Hospitality Design Talks

In this episode of Hospitality Design Talks, host Rachel Larraine Crawford sits down with abstract artist Lindsey Lyons to explore how art can become a living part of a hospitality experience—not an afterthought. Lindsey shares her path from early “perfect” art-making to process-driven abstraction shaped by California’s rugged coastlines, volcanic landscapes, and a fascination with deep time. Her...

Today on Hospitality Design Talks , host Rachel Larraine Crawford sits down with Amy Morris of The Morris Project to talk about the real reason most hospitality brands struggle: it’s not a marketing problem — it’s a clarity problem. Amy shares how she helps founders define who they are in one to two sentences (and why every decision — interiors, hiring, menus, and guest touch points — should flow...

Lighting is doing far more than helping guests see — it’s shaping how long they stay, how comfortable they feel, and how much they spend. In this episode of Hospitality Design Talks, host Rachel Larraine Crawford sits down with Martin Epstein, founder of Tazz Lighting, to unpack how intentional, layered lighting quietly drives guest behavior, brand perception, and business performance. With decade...

In this episode of Hospitality Design Talks , host Rachel Larraine Crawford sits down with her longtime teacher and mentor, Amanda Sophia, for a conversation that blends feng shui, seasonal wisdom, and conscious business—with a special focus on the “in-between” season we’re in right now (that liminal space between the Year of the Snake and the incoming Fire Horse). Together, Rachel and Amanda expl...

In this guest episode of Hospitality Design Talks, host Rachel Larraine Crawford sits down with Lindsay Wynn—a San Diego + New York–based creative who’s spent nearly two decades weaving together hospitality, fine art, photography, and brand experience. Lindsay shares how her path (from waiting tables → opening restaurants → working with Jean-Georges → fashion/beauty/alcohol campaigns → building in...

Today I’m joined by Owen Curry of Cushman & Wakefield—and y’all, this is the real estate episode I’ve been waiting to record. If you’re an owner-operator with a big vision (restaurant, café, wellness studio, boutique concept) and you’re trying to land the right space—especially in a coastal market—this conversation will save you so much time, money, and stress. Owen breaks down what’s actually...

In this solo episode, holistic interior designer and Tiger Veil founder Rachel Larraine Crawford breaks down the holistic hospitality trends that actually matter for 2026. Instead of chasing another photo moment, Rachel invites owner operators to think about their space as a living system that impacts guest experience, staff wellbeing, and the bottom line. She walks through emerging bio based mate...

In the final episode of our Aura Gardens series, I’m joined again by co-owner R.J. Fernandez as we zoom all the way into what Aura feels like from the moment you walk in. We’re talking playlist, glassware, filtered water, lighting, greenery, textures, and the tiny design decisions that create that “vibrant but deeply cozy” energy guests keep describing. R.J. shares how hospitality is the true prod...

Hospitality Design Talks — Aura Garden Series (Part 3) with co-owner R.J. Fernandes In part three of the Aura Garden series, Rachel sits down with R.J. Fernandez for the hard chapter : when the “planned rebirth” of the family restaurant doesn’t happen, the building sells (December 2023), and R.J. has to grieve what he poured his life into. From there, we follow the pivot—through unemployment, a mo...

In part two of the Aura Gardens series, Rachel continues her conversation with co owner RJ Fernandez and picks up right where the story left off. If part one was about legacy, family, and the deep roots of a third generation steakhouse, this chapter is about what happens when that legacy starts to feel out of step with the times. RJ opens up about the slow slide into stagnation at the Murrieta res...

In this first episode of the Aura Gardens series, Rachel sits down with co owner RJ Fernandez to trace the roots of his hospitality story all the way back to a family steakhouse in Chino and Temecula. RJ was literally raised in a restaurant doing homework in booths, falling asleep on stacks of bread in the kitchen, and watching guests become extended family. Along the way, his family walked throug...

In this episode of Hospitality Design Talks , designer and host Rachel Larraine Crawford breaks down why hiring an interior designer isn’t a nice-to-have—it’s a core business strategy for hospitality owners. From saving time and avoiding costly mistakes, to translating your brand into a sensory guest experience, Rachel shares the top reasons bringing a designer onto your team can directly impact y...

This week, I’m taking you behind the veil of a real-time project: a 3,000-sq-ft, family-run Brazilian steakhouse in San Diego’s Gaslamp. After smoke and water damage from last year’s fire, the owners asked us to refresh on a very tight budget—without losing legacy. We’re building a nature-forward concept inspired by butterfly wings, jungle softness, and river ripples to attract a younger, social-s...

Hospitality isn’t just about food and service — it’s about the feeling you create, the stories you tell, and the communities you bring together. In this episode of Hospitality Design Talks , I’m joined by the brilliant and soulful Alex Ott, founder of Chrome City and the force behind The Blank Table . Alex shares her unexpected journey from bottle service in Chicago to building a boutique creative...

Designing for Experience: Food Service, User Flow & Holistic Consulting with Ryan Mikita Food service design is more than just kitchens—it’s about user experience, efficiency, and innovation. In this episode, I’m joined by Ryan Mikita, principal and partner at Ricca Design Studios, to explore the intersection of hospitality, kitchen design, and holistic consulting. Ryan shares his unexpected j...

Spring Equinox Energy Detox: Mercury & Venus Retrograde Edition Spring is a season of renewal, a time to clear out the old and welcome in fresh energy. But with Mercury and Venus in retrograde, things might feel a little off—communication may be misaligned, decision-making could feel clouded, and relationships, both personal and professional, might be under review. In this episode, I’m sharing...

Manifesting Wellness: Intentional Design, Energy & Movement with Tonia What does it take to create a space that truly supports transformation and well-being? In this episode, I sit down with Tonia to talk about the power of intentional environments, the energy behind movement, and the role of community in building a wellness-centered business. Tonia shares her journey from corporate life to th...

Episode 17: Transform Your Space – Interior Design Services for Small Business Owners Welcome to Episode 17 of the Holistic Hospitality Design Podcast ! In this episode, we’re diving into accessible and transformative interior design services tailored for owner-operated small businesses like cafés, restaurants, bars, studios, boutique hotels and wellness centers. As a professional interior designe...

In this episode of the Holistic Hospitality Design Podcast, Rachel Crawford interviews Brian Grover from Fox Point Farms. They discuss Brian's journey from structural engineering to urban design, the founding of Fox Point Farms, and the importance of place making in creating community-focused spaces. The conversation delves into the sustainable practices at Fox Point Farms, including the integrati...

In this episode of Holistic Hospitality , host Rachel Larraine Crawford uncovers the five hidden costs of skipping an interior designer for your hospitality project. From wasted time and costly mistakes to missed branding opportunities and budget mismanagement, Rachel highlights how professional design services can save you money, stress, and setbacks. She also dives into the critical role designe...

Daryl Schwartz, founder of Goodbar, shares his journey of creating non-alcoholic bars and the importance of shifting the mindset around money. He emphasizes the value of investments in people and platforms, rather than viewing them as expenses. Daryl discusses the success of Goodbar's event business and the plans for their brick and mortar locations. He highlights the importance of functionality a...

In this conversation, Rachel and Giulia discuss Virgo season and the eclipse in Pisces. They explore the qualities of Virgo, such as problem-solving, organization, and efficiency. They emphasize the importance of reevaluating and reorganizing during this time, both in personal and business aspects. They also discuss the spiritual aspect of Virgo season and the need to connect with one's soul. The...

In this episode, Rachel and astrologer Julia discuss the energy of Leo season and the significance of the retrogrades happening during this time. They explore the themes of passion, authenticity, and self-expression that are associated with Leo. They also discuss the retrogrades of Saturn, Neptune, and Pluto, and how they are influencing our spiritual beliefs and personal growth. Julia provides in...

In this episode, Rachel discusses the importance of choosing contract grade furniture for commercial spaces in the hospitality industry. She highlights the differences between contract grade and residential furniture, emphasizing the compliance and safety standards that contract grade furniture must meet. Rachel also emphasizes the durability of contract grade furniture and the cost savings it off...

In this episode, Rachel discusses how to organize hospitality design ideas using Pinterest. She explains the benefits of creating a Pinterest business account and optimizing your profile. Rachel provides step-by-step instructions on creating a project and organizing it into sections. She suggests sections such as ideal customer, brand features, overall mood and vibe, etc... Rachel also shares tips...