Design Anatomy Podcast By Bree Banfield and Lauren Li cover art

Design Anatomy

Design Anatomy

By: Bree Banfield and Lauren Li
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Welcome to Design Anatomy, where we examine the world of interiors and design. With a shared passion for joyful, colour-filled, and lived-in spaces, Bree Banfield and Lauren Li are excited to share their insights and inspiration with you.
YouTube channel launching soon.

© 2025 Design Anatomy
Art
Episodes
  • Building Laughs: How Nick White Turned Architecture into Comedy Gold
    Jul 16 2025

    Nick White shares his remarkable journey from drafting buildings to crafting punchlines. With the sharp observation skills of an architect and the timing of a seasoned comedian, Nick reveals how he transitioned from designing spaces to creating characters that have captured the hearts of over half a million followers online.

    Having trained as an architect and worked in prestigious firms from Brisbane to New York, Nick found himself increasingly drawn to comedy, performing at open mics after long days in the office. What started as a creative outlet gradually revealed itself as his true calling. His honest reflections on the architectural profession resonate deeply—the hierarchical structure, the jargon-heavy presentations, and the disconnect between university creativity and workplace reality.

    Nick's viral "Design Dissection" series and beloved characters like Carly (the endearingly dull co-worker) demonstrate how he's brilliantly merged his architectural knowledge with his comedic talents. Rather than abandoning his design background, he's transformed it into something uniquely his own. The conversation explores how his architectural training provided transferable skills for his comedy career—from graphic design abilities for merchandise to organizational habits that help him structure his creative work.

    The most compelling moment comes when Nick describes his terrifying leap from job security to creative entrepreneurship. After resigning, he panic-bought canned soup expecting poverty, only to receive his two biggest brand deals days later. This perfectly captures the universal fear and exhilaration of following one's authentic path.

    For anyone questioning their career trajectory or contemplating a creative pivot, Nick offers refreshingly practical wisdom: follow your gut, pay attention to what brings you joy, and recognize that your current skills might find surprising applications in unexpected places. His story proves that sometimes the most rewarding path isn't climbing the ladder you're on, but building an entirely new one that feels authentically yours.

    Follow Nick on Insta, TikTok & check out his latest tour dates below:

    https://comedy.com.au/tour/nick-white

    https://www.instagram.com/nickwhite49

    https://www.tiktok.com/@missnickiewantie

    Thinking about joining Bree & Lauren in Milan 2026? Or perhaps London later this year, is more your design vibe?

    Jump onto our wait lists below & be the first to know when all these amazing tours are happening.

    London Tour 2025

    Milan Tour 2026

    Bree offers a 90-minute online design consult to help you tackle key challenges like colour selection, furniture curation, layout, and styling. Get tailored one-on-one advice and a detailed follow-up report with actionable recommendations—all without a full-service commitment.

    Bookings now open for late July Learn more: https://breebanfield.com

    Back by popular demand— Lauren's 'Colour and Materials Masterclass ' returns on August 2nd! If you're unsure how to pair paint colours with floors or finishes, this full-day online event is for you. Learn how colour really works and follow a clear, step-by-step method to confidently choose the right paint every time. It's a fun, practical day with a vibrant community of fellow colour lovers.

    Tickets are on sale now and sold out fast last time—don’t miss out!

    https://www.sisalla-sessions.com.au/products/live_events/colour-materials-workshop

    Show more Show less
    45 mins
  • Natural Living by Design: Melissa Penfold's Sustainable Design Philosophy
    Jul 9 2025

    Stepping into a beautiful home isn't simply about admiring aesthetics—it's about experiencing how deeply our surroundings affect our wellbeing. Design authority Melissa Penfold joins us to reveal the philosophy behind her stunning new book "Natural Living by Design," where timeless style meets environmental consciousness.

    Melissa shares how her childhood beach house, with its weathered wood and connection to nature, shaped her understanding of nurturing spaces. This early influence sparked a career that would help countless Australians reimagine their homes as sanctuaries. The conversation unfolds with practical wisdom about creating spaces that ground us through natural materials—plaster walls, wooden floors, and stone elements that have stood the test of time.

    What makes this discussion particularly refreshing is Melissa's insistence that sustainable design doesn't require massive budgets. She enthusiastically reveals her auction house strategies, explains why refurbishing existing elements often trumps replacement, and describes how simple touches like seasonal fruit displays or collected botanical specimens can transform a space more effectively than expensive renovations. The passion in her voice is palpable as she explains how these choices benefit not just current homeowners but future generations.

    Beyond the expected design talk, Melissa offers unexpected insights about sound absorption, ventilation strategies, and creating "visual tactility"—elements rarely covered in typical interior discussions. She explains why even the most perfectly styled homes can feel soulless without elements of whimsy, drama, and personal history. The most luxurious homes in her book (from Giorgio Armani's never-before-published living room to a breathtaking Palm Beach residence) all follow these principles.

    Ready to transform your space? Listen now and discover how small, thoughtful choices in materials, light, and arrangement can create homes that nurture both inhabitants and the planet.

    'Natural Living by Design', available now at all great book stores or online

    https://melissapenfold.com/new-book

    https://melissapenfold.com

    Instagram:

    @melissa_penfold

    Thinking about joining Bree & Lauren in Milan 2026? Or perhaps London later this year, is more your design vibe?

    Jump onto our wait lists below & be the first to know when all these amazing tours are happening.

    London Tour 2025

    Milan Tour 2026

    Bree offers a 90-minute online design consult to help you tackle key challenges like colour selection, furniture curation, layout, and styling. Get tailored one-on-one advice and a detailed follow-up report with actionable recommendations—all without a full-service commitment.

    Bookings now open for late July Learn more: https://breebanfield.com

    Back by popular demand— Lauren's 'Colour and Materials Masterclass ' returns on August 2nd! If you're unsure how to pair paint colours with floors or finishes, this full-day online event is for you. Learn how colour really works and follow a clear, step-by-step method to confidently choose the right paint every time. It's a fun, practical day with a vibrant community of fellow colour lovers.

    Tickets are on sale now and sold out fast last time—don’t miss out!

    https://www.sisalla-sessions.com.au/products/live_events/colour-materials-workshop

    Show more Show less
    56 mins
  • Celebrating 25 Years of David Hicks: A Legacy of Timeless Design
    Jul 2 2025

    Symmetry, structure, warmth, and a sense of materiality that's instantly recognisable – these are the hallmarks of David Hicks' approach to design, a philosophy he's refined over an impressive 25-year career. We sit down with this influential Australian designer to trace his evolution from what critics once described as "minimalist purity" to what he now calls "decorative minimalism."

    David's journey began with his own apartment in Melbourne's converted Red Tulip Factory, a project that established his meticulous approach to design. Working with a grid system based on 600mm terrazzo tiles, he created a space where every joinery line aligned perfectly with tile grout – a detail-driven approach that still guides his work today. What makes this particularly fascinating is that this career-launching project was created in the pre-Google era, using dial-up internet and hand-drawn plans, when inspiration came from face-to-face networking rather than endless scrolling.

    The conversation shifts to how dramatically the design industry has transformed over David's career. Where designers once waited eagerly for monthly magazines or trade representatives bearing materials from international shows, today's instantaneous access to global design via social media has changed how designers work, often prioritising two-second visual impact over thoughtful functionality. Despite these shifts, David has maintained his commitment to balancing what he calls "discipline" (technical expertise in space planning and detailing) with "intuition" (the creative, decorative elements).

    After completing over 800 apartments, 75 homes and 125 retail projects, David opens up about what actually keeps a design practice thriving – and it's not what most people imagine. The reality of an interior designer's daily life involves far more administration than fabric selection, though he remains passionate about expanding his creative reach through new collaborations, including an upcoming tapware collection.

    For aspiring designers or anyone fascinated by the evolution of Australian design, this candid conversation offers invaluable insights into staying relevant while remaining true to your authentic vision with one of the best in the industry.

    Check out David's socials below

    Instagram : @davidhicksdesign

    Web:

    Thinking about joining Bree & Lauren in Milan 2026? Or perhaps London later this year, is more your design vibe?

    Jump onto our wait lists below & be the first to know when all these amazing tours are happening.

    London Tour 2025

    Milan Tour 2026

    Bree offers a 90-minute online design consult to help you tackle key challenges like colour selection, furniture curation, layout, and styling. Get tailored one-on-one advice and a detailed follow-up report with actionable recommendations—all without a full-service commitment.

    Bookings now open for late July Learn more: https://breebanfield.com

    Back by popular demand— Lauren's 'Colour and Materials Masterclass ' returns on August 2nd! If you're unsure how to pair paint colours with floors or finishes, this full-day online event is for you. Learn how colour really works and follow a clear, step-by-step method to confidently choose the right paint every time. It's a fun, practical day with a vibrant community of fellow colour lovers.

    Tickets are on sale now and sold out fast last time—don’t miss out!

    https://www.sisalla-sessions.com.au/products/live_events/colour-materials-workshop

    Show more Show less
    51 mins
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