Published by Bree Banfield and Lauren Li
Welcome to Design Anatomy , where we examine the world of interiors and design. With a shared passion for joyful, colour-filled, and lived-in spaces, Bree Banfield and Lauren Li are excited to share their insights and inspiration with you. YouTube channel launching soon.
Listen on Apple PodcastsBree & Lauren are back for Season 4 of Design Anatomy! Kicking off this season, we start with an episode recorded in front of a live audience at Decor + Design Show Melbourne 2026 and we answer the questions people actually ask us, about renovating, hiring a designer, or trying to build a design business. From budgets and joinery to AI and Milan Design Week, we give practical answers and a few spicy opinions along the way. • How to decide between an architect, interior designer, decorator, building designer or drafts person • What to look for when choosing a designer, beyond a matching aesthetic • Why listening and fit matter more than a perfect portfolio • Small budget upgrades that change the feel of a room • What $5,000 can do when you spend it on the right layer • When custom joinery is worth it and where to save instead • Pairing dining chairs with a vintage travertine table and bench • Design rules worth questioning, from ceilings to colour • Where AI helps and where it harms the designer client relationship • Controversial takes on dark rooms, white paint, boucle, and project photography • Favourite new products spotted at Milan Design Week • Quick-fire debates on bedside tables, curtains, lighting, plants, baths and more • The one skill to hone in a tech-heavy industry • The essentials for a sustainable, profitable design business If you enjoyed this one, subscribe, share it with a design mate, and leave us a review. Bree is now offering a 90-minute online design consult to help you tackle key challenges like colour selection, furniture curation, layout, and styling. Get tailored one-on-one advice and a detailed follow-up report with actionable recommendations—all without a full-service commitment. Bookings now open - Book now Lauren also offers design consultations, so if you're needing expert guidance & inspiration for your project, please reach out @sisalla_interior_design Would you love to be part of a small group of 8 designers joining Lauren & Bree on The Design Anatomy Tour of Paris & Milan Design Week in 2027? Please reach out to us via DM @design.anatomy.podcast , or @sisalla_interior_design & @bree.banfield
Buying dining chairs should be fun, but it’s also one of the fastest ways to waste money if you skip the basics. Bree Banfield and Lauren Li, are getting practical about how to choose dining chairs that look great, feel comfortable, and actually work in your home day to day. We start with the brief most people forget to write: who’s sitting there, how long they’ll stay, and what kind of meals happen at your table. That simple thinking leads straight into the details that decide whether you’ll love your chairs for years or quietly resent them. We talk arms and mobility, casual versus formal dining, and why your location matters more than you think (hello beach towels, chlorine, and fabrics that can’t cope). From there we go deep on fit: chair width, how many seats you can realistically fit, and how the chair interacts with your table base. We also cover the underrated annoyances like chair legs snagging on a dining rug, scratched timber floors, and why “matching” can backfire. If you want upholstered dining chairs but you’ve got kids, we share what’s changed in outdoor fabrics and why they’re now a genuinely stylish, durable option. We also get into leather, vegan leather, patina, and what you’re signing up for with each. You’ll hear our favourite chair picks, plus a more grounded shortlist of brands and stores to explore when budget matters. We also share what’s coming up for Design Anatomy, including our Sydney Milan in Review event at Hali Rugs on 24th June at 6 pm and our live podcast on 17th July at the Melbourne Convention Centre where we answer your questions. Sydney Milan in review 24th June 6pm event tickets here Live Design Anatomy Podcast Melbourne - Decor + Design Show 17th July 12pm Hit play, then subscribe, share with a design mate, and leave a review. Got a question you want us to answer live? Send us a DM and tell us if you want to stay anonymous. Bree is now offering a 90-minute online design consult to help you tackle key challenges like colour selection, furniture curation, layout, and styling. Get tailored one-on-one advice and a detailed follow-up report with actionable recommendations—all without a full-service commitment. Bookings now open - Book now Lauren also offers design consultations, so if you're needing expert guidance & inspiration for your project, please reach out @sisalla_interior_design Would you love to be part of a small group of 8 designers joining Lauren & Bree on The Design Anatomy Tour of Paris & Milan Design Week in 2027? Please reach out to us via DM @design.anatomy.podcast , or @sisalla_interior_design & @bree.banfield
A lot of interiors look “right” and still feel wrong. We’re chasing something harder to name: the feeling of a home that actually belongs to you. That’s why we loved this chat with designer Anna-Carin , who has built a client briefing process around an unexpected tool: music. We talk through her signature question: if your project had a theme song, what would it be? From there, she layers in a project name and three feeling words to create a brief that’s clear, emotional, and genuinely personal. We unpack how rhythm can hint at a client’s quirks, how a “raw” track can give you permission to propose bolder ideas, and why starting with mood helps you avoid the copy-and-paste trap of image-led design. If you’re an interior designer wanting a stronger client connection, or a homeowner stuck between “nice” and “mine”, this approach is pure gold. The conversation goes wider too: Scandinavian rituals, seasonal living, and what happens when a culture loses the small traditions that anchor us to time, place, and each other. Anna-Carin also shares her career story, the mentor who taught her the power of five millimetres, and why commitment to the person behind the project is what turns a house into a home. Check out Anna-Carin on her socials below: Instagram: @annacarindesign Web: www.annacarindesign.com.au If you enjoyed this one, subscribe, share it with a design mate, and leave us a review. What would your home’s theme song be? Bree is now offering a 90-minute online design consult to help you tackle key challenges like colour selection, furniture curation, layout, and styling. Get tailored one-on-one advice and a detailed follow-up report with actionable recommendations—all without a full-service commitment. Bookings now open - Book now Lauren also offers design consultations, so if you're needing expert guidance & inspiration for your project, please reach out @sisalla_interior_design Would you love to be part of a small group of 8 designers joining Lauren & Bree on The Design Anatomy Tour of Paris & Milan Design Week in 2027? Please reach out to us via DM @design.anatomy.podcast , or @sisalla_interior_design & @bree.banfield
A sofa is never just a sofa. It’s where you crash after work, where friends pile in with a glass of wine, where kids build nests out of cushions, and where the whole room quietly takes its cues. That’s why we’re kicking off a practical “how-to choose” series with the most high-stakes piece in the living room: the sofa. We start with the question that saves the most money and regret: how do you actually live? From entertaining versus Netflix sprawl, to seat height for different bodies and stages of life, we break down how lifestyle should drive everything from depth to firmness. Then we get ruthless about scale. A sofa can measure “right” and still feel wrong, especially when you’ve only seen it online or in a cavernous showroom. We share simple ways to map it out at home, plus what to consider around coffee tables, side tables, lighting, and circulation. Fabric and colour get their own reality check too. Upholstery isn’t just aesthetics; it’s texture, cleanability, stretch, durability and whether you’ll hate the feel the second you sit down. We also challenge the default beige and grey reflex, and talk about “safe” colour that still brings warmth and personality, like navy, deep green, and caramel leather. We finish with quality and construction tips, common sofa mistakes, and the unglamorous but essential topic of delivery access. Join us for the Milan In-Review talks @ Hali Rugs, tickets are available below : Melbourne - Wednesday 10th June 6pm Sydney - Wednesday 24th June 6pm If you love practical interior design advice, subscribe, share this with a friend who’s sofa shopping, and leave us a review so more Australians can find the show. Bree is now offering a 90-minute online design consult to help you tackle key challenges like colour selection, furniture curation, layout, and styling. Get tailored one-on-one advice and a detailed follow-up report with actionable recommendations—all without a full-service commitment. Bookings now open - Book now Lauren also offers design consultations, so if you're needing expert guidance & inspiration for your project, please reach out @sisalla_interior_design Would you love to be part of a small group of 8 designers joining Lauren & Bree on The Design Anatomy Tour of Paris & Milan Design Week in 2027? Please reach out to us via DM @design.anatomy.podcast , or @sisalla_interior_design & @bree.banfield
Your place can have great bones, beautiful light, cool vintage pieces, and still feel oddly unfinished. That gap between inspiration and reality is where so many people get stuck, and it is exactly what Lauren tackles solo while Bree is off travelling and living her best design life. We talk about the real reasons people book interior design consultations, and why it is rarely about “just picking a sofa” and almost always about getting the home to feel calm, cohesive, and emotionally right. We break down five repeat problems that show up in homes across Australia and beyond: rooms that feel flat even when they are “done”, decision fatigue from too many options online, awkward architecture that makes zones feel like hallways, and the constant push-pull between aesthetic dreams and practical reality. Lauren shares the fixes that actually move the needle, like adding curtains to soften acoustics and privacy, anchoring spaces with the right rug, turning off harsh downlights, and using layered lighting to create warmth at night. We also get honest about renovation sequencing, material choices, durability, and the compliance surprises that can burst the mood board bubble. The deepest thread is atmosphere. Beyond the visuals, we explore how scale, shadow, textiles, scent, sound, and personal objects build a home that feels like you, not a showroom. If you have ever second-guessed a paint colour, delayed a rug purchase, or felt overwhelmed by Pinterest, this one will give you a clearer plan and a bit of permission. Want details on Milan in Review in Melbourne or Sydney? Send us a DM or click on the 'trybooking' links below: Milan In-Review Melbourne Wed 10th June 6pm Milan In-Review Sydney Wed 24th June 6pm Subscribe, share with a friend who is stuck mid-reno, and leave a review so more design lovers can find us. Bree is now offering a 90-minute online design consult to help you tackle key challenges like colour selection, furniture curation, layout, and styling. Get tailored one-on-one advice and a detailed follow-up report with actionable recommendations—all without a full-service commitment. Bookings now open - Book now Lauren also offers design consultations, so if you're needing expert guidance & inspiration for your project, please reach out @sisalla_interior_design Would you love to be part of a small group of 8 designers joining Lauren & Bree on The Design Anatomy Tour of Paris & Milan Design Week in 2027? Please reach out to us via DM @design.anatomy.podcast , or @sisalla_interior_design & @bree.banfield
A childhood New York souvenir turns into a full-blown compass, and for Marcus Hay it points straight to a 20 year creative career in the US. We’re talking Manhattan apartments, the magazine years, and what it’s really like to build visual worlds for major lifestyle brands when the industry shifts under your feet. Now Marcus is back in Sydney, living with a view of a park instead of a brick wall, and he’s entering a new chapter with fresh eyes and a much calmer nervous system. We chat about how place shapes taste and how your interior style quietly gathers clues from movies, travel and the objects you can’t throw away. Marcus shares a grounded approach to authentic interiors and styling: the reason a home feels “real” is rarely the perfect sofa. It’s the history, the patina, the personal touches and the small architectural oddities that suggest people have actually lived there. If you love layered, colour filled, lived in spaces, this one is packed with practical thinking you can apply to your own rooms and your client work. We also get honest about the business side: the post GFC budget crunch, the constant flights, the not-so-glamorous hotels, and why slowing down can be the most radical creative decision. Marcus tells us about teaching creative direction and styling, and his new venture Annex 3000 in Alexandria, built around curation, collaboration and more community with less gatekeeping in the design industry. Please follow along with Marcus Hay on his socials. @marcushay , @annex.3000, Studio Marcus Hay If you enjoy Design Anatomy, subscribe for more conversations like this, share the episode with a designer mate, and leave a review so more people can find the show. What part of your home tells your story best? Bree is now offering a 90-minute online design consult to help you tackle key challenges like colour selection, furniture curation, layout, and styling. Get tailored one-on-one advice and a detailed follow-up report with actionable recommendations—all without a full-service commitment. Bookings now open - Book now Lauren also offers design consultations, so if you're needing expert guidance & inspiration for your project, please reach out @sisalla_interior_design Would you love to be part of a small group of 8 designers joining Lauren & Bree on The Design Anatomy Tour of Paris & Milan Design Week in 2027? Please reach out to us via DM @design.anatomy.podcast , or @sisalla_interior_design & @bree.banfield
Milan Design Week can look like a never-ending highlight reel, but the real story lives outside the frame. What you don’t get from Instagram is the atmosphere: the scent in a private apartment, the soundscape in an installation, the scale of a palazzo hiding behind an ordinary street door, and the way a space can hit your nervous system in an instant. We’re fresh back from Paris and Milan and ready to share the honest debrief, including the parts that are chaotic, emotional and properly joyful. We talk about why this year felt so positive, how hospitality in Paris completely challenges the “rude Parisian” myth, and why being treated like “entrepreneurs” at the Musée d'Orsay still makes us smile. Then we get nerdy about interiors and furniture design: what reads one way online but changes in person, how prototypes and production timelines make trend fatigue feel weirdly premature, and why context matters when you’re judging a piece you’ve only ever seen on a screen. If you love Salone del Mobile, Studio Pepe, Muuto, and the craft of creating a mood in a room, you’ll feel right at home. We also get practical about navigating Milan Design Week: queues, planning versus winging it, brand installations you might love (or happily skip), and how chasing a single “social media moment” can send you to the wrong side of town. To wrap it up, we share the unexpected highlights that actually linger, like an unplanned Aperol spritz after a huge fair day, a Brera dinner that turns into a singalong, and a chance encounter that opens doors you didn’t even know existed. If you’re dreaming about going one day, or you’ve been and you’re still processing it, listen along and tell us how you do Milan: tight itinerary or total spontaneity. Reachout to @design.anatomy.podcast , @bree.banfield or @sisalla_interior_design to join our waitlist for more information about The Design Anatomy Tour 2027. Subscribe, share the episode with a design friend, and leave us a quick review so more Australian interior design lovers can find the show. Bree is now offering a 90-minute online design consult to help you tackle key challenges like colour selection, furniture curation, layout, and styling. Get tailored one-on-one advice and a detailed follow-up report with actionable recommendations—all without a full-service commitment. Bookings now open - Book now Lauren also offers design consultations, so if you're needing expert guidance & inspiration for your project, please reach out @sisalla_interior_design Would you love to be part of a small group of 8 designers joining Lauren & Bree on The Design Anatomy Tour of Paris & Milan Design Week in 2027? Please reach out to us via DM @design.anatomy.podcast , or @sisalla_interior_design & @bree.banfield
You see the finished rooms, the polished captions and the big-name collaborations. What you don’t see is the work that holds it all together. We’re joined by Sacha Strebe, an Australian editor and storyteller who now works behind the scenes as executive director with Athena Calderone to help craft and execute the creative vision for EyeSwoon . Sacha takes us from her Gold Coast journalism days to building a career in the US, including the mindset shifts that come with backing yourself, building relationships online, and writing your way into opportunities. We get specific about what it takes to run a modern interior design and lifestyle brand with a small team: shaping brand voice, planning content calendars, creating newsletters, affiliate strategies, and supporting major partnerships from ideation through to contracts and production. If you’re a designer, creative, or business owner trying to grow an audience, this chat breaks down what still works across every platform: service, inspiration and entertainment, plus the discipline to stay true to your point of view. Then the conversation turns deeply personal. Sacha shares the devastating experience of losing her home in the LA fires, the “phantom” feeling of a place that’s gone but still present, and how rebuilding becomes both grief and gratitude at once. We finish on what’s next, how Sacha defines success, and her current design obsession: brutalism, concrete, stone and light. Subscribe, share with a friend who loves design and storytelling, and leave a review to help more listeners find us. Podcast Cover Photography Credit: Julie Guével Goldstone Bree is now offering a 90-minute online design consult to help you tackle key challenges like colour selection, furniture curation, layout, and styling. Get tailored one-on-one advice and a detailed follow-up report with actionable recommendations—all without a full-service commitment. Bookings now open - Book now Lauren also offers design consultations, so if you're needing expert guidance & inspiration for your project, please reach out @sisalla_interior_design Would you love to be part of a small group of 8 designers joining Lauren & Bree on The Design Anatomy Tour of Paris & Milan Design Week in 2027? Please reach out to us via DM @design.anatomy.podcast , or @sisalla_interior_design & @bree.banfield
This week, Interior designers Lauren Li and Bree Banfield explore why homes that look beautiful can still feel uncomfortable or frustrating to live in. Many clients come to them not just for aesthetics, but because their spaces create stress, limit connection, or don’t reflect who they are—making the process feel more like “interior design therapy” than simple decorating. They highlight common issues, starting with the feeling of not enjoying your own home. This often stems from poor layout, awkward furniture placement, or a disconnect between styled interiors and real-life comfort. They emphasize how subtle design rules and spatial flow impact confidence and daily experience. The conversation then shifts to functionality—homes that don’t support modern life, like working from home or fostering family interaction. They also address decision paralysis caused by endless inspiration from platforms like Pinterest and AI tools, explaining how designers simplify choices by focusing on what truly fits a client’s lifestyle and needs. Finally, they discuss challenges in new builds and renovations, where visually impressive designs can overlook practical realities such as lighting, glare, window treatments, and furniture placement. The overall message: good design is about aligning your home with how you actually live, not just how it looks. Bree is now offering a 90-minute online design consult to help you tackle key challenges like colour selection, furniture curation, layout, and styling. Get tailored one-on-one advice and a detailed follow-up report with actionable recommendations—all without a full-service commitment. Bookings now open - Book now Lauren also offers design consultations, so if you're needing expert guidance & inspiration for your project, please reach out @sisalla_interior_design Would you love to be part of a small group of 8 designers joining Lauren & Bree on The Design Anatomy Tour of Paris & Milan Design Week in 2027? Please reach out to us via DM @design.anatomy.podcast , or @sisalla_interior_design & @bree.banfield
A single book can change the way you decorate a room, not by handing you a shopping list, but by sharpening how you see. We’re diving into the design books that have genuinely shaped our interior design practice, from the emotional impact of architecture to the surprisingly personal meaning of colour, art and everyday objects. We start with Alain de Botton’s The Architecture of Happiness and why the best design is never just “style”. It’s about how a space makes you feel, and why beauty can support wellbeing. That takes us to Le Corbusier’s Villa Savoye, the modernist icon that promised machine-like living yet struggled with very human problems like constant leaking. It’s a reminder that design theory, history and lived experience all belong in the same conversation. From there we move through books that celebrate real, layered homes: Robyn Lea’s A Room Of Her Own , Kassia St Clair’s The Secret Lives of Colour , and Amber Creswell Bell’s Australian Abstract . We talk about choosing colour with more confidence when you understand cultural symbolism, and using abstract art as a feeling-led anchor rather than something you have to “decode”. We also share why Nate Berkus’ The Things That Matter hits so hard, because the most beautiful homes are built over time through objects that carry memory. Finally, we shout out The Life Eclectic and a few favourite bookshops, plus a little teaser about upcoming Paris and Milan adventures. If you enjoyed this one, subscribe, share it with a design-loving friend, and leave a review so more Australians can find the show. What’s the one book that changed how you see your home? Bree is now offering a 90-minute online design consult to help you tackle key challenges like colour selection, furniture curation, layout, and styling. Get tailored one-on-one advice and a detailed follow-up report with actionable recommendations—all without a full-service commitment. Bookings now open - Book now Lauren also offers design consultations, so if you're needing expert guidance & inspiration for your project, please reach out @sisalla_interior_design Would you love to be part of a small group of 8 designers joining Lauren & Bree on The Design Anatomy Tour of Paris & Milan Design Week in 2027? Please reach out to us via DM @design.anatomy.podcast , or @sisalla_interior_design & @bree.banfield
What if a home could feel calmer, look warmer, and bring you closer to your neighbours—all at once? We sit with interior designer Rebecca Leijer of Leÿer Design Studio to explore design with restraint that still feels generous, and the surprising community benefits of a street‑facing, glass‑fronted home in Torquay. From the first sketch to the final touch, Rebecca shares how simplicity, texture, and tactility can deliver spaces that welcome sandy feet, morning light, and real life without dating fast. We dig into the budget realities shaping residential design right now and why pairing building design with on‑site know‑how changes everything. Rebecca and her builder husband are combining forces to deliver a full‑service studio: think early cost clarity, fewer nasty surprises, and smarter paths like extending at ground level instead of paying for scaffolding on a small second storey. We compare laminate and stone with open eyes, defend the “big three” of tapware, tiles, and lighting, and map priorities so clients protect what truly changes how they live. Then we jump to hospitality, where deadlines are brutal and ceilings do the heavy lifting. Rebecca reveals the bamboo canopy that redirected the gaze in an Anglesea venue and the burgundy spray that unified a tricky Ocean Grove ceiling—proof that one bold, well‑placed move can transform a space fast. Along the way, we reframe trends and timelessness: cork can be cool or tired; stone is forever until your taste evolves. The goal isn’t to dodge fashion, but to choose materials you’ll love longer, and build confidence through a curated, step‑by‑step process. Check out Rebecca's socials: Insta @leyer_td & website Leÿer Design Studio If you’re craving a calmer home, fighting scope creep, or curious how a single design gesture can carry a room, you’ll find practical ideas you can use tomorrow. Subscribe, leave a review, and tell us: what’s the one element—lighting, tiles, or tapware—you’ll never cut from your budget? Bree is now offering a 90-minute online design consult to help you tackle key challenges like colour selection, furniture curation, layout, and styling. Get tailored one-on-one advice and a detailed follow-up report with actionable recommendations—all without a full-service commitment. Bookings now open - Book now Lauren also offers design consultations, so if you're needing expert guidance & inspiration for your project, please reach out @sisalla_interior_design Would you love to be part of a small group of 8 designers joining Lauren & Bree on The Design Anatomy Tour of Paris & Milan Design Week in 2027? Please reach out to us via DM @design.anatomy.podcast , or @sisalla_interior_design & @bree.banfield
What if your home could meet you where you are, every day? We sit down with Paris-based designer Cléophée Poli of Cléo Interior Design Studio to explore the psychology of home and why the best interiors are built around how people live, not what’s trending. Cléo’s path from luxury hospitality to interiors sharpened her instincts for service, diplomacy, and solving problems before they start, and she shares the scripts and strategies that keep projects humane and on track. We trace how culture and climate shape design choices, from Australia’s indoor–outdoor ease to Paris’s nimble apartment living and Scandinavia’s cocooning warmth. Cléo designs across borders for expats and international clients, translating codes and expectations while protecting a clear vision. You’ll hear how she adapts drawings across regions, keeps trades aligned, and uses communication as the true universal tool of design. Then we dive into a standout project at the famed Marché Paul Bert : a packing-and-shipping studio reimagined as a living gallery. With rotating vintage curated from market dealers, caramel and buttery tones, and a custom rug inspired by Eileen Gray and art deco geometry, the space proves even a practical brief can carry real theatre and soul. Along the way, we talk about sourcing vintage that gives rooms presence, building relationships with dealers for off‑market finds, and resisting trend fatigue by choosing objects with weight and memory. If you’re rethinking your space, this conversation is a roadmap: honour your rituals, design for your climate, and choose a few pieces that speak so loudly they quiet the rest. Check out Cléo's socials: @cleointeriordesign , www.cleointeriordesign.com & Paul Bert Project Subscribe, share with a friend who loves design, and leave a review to tell us what makes a space feel like home to you. Bree is now offering a 90-minute online design consult to help you tackle key challenges like colour selection, furniture curation, layout, and styling. Get tailored one-on-one advice and a detailed follow-up report with actionable recommendations—all without a full-service commitment. Bookings now open - Book now Lauren also offers design consultations, so if you're needing expert guidance & inspiration for your project, please reach out @sisalla_interior_design Would you love to be part of a small group of 8 designers joining Lauren & Bree on The Design Anatomy Tour of Paris & Milan Design Week in 2027? Please reach out to us via DM @design.anatomy.podcast , or @sisalla_interior_design & @bree.banfield
Predictions are only fun when they’re a little risky, so we’re putting our names to a future that feels warmer, braver, and far more liveable. We share the moves we’re already testing with clients—laminate countertops that look sharp and wear hard, wide-blade Venetian blinds in fresh powder-coated colours, and coloured stained glass that solves privacy without killing natural light. The goal isn’t shock value; it’s designing homes that work for real life and still make your heart skip when the sun hits just right. We dig into how the shift to home hangouts is changing the brief: bigger, deeper sofas for sprawling chats, modular layouts that flex, and conversation pits for the bold. Comfort beats perfection, which flows straight into our stance on lighting—no more default downlight grids. Instead, we advocate layered ambience with wall washing, table and floor lamps, and targeted accents that flatter texture and art. If you’ve ever wondered why your room feels harsh at night, this is the fix. Texture and detail are back with a wink. Tassels, trims, and fringing add personality to drapes, cushions, and lampshades without tipping into fuss, while mirrored walls return when treated as architecture—full-height, neatly gridded, reflecting views and borrowing light in narrow halls or entries. We also unpack colour with a hot take on avocado green: pair it with warm timbers, mustard, brass, or even cobalt blue for a striking balance that dodges the 70s hangover. Threaded through it all is a mindset shift: design slow, source with intent, and let spaces evolve. We talk about resisting the fast before-and-after cycle, chasing the right vintage mirror for months, and staying open as a scheme grows. If you’re ready to host more, stress less, and build a home that feels collected instead of completed, this one’s for you. Love the conversation? Follow, share with a design-obsessed friend, and leave a quick review so more people can find the show. Bree is now offering a 90-minute online design consult to help you tackle key challenges like colour selection, furniture curation, layout, and styling. Get tailored one-on-one advice and a detailed follow-up report with actionable recommendations—all without a full-service commitment. Bookings now open - Book now Lauren also offers design consultations, so if you're needing expert guidance & inspiration for your project, please reach out @sisalla_interior_design Would you love to be part of a small group of 8 designers joining Lauren & Bree on The Design Anatomy Tour of Paris & Milan Design Week in 2027? Please reach out to us via DM @design.anatomy.podcast , or @sisalla_interior_design & @bree.banfield
What happens when you lift a 100-year-old Queenslander, drench a kitchen in deep olive, and build a business around family, community and place? We invited Jana from Studio Isaza to share the gutsy choices behind her coastal move, flood-resilient renovation, and colour-rich design language that feels joyful, lived-in and deeply personal. We start with the sea change: swapping Melbourne’s buzz for a sleepy pocket north of Byron, where trees loom large, streets stay slow, and a raised timber home gathers light and breeze. Jana explains the surprisingly lo-fi mechanics of house lifting, why it transformed ventilation and under-house living, and how a modest extension became a Scandinavian-barn-meets-Queenslander blend. Then we step inside the now-iconic green kitchen—why ceiling-to-skirting colour calms lofty volumes, how tonal drenching draws the eye to a treetop outlook, and the moment of panic that vanished once the primer white disappeared. The conversation moves through client-led colour strategy, the art of selling bold ideas, and the power of dustier, desaturated tones to make primaries feel grown-up. We dig into playful details—scalloped edges, buttery yellow mosaics, burgundy ranges—that add wit without noise. Jana’s second-career path from psychology and film to interiors offers grounded advice on starting small, using Instagram to find peers, and leveraging self-employment for flexibility rather than fewer hours. Along the way, we trade rituals that actually help—ocean swims, quick walks, shameless dance breaks—and share unexpected inspiration sources from cinema sets to fashion palettes and local nature. Check out Studio Isaza here & her insta: @studioisaza If you’re craving a push toward braver colour, planning a heritage renovation, or wondering how to pivot into interiors with kids in tow, this one’s a warm, practical guide. Listen, share with a design-curious friend, and tell us: what colour would you dare to drench? And if you loved the chat, hit follow, leave a review, and join us next week for more design anatomy in real life. Bree is now offering a 90-minute online design consult to help you tackle key challenges like colour selection, furniture curation, layout, and styling. Get tailored one-on-one advice and a detailed follow-up report with actionable recommendations—all without a full-service commitment. Bookings now open - Book now Lauren also offers design consultations, so if you're needing expert guidance & inspiration for your project, please reach out @sisalla_interior_design Would you love to be part of a small group of 8 designers joining Lauren & Bree on The Design Anatomy Tour of Paris & Milan Design Week in 2027? Please reach out to us via DM @design.anatomy.podcast , or @sisalla_interior_design & @bree.banfield
Feeling overstimulated by screens and underwhelmed by white-on-white rooms? We dive into the real interior shifts shaping 2026 and explain why homes are moving from performative to restorative—spaces built for calm, conversation, and everyday joy. Drawing on years inside the industry, we unpack how cultural mood, technology, and cost-of-living pressures are changing what good design looks and feels like. We start by reframing trends as signals of how we live, not flimsy fads. That lens reveals a decisive turn from digital gloss to tactile craft: honed stone with movement, handmade tiles with irregular glaze, timber with grain you can feel. Planning follows suit. Open plan fatigue makes way for thoughtful zones that support work, rest, parenting, and hosting without throwing everything into one echoing space. Kitchens become emotional centres with islands that meet dining, softer materials, and art on the walls—rooms that invite people to gather and stay. Warm colour palettes continue their rise. Think ochre, nettle green, duck-egg blue, tobacco, and clay—tones that ground timber and ease the eye. White still has a role, but as accent rather than default. Bathrooms evolve into living spaces with layered lighting, joinery that feels like furniture, and even home saunas as wellness settles into daily life. We also make the case for personality: eclectic, collected objects, family photos curated with care, and flea-market finds that carry stories. The outcome is a home that feels human—not a showroom or a shop-the-look grid, but a place that holds you. We also share a special invite: one final spot on our insider Paris and Milan design tour, with private access, line-skips, studio visits, and a guided morning at the legendary flea markets. For more info about the tour reach out to us on insta: @Design.anatomy.podcast , @sisalla_interior_design & @bree.banfield Want your home to feel calmer, richer, and unmistakably you? Hit play, then tell us the first trend you’re retiring and the material you’re bringing in next. If you loved this conversation, subscribe, share it with a design-loving friend, and leave a review to help others find the show. Bree is now offering a 90-minute online design consult to help you tackle key challenges like colour selection, furniture curation, layout, and styling. Get tailored one-on-one advice and a detailed follow-up report with actionable recommendations—all without a full-service commitment. Bookings now open - Book now Lauren also offers design consultations, so if you're needing expert guidance & inspiration for your project, please reach out @sisalla_interior_design Would you love to be part of a small group of 8 designers joining Lauren & Bree on The Design Anatomy Tour of Paris & Milan Design Week in 2027? Please reach out to us via DM @design.anatomy.podcast , or @sisalla_interior_design & @bree.banfield
What if your home looks beautiful but still leaves you flat, restless, or strangely unlucky? We sit down with feng shui master Kelly McCloskey to unpack the practical side of energy at home—how doors, corridors, water, light, and small daily habits shape wellbeing, relationships, and money. Kelly cuts through the gimmicks and myths to explain what classical feng shui actually measures: precise facing degrees, twenty-four sectors, annual flying stars, and how personal astrology and timing interact with your floor plan. We dive into entryways and why the front door is the mouth of the house, explore why mirrors can bounce opportunities out, and show how to slow fast corridors so qi settles where you live. Kelly shares the big red flags, like toilets or fridges in the true centre, and the fast, realistic fixes that restore flow without gutting your plans. We talk yin bedrooms, supportive seating, and how a simple console behind a floating sofa can calm the body. You’ll also hear real stories of homes that quietly fought their owners—and the precise tweaks that turned around fertility journeys, teenage anxiety, career stalls, and money droughts. Along the way, we blend design sense with energy literacy: clutter as a universal drag, art behind the bed as intention, lighting as targeted activation, and curb appeal as a magnet for opportunity. Whether you’re renovating, buying, or just rearranging, you’ll learn how to make rooms that not only look right but feel right—spaces that welcome qi, hold it gently, and guide it to the moments that matter. If you’ve ever wondered why a house can be perfect on paper yet wrong in your bones, this conversation gives you the map. Check out Kelly on here on @kellymccloskey_fengshui & website here Enjoyed the show? Follow, rate, and share with a friend who’s planning a reno—or snap a pic of your front door update and tag us. Your review helps more design lovers find energy that truly supports them. Bree is now offering a 90-minute online design consult to help you tackle key challenges like colour selection, furniture curation, layout, and styling. Get tailored one-on-one advice and a detailed follow-up report with actionable recommendations—all without a full-service commitment. Bookings now open - Book now Lauren also offers design consultations, so if you're needing expert guidance & inspiration for your project, please reach out @sisalla_interior_design Would you love to be part of a small group of 8 designers joining Lauren & Bree on The Design Anatomy Tour of Paris & Milan Design Week in 2027? Please reach out to us via DM @design.anatomy.podcast , or @sisalla_interior_design & @bree.banfield
Ever wonder why some rooms feel irresistible the moment you touch a handle or close a door? We sit down with Gemma from Studio Gemma , the mind behind the Joinery Edit , to explore the tactile side of interiors—where hinges, board sizes and finish choices quietly decide how your home lives every day. It’s a joyful, candid tour through craft and practicality, with a healthy dose of humour and hot takes on the tiny design decisions that make a massive difference. Gemma shares the origin of her cheeky, high-signal emails and how they morphed into a trusted resource for clients and designers. We dig into the real cost levers that blow up budgets—oversized boards, unnecessary profiles, and construction methods that don’t match the brief—and how to design smarter without sacrificing character. You’ll learn why coloured internals beat white melamine, when an olive knuckle hinge turns cabinetry into furniture, and how to coordinate services so aircon grills stop hijacking your sightlines. We also broaden the lens: London’s millwork culture vs Australia’s defaults, the fear of pattern and the myth of “resale-safe” grey, and the quiet tragedy of heritage homes giving way to cookie-cutter duplexes. Gemma champions hand-painted finishes with visible brushstrokes, natural materials that age with grace, and rooms that hold personality—because houses sell best when people fall in love with them. Along the way, we laugh about painter opinions, energy drinks on site, and the art of choosing once and moving forward with confidence. Check out Studio Gemma & The Joinery Edit . Follow along on her gorgeous Insta page too @_studiogemma_ If you’re craving interiors that feel as good as they look, this conversation will sharpen your eye and embolden your choices. Subscribe, share it with a design-obsessed friend, and leave a review telling us the one detail you’ll never compromise on. Bree is now offering a 90-minute online design consult to help you tackle key challenges like colour selection, furniture curation, layout, and styling. Get tailored one-on-one advice and a detailed follow-up report with actionable recommendations—all without a full-service commitment. Bookings now open - Book now Lauren also offers design consultations, so if you're needing expert guidance & inspiration for your project, please reach out @sisalla_interior_design Would you love to be part of a small group of 8 designers joining Lauren & Bree on The Design Anatomy Tour of Paris & Milan Design Week in 2027? Please reach out to us via DM @design.anatomy.podcast , or @sisalla_interior_design & @bree.banfield
The final in our best of Design Anatomy series wraps up today, revisiting some of our most admired, inspirational & popular episodes for you to enjoy over Summer! Bree & Lauren will be back with more amazing guests in late January 2026 Symmetry, structure, warmth, and a sense of materiality that's instantly recognisable – these are the hallmarks of David Hicks' approach to design, a philosophy he's refined over an impressive 25-year career. We sit down with this influential Australian designer to trace his evolution from what critics once described as "minimalist purity" to what he now calls "decorative minimalism." David's journey began with his own apartment in Melbourne's converted Red Tulip Factory, a project that established his meticulous approach to design. Working with a grid system based on 600mm terrazzo tiles, he created a space where every joinery line aligned perfectly with tile grout – a detail-driven approach that still guides his work today. What makes this particularly fascinating is that this career-launching project was created in the pre-Google era, using dial-up internet and hand-drawn plans, when inspiration came from face-to-face networking rather than endless scrolling. The conversation shifts to how dramatically the design industry has transformed over David's career. Where designers once waited eagerly for monthly magazines or trade representatives bearing materials from international shows, today's instantaneous access to global design via social media has changed how designers work, often prioritising two-second visual impact over thoughtful functionality. Despite these shifts, David has maintained his commitment to balancing what he calls "discipline" (technical expertise in space planning and detailing) with "intuition" (the creative, decorative elements). After completing over 800 apartments, 75 homes and 125 retail projects, David opens up about what actually keeps a design practice thriving – and it's not what most people imagine. The reality of an interior designer's daily life involves far more administration than fabric selection, though he remains passionate about expanding his creative reach through new collaborations, including an upcoming tapware collection. For aspiring designers or anyone fascinated by the evolution of Australian design, this candid conversation offers invaluable insights into staying relevant while remaining true to your authentic vision with one of the best in the industry. Check out David's socials below Instagram : @davidhicksdesign Web: https://davidhicks.com Bree is now offering a 90-minute online design consult to help you tackle key challenges like colour selection, furniture curation, layout, and styling. Get tailored one-on-one advice and a detailed follow-up report with actionable recommendations—all without a full-service commitment. Bookings now open - Book now Lauren also offers design consultations, so if you're needing expert guidance & inspiration for your project, please reach out @sisalla_interior_design Would you love to be part of a small group of 8 designers joining Lauren & Bree on The Design Anatomy Tour of Paris & Milan Design Week in 2027? Please reach out to us via DM @design.anatomy.podcast , or @sisalla_interior_design & @bree.banfield
The best of Design Anatomy series continues today, revisiting some of our most admired, inspirational & popular episodes for you to enjoy over the holiday season! Bree & Lauren will be back with more amazing guests in late January 2026 Renowned designer Sarah Ellison joins us to uncover the vibrant tapestry of her career, from her early experiences at Real Living to the exciting launch of her new venture, Sarah Ellison Creative . With a unique blend of humour and insight, Sarah discusses the transformative influence of social media on the magazine industry and shares her intuitive approach to anticipating design trends, likening it to the data-driven precision of AI. Her background in fashion and publishing has not only honed her trend-spotting skills but also sparked her passion to explore new creative realms beyond her successful furniture business Ellison Studios Sarah offers a captivating glimpse into her creative process, emphasizing the importance of designing spaces that engage all the senses. From navigating the challenges of creating personal designs to filling market gaps with her distinct aesthetic, Sarah's journey is a testament to innovation and authenticity in the design world. Her philosophy, "designed for the senses," is rooted in the creation of immersive spaces that evoke emotion and experience. Listeners will be inspired by her stories of balancing professional aspirations with personal life. As we explore the concept of timelessness in design, Sarah reflects on the cyclic nature of trends and the resurgence of styles from past eras. The conversation touches on how quality craftsmanship and simplicity can withstand the test of time, providing insights into making affordable yet stylish updates to interior spaces. We also delve into the evolution of aesthetics like the Scandi style, and the nuanced role of colours such as Pink and Grey. Join us for an enriching discussion that emphasizes the significance of context and personal style, while celebrating the artistry of design that resonates through every era. We hoped you enjoyed this episode & if you want to keep an eye out on what Sarah is up to next, please follow along at Sarah Ellison Creative on Instagram or her website Sarah Ellison Creative Bree is now offering a 90-minute online design consult to help you tackle key challenges like colour selection, furniture curation, layout, and styling. Get tailored one-on-one advice and a detailed follow-up report with actionable recommendations—all without a full-service commitment. Bookings now open - Book now Lauren also offers design consultations, so if you're needing expert guidance & inspiration for your project, please reach out @sisalla_interior_design Would you love to be part of a small group of 8 designers joining Lauren & Bree on The Design Anatomy Tour of Paris & Milan Design Week in 2027? Please reach out to us via DM @design.anatomy.podcast , or @sisalla_interior_design & @bree.banfield
Design Anatomy will be releasing a 'Best of' series starting today, revisiting some of our most admired, inspirational & popular episodes for you to enjoy over the holiday season! Bree & Lauren will be back with more amazing guests early 2026 Join us on an insightful journey with the talented designer Brahman Perera as we uncover the past year's highlights in interior design. Ever wondered how rest can spark creativity, or how the cultural tapestry influences your work? Brahman shares his unique perspective on the power of taking a step back for innovation and how embracing one's cultural identity can transform design. We also highlight the heartwarming generosity within the design community and how these bonds foster genuine friendships and mutual support, especially in vibrant cities like Melbourne. Explore the fascinating intersection of diversity and design, where personal stories and multicultural backgrounds shape our understanding of identity. We dive into the success story of Brahman's Hopper Joint that opened in March this year, a celebration of Sri Lankan street food that reflects the rich cultural heritage of its founders. The conversation doesn't stop there; we dig into the critical need for more diversity in interior design, particularly in public spaces, to mirror our multicultural societies. Brahma and I emphasize that recognizing and valuing diversity can lead to more inclusive and meaningful designs. From the evolution of retail design trends to the impact of COVID-19 on commercial and residential spaces, we touch on the dynamic nature of design and the need for adaptability. Whether it's reimagining a spare room or integrating unique elements into retail spaces, thoughtful design can significantly enhance everyday living. Finally, we celebrate the blending of nostalgia and sustainability, highlighting how personal connections and cherished items can create timeless, functional spaces. Brahman Perera's amazing work can be seen here on his website & instagram Bree is now offering a 90-minute online design consult to help you tackle key challenges like colour selection, furniture curation, layout, and styling. Get tailored one-on-one advice and a detailed follow-up report with actionable recommendations—all without a full-service commitment. Bookings now open - Book now Lauren also offers design consultations, so if you're needing expert guidance & inspiration for your project, please reach out @sisalla_interior_design Would you love to be part of a small group of 8 designers joining Lauren & Bree on The Design Anatomy Tour of Paris & Milan Design Week in 2027? Please reach out to us via DM @design.anatomy.podcast , or @sisalla_interior_design & @bree.banfield