Podcast · Arts & Books

This Much I Know by est living, design conversations

by est living | Karen McCartney, editorial director · English · Arts & Books

est living presents the podcast series: This Much I Know, hosted by editorial director and design commentator Karen McCartney in dialogue with globally renowned architects and designers. est living is a global design resource showcasing the best in architecture, interiors and products.

New episodes: Now and then
Typical length: 43 min
Latest: 22 Sep 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

22 Sep 2026 · 49 min

Manuel Aires Mateus | This Much I Know With Karen McCartney

Manuel Aires Mateus on doubt, memory and the life of a building. In Lisbon, est living's Editorial Director, Karen McCartney, sits down with Portuguese architect Manuel Aires Mateus to explore the ideas that have shaped one of the most distinctive architectural practices of the past three decades. From restoring an 18th-century convent to creating houses that disappear into the landscape, Manuel speaks about how people live, move, remember and connect with a space. He shares why he believes architects should remain in doubt, why “problems are our material”, and how limits can become the…

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Earlier episodes 11 most recent

10 Jun 2026 · 43 min
John Pawson | This Much I Know with Karen McCartney
In the first of our international episodes, McCartney visits John Pawson at his Notting Hill home for an edifying conversation on his lifelong commitment to reduction, necessity and simplicity in design. Pawson recalls his upbringing in Yorkshire and early years in Japan, stories of Calvin Klein arriving at his studio to commission the New York City flagship store and monks discovering the same project through his monograph. It’s this unexpected continuity between fashion retail and a Cistercian monastery, the belief that the right clients always seem to find him, and designing to need…
27 Mar 2026 · 43 min
Flack Studio | This Much I Know with Karen McCartney
In this episode, Karen McCartney sits down with Flack Studio founder and principal David Flack. From the designer's designer’s Fitzroy studio, which he calls “a giant 3D business card,” Flack looks back at the inventive material approach he developed early on—one that remains as relevant as when he established the practice more than a decade ago. Now leading a holistic architecture and interiors studio, Flack’s art-led, nonchalant attitude sees the practice traverse continents to design homes, hotels and hospitality spaces that aren’t afraid to resist the expected. Learn more about Flack…
29 Sep 2025 · 34 min
Casey Brown Architecture & Fiona Spence | This Much I Know with Karen McCartney
In this episode, we revisit Babylon, the home of Fiona Spence and Morris Lyda. Here, Karen McCartney speaks with Casey Brown Architecture founder Rob Brown and Spence about their eight-year collaboration to revive the 1960s house and honour its dramatic sandstone site. Watch our exclusive film on Babylon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAFtFqc9xis Read Karen McCartney's write up on Babylon: https://estliving.com/babylon-fiona-spence-casey-brown-architecture/ Learn more about Casey Brown Architecture: https://estliving.com/professional/casey-brown-architecture/ This Much I Know is a podcast…
24 Jun 2025 · 38 min
Clare Cousins Architects | This Much I Know with Karen McCartney
Architect and founder of her namesake studio, Clare Cousins, welcomes Karen McCartney into her newly completed Melbourne home, where she explores her affinity for honest materials and integrated garden rooms, while considering architecture’s responsibility to the community, through urban and rural housing, workplace, cultural, and social projects. Learn more about Clare Cousins Architects: https://estliving.com/professional/clare-cousins/ See more recent projects by Clare Cousins Architects: https://estliving.com/red-hill-clare-cousins-architects/…
17 Mar 2025 · 37 min
Richards Stanisich | This Much I Know with Karen McCartney
Richards Stanisich founders and architects Jonathan Richards and Kirsten Stanisich sit down with Karen McCartney in Stanisich’s home to discuss designing emotionally resonant spaces, resisting trends while evolving aesthetically, and the importance of adaptive reuse in their work. Learn more about Richards Stanisich: https://estliving.com/professional/richards-stanisich/ See Kirsten Stanisich’s own home: https://estliving.com/where-architects-live-kirsten-stanisich/ This Much I Know is a podcast by est living, hosted by Karen McCartney. Recorded and produced by Marcus Costello from…
19 Dec 2024 · 49 min
Fiona Lynch Office | This Much I Know with Karen McCartney
Founder of her eponymous interior design studio, Fiona Lynch, invites Karen McCartney into her Melbourne home for our latest podcast episode. The pair reflect on Lynch's impetus for unconventional ideas and flexibility in design, fascination with materials, and the importance of championing local creatives. Learn more about Fiona Lynch Office: https://estliving.com/professional/fiona-lynch/ See more recent projects by Fiona Lynch Office: https://estliving.com/home-tour-auburn-residence-fiona-lynch-office/ https://estliving.com/home-tour-river-house-fiona-lynch-office/ This Much I Know is a…
29 Sep 2024 · 37 min
Studio Prineas | This Much I Know with Karen McCartney
Studio Prineas principal Eva-Marie Prineas reflects on 20 years of building an authentic and sustainable architecture practice focused on relationships, problem-solving, and creating lasting design solutions for everyday life. Learn more about Studio Prineas: https://estliving.com/fishermans-house-studio-prineas/ See Eva-Marie Prineas' Home: https://estliving.com/where-architects-live-eva-marie-prineas/ See more recent projects by Studio Prineas: https://estliving.com/alpha-house-by-studio-prineas/ https://estliving.com/fishermans-house-studio-prineas/ This Much I Know is a podcast by est…
28 Mar 2024 · 52 min
Hecker Guthrie | This Much I Know with Karen McCartney
Hecker Guthrie founding principals Paul Hecker and Hamish Guthrie reflect on their contrasting and complementary approaches to interiors, how they emphasise the spatial experience, and design for adaptability and comfort. This Much I Know is a podcast by est living, hosted by Karen McCartney Recorded and produced by Jon Tjhia for est living
19 Dec 2023 · 56 min
Kennedy Nolan | This Much I Know with Karen McCartney
Recorded while sitting in one of their latest projects, Kennedy Nolan founders and principal architects Rachel Nolan and Patrick Kennedy discuss how buildings can engage the imagination, the impact of colour and memory, and designing homes relevant to today. Learn more about Kennedy Nolan: https://www.estliving.com/10-questions-ask-your-architect-kennedy-nolan/ https://www.estliving.com/professional/kennedy-nolan/ See an example of their work: https://www.estliving.com/matthews-house-kennedy-nolan/ This Much I Know is a podcast by est living, hosted by Karen McCartney Recorded and produced…
8 Nov 2023 · 42 min
Arent&Pyke | This Much I Know with Karen McCartney
A design dialogue with Arent&Pyke founders and principal designers Juliette Arent & Sarah-Jane Pyke on how they interact with their clients, creating moments of pleasure, inspiring elements and the flow of family life. Learn more about Arent&Pyke: https://www.estliving.com/professional/arent-pyke/ Explore the Queens Park House while you listen: https://www.estliving.com/queens-park-house-arentpyke/ Purchase their monologue: Arent&Pyke - Interiors Beyond the Primary Palette: https://shop.arentpyke.com/products/interiors-beyond-the-primary-palette Produced by Laura Brierly Newton | Audiocraft:…
8 Nov 2023 · 30 min
John Wardle | This Much I Know with Karen McCartney
A design dialogue with Wardle founder and architect John Wardle in his own home explores his endless curiosity for the rhythms of living, working and learning and how the architect’s passion for finer details transcends all scales of work. Learn more about John Wardle: https://www.estliving.com/professional/wardle-studio/ Explore John's home while you listen: https://wardle.studio/projects/kew-residence/ This Much I Know is a podcast by est living Produced by Laura Brierley for est living Recorded by Jon Jon Tjhia Music by Sum Wave via Epidemic Sound As a global design resource, est living…

About This Much I Know by est living, design conversations

This Much I Know by est living, design conversations is a English arts & books podcast from est living | Karen McCartney, editorial director. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: est living | Karen McCartney, editorial director
Language: English
Category: Arts & Books
New episodes: Now and then
Typical length: 43 min
Latest episode: 22 Sep 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1690106840
Rights: est living | Karen McCartney, editorial director

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