32. Quiet Luxury Explained: Inside Daniel Boddam’s Design Philosophy

Design doesn’t need to shout to make an impact.

In this episode of Behind the Design, Camilla Ingall sits down with Daniel Boddam, founder of Daniel Boddam Studio, to unpack his philosophy of quiet living; a design approach rooted in restraint, calm, and deep respect for the Australian landscape.

Daniel shares his journey from architecture into furniture design, why he deliberately plays the long game, and how designing with nature (not trends) creates homes and objects that feel timeless, grounded, and human.

This conversation goes beyond aesthetics. It explores how spaces should feel, how materials age, and why true luxury today is found in simplicity, not excess.

In this episode, we explore:

What quiet luxury really means (and why it’s misunderstood)Designing architecture and furniture that belongs to the Australian landscapeThe role of texture, sound, touch, and material honesty in great designWhy restraint and patience lead to better creative outcomesBalancing architecture, furniture, business growth, and personal boundariesDesigning homes that age well; emotionally and materially

If you’re an architect, interior designer, builder, or design-aware homeowner, this episode will reframe how you think about calm, timeless design.

Follow Daniel Boddam:

Daniel Boddam Studio: https://danielboddam.com

Follow Unfolded:Website: https://www.unfolded.com.au/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unfolded_

Behind the Design is hosted by Camilla Ingall, founder of Unfolded, an interior design and styling studio based in Sydney and the Central Coast.

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:00:32 - Welcome to Behind the Design

00:01:16 - Interview with Daniel Bottom

00:01:42 - Daniel's journey into design

00:03:16 - Transition from architecture to furniture design

00:06:00 - Challenges and changes in design journey

00:07:54 - Managing a design studio

00:11:06 - Balancing architecture and furniture design

00:12:32 - Quiet living philosophy

00:15:17 - Unfolded: Interior Design and Styling Studio

00:15:34 - Material Preferences and Sensory Design

00:17:43 - Reflecting on Past Experiences and Influences

00:19:15 - Client Briefs and Diversification

00:21:38 - Designing for the Australian Landscape

00:23:31 - Sculptural Simplicity in Design

00:24:32 - Balancing Function and Aesthetics

00:29:48 - Future Plans for the Studio

00:30:35 - Opening a Furniture Showroom and Expanding Overseas

00:31:26 - Reflections on the Pace of Work and Growth

00:32:46 - Managing Work-Life Balance

00:33:05 - Sustainability in Work and Avoiding Burnout

00:35:09 - Strangest Client Requests

00:36:34 - Closing Remarks