Build Beautiful
Build Beautiful
Where design meets depth
Hosted by interior designer and property developer Linda Habak, Build Beautiful is a podcast about more than just aesthetics - it’s about the intention behind the spaces we shape and the stories we tell.
Each episode features honest, insightful conversations with designers, developers, architects, artists, and creative thinkers who are reimagining the way we live, build, and create.
This is a space for the ideas behind the work - the risks, the pivots, the process. The quiet decisions that shape extraordinary outcomes.
Because beauty isn’t just what we see - it’s what we feel.
And what we choose to build, together.
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Build Beautiful
Thomas Hamel: Old World Meets New World - The Art of Timeless Interior Design
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Thomas Hamel, founder of Thomas Hamel & Associates, is one of Australia’s most influential luxury interior designers, known for creating timeless interior design that bridges old world craftsmanship with contemporary living. In this episode of Build Beautiful, Thomas shares how his formative years in New York, London, and Europe — including time at the legendary Parrish-Hadley — shaped a design philosophy grounded in history, restraint, and enduring quality.
This is a rare, deeply personal conversation about luxury interior design, the business of design, and why truly great interiors are built on relationships, service, and intuition — not trends.
Key Takeaways:
- Thomas Hamel emphasises the significance of balancing historical elements with contemporary design, drawing from his diverse educational and professional experiences.
- Hamel credits his deep personal connections and serendipitous encounters with influential figures for his success in the interior design world.
- A staunch advocate for integrity in design, Hamel has chosen to prioritise depth and client relationships over pursuing widespread global expansion.
- Hamel's mentorship program highlights his commitment to nurturing the next generation of designers, focusing on experiential learning and personal growth.
- Hamel underscores the importance of passion, organisation, and a client-centered approach in building a successful design practice.
Notable Quotes:
- "I live by being in other people's heads." - Thomas Hamel
- "It's all about the efficiency of, you know, the descriptions, the details, the cost, how it's then invoiced, how it's… it's that structure that's so crucial." - Thomas Hamel
- "It's nice to have one or two old souls in a room, but then it's got to have the twist." - Thomas Hamel
- "The most important word and what is required the most is passion." - Thomas Hamel
Resources:
- Instagram @joem7816
Instagram @1stdibs
Instagram @the_london_list - Thomas Hamel and Associates
- Parish Hadley
Luxury Interiors
Timeless Interior Design
Business of Interior Design
Avoiding interior design trends
History of Interior Design
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