
08:25 Embracing His Identity and Finding Creative Confidence
11:03 How Life Experience Shaped Stefan’s Design Philosophy
12:47 What Eight Years of Hands-On Joinery Experience Taught Him
14:45 Building a Referral-Based Interior Design Business
15:48 Why Stefan Chooses Quality Over Business Growth
19:39 Why Interior Designers Do More Than Design
22:27 What Makes Bespoke Joinery More Than Just Cabinetry
23:42 Making Kitchen Design More Accessible to Homeowners
27:49 Building a More Profitable and Sustainable Design Business
Keywords
bespoke joinery designkitchen designcustom joineryinterior designjoinery designkitchen renovationcabinetry designresidential interiorsjoinery detailingkitchen functionalityspatial planninginterior design businesscreative businessdesign consultancydesign business growthclient relationshipscreative entrepreneurshipStefan VignognaBespoke Joinery DesignBehind the Design podcastCamilla IngallAdelaide interior design51. From Small Styling Business to Large-Scale Operation | Bowerbird Interiors
Bowerbird Interior’s success isn’t just a story about beautiful design. It’s a story about what happens when the business behind the design keeps getting bigger. Lauren Lewis, co-founder of Bowerbird Interior …
Notas do episódio
Bowerbird Interior’s success isn’t just a story about beautiful design. It’s a story about what happens when the business behind the design keeps getting bigger.
Lauren Lewis, co-founder of Bowerbird Interior, joins Camilla to explore the side of the design industry we rarely see: the people, systems, logistics and commercial decisions behind the finished spaces.
What started as a property styling business has grown into a much bigger operation spanning residential homes, commercial spaces, build-to-rent and large-scale furnishing projects. But what happens behind the scenes when a creative business reaches that kind of scale?
Lauren shares what she has learned about building the infrastructure behind the creativity, working alongside her husband Jeff, finding the right people, and knowing when the founder needs to step back and let others take the lead.
In this episode:
• How Bowerbird evolved from property styling into a much larger furnishing operation
• The systems, logistics and procurement required to operate at scale
• Why creative instinct alone may not be enough to grow a sustainable business
• How commercial thinking can influence creative decision-making
• How Lauren and Jeff built complementary roles around their different strengths
• What separates people who want something to happen from those who make it happen
• Why delegation becomes harder, but more important, as a business grows
• Knowing when to step away from the details and focus on higher-value work
• What can sit behind the success people see from the outside
There’s often a lot more behind a finished space than meets the eye. For Lauren, growing Bowerbird has meant navigating the tension between creativity, people, systems and the realities of running a much bigger business.
But as a creative business grows, one question becomes harder to ignore: how do you scale the business without scaling away what made it special in the first place?
------------------------
Follow Lauren Lewis and Bowerbird Interior
https://www.instagram.com/lauren_lewis84/
https://www.facebook.com/BowerbirdInt
https://www.instagram.com/behindthedesignpod_/
https://www.instagram.com/bowerbirdinteriors
https://bowerbirdinteriors.com.au/
Follow Unfolded:
https://www.unfolded.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/unfolded_
https://www.instagram.com/behindthedesignpod_/
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Chapters
00:00 - From Property Styling to Bowerbird
02:15 - The Story Behind Bowerbird’s Growth
05:40 - What Happens Behind Beautiful Spaces
09:25 - Scaling a Creative Business
13:10 - The Systems Behind Property Styling
17:05 - Procurement, Warehousing and Logistics
21:30 - Why Creative Businesses Need Commercial Thinking
25:45 - Building a Business Around Different Strengths
30:10 - Lauren and Jeff’s Roles at Bowerbird
34:20 - Building the Right Team and Culture
38:15 - What Makes a Great Team Member?
42:05 - Knowing When to Delegate
46:00 - Letting Go as Your Business Grows
49:40 - The Reality Behind Business Success
53:15 - Relationships and Community in Design
56:30 - What Lauren Would Do Differently
59:10 - The Future of Bowerbird and Creative Business Growth
Keywords
Bowerbird
Lauren Lewis
Bowerbird Australia
Bowerbird furniture
Bowerbird property styling
property styling Australia
furniture hire Australia
furniture styling
interior design business
creative business
creative entrepreneurship
creative business growth
scaling a creative business
design business growth
creative business strategy
business systems for creatives
creative business systems
property styling business
property styling business growth
interior styling business
design entrepreneurship
creative leadership
business operations
commercial design
50. Interior Designers Reveal What Really Goes On Behind The Design
What do two successful designers admit when there is no guest to interview and the questions are coming straight back at them? Sarah Reid is the host of Her Design Her Story, and in this special episode of …
Notas do episódio
What do two successful designers admit when there is no guest to interview and the questions are coming straight back at them?
Sarah Reid is the host of Her Design Her Story, and in this special episode of Behind the Design, Camilla Ingall and Sarah Reid turn the questions on each other, reflecting on the careers, shows, businesses and lessons that have shaped where they are today.
As the conversation unfolds, they revisit the moments that challenged their confidence, changed their direction and made them rethink what they actually wanted from their careers. They also share what they have learned from years of working with clients, building businesses and having conversations with people across the design industry.
Both have taken different paths through the design industry, but there are surprising parallels in what they've learned along the way.
In this episode:
- How two very different career paths led into interior design and creative business
- Why confidence often comes from taking action rather than waiting to feel ready
- The reality of running a creative business while trying to maintain a life outside of work
- What burnout revealed about boundaries, people-pleasing and choosing the right clients
- Learning when to say no and recognising when something simply isn't the right fit
- The challenge of letting go, delegating and trusting other people
- Why building a business can teach you as much about yourself as it does about business
- What podcasting has taught them about listening, communication and making people feel heard
At the heart of the conversation is a simple question: what happens when you stop trying to be everything to everyone and start paying attention to what actually works for you?
It's an honest conversation about the less visible side of design careers and creative businesses, and the lessons that only seem to come with experience.
—------------------------
Follow Sarah Reid
https://www.instagram.com/herdesign_herstory/
https://www.instagram.com/s_r_and_o/
https://www.herdesignherstory.com/
Follow Unfolded:
https://www.instagram.com/unfolded_
https://www.instagram.com/behindthedesignpod_/
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Chapters
00:00 Two Designers Turn the Mic on Each Other
02:28 Camilla’s Journey Into Interior Design
04:01 Sarah’s Journey From Architecture to Interiors
07:30 What Inspired Behind the Design
09:06 The Reality Behind the Pretty Pictures
10:00 When Your Career Takes an Unexpected Path
13:07 What Running a Business Teaches You
16:17 What Actually Brings You Joy?
17:25 Building a Business and Making Time for Family
19:14 Does Confidence Come Before Action?
21:15 What Really Happens Behind the Scenes
23:14 Learning When to Say No
24:40 When Doing Everything Becomes Too Much
33:06 Learning to Qualify Your Clients
34:29 Which Opportunities Are Worth Pursuing?
37:49 How Their Definition of Success Changed
42:38 What Podcasting Has Taught Them About People
46:57 What They Want Listeners to Take Away
Keywords
interior design podcast
interior design business
interior designers
design business
interior design Australia
Australian interior designers
Behind the Design podcast
creative business
design industry
interior design career
interior design journey
starting an interior design business
running a creative business
creative entrepreneurship
design business owner
interior design career path
interior design challenges
interior designer burnout
imposter syndrome in design
confidence in business
creative industry Australia
women in design
women in business
design podcast Australia
interior design podcast Australia
podcasting for creatives
behind the scenes design
design business lessons
interior design success
49. From Granny Flat Scam to Luxury Property Development
What happens when the business you're building almost ends before it really begins?Phil and Lina Strati, the husband-and-wife team behind L.P StratiCo Builders and Aesthetic Developments, share the real story …
Notas do episódio
What happens when the business you're building almost ends before it really begins?
Phil and Lina Strati, the husband-and-wife team behind L.P StratiCo Builders and Aesthetic Developments, share the real story behind their journey from secure corporate and construction careers to building businesses of their own.
It wasn't a straight line. After quitting their jobs in the most unexpected way, they spent their early years taking on whatever work they could find, only to become caught in a builders worst nightmare, before their first project had barely started.
But the conversation goes well beyond business.
They talk openly about navigating fertility challenges, personal loss, the pressure behind a successful-looking business, and the shift from chasing growth to building something more intentional.
In this episode:
— Why they quit their jobs at the worst possible time
— The scam that nearly ended their business
— How one difficult project led to six thriving opportunities
— The unexpected path into insurance and remediation
— How they competed with 9 figure builders as a small company
— Balancing stable, commercial work with creative development
— Building a business as a couple
— How grief changed Lina’s definition of success
A conversation about resilience, partnership and what really happens behind a successful building business.
------------------------
Follow Phil and Lina Strati
https://www.aestheticdevelopments.com.au/about
https://www.instagram.com/aestheticdevelopments_/
https://www.instagram.com/lpstratico/
https://www.lpstratico.com.au/
Follow Unfolded:
https://www.unfolded.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/unfolded_
https://www.instagram.com/behindthedesignpod_/
Other resources:
DHR Season 4 - Award Winning Homes: https://vimeo.com/1088921733/aed056c68e?share=copyFlorence i15 by
Greenridge Publishing - Issuu: https://issuu.com/greenridgepublishing/docs/florence_i15
Architecture & Design: https://www.architectureanddesign.com.au/projects/houses/the-fairview-aesthetic-developments
Chapters
00:00 - The Risky Decision That Started Their Business
02:47 - From Corporate Careers to Construction and Design
06:19 - Why They Quit Their Jobs on Their Honeymoon
12:42 - The Granny Flat Scam That Nearly Ended Their Business
16:07 - Discovering the Construction Scam and Starting Over
20:55 - How One Difficult Project Led to Six More Opportunities
21:47 - How COVID Changed Their Construction Business
23:37 - Finding Sustainable Revenue Through Insurance Work
24:28 - Becoming One of 12 Builders on a Major Insurance Panel
25:21 - Finding a Niche in Complex Insurance Claims
30:33 - Returning to Luxury Property Development
31:44 - The Fairview Project and Their First Major Development
32:23 - Winning a Master Builders Award
33:37 - Building a Brand Through Design and Storytelling
35:04 - Grief, Mental Health, and Redefining Success
Keywords
building business Australia
construction business Australia
construction business owners
builder business
building company Australia
property development Australia
luxury home builder
construction entrepreneurship
starting a construction business
building business journey
construction business growth
property development
granny flat builder
insurance construction
insurance remediation
business setbacks
business resilience
husband and wife business
family business
construction industry Australia
luxury property development
building industry Australia
entrepreneurship Australia
48. A Builder’s Guide to Luxury, Design & Construction With Jakin Luxury Living
What actually makes a home luxurious? According to luxury builder James from Jakin Luxury Living, it has far less to do with expensive finishes and far more to do with how a home performs, feels and supports …
Notas do episódio
What actually makes a home luxurious? According to luxury builder James from Jakin Luxury Living, it has far less to do with expensive finishes and far more to do with how a home performs, feels and supports the way you live.
In this episode of Behind the Design, I sit down with James, founder of Jakin Luxury Living, to unpack what really goes into building high-end residential homes and why the best projects are about so much more than beautiful finishes.
We explore how the definition of luxury is changing. From home automation and high-performance glazing to saunas, ice baths, gyms and dedicated wellness spaces, today's luxury homes are increasingly designed around health, comfort, technology and the way families actually live.
And beyond construction, James opens up about business growth, delegation, burnout and finding the balance between working in the business and working on it.
In this episode, we also discuss:
• What luxury really means beyond expensive finishes
• Why a luxury home needs to perform, not just look beautiful
• Why bigger isn't always better in business
• How builders and designers can collaborate more effectively
• Why communication can make or break a construction project
• The importance of choosing the right trades and site manager
• What to look for when comparing builders and building quotes
• The growing importance of insulation and glazing
• How James approaches forecasting, budgeting and project programming
• Managing burnout in the construction and creative industries
• Knowing when to delegate and stay in your lane
• Why the story behind a finished project can be more interesting than the polished result
If you're building, renovating or designing a luxury home, this conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at the decisions, relationships and details that can ultimately determine whether a project simply looks impressive or genuinely feels exceptional.
Follow Behind the Design for more conversations with the people shaping the architecture, interior design, construction and creative industries.
Follow James Watkin and Jakin Luxury Living
https://jakin.com.au/about/
https://www.instagram.com/jakin_luxury_living/
https://www.instagram.com/james_r_watkin/
Follow Unfolded:
https://www.unfolded.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/unfolded_
https://www.instagram.com/behindthedesignpod_/
—------Chapters
00:00 - What Really Makes a Luxury Home?
01:45 - Inside Luxury Home Building
03:15 - From Carpenter to Luxury Builder
04:33 - Why Bigger Isn't Always Better
13:06 - The Problem With Micromanaging
15:43 - Builder & Designer Collaboration
18:33 - Why Communication Makes or Breaks a Build
27:25 - What Does Luxury Really Mean?
30:51 - The Rise of Wellness Spaces at Home
33:48 - The Future of Luxury Home Design
35:07 - 3 Things to Look for in a Builder
38:26 - Why the Cheapest Quote Can Cost More
49:48 - Burnout in the Building & Creative Industries
Keywords
luxury home builder
luxury home building
luxury homes
luxury residential construction
building a luxury home
luxury home design
luxury home construction
high end home builder
custom home builder
luxury residential builder
choosing a builder
how to choose a builder
builder and designer collaboration
luxury home trends
home automation
wellness rooms
home wellness spaces
sauna in luxury home
luxury home features
luxury home renovation
custom home construction
residential construction
building a custom home
luxury property development
high end residential construction
47. Why Lighting Matters More Than You Think | Objects for Thought
Lighting is often one of the last things considered in a project, but it can completely change how we experience a space, from the way materials and colours are perceived to how the room actually feels. In this …
Notas do episódio
Lighting is often one of the last things considered in a project, but it can completely change how we experience a space, from the way materials and colours are perceived to how the room actually feels.
In this episode of Behind the Design, I sit down with Jay and CJ, founders of Objects for Thought, to explore the thinking, process and business decisions behind their contemporary lighting brand.
This is a conversation about much more than beautiful light fittings. Jay and CJ share how their very different backgrounds in design, art, finance and electrical work eventually led them to build a lighting company, and why they deliberately chose to focus on doing one thing exceptionally well.
We talk about why lighting can make or break an interior, what happens when beautiful finishes are paired with poor-quality lighting, and the technical details that designers and homeowners often don't see.
And most importantly, Jay and CJ share what they've learned about building a creative business without letting ego drive every decision.
In this episode:
• How Objects for Thought began and how Jay and CJ found their way into lighting• Why constructive criticism is central to their creative partnership
• How they divide the business across Melbourne and Brisbane
• Why good lighting is about more than aesthetics
• How lighting quality affects colour, materials and finishes
• What electricians and trades bring to the design process
• Why Objects for Thought deliberately says no to some custom work
• How direct relationships with designers create a valuable feedback loop
• Why solving problems well can strengthen long-term client relationships
• The importance of patience when building a product-based design business
For architects, interior designers, builders and anyone interested in how thoughtful design actually comes together, this episode offers a look behind the finished product and into the decisions that make it work.
Follow Behind the Design for more conversations with the people, businesses and creatives shaping the design industry.
Follow Jay, CJ and Object for Thought
https://www.of-t.com/about
https://www.instagram.com/objectsforthought/
https://www.instagram.com/jay_jermyn/
https://www.instagram.com/cjand/
Follow Unfolded:
https://www.unfolded.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/unfolded_
46. Why Furniture Hire Matters More Than You Think | Huntley + Co
When people think about preparing a home for sale, they usually picture the finished styling. What they don't see is everything happening behind the scenes to make that transformation possible.In this episode …
Notas do episódio
When people think about preparing a home for sale, they usually picture the finished styling. What they don't see is everything happening behind the scenes to make that transformation possible.
In this episode of Behind the Design, I sit down with Amy Smith, founder of Huntley + Co, a Sydney-based furniture hire business created specifically to support property stylists, interior designers and creative professionals.
After spending more than a decade as a senior stylist, Amy recognised a growing gap in the industry. Independent stylists needed access to beautiful furniture, reliable logistics and an easier way to hire pieces without managing their own warehouse. That insight became Huntley + Co.
We talk about the evolution of the property styling industry, what it takes to build a business that supports other creatives, and why furniture hire has become such an important part of preparing homes for sale.
Whether you're a property stylist, interior designer, supplier or creative business owner, this conversation offers an honest look at what happens behind one of the industry's most essential businesses.
In this episode we cover:
· Why Amy founded Huntley + Co after 13 years in property styling
· The difference between furniture hire and property styling
· How Huntley + Co supports independent stylists and designers
· Building a business around solving industry pain points
· Designing a furniture collection that balances timeless pieces with current trends
· The role technology plays in simplifying furniture hire
· Growing through uncertainty during COVID
· Supporting creatives beyond furniture through the Style Minds community
· Building long-term client relationships through reliability and trust
· What success looks like after building a thriving creative business
If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe to Behind the Design for more conversations with the people shaping Australia's design industry.
Follow Amy Smith and Huntley + Co
https://huntleyandco.com.au/about-us/
https://www.instagram.com/huntley_and_co/
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090875392637
Follow Unfolded:
https://www.instagram.com/unfolded_
—------
Chapters
00:59 - Behind the Design with Amy Smith
02:47 - The Evolution of Property Styling
05:33 - Finding a Gap in the Property Styling Industry
08:03 - The Reality of Starting a Creative Business
11:07 - What a Furniture Hire Company Really Does
15:00 - How Technology Is Changing Property Styling
17:16 - Choosing Furniture That Appeals to Buyers
20:42 - Design Trends vs Timeless Interiors
22:47 - Building a Community Around Your Business
25:36 - Using Social Media to Grow a Design Business
29:07 - Why Trust Matters More Than Talent
32:43 - The Biggest Challenge of Growing Huntley & Co
35:04 - Redefining Success as a Business Owner
36:50 - Quickfire Questions with Amy Smith
Keywords
furniture hire
furniture hire Australia
furniture hire Sydney
Huntley + Co
Amy Smith Huntley + Co
property styling
property stylist
home staging Australia
home staging furniture
interior styling business
interior designers Australia
property styling business
furniture rental for stylists
styling homes for sale
interior design podcast
Behind the Design Podcast
Camilla Engel
home presentation
styling industry
design business
45. How to Choose the Right Stone Without Costly Mistakes | Nathan Karpenko, CAV'ART
Choosing natural stone is about far more than aesthetics.In this episode of Behind the Design, I sit down with Nathan Karpenko, co-owner of CAV'ART Designer Stone, to explore what really happens behind the …
Notas do episódio
Choosing natural stone is about far more than aesthetics.
In this episode of Behind the Design, I sit down with Nathan Karpenko, co-owner of CAV'ART Designer Stone, to explore what really happens behind the scenes when selecting one of the most important materials in a home.
Nathan shares his journey from working in luxury hotels to leading one of Australia's most respected natural stone suppliers. Along the way, we talk about the power of relationships, starting a business during COVID, the life-changing impact of a bowel cancer diagnosis, and why trust has become the foundation of everything he does.
We also unpack some of the biggest misconceptions about natural stone, how designers and suppliers work together to create better outcomes, and why the best projects always start with honest conversations.
Whether you're an interior designer, architect, builder or homeowner planning your next renovation, this episode offers practical insights into choosing the right materials while building stronger relationships throughout the design process.
In this episode, we cover:
• Nathan's unexpected path from hospitality into the natural stone industry
• How a bowel cancer diagnosis changed his outlook on business and life
• Starting CAV'ART during the uncertainty of COVID
• Why trust matters more than selling products
• The biggest misconceptions about marble, granite and quartzite
• How designers and suppliers collaborate to achieve better project outcomes
• Choosing the right stone for your lifestyle, not just the look
• Why customer experience is just as important as the materials themselves
• Building a business around quality, honesty and long-term relationships
If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe to Behind the Design for more conversations with the people shaping Australia's design industry.
We'd also love it if you left a review and shared this episode with someone planning their next project.
Follow Nathan Karpenko and CAV'ART Designer Stone
https://au.linkedin.com/in/nathan-karpenko-53350617
https://www.instagram.com/nathankarpenko/
https://au.linkedin.com/company/cav-art-designer-stone?trk=public_profile_topcard-current-company
https://cavart.com.au/
Follow Unfolded:
https://www.unfolded.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/unfolded_
—------
Chapters
01:29 — Nathan Capon's Journey Into the Stone Industry
05:46 — How a Cancer Diagnosis Changed Everything
10:17 — Starting a Business During COVID
15:16 — Building Trust Instead of Chasing Sales
21:34 — Why Quality Matters More Than Quantity
25:02 — How Designers and Stone Suppliers Work Together
30:02 — Marble vs Quartzite: Choosing the Right Stone
32:01 — Common Mistakes People Make When Choosing Stone
34:18 — How to Choose the Perfect Stone Slab
37:32 — Creating an Exceptional Customer Experience
41:10 — Business Lessons on Leadership, Relationships & Growth
45:12— Final Advice for Designers, Builders & Homeowners
Keywords
Natural Stone
Stone Selection
Kitchen Benchtops
Marble Benchtops
Quartzite Benchtops
Interior Design Australia
Interior Design Podcast
Home Renovation Tips
Kitchen Renovation
Bathroom Renovation
Stone Supplier Australia
Marble vs Quartzite
Choosing Natural Stone
Interior Designers Australia
Building Relationships in Business
Cava Stone
Camilla Ingall
Behind the Design Podcast
Design Industry
Residential Design
44. Service Over Style: Chris Trotta on Building a Sustainable Architecture Business
What actually keeps an architecture business alive past the first project?Most people judge an architecture firm by the finished home. The clean lines, the light-filled kitchen, the project that lands on …
Notas do episódio
What actually keeps an architecture business alive past the first project?
Most people judge an architecture firm by the finished home. The clean lines, the light-filled kitchen, the project that lands on Instagram. Behind that image sits a business built on budget conversations, team trust, and a reputation that took years to earn.
In this episode of Behind the Design, I sit down with Chris Trotta, founder of Trotter Architecture, to talk about the parts of running a design business that rarely make it into a portfolio. We cover his path from working inside large firms to launching his own practice during Covid, why he built a board of advisors with zero designers on it, and why he walked away from wanting to be seen as difficult in the industry.
We also get into his 85% rule for avoiding perfectionism, why he still sketches every project by hand before touching a computer, and what success looks like for him now that the business runs itself day to day.
In This Episode, We Discuss:
➡️ Why relationships, service, and trust matter more than design skill long term
➡️ How he handles honest budget conversations with clients
➡️ Why he built a personal board of advisors with no designers or architects on it
➡️ How giving up creative control helped him build a stronger team
➡️ Why protecting his reputation matters more than winning every argument on site
➡️ How his confidence in front of the camera grew over the past year
➡️ Why every project at Trotter Architecture starts with a hand sketch, not a screen
➡️ His 85% rule for finishing work without over-laboring the last details
➡️ What success looks like for him personally and professionally right now
One takeaway from this conversation is Chris's view that architects are hired for temperament and patience, not just a beautiful portfolio. Clients spend years working alongside their architect. That relationship carries more weight than any single render.
If you run a creative business or work with clients on long-term projects, this episode gives you a direct look at what holds a design practice together once the pretty pictures are done.
Enjoyed this episode? Share it with a friend, colleague, or fellow design enthusiast, and follow the podcast for more conversations on the people, processes, and passion behind great design.
Follow Chris Trotta:
https://www.trottaarchitecture.com/studio
https://www.instagram.com/trotta_architecture/
https://www.instagram.com/christrotta/
Follow Unfolded:
https://www.unfolded.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/unfolded_
—------
Chapters
00:00 - Why Relationships Matter More Than Design
01:25 - Meet Architect Chris Trotter
02:34 - From Big Firms to Starting His Own Practice
05:24 - Why Launching an Architecture Business During COVID Worked
08:06 - Designing Homes as Investments, Not Just Beautiful Spaces
11:23 - Budget Conversations Every Architect Should Have
14:26 - The Truth About Running a Design Business
16:35 - Building a Team Without Micromanaging
22:17 - Why Client Experience Is More Important Than Great Design26:15 - The Business Advice Every Creative Needs
28:02 - The Power of Reputation, Trust & Collaboration
39:17 - Why Architects Need to Show Up on Social Media
48:04 - The 85% Rule That Makes Better Business Decisions
Keywords
Trotter Architecture
Chris Trotta
architecture business podcast
running a design firm
architecture leadership
client budget conversation
architecture team management
design industry reputation
Behind the Design podcast
Camilla Ingall
starting an architecture practice
architect branding
hand sketching in architecture
design intent
sustainable creative business
architecture and personal branding
43. Design vs Styling: The Hidden Steps Behind Every Great Project with Bea Lambos
What does an interior stylist actually do?It's a role that most people only notice in the final image. The beautifully photographed home, the perfectly layered living room, or the project that lands in a …
Notas do episódio
What does an interior stylist actually do?
It's a role that most people only notice in the final image. The beautifully photographed home, the perfectly layered living room, or the project that lands in a magazine. But behind those images is a creative process that most people never see.
In this episode of “Behind The Design”, I sit down with interior stylist Bea Lambos to talk about the world of styling, photography, and visual storytelling. We discuss what happens before a project is photographed, how stylists work alongside photographers and designers, and why styling is about much more than placing beautiful objects in a room.
We also explore the challenge many homeowners face when trying to define their style, and Bea shares a simple piece of advice that can make the process feel far less overwhelming.
In This Episode, We Discuss:
➡️ Why Bea transitioned from interior design into styling
➡️ What really happens on a photoshoot day
➡️ The relationship between stylists, photographers, and designers
➡️ How styling helps tell the story of a project
➡️ The difference between styling for everyday living and styling for photography
➡️ Why some of the best creative outcomes come from flexible briefs
➡️ The role emotion plays in creating memorable spaces
➡️ How to discover your personal style by identifying what you don't like
➡️ Common misconceptions about interior photography and publication shoots
➡️ Why great styling often goes unnoticed when it's done well
One of my favourite insights from this conversation is Bea's belief that finding your style doesn't always start with what you love. Sometimes it starts with understanding what you don't.
If you've ever looked at a finished project and wondered how it all comes together, this episode offers a great behind-the-scenes look at one of the most important and least understood parts of the design process.
Enjoyed this episode? Feel free to share it with a friend, colleague, or fellow design enthusiast, and don't forget to follow the podcast for more conversations exploring the people, processes, and passion behind great design.
------------
Follow Bea Lambos:IG - https://www.instagram.com/beaandcostyle/Website - https://beaandcostyle.comPinterest - https://au.pinterest.com/Beaandcostyle/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bea-lambos-622aa7143/Substack - https://substack.com/@bealambos1
Follow Unfolded:
https://www.unfolded.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/unfolded_
------------
Chapters
00:00 - Why Finding Your Style Starts With What You Don't Like
03:09 - Why Bea Chose Interior Styling Over Interior Design
05:20 - The Reality of Styling for Professional Photoshoots
08:49 - What Happens Before an Interior Photography Shoot?
09:35 - How Long Does It Take to Style a Home for Photography?
10:32 - The Hidden Tricks Behind Magazine-Worthy Interiors
14:51 - What Most People Get Wrong About Interior Styling
15:17 - Styling to the Frame: How Great Interior Photos Are Created
17:28 - Professional Styling vs Everyday Living
18:38 - How Styling Shapes the Story of a Space
19:44 - Inside the Stylist and Photographer Partnership
28:35 - Building Confidence in Your Personal Design Style
51:35 - Will AI Change the Future of Interior Styling?
------------
Keywords
interior styling
interior stylist
home styling tips
interior photography
design photography
magazine worthy homes
interior design process
styling for photoshoots
architectural photography
how to find your design style
interior design inspiration
home decorating tips
design storytelling
interior design podcast
Bea Lambos
Camilla Ingall
Behind the Design podcast
42. Building the Vision: A Builder's Perspective on Design with JW Projects
A beautiful home rarely tells the full story.Behind every completed project is a team navigating site constraints, heritage restrictions, unforeseen challenges, client expectations, and hundreds of decisions …
Notas do episódio
A beautiful home rarely tells the full story.
Behind every completed project is a team navigating site constraints, heritage restrictions, unforeseen challenges, client expectations, and hundreds of decisions that never make it into the final photographs.
In this episode of Behind the Design, I sit down with Jack Williams, founder of JW Projects, to unpack the realities of residential construction in Sydney's eastern suburbs.
From heritage terraces in Paddington and Surry Hills to architecturally designed homes overlooking Sydney Harbour, Jack shares what it takes to bring ambitious design visions to life while managing the practical challenges that come with construction.
Together, we explore the relationship between builders and designers, the importance of communication throughout a project, and why some of the biggest decisions happen long before the finishes are installed.
In this episode:
• The unique challenges of building in Sydney's eastern suburbs
• Why heritage renovations require a different approach to new builds
• What builders uncover once demolition begins
• Managing expectations when site conditions change
• The role communication plays in successful projects
• Building strong relationships between designers, architects and builders
• Growing a construction business while maintaining quality
• Lessons learned from challenging projects and unexpected setbacks
• The realities of leading a team across multiple active sites
• What clients rarely see behind a finished home
If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to the podcast and share it with a fellow designer, builder, architect or industry professional.
Follow Jack Williams and JW Projects
https://www.instagram.com/jackwill/
https://www.instagram.com/jackwill/
https://www.jwprojects.com.au/
Follow Unfolded:
https://www.unfolded.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/unfolded_
CHAPTERS
02:21 - How Jack Williams Became a High-End Residential Builder
05:03 - Building in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs: Challenges & Opportunities
05:53 - Heritage Home Renovations: What Homeowners Need to Know
06:52 - Hidden Problems Found During Home Renovations
08:08 - Managing Renovation Budgets, Variations & Client Expectations
09:02 - Builder vs Interior Designer: Creating Successful Projects Together
11:33 - What Instagram Doesn’t Show About Luxury Home Construction
13:01 - Growing a Construction Business and Building the Right Team
15:23 - A Day in the Life of a Luxury Home Builder
17:03 - Costly Construction Mistakes and Lessons From the Job Site
20:51 - Dealing With Neighbours, Council Approvals & Tight Building Sites
27:06 - Future Trends in Luxury Home Building, Design & Development
Keywords
luxury home builder
luxury home construction
Sydney luxury homes
Sydney eastern suburbs builde
rhigh end home builder
residential builder Sydney
heritage home renovation
home renovation Sydney
luxury home renovation
custom home builder
architectural homes Sydney
residential construction
construction project management
building a luxury home
renovation builder Sydney
heritage house renovation
home building challenges
high end residential construction
builder and interior designer collaboration
luxury property development
custom home construction
Sydney renovation specialist
renovation budget planning
construction industry insights
building heritage homes
luxury home design and build
eastern suburbs construction
residential renovation expert
construction business owner
behind the scenes construction
property renovation tips
luxury home building process
architectural renovation
Sydney builders
construction podcast
home renovation podcast
interior design and construction
building in Sydney
luxury renovation projects
property development Sydney
high end renovation builder
custom luxury homes
construction leadership
home building expert
renovation project management
Sydney architecture and design
residential building contractor
luxury property renovation
41. Scaling a Trade Supply Business with GatherCo
Finished homes, polished brands, and resolved details are what we usually see. What’s less visible is the pressure underneath: the hard decisions, constant judgment calls, and the reality of sustaining …
Notas do episódio
Finished homes, polished brands, and resolved details are what we usually see. What’s less visible is the pressure underneath: the hard decisions, constant judgment calls, and the reality of sustaining growth.
James McCarthy knows that reality well.
In this episode of Behind the Design, I sit down with James McCarthy, co-founder of GatherCo, a trade-only supplier in the architecture and interiors industry known for its relationship-led approach, adaptability, and willingness to do things differently.
What began as a small business trying to stay afloat has grown into a trusted supplier working with architects, designers, and builders across Australia. But this conversation is less about polished success and more about what sits behind long-term growth.
We talk about the early pressure to say yes to everything, why boundaries become essential as a business matures, and the mindset shift that comes with realising not all growth is good growth.
We also explore sustainable scaling, how partnerships evolve, and why understanding your lane is one of the most important lessons for founders.
In this episode, we also covered this:
— Why saying yes to every opportunity early in business eventually becomes unsustainable
— The lesson that completely changed James’ perspective on business challenges and competition
— How Gather Co built trust with architects and designers through honesty and long-term thinking
— Why the business chose not to follow the traditional showroom model and what happened instead
— The importance of boundaries, systems, and internal accountability as a team grows
— What founders often misunderstand about scaling a product-based business
— How small businesses can use adaptability and speed as competitive advantages
— The reality of managing client expectations, timelines, and decision fatigue within the design industry
— Why relationships remain at the centre of everything Gather Co does
— The emotional side of entrepreneurship and the importance of remembering why you started
If you enjoyed this episode, follow Behind the Design for more conversations unpacking the people, processes, and realities behind the design industry.
Follow James McCarthy and GatherCo
https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-mccarthy-90a215140/
https://www.gatherco.com.au/
Follow Unfolded:
https://www.unfolded.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/unfolded_
Chapters
03:02 — Why Gather Co Built a Trade-Only Supply Business
06:00 — The Importance of Honesty & Long-Term Relationships
07:12 — Fighting to Survive: The Early “Say Yes to Everything” Mentality
10:30 — Why Strong Teams Matter More Than Founders Doing Everything
12:27 — Learning to Love the Journey of Building a Business
15:50 — The Story That Changed How Gather Co Worked With Clients
20:12 — Why Boundaries & Policies Are Essential for Growth
23:47 — Balancing Creativity, Timelines & Commercial Reality
25:07 — Why Gather Co Chose Digital Over a Physical Showroom
29:48 — Creating a Better Sample Process for Designers & Architects
34:18 — The Mindset Shift That Turned Problems Into Competitive Advantages
45:45 — Competition, Ego & the Fear That Still Drives Business Growth
Keywords
Gather Co
James McCarthy Gather Co
trade supply business
scaling a supply business
business growth mindset
entrepreneurship podcast
design industry podcast
interior design business
architecture and design industry
supplier relationships in business
business lessons for entrepreneurs
creative business growth
building a trade-only business
online showroom strategy
digital-first business model
natural stone supplier
trade-only supplier Australia
business operations and systems
founder mindset
scaling a creative business
business leadership lessons
long-term client relationships
architecture supplier insights
design and construction podcast
entrepreneurship in construction
growing a product-based business
40. Inside Folk Studio: People-First Design and the Discipline of No
Colour gets the attention, but it is rarely where the real work happens.Mariah Burton built Folk Studio on something quieter than a signature aesthetic, a belief that the person living in the space is always …
Notas do episódio
Colour gets the attention, but it is rarely where the real work happens.
Mariah Burton built Folk Studio on something quieter than a signature aesthetic, a belief that the person living in the space is always the starting point and that the brief is never really the Pinterest board, the budget, or the timeline. It is the human being sitting across from you at that first meeting, and everything that flows from understanding them well enough to design something that genuinely feels like theirs.
In this episode of Behind the Design, I sit down with Mariah Burton, Creative Director and Co-Founder of Folk Studio, a Sydney-based interior design practice recognised for its layered, expressive interiors and a client experience that feels as considered as the design itself.
Eight years in, Folk is turning away more work than it takes on, the projects are more varied, the team is bigger, and yet the studio still feels unmistakably like Mariah. This conversation is about how that happens, how you build something that continues to grow without losing the thing that made it worth building in the first place.
In this episode, we also covered this:
• What it looks like to back yourself when nothing is guaranteed and you are building something from scratch with no real roadmap
• How a casual conversation with a stranger became the project that changed everything for Folk Studio
• Why the best design decisions are not always the most obvious ones, and how knowing when to stop is its own kind of skill
• What staying true to yourself looks like when clients, budgets and timelines are all pulling in different directions
• How to protect the thing that makes your work yours, even as your team grows and more people are involved
• The quiet work that happens before a client ever gets on a call with you and why that part matters just as much as the design
• What nobody tells you about the emotional side of running a creative business and how to find your footing when it gets heavy.
If you enjoyed this episode, follow Behind the Design for more conversations unpacking the people, processes, and ideas shaping the design industry.
Follow Mariah Burton and Folk Studio
https://www.instagram.com/mariah.burton_/
https://au.linkedin.com/in/mariah-burton-281165ab
https://www.folkstudiodesign.com/
Follow Unfolded:
https://www.unfolded.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/unfolded_
Chapters
02:20 - How Childhood & Creativity Shaped Mariah Burton’s Design Style
04:42 - The Early Career Lessons That Built Folk Studio’s Culture
06:28 - Landing Major Interior Design Projects in the Early Days
07:36 - Working 3 Jobs While Launching a Design Business
09:22 - The Confidence to Pivot a Client’s Vision Completely
10:24 - Building a Successful Interior Design Studio Without Pressure
11:37 - Creative Restraint, Color & Designing Functional Spaces
15:30 - Why Folk Studio Prioritizes People Over Trends
20:41 - How Folk Studio Chooses the Right Design Clients
27:31 - The Reality Behind Interior Design Photoshoots & Styling
31:56 - Balancing Business, Creativity & Mental Wellbeing as a Designer
39:10 - The Biggest Lessons From 8 Years Running Folk Studio
Keywords
interior design studio Sydney
folk studio interior design
starting an interior design busines
show to build a design brand
interior design client process
color in interior design
residential interior design Australia
behind the scenes interior design
design studio philosophy
timeless interior design
creative restraint in design
how to start an interior design studio young
saying no to clients as a designer
interior design business
starting a design studio
interior designer tips
design studio growth
client selection design
creative business advice
interior design proces
show to build a design brand
design studio success
creative entrepreneurship
interior design career
design philosophy
working with clients design
design business lessons
folk studio mariah burton
39. Inside Cosentino: How Stone Innovation Is Redefining Surfaces
Most material decisions are still driven by aesthetics. But the real shift is happening in safety, performance, and sustainability, the layers a renovator or end user often doesn’t see, and rarely gets guided …
Notas do episódio
Most material decisions are still driven by aesthetics. But the real shift is happening in safety, performance, and sustainability, the layers a renovator or end user often doesn’t see, and rarely gets guided through. That’s the conversation missing across the broader industry.
In this episode of Behind the Design, I sit down with Erin Payne from Cosentino to explore how one of the world’s leading surface manufacturers is reshaping the future of architecture and interior design.
From engineered stone to zero silica innovation, this is not just a conversation about benchtops. It is a conversation about responsibility. How materials are evolving, how decisions are made, and what designers need to understand to stay relevant in a rapidly shifting industry.With over 20 years as an interior designer before moving into the supply side, Erin brings a perspective most conversations miss. She understands both the creative intent and the commercial reality, and where they often do not align.
In this episode, we also covered this:
• Why “all stone is the same” is one of the biggest misconceptions in design
• The real difference between engineered, natural, and ultra-compact surfaces
• Zero silica and why this shift matters globally, not just in Australia
• How performance is becoming as critical as aesthetics
• What true sustainability looks like at a manufacturing level
• The role designers play in educating clients and where it often breaks down
• Where surface design is heading next and what to pay attention to
If you enjoyed this episode, follow Behind the Design for more conversations unpacking the people, processes, and ideas shaping the design industry.
Follow Erin Payne and Cosentino
https://www.instagram.com/erin_payne_design/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-payne-a99783121/
https://www.cosentino.com/en-au
Follow Unfolded:
https://www.unfolded.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/unfolded_
38. Details That Define Merivale: Secrets of Great Design with Nasim Köerting
From chasing design milestones to discovering what truly makes work meaningful, this episode takes you behind the scenes of large-scale hospitality design.In this episode of Behind the Design Podcast, I chat …
Notas do episódio
From chasing design milestones to discovering what truly makes work meaningful, this episode takes you behind the scenes of large-scale hospitality design.
In this episode of Behind the Design Podcast, I chat with Nasim Köerting, Design Director at Merivale, about the realities of leading some of Australia’s most recognised hospitality projects. From her early career in London to managing complex, high-profile designs today, Nasim shares what it really takes to succeed at this level.
We also explore a turning point in her career: the moment she realized that achieving awards and hitting milestones brought only brief excitement. What matters most is the experience of the process: seeing her team thrive, collaborating effectively, and watching people genuinely enjoy the spaces she creates.
For Nasim, the real reward is the human impact of design, not the accolades and keeping creativity and collaboration enjoyable.
This conversation goes beyond the finished product and dives into the choices, pressures, and mindset behind exceptional design. From balancing creativity with leadership to designing environments that feel thoughtful and inclusive, this is an honest look at what happens behind the scenes.
Topics covered in this conversation:
• Nasim’s journey from London to Design Director at Merivale
• Managing the responsibility and pressures of large-scale design
• Leading teams while staying creatively involved
• Moving past the fleeting thrill of milestones to find lasting fulfillment
• How collaboration enhances design outcomes
• Designing spaces that feel welcoming and considered
• The subtle details that make a space memorable
If you want insight into what makes great design more than just a pretty photo, this conversation offers a candid view behind the scenes.
If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe for more conversations that go beyond aesthetics and into the real thinking behind design.
Follow Nasim Köerting and Merivale
https://www.instagram.com/nasimkoerting/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nasim-k%C3%B6erting-78511a4a/
https://www.instagram.com/merivale/
https://merivale.com/
Follow Unfolded:
https://www.unfolded.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/unfolded_
Chapters
01:07 – Meet Nassim: Design Director Behind Merivale’s Iconic Spaces
02:09 – From Sydney to London: Building a Global Interior Design Career
03:51 – Landing a Dream Role at Merivale (Hospitality Design Insights)
04:46 – Leading Creative Teams in High-End Hospitality Projects
07:30 – Why Hospitality Design is About Experience, Not Just Aesthetics
10:21 – The Real Design Process: Collaboration, Ideas & Innovation
13:26 – Designing with Old Buildings: Creating “Lived-In” Spaces
15:12 – Diversity & Inclusion in Interior Design (Why It Matters)
18:47 – Small Design Details
27:32 – Redefining Success: Beyond Awards & Recognition in Design
32:14 – The Future of Design
Keywords
Merivale
hospitality design
interior design podcast
interior design process
design leadership
creative careers
interior designer interview
design director
hospitality interiors
commercial interior design
design inspiration
interior design career
hospitality design process
managing creative teams
design collaboration
guest experience design
experiential design
human-centered design
inclusive design
adaptive reuse design
imposter syndrome creatives
37. Beyond Trends: Creating Timeless Design with Nelli Hegi
“Design doesn’t need to please everyone. Designers like McQueen, Schiaparelli, and Margiela showed me that discomfort, exaggeration, and vulnerability aren’t flaws—they’re tools.”In this episode of Behind the …
Notas do episódio
“Design doesn’t need to please everyone. Designers like McQueen, Schiaparelli, and Margiela showed me that discomfort, exaggeration, and vulnerability aren’t flaws—they’re tools.”
In this episode of Behind the Design, I talk with Nelli Hegi, founder and creative director of Hegi Design House, about creating furniture that’s more than functional, it tells a story. Nelli blends furniture, art, fashion, and architecture into bold pieces meant to spark emotion and conversation.
We explore her journey of finding her voice, why she stopped chasing validation, and the lessons haute couture taught her about creativity and risk.
As Nelli says, “Evolution isn't a lack of direction, it's part of finding your voice.”
What You learn in this episode:
→ Finding and trusting your creative voice
→ Drawing inspiration from fashion, art, and couture
→ Making furniture that’s emotional and story-driven
→ Balancing craft, collaboration, and sustainable business
→ Connecting with clients through storytelling
For anyone interested in expressive, personal design, this episode is full of insights on creating work that truly reflects who you are.
Follow Nelli Hegi: https://www.instagram.com/hegi_designhouse/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nelli-hegi-67704765/
https://hegidesignhouse.com/
Follow Unfolded:
https://www.unfolded.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/unfolded_
Chapters
02:00 – Signature Style vs Evolution
04:00 – Childhood & Personal Experiences
07:00 – Craftsmanship & Studio Life
10:00 – Haute Couture Inspiration
13:00 – Overcoming Self-Doubt & Industry Pressure
16:00 – Creating Emotional Connections Through Furniture
18:00 – Storytelling & Client Interaction
20:00 – Dreams, Inspiration & New Collections
Keywords
interior design podcast
furniture design inspiration
how to find your design style
creative confidence design
design career advice
how to get featured in design magazines
design storytelling
art vs commercial design
building a design brand
creative entrepreneurship
behind the design podcast
Camilla Ingall podcast
Nelli Hegi Authentic Design
36. Bespoke Furniture vs Scalable Design: Tim Noone’s Approach
From kitchen joinery to high-end design, this is what it takes to turn craft into a sustainable business.In this episode of Behind the Design Podcast, I sit down with furniture maker Tim Noone, founder of Tim …
Notas do episódio
From kitchen joinery to high-end design, this is what it takes to turn craft into a sustainable business.
In this episode of Behind the Design Podcast, I sit down with furniture maker Tim Noone, founder of Tim Noone Furniture, to talk about his journey from kitchen joinery to creating high-end custom furniture.
He shares the challenges of crafting beautiful pieces while keeping a business sustainable, and how he eventually realized the limits of purely bespoke work. That realization led him to develop a collection that sits between fully custom pieces and high-end retail.
We also dive into Tim’s design philosophy and why he believes furniture should enhance a space rather than dominate it. He opens up about collaborating with interior designers, practicing restraint in design, and redefining what success really looks like after years in the industry.
For Tim, it is less about scale and more about balancing creative satisfaction, family life, and long-term sustainability.
Topics covered in this conversation:
- His journey from kitchen joinery to high-end bespoke furniture
- The challenges of running a creative business that lasts
- How he overcame the growth limits of fully custom furniture
- Why furniture should support architecture and interiors
- Redefining success for creativity, family, and sustainability
If you love design, craftsmanship, or want a peek behind the scenes of a creative business, this conversation is full of insight and inspiration.
Follow Tim Noone Business Instagram
:https://www.instagram.com/tim_noone_furnituredesign/
:https://www.instagram.com/thecollectionbytimnoone/
Business Website: https://timnoone.com/
Chapters
01:16 - Meet Furniture Maker Tim Noone
03:05 - From Kitchen Joinery to Bespoke Furniture
06:12 - Why Furniture Should Serve the Space
09:48 - The Sketching and Idea Development Process
13:20 - Working with Interior Designers on Custom Pieces
16:54 - The Realities of Running a Bespoke Furniture Business
21:07 - Why Scaling Custom Furniture Is So Difficult
25:32 - Moving from Bespoke Work to a Furniture Collection
29:18 - Designing Pieces That Quietly Elevate a Room
32:47 - Craft, Business, and Building a Sustainable Career
34:58 - Craftsmanship and Refinement
Keywords
Joinery process
Custom furniture design
Residential cabinetry
Sustainable furniture
Interior design collaboration
Craftsmanship tips
Kitchen design ideas
Australian joinery
Designer-client collaboration
Furniture materials and finishes
35. Setting Boundaries as an Interior Designer (Without Losing Clients)
Building a design studio is often celebrated as creative freedom, yet many founders discover that without boundaries, success can start to feel unsustainable.In this episode, I sat down with Kate Lawrence …
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Building a design studio is often celebrated as creative freedom, yet many founders discover that without boundaries, success can start to feel unsustainable.
In this episode, I sat down with Kate Lawrence, founder of Kate Lawrence Interiors and bedding brand Sleep Ins, to unpack the real story behind building and reshaping a creative business.
Kate speaks candidly about:
• Saying yes to everything, and what it cost her
• The reality of wearing every hat in the business
• Navigating complex relationships with architects and trades
• The emotional weight that comes with residential client work
• The final straw the led her to setting clear boundaries with work
• Why and how she started an ecommerce brand
If you are in your early years of practice, feeling stretched between creativity and capacity, or quietly questioning what success looks like for you now, this conversation will resonate.
Follow Kate Lawrence Interiors:
Business Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katelawrenceinteriors/Business Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@katelawrenceinteriorsBusiness Website: https://www.katelawrenceinteriors.com.au/Business Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/katelawrenceproperty/
Follow Sleep Ins:
Website: https://www.sleepins.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573166985356
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sleepinsbedding
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sleep__ins
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@sleep__ins
Chapters
02:35 - Starting an Interior Design Business and Saying Yes to Everything
04:20 - Wearing Every Hat and Hitting Burnout
06:05 - Client Relationships, Architects and Trade Dynamics
09:20 - Managing Design Changes Without Ego
10:30 - How Long It Takes to Be Profitable in Design
13:55 - Client Boundaries and Being “Too Available”
17:55 - The Emotional Weight of Residential Projects
19:40 - Pivoting to E-Commerce and Product-Based Business
25:55 - Redefining Success as Freedom, Not Just Income
34. Inside the Process: How Luxury Joinery Is Really Built
Behind every beautiful piece of joinery is a series of decisions, conversations, and mistakes no one ever seesIn this episode, I sat down with Luke from Élan Joinery and SKUPA, to talk through what really goes …
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Behind every beautiful piece of joinery is a series of decisions, conversations, and mistakes no one ever seesIn this episode, I sat down with Luke from Élan Joinery and SKUPA, to talk through what really goes into custom joinery and furniture, beyond the finished photos. From early planning and material selection to timelines, teamwork, and trust, Luke shares how thoughtful joinery is built around the way people actually live in their homes.We explore how Élan Joinery has evolved from its commercial roots into residential and furniture work, what it’s like running a family business, and why collaboration between designers, builders, joiners, and clients is essential to achieving great outcomes. The conversation also touches on sustainability, sampling, and the emotional side of caring deeply about your work.This episode offers a grounded look behind the scenes of high-end joinery, helping clients better understand the value of process, craftsmanship, and clear communication, not just the final result.What You’ll Learn• Why custom joinery takes time and what happens before anything is built• How material selection and sampling influence durability, function, and feel• What designers and joiners consider when planning storage, layout, and workflow• Why collaboration plays such a big role in successful projects• What clients often underestimate about timelines, process, and craftsmanship• How good joinery supports the way you live, not just how a space looksFollow Elan Joinery House:https://www.elanc.comhttps://www.instagram.com/elan.joinery/?hl=enFollow SKUPAhttps://skupa.com.au/https://www.instagram.com/skupafurnitureFollow Unfolded:Website: https://www.unfolded.com.au/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unfolded_Chapters 01:30 – The Origins of Elan Joinery02:26 – A Family Business Today03:07 – Expanding from Joinery into Furniture04:06 – Scaling Operations & Warehousing04:29 – Growing a Team & Business 06:00 – Micromanaging vs Autonomy07:25 – Why Luke Created A Showroom09:03 – Instagram Growth vs Real Business Growth09:37 – The Reality Behind Project Photos11:45 – Winning Work Through Instagram13:18 – Sustainability in Joinery & Furniture16:45 – Craftsmanship Across Departments17:48 – Why Owning Mistakes Builds Trust19:38 – What Clients Don’t See in Kitchens21:29 – How the Business Has Evolved24:52 – Delivering the Vision, Not Designing It25:31 – Collaboration With Designers & Builders28:56 – Managing Difficult Conversations31:02 – Why Custom Work Takes TimeKeywordsJoinery processCustom furniture designResidential cabinetrySustainable furnitureInterior design collaborationCraftsmanship tipsKitchen design ideasAustralian joineryDesigner-client collaborationFurniture materials and finishes
33. From Vintage Store to National Brand: The MCM House Story
Trends come and go, but brands built on craft, instinct, and resilience tend to stick around.In this episode of Behind the Design, host Camilla Ingall sits down with Charles Hinckfuss, founder and creative …
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Trends come and go, but brands built on craft, instinct, and resilience tend to stick around.
In this episode of Behind the Design, host Camilla Ingall sits down with Charles Hinckfuss, founder and creative force behind MCM House.
Charlie shares the unpolished reality behind building one of Australia’s most recognisable furniture brands, from early days focused purely on survival, to growing a national retail presence grounded in craft, instinct, and energy.
This conversation goes beyond aesthetics to explore what actually sustains a creative business over decades: trusting your eye, understanding materials deeply, resisting trends, and building a team culture that feels supported and excited by the work.
You’ll hear how Charlie’s early hands-on making shaped MCM House’s DNA, why texture and material honesty matter more than polish, and how resilience, humour, and momentum play a bigger role in success than any rigid plan. This episode is a reminder that great design isn’t about chasing what’s new, it’s about creating work that still feels right years later.
What You learn in this episode:
* Timeless design outlives trends; Charlie explains why MCM House avoids trend-driven aesthetics in favour of materials and forms that age well over time.
* Energy drives execution; From retail spaces to team culture, energy and mood directly shape outcomes — creatively and commercially.
* Craft builds credibility; Early hands-on making gave Charlie a deep understanding of furniture that still informs MCM House today.
* Growth without identity loss is possible; Scaling doesn’t have to dilute creativity when the brand is anchored in clear values and instinct.
Follow MCM House:https://www.mcmhouse.com
Follow Unfolded:
Website: https://www.unfolded.com.au/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unfolded_
00:00 – Introduction
02:13 – From Vintage Retail to Furniture Making: The Chuck & Bob Years
04:09 – Why Experience Matters More Than Products in Retail Design
07:25 – Taking Creative Risks and Backing Yourself
09:16 – Touching Every Part of the Business as a Founder
11:41 – Choosing Materials: Fabric, Timber, Texture & Honesty
13:00 – Trends vs Timeless Design
14:17 – Growing a Brand in Sydney’s Competitive Retail Market
17:01 – What Does MCM Actually Stand For?
17:59 – Retail Expansion vs International Growth
19:03 – Opening Stores Across Australia
20:13 – Building a Team and Letting Go of Control
21:51 – Energy, Mood & Leadership in Creative Teams
24:05 – The Reality of Working Seven Days a Week
25:02 – Expanding Into Commercial & Hospitality Design
27:12 – Using Movies and Culture as Creative Direction
30:00 – The Hardest Parts of Growing a Product-Based Brand
34:23 – One Piece of Advice for Anyone Starting a Design Brand
38:56 – Design Trends That Need to Go
40:21 – Final Reflections & Episode Takeaways
interior design podcast
MCM House
Australian furniture design
timeless interior design
design brand building
furniture design process
interior design trends vs timeless
creative business resilience
retail design experience
materials and texture in design
how to build a furniture brand in Australia
designing furniture without following trends
interior design brand storytelling
scaling a creative business without losing identity
32. Quiet Luxury Explained: Inside Daniel Boddam’s Design Philosophy
Design doesn’t need to shout to make an impact.In this episode of Behind the Design, Camilla Ingall sits down with Daniel Boddam, founder of Daniel Boddam Studio, to unpack his philosophy of quiet living; a …
Notas do episódio
Design doesn’t need to shout to make an impact.
In this episode of Behind the Design, Camilla Ingall sits down with Daniel Boddam, founder of Daniel Boddam Studio, to unpack his philosophy of quiet living; a design approach rooted in restraint, calm, and deep respect for the Australian landscape.
Daniel shares his journey from architecture into furniture design, why he deliberately plays the long game, and how designing with nature (not trends) creates homes and objects that feel timeless, grounded, and human.
This conversation goes beyond aesthetics. It explores how spaces should feel, how materials age, and why true luxury today is found in simplicity, not excess.
In this episode, we explore:
- What quiet luxury really means (and why it’s misunderstood)
- Designing architecture and furniture that belongs to the Australian landscape
- The role of texture, sound, touch, and material honesty in great design
- Why restraint and patience lead to better creative outcomes
- Balancing architecture, furniture, business growth, and personal boundaries
- Designing homes that age well; emotionally and materially
If you’re an architect, interior designer, builder, or design-aware homeowner, this episode will reframe how you think about calm, timeless design.
Follow Daniel Boddam:
Daniel Boddam Studio: https://danielboddam.com
Follow Unfolded:Website: https://www.unfolded.com.au/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unfolded_
Behind the Design is hosted by Camilla Ingall, founder of Unfolded, an interior design and styling studio based in Sydney and the Central Coast.
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:00:32 - Welcome to Behind the Design
00:01:16 - Interview with Daniel Bottom
00:01:42 - Daniel's journey into design
00:03:16 - Transition from architecture to furniture design
00:06:00 - Challenges and changes in design journey
00:07:54 - Managing a design studio
00:11:06 - Balancing architecture and furniture design
00:12:32 - Quiet living philosophy
00:15:17 - Unfolded: Interior Design and Styling Studio
00:15:34 - Material Preferences and Sensory Design
00:17:43 - Reflecting on Past Experiences and Influences
00:19:15 - Client Briefs and Diversification
00:21:38 - Designing for the Australian Landscape
00:23:31 - Sculptural Simplicity in Design
00:24:32 - Balancing Function and Aesthetics
00:29:48 - Future Plans for the Studio
00:30:35 - Opening a Furniture Showroom and Expanding Overseas
00:31:26 - Reflections on the Pace of Work and Growth
00:32:46 - Managing Work-Life Balance
00:33:05 - Sustainability in Work and Avoiding Burnout
00:35:09 - Strangest Client Requests
00:36:34 - Closing Remarks
31. From Designer to Owner-Builder: Lessons Learned on the Job with Stephanie Ferrara
In this episode, Camilla sits down with Stephanie Ferrara, founder of Laidback Lee Design, to explore how she built a growing design studio while renovating her own family home as an owner-builder and raising …
Notas do episódio
In this episode, Camilla sits down with Stephanie Ferrara, founder of Laidback Lee Design, to explore how she built a growing design studio while renovating her own family home as an owner-builder and raising two young daughters. Steph shares how a Covid job cut sparked her leap into business, what she’s learned from flipping character homes, and how stepping onto site as a woman and now a builder has reshaped her confidence and communication.
Together, they unpack the realities of running a design studio in the thick of motherhood, delegation, renovation setbacks, and the mindset shifts that help Steph stay grounded through it all.
In this episode, we explore:
• How Steph launched Laidback Lee Design and grew it into a five-person studio
• The emotional and practical realities of motherhood while running a design practice
• What it’s really like to be an owner-builder and manage a full renovation
• The mindset shifts required to delegate, hire, and step back from doing everything yourself
• Timeless design vs personality-driven design and how Steph navigates both
• Why slowing down, working with your capacity, and trusting your path matters in business and in life
Whether you’re an interior designer, owner-builder, renovator, creative parent, or someone who loves hearing the unfiltered stories behind design careers, this conversation is grounding, generous, and full of the permission so many of us need.
Follow Laidback Lee Design:
Business Instagram: instagram.com/laidbacklee_design
Business Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@laidbackleedesign
Reno diaries for personal project: https://www.instagram.com/finalmente_renodiary/
Follow Unfolded:
Website: https://www.unfolded.com.au/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unfolded_
00:00:00 – Introduction & Background
00:01:30 – Introducing Stephanie Ferrara
00:02:21 – Stephanie’s Path to Founding Laidback Lee Design
00:04:06 – Starting a Business During Major Life Changes
00:07:09 – Stephanie’s Renovation & Flip Experiences
00:08:16 – Upcoming Renovation Plans
00:11:04 – Key Challenges in Project Management
00:12:05 – Building the Laidback Lee Design Team
00:13:49 – Delegation, Confidence & Scaling
00:15:19 – Stephanie’s Evolving Role
00:17:01 – Stepping Into the Builder Role
00:17:36 – White Card & Owner-Builder Certification
00:20:41 – Motivation & Women’s Empowerment
00:22:30 – Balancing Work, Life & Motherhood
00:30:24 – Adapting to Client Personalities
00:32:43 – Clear Communication with Clients
00:34:32 – Navigating Delays & Project Challenges
00:35:00 – Confidence in Client Relationships
00:37:48 – Vulnerability in Life & Business
00:43:18 – Postpartum Impact on Work & Identity
* Interior design
* Australian designer
* Creative entrepreneur
* Design studio
* Renovation
* Owner-builder
* Residential interiors
* Heritage renovation
* Studio leadership
* Creative motherhood
* Women in design
* Client communication
* Design inspiration
* Small business growth
* Authentic design process
30. Women Redefining Leadership Through Creative, Multidisciplinary Design
In this episode, Camilla sits down with Dani Dean, founder of The Make Haus, to explore the evolution of her multidisciplinary studio, spanning florals, interiors, spatial design, commercial installations, and …
Notas do episódio
In this episode, Camilla sits down with Dani Dean, founder of The Make Haus, to explore the evolution of her multidisciplinary studio, spanning florals, interiors, spatial design, commercial installations, and standout projects like the David Jones Flower Show.
Together, we unpack what it truly looks like to juggle creativity, business, and motherhood. Dani shares why she refuses to niche down, how she cultivates inspiration across disciplines, and why downtime is an essential part of her process, not a luxury.
Camilla also reflects on how burnout has surfaced in her own design practice, and the permission creatives need to slow down, reset, and design from a grounded place.
In this episode, we explore:
• How Dani built a studio spanning multiple creative pillars
• The emotional and practical realities of motherhood in design
• How burnout shows up for creatives, and how to work differently
• The contrasting mindsets behind commercial vs residential design
• The importance of intuition, experimentation, and creative stillness
Whether you’re an interior designer, stylist, floral artist, creative entrepreneur, or simply someone who loves hearing the real stories behind design careers, this episode is full of depth, clarity, and the kind of permission creatives crave.
Follow Unfolded:
Website: https://www.unfolded.com.au/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unfolded_
00:00:00 – Welcome & Episode Intro
00:00:56 – Meet Dani Dean: The Mind Behind The Make Haus
00:02:27 – How an Interior Path Emerged from Creative Curiosity
00:02:39 – The Moment The Make Haus Expanded Beyond One Discipline
00:08:20 – How Clients Engage Dani Across Interiors, Florals & Events
00:09:32 – Why Dani Refuses to “Pick a Lane”
00:09:50 – Choosing Interiors: The Career Decision That Stuck
00:11:16 – Motherhood, Boundaries & Designing with Less Noise
00:14:46 – How Partner Support Makes Creative Careers Possible
00:18:01 – From Fashion Roots to Interiors & Spatial Design
00:18:30 – Inside Dani’s Intuitive, Tactile Design Process
00:22:13 – What Makes The Make Haus Team Work
00:24:11 – Sources of Inspiration: Objects, Observation & Environment
00:28:14 – Switching Gears: Commercial vs Residential Mindsets
00:29:47 – The Projects That Changed Dani’s Creative Trajectory
00:30:53 – Behind the Fiore Sandwich Shop Concept
00:31:25 – Turning a Client Brief into a Lived Experience
00:33:23 – Why Creative Downtime Isn’t Optional
00:34:25 – Early Signs of Burnout & What Dani Learned
00:40:58 – What’s Next for The Make Haus
* Interior design
* Australian designer
* Creative entrepreneur
* Design studio
* Multi-disciplinary design
* Floristry
* Event styling
* Residential interiors
* Commercial design
* Creative process
* Women in design
* Design inspiration
* Creative motherhood
* Design business
* Burnout recovery
29. The Art & Science of Facade Design: How Troy Donovan Shapes Iconic Buildings
This episode of Behind the Design features Troy Donovan, Principal Facade Designer at Prism Facades, whose work bridges architecture, engineering, and creative storytelling. From sketching in a notebook to …
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This episode of Behind the Design features Troy Donovan, Principal Facade Designer at Prism Facades, whose work bridges architecture, engineering, and creative storytelling. From sketching in a notebook to leading large-scale projects with firms like Grimshaw Architects, Troy shares how facade design shapes the way we experience buildings, from the Sydney Opera House to the Australian War Memorial. He is based in New Zealand and leads his work from an office in Sydney.
In this thoughtful and grounded conversation, Troy opens up about his design process, the importance of collaboration, and how the smallest details can transform both a structure and the emotions it evokes. He reflects on the lessons learned through mistakes, the enduring value of sketching, and what it really takes to bring architectural visions to life.
Expect to learn:
• How facade design connects creativity, functionality, and craftsmanship
• The journey from industrial design to international architecture projects
• Why sketching remains a powerful design tool in a digital age
• What it takes to preserve heritage while innovating with modern materials
• How mistakes and experimentation lead to growth and better design outcomes
• Insights into the creative partnerships that shape landmark Australian buildings
Whether you are an architect, designer, or creative problem-solver, this episode will inspire you to see buildings in a new light and appreciate the artistry behind every facade.
Follow Unfolded:
https://www.unfolded.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/unfolded_
00:00:52 – Meet Facade Designer Troy Donovan
00:02:32 – From Industrial Design to Architecture
00:03:16 – Studying Architecture and Finding Facades
00:06:10 – Sketching the Path to Facade Design
00:08:11 – What a Facade Designer Does
00:10:18 – Collaboration in Architecture and Engineering
00:11:04 – The Art and Science of Facades
00:12:36 – Experience and Intuition in Design
00:14:19 – The Ideal Facade Design Client
00:15:14 – Creativity and Teamwork at Prism Facades
00:18:07 – Working on Global Architecture Projects
00:18:59 – Heritage Buildings and Modern Challenges
00:19:39 – Hidden Design and Accessibility
00:24:05 – Using Instagram to Share Design Insights
00:27:37 – Teaching Facade Design Online
00:31:51 – Lessons from Design Mistakes
00:33:36 – Turning a Design Error into Success
00:36:13 – Why Sharing Mistakes Matters
00:38:15 – Relationships and the Future of Prism Facades
* facade design
* architecture podcast
* building envelopes
* Sydney architecture
* design process
* Australian architects
* sustainable design
* building innovation
* architectural detailing
* sketching for designers
* creative collaboration
* design storytelling
* design education
* design inspiration
* Grimshaw Architects
* Opera House design
* Prism Facades
28. Creative Burnout, Boundaries & The Business of Design - Lessons from Smac Studio
This episode of Behind the Design features Shona McElroy from Smac Studio, one of Australia’s most exciting emerging interior designers. What began as a side project has evolved into a thriving studio known for …
Notas do episódio
This episode of Behind the Design features Shona McElroy from Smac Studio, one of Australia’s most exciting emerging interior designers. What began as a side project has evolved into a thriving studio known for its bold use of materials, thoughtful detail, and high-end residential interiors that balance precision with personality.
In this honest and grounded conversation, Shona opens up about the realities of building a creative business; from hiring the right people and managing clients to setting boundaries, avoiding burnout, and staying inspired in a fast-moving design industry.
Expect to learn:
- How Smac Studio grew from an “accidental” start-up into a five-person design studio
- The secret to scaling without losing your creative identity
- How to build client trust and set boundaries that protect your process
- Why burnout and imposter syndrome are part of every creative’s journey
- The truth behind design trends like Modern Spanish and Modern Mediterranean
- What it takes to grow a sustainable, fulfilling design business
Whether you're an interior designer, architect, or creative founder, this episode will inspire you to grow with confidence and clarity. And if you're planning to renovate or build from scratch, this podcast is packed with insights to guide your journey.
Connect with Smac Studio
https://www.instagram.com/smac_studio
https://www.smacstudio.com.au/
Follow Unfolded:
https://www.unfolded.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/unfolded_
00:00:00 – Welcome to Behind the Design
00:00:36 – Meet Shona from Smac Studio
00:02:01 – How Smac Studio Began
00:05:15 – Scaling a Design Business
00:06:00 – Delegation and Building a Team
00:08:05 – Balancing Growth and Client Demands
00:10:12 – Design Trends vs. Timeless Interiors
00:13:24 – Creating Trust with Design Clients
00:15:13 – Developing a Signature Design Style
00:17:33 – Why the Concept Phase Matters
00:20:17 – Managing Revisions and Client Feedback
00:26:05 – Modern Spanish & Mediterranean Design Trends
00:28:50 – Social Media’s Impact on Interiors
00:30:29 – DIY vs. Professional Interior Designers
00:34:10 – Career Highs, Lows & Lessons Learned
00:39:54 – People Pleasing in Creative Business
00:43:54 – Dealing with Burnout in Design
00:47:40 – Recovering and Regaining Creativity
00:51:15 – Building Team Culture & Collaboration
00:55:00 – Imposter Syndrome in Design
00:58:41 – What’s Next for Smac Studio
* Smac Studio
* Shona McElroy
* Interior design podcast
* Creative burnout
* Design business tips
* Scaling a design studio
* Boundaries with clients
* Australian interior designer
* Modern Mediterranean design
* Modern Spanish interiors
* Creative entrepreneurship
* Managing design clients
* Signature design style
* Imposter syndrome in design
27. How Vicello Built a Thriving Joinery Studio Without a Plan
This episode of Behind the Design features Leon and Victoria Pirrello, the couple behind Vicello. What began in their garage has grown into a thriving joinery and design studio with a team, factory spaces, and …
Notas do episódio
This episode of Behind the Design features Leon and Victoria Pirrello, the couple behind Vicello. What began in their garage has grown into a thriving joinery and design studio with a team, factory spaces, and a reputation for delivering bespoke interiors across NSW. Their journey is one of courage, collaboration, and saying yes to projects that stretched them well beyond their comfort zone.
They share how Vicello was built step by step - balancing marriage, parenting, and business - while carving out a niche in guiding clients through every stage of the joinery process. From technical precision to meaningful collaboration with architects and designers, their approach blends craftsmanship with connection, offering valuable lessons for anyone in design, construction, or business.
Expect to learn:
- How Vicello went from garage projects to full-home fitouts
- Why early collaboration with joiners saves time, money, and mistakes
- The creative and technical process behind high-end bespoke joinery
- How to lead a family-run business with clear roles, values, and purpose
- The importance of emotional intelligence in design and business
If you're an interior designer, architect, builder, or business owner in the design space - this episode is a must.
Follow Unfolded:
https://www.unfolded.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/unfolded_
00:00:00 – Behind the Design Intro
00:01:52 – Meet the Guest
00:02:00 – How the Business Began
00:05:39 – Design Process Overview
00:12:04 – Working with Architects
00:13:53 – Family Business Dynamics
00:16:34 – Compassionate Leadership
00:18:05 – Favourite Projects & Growth
00:20:08 – Drafting Team’s Role
00:22:34 – Ideal Clients & Fit
00:25:40 – Relationship-Driven Projects
00:29:27 – Portfolio & Client Privacy
00:33:54 – Shift to Construction & Joinery
00:35:09 – Passion for Collaboration
00:39:25 – Seamless Client Experience
00:43:18 – Building a Business Together
00:44:24 – Advice to Younger Creatives
00:47:23 – Emotions in Entrepreneurship
00:49:28 – Managing Creative Stress
00:49:58 – Quick Fire Questions
* bespoke joinery
* high-end interiors
* family business success
* interior design business
* designer-builder collaboration
* Vicello
* scaling creative businesses
* behind the scenes interior design
* building a business with your spouse
* Australian design podcasts
* female founders in construction
* working with your partner business
* custom cabinetry and joinery
* emotional intelligence in business
* early engagement trades
* client experience design industry
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