Her Design, Her Story
A female-focused podcast celebrating the personal journeys of Australian female designers and makers in the midst of their careers. It features inspiring stories and insider insights into the current creative landscape through the eyes of women shaping it, from formative influences and defining breakthroughs to the layered in-between moments. The show also explores what's next for these creators, covering the journey before, the now, and the future. Hosted by Sarah Reid and produced by BackChat Studios.
Episodes
Ep. 054 - Shona McElroy
Shona McElroy is the founder and creative force behind SMAC Studio, a Sydney based interior design studio.
Shona has built a reputation for creating interiors that feel considered, characterful and beautifully layered. Her work has a wonderful confidence and clarity, balancing colour, materiality, texture and form with an appreciation for the details that ultimately make a space feel like home.
Ep. 053 - Nicole Bonython
With more than four decades in the industry, Nicole’s career is nothing short of remarkable. She began at Vogue straight out of university, at a time when the profession of fashion styling was still in its infancy, and went on to become Fashion Director of Australian Elle, Fashion Director of CLEO and Senior Fashion Editor-at-Large at Madison.
Along the way, Nicole has helped shape some of the mo
Ep.052 - Kathryn Robson
Kathryn Robson is a Director and co-founder of Melbourne based architectural practice Robson Rak.
After beginning her career in London, Kathryn moved to Melbourne and went on to establish her own practice before joining forces with her husband, Chris Rak. Together, they have created an extraordinary body of work, particularly within Melbourne’s heritage homes, balancing the past with contemporary
Ep. 051 - Live Event
In conversation with Louise Bastiras, Jordan Fleming and Ruby Shields.
The panel explore the idea of “Designing Legacy – What are we leaving behind?”
The conversation was inspired by reflecting on four key design weeks that have unfolded so far this year — Milan, Melbourne, New York and Copenhagen — and the broader questions they have raised around what endures, what we leave behind, how we desig
Ep. 050 - Jillian Dinkel
Jillian Dinkel is the founder and creative director of Jillian Dinkel Designs.
Originally from America, Jillian spent almost two decades in fashion, including as an editor at Vogue in New York, before making the brave decision to retrain in interior design.
Today, she is renowned for her work with period and heritage homes, particularly Sydney’s beautiful terraces, where she masterfully balances
Ep. 049 - Sacha Wark-de Boer
Sacha is the founder and creative director of Southern Highlands-based interior design studio Opal & Oak.
Sacha’s journey into interiors is a fascinating one. With a background spanning fashion, graphic design and creative leadership at Canva, she brings a wonderfully multidisciplinary perspective to her work — combining visual storytelling with structure, emotion with practicality, and beauty wi
Ep. 048 - Keti Lytras
Keti Lytras is the Head of Creative at GlobeWest, overseeing her talented Design team. Throughout her time at the business, her role has always had many facets, including trend forecasting, product design, styling, and creative direction of GlobeWest’s range and lifestyle photography.
Bought to you by @royaloakfloors_australia
Ep. 047 - Kelly Thompson
Kelly Thompson is an illustrator, designer, stylist, creative director, speaker and all-round creative powerhouse based in Melbourne.
Kelly’s career is a wonderful lesson in following curiosity and trusting where it leads. From fashion photography to illustration, interiors, styling and creative direction, her distinctive eye has shaped an incredibly diverse body of work. We discuss her unconvent
Ep. 046 - Brooke Holm
Brought to you by @royaloakfloors
Brooke Holm is an Australian-American interdisciplinary artist and photographer based in Brooklyn, New York.
Working across lens-based media, sound, sculpture and installation, her practice explores the elemental forces shaping our planet and the complex relationship between humans and the natural world.
Her evocative work spans remote landscapes
Ep. 045 - Sarah Stamm
She wanted to study architecture. The careers advisor said her maths wasn't strong enough.
So Sarah went and built an entire career in design anyway, just via the scenic route: advertising, David Jones, hand-drafted joinery, high-end Sydney residential, a boutique studio in regional Beechworth, and now a fully handmade, Instagram-only textile business she runs from 22 acres.
In this episode, S
Ep. 044 - Jessica Bettenay
Brought to you by Royal Oak FloorsJessica Bettenay is the founder and creative force behind By R.A., an innovative interior design and renovation studio redefining the way people build and transform their homes.With a passion for creating thoughtful, highly personal spaces, Jessica combines creativity with practical expertise to make the renovation journey more accessible, collaborative, and enjoy
Ep. 043 - Kerrie-Ann Jones
Kerrie-Ann Jones is one of Australia's leading interior stylists and designers, based in Sydney. A former style Editor at Real Living magazine, she's since built a career styling editorial shoots, campaigns and residential projects for some of the industry's top designers.
Her signature approach blends vintage and contemporary pieces with sculptural forms, layering texture and colour, creat
Ep. 042 - Manuela Millan
In this episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with Manuela Millan, the Design Manager at Fortis and the founder of Meanwhile in Melbourne, a platform championing local design talent.
With incredible experience working across several notable design studios, Manuela has built a career turning real client needs into considered, liveable spaces.
We chat about her pathway to Australia and i
Ep. 041 - April Butten
April Button is the founder and driving force behind BOAST, a strategy-led creative studio helping brands build genuine emotional connection, sharp cultural instinct, and real commercial impact.
From ambitious startups to established businesses stepping into their next stage of growth, April and the BOAST team work across brand design, strategy, storytelling, packaging, websites and launch marke
Ep. 040 - Kim Kneipp
Kim Kneipp Studio is an interior design practice based in Melbourne, working across Australia on architecturally integrated residential, wellness and commercial environments.
Through careful attention to planning, materiality and atmosphere, we create environments that feel calm, connected and deeply personal.
Visit Royal Oak Flooring at: https://royaloakfloors.com.au
LINKTREE: https://shorturl.at
Ep. 039 - Naomi Singer
Naomi Singer is on a mission to make plants the most exciting thing on your plate. The Raw Plant Life founder and health coach joins us to talk about her debut book My Vibrant Table was shortlisted for Best Vegan Cookbook in the World at the Gourmand Awards and the story behind her vibrant, flavour-first approach to plant-based eating.
Visit Royal Oak Flooring at: https://royaloakfloors.com.au
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Ep. 038 - Tara Solberg
Few & Far was founded in 2009 by Tara Solberg and her partner Danny. Tara is a true creative -
leading the creative direction and innovation at Few & Far which achieved global recognition
receiving the prestigious Global Honouree Award at the Global Innovator Awards.
As some of you may already know, Few & Far is a furniture and homewares brand that is based on
the South Coast of NSW. Few & Far
Ep. 037 - Genevieve Wallis
Genevieve Wallis is the founder and creative director of Genevieve Wallis Studio, an interior design practice recognised for its understated elegance and refined, thoughtful restraint. With a background in fashion media, Genevieve brings a unique design perspective, where composition, craftsmanship and tactile richness are central to her approach.
Visit Royal Oak Flooring at: https://royaloakfloor
Ep. 036 - Arielle Lopresti
Arielle Lopresti, co-founder of Australian hardware brand Lo & Co, joins Sarah to trace her journey from rehabilitation consultant to design entrepreneur — launching the business alongside her first child and best friend. They dig into the brand's disruptive direct-to-consumer approach, the craft behind their sculptural hardware, collaborative collections, and Low & Co's growing footprint in the U
Ep. 035 - Katie Forse Sargent
For years, Katie was the creative force behind Katie Sargent Design, crafting breathtaking, intentional luxury homes across Australia. But after facing the overwhelming mental load of modern motherhood and family logistics, she saw a massive gap in the market.
Katie took a massive leap from physical design into the tech world to launch Tribu—an intelligent, secure digital admin vault designed to
Ep. 034 - Emma Coyne
Emma Coyne is the Creative Director and Founder of Camille Agency, which began in 2018.
With 24 years experience under her belt working with some of Australia’s biggest retail and hospitality brands, today she maintains her role as Creative Director, leading a team of designers, strategists and website developers. Emma is also a dedicated Mum to her three children, a lover of interiors and fierc
Ep. 033 - Julia Levitt
With over a decade of experience, Julia Levitt’s work has been recognised through multiple industry awards and featured in leading design and architecture publications. Her expertise spans custom landscape design, outdoor living spaces, and bespoke garden design tailored to each site and client, which is all exhibited in her award-winning landscape design studio, Nelson Thomas.
Nelson Thomas work
Ep. 032 - Louise Bastiras
Founded by Louise Bastiras in 2019, alongside her husband John Bastiras, the shared dream of two passionate, design-focused minds - In Good Company is the organic outcome of a combined three decades entrenched at different ends of the spectrum of Australia’s design landscape. A family-owned furniture, lighting and homewares retailer; showcasing leading contemporary design from around the globe, in
Ep. 031 - Teegan Cocchiaro
Teegan Cocchiaro is the co-founder of Lo & Co along with Arielle Lopresti.
Founded in 2016, the brand’s vision was to make ordinary hardware accessories a little less ordinary. The focus and intent were always on creating timeless hardware with functional purpose, whilst ensuring continual reference to design trends, using the highest quality materials and craftsmanship. Their designs are informed
Ep. 030 - Stephanie Ferrara
Stephanie Ferrara’s path in interior design weaves through the worlds of commercial, furniture, and residential design… but the story begins much earlier.
As a child, she would spend hours arranging and re-arranging her bedroom, endlessly experimenting with layouts and details until the space felt just right. Frequent weekend trips with her mother to Sydney’s flea markets and treasure troves only
Ep. 029 - Rachel Collard
After completing a Psychology degree in 2003 and working in the field for several years, Rachel decided to turn her passion for interiors and renovating into a career. Completing a Degree in Interior Design at RMIT in 2010, Rachel has had a colourful career in soft furnishings, interiors and kitchens. After joining Freedom Kitchens in 2011, Rachel soon become one of the most coveted designers Aust
Ep. 028 - Kelly McCloskey
Kelly McCloskey is an accredited Feng Shui Master with over a decade of experience helping clients transform their spaces and lives. Combining a sharp design sensibility with a deep understanding of Feng Shui principles, Kelly guides her clients to create environments that foster love, career growth, financial abundance and wellbeing.
Kelly has studied under esteemed Grand Masters, Senior Masters
Ep. 027 - Claudia Lambert
Claudia is a highly regarded interior expert with over a decade of experience designing spaces that blend art, personality and function. Helping people design their personal version of a rich life, embracing and enhancing the quality of the mundane by making it beautiful, creating pockets of joy so everyday feels special and curated.
Specialising in the curation and procurement of furniture, art
Ep. 026 - Bea Lambos
Bea, is a Melbourne-based Interior Stylist and Decorator with some say, a knack for creating spaces that are warm, personal, and effortlessly stylish. It’s something that she likes to call – adding the final layer.
Whether she's helping homeowners reimagine their spaces, collaborating with architects and designers on editorial styling projects, or working with brands to create beautiful imagery f
Ep. 025 - Melanie Beynon
Based in Melbourne, Melanie Beynon’s award-winning namesake studio benefits from the director’s 20 plus years of experience in interior design and more than 15 years as an architect. During her extensive career Melanie has built up a wealth of connections and experience, producing an impressive catalogue of high-profile, high-end retail, residential and hospitality projects overseas and in Au
Ep. 024 - Adele Winteridge
Adèle is recognised as one of Australia's design leaders, having founded Foolscap in 2009. Adèle has led award-winning hospitality, retail, workplace, and precinct projects for local and international clients including LVMH Chandon, Noma, ANZ, and 1Rebel.
Utilising her extensive experience and Masters in Sustainable Development, Adèle is an expert in finding future-focused opportunities to add to
Ep. 023 - Jenny Jones
Jenny Jones is an Internationally Award Winning Rug Designer. Her luxurious handmade designs are exclusive to Jenny Jones Rugs and are regarded as “Art On The Floor”. All rugs are crafted by hand using the highest quality hand-spun wool and pure silk.
As a dyslexic designer, Jenny has always been more of a visual storyteller. Growing up in the 60s, dyslexia wasn’t a recognised term, and there wa
Ep. 022 - Ruby Shields
Ruby Shields is the Director of Shields Studios. Ruby’s decade-long partnership with her carpenter husband has honed her ability to create custom masterpieces that balance form with function. Her foundation in advertising as an Art Director sharpens her precision and enriches her creative process, ensuring every project resonates with purpose and sophistication. Working alongside some of Melbourne
Ep. 021 - Miffy Coady
Miffy Coady is the Managing Director of est living, which is is a global design resource showcasing the best in architecture, interiors and products. We profile both leading and emerging architects and designers across the world while spotlighting those residing in Australia.
est scours the globe to unveil authentic design products available now – or forecasted for the future. est engages with a d
Ep. 020 - Silvia Roldan
As the creative force behind Studio Esar, Silvia’s passion and expertise drive its brand.
Silvia's journey began back in 2017 at some of the most awarded and published design studios in Australia and with an innate eye for design, she brings a breadth of knowledge and technicality to each project. She has meticulously curated a portfolio of interior design and decorating projects that marry timel
Ep. 019 - Kelly Donougher
With over 20 years business experience across a range of industries, Kelly created her own successful Interior Design business, 13 Interiors in 2017. Since inception, 13 Interiors has grown to operate on a national scale with a studio base in Perth, WA and a second studio location in Melbourne, Victoria. As one of Australia’s leading interior designers, Kelly regularly features across a range of m
Ep. 018 - Nicole Lawrence
Nicole Lawrence Studio exists as a study of the graphic form materialised. Drawing on a decade of experience in industrial design and manufacturing, Nicole’s vision is to create unique products that are placed with pride and go the distance. Offering contemporary furniture and lighting design, Nicole’s projects and commissions are made to order in and around Nicole’s studio in Melbourne, Australia
Ep. 017 - Isabella Cini
Isabella Cini joined mckimm in 2017, leading the design department as Interior Design Manager. Isabella’s travels through Europe and the world have enriched her creative perspective, allowing her to blend cultural influences into projects. With exceptional interior design and styling talent, she possesses an innate ability to spot trends and elevate projects to new heights. Isabella is known for h
Ep. 016 - Tamsin Purves
Tamsin Purves is the Managing Director of Australian Galleries. Since its beginning in 1956, Australian Galleries has continued to showcase significant contemporary Australian artists and their work with a vibrant monthly exhibition program and extensive stock gallery. As Australian Galleries heads towards its 70th year, it continues to thrive as a family business with her father Stuart Purves at
Ep. 015 - Candyce James
AKI Design is an Interior Architecture firm in Melbourne, specialising in high-end residential, multi-residential and commercial projects. AKI Design is backed by a legacy of two decades, pioneered by our Director, Charis James. The recent addition of, Candyce James, an Interior Architect with a background at Carr and Mim Design and Tessa James, who heads up media & communications sector of the bu
Ep. 014 - Georgia Ezra
Georgia Ezra is an accomplished award-winning Interior architect & directer of Melbourne based interior design practice Studio Ezra, and CEO of artisan tile purveyors Tiles Of Ezra.
Georgia is a treasure hunter & market-maven at heart, Gathering inspiration and resources from a range of exotic cultures, Georgia has 18 years of experience under her belt. Passionate about pushing the boundarie
Ep. 013 - Rachel Donath
Rachel Donath is a globally celebrated Australian furniture designer and collector, known for her carefully curated inventory and eponymous furniture collections.
Established in 2020, her inventory, a mixture of timeless antique and contemporary design pieces, has quickly become highly sought after by the industry’s most respected and successful professionals.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priv
Ep. 012 - Marnie Goding
A pioneer of independent, Australian design, ELK was established in 2004 by Marnie Goding and Adam Koniaras in Melbourne, Australia. Leading with a philosophy of conscious fashion, the business was founded on a belief in creativity, innovation and authentic design, contemporary fashion and independent, ethically made products. These values have created a brand of enduring value. Hosted on Acast. S
Ep. 011 - Charis James
AKI Design, guided by Principle Director Charis James and boasting a rich legacy spanning two decades, is a dynamic multi-disciplinary design studio celebrated for its luxury-infused, timeless and functional design philosophy. Their bespoke approach is tailored to the distinctive character of each project, drawing inspiration from diverse sources such as travel, art and architecture. Hosted on Aca
Ep. 010 - Romy Dankner
With a measured approach and a dedication to excellence, Romy Dankner founded Homeroom Studio in pursuit of elevating experiences and enhancing lifestyles. Romy cultivated a team of experienced and determined professionals, each playing a pivotal role in the studio’s continued success. Drawing on our collective proficiency in residential, hospitality, and commercial design, our dynamic studio poss
Ep. 009 - Elise Pioch Balzac
Maison Balzac was created in Australia in 2012 by French-born Elise Pioch Balzac to express her endless imagination.
Elise started her career at Hermès in Paris under Martin Margiela's artistic direction, then as a fashion buyer in Australia for multi-brand boutiques Belinda and The Corner Shop. After travelling the world and being exposed to beauty and creativity for 10 years, she
Ep. 008 - Lauren Li
Lauren Li is the founder and principal designer of Sisällä, a Melbourne-based interior design studio known for creating refined, emotionally resonant spaces that reflect each client’s personality and lifestyle. Drawing on her Finnish heritage—Sisällä means “inside” in Finnish—Lauren blends thoughtful design with a collaborative approach, working closely with architects and craftspeople to deliver
Ep. 007 - Sally Knibbs
Sally Caroline is an Australian interior design practice with an emotive approach to space. Since establishing her eponymous studio in 2014, Founder and Director, Sally Knibbs, has developed a luxurious portfolio of private residences, each emphatic of the client’s personal style, life narrative and daily rituals. In 2024, Sally introduced her first furniture collection, drawing inspiration from S
Ep. 006 - Alicia McKimm
Alicia ensures uniqueness infuses all projects, design excellence paramount aligned with close collaboration with all involved. Functional ingenuity with pragmatic, sensible resolutions are a constant focus, a belief design should work and always be beautiful. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep.005 - Karin Bochnik
KB-ID is a Melbourne-based interior direction studio dedicated to creative expression. Led by interior decorator Karin Bochnik, the studio crafts bespoke interiors for both residential and commercial clients. With a background in fashion, Karin curates distinctive pieces that elevate every project. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep. 004 - Alex Hopkins
Since founding Studio Tate in 2014, Alex has grown the business into a thriving, award-winning practice that excels across multiple sectors. As a passionate connector, Alex’s capacity to cultivate a talented team of designers and close network of clients and collaborators is key to the studio’s sustained success. With infectious energy and resourceful determination, Alex is a strong advocate for t
Ep. 003 - Kylie Buhagiar
Kylie’s intuition, passion and knowledge of design platforms her philosophy that well executed spaces improve our lives and wellbeing. With a background in the visual arts, a broadened approach weaves into the studios dialogue, artisan in the craft of spatial design. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep. 002 - Simone Haag
With a wealth of design accolades, a portfolio of exceptional projects and a roster of enviable clients, Simone Haag is considered one of Australia’s leading Interior Decorators. Bringing considerable experience and singular vision to every project, Simone defines new boundaries in furniture, art and object curation. Her experience lies in producing enduring interiors that overlay distinctive vint
Ep. 001 - Tali Roth
Studio Tali Roth is a multidisciplinary design studio specialising in the cultivation of spaces defined by storied visual beauty. Established in 2015 by Tali Roth, the studio’s international body of work fuses exquisite craftsmanship and innate functionality to produce deeply layered and highly detailed residential and commercial environments.
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