Welcome back for Season 2 of The Design Anatomy podcast! 

After our incredible travel adventure with a fabulous group of design enthusiasts on our very first Design Anatomy Tour, we're buzzing to share what we discovered & experienced abroad.

Stepping into private Parisian and Milanese apartments was truly a pinch-us experience. From artist, Paul Mouginot's classic pre-Haussmann apartment to Architect & designer Sophie Dries'  home in Paris, to Christian and Francesco's colour-drenched Milan apartment and the stunning former villa curated by the Droulers Architecture sisters – each space revealed secrets that photos simply cannot capture. These weren't just beautiful homes; they were masterclasses in spatial planning and cultural approaches to living.

The European approach turns Australian apartment design conventions upside down. Instead of knocking down walls for open-plan living, they embrace separate rooms that create distinct zones for specific purposes. Their kitchens exist as dedicated spaces rather than extensions of living areas. Dining spaces take precedence, reflecting the cultural importance of gathering for meals. Strategic use of mirrors, thoughtful lighting (no sea of downlights!), and brave applications of colour all worked together to create spaces with true character and depth.

What stayed with us wasn't just the beautiful design, but how these spaces reflected a fundamentally different philosophy about apartment living. Europeans aren't trying to emulate larger homes in smaller spaces – they're celebrating the unique qualities of apartment life through intelligent design choices that prioritize function, beauty and sociability. As Australia builds more apartments, perhaps it's time we looked beyond our shores for inspiration on creating spaces that truly work.

Want to experience these incredible private apartments for yourself? Our exclusive Milan/Paris tour returns in 2026, and we're heading to London this September! With just eight spots available on each tour, jump on our waitlist now to secure your

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

Want the low-down on the good stuff? Sign up for the launch of Design Edit by Bree Banfield - curated pre-selected decor collections, workshops, design tours and trends. Learn more: BREE BANFIELD

If you're sitting at your desk about to send a fee proposal and you'd just like to run it by someone else first? Or have you ever had a client dilemma and it just doesn't feel right but no one you know understands (except for the dog)?
And do you wonder why you're not raking it in when you're practically living at your desk, busting your creative chops 'round the clock?

These are the things we're diving into with a small group of designers just like you. And so much more in THE DESIGN SOCIETY

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