Behind The Design

Colour gets the attention, but it is rarely where the real work happens.

Mariah Burton built Folk Studio on something quieter than a signature aesthetic, a belief that the person living in the space is always the starting point and that the brief is never really the Pinterest board, the budget, or the timeline. It is the human being sitting across from you at that first meeting, and everything that flows from understanding them well enough to design something that genuinely feels like theirs.

In this episode of Behind the Design, I sit down with Mariah Burton, Creative Director and Co-Founder of Folk Studio, a Sydney-based interior design practice recognised for its layered, expressive interiors and a client experience that feels as considered as the design itself.

Eight years in, Folk is turning away more work than it takes on, the projects are more varied, the team is bigger, and yet the studio still feels unmistakably like Mariah. This conversation is about how that happens, how you build something that continues to grow without losing the thing that made it worth building in the first place.

In this episode, we also covered this:
• What it looks like to back yourself when nothing is guaranteed and you are building something from scratch with no real roadmap
• How a casual conversation with a stranger became the project that changed everything for Folk Studio
• Why the best design decisions are not always the most obvious ones, and how knowing when to stop is its own kind of skill
• What staying true to yourself looks like when clients, budgets and timelines are all pulling in different directions
• How to protect the thing that makes your work yours, even as your team grows and more people are involved
• The quiet work that happens before a client ever gets on a call with you and why that part matters just as much as the design
• What nobody tells you about the emotional side of running a creative business and how to find your footing when it gets heavy.

If you enjoyed this episode, follow Behind the Design for more conversations unpacking the people, processes, and ideas shaping the design industry.

Follow Mariah Burton and Folk Studio
https://www.instagram.com/mariah.burton_/
https://au.linkedin.com/in/mariah-burton-281165ab
https://www.folkstudiodesign.com/

Follow Unfolded:
https://www.unfolded.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/unfolded_

Chapters
02:20 - How Childhood & Creativity Shaped Mariah Burton’s Design Style
04:42 - The Early Career Lessons That Built Folk Studio’s Culture
06:28 - Landing Major Interior Design Projects in the Early Days
07:36 - Working 3 Jobs While Launching a Design Business
09:22 - The Confidence to Pivot a Client’s Vision Completely
10:24 - Building a Successful Interior Design Studio Without Pressure
11:37 - Creative Restraint, Color & Designing Functional Spaces
15:30 - Why Folk Studio Prioritizes People Over Trends
20:41 - How Folk Studio Chooses the Right Design Clients
27:31 - The Reality Behind Interior Design Photoshoots & Styling
31:56 - Balancing Business, Creativity & Mental Wellbeing as a Designer
39:10 - The Biggest Lessons From 8 Years Running Folk Studio

Keywords
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Most material decisions are still driven by aesthetics. But the real shift is happening in safety, performance, and sustainability, the layers a renovator or end user often doesn’t see, and rarely gets guided through. That’s the conversation missing across the broader industry.

In this episode of Behind the Design, I sit down with Erin Payne from Cosentino to explore how one of the world’s leading surface manufacturers is reshaping the future of architecture and interior design.

From engineered stone to zero silica innovation, this is not just a conversation about benchtops. It is a conversation about responsibility. How materials are evolving, how decisions are made, and what designers need to understand to stay relevant in a rapidly shifting industry.With over 20 years as an interior designer before moving into the supply side, Erin brings a perspective most conversations miss. She understands both the creative intent and the commercial reality, and where they often do not align.

In this episode, we also covered this:
• Why “all stone is the same” is one of the biggest misconceptions in design
• The real difference between engineered, natural, and ultra-compact surfaces
• Zero silica and why this shift matters globally, not just in Australia
• How performance is becoming as critical as aesthetics
• What true sustainability looks like at a manufacturing level
• The role designers play in educating clients and where it often breaks down
• Where surface design is heading next and what to pay attention to

If you enjoyed this episode, follow Behind the Design for more conversations unpacking the people, processes, and ideas shaping the design industry.

Follow Erin Payne and Cosentino
https://www.instagram.com/erin_payne_design/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-payne-a99783121/
https://www.cosentino.com/en-au

Follow Unfolded:
https://www.unfolded.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/unfolded_

From chasing design milestones to discovering what truly makes work meaningful, this episode takes you behind the scenes of large-scale hospitality design.

In this episode of Behind the Design Podcast, I chat with Nasim Köerting, Design Director at Merivale, about the realities of leading some of Australia’s most recognised hospitality projects. From her early career in London to managing complex, high-profile designs today, Nasim shares what it really takes to succeed at this level.

We also explore a turning point in her career: the moment she realized that achieving awards and hitting milestones brought only brief excitement. What matters most is the experience of the process: seeing her team thrive, collaborating effectively, and watching people genuinely enjoy the spaces she creates.

For Nasim, the real reward is the human impact of design, not the accolades and keeping creativity and collaboration enjoyable.

This conversation goes beyond the finished product and dives into the choices, pressures, and mindset behind exceptional design. From balancing creativity with leadership to designing environments that feel thoughtful and inclusive, this is an honest look at what happens behind the scenes.

Topics covered in this conversation:
• Nasim’s journey from London to Design Director at Merivale
• Managing the responsibility and pressures of large-scale design
• Leading teams while staying creatively involved
• Moving past the fleeting thrill of milestones to find lasting fulfillment
• How collaboration enhances design outcomes
• Designing spaces that feel welcoming and considered
• The subtle details that make a space memorable

If you want insight into what makes great design more than just a pretty photo, this conversation offers a candid view behind the scenes.

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe for more conversations that go beyond aesthetics and into the real thinking behind design.

Follow Nasim Köerting and Merivale
https://www.instagram.com/nasimkoerting/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nasim-k%C3%B6erting-78511a4a/
https://www.instagram.com/merivale/
https://merivale.com/
Follow Unfolded:
https://www.unfolded.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/unfolded_

Chapters
01:07 – Meet Nassim: Design Director Behind Merivale’s Iconic Spaces
02:09 – From Sydney to London: Building a Global Interior Design Career
03:51 – Landing a Dream Role at Merivale (Hospitality Design Insights)
04:46 – Leading Creative Teams in High-End Hospitality Projects
07:30 – Why Hospitality Design is About Experience, Not Just Aesthetics
10:21 – The Real Design Process: Collaboration, Ideas & Innovation
13:26 – Designing with Old Buildings: Creating “Lived-In” Spaces
15:12 – Diversity & Inclusion in Interior Design (Why It Matters)
18:47 – Small Design Details
27:32 – Redefining Success: Beyond Awards & Recognition in Design
32:14 – The Future of Design

Keywords
Merivale
hospitality design
interior design podcast
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design leadership
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design inspiration
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imposter syndrome creatives

“Design doesn’t need to please everyone. Designers like McQueen, Schiaparelli, and Margiela showed me that discomfort, exaggeration, and vulnerability aren’t flaws—they’re tools.”

In this episode of Behind the Design, I talk with Nelli Hegi, founder and creative director of Hegi Design House, about creating furniture that’s more than functional, it tells a story. Nelli blends furniture, art, fashion, and architecture into bold pieces meant to spark emotion and conversation.

We explore her journey of finding her voice, why she stopped chasing validation, and the lessons haute couture taught her about creativity and risk.

As Nelli says, “Evolution isn't a lack of direction, it's part of finding your voice.”

What You learn in this episode:
→ Finding and trusting your creative voice
→ Drawing inspiration from fashion, art, and couture
→ Making furniture that’s emotional and story-driven
→ Balancing craft, collaboration, and sustainable business
→ Connecting with clients through storytelling

For anyone interested in expressive, personal design, this episode is full of insights on creating work that truly reflects who you are.

Follow Nelli Hegi: https://www.instagram.com/hegi_designhouse/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nelli-hegi-67704765/
https://hegidesignhouse.com/

Follow Unfolded:
https://www.unfolded.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/unfolded_

Chapters
02:00 – Signature Style vs Evolution
04:00 – Childhood & Personal Experiences
07:00 – Craftsmanship & Studio Life
10:00 – Haute Couture Inspiration
13:00 – Overcoming Self-Doubt & Industry Pressure
16:00 – Creating Emotional Connections Through Furniture
18:00 – Storytelling & Client Interaction
20:00 – Dreams, Inspiration & New Collections
Keywords
interior design podcast
furniture design inspiration
how to find your design style
creative confidence design
design career advice
how to get featured in design magazines
design storytelling
art vs commercial design
building a design brand
creative entrepreneurship
behind the design podcast
Camilla Ingall podcast
Nelli Hegi Authentic Design

From kitchen joinery to high-end design, this is what it takes to turn craft into a sustainable business.

In this episode of Behind the Design Podcast, I sit down with furniture maker Tim Noone, founder of Tim Noone Furniture, to talk about his journey from kitchen joinery to creating high-end custom furniture.

He shares the challenges of crafting beautiful pieces while keeping a business sustainable, and how he eventually realized the limits of purely bespoke work. That realization led him to develop a collection that sits between fully custom pieces and high-end retail.

We also dive into Tim’s design philosophy and why he believes furniture should enhance a space rather than dominate it. He opens up about collaborating with interior designers, practicing restraint in design, and redefining what success really looks like after years in the industry.

For Tim, it is less about scale and more about balancing creative satisfaction, family life, and long-term sustainability.

Topics covered in this conversation:
His journey from kitchen joinery to high-end bespoke furniture
The challenges of running a creative business that lasts
How he overcame the growth limits of fully custom furniture
Why furniture should support architecture and interiors
Redefining success for creativity, family, and sustainability

If you love design, craftsmanship, or want a peek behind the scenes of a creative business, this conversation is full of insight and inspiration.

Follow Tim Noone Business Instagram
:https://www.instagram.com/tim_noone_furnituredesign/
:https://www.instagram.com/thecollectionbytimnoone/
Business Website: https://timnoone.com/

Chapters
01:16 - Meet Furniture Maker Tim Noone
03:05 - From Kitchen Joinery to Bespoke Furniture
06:12 - Why Furniture Should Serve the Space
09:48 - The Sketching and Idea Development Process
13:20 - Working with Interior Designers on Custom Pieces
16:54 - The Realities of Running a Bespoke Furniture Business
21:07 - Why Scaling Custom Furniture Is So Difficult
25:32 - Moving from Bespoke Work to a Furniture Collection
29:18 - Designing Pieces That Quietly Elevate a Room
32:47 - Craft, Business, and Building a Sustainable Career
34:58 - Craftsmanship and Refinement

Keywords
Joinery process
Custom furniture design
Residential cabinetry
Sustainable furniture
Interior design collaboration
Craftsmanship tips
Kitchen design ideas
Australian joinery
Designer-client collaboration
Furniture materials and finishes