In this episode of The Edit, Home Beautiful editor Elle Lovelocksits down with Lauren Mahoney, creative director of luxury interior design studio Studio Trio, to turn the spotlight where it really belongs: on the client. Drawing on more than two decades of experience, Lauren gently unpacks what it actually feels like to work with an interior designer, from that first nerve-wracking meeting to the moment you finally exhale in a finished room that feels like you.​

Lauren debunks the biggest myths about designers being “judgy” or only interested in perfect homes, explaining why she believes “the best interiors start with listening, not imposing a look.” She shares how to ask the awkward money questions, what a realistic budget looks like, and why clarity around scope and expectations is the real secret to a happy project—for both client and designer. If you’ve ever hesitated to contact a designer because you were scared of being criticised, this is the episode that holds your hand.​

Packed with practical, friendly advice on how to find an interior designer, how to brief an interior designer, and how to navigate interior design costs, Lauren walks through each step of a collaborative design process that feels empowering instead of intimidating. She talks about reading a client’s home like a story, explains why “every detail should reflect the people who live there,” and shares moving personal anecdotes about transforming heritage homes and family spaces through Studio Trio’s work.​

A listener dilemma 'Room For Improvement' brings into focus: how do you blend two completely different styles in one shared home without it turning into a battleground? Lauren offers smart, down-to-earth strategies for mixing tastes, negotiating non‑negotiables, and creating a space that feels like “ours” instead of “yours versus mine.” Along the way, Elle and Lauren explore the deeper side of design—identity, relationships, and why the most successful interiors are never about trends, but about the people who wake up there every day.​

If you’re curious about interior design for real people, working with an interior designer for the first time, or creating a home that feels emotionally and visually right, this conversation is your essential guide. Hit play to hear Lauren’s philosophy in action, explore more of her work at Studio Trio, and start seeing your own home—with all its quirks, compromises, and potentials—as a beautifully evolving story.​

Thank you for listening ❤️

before you leave...

🗣️ Get in touch 

What did you think? We are a brand new podcast and would love to hear from you as we build this together. Join our friendly Home Beautiful community and DM us on Instagram

 

👀 See more

'That' Green Kitchen In Home Beautiful

A perfect colour palette for a Federation Home

🙏 Our special thanks making 'The Edit' our new home:

Luxaflex - our beautiful 'studio home' curtains

Oz Design - furniture Australians love 

Studio Trio Lauren Mahoney

Credits:

Edited by Phil Calloway 

Production by Thomas Crnkovic 

Our wonderful Home Beautiful team 

Learn More: HOME BEAUTIFUL

In this episode of&nbsp;The Edit, Home Beautiful editor <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ellelovelock/?hl=en">Elle Lovelock</a> sits down with <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CaGeeBcvPkV/">Lauren Mahoney,</a> creative director of luxury interior design studio <a href="https://www.studiotrio.com.au/">Studio Trio</a>, to turn the spotlight where it really belongs: on the client. Drawing on more than two decades of experience, Lauren gently unpacks what it actually feels like to work with an interior designer, from that first nerve-wracking meeting to the moment you finally exhale in a finished room that feels like you.​
Lauren debunks the biggest myths about designers being &ldquo;judgy&rdquo; or only interested in perfect homes, explaining why she believes &ldquo;the best interiors start with listening, not imposing a look.&rdquo; She shares how to ask the awkward money questions, what a realistic budget looks like, and why clarity around scope and expectations is the real secret to a happy project&mdash;for both client and designer. If you&rsquo;ve ever hesitated to contact a designer because you were scared of being criticised, this is the episode that holds your hand.​
Packed with practical, friendly advice on&nbsp;how to find an interior designer, how to brief an interior designer, and how to navigate interior design costs, Lauren walks through each step of a collaborative design process that feels empowering instead of intimidating. She talks about reading a client&rsquo;s home like a story, explains why &ldquo;every detail should reflect the people who live there,&rdquo; and shares moving personal anecdotes about transforming heritage homes and family spaces through Studio Trio&rsquo;s work.​
A listener dilemma 'Room For Improvement' brings into focus: how do you blend two completely different styles in one shared home without it turning into a battleground? Lauren offers smart, down-to-earth strategies for mixing tastes, negotiating non‑negotiables, and creating a space that feels like &ldquo;ours&rdquo; instead of &ldquo;yours versus mine.&rdquo; Along the way, Elle and Lauren explore the deeper side of design&mdash;identity, relationships, and why the most successful interiors are never about trends, but about the people who wake up there every day.​
If you&rsquo;re curious about interior design for real people, working with an interior designer for the first time, or creating a home that feels emotionally and visually right, this conversation is your essential guide. Hit play to hear Lauren&rsquo;s philosophy in action, explore more of her work at <a href="https://www.studiotrio.com.au/">Studio Trio</a>, and start seeing your own home&mdash;with all its quirks, compromises, and potentials&mdash;as a beautifully evolving story.​
Thank you for listening ❤️
before you leave...
🗣️ Get in touch 
What did you think? We are a brand new podcast and would love to hear from you as we build this together. Join our friendly Home Beautiful community and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/homebeautiful/?hl=en">DM us on Instagram</a>
&nbsp;
👀 See more
<a href="https://www.homebeautiful.com.au/kitchen-ideas/green-kitchen-renovation/">'That' Green Kitchen In Home Beautiful</a>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CzsJ5alPARJ/"></a><a href="https://www.homebeautiful.com.au/home-tours/pastel-palette-federation-home-sydneys-inner-west/">A perfect colour palette for a Federation Home</a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CzsJ5alPARJ/"></a>
🙏 Our special thanks making 'The Edit' our new home:
<a href="https://shadetrendz.luxaflex.com.au/?gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=23125304318&amp;gbraid=0AAAAACcMuN6IiBsj6G_n_8E8c50GpwySv&amp;gclid=CjwKCAiAuIDJBhBoEiwAxhgyFsFUkw31rOzRF9wU6hG8mghdfAynrw_nq1rK837HdpD8e9h5S3nyLBoCeqsQAvD_BwE">Luxaflex - our beautiful 'studio home' curtains</a>
<a href="https://ozdesignfurniture.com.au/furniture/tables/coffee-tables/?loaded=1&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=21415529745&amp;gbraid=0AAAAAC9A_Pa-UbUcY99mNrp5zmDd-cznX&amp;gclid=CjwKCAiAuIDJBhBoEiwAxhgyFiFRHBgba954pNDZXlnrYPvcHIPZgbBzw6BEwGWBhHQW9_uP5S6xkRoCAKEQAvD_BwE">Oz Design - furniture Australians love&nbsp;</a>
<a href="https://www.studiotrio.com.au/">Studio Trio Lauren Mahoney</a>
Credits:
Edited by Phil Calloway&nbsp;
Production by Thomas Crnkovic&nbsp;
Our wonderful Home Beautiful team&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.homebeautiful.com.au/">Learn More: HOME BEAUTIFUL</a>

There are so many choices that people have to make when decorating, renovating and building. But there is such joy in creating the homes and lives we all want. This inspired The Edit, a fresh new podcast from your friends at Home Beautiful that helps to make these daily decisions both simple and enjoyable. 
Hosted by Editor  Elle Lovelock, The Edit opens the door to beautiful homes and the stories behind them. Featuring well-known guests and respected experts, this video podcast is for everyone shaping their sanctuary - wherever you live, whatever your budget, whether you're a seasoned homeowner, a renter or just curating a special space. The Edit makes those decisions simple and celebrates the everyday creativity, choices and personal touches that turn your house into a home.

There are so many choices that people have to make when decorating, renovating and building. But there is such joy in creating the homes and lives we all want. This inspired The Edit, a fresh new podcast from your friends at Home Beautiful that helps to make these daily decisions both simple and enjoyable.&nbsp; Hosted by Editor&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/ellelovelock?igsh=MTZqd2NmajF6eGpjdQ=="> Elle Lovelock</a>, The Edit opens the door to beautiful homes and the stories behind them. Featuring well-known guests and respected experts, this video podcast is for everyone shaping their sanctuary - wherever you live, whatever your budget, whether you're a seasoned homeowner, a renter or just curating a special space. The Edit makes those decisions simple and celebrates the everyday creativity, choices and personal touches that turn your house into a home.

THE EDIT

What is a home maker these days? With so many decisions to make when it comes to your home, a show about your style, your sanctuary. The Edit is a fresh podcast from Home Beautiful that opens the door to unique homes and the stories behind them to inspire and delight those decisions.  With well known guests and the ultimate experts. It’s for everyone shaping their sanctuary—whether you’re a seasoned homeowner, a renter on a budget, or anyone quietly curating your space. The Edit makes those decisions simple and celebrates the everyday creativity, choices, and personal touches that turn a house into a home.

What is a home maker these days? With so many decisions to make when it comes to your home, a show about your style, your sanctuary. The Edit is a fresh podcast from Home Beautiful that opens the door to unique homes and the stories behind them to inspire and delight those decisions. &nbsp;With well known guests and the ultimate experts. It&rsquo;s for everyone shaping their sanctuary&mdash;whether you&rsquo;re a seasoned homeowner, a renter on a budget, or anyone quietly curating your space. The Edit makes those decisions simple and celebrates the everyday creativity, choices, and personal touches that turn a house into a home.

Interior designer Lauren Mahoney joins The Edit to demystify working with a designer, tackle real client anxieties, and share heartfelt stories about creating a home that truly feels like you.

Ding Dong, the Life Design Secrets of Other People’s Homes with Interior Designer Lauren Mahoney

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/846f47c7-5145-444b-a497-b3a300a7e117/transcript

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