The Design Anatomy Tour Recap: What Paris and Milan Can Teach Us

Welcome back for Season 2 of The Design Anatomy podcast! After our incredible travel adventure with a fabulous group of design enthusiasts on our very first Design Anatomy Tour, we're buzzing to share what we discovered & experienced abroad.Stepping into private Parisian and Milanese apartments was truly a pinch-us experience. From artist, Paul Mouginot's classic pre-Haussmann apartment to Architect & designer Sophie Dries'  home in Paris, to Christian and Francesco's colour-drenched Milan apartment and the stunning former villa curated by the Droulers Architecture sisters – each space revealed secrets that photos simply cannot capture. These weren't just beautiful homes; they were masterclasses in spatial planning and cultural approaches to living.The European approach turns Australian apartment design conventions upside down. Instead of knocking down walls for open-plan living, they embrace separate rooms that create distinct zones for specific purposes. Their kitchens exist as dedicated spaces rather than extensions of living areas. Dining spaces take precedence, reflecting the cultural importance of gathering for meals. Strategic use of mirrors, thoughtful lighting (no sea of downlights!), and brave applications of colour all worked together to create spaces with true character and depth.What stayed with us wasn't just the beautiful design, but how these spaces reflected a fundamentally different philosophy about apartment living. Europeans aren't trying to emulate larger homes in smaller spaces – they're celebrating the unique qualities of apartment life through intelligent design choices that prioritize function, beauty and sociability. As Australia builds more apartments, perhaps it's time we looked beyond our shores for inspiration on creating spaces that truly work.Want to experience these incredible private apartments for yourself? Our exclusive Milan/Paris tour returns in 2026, and we're heading to London this September! With just eight spots available on each tour, jump on our waitlist now to secure your place on this life-changing design journey.Wanna avoid FOMO?..... Join our waitlists below to be the first to know when it's open, you don't want to miss out!London 2025 Design Tour WaitlistMilan/Paris 2026 Tour WaitlistBree 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