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.
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51. From Small Styling Business to Large-Scale Operation | Bowerbird Interiors
Wednesday, October 7, 2026 • Duration 58:00
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_/
-----------------------
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
Wednesday, September 30, 2026 • Duration 51:46
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?
49. From Granny Flat Scam to Luxury Property Development
Wednesday, September 16, 2026 • Duration 50:00
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.
48. A Builder’s Guide to Luxury, Design & Construction With Jakin Luxury Living
Wednesday, September 2, 2026 • Duration 54:22
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
47. Why Lighting Matters More Than You Think | Objects for Thought
Wednesday, August 19, 2026 • Duration 01:22:10
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
46. Why Furniture Hire Matters More Than You Think | Huntley + Co
Wednesday, August 5, 2026 • Duration 39:50
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
45. How to Choose the Right Stone Without Costly Mistakes | Nathan Karpenko, CAV'ART
Wednesday, July 22, 2026 • Duration 44:51
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
44. Service Over Style: Chris Trotta on Building a Sustainable Architecture Business
Wednesday, July 8, 2026 • Duration 01:01:38
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
43. Design vs Styling: The Hidden Steps Behind Every Great Project with Bea Lambos
Wednesday, June 24, 2026 • Duration 57:48
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
42. Building the Vision: A Builder's Perspective on Design with JW Projects
Wednesday, June 10, 2026 • Duration 34:46
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
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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.
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
• 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
• 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_
· 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.
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
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
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.
