Spaces That Speak: What Great Design Books Teach Us

A single book can change the way you decorate a room, not by handing you a shopping list, but by sharpening how you see. We’re diving into the design books that have genuinely shaped our interior design practice, from the emotional impact of architecture to the surprisingly personal meaning of colour, art and everyday objects.We start with Alain de Botton’s The Architecture of Happiness and why the best design is never just “style”. It’s about how a space makes you feel, and why beauty can support wellbeing. That takes us to Le Corbusier’s Villa Savoye, the modernist icon that promised machine-like living yet struggled with very human problems like constant leaking. It’s a reminder that design theory, history and lived experience all belong in the same conversation.From there we move through books that celebrate real, layered homes: Robyn Lea’s A Room Of Her Own, Kassia St Clair’s The Secret Lives of Colour, and Amber Creswell Bell’s Australian Abstract. We talk about choosing colour with more confidence when you understand cultural symbolism, and using abstract art as a feeling-led anchor rather than something you have to “decode”. We also share why Nate Berkus’ The Things That Matter hits so hard, because the most beautiful homes are built over time through objects that carry memory. Finally, we shout out The Life Eclectic and a few favourite bookshops, plus a little teaser about upcoming Paris and Milan adventures.If you enjoyed this one, subscribe, share it with a design-loving friend, and leave a review so more Australians can find the show. What’s the one book that changed how you see your home?Bree is now offering a 90-minute online design consult to help you tackle key challenges like colour selection, furniture curation, layout, and styling. Get tailored one-on-one advice and a detailed follow-up report with actionable recommendations—all without a full-service commitment. Bookings now open -  Book nowLauren also offers design consultations, so if you're needing expert guidance & inspiration for your project, please reach out  @sisalla_interior_designWould you love to be part of a small group of 8 designers joining Lauren & Bree on The Design Anatomy Tour of Paris & Milan Design Week in 2027?Please reach out to us via DM @design.anatomy.podcast, or @sisalla_interior_design & @bree.banfield