Hosted by interior designer and property developer Linda Habak, Build Beautiful is a podcast about more than just aesthetics - it’s about the intention behind the spaces we shape and the stories we tell.
Each episode features honest, insightful conversations with designers, developers, architects, artists, and creative thinkers who are reimagining the way we live, build, and create.
This is a space for the ideas behind the work - the risks, the pivots, the process. The quiet decisions that shape extraordinary outcomes.
Because beauty isn’t just what we see - it’s what we feel. And what we choose to build, together.
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She was a corporate accountant. She had a new baby. And a psychic looked at her and said: your corporate career is over. You need to go study interior design. What happened next is the kind of story that only makes complete sense in retrospect — because the next step led somewhere she never could have planned, and the step after that even further. Somewhere between the left brain and the left field, Jane Langof found her calling.
Jane Langof is a renowned feng shui consultant and author with a rich background in finance. Having transitioned from a career as an accountant in corporate Australia, Jane found her calling in the ancient Chinese art of Feng Shui, complementing her interest in interior design. She has penned the book "Feng Shui: A Homeowner's Guide to Abundance," and collaborates with architects and designers to harmonize energy flow in homes and community spaces. Jane advocates for creating environments that support personal well-being and prosperity, blending technical expertise with intuitive insight.
This is a conversation about trusting the knowing beneath the noise, about what abundance really means (it's not what you think), and about the quiet, radical idea that the way your home is arranged might actually change your life. Whether you're a believer or a sceptic, this one will shift the way you see your front door.
Key Takeaways:
Transition from Corporate to Feng Shui: Jane Langof shared her inspiring career transformation and the pivotal moments that guided her towards feng shui.
Understanding Feng Shui: Discover how feng shui focuses on optimising energy flow in living spaces to enhance well-being and harmony.
Applications in Design: Insights into how feng shui principles can be effectively integrated into architectural and interior design projects.
Misconceptions Clarified: Jane addresses common misconceptions about feng shui and offers clarity on its practical and aesthetic integration.
The Role of Intuition and Technical Skill: The balance between technical aspects of feng shui and personal intuition plays a crucial role in maximising its benefits.
Notable Quotes:
"I just had to kind of block out that noise and unlearn… that other people's opinions are not as important as my own."
"Feng shui is about your relationship with your environment and how the energy in your surroundings can impact you on a mental, physical, and spiritual level."
"I've worked in spaces before where people… lived not like normal people because their feng shui consultant didn't consider practicability."
"The ideal is to have a space that is practical and beautiful… feng shui should really enhance your life, not create fear."
"Creating an environment that doesn't let you get derailed… that's what living in alignment feels like to me."
He grew up in Queanbeyan — a small town near Canberra that doesn't have a great reputation, as he'll tell you himself, with a warmth that makes clear he's grateful it formed him. First-generation Australian, son of immigrants from former Yugoslavia, he was sketching elaborate houses with columns and extensions at age four. No one told him to aim that high. He just did. And everything that followed was a direct line from that boy with the sketchpad.
Peter Mikic is a London-based interior designer featured on the AD100, House & Garden Top 100, and Elle Decoration's Finest. His studio works across grand residences, hotels, restaurants, yachts and private jets. He studied fashion at RMIT, moved to London in the 1990s, transitioned into interiors in 2006, and never looked back.
This is a conversation about the long game of creative ambition, about the deep knowing that a life in design requires — of materials, of human nature, of your own instincts. About what it means to build a body of work that carries emotional weight. About the boy from the small town who trusted what he saw, and where that trust took him.
Key Takeaways:
Storytelling in Design: Peter emphasises the importance of storytelling in interiors, drawing from his experiences in fashion and a life full of rich cultural influences.
Creative Freedom: A central theme is the value of creative freedom, explored through Peter's work on diverse and ambitious global projects, including high-end residential and commercial spaces.
Influence of Origin: Peter attributes his unique design perspective to his upbringing in Australia, highlighting the role of vibrant colors and natural light.
Lessons from Fashion: The years spent in fashion taught Peter how to push creative boundaries, a skill he carries into his interior design projects.
Embracing Imperfection: Despite his success, Peter discusses the importance of embracing self-doubt and imperfection as drivers of personal and professional growth.
Build Beautiful is WhereDesignMeets Depth. This podcast is about the journeys of creative entrepreneurs - architects, designers, developers, artists, and cultural voices, who are building lives and businesses shaped with intention.
Hosted by creative entrepreneur Linda Habak, each conversation looks beyond the surface of beautiful work to uncover the entrepreneurial path behind it: the resilience, the risks, the pivots, and the quiet moments that change everything.
From architecture and interiors to art, culture, and property, Build Beautiful explores what it really takes to build a creative business - and a meaningful life.
If you believe in creating with purpose and living with intention, you’ll feel right at home here.
To get in touch with Build Beautiful or to follow us head to our socials:
Jenn Sinclair grew up between Hong Kong and the Central Coast of NSW, learning early what it means to have to work to belong. She came third in her class, then ranked last in the top class, and made that her engine. That drive — the quiet, determined refusal to accept the limited version of what you could become — is exactly what she brought into property development: a world that doesn't exactly wave women through the door.
Jenn Sinclair is an architect and property developer based on the Gold Coast. Her debut development broke local sales records and set a new standard for human-centred, design-led small-scale residential development. She is building with conviction in an industry that still too often says: wait your turn.
This is a conversation about entering rooms that weren't designed for you, and designing better ones once you're inside. About property development, architecture, the courage of the first project, and what it means to build generously — with your time, your expertise, and your belief in what a home can do for a life.
In this episode you’ll learn:
How to become a property developer (real steps for property development for beginners)
Finding and evaluating sites, reading demand, and trusting your instincts
The A-Team: builder, town planner, broker, accountant — who to call first and why
Designing for families vs retirees: floor plans, multi-gen living, and ROI-driven finishes
Record-breaking duplex: the Gold Coast case study and lessons learned
Community impact: turning a meth-damaged house into a street that thrives
Confidence & imposter syndrome: navigating a male-dominated industry
She started studying psychology because she needed therapy. Her mother had died when she was 15. Her father had been traumatised by the Holocaust. And in a world that didn't yet have words for any of that, she found her way through by trying to understand — people, systems, what holds things together and what breaks them apart. That instinct never left her. It just found different expression: in finance, in design, in furniture, in a community she has spent decades quietly building for people who needed somewhere to belong.
Caron Grunschlag is the co-founder of KE-ZU, one of Australia's most iconic designer furniture companies, and the creator of the Indie Group, a community of designers, architects and creatives that has become one of the industry's most important gathering places.
This conversation is about what it means to build with purpose when the impulse behind the building comes from loss. About three careers, a community, a business, and the through-line that connects them all: the belief that the right space, commercial, emotional, physical, can hold people up.
About the Guest:
Caron Grunschlag is the co-founder of KE-ZU, an iconic designer furniture business to Australia's refined office, hospitality and commercial furniture spaces. With a unique background that spans psychology and finance, Caron has seamlessly transitioned into the design industry, bringing a blend of emotional intelligence and business acumen. She plays an integral role in nurturing cultures within the design community through initiatives like the indie group, where she creates supportive networks for architects, designers, and creatives.
Key Takeaways:
Emotional Intelligence in Business: Caron emphasises the profound role of emotional intelligence in fostering trust and managing relationships within professional settings.
Embracing Failure: Viewing failure as a "First Attempt in Learning" contributes to personal and organisational growth, encouraging a mindset shift toward opportunities rather than setbacks.
She Chose Meaning Over the Algorithm | Tammy Miconi
In a design industry that increasingly rewards the photogenic — the perfectly lit, perfectly staged, algorithm-optimised interior — Tammy Miconi has chosen a different measure. She believes a home should tell the story of the people who live in it, not the taste of the moment. That belief isn't just a philosophy. It's a business risk. Because authenticity, in a world built for aesthetics, doesn't always trend.
Tammy Miconi is the founder of Lot One Design, a Sydney-based practice known for soulful, story-led interiors and for work that resonates long after the photograph is taken.
This is a conversation about honesty as a design principle, the courage required to design for meaning rather than for an audience, and what happens when you commit to the real over the beautiful-for-now. About restraint, about failure, and about the kind of work that holds up — not because it's timeless, but because it was true.
About the Guest:
Tammy Miconi believes your home should tell your story, not follow trends. As founder of Lot One Design, this talented interior designer's soulful approach prioritises emotional connection over Instagram-worthy aesthetics—and it's earning serious recognition, including her 2024 Interior Excellence Award nomination.
Tammy's career journey hasn't been linear, but that's exactly what makes her design philosophy so authentic. Her work focuses on restraint, intention, and genuine client connection, ensuring every project becomes a deeply personal experience rather than just another beautiful space.
Key Takeaways:
Intention in Design: Tammy highlights the importance of basing design decisions on a comprehensive understanding of client needs rather than following trends, ensuring every aspect of a project is purposeful and relevant.
Emotional Resonance: Creating spaces that feel right emotionally is as crucial as their physical appearance, focusing on how environments support and reflect the inhabitants' true selves.
Interior Design Business: Profit, Pricing, Process & Staying the Course - Alix Helps
Alix Helps breaks down interior design business foundations: profit, pricing, process, and pipeline—how to keep a design studio profitable through feast and famine. We cover P&L, Xero reconciliation, procurement markup, boundaries, and more.
Alix has spent 12 years proving that beautiful interiors and smart business sense aren't mutually exclusive. As founder of Alix Helps Interiors, Alix brings something most designers lack - serious business chops earned from running a successful family enterprise before switching to the creative world.
Her spaces are known for their grace and meticulous attention to detail, but what sets Alix apart is her mentoring approach. She's passionate about teaching fellow designers that creating stunning interiors means nothing if your business is broke. This conversation explores balancing creativity with commercial reality, building sustainable design practices, and why financial literacy matters in Australia's competitive interior design scene.
Key Takeaways:
Financial Foundations: Alix underscores the importance of financial discipline, maintaining multiple bank accounts for business operations, and scrutinising income and expenditure to build a sustainable practice.
Creative Endurance: Aligning business management skills with artistic vision is essential to remain relevant and resilient in the fluctuating world of design.
Mentorship: Alix's commitment to mentoring stems from her desire to guide emerging designers in valuing their worth and realising financial success alongside creative fulfillment.
Client Relationships: Establishing clear communication and boundaries with clients can significantly impact project success and personal satisfaction in the design profession.
Authentic Success: Persistence, self-belief, and adherence to a sound structure are indispensable assets in overcoming entrepreneurial challenges and achieving long-term creative success.
They Said Architecture and Motherhood Don't Mix. She Disagreed. | Eva-Marie Prineas
Twenty years ago, if you were a woman who wanted to practise architecture and have a family, the industry had a clear message: choose. The structures, the hours, the culture — none of it bent for you. Eva-Marie Prineas heard that message, and instead of adapting herself to a world that didn't want to make room, she built her own practice from the ground up. That decision, made under quiet duress, turned out to be the defining act of a remarkable career.
Eva-Marie Prineas is the founder of Studio Prineas, a female-led, B Corp certified practice architecture practice in Sydney, known for its commitment to sustainable design, heritage sensitivity, and the belief that the most responsible architectural act is often restraint.
This is a conversation about building on your own terms when the existing terms don't fit. About heritage, sustainability, and the radical idea of building less. About what it means to lead a practice with integrity in an industry under pressure — and why the spaces that hold memory are worth more than the spaces that merely impress.
Key Takeaways:
Restraint as a Design Principle: Eva Marie underlines the significance of restraint in architecture, emphasising that building less is often more impactful.
Sustainability Beyond Materials: Sustainability is woven deeply into architectural practices, encompassing mindset, usage, and environmental responsibility.
Heritage and Reinterpretation: Heritage design isn't about replication but creatively reimagining and respecting what already exists.
Guiding Principal: A well-considered plan is fundamental as "the plan doesn't lie," with comprehensive forethought ensuring functionality and beauty.
Cultural Connection: Eva Marie shares how her rich cultural upbringing and personal heritage deeply influence her work, creating spaces that resonate with history and contemporary needs.
He Had $1,500 Left After Payroll. Still Didn't Doubt | Aidan Anderson
There was a moment, three or four years into building The Local Project, when Aidan Anderson sat down after running payroll and looked at his bank account. He had $1,500 left. Not: oh God, is this going to work? But: this is going to work. What's the plan? That distinction — between crisis and clarity — is what separates this story from almost every other creative business story you'll hear.
Aidan Anderson started as a furniture maker and carpenter. Then he posted a photo of a bookshelf with a caption about the craftsman who built it, and got ten times his regular engagement. That was the beginning. From there, he built one of Australia's most respected design media platforms — with a team of 60, expanding into the United States.
This conversation is about vision, about telling other people's stories before you've earned the right to tell your own, and about what it takes to build something real when no one is clapping and the bank account is nearly empty. It aired on Launch Day — the very first episode of Build Beautiful. And it still holds.
Key Takeaways:
Aidan Anderson emphasises the value of storytelling in design and how authentic narratives fuel The Local Project's growth.
The strategic use of video content during the rise of digital media has been pivotal in expanding The Local Project’s reach and influence.
Aidan's leadership is defined by fostering community, supporting other creatives, and maintaining precision and excellence in The Local Project’s productions.
The U.S. expansion underscores the global appeal of Australian and New Zealand design, as recognised by international audiences.
Aidan’s open embrace of AI showcases his commitment to innovation and efficiency, aiming to enhance team capabilities and business operations.
Notable Quotes:
"I knew I wanted to create and pivot into the video world, but at the same time, like, video was so incredibly costly."
I Started From Scratch in My 50s | Sally Dan-Cuthbert
When Sally Dan-Cuthbert walked into a gallery opening she'd never been invited to, called a director she'd never met, and asked if she could help — she had no formal art training, no plan, and no safety net. She just had a deep sense that this was where she was supposed to be. She was starting over in her 50s, when most people she knew were thinking about winding down.
Sally Dan-Cuthbert is one of Australia's most respected gallerists and art advisors, founder of Gallery Sally Dan-Cuthbert — a space she built from nothing into one of the country's most significant homes for contemporary art and collectible design.
This is a conversation about the courage of the late start, the quiet power of collecting, and what happens when you bet on your instincts after decades of doing the sensible thing. About art as a compass, beauty as a discipline, and why the most meaningful things are rarely found in the plan.
About the Guest:
Meet Sally Dan-Cuthbert, the art dealer blurring the lines between gallery pieces and functional design. Since launching Gallery Sally Dan-Cuthbert in 2019, Sally champions functional art you can actually live with not just admire from afar. From her days at Christie’s to building her own gallery, Sally’s obsessed with handmade quality and giving artists proper platforms across different mediums. This conversation explores her philosophy on making art accessible, navigating Australia’s competitive gallery scene, and why the best art is stuff you touch and use daily.
Key Takeaways:
Cultural Influence: Developing an early appreciation for art and culture through travel and familial influence has profound effects on one's creative and professional trajectory.
Navigating Career Pivots: Embracing unexpected opportunities and taking calculated risks can lead to fulfilling and successful career paths in the art world.
"Design is about storytelling. It's about building something lasting and doing it with heart."
"Honestly, I think once you sort of train your own eye and you sort of believe in what you believe in, things sort of come together."
"I always want everything to be just perfect… I must do better."
"I like to understand what their skills are, the team, the team skills, because everyone has different skill sets."
"I think Build Beautiful means to me it means to create a space that you feel safe in and a place where you can think."
To get in touch with Build Beautiful or to follow us head to our socials:
If you'd like to be on the podcast, or want to collaborate with Build Beautiful feel free to contact us on buildbeautifulpodcast@gmail.com.
Community Building: Initiatives like the indie group highlight the importance of nurturing networks where professionals can connect, share insights, and grow together.
Legacy and Advocacy: Caron's advocacy for neurodiversity through personal experience echoes the significance of building purposeful legacies in business and personal life.
AI and the Future: Embracing AI as a transformative tool can lead to enhancements in business operations and strategy, requiring adaptability and strategic input.
Notable Quotes:
"Anxiety comes from not knowing what's expected. So, we work on systems so people know what's expected of them."
"I don't want you to sell, do not sell. I just want you to ask questions. I just want you to understand the needs and match them."
"I want to sleep at night. Integrity means the ability to rest, for goals for the long term, and fostering trust."
"It's about assessing risk. You must pivot in adversity, examine losses, and remain adaptable to change."
"Build Beautiful means momentum moving forward… with our senses and aesthetics and purpose and intelligence."
If you'd like to be on the podcast, or want to collaborate with Build Beautiful feel free to contact us on buildbeautifulpodcast@gmail.com.
Personal Growth Through Challenges: Tammy shares lessons learned from business and personal hurdles, advocating for self-forgiveness and growth from failures rather than being defined by them.
Authenticity Over Perfection: The episode underscores the courage required to maintain creative authenticity, particularly in industries that promote perfectionism.
Client Connection: Emphasising the role of trust and open communication, Tammy explains her client-focused approach, anchoring her design process in building meaningful relationships.
Notable Quotes:
"This should be an enjoyable process for you. This should be fun. Most people only ever get to renovate once if they're lucky."
"You're not even sure who you are… you grow up. Not really."
"Build Beautiful means building with honesty and restraint."
"Creating and creating for life."
"My mum always says, don't hate something, it might be good for you."
If you'd like to be on the podcast, or want to collaborate with Build Beautiful feel free to contact us on buildbeautifulpodcast@gmail.com.
Value of Patronage: Supporting artists by purchasing artworks is a direct form of patronage that sustains their creative practices and contributes to the broader cultural landscape.
Art Advisory: Advising on art involves understanding a client's taste and needs, ensuring that art acquisitions are meaningful, informed, and emotionally resonant.
Art in the Digital Age: Technology and AI are reshaping the art industry, yet the human touch and creative mistakes integral to art-making maintain their irreplaceable value.
Notable Quotes:
“You can ask questions and be comfortable. And then at the end of the day, if you can afford it and you've got the place to put it… then just do it.”
"It's the curiosity, so the curiosity of the artist exploring different ways, and that's what AI can't really produce."
"Having these things around you does change you. And I don't think until people start actually bringing the works into their space that they realize how much it transforms their lives."
"Trust your instincts… young people are so… they dart around, believing they can do anything."
If you'd like to be on the podcast, or want to collaborate with Build Beautiful feel free to contact us on buildbeautifulpodcast@gmail.com.
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