Designing Australia is the business-to-business podcast for interior designers who want to go beyond the glossy images and into the real work of design down under. Hosted by award-winning interior designer Dave Harvey from DISKO Designs, each episode explores how Australian designers run their practices, balance creativity with construction, and build businesses that last. From client relationships to specifying finishes, and from pricing models to the realities of site life, we lift the curtain on what it truly means to design and to thrive in Australia.
Staying Valuable in a Changing Industry: Paul Coulson - Earthborne By Design
In this episode of Designing Australia, I’m joined by Paul Coulson from Earthborne by Design for a candid conversation about what it means to run a design practice in a changing market.
We talk about quieter pipelines, shifting client behaviour and the temptation to respond by discounting, over-marketing or questioning your own value. Instead, Paul argues for a more considered approach: change the scope, not the value, communicate more clearly what designers actually bring to a project, and focus on the relationships that sustain a practice over the long term.
We also explore the loneliness that can come with running a small design business, why reaching out to other designers matters, and the value of having honest conversations about the difficult periods as well as the wins.
Ultimately, this is a conversation about resilience, connection and adapting without losing sight of the value of good design.
Find more of Paul's work https://www.earthbornebydesign.com.au/ (https://www.earthbornebydesign.com.au/)
29 Aug 2026
Stop Marketing to Everyone. Building a Design Business That Gets Noticed: Marilena Baynes Interior Design Studio
Stop Marketing to Everyone: Building a Design Business That Gets Noticed
What does good marketing actually look like for a small interior design practice?
To kick off Season Two of Designing Australia, Dave sits down with interior designer and marketing professional Marilena Baynes, founder of Marilena Baynes Interior Design Studio, to talk about finding your audience, positioning your practice and getting much clearer about who you're actually trying to reach.
We get practical about what works for a small studio with limited time and resources, where designers should be putting their marketing energy, what we might be wasting our time on, and how to turn the design process itself into content that demonstrates real value.
A conversation about marketing, branding and building a design practice that doesn't need to appeal to everyone, just the right people.
Featuring Marilena Baynes, Marilena Baynes Interior Design Studio.
https://www.marilenabaynesinteriors.com/ (https://www.marilenabaynesinteriors.com/)
https://www.instagram.com/marilenabaynesinteriors/ (https://www.instagram.com/marilenabaynesinteriors/)
10 Dec 2025
’Twas the Night Before Design: 12 Lessons to Take Into the New Year
Pour a wine and unwind with Dave in this festive solo episode as he walks through the 12 biggest lessons he’s learned as an interior designer, from networking, communication, and boundaries to confidence, creativity, and charging what you’re worth.
This reflective end-of-year special dives into the realities of building a design career: the wins, the mistakes, the messy client moments, and the quiet breakthroughs that shape who we become as designers.
Whether you’re a design student, a fresh grad, or simply need a mental reset coming toward the end of the year, these 12 lessons offer reassurance, clarity, and a warm reminder that every designer starts somewhere and you're never alone on the path to creating wonderful spaces.
You can find more of Dave's work over at https://disko.design (https://disko.design)
5 Nov 2025
Imposter Syndrome and the Value of Design: Kirsty Duncan - Bearcanvas Interiors
In this episode of Designing Australia, Dave chats with Brisbane designer and good wine drinking buddy, Kirsty Duncan, founder of Bearcanvas Interiors, an award-winning studio known for creating timeless, intuitive spaces that reflect how people truly live.
Together, they unpack the reality of imposter syndrome in the design industry; the quiet doubt that can creep in, whether you’re just starting out or decades into your career. They explore how to reconnect with your confidence, how to communicate your true value to clients, and why so many homeowners only realise the importance of using a designer after their renovation.
It’s an open, honest conversation about self-worth, professionalism, and the courage it takes to back yourself as a creative.
🎧 Hosted by Dave Harvey, Disko Designs
📍 Guest: Kirsty Duncan, Bearcanvas Interiors
https://www.houzz.com.au/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/bearcanvas-interiors-pfvwau-pf~1133418554 (https://www.houzz.com.au/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/bearcanvas-interiors-pfvwau-pf~1133418554)
https://www.instagram.com/bearcanvas_interiors/?hl=en (https://www.instagram.com/bearcanvas_interiors/?hl=en)
24 Oct 2025
“Building Cool Things - Together”: Dan Murray - Finer Touch Projects
In this episode of Designing Australia, Dave sits down with Brisbane builder Dan Murray, Director of Finer Touch Projects, to explore what true collaboration between designers and builders really looks like.
With a simple philosophy — to build cool things, well — Dan shares how early communication, transparency, and mutual respect can transform a project from functional to exceptional.
Together, Dave and Dan unpack the nuances of the designer–builder relationship: navigating revisions, managing on-the-fly changes, balancing creativity with constructability, and maintaining a client’s confidence from start to finish.
Whether you’re a designer, builder, or just love good process, this episode is a must-listen for anyone who believes great homes are built through teamwork — not tension.
Find more of Finer Touch's work here - https://www.finertouchprojects.com.au/ (https://www.finertouchprojects.com.au/)
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/finer_touch_projects/ (https://www.instagram.com/finer_touch_projects/)
13 Oct 2025
Choosing Art & Designing Stories: Virginia Bishop
Art is personal, powerful, and sometimes, a little intimidating.
In this episode of Designing Australia, Dave sits down with Virginia Bishop, founder of Virginia Bishop Interiors, to talk about the art of selecting and curating artwork for clients’ homes.
With more than three decades of experience working across Australia and internationally, Virginia shares how she helps clients move beyond “does it match the sofa?” to “does it move me?” — guiding them toward pieces that bring depth, authenticity, and emotion into their spaces.
https://www.virginiabishopinteriors.com.au/ (https://www.virginiabishopinteriors.com.au/)
https://www.instagram.com/virginia_bishop_interiors/ (https://www.instagram.com/virginia_bishop_interiors/)
25 Sept 2025
Social Consciousness in the Bathroom: Kacie Evans - Harlen Design
Bathrooms aren’t just functional spaces; they can also be a reflection of our values. In this episode, Dave speaks with Kacie Evans, founder of Harlen Design, an Australian brand designing solid timber vanities with a strong focus on social and environmental responsibility.
Kacie shares the story behind Harlen, what inspired her to create the brand, and the unique considerations of working with timber in a bathroom setting. We discuss Harlen’s approach to Australian-led design paired with social manufacturing in South Africa, exploring the challenges and opportunities of creating a product that balances global collaboration with ethical practices.
The conversation also dives into logistics, the realities of producing socially conscious bathroom furniture, and what the future holds for Harlen as it grows.
If you’ve ever wondered how design can combine craftsmanship, beauty, and responsibility, this episode will give you plenty to think about.
Explore the range of products from Harlan - https://harlendesign.com.au/ (https://harlendesign.com.au/)
5 Sept 2025
Starting with the Rug: Pettina Eckart-Watts & the Celestial Lagoon Collaboration
In this episode of Designing Australia, host Dave Harvey sits down with Brisbane-based interior designer Pettina Eckart-Watts, the creative force behind Cocoon Interiors. Known for her layered, considered approach to interiors, Pettina has built a reputation for creating spaces that are both soulful and refined.
We dive into her design ethos, including her philosophy of starting with the rug as the anchor point for a room’s palette, mood, and flow. Pettina shares how this concept came to life in her latest collaboration with luxury rug makers Tappeti, resulting in the stunning Celestial Lagoon (also called Memories of Tahiti). From the first spark of inspiration to the tactile process of weaving, Pettina takes us inside the journey of creating a bespoke, handmade rug that doubles as art for the floor.
We also look ahead to what’s next for Cocoon Interiors, the kind of clients Pettina loves to work with, and how to connect with her for future projects.
https://www.cocooninteriors.au/ (https://www.cocooninteriors.au/)
https://tappeti.com.au/products/aqualis-turquoise (https://tappeti.com.au/products/aqualis-turquoise)
21 Aug 2025
Welcome to Designing Australia
Welcome to Designing Australia, the podcast that dives behind the glossy images and into the real work of interior design. Host Dave Harvey introduces the series and shares what’s ahead: honest conversations with Australia’s leading designers about kitchens, bathrooms, lighting, fabrics, outdoor living, and more.
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