The July Edit: Design Psychology, Water Tanks & Quiet Luxury

Hey there, it’s been a while!

Here’s something you may not know. Back when HFG was a retail business, our emails were all about selling products. I used to design and review so many emails that it drove me a little mad.

When we closed the retail side of the business, I declared I’d never design another newsletter again. And I didn’t. Well… not from scratch anyway—as a former graphic designer, that was a pretty big deal.

But turning my back on email design also meant turning my attention away as well.

We’ve now spent almost as many years creating content as we did selling products, and I realised that I need to reconsider the inbox.

Rather than dropping into your inbox every now and then with a random collection of projects and hoping you click on something, I want these emails to be worth reading.

So here’s what you can expect.

1. You will only get an email once a month.
2. It won’t come from ‘brand HFG’. It will come from me. I’m Lucy, by the way. Nice to meet you.
3. Each month I’ll write to you. What about? I’m not sure yet. But whatever’s on my mind, that’s what I’ll share.
4. I will always give you the low-down. What I’ve been up to, what’s on my radar and what I’m quietly thinking about. Consider it your very own insider shareholders’ report—without the boring bits.

So thanks for being here. Let’s get started.

Stop Overthinking It

I’ve just come back to work after taking time off to raise my babies.

Well, I’m still raising them, obviously. I manage to work a couple of days a week—thanks to daycare—and then I do whatever I can, whenever I can.

For example, I’m writing this email from bed when I should absolutely be doing my wind-down routine instead.

What I didn’t anticipate was that taking time away from HFG and the design world shook my confidence. Big time.

I used to live and breathe design and interiors, but lately, I’m mostly living and breathing nappies and toddler tantrums.

When it came time to start creating again, I had absolutely no idea where to begin. I no longer recognised the landscape I was creating for, and I wasn’t even sure if anyone wanted to hear from me.

My inner critic was having a field day.

After a few false starts, I gave myself a solid talking to and a mental kick up the arse. I eventually just said: Stuff it. Stop overthinking it. Just do the thing.

Rather than overthink my concepts into oblivion, I decided to just keep showing up and get on with creating cool shit.

This shift in mindset made me love what I do—more than ever before.

I want to learn more, experiment and challenge. I fell back in love with design history and the way each new generation interprets the one that came before it.

I dug back into my uni textbooks and rediscovered design psychology. I’ve begun questioning things I haven’t really questioned before and have found strength in not always having the answer but being confident enough to ask.

Perhaps this reframing all comes down to age and the somewhat calmer perspective I seem to gain with each new year.

I look forward to trying new things and doing what interests me—not what I think others want me to do.

So if this next chapter of HFG feels a little different to you, now you know why.

👇 The Low-Down

1. The Hidden Psychology of Beautiful Homes

2. We’ll Never Run Out of Water!

3. When Did Interiors Become So Quiet?

The Hidden Psychology of Beautiful Homes

I’ve started a new YouTube content series called DESIGN EXPLAINED.

I kicked things off with a deep dive into design psychology and asked myself: what actually makes a home feel good?

I broke down six key design principles across Biophilic Design, Lighting, Materials, Texture, Colour Psychology and Honest Design.

I spent waaaaaay too much time on this one but honestly, I’ve never been more proud of a video ever.

That’s a big call, but there it is.

Watch The Hidden Psychology of Beautiful Homes →

Run time: 28.42 min
Lucy’s rating: 11/10. Watch it. The End.

We Installed a 130,000L Water Tank After Running Out of Water

I had no bloody idea how much water I consumed when I lived in the city because I didn’t really need to.

After having run out of water twice while living in the country, it’s safe to say that I am now VERY conscious of our water consumption.

We partnered with Kingspan on our latest home renovation project, and it is arguably the best thing we’ve ever done to our property.

I had a lot of fun putting this video together. Arguably too much fun.

There is a cheeky Rex Manning reference in there too because I just couldn’t help myself.

Watch the 130,000L water tank video →

Run time: 28.42 min
Lucy’s review: Honestly? I never thought I’d care about a water tank, but now I’m a little obsessed. Give me half an hour and you will be too.

The Secret Psychology Behind Luxury Interiors

Is it just me, or is there a bit of a beige pandemic going on?

I decided to challenge the idea of Quiet Luxury, work out where the term actually comes from and how it has impacted not just the world of fashion but also our interiors.

Then I dive into what colours, materials and finishes create a truly luxurious interior.

Spoiler alert: it’s not beige.

Watch The Secret Psychology Behind Luxury Interiors →

Run time: 17:20 min
Lucy’s review: A playful toe-dip into popular culture and history, but chock-full of the most heavenly luxurious interiors. Get amongst it!

📌 On My Radar

Furniture: Milano Stainless Steel Side Table, Fleur Studios
This is a vibe.

Fit: Cassowary in Golden Tan, Bared Footwear
My latest toe crush.

Music: Something Like This, Cil
Seems to be on repeat.

Book: Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke
Just started… verdict pending.

Watch: Sinners on Netflix
It lives up to the hype.

💭 Thinking About

Whether or not I have forgotten how to film a Let Us In home tour?!

We’ll be jumping back into filming everyone’s favourite next week, and I’m equal parts excited and nervous.

Our first two homes are lined up and ready to go, but I’m currently looking for more homes to feature.

If you’re an architect, interior designer or a homeowner with a home that I need to know about, you can submit it here.

Submissions are open to all Australian homes, but we’re currently filming in Victoria and on the hunt for Surf Coast homes.

Sound like you or someone you know? Hook me up, please!

That’s a wrap for this month.

If you want more, you know where to find us…

 

Want the next one?

Once a month I share what I’m thinking about, working on, watching and loving—along with new home tours, things I’ve found and whatever else is on my radar.

One email a month. That’s it.