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Refugee Roots to Merivale Design Director: Nasim Koerting on Creative Freedom
In this episode of Build Beautiful, Refugee Roots to Merivale Design Director: Nasim Koerting on Creative Freedom, Nasim Koerting shares how her refugee background shaped her identity, leadership style, and creative direction at Merivale — Australia’s most iconic hospitality group. From migrant identity and self-worth to creative freedom, intuition in design, and leading large-scale hospitality projects, this is a deeply personal conversation about building atmosphere, soul, and meaning into public spaces.
As Design Director at Merivale, Nasim works across some of Australia’s most recognised venues, helping shape spaces that are known not just for their style, but for their emotional impact. We explore what it means to design from intuition, how constraints can elevate creativity, and why the journey matters more than the outcome.
If you are a designer, creative, migrant child, or anyone navigating identity and ambition, this conversation will resonate.

In This Episode:
00:00 – Introduction: From Refugee Roots to Merivale
01:20 – Discovering interior architecture by accident
03:00 – Growing up as a migrant child in Australia
05:55 – Breaking cultural expectations in creative careers
09:50 – The pressure to prove yourself as a refugee’s child
11:03 – Publication, ambition, and the myth of “making it”
14:20 – Moving overseas: Israel, Spain, and London
16:38 – Creative direction in London and non-linear career paths
17:40 – The call from Merivale
18:13 – Leading design at scale across iconic hospitality venues
19:51 – Creative freedom vs brand and business constraints
21:00 – Sourcing vintage pieces in France
23:36 – When design mistakes become breakthroughs
25:42 – The collaborative Merivale design process
31:26 – Why Merivale built an in-house design team
32:21 – Living with your spaces and constantly evolving them
36:31 – Where creativity really happens
38:36 – Leadership, self-doubt, and managing large teams
41:12 – Burnout, boundaries, and reclaiming creative energy
45:45 – Advice to young designers from migrant backgrounds
53:25 – What “Build Beautiful” means to Nasim
Connect with Nasim Koerting 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nasimkoerting/
Connect with Build Beautiful
Instagram: @buildbeautiful_podcast
Website: buildbeautifulpodcast.com
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How does an online art gallery grow into one of Sydney’s largest contemporary gallery spaces?
In this episode of Build Beautiful, Linda Habak sits down with Sophie Vander, founder of Curatorial & Co., to explore her journey from launching an online art gallery in 2015 to building one of the most visible and welcoming contemporary art galleries in Sydney.
Located on William Street, Woolloomooloo, Curatorial & Co. is known for its floor-to-ceiling glass frontage, accessible approach to art, and commitment to supporting emerging Australian artists. But Sophie’s story is more than business growth — it’s about vision, motherhood, leadership, and redefining what a modern art gallery can be.
We talk about pricing transparency in the art world, scaling a creative business, opening a gallery in March 2020 just as COVID hit, building an art consultancy arm, and expanding into international art fairs.
This is a conversation about courage, accessibility, and building something meaningful — slowly, intentionally, and with heart.

About Sophie Vander
Sophie Vander is the founder of Curatorial & Co., a Sydney-based contemporary art gallery that began as an online art platform in 2015. Today, Curatorial & Co. operates one of Sydney’s largest gallery spaces and supports emerging and mid-career Australian artists through exhibitions, art consultancy, and international art fairs.
Her work sits at the intersection of curation, entrepreneurship, and motherhood — building a business while raising four daughters and redefining accessibility in the art world.

Connect with Sophie & Curatorial & Co.
Website: https://curatorialandco.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curatorialandco/
Location: 80 William Street, Woolloomooloo, Sydney

Connect with Build Beautiful
Instagram: @buildbeautiful_podcast
Website: buildbeautifulpodcast.com

If you’re interested in contemporary art, Sydney art galleries, emerging Australian artists, art consultancy, women in business, or creative entrepreneurship — this episode is for you.
Subscribe for more conversations about design, property, art, and the people behind the work.
Together — we build beautiful.

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If you'd like to be on the podcast, or want to collaborate with Build Beautiful feel free to contact us on [email protected].

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One moment changed everything - architect Carla Middleton saved her husband’s life during a sudden cardiac arrest. What followed was trauma, burnout, and the slow, intentional work of rebuilding her nervous system, her life, and a thriving architecture practice.
In this deeply honest conversation, Carla shares how meditation, nervous system regulation, and values-led leadership helped her move through trauma and why success without wellbeing is not sustainable. This episode is for anyone navigating burnout, creative pressure, or building a business after a life-altering moment.
Topics include trauma recovery, burnout recovery, transcendental meditation, nervous system regulation, and the real life of an architect running a successful practice.

#BurnoutRecovery #TraumaHealing #NervousSystemRegulation 
#Meditation #TranscendentalMeditation #LifeOfAnArchitect 
#WomenInBusiness #CreativeLeadership #BuildBeautiful

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Thomas Hamel, founder of Thomas Hamel & Associates, is one of Australia’s most influential luxury interior designers, known for creating timeless interior design that bridges old world craftsmanship with contemporary living. In this episode of Build Beautiful, Thomas shares how his formative years in New York, London, and Europe — including time at the legendary Parrish-Hadley — shaped a design philosophy grounded in history, restraint, and enduring quality.
This is a rare, deeply personal conversation about luxury interior design, the business of design, and why truly great interiors are built on relationships, service, and intuition — not trends.

Key Takeaways:
Thomas Hamel emphasises the significance of balancing historical elements with contemporary design, drawing from his diverse educational and professional experiences.
Hamel credits his deep personal connections and serendipitous encounters with influential figures for his success in the interior design world.
A staunch advocate for integrity in design, Hamel has chosen to prioritise depth and client relationships over pursuing widespread global expansion.
Hamel's mentorship program highlights his commitment to nurturing the next generation of designers, focusing on experiential learning and personal growth.
Hamel underscores the importance of passion, organisation, and a client-centered approach in building a successful design practice.
Notable Quotes:
"I live by being in other people's heads." - Thomas Hamel
"It's all about the efficiency of, you know, the descriptions, the details, the cost, how it's then invoiced, how it's… it's that structure that's so crucial." - Thomas Hamel
"It's nice to have one or two old souls in a room, but then it's got to have the twist." - Thomas Hamel
"The most important word and what is required the most is passion." - Thomas Hamel
Resources:
Instagram @joem7816
Instagram @1stdibs
Instagram @the_london_list
Thomas Hamel and Associates
Parish Hadley

Luxury Interiors
Timeless Interior Design
Business of Interior Design
Avoiding interior design trends
History of Interior Design

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Kate Nixon went from Interiors Editor at Australian House and Garden to running her own design studio, bringing her storytelling skills along. She's not your typical interior designer—Kate runs her creative business using the Entrepreneurs Operating System and believes that systems will set you free, proving you can blend beautiful design with smart business structure. We're diving into her transition from magazines to design studio owner, how she's built a sustainable creative practice, and her philosophy on finding joy in the everyday. For anyone wondering how to turn creative passion into a thriving business, this conversation delivers.
Key Takeaways:
The EOS Framework: Learn how the EOS model has provided Kate Nixon with an efficient, systematic approach to managing and scaling her interior design business, amidst the challenges of entrepreneurship.
Vision and Values in Business: Nixon emphasises the importance of clearly defining and integrating core values into business processes and team culture, ensuring alignment and fostering a positive work environment.
Balance of Creativity and Structure: Discover how systems and structure can enhance rather than limit creative freedom, allowing for more intuitive and impactful design work.
Client and Team Dynamics: Effective client relationships and teamwork are built upon transparent communication, mutual respect, and a shared vision, all of which are vital for successful project execution.
Continuous Learning: Embrace the pivotal role of lifelong learning and adaptability in personal and professional growth, through identified blind spots and constructed feedback systems.
Notable Quotes:
"Businesses are business regardless of the industry you're in; the same principles of discipline and accountability apply."
"Systems will set you free. It's about repeating success and filtering out what doesn't work to liberate time for creativity."
"We are all on the same team, working together to make it better, which requires no ego."
"Transparency around fees is crucial in ensuring clients understand the value exchange in service-based industries."
"If you look for the good, you'll find it; if you look for the bad, you'll find it. It's about gratitude and finding everyday joy."
Resources:
Kate Nixon Studio
EOS (Entrepreneurs Operating System): Learn more about this business model by reading "Traction" by Gino Wickman.

To get in touch with Build Beautiful or to follow us head to our socials:
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If you'd like to be on the podcast, or want to collaborate with Build Beautiful feel free to contact us on [email protected].