The Begining!
Stephanie and Alex sit down and get started with the podcast chat. Carving time out from their busy schedules, Stephanie in Sydney and Alex in America, they find time to re-connect, and talk all things design world, growing a design business, managing a family, relationships and more.

AN INTERVIEW WITH STEPH - THE JUGGLE
This week Alex interviews her boss (eeepp) its Steph! They talk about all things managing expectations (external and intrinsic). They dive into the reality of juggling motherhood and also how the business started as a side hustle, to now a large design firm!

Join us for a candid and inspiring conversation in this episode as we chat with the multi-talented, stylish, and incredibly driven Sophie Hay! From her dynamic work in Pilates and dance to managing a growing business and raising her beautiful kids, Sophie shares insights into the balancing act that makes her life so unique.

What we are living for and loving at the moment. From interiors, to fashion and beyond. An easy listen in to Steph and Alex chatting away!

In this episode of Laidback Design Chat, Steph sits down with Jonathan from Studio xOx for an insightful and inspiring conversation about his journey in the world of design. From humble beginnings to building one of Australia's most iconic design showrooms, Jonathan shares his story, passions, and the lessons he's learned along the way.

This week Steph sits down to put together a re-cap of the past few Christmas periods running an interior design studio, managing staff and making sure that everyone is up and at em for the last few days of the year.

In this episode of Laidback Design Chat, Stephanie sits down with her good friend and fellow interior designer, Evalyn from Design 407, for a candid conversation about the highs and lows of balancing motherhood, business, and personal life.

As 2024 comes to a close, we’re wrapping up the year with a special episode of Laidback Design Chat. Join Stephanie and her co-host Alex as they reflect on the highs and lows of the year—from standout design projects to the challenges and triumphs of running their own businesses.

Welcome back to Laidback Design Chat for 2025! In this exciting first episode of the year, we're diving into the boldest and most anticipated design trends, including the return of Maximalism with a refined twist—elegant drama and a curated "more is more" approach. We'll explore how rich, warm tones and dramatic interiors will take center stage, creating spaces that feel both vibrant and sophisticated.

Welcome back to another episode of Laidback Design Chat! In today’s episode, we’re doing something a little different—we’re deep diving into our personal lives and how they intersect with the design world. From juggling businesses, families, and personal lives, we’re sharing how we manage it all and still stay inspired!

We are well and truly under way with the new year and back to work. In this podcast you will hear an interview with the amazing entrepreneur Taylah Stapleton who is currently working in events and marketing.

In this episode, we sit down with Stephanie as she opens up about her experience turning 30 and the personal and professional reflections that come with entering this new decade. From her evolving perspective on success to the valuable lessons she’s carrying over from her 20s, Stephanie shares how life has shifted as she navigates both the joys and challenges of adulthood.

Welcome to Laidback Design Chat, the podcast that dives into the heart of interior design with a relaxed, creative spin. Hosted by Alex and Stephanie, each episode explores new trends, creative strategies, and how to put your own personal touch on client projects.

n this episode of Laidback Design, we’re diving into the world of remote work, where our design team spans across the globe, and our clients are based all the way in Australia. How do we keep things flowing smoothly when the clock's ticking in different time zones? We’ll share our favorite tools, strategies for clear communication, and tips for balancing flexibility with productivity—without sacrificing the laidback vibe we love.

In this episode, we dive into the morning routine of our founder and how it sets the tone for a productive day ahead. From waking up early to enjoying a nourishing breakfast and taking a screen-free start to the day, we explore the mindful habits that help set the stage for success. Once at the computer, we chat about the power of tackling a to-do list with intention and how prioritizing tasks can boost focus and motivation. Tune in for a laidback, practical conversation that’ll inspire you to craft your own productive mornings.

In this episode, your favorite interior designers, Stephanie and Alex, dive into the beauty and power of custom design. From crafting one-of-a-kind pieces that perfectly match your clients’ unique visions to the process of staying motivated and fresh each month, the duo shares their insights on what fuels their creativity and how they tackle challenges head-on. Whether it’s overcoming creative blocks, staying on top of design trends, or finding new sources of inspiration, they’re giving you an inside look into how they stay at the top of their game.

Being a designer isn’t just about creating beautiful spaces—it comes with some pretty sweet perks too!

In this episode, Stephanie Ferrara spills the tea on the fun side of the design industry, from exclusive events and dreamy goodie bags to the intersection of fashion and interiors.

Change is inevitable in any creative studio—team members come and go, leadership shifts, and projects evolve. But how do we, as designers and studio leaders, adapt to these shifts while maintaining creativity and collaboration? In this episode of Laidback Design Chat, we dive into the ever-changing nature of design teams, sharing strategies for navigating transitions, fostering strong communication, and embracing new opportunities.

In this episode of Laidback Design Chat, host Stephanie Ferrara dives into the realities of growing an interior design business. From knowing when it’s time to scale to overcoming the inevitable growing pains, Stephanie shares her personal journey and actionable tips for building a thriving, sustainable business. Whether you're juggling too many projects, thinking about hiring, or looking to diversify your revenue, this episode is packed with insights to help you grow with intention.

In this episode of Laidback Design Chat, host Stephanie Ferrara dives into the realities of growing an interior design business. From knowing when it’s time to scale to overcoming the inevitable growing pains, Stephanie shares her personal journey and actionable tips for building a thriving, sustainable business. Whether you're juggling too many projects, thinking about hiring, or looking to diversify your revenue, this episode is packed with insights to help you grow with intention.

Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and we’re celebrating in true Laidback Design Chat style—with thoughtful, design-forward gift ideas and a dose of cozy conversation.

In this episode, host Stephanie Ferrara shares her ultimate Mother’s Day gift guide, spotlighting beautiful pieces from Australian brands that blend form, function, and a whole lot of heart. From dreamy scents to timeless furniture and playful homewares, this guide is tailor-made for the design lover in your life (even if that’s you).

We’re back! After a short break, Laidback Design Chat is kicking off a fresh season, and we couldn’t be more excited. In this episode, we’re catching you up on everything that’s been happening behind the scenes—Alex’s exciting new projects, Steph’s deep dive into rebranding Laidback Lee Design (LLD), and what’s coming up for the podcast.

In this episode of Laidback Design Chat, we’re exploring how interior design shifts based on different demographics—from young professionals and growing families to retirees and culturally diverse clients. Designing a space isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about understanding who will be living in it and how they use it.

This Mother’s Day, I'm getting real about the beautiful, messy juggle of motherhood and running a business. In this episode of Laidback Design Chat, I share the honest challenges of balancing client work, creativity, and parenting — from the mum guilt to the late-night design sprints — and why, despite it all, I still deeply love both roles. I talk about how design grounds me in the chaos, what it means to create meaningful spaces while raising little humans, and why the imperfect blend of business and motherhood can be so powerful.

In this laidback catch-up episode, Steph and Alex sit down for a life update and chat through everything that’s been happening over the past few weeks. From navigating Sydney’s wild housing market and the highs and lows of searching for a new home, to throwing a few fun parties (and surviving the aftermath), we’re covering it all.

In this episode of Laidback Design Chat, I sit down with the ever-charismatic and endlessly creative Shaun from Designer Rugs — someone I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with recently on a custom tapestry-style runner for one of our client’s homes.

In this episode of Laidback Design Chat, Steph (founder of Laidback Lee Design) sits down with the newest member of the team – Alice, our talented and refreshingly grounded designer.

You asked—and we delivered.

In this listener-requested episode, we're diving into the shift away from millennial grey and why so many of us are craving more warmth, color, and personality in our spaces. Stephanie shares insights on how the all-grey aesthetic took over in the 2010s, why it's on the way out, and what styles and tones are replacing it. From embracing earthy hues to layering textures and injecting playful color, we talk about how to confidently evolve your home’s palette—without falling for another trend trap.

In this episode of Laidback Design Chat, Steph sits down with Alice, the visionary behind McMullin., to talk about where the brand is heading, the importance of intuition in business, and how to know when it's time to pivot.

In this week’s episode of Laidback Design Chat, we’re flipping the script and interviewing each other! That’s right—Alex and Steph go head-to-head with ten questions each in a light-hearted, behind-the-scenes chat that gets personal, a little chaotic, and very fun. From our worst purchases of the year and fashion/home wishlists to the things that secretly scare us and what our inner voices are always whispering—we’re not holding back.

In this episode, we’re joined by the ever-inspiring Emma Blomfield—interior designer, author, and all-round creative force. With her third book Style Your Home about to launch, we sit down to chat about her journey through design, the making of the book, and the heart behind her down-to-earth approach to styling.

In today’s episode, we're pulling back the curtain on one of the most important (but often overlooked) parts of the interior design process: the meeting. Whether it’s an initial consult, a mood board review, a trade walkthrough or a full-blown presentation – meetings are where clarity happens, ideas flow, and projects gain momentum.

In this special episode, Steph sits down with her husband Daniel — who also happens to be the CFO of Laidback Lee Design — for an open, unfiltered chat about the less-glamorous-but-oh-so-important side of running a design business: the finances.

In this episode of Laidback Design Chat, Stephanie sits down with Leah — the founder of Domenica Formulations, a sophisticated home and cleaning product brand rooted in intentional design and everyday luxury.

This week, Steph sits down with Alex to spill all the behind-the-scenes details on her latest adventure: styling and designing a dream wedding in the U.S. — all while working from Sydney!