Design Perspectives

Believe it or not, I was raised on a farm in NJ taking care of over 20 horses. From that upbringing, I learned many lessons that are still very much a part of me today. The value of hard work, ethics, showing up on time, doing what you say you are going to do, attention to detail, the power of please and thank you and the notion that you always leave something better than you found it are ingraine...

Today's episode is entitled..."Don't Judge a Book by Its Cover." I recently was sourcing fabric from a local rep and per usual, the following questions ALWAYS occur; "how much?" "What is the stock?" And if you don't have it in stock..."when will it come in?" These are run of the mill questions, I don't care even if you have a client that has "no budget." Newsflash, EVERYONE has a number; even if t...

I am here to talk about the Meridian Experience with Albie Buabend aka @albieknows. This 4 day event takes place June 8-11th in Bellevue, Washington. Tickets are ONLY $1528!!! This event is like no other as it is spearheaded by a Black woman who understands the word "inclusive." The list of guest speakers is insane! You won't want to miss this event! https://meweekend.com/ https://albieknows.desig...

I am still on my introspective journey. How do you define success? What is your idea of happiness? Prosperity? I have a few ideas that I am sharing. 

The Meridian Experience is a 4-day  in person event tailored to celebrate and support the multi hyphenate design creative on their designpreneur journey through a curated curriculum & intentional relationship building. Meridian — M aking E xceptional R elationships with I nterior D esign I nfluencers through A uthentic N etworking — is more than just a conference. It’s an experience that’...

Hi there! It's me and I am back! I have taken some time off to be silent. I do this when life is overwhelming and I feel disconnected. It is important to take time out for yourself and your thoughts. We have to get back to learning how to be bored; there are so many distractions out there that imposter syndrome, insecurities, etc. can creep in and take over. I am challenging you to be silent. I wa...

Jasmine Pruitt is known for creating calm in a world full of chaos by organizing and simplifying your life. Growing up in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Jasmine fell in love with keeping her personal items organized and neat at a young age. Once Jasmine graduated high school, she moved to Philadelphia where she attended Philadelphia University and majored in both Fashion Merchandising and Business....

Living in the moment is SO important! I was for sure that Covid-19 taught the world such valuable lessson of slowing down. But now, everyone is over staying home & forgetting the VALUE of time! Time with family. Time with friends. Time with ones thoughts. I watched folks learn to LOVE the slower pace, it forced them to lean into taking life in as oppose to blowing through it. I want to challen...

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 thou...

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...

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/sabbe...

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...

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...

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 i...

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...

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 launc...

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 ove...

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 the...

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 o...

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 De...