In this episode, Camilla sits down with Stephanie Ferrara, founder of Laidback Lee Design, to explore how she built a growing design studio while renovating her own family home as an owner-builder and raising two young daughters. Steph shares how a Covid job cut sparked her leap into business, what she’s learned from flipping character homes, and how stepping onto site as a woman and now a builder has reshaped her confidence and communication.

Together, they unpack the realities of running a design studio in the thick of motherhood, delegation, renovation setbacks, and the mindset shifts that help Steph stay grounded through it all.

In this episode, we explore:

• How Steph launched Laidback Lee Design and grew it into a five-person studio

• The emotional and practical realities of motherhood while running a design practice

• What it’s really like to be an owner-builder and manage a full renovation

• The mindset shifts required to delegate, hire, and step back from doing everything yourself

• Timeless design vs personality-driven design and how Steph navigates both

• Why slowing down, working with your capacity, and trusting your path matters in business and in life

Whether you’re an interior designer, owner-builder, renovator, creative parent, or someone who loves hearing the unfiltered stories behind design careers, this conversation is grounding, generous, and full of the permission so many of us need.

Follow Laidback Lee Design:

Business Instagram: instagram.com/laidbacklee_design

Business Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@laidbackleedesign

Reno diaries for personal project: https://www.instagram.com/finalmente_renodiary/

Follow Unfolded:

Website: https://www.unfolded.com.au/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unfolded_

00:00:00 – Introduction & Background

00:01:30 – Introducing Stephanie Ferrara

00:02:21 – Stephanie’s Path to Founding Laidback Lee Design

00:04:06 – Starting a Business During Major Life Changes

00:07:09 – Stephanie’s Renovation & Flip Experiences

00:08:16 – Upcoming Renovation Plans

00:11:04 – Key Challenges in Project Management

00:12:05 – Building the Laidback Lee Design Team

00:13:49 – Delegation, Confidence & Scaling

00:15:19 – Stephanie’s Evolving Role

00:17:01 – Stepping Into the Builder Role

00:17:36 – White Card & Owner-Builder Certification

00:20:41 – Motivation & Women’s Empowerment

00:22:30 – Balancing Work, Life & Motherhood

00:30:24 – Adapting to Client Personalities

00:32:43 – Clear Communication with Clients

00:34:32 – Navigating Delays & Project Challenges

00:35:00 – Confidence in Client Relationships

00:37:48 – Vulnerability in Life & Business

00:43:18 – Postpartum Impact on Work & Identity

* Interior design

* Australian designer

* Creative entrepreneur

* Design studio

* Renovation

* Owner-builder

* Residential interiors

* Heritage renovation

* Studio leadership

* Creative motherhood

* Women in design

* Client communication

* Design inspiration

* Small business growth

* Authentic design process