Five simple steps can transform your furniture scheme from random and disjointed to purposeful and cohesive. Lauren flies solo this week, sharing her professional interior design expertise on creating spaces that truly work. The foundation of any successful interior is a well-planned floor plan. Lauren recounts a cautionary tale from early in her career when a beautiful (and expensive) sofa wouldn't fit in a client's space due to unexpected architectural changes. Whether you're an amateur us...

Ever wondered if hiring an interior designer is worth the investment? Design Anatomy hosts Bree Banfield and Lauren Li tackle this question head-on, sharing five compelling reasons why professional design guidance can transform your renovation or building project from potentially disastrous to genuinely delightful. Drawing from their wealth of experience, Bree and Lauren reveal the costly mistakes they've witnessed when homeowners go it alone. From a client who replaced windows before consul...

Ever noticed how certain design elements grab your attention and refuse to let go? In this delightfully candid episode, Lauren and Bree dive into their current design obsessions, sharing the colours, objects, and details that are making their creative hearts race. The conversation kicks off with exciting news about their upcoming design tour to Paris and Milan, where they'll be leading a group of design-minded individuals through exclusive apartment tours and unforgettable experiences. With ...

The Danish concept of "hygge" (pronounced hoo-ga) has captivated the world for good reason—it's the secret to creating spaces that nurture wellbeing rather than just looking pretty. Lauren and Bree dive deep into what makes a home truly feel good, challenging the sterile white aesthetic that has dominated Australian interiors for too long. Drawing from their design expertise and personal experiences, they explore how our spaces profoundly shape our behaviour, mental state, and capacity for c...

Ever wonder what breathes life into the most stunning architectural spaces? Nicole England knows the secret—it's not just about the walls and windows, but the personality that fills them. As one of Australia's leading architectural photographers, Nicole has developed a distinctive eye for capturing not just the physical beauty of spaces, but their emotional resonance. Her work has graced the pages of Architectural Digest, Vogue, and Wallpaper, but it's her book series that truly showcases he...

Have you ever been moved to tears by the curve of a chair or the light on a Parisian street? We have—more than once. In this episode, we’re sharing our Top 5 most unforgettable design moments in Paris and Milan—the kind that leave you breathless, inspired, and maybe a little emotional. From the tucked-away ateliers in Paris’s 6th Arrondissement to navigating Milan’s sprawling Salone del Mobile like a pro, we reveal the secret spots, time-saving strategies, and soulful experiences that turn a ...

Taking a breath between creative bursts is essential for fresh thinking, which is why we're pausing briefly mid-season. Don't worry—this isn't goodbye, but a moment to reset before returning with conversations featuring iconic designers and emerging voices who are reshaping how we think about spaces. While we're away, Bree has opened bookings for her game-changing 90-minute design consultations. These focused sessions tackle your specific home challenges—from colour selection paralysis to fu...

Nick White shares his remarkable journey from drafting buildings to crafting punchlines. With the sharp observation skills of an architect and the timing of a seasoned comedian, Nick reveals how he transitioned from designing spaces to creating characters that have captured the hearts of over half a million followers online. Having trained as an architect and worked in prestigious firms from Brisbane to New York, Nick found himself increasingly drawn to comedy, performing at open mics after ...

Stepping into a beautiful home isn't simply about admiring aesthetics—it's about experiencing how deeply our surroundings affect our wellbeing. Design authority Melissa Penfold joins us to reveal the philosophy behind her stunning new book "Natural Living by Design," where timeless style meets environmental consciousness. Melissa shares how her childhood beach house, with its weathered wood and connection to nature, shaped her understanding of nurturing spaces. This early influence sparked a...

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 esta...

What begins as an accidental career path often leads to the most extraordinary destinations. Luke Fry's journey exemplifies this perfectly—originally waitlisted for graphic design, he reluctantly accepted a spot in interior design at Swinburne University, never imagining it would become the foundation for his acclaimed architectural practice two decades later. Growing up with a builder father and brother, Luke had construction in his blood. "I was on building sites from the day I could walk,...

The humble kitchen has evolved from a purely functional space into the vibrant heart of our homes, but what's next in this evolution? In this fascinating conversation with Loren Inglis, Regional Business Development Manager at Vzug, we explore how kitchen design is entering its next phase as "the third space" – where technology, aesthetics, and authentic living intersect. Loren pulls back the curtain on how professional-grade appliances are transforming home cooking experiences, making resta...

The beautiful chaos of Milan Design Week comes alive through the fresh eyes of first-time attendee Alvin Wu, brand manager at Niche Media. What began as a career in interior design evolved into finding his true passion within the design community—organizing events like the "30 Under 30" program that recognizes emerging design talent through mentorship and a creativity retreat in Bali. Drawn to Milan with the hope of experiencing a quieter edition during a non-Euroluce year, Alvin quickly dis...

Architect Georgina Wilson joins us to share her remarkable journey from traditional practice to social media phenomenon. What began as a simple experiment on TikTok — "because no one I knew was on it" — unexpectedly transformed her 25-year architectural career and business model. Today, her viral design content reaches hundreds of thousands of followers, and her firm operates "as if from the moon," providing virtual design consultations to clients worldwide. Georgina's success stems from her...

The Milan in review series: Sculpting Light with Oliver Wilcox What happens when an artist turns lighting designer? Oliver Wilcox's journey from fine arts graduate to founder of the cutting-edge Lost Profile Studio reveals the magic that occurs at the intersection of art and function. Oliver's story begins with a fortuitous volunteer position at Christopher Boots' lighting studio that evolved into managing production for one of Australia's most innovative lighting designers. But it was durin...

Welcome back for Season 2 of The Design Anatomy podcast! After our incredible travel adventure with a fabulous group of design enthusiasts on our very first Design Anatomy Tour, we're buzzing to share what we discovered & experienced abroad. Stepping into private Parisian and Milanese apartments was truly a pinch-us experience. From artist, Paul Mouginot's classic pre-Haussmann apartment to Architect & designer Sophie Dries' home in Paris, to Christian and Francesco's col...

Twenty episodes down, and what a journey it's been! Lauren and Bree reflect on Design Anatomy's debut season while sharing exciting news about where the podcast is heading next—literally. With Paris and Milan firmly in their sights, the hosts are taking The Design Anatomy on the road through exclusive, intimate design tours. Unlike typical tourist experiences, these adventures are crafted for just eight design enthusiasts who'll dine at one table, explore premier showrooms, and immerse them...

Recorded in front of a live audience from the gorgeous Living Edge showroom here in Melbourne, this special episode celebrates our official launch of The Design Anatomy podcast last year. Hosts Bree Banfield and Lauren Li engage in a wonderful discussion with renowned stylist & interior decorator Simone Haag. We explore the intersection of classic design and modern creativity, delving into how iconic pieces like the Eames Lounge Chair continue to influence contemporary aesthetics.&n...

Join us for a candid and entertaining exploration of the funny and humbling side of interior design as we share our biggest mistakes and the lessons they taught us. From disastrous color choices in children's rooms to the importance of careful client involvement, we cover a range of design fails that all professionals face at some point in their careers. By recounting our blunders, we hope to inspire and educate aspiring designers about the realities of the profession and the invaluable insig...

What motivates someone to leave a successful career path and venture into the unknown? Ruby Shields did just that when she bid farewell to her flourishing advertising career to embrace her true passion: interior design. Join us as Ruby opens up about the pivotal moment at 27 when she realized she had to make a drastic change for personal happiness. Ruby’s journey is marked by the courage to take risks, driven by advice from her father and a tenacity cultivated since childhood. Her story under...