The Chaise Lounge Podcast

Welcome! In this week's Chaise Lounge, Nick May sits down with Nike Onile, creator of Of Things Ode in Toronto, Ontario.Nike, like many guests we've featured on the show, had an artistic inclination at a young age but became an interior designer at a later part of her life. Coming from a Nigerian family, she was required to choose between a career in medicine, law, or engineering. Her parents were accepting of her interest in art but only saw it as a hobby. Nike studied bio-technology and worked in Pharma for a few years - but not without working design projects on the side for a few clients. This resulted in her getting an administrative position at Studio Munge, one of Canada's leading design firms. Despite this transition being a professional and personal risk, it was the golden opportunity for Nike to start doing something she knew she would enjoy.While at Studio Munge, Nike continued working on her side projects, now under her own brand 800 Sq. Ft. She then created The Apartment, a small space that she r

We hope you're prepared, because this week on The Chaise Lounge we had the honor to interview Fiona Barratt-Campbell, one of Britain's most prolific figures in the interior design industry. Fiona's success as an entrepreneur and designer can be traced back as early as her childhood. Her parents worked in retail, and instilled in her a strong work ethic - and she truly enjoyed the fast-paced nature of the retail environment. Her biggest inspiration to become an interior designer was her grandfather, Sir Lawrie Barratt, founder of Barratt Homes, one of the largest residential development companies in the United Kingdom. After completing her Art Foundation in the UK, Fiona traveled to New York where she studied interior design at Parsons School of Design. She got an internship at Victoria Hagan, was interviewed by Richard Branson's board and landed an envied position to work at Virgin hotels. Finally in 2006 she opened her own design studio: Fiona Barratt Interiors. Ever since, Fiona's stunning work can be fou

Hi there! We hope you are prepared because this week in the Chaise Lounge, we are joined by Jill Howard, founder of Jill Howard Design Studio. Growing up in a small town in the mountains of Virginia, Jill was not aware that one could become an interior designer. All she knew was that good grades meant becoming a doctor or a lawyer. She went to the College of William and Mary to pursue the former, only to find it was not the field for her. Later, Jill entered the world of music, which led to her studying music business (and meeting her future husband.) She purchased a house and found herself decorating it frequently. This gave her plenty of experience in business and a revelation for her new dream career. Jill entered the New York School of Interior Design. Through hard work and a strike of luck, she worked with some of the largest names in the world of interior design, including Tom Scheerer and Jesse Carrier. 10 years later, Jill and her husband moved to Charleston, where she opened her own design studio.

Hello! Glad to see you around. This week in The Chaise Lounge, Nick chats with Rebecca Hay, owner of Rebecca Hay Designs in Toronto, Canada.Though interested in interior design and entrepreneurship at a young age, Rebecca didn't enter the field until after experimenting with other careers. Initially she wanted to be an actress and a teacher. She went to school for musical theater, though she didn't feel ready for the stage just yet. She then graduated in political science and cultural studies.Later, Rebecca traveled to Spain to teach English, but was turned off by the bureaucracy and strictness of the work. When she returned home, she couldn't decide whether to study design or pursue an acting career. While Rebecca eventually landed a few acting gigs, they didn't allow the freedom and creativity that she yearned for.Finally, she went back to college for her true love, interior design. After a few years of being a designer, Rebecca started her own podcast, Resilient by Design, which aided her in networking, co

Welcome back! We are happy to have you here for the Season 29 premiere of The Chaise Lounge. And what better way to kick things off than with renowned interior designer Corey Damen Jenkins! Corey has been up to a lot for the last few years. In 2021, he presented Mouths Wide Open, a collection of drawings depicting all kinds of people doing a variety of facial expressions.  His company, Corey Damen Jenkins & Associates, LLC, has been steadily growing. His team is preparing to work on exciting projects—from apartments to mansions—in many different states and even Canada! What's more, Corey has written and published Design Remix, his first coffee-table book! In it, Corey discusses his thoughts on traditional interior design and how to adapt it to modern tastes. Be sure to check out Corey's book Design Remix: A New Spin on Traditional Rooms, and follow him on Instagram @coreydamenjenkins! What's most important for me is longevity... saying 'yes' to the right opportunities... and saying 'no' to the wrong on

Welcome back to The Chaise Lounge! On our season finale, Nick sits down with two guests! First he interviews Mark Lavender from M. Lavender Interiors in Chicago, an interior design firm that focuses exclusively in residential projects. Fascinated with blueprints, Mark studied architecture in the University of Kentucky. He worked for two prestigious architecture firms, working mostly in healthcare projects. M. Lavender Interiors came about when Mark realized he enjoyed working with other designers in residential development. Mark found building hospitals an incredibly noble pursuit; he puts the utmost care and attention in every house his company works in, so that anyone's dream house can become a reality. Next up, we have Gail Doby, co-founder and CEO of Gail Doby Coaching & Consulting. Friend of the show, and always a pleasure to talk to, Gail's excited to announce the release of her new book - and of course she and Nick hang out for a little while. Be sure to visit Mark Lavender's interior design webs

Greetings! In this week’s The Chaise Lounge, Nick May interviews Margarita Bravo, industrial engineer turned interior designer, with experience in finance.Born in Venezuela, Margarita has been fascinated with construction since she was a child. Watching her grandfather build things from nothing inspired her to enter the field. She worked for an oil and gas company until she moved to Denver, CO. Since she could not find a house she liked, she and her husband built their own house and found she enjoyed interior design.Today, Margarita has her own business where she can do makeovers, or make new houses for people moving to Denver. She is also starting a home décor rental business and a furniture business.Visit Margarita Bravo's website, www.margaritabravo.com, and check out her home décor rental business at www.louisandrocco.com. Also make sure to follow her on Instagram @margaritabravo__ I just love what I do. I'm very passionate about it. Every single project, I'll take like it's my own house.

Welcome! In this week’s Chaise Lounge, Nick May chats with Eddie Maestri, owner of Maestri Studio in Dallas, Texas. His business offers architecture services, interior design, finishing and landscape design. Architecture has been an important part of Eddie's life since childhood. After graduating from Texas A&M with Master's Degree in Architecture, he worked on an architecture firm and would do architecture work on the side for his friends. During the market crash of 2008, Eddie decided to take his side gig full-time, and today he runs his own architecture and interior design firm, as well as his own art gallery. Visit Eddie Maestri's website, www.maestristudio.com, and check out his business Instagram @Maestristudio, or his gallery Instagram @Maestrigallery. I think it just takes education, to help them understand how it works and I've been trying to get better and better at explaining that and to adjust their expectations. Eddie Maestri Tweet Chaise Lounge Updates  Coast to Coast Des

Welcome!  On this week's Chaise Lounge, Nick May sits down with Christian Daw, from Christian Daw Design.  Christian started as a lawyer before making a career switch.  However, while going through school, Christian would flip houses on the side.  Nick and Christian discuss his transition to the design world, the origins of Christian's company, and how he built his company in three short years. Follow Christian Daw on Instagram @Christiandawdesign! I just kicked myself in the ass and was like don't let this ever happen again. So that just meant it's not about the money, just hire. Christian Daw Tweet Chaise Lounge Updates  Coast to Coast Design is back baby! Give it a listen to learn about just how many ways there are to run a design business. Our Events Page Resources See what our sponsors can do for you. Upcoming Markets High Point Market – June 5 - 9, 2021 More About Our Sponsors Wrap Up If you would like to hear more episodes, please visit us on iTunes, Spotify or your fa

High Point Market is only 2 months away!  On this week's episode of The Chaise Lounge, Nick May sits down with Keita Turner from Keita Turner Design, Thom Filicia from Thom Filicia Incorporated, and Ashley Grigg, Director of Marketing Communications at High Point Market North Carolina.  With High Point Market quickly approaching, they discuss Fall High Point Market 2020, and want precautions they took then to be a safe environment and what they are doing to remain safe in June.  They also talk about some of the silver linings for having to work around COVID, and what benefits were created from that.High Point Market is June 5 - 9, 2021.  To register head over to highpoint.org/register.Check out everyone's website or follow them on Instagram:Keita Turner - www.keitaturnerdesign.com, www.livvyandneva.com, @KeitaTurnerDesignThom Filicia - www.thomfilicia.com, www.sedgwickandbrattle.com, @ThomFiliciaAshley Griff - www.highpointmarket.org, @HighPointMarket There were some editors that would see me

Welcome! In this week's Chaise Lounge, Nick May sits down with John Robert Wiltgen from John Robert Wiltgen Design, Inc. based in Chicago, IL.  John Robert Wiltgen is currently retired after being an interior designer for 40 years. John shares his experience with Nick, from how he got started in the design world to starting his first company with a former classmate to even working with the Nigerian government.  With 40 years of experience, John also reflects on what made him so successful along with giving his opinion on what up-and-coming designers should do to succeed in the design world. Check out John Robert Wiltgen's blog, www.thecandyinmypocket.com, also on www.jrwdesign.com and follow John Robert Wiltgen Design, Inc. on Instagram @johnrobertwiltgendesigninc! The reality of it is, you really just don't know until you try and you shouldn't limit yourself because someone tells you something. John Robert Wiltgen Tweet Chaise Lounge Updates  Coast to Coast Design is back baby! Give i

Welcome to this week’s episode of The Chaise Lounge! This week Nick May sits down with Anthony Barzilay Freund the Editorial Director of 1stDibs. Nick and Anthony discuss the origins of 1stDibs, which was started 20 years ago by Michael Bruno, and their rise up to be the powerhouse that it is today.  With 4,000 individual shops from over 55 countries around the world, 1stDibs not only has luxurious items but also explains the origins of these items. They also dive into 1stDibs' survey on The Top Interior Design Trends of 2021.  For more information on 1stDibs, check out www.1stDibs.com or follow them on Instagram @1stDibs! *Editor’s Note: Anthony meant Paul Evans not Paul Williams. It's my duty to not tell the story that people want to hear, it's to tell them the stories they should be hearing. Anthony Barzilay Freund Tweet Chaise Lounge Updates  Coast to Coast Design is back baby! Give it a listen to learn about just how many ways there are to run a design business. Our Events P

Today on The Chaise Lounge, Nick May is joined by Rhett Alexander (Rhett Alexander LLC). Nick has an interesting connection to Rhett, as he designed the community that Nick’s parents are living in now! Rhett was born in Columbia while his parents were serving in the Peace Corps which he later joined himself. Through the Peace Corps, Rhett was awarded a scholarship and earned a master's degree from Columbia University. While teaching at a school in Orlando, he attended a community college for interior design and worked as an intern - later starting his very own firm. Rhett Alexander LLC specializes in model home merchandising, sales centers, clubhouses, and vacation homes. Learn more about Rhett at his website, www.rhettalexander.com or follow Rhett on Instagram @RhettAlexanderLLC! The single most important thing that I learned was starting every job with a budget and sticking to it. Rhett Alexander Tweet Chaise Lounge Updates  Coast to Coast Design is back baby! Give it a listen to lea

Welcome! Today in The Chaise Lounge, Nick May sits down with Anne Carr of Anne Carr Designs. Anne is a home stager and interior designer in the Los Angeles area . Anne discovered her passion for interior design when she helped her friends with creative home renovations. After working in finance,  Anne decided to enrolled in the New York School of Interior Design (NYSID) to bring her talent to the next level. Anne and Nick discuss her transition from finance to interior design, the difference between staging a home and designing a home to be lived in.  Also, Anne shares a tip with Nick, that in his 28 seasons of the Chaise Lounge has never heard. Learn more about Anne at her website, www.annecarrdesigncom or follow her on Instagram @annecarrdesigns!  We lived in a house and I designed it for me, and a woman came up to me and said "You should try staging. This is incredible." Anne Carr Tweet Chaise Lounge Updates  After a long winter/COVID-related hiatus, Coast to Coast is coming back

Welcome! Today in The Lounge, Nick sits down with Carrie Brigham of Carrie Brigham Design.  Carrie is based in Naples, Florida and graduated from Florida State University in 2008, during the recession.  Nick and Carrie discuss trying to break into the interior design business during that time and Carrie's journey from working at other design firms to eventually starting her own in 2017.  They also discuss Carrie's future endeavors. Learn more about Carrie at her website, www.carriebrighamdesign.com or follow Carrie on Instagram @CarrieBrighamDesign! I'm more of a strong leader and it was my next step in my natural progression, to take a risk a on myself and go out on my own and launch my own company. Carrie Brigham Tweet Chaise Lounge Updates We'll be covering Spring High Point Market 2019! Stay in the loop on our Instagram and Facebook pages and keep an eye our for our upcoming market events! Our new podcast Coast to Coast Design is live! Give it a listen to learn about just how many

You've seen them in the lobby at your doctor's office. Maybe you've even read one. On this week’s episode of The Chaise Lounge, Nick May is joined by David Kaufman of Architectural Digest.  At Architectural Digest, David is responsible for converting print media to digital content.  Nick and David discuss what it takes to be on the AD100 list, moving news to mobile applications, and trends we are seeing in design like paint colors and converting to multi-use rooms.  David grew up in San Francisco and moved to New York to attend NYU. He studied journalism and had an internship at another well known magazine.  Learn more about Architectural Digest at www.architecturaldigest.com.  So I think the biggest trend is that people are going to continue to be in their homes much more than they used to before covid which means that there’s going to be a lot of wear and tear on their home. David Kaufman Tweet So I think the biggest trend is that people are going to continue to be i

Welcome to the Season 28 premiere of The Chaise Lounge! This week on the Lounge, Nick May is joined by returning guest Kelli Ellis with Ronati. Nick and Kelli are longtime friends who catch up on what they’re doing. Kelli is the VP of Industry Relations at Ronati, a service that provides an online presence for antique art dealers. She is also the designer for the Design Network, which is on smart TVs. Kelli’s creativity has been stirring and is excited about one day being able to film again. They share a longing for getting out and traveling more. While on a wedding trip to Arizona, Nick made friends with the bartender at the hotel bar! He was in his element when they started to talk about business. So grab a glass of chardonnay and join us for Season 28! Learn more about Ronati at www.ronati.com. Follow Kelli on her Instagram @designerkelliellis. Listen to the episode Kelli was originally on  www.thechaiseloungepodcast.com/98-kelli-ellis-interior-design-entrepreneur/. So I do a lot virtually and o

Although getting an education is important, there are some things that can only be learned by having work experience. For our season finale of The Chaise Lounge, Nick May is joined by Melissa Banko of Banko Design. Melissa tells of the importance of getting out there and learning by working. Nick and Melissa discuss the good and bad of HGTV programs and whether they help paint an accurate picture of what interior design is. She emphasizes that students get out and start learning the trade outside of their textbooks and what they see in the media Banko Design specializes in senior living, multi-family and hospitality. They believe that a senior living community should be designed for the seniors living there, not just to appease the adult children. The firm also provides procurement services for FF&E, decorative lighting and custom flooring. Learn more about Banko Design at www.bankodesign.com. Be sure to check out what they're doing on their Instagram page @bankodesignfirm. We have had really rapid

Today on The Chaise Lounge, Nick May is joined by Cara Woodhouse of Cara Woodhouse Interiors. Nick and Cara discuss her bad experience with an internship, her love of art as a child and downsizing her company to better provide services to her clients. Cara has had multiple design companies with one ending with her moving to London during the 2008 recession. Back in New York, she started Cara Woodhouse Interiors in 2016 after a short partnership with a close friend. Her firm specializes in high end residential and commercial design all over the US and abroad. Learn more about Cara Woodhouse Interiors by visiting their website at www.carawoodhouse.com. Be sure to check her out on Instagram @carawoodhouseinteriors. I was just constantly working nonstop and I just felt burnt out so I told my now husband ‘Don’t come here. I think I’m going to come live to London.’ Cara Woodhouse Tweet I was just constantly working nonstop and I just felt burnt out so I told my now husband ‘D

For the first time on the show, we have a guest that became a partner at a firm after being an employee. Joining Nick May on The Chaise Lounge is Tom Diverio of Dunagan Diverio Design. Tom had worked for Charlotte Dunagan for several years before being asked to come on as partner. Charlotte’s background in interior design and Tom’s background in architecture combine for a unique service they call interior architecture. They specialize in high end residential design and have grown the company from 4 people to 20 people. Listen in and see how they came together to grow an existing business. Learn more about Dunagan Diverio Design at www.dunagandiverio.com. Be sure to check out their Instagram @dunagandiverio. To listen to the episode with Charlotte Dunagan, go to www.thechaiseloungepodcast.com/90-two-different-interior-designers-charlotte-dunagan-garrow-kedigian/.  We both sort of do everything which I think is great because if something ever comes up we can both handle it. It’s not like ‘Oh my God. Th