A Designer's Perspective

Mel Mackenzie is a principal at TKD Architects in Sydney and one of Australia's most respected interior designers, with a career spanning over 25 years across commercial, hospitality, healthcare, residential, and some genuinely unexpected project types. With a background that began in architecture before finding her true calling in interior design, Mel brings both technical rigour and a deep passion for the way spaces shape how people feel and function in their everyday lives. I

n this episode, Mel Mackenzie shares the story behind her design journey, from growing up with an interior designer mother to studying architecture, experiencing a crisis of direction, and ultimately landing exactly where she was always meant to be. She unpacks the critical and often misunderstood differences between interior design, interior decorating, and interior styling, and why those distinctions matter more than most people realise.

Mel also speaks candidly about her advocacy work with the Design Institute of Australia (DIA) to regulate the interior design profession in New South Wales, a fight she's taking all the way to government. And she reflects on the design philosophy that guides every project she takes on: get the function right first, and the beauty will follow.

Key Takeaways:

• Interior design is not about cushions and curtains first ... it's about spatial function, compliance, coordination, and creating spaces that genuinely work for the people living or working in them.

• There is a meaningful and important difference between interior design, interior decorating, and interior styling and conflating them does a disservice to qualified professionals and, more critically, to clients.

• Mel is actively working with the Design Institute of Australia to regulate the profession in NSW, a move that would create clearer licensing pathways, protect qualified designers, and ultimately better serve the public.

• Qualified interior designers are legally and professionally responsible for compliance with Australian Standards and the National Construction Code, something untrained practitioners often don't even know exists.

• The constraints of compliance and regulation aren't a creative roadblock, they're actually what pushes designers to be more inventive and find better solutions.

• Mel's design process always starts with function: she won't show a client how a space looks until she knows it works. The aesthetic, she says, grows out of that practicality, not the other way around.

• Designing for wellbeing is built into every residential project Mel takes on, from where you drop your keys when you walk in the door to how a busy parent moves through their home without stress.

• No two projects are the same, and that's the point. Whether it's a feedlot, a dental practice, or a hotel, the principles of design hold, it's just a different set of challenges to navigate.

• Interior designers make dozens of invisible decisions on every project that clients never see, and that's exactly how it should be.

To find out more about Mel Mackenzie, connect here:

TDK Architects | Tanner Kibble Denton

TDK Instagram

CONNECT with McRae + Lynch Design

Follow us here on M + L Design INSTAGRAM

Visit our website: www.mcraeandlynch.com.au

Follow us here on

PINTEREST:

Planning a Build or Renovation and in need of design guidance? If you are getting ready to build or renovate, now is the time to get organised and move forward with confidence. Our online course, Build It Right: Renovation and New Home Guide, shares over 20 years of our design and construction knowledge. Find out more via the link here: BUILD IT RIGHT

Not sure where to start your build journey?

Our free design resources will guide you step by step.

Hit the link here: READY TO USE DESIGN RESOURCES  

We'd love you to subscribe to 'A Designer's Perspective'...you can do that on your favourite podcast platform, and if you really liked this or any other episode, please leave us a review and share it with a friend who you think could do with a dose of the Designer's.

Thanks so much for tuning in.

Karyn + Helen xx

Rhiannon Lee is the founder of Oleander & Finch Interiors, a mentor, podcast host, and AI strategist who helps creative business owners integrate tools like Claude and Notion into their workflows without losing what makes their work distinctly human.

With a background in corporate business and a hard won design career, she brings a rare combination of commercial clarity and creative fluency to everything she builds. In this episode, Rhiannon shares the surprisingly personal origin story behind her design career, and why the spaces she creates for clients carry more emotional weight than she had ever publicly acknowledged.

She unpacks the real purpose of AI in a design business, not to replace creativity, but to protect it and makes a compelling case for why documented businesses will outlast the platforms they run on.

She also walks Karyn and Helen through the thinking behind ‘Studio Build’, her course that's helping designers finally get the back end of their businesses as considered as the work they put in front of clients.

Key Takeaways

To find out more about Rhiannon Lee, her 'Studio Build' course and more, connect here:

STUDIO BUILD

WEBSITE  

INSTAGRAM  

CONNECT with McRae + Lynch Design

Follow us here on INSTAGRAM 

Visit our website: www.mcraeandlynch.com.au

Follow us here on PINTEREST

Planning a Build or Renovation and in need of design guidance? If you are getting ready to build or renovate, now is the time to get organised and move forward with confidence. Our online course, ‘Build It Right’: Renovation and New Home Guide, shares over 20 years of our design and construction knowledge.

Find out more via the link here: BUILD IT RIGHT Hit the link 

Not sure where to start your build journey?

Our free design resources will guide you step by step.

Hit the link here: Ready to use design resources

We'd love you to subscribe to 'A Designer's Perspective'...you can do that on your favourite podcast platform, and if you really liked this or any other episode, please leave us a review and share it with a friend who you think could do with a dose of the Designer's.

Thanks so much for tuning in.

See you next time for more insights from the world of design. 

Karyn + Helen xx

Sandro Nocentini is an Italian-born, Sydney-based artist, art educator and curator whose work is held in private collections around the world. Known for his richly layered figurative paintings and his award-winning piece recognised by the Art Gallery of New South Wales ... Sandro brings to his practice a sculptor's love of the body, a poet's sensitivity to story, and a deeply human approach to what it means to make something that truly resonates.

In this episode, Sandro shares what the creative process actually looks like behind closed studio doors ... and it's far from the romantic cliché. He unpacks the emotional weight of making art that can "survive the intention of the artist" and speak to whoever encounters it, why he sees artworks as poems rather than pretty pictures, and how a single award-winning painting — one that now belongs to his son — both launched and complicated his career. He also explores his current body of work stripping colour from his practice entirely, the tension between artistic freedom and expectation, and what he believes AI can and cannot do in the creative space.

Key Takeaways

To find out more about Sandro Nocentini, connect here:

Sandro's Website 

Sandro's Instagram

Thanks so much for tuning in.

See you next time for more insights from the world of design and creativity.

Karyn + Helen xx

We've had the pleasure of sharing a stage with James on quite a few occasions over the past few years, and somewhere along the way we went from colleagues to genuine friends. We feel it happened pretty naturally ... we just clicked. We share the same sense of humour, and when you find someone who makes you laugh as much as they make you think, you hold onto that. James is one of those people. We're so glad this conversation exists, because it captures exactly what he’s like ... warm, funny, and quietly brilliant.

James Treble is a seasoned interior designer with over 25 years of experience shaping spaces. With a background rooted in a deep love for construction and design, James brings authenticity, creativity, and humour to every project.

In this episode, James Treble reflects on the journey that took him from a Lego-obsessed kid to one of Australia's respected designers. He shares how genuine passion drives his client relationships, why he believes in mentoring young creatives, and how humour has become one of his most powerful professional tools.

Key Takeaways

To find out more about James, you can connect with him here.

JAMES' WEBSITE

INSTAGRAM

CONNECT with McRae + Lynch Design

Follow us here on INSTAGRAM

Visit our website www.mcraeandlynch.com.au

Follow us here on PINTEREST

Planning a Build or Renovation and in need of design guidance?

If you are getting ready to build or renovate, now is the time to get organised and move forward with confidence.

Our online course, Build It Right: Renovation and New Home Guide, shares over 20 years of our design and construction knowledge.

Inside the course we show you how to plan with confidence, share industry insights to help you avoid common pitfalls, and most importantly, help you save time and money.

Find out more via the link here BUILD IT RIGHT

Not sure where to start your build journey? Our free design resources will guide you step by step.

Hit the link here to access them. READY TO USE DESIGN RESOURCES

We'd love you to subscribe to 'A Designer's Perspective'...you can do that on your favourite podcast platform, and if you really liked this or any other episode please leave us a review and share it with a friend who you think could do with a dose of the Designer's. 

Thanks so much for tuning in.

See you next time for more insights from the world of design.

Karyn + Helen xx

In this engaging conversation, Stef Hanson, a Melbourne-based Creative Director, photographer, and videographer, known for her authentic storytelling and dynamic visual campaigns, shares her journey into the world of visual storytelling.

With a strong background in sports and sports media, she hosted the hugely successful multimedia platform for women in sport for 15 years, which saw her traveling the globe interviewing professional athletes, covering events and creating content. In 2021 she transitioned and founded Stef Hanson Productions.

Her approach blends creative problem-solving with technical expertise, delivering campaigns that resonate with audiences and stand out in a crowded market. 

Stef's portfolio spans various industries, including lifestyle, fashion, and sports, showcasing her versatility and commitment to capturing genuine moments.

Stef emphasizes the importance of authenticity and connection in her work. She discusses the misconceptions surrounding her role as a creative director and reflects on the impact of her projects, particularly one that successfully bridged the gap between marketing data and storytelling. The conversation concludes with Stef's aspirations for the future and her commitment to staying true to herself in her creative endeavours.

Key Takeaways

To find out more about Stef, you can connect with her here.

STEF HANSON'S WEBSITE

INSTAGRAM

CONNECT with McRae + Lynch Design

Follow us here on INSTAGRAM

Visit our website www.mcraeandlynch.com.au

Follow us here on PINTEREST

Planning a Build or Renovation and in need of design guidance?

If you are getting ready to build or renovate, now is the time to get organised and move forward with confidence.

Our online course, Build It Right: Renovation and New Home Guide, shares over 20 years of our design and construction knowledge.

Inside the course we show you how to plan with confidence, share industry insights to help you avoid common pitfalls, and most importantly, help you save time and money.

Find out more via the link here BUILD IT RIGHT

Not sure where to start your build journey? Our free design resources will guide you step by step.

Hit the link here to access them. READY TO USE DESIGN RESOURCES

We'd love you to subscribe to 'A Designer's Perspective'...you can do that on your favourite podcast platform, and if you really liked this or any other episode please leave us a review and share it with a friend who you think could do with a dose of the Designer's. 

Thanks so much for tuning in.

See you next time for more insights from the world of design.

Karyn + Helen xx

In this engaging conversation, Linda Habak, an accomplished interior designer, co-founder of Rosebriar Developments and now podcaster herself, shares her journey from marketing to design.

She discusses her early passion for design, the importance of mentorship, and the challenges of navigating the design process. Linda reflects on her personal projects that shaped her approach to design and emphasizes the significance of trust and communication with clients.

The discussion also touches on the evolving role of AI in design and the need for a human connection in the creative process.

Key Takeaways

• Returning to design was a necessary creative outlet for Linda.

• Mentorship played a crucial role in her journey.

• Understanding the design process is essential for success.

• Personal projects taught her valuable lessons about design.

• Property development combines her marketing and design skills.

• Trust and communication are vital in client relationships.

• The design process involves much more than just creativity.

• AI can enhance efficiency but cannot replace human connection.

• Every designer should be open to learning and adapting.

To find out more about Linda, you can connect with her here.

STUDIO LHD WEBSITE

INSTAGRAM

BUILD BEAUTIFUL Podcast  

CONNECT with McRae + Lynch Design

Follow us here on INSTAGRAM

Visit our website www.mcraeandlynch.com.au

Follow us here on PINTEREST

Planning a Build or Renovation and in need of design guidance?

If you are getting ready to build or renovate, now is the time to get organised and move forward with confidence.

Our online course, Build It Right: Renovation and New Home Guide, shares over 20 years of our design and construction knowledge.

Inside the course we show you how to plan with confidence, share industry insights to help you avoid common pitfalls, and most importantly, help you save time and money.

Find out more via the link here BUILD IT RIGHT

Not sure where to start your build journey? Our free design resources will guide you step by step.

Hit the link here to access them. READY TO USE DESIGN RESOURCES

We'd love you to subscribe to 'A Designer's Perspective'...you can do that on your favourite podcast platform, and if you really liked this or any other episode please leave us a review and share it with a friend who you think could do with a dose of the Designer's. 

Thanks so much for tuning in.

See you next time for more insights from the world of design.

Karyn + Helen xx

In this episode, we chat with Caron about her inspiring move from the finance world into the design industry and her role at KE-ZU Furniture. It is a great reminder that career pivots can lead exactly where you are meant to be.

We talk about what really matters when selecting furniture, from quality and warranties through to the often overlooked details like foam types and how they affect comfort and longevity. If you have ever wondered why some sofas feel amazing for years and others do not, this conversation explains why.

Caron also shares her passion for building genuine community within the design industry. We dive into the importance of collaboration, lifting each other up, and creating supportive networks, especially for women working in design. It is an honest and empowering discussion about respect, recognition, and backing yourself in this industry.

Key Takeaways

• Caron’s journey into design started with a love of small business and evolved into a career in the furniture industry

• Ke Zu focuses on thoughtfully curated furniture that improves the way we live and work

• Quality and warranty should always be front of mind when investing in furniture

• Foam types play a big role in comfort, performance, and how long a piece will last

• Great design for comfort starts with understanding the people who will actually use the space

• Community and connection are essential in the design industry

• Women in design can face unnecessary competition, which makes collaboration even more important

• The design profession deserves greater recognition and respect

• Caron’s work building a supportive designer network is making a real impact

To find out more about KE-ZU you can connect with them here at their website, Instagram and LinkedIn profile.

KE-ZU WEBSITE

KE-ZU Instagram

LINKEDIN PROFILE

CONNECT WITH US

Follow us here on Instagram

Visit our website www.mcraeandlynch.com.au

Follow us here on  Pinterest

Planning a Build or Renovation?

If you are getting ready to build or renovate, now is the time to get organised and move forward with confidence. Our online course, Build It Right: Renovation and New Home Guide, shares over 20 years of our design and construction knowledge. Inside the course we show you how to plan with confidence, share industry insights to help you avoid common pitfalls, and most importantly, help you save time and money.

Find out more via the link here Build it Right.

Not sure where to start your build journey?

Our free design resources will guide you step by step.

Hit the link here to access them.

Do not miss upcoming episodes...Subscribe to A Designer’s Perspective here 

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on your favourite podcast platform and share it with a friend who would love it too.

Thanks so much for tuning in.

See you next time for more insights from the world of design.

Karyn + Helen xx

Kate Nixon: The organic journey of an award-winning Interior Designer.

In this conversation, Kate Nixon shares her organic journey in the design industry, influenced by her upbringing in a family of furniture makers. She discusses her transition from food styling to interior design, the importance of understanding the business side of design, and the misconceptions clients often have about the role of an interior designer.

Kate reflects on a significant project that shaped her approach to design and the lessons learned about collaboration and managing client expectations.

Key Takeaways:

• Kate's journey in design was influenced by her upbringing in a family of furniture makers.

• She transitioned from food styling to interior design through organic opportunities.

• Understanding the business side of design is crucial for success.

• Clients often have misconceptions about the role and value of interior designers.

• Timing and collaboration are key to successful design projects.

• Budgeting and cost management are essential in the design process.

• Quality and expectations management are important in client relationships.

• Time tracking has helped Kate's team understand project demands better.

• Every project is a learning opportunity for designers.

• Passion and dedication are vital in the design industry.

Connect with Us:

Follow us here on INSTAGRAM

Visit our website www.mcraeandlynch.com.au

Follow us here on PINTEREST

Planning to build or renovate… then it’s time to get organised and plan your build with confidence! Our ONLINE COURSE, (link)  'Build it Right - Renovation & New Home Guide'

Shares our 20 + years of design & construction knowledge.

• We show you how to plan with confidence

• We share industry insights on how to avoid common pitfalls

• And most importantly…how to save money & time !!

To find out more hit the link.

Not sure where to start your build journey?

Our free design resources will guide you every step of the way hit the LINK HERE

Don’t miss out on upcoming episodes, Subscribe to ‘A Designer’s Perspective’. And if you enjoyed this episode… Please leave us a review on your favourite podcast platform & SHARE this episode with a friend.

And finally…Thank you for tuning in.

We’ll see you next time with more insights from the world of design and construction.

Karyn + Helen xx

Neale Whitaker shares his journey from magazine editor to television presenter, discussing the evolution of design inspiration and the importance of aesthetics. He emphasizes the role of curiosity in maintaining passion for design and the significance of understanding client needs.

Neale also addresses our question on misconceptions in the design industry, the impact of television on his career, and the organic nature of career paths. The conversation touches on personal growth, confidence, and the changing perception of age in creativity, concluding with a commitment to embracing opportunities and continuing to learn.

Key Takeaways:

• Neale emphasizes the importance of curiosity in maintaining passion for design.

• He highlights the influence of Australian magazines on global design trends.

• Neale believes that understanding client needs is crucial for successful design.

• He discusses the misconceptions surrounding his role in the design industry.

• He acknowledges the importance of experience in the creative field.

• He believes in learning from every experience, good or bad.

• Neale reflects on the organic nature of his career path and the opportunities that have come his way.

• He emphasizes that age should not define one's creativity or career trajectory.

Connect with Us:

Follow us here on INSTAGRAM

Visit our website www.mcraeandlynch.com.au

Follow us here on PINTEREST

Planning to build a new home or renovate?

Then it’s time to get organised and plan your build with confidence!

Our ONLINE COURSE, Build it Right - Renovation & New Home Guide

Shares our 20 + years of design & construction knowledge.

• We show you how to plan with confidence

• We share industry insights on how to avoid common pitfalls

• And most importantly…how to save money & time !!

To find out more hit the link above.

Not sure where to start your build journey?

Our free design resources will guide you every step of the way hit the LINK HERE

Don’t miss out on upcoming episodes, Subscribe to ‘A Designer’s Perspective’. And if you enjoyed this episode… Please leave us a review on your favourite podcast platform & SHARE this episode with a friend.

And finally…Thank you for tuning in. We’ll see you next time with more insights from the world of design and construction. Karyn + Helen XX

This is a short wrap to close out 2025 and mark a reset for the podcast.

It’s been a big year behind the scenes, and while we pressed pause on releasing episodes mid year, the conversations never really stopped. In this episode, we reflect briefly on where we’ve been, why we stepped back, and what’s coming next.

From late January 2026, the podcast returns with a refreshed direction, featuring in depth conversations with some of the best voices in Australian design and the arts. We’ll be sitting down with people shaping the industry in meaningful ways, exploring their thinking, their work and the paths that got them there.

This new season sees us asking every guest the same three questions. The answers have been thoughtful, surprising and often wildly different, and they continue to spark some of the most interesting moments in each conversation.

Thank you for listening, for sticking with us, and for being part of the journey. We’ll see you on the other side of the reset.