Podcast

Beyond the Design

Arts, Fashion & Beauty

Step into the captivating world of design with Beyond the Design. Unveiling the untold stories and shedding light on the real heroes shaping the industry, this podcast goes beyond the glamour to explore the journeys, experiences, and profound insights of visionary leaders.

Each episode ignites a sense of curiosity, delving into the intersection of living in a creative atmosphere and tackling the industry's most pressing issues. Prepare to be inspired as we engage with today's foremost practitioners, including renowned designers, architects, manufacturers, emerging brands, and influential tastemakers. Their wisdom will quench your thirst for design and empower you to forge connections and embrace transformative ideas.

From the realms of architecture, interior design, furniture, and urban planning to the intricacies of creativity and visionary perspectives, Beyond the Design covers an expansive range of topics. As a devoted design enthusiast, you'll find a treasure trove of inspiration here. Join us as we pull back the curtain and hear firsthand from the trailblazers of the design industry. Discover their thoughts on the ever-evolving landscape of creativity, emerging trends, sustainability, and their own personal narratives. Get ready to embark on a journey of profound insights and positive disruption in the world of design.

Episodes
129
Releases
Weekly
Typical length
47 min
On air since
2023
Latest episode
1 week ago

Episodes

129 episodes, newest first

  1. Kobel + Co.: Mallory Robins and Elizabeth Bennett on Balancing Patina, Tension, and Scale in Interior Design

    Show notes

    Mallory Robins and Elizabeth Bennett always felt interior design was both a calling and a passion. Kobel + Co. was initially launched by Mallory, but just a couple of years into its inception, a serendipitous reunion changed everything. Having known each other socially in college, the two bumped into each other after a decade. Right around the time Elizabeth was having her own beautifully styled home photographed, Mallory experienced a visceral "aha moment". Recognizing Elizabeth as the missing piece of her vision, Mallory took a giant leap and invited her to quit her job and join as a partner—a wild proposition that Elizabeth enthusiastically accepted.

    Their partnership thrives on a deeply complementary dynamic, acting as a functional "yin and yang". While both share a core aesthetic foundation, Mallory gravitates toward floor plans, spatial structure, and operational efficiency, whereas Elizabeth brings storytelling, tactile texture, scent, and emotional atmosphere to the forefront. Through the early days of building their brand, navigating remote work during the pandemic, and scaling their firm, they have established a transparent, trust-filled dynamic where creative tension elevates every final layout.

    Today, headquarter-based in Kansas City, Kobel + Co. executes large-scale residential renovations and new builds from coast to coast, including projects in California, Florida, and New England. Reflecting on their growth, Mallory and Elizabeth attribute their success to surrounding themselves with a specialized studio team, maintaining an open mindset to continuous learning, and prioritizing genuine relationships with clients and craftspeople.

    See more of their work at: https://www.kobelandco.com/

    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    47 min
  2. Uncovering Design: Pietro Estrada of Piegatto on Architectural Furniture and Design

    Episode 36

    Show notes

    Pietro Estrada’s path into design was shaped early on by his parents, who lived in Italy for two years, got married there, and later established their architecture practice in Guatemala City. Growing up in an environment where architecture and custom furniture making seamlessly blended, Pietro, his sister, and the entire family absorbed a deeply creative mindset. After graduating from architecture school, Pietro pursued business school to complement his family's artistic strengths with strategic brand vision—a dual background that ultimately helped Piegato establish a corporate foothold in the United States and expand into European markets.

    The brand name itself holds personal and linguistic history: originating from the Italian word piegato (meaning "bent"), it traces back to an intentional spelling variation and a playful nod to the Spanish words pie (foot) and gato (cat). At its heart, Piegato functions as a family design umbrella where each member leads a distinct pillar, naming signature pieces—such as the Uma chair or Pippo chair—after relatives and close friends.

    A major milestone in the family's journey occurred when Piegato debuted as the first Guatemalan brand to present at Salone del Mobile in Milan, launching their Carved Landscapes collection. For Pietro’s parents, returning to Italy three decades after studying there represented a full-circle moment. Today, Pietro continues to scale the company's manufacturing footprint in Guatemala while honoring the timeless craftsmanship and family DNA that anchor the brand.

    See more at http://piegatto.com

    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    45 min
  3. Crafting Enduring Spaces with Danielle Chiprut of Danielle Rose Design Co.

    Episode 35

    Show notes

    Danielle Chiprut’s path into residential interior design began in the world of commercial visual storytelling. Before founding her firm, she designed retail environments across the country for major brands like Urban Outfitters and Free People, as well as trade show booths for companies like S'well. This background gave her an acute understanding of spatial proportions, human movement, and how different commercial materials interact. However, the pivotal transition occurred when she and her husband moved to the suburbs and purchased a 1930s Tudor home. Channeling her visual merchandising expertise into her own renovation sparked a passion that led her to earn an interior design certificate at NYSID while still working her corporate role.

    After her personal home renovation was featured on Apartment Therapy, Danielle experienced a surge in interest. As the COVID-19 pandemic hit, friends and city transplants relocating to Long Island sought her help to redesign their homes. Armed with what she calls a "design nest egg" of smaller photographed projects, Danielle built up enough momentum and confidence to step away from corporate life and establish Daniel Rose Design Company in 2019.

    Overcoming the fear of stepping away from a secure corporate career required taking incremental steps and betting on herself. Losing her parents around that same period further grounded her perspective on what makes a house meaningful, driving her to build a firm that merges historical appreciation with modern family living. Today, Danielle leads a growing team in Long Island, having successfully built a distinct niche in transforming historic homes into functional, beautiful sanctuaries.

    Find more at: http://daniellerosedesignco.com

    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    43 min
  4. Duncan Smith on Upcycling, NYC Sidewalk Treasures, and Giving Discarded Objects New Life

    Episode 34

    Show notes

    Duncan Smith’s fascination with discarded items began in childhood, where he collected strange trinkets, wood shop scraps, and small shells in his father’s old cigar box. After moving to New York City from the UK, he faced the reality of expensive city living and high furniture costs. Being self-described as frugal, Duncan began picking up abandoned items off the NYC streets, repainting them, and upgrading them for his apartment. At the time, he was working as the head of video at a marketing agency, looking for a personal creative outlet. Encouraged by a visiting friend who was impressed by his upcycled home decor, Duncan began filming his process and posting short videos online.

    What started as a casual passion project quickly evolved into his full-time career. The moniker "Trashboy" was originally given to him by teasing friends whenever he showed up with sidewalk finds, but he eventually embraced the name as his official brand. Over the course of three years in New York City, Duncan transformed his living setup from making furniture inside a small East Village studio apartment to acquiring a dedicated workshop space in Brooklyn.

    Reflecting on his trajectory, Duncan credits the bold, proactive energy of New York City for pushing him to pursue his craft. Growing up with a creative director father and photographer mother, he absorbed early lessons that the core creative idea is paramount. Today, Duncan Smith continues to build his identity as a maker, taking on projects that blend functional design with artistic storytelling.

    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    51 min
  5. Valentin Renner - When the World Was Already Mapped, He Built His Own from Thousands of Nails

    Episode 33

    Show notes

    The Journey Long before finding his place in the art world, Valentin Renner dreamed of becoming a geographical explorer. Learning early on that the physical world had already been mapped was initially disappointing, but it ultimately ignited his creative calling to explore uncharted territory through imagination and artwork. He began drawing his own worlds and maps, discovering an infinite freedom in building landscapes that had never existed before.

    Valentin’s unique medium—thousands of nails and stretched thread—chose him rather than the other way around. Struggling with traditional drawing and painting in his youth, he found comfort during math class by drawing faces, figures, and architecture exclusively with straight lines on grid paper. When he set out to build a three-dimensional, interactive map of the world for his very first artwork, using straight threads strung between nails of varying heights became the logical way to represent topography.

    Today, Valentin lives as a full-time artist, balancing his intrinsic creative drives with international travel. Drawing from diverse past experiences—such as studying urban planning, assisting refugees, and playing first-division football in Germany—he integrates his life experiences directly into his art series. His journey demonstrates how childhood dreams of exploration can evolve into an adventurous, creative life built on passion and authenticity.

    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    26 min
  6. Evolutionary Environments: Karen Asprea on Natural Materials, Human Scale, and Emotional Storytelling

    Episode 32

    Show notes

    At its core, Karen Asprea’s design philosophy asserts that interior design is a living, continuous conversation between human beings and their physical surroundings. Rejecting the modern obsession with sterile perfection, Karen embraces patina, natural aging, and historical continuity. From sun fading wood floors to hand oils softening metal finishes, natural materials capture the history of a home. She views sustainable design not just as a technical checklist, but as the art of preserving and refinishing enduring natural elements—such as sanding down and re-oiling original solid teak wall paneling during a 40-story lobby renovation rather than sending it to a landfill.

    The conversation delves into the deep emotional state behind real estate transactions. Recognizing that major life transitions—such as births, deaths, career changes, or divorces—drive people to buy or renovate homes, Karen positions emotional comfort as the ultimate goal of design. She deconstructs client requests to find the underlying feeling, translating a request for a blue sofa into a desire for safety and childhood nostalgia.

    Ultimately, Karen believes that exceptional design should feel natural and almost invisible. When scale, proportion, light, and texture are correctly aligned, the design recedes into the background, allowing human life, family, and connection to take center stage. By replacing cold, high-contrast, sterile environments with rich natural textures, spaces foster genuine emotional peace and timeless elegance.

    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    43 min
  7. Living Art in the Home: The Plant Daddies on Curating Exotic Trees, Custom Vessels, and High-End Plant Design

    Episode 31

    Show notes

    Lucarelli and Dane. Dane’s connection to organic materials started early in life while working for his father, a cooking professor, before transitioning to a greenhouse in Virginia and eventually pursuing formal studies at the Los Angeles Institute of Architecture and Design. Macy, coming from a background as a real estate agent, used large trees as memorable closing gifts for clients to keep his services top-of-mind. During the COVID-19 pandemic, while working out together in the empty parking lot of the Hollywood Bowl, Macy noticed a local nursery with long queues and proposed launching a plant business—unaware that Dane had just registered Green Vibes Plant Co.

    Combining forces under the memorable moniker "The Plant Daddies"—a nod to Macy’s history of planting passion fruit vines across Los Angeles—the duo set out to reshape the indoor plant industry. Early in their business, a pivotal moment occurred during an installation in West Hollywood. While unloading specimen plants, movers brought in an authentic Basquiat painting on loan from the Broad Museum. When the entire family gathered to admire the plants rather than the multi-million dollar art piece, Macy and Dane realized that curated greenery could serve as the primary design statement in high-end architecture.

    Through a shared work ethic, constant experimentation, and a willingness to break traditional horticultural rules, Macy and Dane have cared for over 10,000 plants and trees. Supported by a third business partner, Kenny, who handles financial and administrative operations, the duo has expanded their practice into a multi-location design studio with locations in Los Angeles and Orange County.

    Explore more at: theplantdaddies.com

    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1 hr 7 min
  8. Why Living With Style Is About Lifestyle, and Integrity with Brittany Farinas

    Episode 30

    Show notes

    Brittany Farinas’s connection to design began at six years old while spending time in the furniture showroom where her mother worked. By age 21, while attending college and trying to chart a lucrative yet passionate path, she launched her own firm, House of One. Lacking formal experience at other firms, Brittany built her business through sheer drive, balancing a real estate license, waitressing at night, and working in a real estate office by day, all while managing clients in between. Her relentless work ethic earned her early word-of-mouth referrals, proving that credibility comes from delivering value rather than age.

    Starting a firm at such a young age meant confronting industry biases, but Brittany Farinas channeled those challenges into sharpening her instincts as a leader. Over time, she shifted away from the initial "yes girl" mindset and hustle mentality that drove her early career. Early on, she felt the pressure to accept every project, hit external milestones, and constantly pitch new portfolio work. However, experiencing burnout and eventually becoming a mother transformed her approach, grounding her in intention, peace, and health.

    Today, Brittany Farinas leads House of One with confidence, authenticity, and selective curation. Reflecting on her evolution, she embraces every past challenge as a necessary learning experience that shaped her strategic vision. Rather than measuring success by the volume of projects, she focuses on delivering a high-value, deeply considered service for clients who align with her firm's standards and values.

    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    35 min
  9. Crafting Quality in the West: Jeremiah Young on Architecture, Scale, and Timeless Interior Design

    Episode 29

    Show notes

    Jeremiah Young’s path to becoming the principal designer and owner of Kibler & Kirch was anything but conventional. Having moved constantly as a child—living in 17 different places before age 17—Jeremiah found his early stability at his grandparents' house. That longing for a restorative environment planted a deep appreciation for the power of home. Moving to Montana as a teenager in 1994, he first stepped into Kibler & Kirch and felt an immediate aesthetic connection. Though he pursued an English Literature degree, worked as a librarian, and ran a clothing boutique, Jeremiah continuously self-educated in design, architecture, and textiles.

    In 2010, after discovering that Kibler & Kirch’s founders were planning a retirement sale, Jeremiah stepped in to acquire and reimagine the business. Drawing on the firm’s established reputation—originally founded in 1990 and named after the founders’ grandmothers—he preserved its core identity while shifting it from a retail store into a full-service design firm. Today, Jeremiah leads the 35-year-old firm, honoring its origins while guiding high-end residential and commercial projects across the West.

    Jeremiah's journey reflects a deep respect for historical continuity, hard work, and serendipity. From buying the firm he admired as a teenager to recently acquiring a historic 1905 Victorian home from its original family, his life’s work revolves around preserving stories and crafting meaningful spaces.

    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    58 min
  10. Designing Beyond Trends: Amy Courtney on Crafting High-Quality, Bold Interior Spaces

    Episode 28

    Show notes

    Amy Courtney’s entry into interior design wasn’t an intentional career detour—it was the environment she grew up in. Raised in New Rochelle, New York, by a mother who was an interior designer and painter, and a father who worked as a carpenter, Amy lived at the direct intersection of construction and aesthetics. Her parents operated a general contracting business and flipped every home the family lived in, resulting in Amy living in approximately 20 different houses in the same school district before heading to college. By simply observing her parents, attending client meetings, and visiting fabric showrooms, she absorbed the fundamentals of craftsmanship, finishing touches, and job-site tools early on.

    Her formal career began in Connecticut, where she worked for seven years as a designer in an interior design retail store. While that role provided foundation and experience, Amy found the prevailing regional style—dominated by coastal neutrals and repetitive light woods—uninspiring. Seeking broader creative opportunities, she moved to New York City, where she encountered eclectic clients who embraced bold color palettes, pattern mixing, and custom designs. This transition allowed her to draw directly from her mother’s artistic influence and lean into her innate love for vibrant, expressive spaces.

    Reflecting on her years working within larger firm structures and retail sales settings, Amy eventually identified what she did not want for her own business. She rejected corporate environments driven purely by escalating sales quotas and rushed deadlines, choosing instead to establish an independent practice focused on intentional work. Today, Amy brings her full background—from childhood job-site exposure to city-driven creative boldness—into running a specialized firm that balances construction rigor with detailed interior styling.

    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    43 min
  11. Noz Nozawa on Spatial Freedom, Creative Boundaries, and Designing for Joy

    Episode 27

    Show notes

    Noz Nozawa’s awareness of how spatial environments shape human emotion began during a challenging childhood. Growing up in a difficult domestic situation where she was not permitted to alter or personalize the common areas of the house, her bedroom became her solitary sanctuary. It wasn't until she went away to college and moved into her very first apartment in San Francisco that she experienced the transformative autonomy of shaping her own living quarters.

    That initial taste of spatial independence was immediately put to the test by a notoriously messy roommate. Noz recalls an extreme living environment marked by neglected appliances and mold growing on abandoned iced tea containers left on the floor. During a Christmas break, Noz gifted her roommate a complete clean-up of the apartment. The immediate, palpable relief they both felt upon returning to a clean, ordered home provided Noz with her very first visceral lesson: physical surroundings directly dictate mental health, emotional clarity, and daily sanity.

    This early realization served as the underlying foundation for Noz Design, which she established 12 years ago after transitioning out of marketing. Over a decade later, Noz has built a celebrated, multi-faceted practice known for its vibrant, deeply expressive interiors. Her journey illustrates how navigating early personal constraints can cultivate a profound empathy for human living spaces, fueling a multi-decade career centered on wellness and personal sanctuary.

    Find more about Noz at: http://nozdesign.com @noznozawa

    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1 hr 5 min
  12. Timeless Soul with Kara Childress

    Episode 26

    Show notes

    Kara Childress’ illustrious career in interior design has spanned over four decades, tracing back to her professional beginnings in 1984. Operating long before the advent of digital mood boards, Pinterest, or internet algorithms, Kara’s early career was built on the foundation of hands-on physical discovery and pure relationships. Based in Houston, Texas, she began her design journey with a deep curiosity for European design history, establishing a clear lane that would guide her studio's signature "old-world meets modern living" aesthetic.

    Her early path was shaped by a distinct work ethic and the dual challenge of growing a high-level business while raising a family. Kara candidly reflects on the early days of juggling school carpools and client presentations, admitting that she used to battle a sense of guilt about balancing her demanding career with motherhood. Decades later, however, those same children have grown up to follow in her entrepreneurial footsteps, showing her how deeply her passion and dedication influenced their own lives and career trajectories.

    Today, Kara stands as one of the Southwest's most celebrated design figures, leading a tight-knit team of women who she warmly refers to as her extended family. Her journey from the analogue design landscapes of the mid-1980s to the cusp of publishing her first major monograph is a testament to the power of authenticity, patience, and a refusal to compromise on quality.

    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    49 min
  13. Deke Rogers on Timeless Antiques, the Layered Design Philosophy, and Living History

    Episode 25

    Show notes

    In this episode, Deke Rogers shares the thoughtful philosophy and hands-on approach that have made him one of the South’s most respected voices in antiques, interiors, and timeless design. As the founder of Collected for the Home, his celebrated brick-and-mortar retail studios—now with locations in both Birmingham, Alabama, and New Orleans—serve as living expressions of his belief that every object carries a story worth preserving.

    Throughout the conversation, Deke explains why true character should never be sacrificed in the pursuit of perfection. He challenges the growing trend of aggressively restoring antique furnishings, cautioning that excessive bleaching and refinishing often erase the very history that gives a piece its value, beauty, and soul. Rather than attempting to make antiques look new, he champions preserving their authentic patina as a testament to generations of craftsmanship and use.

    Deke also reveals how he creates interiors that feel collected rather than decorated. His process centers on balance, proportion, and personality—thoughtfully blending 18th- and 19th-century antiques with clean Mid-Century and contemporary pieces to produce spaces that are layered, dynamic, and deeply personal. Every composition is driven by the homeowner’s story rather than adherence to a single historical period or design style.

    For collectors, designers, and homeowners alike, Deke offers practical insights into mixing wood tones, textures, finishes, and eras without sacrificing harmony. His perspective transforms decorating into an exercise in storytelling, demonstrating that the most compelling interiors are those that embrace history, celebrate craftsmanship, and reflect the lives of the people who inhabit them. Whether through his design work or the carefully curated collections found inside Collected for the Home, Deke Rogers reminds us that timeless interiors are built through authenticity, thoughtful curation, and an appreciation for the beauty that only time can create.

    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    29 min
  14. Orchestrating Space with Kari Bennett

    Episode 24

    Show notes

    Kari Bennett’s professional evolution is a compelling story of shifting from purely creative instincts to high-level systemic mastery. In the earlier chapters of her career, she identified strictly as a traditional interior designer, focusing heavily on aesthetics, material curation, and spatial beauty. However, as she navigated the complex execution of major commercial and residential projects, she recognized that exceptional design could not exist without bulletproof operational structures. This realization marked a major turning point, pushing her to study the underlying mechanics of business efficiency.

    This evolutionary shift ultimately led to the founding and scaling of Edge Design, widely known as EdgeID. Rather than letting her business be dictated by the chaotic, fragmented workflows common in the design trade, Kari intentionally built a studio defined by clear parameters, reliable execution pathways, and ironclad operational precision. She transitioned her internal identity from a singular creative individual to a master strategist, building an ecosystem where ideas are never left as abstract sketches but are systematically Karid all the way through to physical reality.

    Today, Kari stands as a celebrated firm leader who successfully balances a busy professional career with a vibrant, grounding family life that includes her husband, three children, and the family dog. She candidly acknowledges that her passion for her craft is what fuels her drive every single morning, making her genuinely look forward to stepping into the car and tackling new design challenges. Her journey serves as an inspiring blueprint for creative entrepreneurs, proving that true professional fulfillment comes from marrying artistic talent with a passion for building lasting people and systems.

    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    30 min
  15. Vern Yip's Philosophy of Purposeful Spaces

    Episode 23

    Show notes

    In this episode, Vern Yip shares the exact tactical methods, operational frameworks, and professional philosophies that define his approach to spatial creation. He challenges the standard, clinical view of home remodeling by establishing a definitive design baseline: exceptional design is never simply about superficial aesthetics. Instead, his methodical approach prioritizes creating highly intentional environments that celebrate a homeowner's unique story and actively reflect their core personal values.

    Tactically, Vern treats space planning like a meticulous narrative puzzle. His discovery process focuses heavily on understanding a client's specific daily behaviors, routines, and underlying psychological needs before any material selections or floor plans are drafted. He argues that this deep operational layer cannot simply be taught in a standard classroom; rather, it requires a designer to cultivate a fine tuned instinct for reading human behavior and translating daily habits into highly optimized circulation pathways and functional zones.

    For listeners looking to refine their own living environments or execute complex renovations, Vern's philosophy offers a clear roadmap. He emphasizes the tactical balance between high performance and visual comfort, steering clients away from fleeting, over-hyped internet trends that quickly lose their value. By focusing on structural integrity, proper scale, and purposeful detail, his studio constructs enduring backdrops that simplify daily living and allow a physical structure to gracefully adapt over a multi-generational lifecycle.

    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1 hr 14 min
  16. Spaces That Breathe with Lauren Thomsen

    Episode 22

    Show notes

    Lauren Thomsen’s profound connection to architectural environments began with a deeply formative childhood event when she was just seven years old. After her family made the decision to relocate, a young Lauren found herself sitting in the back of her mother's realtor's car, completely mesmerized as they toured a wide array of houses. Walking through those highly varied layouts, she experienced an architectural epiphany, intensely imagining the entirely different types of lives she might live within each distinct boundary. This early realization that spatial layout directly dictates the quality of human life established a permanent lane that she would follow into her adult career.

    Before gaining the confidence to launch her own independent firm, Lauren pursued a rigorous academic path and built a strong foundation inside prestigious, high-stakes design studios. She describes her years spent working under established mentors as an invaluable phase where she learned the complex operational realities of translating abstract blueprints into physical structures. However, as she sharpened her technical skills, she increasingly felt a strong internal push to express her own unique, holistic design language—one that favored soulful intention and longevity over fast-paced corporate execution.

    This desire for creative alignment ultimately led to the founding of Philadelphia-based Lauren Thomsen Design. For Lauren, stepping into entrepreneurship was not driven by individual vanity, but by a necessity to craft a practice that could seamlessly blend rigorous architectural discipline with an empathetic understanding of her clients' personal narratives. Her journey stands as a powerful masterclass for emerging designers, illustrating how a pure childhood fascination with spatial possibilities can mature into a celebrated, forward-looking architectural studio.

    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    48 min
  17. Scott Hudson on Henrybuilt, Master Carpentry, and Whole-House Engineering

    Episode 21

    Show notes

    Scott Hudson’s creative lineage is deeply rooted in American craftsmanship, carrying the name of his grandfather, Henry, who was originally a farmer turned carpenter-builder. Growing up on a piece of land that had been split across generations of his family, Scott was raised by his mother and his grandfather just five miles down the road. Beginning at the young age of twelve, Scott spent his summers laboring alongside his grandfather—doing everything from repairing weathered barn roofs and building fences to laying structural concrete foundations.

    This early immersion in the trade instilled in Scott a foundational understanding of raw materials and spatial geometry, effectively embedding a passion for building into his DNA. Alongside this technical training was a rich domestic culture anchored by a massive two-acre garden, cattle, and a grandmother who was an exceptional cook. This environment taught Scott to view the kitchen not as an isolated showroom, but as a hard-working, vibrant extension of agricultural life and family sustenance, a perspective that would later shape his corporate trajectory.

    After transitioning through diverse intellectual pursuits—including studying creative writing, working in literature, and entering the fast-paced corporate tech sector during the dot-com boom—Scott returned to his foundational roots. In 2001, he combined his grandfather's legacy of rigorous manual execution with his own refined corporate insights to launch Henrybuilt. From its humble origins, the company has grown into a major force in high-end design, proving that a deep-seated respect for ancestral utility can revolutionize modern luxury living.

    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    48 min
  18. Outlining the Human Space with Laura Tribbett

    Episode 20

    Show notes

    Laura Tribbett’s evolutionary path into interior design had a remarkably early and structured beginning in the public school system of suburban Twin Cities, Minnesota. In the mid-1990s, a fourth-grade school assignment requiring graph paper and a scaled cardboard model house sparked a lifelong fascination with space planning. Growing up in a household with a one-story layout, a young Laura designed a two-story miniature cabin with a dramatic opening overlooking the main floor—an architectural element that represented the ultimate luxury in her eyes. This formative cardboard project established a clear lane that she would eagerly follow into adulthood.

    As the youngest of three siblings, Laura enjoyed a high degree of creative autonomy within her home. Her parents, who balanced careers as musicians and language and math teachers, gave her free rein to experiment, allowing her to constantly rearrange her furniture and explore 1990s trends like sponge painting and wallpaper borders. This self-directed exploration was heavily supplemented by consuming shelter magazines and racing home from school to absorb the transformative—and sometimes wildly chaotic—episodes of early home improvement television programs like TLC's Trading Spaces.

    While she pursued interior design as her core major in college, Laura candidly acknowledges that her real education only truly commenced upon stepping into professional high-stakes work environments. She sharpened her skills across the industry before taking the leap to launch her own firm. Intentionally naming the venture "Outline Interiors" rather than utilizing her own name, she aimed to establish a highly collaborative environment focused on collective, beautiful execution rather than individual vanity. Her path highlights how a blend of early public educational opportunities and a passion for spatial puzzle-solving can build a lasting legacy.

    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    39 min
  19. The Design Alchemist, the journey of Marcel Wanders

    Episode 19

    Show notes

    Marcel Wanders' journey into the world of creation began long before he or the world around him even had a word for "design". Growing up in the Netherlands, where his parents ran a local shop, a young Marcel found his sanctuary in a backroom filled with broken items. Armed with just a hammer and a few screwdrivers at three or four years old, he would enthusiastically unscrew objects to study how they were made. He began gluing these pieces together to craft little sculptural fidgets as gifts for visiting aunts, discovering early on the intoxicating power of extracting a joyous, emotional reaction through handmade objects.

    This early instinct evolved into a deeply personal design philosophy centered on the concept of the "ultimate gift". Marcel realized that a truly great creation must feel intimately customized for the recipient while remaining unmistakably reflective of the giver's unique identity. This guiding principle ultimately anchored his professional life, driving him to view every commercial product and immersive interior space as a medium to celebrate and deepen the relationship between himself and his audience.

    The trajectory of his career changed forever with the 1996 debut of the iconic Knotted Chair, a piece that seamlessly fused handcrafted magic with technical innovation. Shortly thereafter, Marcel co-founded the globally renowned design brand Moooi alongside Casper Vissers, transforming a local Amsterdam lampshade venture into a premier launchpad for vanguard design talent. Today, having famously closed his massive powerhouse studio three years ago to embark on a solo path of rediscovery, Marcel looks back at his decades of work not as a series of shifting styles, but as a singular, organically growing philosophy.

    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    54 min
  20. The Editorial Eye: Michelle Morgan Harrison on Fashion, Ground-Up Construction, and Timeless Interiors

    Episode 18

    Show notes

    Michelle Morgan Harrison’s creative trajectory began not in design studios, but in the fast-paced world of 1990s print fashion journalism. An intersectional internship between her junior and senior years of college at Elle magazine introduced her to legendary industry giants like Marion McEvoy and Rona Berg. After completing her degree in magazine journalism at Syracuse University, she transitioned into a full-time career in the fashion capitol ecosystem.

    Her early professional years were defined by old-school curation, starting as the wardrobe manager for Mirabella magazine under the iconic Grace Mirabella. Working in the fashion closets handling couture dresses and traveling across Europe to cover runway shows alongside visionary creative directors, Michelle developed a keen instinct for predicting cultural shifts. During the height of the mid-90s "British Invasion," she was running up five flights of stairs in London to help spot and support emerging talents like Alexander McQueen.

    The transition into interior architecture happened organically as Michelle rose to become the fashion director at Mirabella, where she began managing holistic home and lifestyle photo shoots. After a brief stint directing corporate editorial work for Saks, her passion for historical home restoration took center stage. Shortly after relocating to Connecticut and giving birth to her second child, neighbors began knocking on her door to ask about her exterior paint colors and light fixtures—a sign that inspired her to officially launch her own design firm Morgan Harrison Home in 2006.

    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    54 min