Her Design, Her Story
Her Design, Her Story
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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.
Episodios
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Ep. 045 - Sarah Stamm 12.08.2026 57mShe 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, Sarah traces the sliding-door moments that took her from a country town in NSW to designing Westfield retail interiors, to closing her own store to care for sick family members, to rebuilding from scratch with nothing but leftover fabric and a login she barely understood. She talks candidly about the 80/20 rule of showing up online, why she still hand-drafts everything, designing by season, and the surprising reason her answer to "if your brand was a celebrity". Chapters 2:11 — Welcome, Sarah: from Albury to a career that "went the opposite direction" 5:21 — Boarding with a stranger in Canberra to study advertising and marketing 9:55 — The pivot to interior design — 2,000 applicants, 30 spots 14:09 — First industry job: detailing joinery for Westfield's retail stores 19:10 — Leaving Sydney for 22 acres in Beechworth and starting Salisbury & Maude 23:58 — Closing the store to care for two unwell family members 26:06 — Turning leftover fabric into quilts — and an accidental Instagram business 34:07 — The 80/20 rule: why the unpolished, behind-the-scenes stuff matters 43:31 — Designing by season: how Beechworth's four seasons shape her palette 54:26 — Quickfire: the celebrity answer that left her in tears. -
Ep. 044 - Jessica Bettenay 05.08.2026 1hBrought 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 enjoyable. In this episode, she shares her entrepreneurial journey, her approach to design, and the lessons she's learned while building a purpose-driven brand. -
Ep. 043 - Kerrie-Ann Jones 29.07.2026 45mKerrie-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, creating spaces that feel curated yet deeply personal. We discuss Kerrie-Ann’s incredible career, as well as her recent pivot towards interior design, publishing a book and the evolution of her online gallery. Visit Royal Oak Flooring at: https://royaloakfloors.com.au LINKTREE: https://shorturl.at/TUQBX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. -
Ep. 042 - Manuela Millan 22.07.2026 40mIn 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 into design, the lessons learned along the way, and how Meanwhile in Melbourne grew from a personal project into a thriving creative community. Visit Royal Oak Flooring at: https://royaloakfloors.com.au LINKTREE: https://shorturl.at/TUQBX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. -
Ep. 041 - April Butten 15.07.2026 44mApril 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 marketing, helping shape how brands are perceived, gain attention, and create the momentum they need to grow. Visit Royal Oak Flooring at: https://royaloakfloors.com.au LINKTREE: https://shorturl.at/TUQBX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. -
Ep. 040 - Kim Kneipp 08.07.2026 42mKim 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/TUQBX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. -
Ep. 039 - Naomi Singer 01.07.2026 37mNaomi 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 LINKTREE: https://shorturl.at/TUQBX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. -
Ep. 038 - Tara Solberg 24.06.2026 54mFew & 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 has stores in Berry, Bowral, Thirroul and Huskisson, as well as an online store servicing those across Australia. Visit Royal Oak Flooring at: https://royaloakfloors.com.au LINKTREE: https://shorturl.at/TUQBX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. -
Ep. 037 - Genevieve Wallis 17.06.2026 47mGenevieve 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://royaloakfloors.com.au LINKTREE: https://shorturl.at/TUQBX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. -
Ep. 036 - Arielle Lopresti 10.06.2026 40mArielle 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 US market. Visit Royal Oak Flooring at: https://royaloakfloors.com.au LINKTREE: https://shorturl.at/TUQBX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. -
Ep. 035 - Katie Forse Sargent 03.06.2026 50mFor 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 help families conquer life's paperwork. Visit Royal Oak Flooring at: https://royaloakfloors.com.au LINKTREE: https://shorturl.at/TUQBX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. -
Ep. 034 - Emma Coyne 26.05.2026 58mEmma 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 fiercely passionate about cultivating a creative workplace that brings people together. Visit Royal Oak Flooring at: https://royaloakfloors.com.au LINKTREE: https://shorturl.at/TUQBX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. -
Ep. 033 - Julia Levitt 19.05.2026 37mWith 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 works across private gardens, luxury homes, and large estates throughout Australia, collaborating closely with architects and interior designers to deliver cohesive, site-responsive outcomes. Every project is designed to enhance lifestyle, improve functionality, and create timeless outdoor environments that are both beautiful and practical. Visit Royal Oak Flooring at: https://royaloakfloors.com.au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. -
Ep. 032 - Louise Bastiras 12.05.2026 52mFounded 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, including our made-in-Melbourne collection John Bastiras Design. Visit Royal Oak Flooring at: https://royaloakfloors.com.au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. -
Ep. 031 - Teegan Cocchiaro 05.05.2026 28mTeegan 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 by architecture, fashion, and travel, with finishes and materials drawn from contemporary interior design movements. Today Lo & Co continues to enrich their range with new and exciting finishes, constructions and materials. The brand now boasts a broad range of offerings including joinery and entry handles, knobs, hooks, door levers, hinges, towel hooks and more. 2020 saw the exciting introduction of solid marble handles — and more recently travertine — allowing for varied applications to suit all décor styles. All other pieces are lovingly crafted from solid brass featuring signature brass, bronze, nickel, matte black, matte white, aged brass and tumbled brass finishes. Visit Royal Oak Flooring at: https://royaloakfloors.com.au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. -
Ep. 030 - Stephanie Ferrara 28.04.2026 40mStephanie 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 deepened her eye for design, teaching her how to blend furniture and decor from different eras into a cohesive whole. Today, with a passion for creating spaces that balance beauty and function, Stephanie Ferrara is recognised as a distinguished interior designer celebrated for her distinctive and innovative approach. Visit Royal Oak Flooring at: https://royaloakfloors.com.au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. -
Ep. 029 - Rachel Collard 21.04.2026 42mAfter 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 Australia wide and in 2018 was selected to design for contestants on the hit reality TV show “The Block”. Rachel believes the kitchen is the heart of the home, and so often her designs will start here and extend into the rest of the home. Combining a background in Psychology with her knowledge, passion and expertise in design, along with her natural instinct to feel the optimal design of a space gives Rachel a truly unique edge when working together with her clients to understand their needs and implement fresh design ideas to every project, from conception to completion. Rachel’s design philosophy is based on staying true to who you are, not following trends and always injecting the client’s personality into their homes. Visit Royal Oak Flooring at: https://royaloakfloors.com.au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. -
Ep. 028 - Kelly McCloskey 14.04.2026 37mKelly 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 and Masters of Feng Shui. She is a Disciple of San Yuen Yuen Gua Feng Shui, a method that can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty. This formula has only been taught and passed down to a small number of individuals in Australia, one of whom is Kelly. A Corporate member of The International Feng Shui Association (Australian Chapter), Kelly continually hones her craft through study with global Masters and participation in international conferences. Visit Royal Oak Flooring at: https://royaloakfloors.com.au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. -
Ep. 027 - Claudia Lambert 07.04.2026 43mClaudia 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 and unique pieces, her style is playful, colourful and art centric with a cutting edge. Often drawing style inspiration from local materials and designers that create art within the home and keeping a focus on making sculptural moments with furniture. Visit Royal Oak Flooring at: https://royaloakfloors.com.au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. -
Ep. 026 - Bea Lambos 31.03.2026 49mBea, 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 for their products, her focus is always on crafting with beauty in mind. Visit Royal Oak Flooring at: https://royaloakfloors.com.au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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