All-In Design

Join us on this episode of All-In Design, as we speak with Sarah Moore of Sarah Catherine Design. This episode was a bit of a departure for us, with more of a focus on residential design and in exploring Sarah's journey from commercial design to starting her own firm in the residential world. It's a lively discussion about details big and small and about how to add layers to make a space...

Join us on this episode of All-In Design, as we speak with Jenn Mercier with 5th Dimension. After a lengthy discussion about Design Week in Chicago (NeoCon and Design Days), we get into Jenn's journey from working at various firms around the Atlanta area, to finding 5th Dimension, and then her move to Birmingham four years ago. Jenn has been involved in IIDA for many years with the Georgia ch...

On this episode of All-In Design, we speak with Lauren Hulsey of Barrett Kent Studio. Join us as we hear about Lauren's journey from Anniston, to Tuscaloosa, to 30A, to Atlanta, and then to Birmingham - a circuitous route of making bold moves, trial by fire, and gaining experience and knowledge along the way. We also learn all about her firm's work on the Mountain Brook Fire Station, whi...

Join us on this episode of All-In Design, as we speak with Jenine Kilgore, owner of Gallery Services Collaborative. Jenine has been a strong supporter of IIDA and Gallery Services has hosted many of our local chapter's industry events (just a quick shout out). For anyone that knows Jenine, they would not be surprised that this is a free flowing conversation - one that goes from her history an...

Join us on this episode of All-In Design, as we speak with Leah Newton with Live Design Group. Live Design takes a different approach to the initial conversations and design process, with a 2-day in person design session with their clients. We also discuss technology and where the industry may go as AI becomes a bigger and bigger part of our lives and, of course, we get sidetracked and talk about...

Join us on this episode of All-In Design, as we speak with Sarah Jelks with Nequette Architecture & Design. Listen in as we hear about Sarah's start in New Orleans, studying interior design at Auburn University, and how she found her way to her current position as design lead at Nequette. You will also learn about her propensity to wear facial hair for Halloween costumes and her skills at...

It's a two-fer on this episode of All-In Design, as we speak with Amelia Hicks with Davis Architects and her twin sister Margaret Hicks with Hatcher Schuster Interiors. It was a joy to sit down with both sisters and hear their journey from Tampa to Samford to both working at A/D firms in Birmingham. It's a fun dynamic interviewing two people who know each other so well and we hope you fi...

Join us on this episode of All-In Design, as we speak with Adam Whitley of Interface. We had a great conversation with Adam learning about his background in the flooring industry, extensive schooling at Auburn, and what part of the Unicorn he makes up with his partner in the market. It was nice to turn the tables and ask "All-In Design wants to know..." 

Join us on this episode of All-In Design, as we speak with Tracy Engel with ASD|SKY.  Tracy comes to the podcast with a lot of experience and shares her path through the industry and longevity with her current firm. We speak on the importance of developing relationships and Tracy shares some tips on how to impress when you are young designer. For people that know Tracy, she is direct and has a gre...

Join us on this episode of All-In Design, as we speak with Jennifer Mitchell with Tarkett. We follow Jennifer's journey from interior designer in Texas and Louisiana to her current position as a sales rep for Tarkett. We also explore Jennifer's role with IIDA and upcoming events with our local chapter. 

Join us on this episode of "All-In Design" where we speak with Jim Griffo, president of the Alabama Interior Design Coalition and adjunct professor at Samford University. Jim has had a long career in the industry, formally as a Managing Principle and Director of the Architecture and Interior Design Studio for Gresham Smith in Alabama, president of the local IIDA chapter, and having recei...

Join us on this episode of All-In Design as we speak with Alexa Turner with CCR Architecture & Interiors. We had a wide ranging discussion starting with Alexa's start at Lowes (a job, by the way, that Mark couldn't get), working at Tarkett's plant in Florence, and then her first commercial job at GMC. Alexa helps us to understand storytelling within interior design and how that...

Join us on this incorrectly numbered episode of "All-In Design", as we talk with our friend Mary-Claire Brown with Turnerbatson. On this episode, we talk about Mary-Claire's journey from nursing to interior design and her tapping into her creative side within the interior design profession. We also discuss her previous role as IIDA Alabama chapter President and her uncanny ability t...

Join us on this last episode of the year where we speak with Jennifer Curry of Design Innovations. Jenn is a current board member of IIDA and walks us through her journey into interior design - from space planning at a young age with bits of paper, getting her degree in interior design at Auburn University, and landing an internship and ultimately a job at her current employer. Thank you for liste...

Join us on this episode of All-In Design in which we speak with Bridgette Pilkington of Mannington Commercial. Bridgette is both a IIDA board member and friend, who brought gifts for our two hosts (which is always appreciated, even if the beer was terrible). We discuss Bridgette's journey into the industry, how she stalked her now husband, and her connection to the funeral home industry. It&a...

Join us on this episode of All-In Design, as we talk with Tim O'Brien, sales director at Innerspaice Architectural Interiors.  As a friend and fellow "Showrunner", it was a fun discussion going back through Tim's past as the DesignTex rep, Herman Miller rep, and Milliken rep. Not many people in the industry has as much knowledge as Tim, sales knowledge that you can find in his...

If this podcast episode illustrates anything, it is that acoustics matter. Recording in a corner of a large room where others are also having lunch is something we will likely not do again. Mark and Chad interview those attending the 2025 IIDA Alabama Professional Development Symposium in Birmingham. 

Join us on this episode of All-In Design, where we interview Jessica White of Hendon + Huckestein Architects. Jessica shares with us her love of herringbone , some of her favorite projects, and the great working environment of her firm. She also outlines how she got into interior design, the keys to success in the industry, and how (despite her parent's worries about the profession) she'...

Join us on this episode of All-In Design, as we speak with Lauren Taylor with Shaw Contract. Lauren talks through her journey from Ohio to Alabama and from wallcoverings to carpet. She also dives into her breast cancer diagnosis and the support she has received from friends, family, reps, and "Common Thread for the Cure". We also spend a decent amount of time roasting our fellow "Sh...

Join us on this episode of All-In Design for a quick update on AIDC (Alabama Interior Design Coalition). Andrew Aho, with KPS Group, comes on the podcast to discuss the new initiative with AIDC and the importance of becoming a member and getting involved. For more information about AIDC, you can check out their website at www.al-aidc.org .   

Join us on this episode of All-In Design, where we talk with Ambler McKinley with Handcrafted Interiors (and Trademark Booth Co). This episode is a continuation in our series of speaking to interior designers from the Rocket City. On this episode, we speak with Amber about starting your own design firm, taking every job you can when starting out (hello, Cullman garage!), and the difference between...

In our continued discussion with Huntsville interior designers, in this episode we interview Grace Hoffman with KPS Group.  Grace takes us through her journey of becoming an interior designer and how she landed at KPS Group (those IIDA events can be key!). We also discuss navigating the design of government projects and also sugar shacks, which this host had never heard of until speaking with Grac...

In this episode of All-In Design, we interview Ansley Potter and Molly Moore from McMillan Pazdan Smith. This is our first episode with two guests and the first time recording from Huntsville, AL. Those that know Ansley and Molly will not be surprised at how wide ranging this discussion gets, with the guests asking as many questions (if not more) than the hosts. It's a fun and lively episode,...

Join us on this episode of All-In Design, as we speak with Morgan Nelson with Davis Architects. As evidenced by the length of this episode, Morgan is not one to have difficulty speaking about any topic and we discussed a wide range. We touch on how buildings are built, A/V closets, dislike for certain colors and trends, designing for various sports facilities, and having a tough skin when it comes...

Join us on this episode of All-In Design, where we speak with Bethany Johnson of David Baker Architects. Learn about Bethany's journey from Auburn to Atlanta and then to Birmingham, following her desire to help people and make a difference in their lives through interior design and multi-family housing. We also learn about her "Hot Takes", as it relates to interior design, and also...