The Design Duet

Ever stood in front of a wall of paint swatches feeling completely overwhelmed? In this episode of The Design Duet, we’re joined by Rachel Lacy, Colour Lead at Haymes Paints, to unpack everything you need to know about choosing colour with confidence. Rachael takes us behind the scenes of colour forecasting and trend development, sharing how future palettes are created and what truly influences the colours that shape our homes. We dive into the psychology of colour, the most common mistakes p...

We’re joined by Adelaide Bragg, one of Australia’s most gifted interior designers, celebrated for her extraordinary eye for colour, fabric, and texture, and her ability to weave them together into homes of timeless beauty. With a career spanning decades, Adelaide has created interiors that are not only architecturally harmonious but deeply personal, layered, and full of warmth. Her work is instantly recognisable for its elegance and spaces that feel as though they’ve always belonged to the pe...

In this episode of The Design Duet, we sit down with Edwina to explore the deeply personal journey of designing a home around accessibility. As a primary caregiver for her son, who lives with a rare disease, Edwina shares what it took to make their home not just functional, but comfortable and welcoming for the whole family. We discuss the key modifications that supported her son’s mobility and independence, the thoughtful design elements that made daily life easier, and the emotional balance...

In this episode we sit down with Marie from Monarch Property Styling, a leading expert in transforming homes to sell faster, for more and with less stress. Your home is one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make, and how it’s presented can dramatically shape how buyers feel about it. That’s where styling becomes more than just aesthetics, it becomes strategy. Marie shares her journey from creative beginnings to becoming a sought-after stylist in the Melbourne property market. She w...

In this episode, we sit down with acclaimed Sydney-based interior designer Brett Mickan, whose fearless use of colour, love of vintage finds, and finely layered interiors have earned him recognition both in Australia and abroad. With over 25 years in the industry including time designing in Miami, Brett brings a global perspective and a signature style that’s anything but beige. From show-stopping homes and yacht interiors to theatre sets and exhibitions, his work blends drama, warmth, and ti...

Palm Springs isn’t just a destination — it’s a design pilgrimage. In this sun-drenched surprise episode of The Design Duet, we take you along on Caroline’s unforgettable trip to the modernist mecca during Modernism Week — the annual celebration of mid-century architecture, design, and culture in February this year. Surrounded by desert landscapes and mountain backdrops, Caroline wandered through neighbourhoods lined with butterfly rooflines, colourful doors, and iconic A-frame facades. From s...

This week, we’re joined by Jacqui Bendall- a fourth-generation Boroondara local whose passion for people has shaped every step of her career. After two decades running a successful travel agency, she made the leap into real estate, bringing with her a deep commitment to personalised service and community connection. Now working alongside her brother Scott in Melbourne’s inner east, Jacqui shares her insights on post-COVID buyer trends, preparing to downsize, what really sells a home (hint: it...

In this episode of The Design Duet, we’re shining a light on one of the most transformative elements in interior design—lighting. Following our energizing conversation with Danielle, we continue the dialogue with a deep dive into how lighting shapes our spaces, our moods, and our everyday routines. We explore the concept of human-centric lighting and how it’s influencing our design choices more than ever. From the warm glow in your living room to task lighting in your kitchen, we break down w...

As 2024 comes to a close, we’re bringing you a special year-end episode where we flip the script and interview each other! In this episode, we dive deep into our personal journeys in interior design—sharing our likes and dislikes, why we chose this career, and the things that motivate us both inside and outside of the design world. We also talk about what we hope for the future, both professionally and personally, and share some of our biggest takeaways. It’s been an incredible journey bringi...

In this episode, we’re sharing our unique journeys into the world of interior design. Caroline talks about starting fresh in the field, while Chrissie shares her experience making a career change. With the end of the school year approaching, many students and career-changers are thinking about their next steps. We dive into the different paths you can take to become an interior designer and explore some less traditional routes into the industry. Plus, we’ll give you practical tips on small ac...

In this special episode of The Design Duet, we tackle one of the most important spaces in any home—the kitchen! Join us as we take a deep dive into a recent client project involving a full kitchen demolition and rebuild, all while sticking to a $70,000 budget. We’ll walk you through the client’s renovation scope, discuss how to allocate funds effectively, and reveal the hidden costs you may not be aware of when tackling a kitchen renovation. From materials and design choices to unexpected fe...

In this episode of The Design Duet, we sit down with Tilly, who’s in the midst of buying her first home. Join us as Tilly shares her experiences, from navigating the challenging real estate market to figuring out how to choose the right place. We discuss the essential non-negotiables that every first-time homebuyer should consider and the emotional rollercoaster that comes with making such a significant decision. We also explore why many younger generations often hesitate to reach out to inte...

In this episode of The Design Duet, we sit down with our lovely client, Inez, who completed the renovation of her stunning Edwardian home back in 2019. Join us as we delve into the details of her renovation journey and the role we played in turning her new house into the home of her dreams. Inez shares her experiences and insights on: - The challenges and triumphs of renovating her home - Her decision to engage an interior designer early in the process - How our collaboration helped br...