Afleveringen
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In this special on-location episode of A Date With Design, we step out of the studio and into the world of Brisbane’s evolving hospitality scene, joined by celebrated restaurateur Simon Gloftis.
Together we explore how truly memorable dining experiences are created — not just through food, but through atmosphere, architecture, and the quiet rituals that surround a meal.
Through the stories behind Sushi Room and SK Steak, Simon shares how design, mood and materiality shape the character of a restaurant. From the cinematic intimacy of Sushi Room’s omakase theatre to the bold, celebratory energy of SK Steak, this episode looks at how great venues become destinations in their own right.
A must-listen for aspiring restaurateurs, hospitality leaders and designers wanting insight into how great venues are conceived, designed and brought to life.
We cover:
00:00 – Introductions
01:37 – The Icebreaker - Simon Gloftis
12:54 – The Entrée – Sushi Room
35:18 – The Main Course – SK Steak & Oyster
44:07 – The Spark – Tamara Ralph
47:55 – The Sweet Bite - Lo and Co. Maximus CollectionCocktail of the Week - Sushi Room Martini
Special Guest
Simon Gloftis @simongloftis
St Albans https://www.st-albans.com.au/
Venues
Sushi Room
https://www.instagram.com/sushi___room
Sk Steak & Oyster
https://www.instagram.com/sk.steakandoyster
Hellenika
https://www.instagram.com/hellenika
The Calile Hotel
https://www.instagram.com/thecalilehotel
Designed by Richards and Spence
https://www.instagram.com/richardsandspence
https://www.richardsandspence.com/
Design Muse of the Week
Tamara Ralph
https://www.instagram.com/tamararalph
https://tamararalph.com/
Sweet Bite of the Week
Lo and Co. Maximus Collection
https://www.instagram.com/loandcointeriors
https://loandcointeriors.com.au/collections/maximus
Liked this date? Follow along for the next one
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In this episode, Arielle and Jill take you on a decadent Melbourne design date. From cathedral-like dining rooms and iconic Melbourne bars to neon-lit dive joints and cult ramen spots, they unpack how great hospitality design shapes atmosphere, behaviour, and memory. The conversation then turns from plates to prompts and the future of the interior design industry, with a deep dive into AI tools for designers, prompt writing, visualisation, ethics, and creativity — featuring insights from interior designer and AI coach Rhiannon Lee of Oleander & Finch. Plus, Arielle and Jill go head-to-head in a game entirely designed by ChatGPT. A must-listen podcast for those curious about how technology and intuition are redefining modern design.
We cover:
00:00 – Introductions
00:59– The Icebreaker - Our Melbourne Design Date
02:34 – The Entrée – Melbourne Venues
14:46 – The Main Course – AI chat with Rhiannon Lee
43:04 – Living Edge Showroom Tour with Todd Brain57:21 – The Spark – Current Design Muse
1:00:12 – Chat GPT Cards Against Humanity Design Version
1:08:20 – The Sweet Bite - Dinosaur DesignsCocktail of the Week - Aperol Spritz
90ml Prosecco
60ml Aperol
30ml Soda water
1 orange slice
Lots of iceFill a large wine glass with ice.
Pour in the Prosecco first (this keeps the drink lively).
Add the Aperol and watch that signature sunset colour bloom.
Top with soda water and give a gentle stir.
Garnish with an orange sliceVenues
Beverly Rooftop https://www.beverlyrooftop.com.au/ @beverlyrooftop
Interior Design: Mitchell & Eades https://www.mitchelleades.com/@mitchellandeades
Reine & La Rue https://reineandlarue.melbourne/ @reine.larue
Longrain https://longrainmelbourne.com/ @longrainmelbourne
Lonsong https://longsong.com.au/ @longsongmelbourne
Heartbreaker https://www.heartbreakerbar.com.au/ @heartbreakerbar
Shop Ramen https://www.shopramen.com.au/ @shopramen
Special Guests
Rhiannon Lee - Interior Designer and Business Mentor
Oleander and Finch https://www.oleanderandfinch.com/ @oleander_and_finch
Designing Success Podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/03P6rHYORh8uu4zAWeI7qQ
(Interview with Rhiannon held at the Decor + Design Show in July 2025)
Todd Brain, Living Edge
https://livingedge.com.au/
Design Muse of the Week
Charles and Ray Eames https://www.eamesoffice.com/ @eamesoffice
Sweet Bite of the Week
Dinosaur Designs https://www.dinosaurdesigns.com.au/ @dinosaur_designs
Liked this date? Follow along for the next one
Subscribe to the podcast or watch on our YouTube channel for the full visual experience https://www.youtube.com/@adatewithdesign_au
Follow us on Instagram @adatewithdesign_au for behind-the-scenes, design finds, and future reservations.
Slide into our inbox with what’s inspiring you — and where you think we should go next. Your suggestion might just become our next reservation!
[email protected]
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https://www.instagram.com/adatewithdesign_au
TikTok
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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A Retro Motel Romance takes us on location to the Gold Coast for Open House 2025, where we explore two beautifully restored mid-century motels and unpack why these roadside icons still matter. From neon palms, breeze blocks and terrazzo entries to poolside culture and pastel perfection, Jill and Arielle dive into Australia’s love affair with motel design and the optimism of post-war travel culture. We wander through lobbies, guest rooms and courtyards, reflect on personal holiday memories, and get real about preservation versus progress — asking whether nostalgia is a design trap or a love letter worth keeping. Along the way, we talk adaptive reuse, heritage hospitality design, and the designers, artists and motel owners keeping these retro gems alive. It’s coastal-cool, candid, and a little bit romantic — proof that great design doesn’t just age well, it flirts with you forever. Grab a cocktail, hit the highway, and check in with A Date With Design.
We cover:
00:00 – Introductions
02:38 – The Icebreaker - The First Sip - Retro Revival
13:44 – The Entrée – Gold Coast Open House
21:17 – The Main Course – On Location: Retro Motel Tours
36:40 – The Spark – Current Design Muse - Alex Proba
44:15 – The Real Talk - Why Preservation Matters
53:21 – The Sweet Bite - Ellison StudiosCocktail of the Week - The Pink Poodle
Think neon signs humming at dusk, terrazzo underfoot, and that first sip signalling you’ve officially checked out of real life.
60 ml Gin
20 ml Sugar syrup
30 ml Bundaberg Pink Grapefruit Sparkling
30 ml fresh lemon juiceIce
To garnish pink grapefruit segments or a red glacial cherry, a sprig of rosemary, and dried edible cocktail petals. Add to an iced martini glass add the gin, sugar syrup, Bundaberg Pink Grapefruit Sparkling, and lemon juice.
Garnish with pink grapefruit segments, a glossy red cherry, a rosemary sprig and a scattering of dried petals. Design matters — even in a drink.
Venues
Gold Coast Open House https://goldcoastopenhouse.com.au/ @goldcoastopenhouse
The Pink Hotel https://www.thepinkhotelcoolangatta.com/ @thepinkhotelcoolangatta
The Cheshire Cat Motel https://www.cheshirecatmotel.com/ @cheshire_cat_motel
The Shores Motel https://www.shoresmotels.com/ @theshores_miami
Special Guest
Monique Luchterhand - Interior Designer @m_o_n_studio and owner of Cheshire Cat Motel
https://www.instagram.com/m_o_n_studio
Architecture by https://www.instagram.com/plus.studio.co/
Design Muse of the Week
Alex Proba / Studio Proba https://www.studioproba.com/ @alexproba
The Real Talk
Tim Ross / Modernister https://modernisterbooks.com/ @modernister
Book - Motel - Images of Australian on Holidays
Anna Carey / Artist
Liked this date? Follow along for the next one
Subscribe to the podcast or watch on our YouTube channel for the full visual experience https://www.youtube.com/@adatewithdesign_au
Follow us on Instagram @adatewithdesign_au for behind-the-scenes, design finds, and future reservations.
Slide into our inbox with what’s inspiring you — and where you think we should go next. Your suggestion might just become our next reservation!
[email protected]
www.adatewithdesign.com.auInstagram
https://www.instagram.com/adatewithdesign_au
TikTok
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https://open.spotify.com/show/6DooRpVgnbvxKLrMH2DKTV -
In this episode, Arielle and Jill peel back the curtain on hospitality through the eye’s of one of Queensland’s most respected food critics, Anooska Tucker-Evans, for an intimate look inside the mind of someone who has seen — and tasted — it all. From first impressions and design dealbreakers to the delicate balance between food, service, and ambience, they explore what truly makes a hospitality experience unforgettable. With candid insights, sharp observations, and a touch of playful speed-dating, this conversation delves into how interiors shape dining memories. From Brisbane’s evolving dining scene to the design mistakes that can derail even the best food, this conversation offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at what makes a restaurant truly unforgettable. A must-listen for designers, restaurateurs, and anyone who believes great meals are about more than what’s on the plate.
We cover:
00:00 – Introductions
3:34 – The Icebreaker - Meet Anooska Tucker-Evans
9:00 – The Entrée – What makes great Hospitality
21:39 – The Main Course – A deeper dive into Hospitality
41:32 – The Spark – Current Design Muse
52.02 – Speed Dating - This or That Game
59:03 – The Sweet Bite - Articolo StudiosCocktail of the Week - The Classic Marg
Pink Himalayan Salt
40ml Tequila
40ml Fresh Lime Juice
15ml Cointreau
15ml Agave Syrup (Sugar Syrup)
Ice
Run a lime wedge around the rim of the glass and dip lightly in flaky salt.
In a shaker, add tequila, lime juice, cointreau, and syrup
Shake hard
Strain into a chilled glass over fresh ice
Design Muse of the Week
Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown
https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/tv-series/anthony-bourdain-parts-unknown
Rick Steins Mediterranean Escapes
https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/tv-series/rick-steins-mediterranean-escapes
Selling Sunset
https://www.netflix.com/au/title/80223108
Sweet Bite of the Week
Articolo Studios https://articolostudios.com/@articolostudios
Liked this date? Follow along for the next one
Subscribe to the podcast or watch on our YouTube channel for the full visual experience https://www.youtube.com/@adatewithdesign_au
Follow us on Instagram @adatewithdesign_au for behind-the-scenes, design finds, and future reservations.
Slide into our inbox with what’s inspiring you — and where you think we should go next. Your suggestion might just become our next reservation!
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In this episode, Arielle and Jill check in at Melbourne to explore the city’s most captivating hotel interiors. From sleek contemporary luxe at Hyde Melbourne Place to the playful, eclectic energy of Standard X, they unpack how modern hotels are evolving — blending local character, global trends, technology, sustainability, and sensory storytelling. With their signature mix of candid insight and playful banter, they rate first impressions, materials, atmospheres, and guest experiences, and even decide which hotel deserves a second date. Along the way, they share a design muse, play a cheeky hotel-themed swipe left/swipe right game, and spotlight their latest design obsession. Perfect for anyone who loves interiors, hospitality, and the art of creating spaces that feel as good as they look.
We cover:
00:00 – Introductions
01:42 – The Icebreaker - Room with a Design View
6:26 – The Entrée – Evolutions in Hotel Design
12:30 – The Main Course – Melbourne Place VS Standard X27:49 – The Spark – Current Design Muse
30:26 – Swipe Left/Swipe Right Hotel Edition35:06 – The Sweet Bite - Style Sourcebook
Cocktail of the Week - Dirty Martini7.5ml Olive Brine
15ml Vermouth
60ml Brookies Gin
Garnish: Sicilian Olives
Shake not stir with ice ;)
Venues
Ace Hotel Sydney https://acehotel.com/sydney/
@acehotelsydney
Interior Design: Flack Studio https://flack.studio/
@flackstudio_
Hyde Melbourne Place https://hydehotels.com/melbourne-place/ @hydemelbourneplace
Architecture & Interior Design: Kennedy Nolan https://www.kennedynolan.com.au/ @kennedy_nolan
The StandardX Melbourne https://www.standardx.com/melbourne/ @thestandardxmelbourne
Architecture: Woods Bagot https://www.woodsbagot.com/
@woodsbagot
Interior Design: Hecker Guthrie https://www.heckerguthrie.com/
@heckerguthrie
Design Muse of the Week
Lambs and Lions Studio Berlin https://lambsandlions.com/@lambsandlionsberlin
Sweet Bite of the Week
Style Sourcebook https://stylesourcebook.com.au/ @stylesourcebook
Liked this date? Follow along for the next one
Subscribe to the podcast or watch on our YouTube channel for the full visual experience https://www.youtube.com/@adatewithdesign_au
Follow us on Instagram @adatewithdesign_au for behind-the-scenes, design finds, and future reservations.
Slide into our inbox with what’s inspiring you — and where you think we should go next. Your suggestion might just become our next reservation!
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TikTok
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Welcome to the very first episode of A Date With Design…
In this episode, The First Date, we set the tone for what’s to come.
Our first Design Date takes us underground to Central, Brisbane — an award-winning hospitality space where history, theatre, and modern dining collide. We experience the venue through a diner’s eye, unpacking first impressions, atmosphere, layout, comfort, and those all-important details that shape how a space feels long after the meal ends. From its layered design narrative to the way food, service, and setting work together, Central becomes our benchmark for what a truly considered hospitality experience looks like.
Venue: Central https://www.centralbne.com.au/ @centralbne
Interior Design: JAR Office https://www.jaroffice.com/ @j.ar.office
We cover:
00:00 – Introductions
01:00 – The Icebreaker - Our Design Journey
10:20 – The Entrée – Hospitality Design
13:10 – The Main Course – Design Date Review: Central BNE
27:58 – The Spark – Current Design Muse
31:09 – Design Speed Dating
36:03 – The Sweet Bite - Franca Studio
Cocktail of the Week - The First Sip Elderflower SpritzA light, floral aperitif to open the evening.
30ml Elderflower Liqueur
15ml Gin
90ml Prosecco
Mint Sprigs and Lemon Twist to garnish
Ice
Build over ice in a wine glass:
Elderflower liqueur and gin, topped with prosecco and a splash of soda.
Finish with a twist of lemon and fresh mint.Effortless, refreshing, and best enjoyed as the conversation begins.
Sweet Bite of the Week
Franca Studio - 3D Printed Lights and Objects
https://www.francastudio.com.au/
@_francastudio_
Liked this date? Follow along for the next one
Subscribe to the podcast or watch on our YouTube channel for the full visual experience https://www.youtube.com/@adatewithdesign_au
Follow us on Instagram @adatewithdesign_au for behind-the-scenes, design finds, and future reservations.
Slide into our inbox with what’s inspiring you — and where you think we should go next. Your suggestion might just become our next reservation!
[email protected]
www.adatewithdesign.com.auInstagram
https://www.instagram.com/adatewithdesign_au
TikTok
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https://open.spotify.com/show/6DooRpVgnbvxKLrMH2DKTV
