Listen Now

Launched in 2016, by House Beautiful Next Wave Designer, Rasheeda Gray, Gray Space is a full-service design firm focused on curating interiors that are contemporary, chic and classic. From new construction builds to whole house renovations, Gray Space specializes in residential and boutique commercial projects throughout the Philadelphia (Pennsylvania), New Jersey and Delaware area. Through a thoughtful and collaborative design process, the Gray Space team works to design spaces that reflect who you are and will inspire you for years to come. https://grayspaceinteriors.com/ https://www.instagram.com/grayspaceinteriordesign/ Sponsor: https://www.saatva.com/

We can’t emphasize enough the importance we place on fit—in both personality and style. We focus on quality over quantity, partnering on projects that reflect our values and our soulful aesthetic. While we listen to the architecture of the house, our process is very much client-driven, focusing on function and your style preferences. We aim to add a tailor made feel to your home. Staying small and intentional is the goal of our studio. Values are important to us—while we strive for uniqueness, we look for items that will last. We also honor and believe in true craftsmanship and love having the opportunity to source from smaller makers. We love to tell a story through our sourcing. We use vintage pieces whenever we can to lean into our values of sustainability and quality. https://www.yondinteriors.com/ https://www.instagram.com/yondinteriors/ Sponsors: https://www.saatva.com/

Stephanie believes tht good esign is not embodied in a specific design style. Good design is the careful consideration of scale and proportion; the study of light and color. It tells of the old while embracing the new. It reflects a life, YOUR life. And every interior space, just like every life, shoud be one of a kind.  https://www.sabbeinteriordesign.com/home https://www.instagram.com/sabbeinteriordesign/

This is a special episode to discuss true commitment when it comes to anti-racist work. I am watching folks check boxes like it is a to do list. I am here to tell you that it is NOT! This is a life long commitment of unlearning raciscm as well as looking at your privilege under a magnifying lens. It is not enought to attend a rally or write a check to a black organization, it is way more than that! My question to you is, "are you REALLY committed?"  It looks like you want recognition for your performance. 

Regine is a renaissance DIY Maven! She is all about her love for interior design and all that makes a house a home, from DIY projects, home renovations, interviews with interior designers, and the Haitian food she is cooking up in the Kreyol Kitchen. https://the256project.com/ https://www.instagram.com/the256project/

Deesha Dyer is the Founder & CEO of Hook & Fasten, a social impact firm. Dyer is an award-winning event strategist, community organizer, and speaker who specializes in transforming ideas into causes that create tangible change. A 2019 Resident Fellow for the Harvard Kennedy School Institute of Politics, her career and personal journey reflects an unwavering passion for servant leadership, civic engagement, and social justice. On her journey from a 31-year old community college student intern to social secretary for the Obama White House, Deesha resolved to not only open, but build doors of opportunity, support, and access to others. Deesha worked with the President and First Lady to plan and arrange all official and personal events hosted at the White House. She coordinated the historic visit of Pope Francis, State Dinners with leaders from China, Canada, Italy, Singapore and Italy, and booked legendary acts like Beyonce, Bruce Springsteen, Aretha Franklin and more. Deesha is the co-founder and Executive Director of beGirl.world, an organization that empowers teen girls through global education and travel. In 2019, beGirl.world awarded scholarships to two black female college students who have been accepted into study abroad programs. She also oversees additional initiatives, including Black Girl 44, a scholarship fund for young black women seeking internships in Washington, D.C., and the Deesha Dyer Second Chance Scholarship at the Community College of Philadelphia. Deesha recently completed a two-year tenure at the Ford Foundation. She is a sought after keynote speaker known for delivering engaging talks on topics spanning women in leadership, diversity, and social change. She was named to Marie Claire’s new guard of women changing the world and the Root’s most influential African-Americans. A proud Philly native who currently resides in Harlem, she has been featured in national media outlets, not limited to, but including Vogue, Travelnoire, and The Washington Post. http://www.deeshadyer.com/ https://www.instagram.com/deedyer267/ https://www.saatva.com/?coupon=gaildavis

Dressing Rooms Interiors Studio LLC, a boutique vintage furniture shop and design studio.  The studio has become a destination for vintage furnishings, global accessories, and more.  Named "one of the Best Living Vintage in America" by House Beautiful and included on AD PRO's list of the best home decor stores in America, the shop has received national recognition. Growing up in a home infused with art and culture has influenced her casual collected style and playful use of patterns and colors. For Ariene collecting is about judgement, taste and imagination. https://www.dressingroomsinteriorsstudio.com/ https://www.instagram.com/dressmyroom/?hl=en

Today's episode is to remind you that you have to put in the work for your dreams. You don't get there by hoping & waiting on folks. You must nurture your dream & work at it until it happens. 

Kati Curtis Design is a full service, interior design firm based in New York City specializing in classic design with a global influence. Whether designing residential or commercial spaces, KCD has built a reputation on achieving highly individual results for a discerning, international clientele. KCD crafts visual stories that become signature surroundings. Guided by clients’ aspirations, as well as their diverse experiences, the firm designs singular interiors, which allow clients to fully express who they are, and what holds meaning to them. The history and location of the project, coupled with KCD’s broad base of experience, and its firm belief that successful design must be generated by the individual characteristics of each project, let’s KCD create extraordinary interiors. A portfolio of completed work includes historic restorations, contemporary renovations and new construction projects. Supported by an underlying thread of sustainable quality, Kati Curtis Design ensures that the clients’ greatest investment is also their greatest source of comfort, pride and self-expression. https://www.katicurtisdesign.com/ https://www.instagram.com/katicurtisdesign/?hl=en

With degrees in both psychology and interior design, principal designer Michelle Dirkse’s unique training allows her to understand both the psyche and the artistic foundation of the design process. After purchasing and remodeling her first condo in 2004 Michelle decided to pivot from a career in social work to focus on her creative side. Following a few years gaining industry experience, she launched her eponymous firm in 2013, employing her cognitive research abilities to discover  creative meaning and analytical solutions in every project along the way. In recent years, she has worked with local artists to transform their original artwork into kaleidoscopic patterns for her in-house collection of fabric, wallpaper, home accessories, decor items, and more. Michelle is inspired by change and transformation—looking at ways to elevate common elements to something of beauty and intentionality. Interior design allows her to create living, functional art pieces in which every project presents a particular puzzle to solve. Her personal taste runs the gamut from the subdued to the bold, the traditional to the modern, and the minimalist to the maximalist. She relishes in the opportunity to explore all of her aesthetic passions by working with a variety of clients, each with their own sense of style. https://www.michelledirkse.com/ https://www.instagram.com/michelledirkse/?hl=en

Norma Kamali has been in the fashion industry for over 50 years and is known for her innovative designs. She designed the Sleeping Bag Coat on a camping trip in the seventies, as well as multi-style jersey dresses. In 1973 her designs were referred to as ‘vintage of the future’ and are, in fact, part of her line today in washable, easy-care fabrics. Her swimwear has made a global influence for over forty years. The Parachute Collection is in several notable museums and is still evolving as part of her collection today. In 1980 Norma introduced her sweats collection that became the forerunner of what is today called Active and Athleisure Wear. In the mid-nineties she created the NK ‘try before you buy’ website and was the first designer to have a store on eBay. During this time, she continued her exploration of alternative, healthy lifestyle practices; a search that began after the loss of her dear friends to AIDS. After 9/11 Norma opened the Wellness Café; a curated collection of personal care and food products that support the immune system. The Wellness Café hosted talks and events featuring experts in the wellness arena. Teas, meditation, and classes were held every day at 6 pm. In 2007 Norma collaborated with Walmart in a three-year licensee partnership where she created a collection of timeless styles all $20 and under. According to Norma, this was one of the most inspired and exciting experiences of her career. As a result of the successful collection on Walmart.com, Norma was determined to transform her company to be exclusively e-commerce. Her current distribution network is to all major e-commerce players as well as a selection of specialty stores throughout America and Europe. In 2016 Norma Kamali received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the CFDA to add to her numerous awards from the fashion industry. In 2019 NORMALIFE was launched under the concept of a healthy lifestyle. NORMALIFE is democratic and inclusive for men and women of all ages, skin color, and type. The first launch was a skin line of timeless, safe ingredients and the packaging was developed with a sustainability focus. I AM INVINCIBLE, Norma’s healthy lifestyle guide on aging with power, was released February 2021. Norma continues to live through her purpose in life of empowering women. https://normakamali.com/ https://www.instagram.com/normakamali/?hl=en

I am returning to share some thoughts on vetting folks. It is important to invest in your business, but it is more important to know whom you are giving your money to. Also, it is great to learn as much as you can, but it is equally important to implement what you have learned! 

Monique Stemper is the founder & brains of Stemper & Associates.  Stemper & Associates customizes accounting, project management, as well as growth and development services to each designer’s unique needs . We help designers streamline their business process, control the bottom line, and maximize business profits so they can spend less time on paperwork and focus on doing what they love—design. https://stemperandassociates.com/

Today on the podcast I am sharing what I learned at the Business of Home Future of Home conference. It was phenomenal!  If I can share one thing with you, it would be to attend the conferences that will help grow your business. Do not look at it like it is an unnecessary expense, what it actually is, is an opportunity for YOU to grow your business & invest in yourself. The money you put out will return a thousand times if you implement what you learn. Learn to invest in your dream and truly give it ALL you got! I promise you, it will be worth it.

This is a message to faux ally's every where. Get comfortable with being uncomfortable and unlearn the entitlement & hatred that upholds white supremacy. STOP acting shock when you get it wrong. STOP with the hypocrisy. DO BETTER. That's it. 

Fernando is the co-founder of Duke Renders. A 3-D Rendering studio based in beautiful Tulum, Mexico. Duke Renders serves busy interior designers with 100% accurate photo-realistic 3D Renderings of their creative designs. They make you and your clients feel proud, confident and empowered at every step of the design process. https://www.dukerenders.com/ https://www.instagram.com/dukerenders/?hl=en

Kaitlin Petersen is the editor in chief of Business of Home. She is also the author of the site’s 50 States Project, a weekly series that chronicles the unique challenges of running a design firm through interviews with interior designers state by state, and host of the podcast Trade Tales. Kaitlin has been writing about style and design for a decade, and her work has appeared in Elle Decor, House Beautiful, Metropolitan Home and Veranda, as well as Chicago, Texas Monthly, Time Out New York, and the international editions of Vanity Fair and Vogue. https://businessofhome.com/masthead/kaitlin_petersen https://www.instagram.com/knpetersen/?hl=en

Today we are going to address the most recent post from High Point Market Authority & their 10 chosen Design Influencers Tour. 

Shira Gill is the creative force behind Shira Gill Home, a lifestyle brand and popular blog. Her Virtual Closet Makeover Program and Get Organized Master Class sell out instantly, with hundreds of participants from all over the world. Shira has grown a cult-like following on Instagram, where her followers devour her authentic and funny content and share their own fifteen-minute wins (#15MinWin), from cleaning out a messy junk drawer to adding a calendar reminder to call their mother-in-law. She is releasing her first book, MINIMALISTA (Ten Speed Press, October 12th, 2021)- an approachable, fun, and effective guide to understanding what you want and need to feel better at home, this fall. https://shiragill.com/ https://www.instagram.com/shiragill/?hl=en

Today's guest is my client GraceAnne DiGiovacchino. She is a super busy woman who has a successful career, she is also a mom to a toddler & wife. GraceAnne found me via referral from a designer friend. She has NEVER worked with a designer & had no idea what to expect. She will share the lessons that she has learned being a homeowner &  what it is like to work with me.