A lot of interiors look “right” and still feel wrong. We’re chasing something harder to name: the feeling of a home that actually belongs to you. That’s why we loved this chat with designer Anna-Carin, who has built a client briefing process around an unexpected tool: music.
We talk through her signature question: if your project had a theme song, what would it be? From there, she layers in a project name and three feeling words to create a brief that’s clear, emotional, and genuinely personal. We unpack how rhythm can hint at a client’s quirks, how a “raw” track can give you permission to propose bolder ideas, and why starting with mood helps you avoid the copy-and-paste trap of image-led design. If you’re an interior designer wanting a stronger client connection, or a homeowner stuck between “nice” and “mine”, this approach is pure gold.
The conversation goes wider too: Scandinavian rituals, seasonal living, and what happens when a culture loses the small traditions that anchor us to time, place, and each other. Anna-Carin also shares her career story, the mentor who taught her the power of five millimetres, and why commitment to the person behind the project is what turns a house into a home.
Check out Anna-Carin on her socials below:
Instagram: @annacarindesign
Web: www.annacarindesign.com.au
If you enjoyed this one, subscribe, share it with a design mate, and leave us a review. What would your home’s theme song be?
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The Conversation Circle 2026
