Advertise on podcast: Her Design, Her Story

Sarah Reid of Her Design, Her Story and Camilla Ingall of Unfolded come together for a conversation between two interior designers, two podcast hosts and two women navigating the realities of running their own creative businesses. We talk candidly about burnout, the role of intuition in both creativity and business, and the confidence that comes from learning to trust your own instincts. We also explore our evolving relationship with success — how we once measured it, what it looks like for each of us today, and how those definitions continue to shift as our careers and lives evolve. A slightly different conversation this week — and one we loved having.

Shona McElroy is the founder and creative force behind SMAC Studio, a Sydney based interior design studio. Shona has built a reputation for creating interiors that feel considered, characterful and beautifully layered. Her work has a wonderful confidence and clarity, balancing colour, materiality, texture and form with an appreciation for the details that ultimately make a space feel like home. In our conversation, we go back to the beginning of Shona’s creative journey, exploring the experiences that shaped her approach to design and the story behind establishing SMAC Studio. We also talk about working with clients, where she finds inspiration, and her love of creative collaboration.

With more than four decades in the industry, Nicole’s career is nothing short of remarkable. She began at Vogue straight out of university, at a time when the profession of fashion styling was still in its infancy, and went on to become Fashion Director of Australian Elle, Fashion Director of CLEO and Senior Fashion Editor-at-Large at Madison. Along the way, Nicole has helped shape some of the most memorable images and careers in Australian fashion and entertainment, including extensive work with Kylie Minogue, as well as Toni Collette, Naomi Watts, Naomi Campbell and INXS. One of the most fascinating elements to Nicole is the eye behind all of that work. Her approach is about storytelling, polish and creating an entire visual world - not simply putting an outfit together. We discuss all the aspects of an extraordinary career: the changing face of fashion, the art of styling, creativity, motherhood, and what it takes to maintain an instinctive eye for style over four remarkable decades.

Kathryn Robson is a Director and co-founder of Melbourne based architectural practice Robson Rak. After beginning her career in London, Kathryn moved to Melbourne and went on to establish her own practice before joining forces with her husband, Chris Rak. Together, they have created an extraordinary body of work, particularly within Melbourne’s heritage homes, balancing the past with contemporary life through thoughtful planning, natural materials and meticulous craftsmanship. As Kathryn celebrates 20 years in practice and the release of her book, Permanent Residence, we discuss her journey, creative process and the enduring philosophy behind her work.

In conversation with Louise Bastiras, Jordan Fleming and Ruby Shields. The panel explore the idea of “Designing Legacy – What are we leaving behind?” The conversation was inspired by reflecting on four key design weeks that have unfolded so far this year — Milan, Melbourne, New York and Copenhagen — and the broader questions they have raised around what endures, what we leave behind, how we design for the future, and who design ultimately serves?

Jillian Dinkel is the founder and creative director of Jillian Dinkel Designs. Originally from America, Jillian spent almost two decades in fashion, including as an editor at Vogue in New York, before making the brave decision to retrain in interior design. Today, she is renowned for her work with period and heritage homes, particularly Sydney’s beautiful terraces, where she masterfully balances old and new -preserving the details, character and imperfections that give a home its soul, while making it feel relevant to contemporary life. Jillian is drawn to history and storytelling; she uncovers a buildings history and creates the next chapter. In this episode, Jillian touches on fashion, interiors, heritage, creativity and the journey between them -and the art of creating a home that feels both timeless and entirely personal.

Sacha is the founder and creative director of Southern Highlands-based interior design studio Opal & Oak. Sacha’s journey into interiors is a fascinating one. With a background spanning fashion, graphic design and creative leadership at Canva, she brings a wonderfully multidisciplinary perspective to her work — combining visual storytelling with structure, emotion with practicality, and beauty with purpose.

Keti Lytras is the Head of Creative at GlobeWest, overseeing her talented Design team. Throughout her time at the business, her role has always had many facets, including trend forecasting, product design, styling, and creative direction of GlobeWest’s range and lifestyle photography. Bought to you by @royaloakfloors_australia

Kelly Thompson is an illustrator, designer, stylist, creative director, speaker and all-round creative powerhouse based in Melbourne. Kelly’s career is a wonderful lesson in following curiosity and trusting where it leads. From fashion photography to illustration, interiors, styling and creative direction, her distinctive eye has shaped an incredibly diverse body of work. We discuss her unconventional creative journey, the experiences that have shaped her, and the importance of following your intuition. Bought to you by @royaloakfloors

Brought to you by @royaloakfloors  Brooke Holm is an Australian-American interdisciplinary artist and photographer based in Brooklyn, New York. Working across lens-based media, sound, sculpture and installation, her practice explores the elemental forces shaping our planet and the complex relationship between humans and the natural world. Her evocative work spans remote landscapes, architecture and the intimate details of the Earth. LINKTREE: https://shorturl.at/TUQBX

She 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"

Brought 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.

Kerrie-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

In 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

April 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