The DesignDash Podcast

What happens when “exquisitely livable luxury” meets real-world grit? In this episode of Design Dash, Melissa and Laura sit down with South Africa–born designer Nikki Levy, who built her namesake Boca Raton studio from the edge of her bed, literally, and turned it into a thriving brand now shaping homes (and hearts) across the world. You’ll hear how Nikki: Took her first leap from a kitchen-table...

In this episode our guest is Brittny Button, founder of Button Atelier, an interior design studio in Los Angeles. Brittny has built a reputation for creating spaces that feel both calm and timeless, drawing inspiration from Spanish revival architecture, European details, and old Hollywood romance. We talk about her unexpected path into design after leaving a modeling career, how renovating a Palm...

What makes a project catch an editor’s eye? Is it the styling? The story? The angle of the photo? Or is it something much less obvious? This week on Design Dash, we sit down with Andrea Lillo, the Executive Editor of Designers Today. She’s the one shaping the stories and covers that end up defining the conversation in our industry. And she was generous enough to share exactly what goes into those...

In this episode we sit down with the dynamic duo Mike and Bryan Yates of Yates Desygn. If you know them, you already know you’re in for sharp wit, bold vision, and unapologetic honesty. If you don’t know them yet—trust me, you’ll want to. We talk about the turning points that pushed them to expand, how they designed a workspace that actually sells their vision to clients, and why natural light and...

In this episode of Design Dash, we sit down with the one and only Jane Dagmi—Managing Director of High Point by Design (HPxD) and former Editor-in-Chief of Designers Today. If you’re in the design world, chances are you already know Jane as a connector, a champion of creativity, and someone who has shaped the way we talk about design for decades. We talk about the real power of storytelling in des...

In this episode, my guest is Tracee Murphy, CEO and Principal Designer of Trademark Interiors and founder of The Designer Launch. Tracee has built a multimillion-dollar design firm and now mentors other designers on everything from conflict management to selling luxury services. We talk about how psychology plays a bigger role in design than most people realize, and why learning to read people is...

I just got back from a 10-day vacation. Melissa’s about to head out on hers. And in the space between “leaving” and “coming back,” we realized something: burnout isn’t always obvious until it’s running the show. In this episode, we get brutally honest about how burnout shows up in our lives, why “I’m so busy” is not a badge of honor, and how the wrong kind of hustle can quietly rob you of the joy...

Ever left a client meeting thinking, “Is it me… or are they just an ahole?”** If yes, you’re not alone—and this episode is definitely for you. In this episode we are pulling back the velvet curtain on the three personality types that show up in interior design projects: discerning, demanding, and downright disrespectful. The differences between them? Subtle… but game-changing. We’re diving into: W...

Let’s be honest—if you’ve ever found yourself drowning in invoicing, juggling a million tabs, or spending more time sourcing tile than actually designing the room, you’re not alone. In this episode, we’re joined by Danae Branson, founder of Elite Design Assistants and creator of Niche Maven, two brilliant solutions helping interior designers ditch the overwhelm and build the kind of businesses the...

In this episode, my guest is LuAnn Nigara, host of A Well-Designed Business and a true leader in the interior design industry. If you’ve ever wondered how to run a creative business that actually makes money, this conversation is your wake-up call. LuAnn shares what she’s learned from building her own business since the early '80s and coaching thousands of designers along the way. We talk about th...

You know that feeling when you’re drowning in sticky notes, juggling a million hats, and wondering if hiring help will save your sanity or sink the ship? Yeah. That. In this episode of Design Dash, Laura and Melissa are showing up (yes, even with scratchy voices and the post-travel fog) to unpack exactly what it looks like to move from solo scrappiness into sustainable team-building. Whether you'r...

In this episode we sit down with the incredible Laurie Laizure, founder of the Interior Design Community—a space that’s rewriting the rules for designers worldwide. We’re digging into some of the real challenges designers face every day, stuff that doesn’t get talked about enough. Laurie shares why so many designers are still undercharging for their work, how billing methods can make a huge differ...

In this episode, our guest is Carolyn Rodz from Hello Alice, a powerful platform helping over 1.5 million small business owners find the right resources at the right time. We talk about what it really takes to build a business and a life you actually love. Carolyn shares how she made the bold move from Houston to a small town in Spain, what it’s like to renovate a 300-year-old rectory, and how ste...

In this episode of Design Dash, we’re thrilled to sit down with Tammy, President & CEO of the High Point Market Authority—aka the woman behind the curtain of one of the most iconic events in the design world. We dig deep into the real High Point story—the chaos, the creativity, and the quiet evolution that turned a century-old furniture market into the can't-miss destination for interior desig...

Ever wonder what it really takes to build a creative empire without losing your soul in the process? In this episode we sit down with Jamie Young—co-founder of the Jamie Young Company—to unpack the beautiful chaos of growing a globally recognized design brand from scratch. Picture this: launching a business while breastfeeding and faxing orders to a small village in Mexico. That’s the kind of grit...

In this episode, our guest is Thom Filicia, legendary designer, author, and TV personality—recorded live from High Point Market. We talk about how inspiration actually works in the real world. Not just the Pinterest version of it, but how to train your eye to notice the right things. Thom pulls back the curtain on how he blends creativity with functionality, especially when moving between resident...

In this episode, our guest is Victoria Holly, founder of The Victoria Holly Interiors, an interior design firm with locations in Los Angeles, Newport Beach, and New York, with projects near and far. We recorded this conversation live at High Point Market, and it's packed with real talk on what it means to build—both literally and creatively—when everything around you feels uncertain. Victoria open...

Let’s be real—when business feels uncertain, your first instinct might be to cut back on marketing. It feels like the safe, practical move.  In today’s episode, we break down what to do instead of pulling back. We talk about how to stay visible when times feel uncertain, and how to make smart, realistic decisions about where your marketing dollars (and effort) should actually go. Whether you’re a...

In this episode, we're talking about something that completely changed the way we run our design business: Profit First. If you’ve ever wondered: “Can I afford to hire someone right now?” “Can I invest in a branding shoot?” “Where the heck is all the money going?” …then this episode is going to feel like a warm cup of clarity (with a strong espresso shot of truth). We’re flipping the traditional p...

If you've ever felt like time tracking is a total buzzkill? Yeah, we get it. But what if it’s actually the secret weapon to unlocking consistent revenue and profitability in your design firm? In this episode, Melissa and I are diving headfirst into one of the most unglamorous but essential parts of running a successful design business – time tracking and billing. We’re pulling back the curtain on...

Okay... be honest. How many browser tabs do you have open right now? Now add the mental tabs—your calendar’s exploding, your inbox is laughing at you, and suddenly everything feels urgent (but also kind of... not?). Yeah, we’ve been there. In today’s episode, it’s just the two of us having a raw, honest convo about focus and why it feels nearly impossible when you’re running a business (or two), m...

You ever meet people and instantly think: Yep. These are my people? That’s exactly what happened when we sat down with the fabulous Rainey Richardson and Casey Brand—two Houston-based design powerhouses and co-hosts of the Reframing The Art of Interior Design podcast. And let me tell you... this one goes way beyond mood boards and marble countertops. In this episode, we get real about: The not-so-...

In this episode, our guest is Patti Carpenter — principal of Carpenter + Company and Global Trend Ambassador for Maison&Objet — and honestly, what a ride this conversation was. From the bustling world of high fashion to purpose-driven design work across 60+ countries, Patti’s journey is anything but linear. She’s lived it, breathed it, and pivoted with more grace and intention than most of us...

If you’re a designer, you’ve definitely wrestled with the whole “how the heck do I charge for this?” question. In this episode we’re opening the door wide on a topic that every design business owner thinks about way more than they admit: billing methods. Yep, we’re diving deep into hourly vs. flat fee vs. hybrid pricing vs. the “I’ll just cut a few hours because I feel bad” method (you know who yo...

This week, we sat down with the one and only Lori Paranjape, the powerhouse designer behind some of the most stunning, story-driven homes in the country. Based in Nashville, Lori has built a nationally recognized interior design firm, and trust me—this conversation is a masterclass in how to build a thriving creative business without losing your authenticity along the way. You’ve seen her work in...