Design Anatomy

Step into Spectra , our favourite kind of transformation story: a Melbourne hotel lobby that shifts from tasteful neutral to living artwork through colour, narrative, and fearless collaboration. We sit down with artists Rowena Martinich and Geoffrey Carran to unpack how a site-responsive palette drawn from bushland greens, clay tones, and marble textures became the foundation for abstract fields, hyper‑real native birds, and crystalline forms that feel born of the place—not pasted on. We dive into the craft behind the magic. Rowena breaks down her layered process—poured paint, broom-wide gestures, wipe-backs, and selective cropping—while Geoffrey reveals how native birds perched on mineral geometries create a dialogue between softness and edge, ecology and time. Then we go underfoot: working with Godfrey Hirst Commercial in Geelong, the team turned carpet into an immersive medium using inkjet technology to deliver colour-rich, compliant flooring that guides how people move and feel. It’s a case study in why art should be briefed early, not sprinkled on at the end. Beyond the lobby, we head out to regional Victoria where silos become story towers. Geoffrey shares the planning, wind-watching, and composition choices behind a 28-metre piece that nods to the Mallee emu‑wren and the science of anthocyanins—those stress pigments that turn plants incandescent—mirroring the resilience of local communities. We talk cultural tourism, placemaking, and why public art expands who gets to experience art in the first place. Along the way, you’ll hear honest shop talk about night-shift ceilings, partnerships that thrive on critique, and the courage it takes to choose colour at home and in hospitality. If you care about interior design, public art, hotels, or simply how spaces can make people feel more alive, this one’s for you. Subscribe to Design Anatomy, share this episode with a colour-shy friend, and leave us a review with the one space you’re ready to transform next. Web & Instagram: Rowena Martinich & @rowenamartinich Geoffrey Carran & @geoffreycarran 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 now Join Lauren for The Conversation Circle beginning Monday 15th June. This fortnightly small-group mentoring program is designed for interior designers, decorators and stylists who are ready to fast-track their business growth, gain clarity, and have the support and accountability to take action. To ensure everyone receives personalised guidance and mentoring, the group is intentionally limited to just 6 designers . This creates space for meaningful conversations, individual feedback, and practical support tailored to your business. For more info & application process please see below: The Conversation Circle 2026