Welcome to another episode of Confessions of an Interior Designer!

Today, host Caroline Turner sits down with Laura Lester, founder of Lester Fine Art, an advisor specializing in modern, post-war, and contemporary art. With nearly 20 years of experience in New York and Chicago, Laura has advised private collectors and interior designers, curated major exhibitions, and served on the Women’s Board of the MCA Chicago. In this episode Laura talks about commissioning art, working with high-end collectors, and the importance of clear expectations when a project involves large, statement works. Caroline also reads two anonymous listener confessions and reacts—one about a client who insisted everything be “collectible” (money no object), and the other about a dramatic commissioned artwork that caused a jaw-dropping installation moment.

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⏰ Timestamps:

• 00:00: Intro and welcome with Caroline Turner
• 00:22: Laura’s background and industry journey
• 20:47: Laura’s vice
• 21:47: Confession #1 - Everything must be collectible and money isn't a problem
• 37:20: Confession #2 - Dramatic commissioned artwork of the "masculine" variety.
• 49:14: Question #1 - What's one thing you wish every designer unstood about working with art?
• 50:59: Question #2 - What's your advice for designers who want to establish and maintain a long term relationship with an art advisor?
• 52:23: What made Laura feel

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📲 Discover modern & contemporary art collecting! Follow Laura for collecting & advisory insights::

• Instagram: @LesterFineArt
• Website: lesterfineart.com

Got a juicy confession or design dilemma? Submit anonymously here.

Help others find us! Give us a quick rating or review on your pod platform - we appreciate every one of you.

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💌 Connect with Us:

• Follow us on Instagram and TikTok
• Join the conversation in our Facebook Group!
• Learn more about the podcast, guests and episodes here

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📝 Credits: 

• Caroline Turner - Host & Executive Producer
• Cory Barton - Audio Engineer & Producer
• Kim Kovacik - Cover Photography

Welcome to another episode of Confessions of an Interior Designer!

Today, host Caroline Turner sits down with Erin and Matt of Kismet House. Together, the pair share how they balance design, family, and their very different approach to both their personal and professional challenges. Erin opens up about her journey from hobbyist decorator to the founder of Kismet House, the power of vulnerability in design, and the lessons learned from sharing her life online. Matt offers his perspective on shifting his career after a firefighting injury, and how to support your wife in her vision as a designer.

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⏰ Timestamps:

• 00:00: Intro and welcome with Caroline Turner
• 00:22: Erin and Matt’s background and industry journey
• 20:54: Erin and Matts vice
• 22:55: Confession #1 - The Paris trip gone wrong
• 34:22: Confession #2 - The rug disaster
• 41:30: Question #1 - As a passion project, at what point did it feel like it could be bigger?
• 46:19: Question #2 - Because of how you structure your content, do you feel your followers feel more connected with you?
• 49:58: Question #3 - What's a design risk you've taken that has paid off and one that didn't go as planned?
• 53:23: Question #4 - What have you learned about each other through the process of designing and building as a team?
• 57:48: What made Erin and Matt feel

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📲 Stay inspired! Follow Erin & Matt for honest, down-to-earth design inspiration:

• Instagram: @kismethouse
• Website: Kismet-House.com

Got a juicy confession or design dilemma? Submit anonymously here.

Help others find us! Give us a quick rating or review on your pod platform - we appreciate every one of you.

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💌 Connect with Us:

• Follow us on Instagram and TikTok
• Join the conversation in our Facebook Group!
• Learn more about the podcast, guests and episodes here

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📝 Credits: 

• Caroline Turner - Host & Executive Producer
• Cory Barton - Audio Engineer & Producer
• Kim Kovacik - Cover Photography

Welcome to another episode of Confessions of an Interior Designer!

Today, host Caroline Turner sits down with Zoë Feldman, founder and principal designer of Zoë Feldman Design, a Washington, D.C. based interior design firm celebrated for its sophisticated, sustainable, and personality-driven spaces. Zoë opens up about her path from working under Alexa Hampton to building her own nationally recognized firm, how she balances bold design with timeless appeal, and why vulnerability has been a secret ingredient to her success. Together, Caroline and Zoë explore the emotional side of design, from managing client expectations to creating spaces that truly reflect the people who live in them.

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⏰ Timestamps:

• 00:00: Intro and welcome with Caroline Turner
• 01:10: Zoë’s background and industry journey
• 21:42: Zoë’s vice
• 23:06: Confession #1 - Non-responsive client takes all the credit
• 34:58: Confession #2 - AI client references
• 48:23: Question #1 - What was a decision you agonized over that made a huge difference?
• 52:29: Question #2 - Hearing more on the Give Back Program/Initiative. How were you inspired to do that and how does it work?
• 56:33: Question #3 - How do you balance your partnership and media opportunities with the time you devote to your firm? 
• 58:07: What made Zoë feel

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📲 Stay inspired! Follow Zoë for bold and beautiful design inspiration:

• Instagram: @zoefeldmandesign
• Website: zoefeldmandesign.com

Got a juicy confession or design dilemma? Submit anonymously here.

Help others find us! Give us a quick rating or review on your pod platform - we appreciate every one of you.

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💌 Connect with Us:

• Follow us on Instagram and TikTok
• Join the conversation in our Facebook Group!
• Learn more about the podcast, guests and episodes here

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📝 Credits: 

• Caroline Turner - Host & Executive Producer
• Cory Barton - Audio Engineer & Producer
• Kim Kovacik - Cover Photography

Welcome to another episode of Confessions of an Interior Designer!

Today, host Caroline Turner wraps up an incredible first season with a compilation of some of the juiciest and most unforgettable confession moments. Caroline reflects on the journey of creating the podcast, the overwhelming support from listeners, and the incredible stories that have shaped this season. She shares her excitement for season two, with big plans and amazing guests already lined up. Caroline also invites listeners to share their feedback—what you loved, what you’d change, and what you’d like to hear more of next season. Plus, don’t miss her tips on how to stay connected during the break and make sure you’re the first to hear when season two drops!

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⏰ Timestamps:

• 00:00: Intro and welcome with Caroline Turner
• 00:21: Caroline season 1 sign-off
• 02:18: Confession #01 - The affair behind the drapes
• 07:14: Confession #02 - The chair swap scandal
• 11:46: Confession #03 - The mouse mansion
• 16:55: Confession #04 - The reward
• 21:11: Confession #05 - The red room
• 25:37: Confession #06 - They want what they want
• 29:59: Confession #07 - The haunted house
• 34:48: Confession #08 - The client's crush
• 39:56: Confession #09 - The woman on the side
• 44:51: Confession #10 - The couch that ruined it all
• 50:38: Confession #11 - The spit and the stone
• 54:35: Confession #12 - The criminal empire

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📲 Stay connected and get ready for season two:

• Follow and subscribe on Spotify or Apple to get season two automatically in your feed.
• Rate and review—it helps us so much with growth!
• Be part of the community—join our Facebook Group for updates and exclusive roundtable invites.

Got a juicy confession or design dilemma? Submit anonymously here.

Help others find us! Give us a quick rating or review on your pod platform - we appreciate every one of you.

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💌 Connect with Us:

• Follow us on Instagram and TikTok
• Join the conversation in our Facebook Group!
• Learn more about the podcast, guests and episodes here

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📝 Credits: 

• Caroline Turner - Host & Executive Producer
• Cory Barton - Audio Engineer & Producer
• Gracie Miller - Producer
• Kim Kovacik - Cover Photography

Welcome to another episode of Confessions of an Interior Designer!

Today, host Caroline Turner chats with Elizabeth Kruger, the founder of Elizabeth Kruger Design. With over a decade of experience in new construction, large-scale renovations, and full home furnishing projects, Elizabeth has built a name for herself in the industry. Her work has been featured in Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, and Luxe Magazine, among many others. In this episode, she shares her journey from working in Chicago to managing projects across the country and the challenges of maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

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⏰ Timestamps:

• 00:00: Intro and welcome with Caroline Turner
• 00:21: Elizabeth's background and industry journey
• 27:26: Elizabeth's vice
• 30:14: Confession #1 - Not all money is good money
• 49:08: Confession #2 - Being 2 places at once
• 62:35: Question #1 - How do you balance personal and team support?
• 63:59: Question #2 - What should people going into the industry know?
• 65:40: What made Elizabeth feel 

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📲 Stay inspired—follow Elizabeth for design insights:

• Instagram: @elizabeth.kruger.design
• Website: elizabethkrugerdesign.com

Got a juicy confession or design dilemma? Submit anonymously here.

Help others find us! Give us a quick rating or review on your pod platform - we appreciate every one of you.

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💌 Connect with Us:

• Follow us on Instagram and TikTok
• Join the conversation in our Facebook Group!
• Learn more about the podcast, guests and episodes here

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

📝 Credits: 

• Caroline Turner - Host & Executive Producer
• Cory Barton - Audio Engineer & Producer
• Gracie Miller - Producer
• Kim Kovacik - Cover Photography

Welcome to another episode of Confessions of an Interior Designer!

Today, host Caroline Turner chats with Lauren Taylor, an interior architecture and lifestyle photographer known for capturing the soul of beautifully designed spaces. Lauren shares her journey from fine art photography to working with top interior designers, the ethical challenges of sharing work online, and her thoughts on the business relationship between photographers and designers. She also dives into the impact of AI-generated photography, how it’s shaking up the industry, and why real-life texture and authenticity might be the best defense against the rise of artificial imagery.

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⏰ Timestamps:

• 00:00: Intro and welcome with Caroline Turner
• 00:21: Lauren's Story
• 08:17: Lauren's Vice
• 10:21: Confession: posting design photos ends badly
• 51:46: Question #1: Helping photographers thrive on a shoot
• 55:48: Question #2: Craziest experience
• 60:10: What made Lauren feel

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📲 Capturing interiors with artistry—follow Lauren for stunning architectural and lifestyle photography:

• Instagram: @LaurenTaylorCreative
• Website: LaurenTaylorCreative.com

Got a juicy confession or design dilemma? Submit anonymously here.

Help others find us! Give us a quick rating or review on your pod platform - we appreciate every one of you.

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💌 Connect with Us:

• Follow us on Instagram and TikTok
• Join the conversation in our Facebook Group!
• Learn more about the podcast, guests and episodes here

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📝 Credits: 

• Caroline Turner - Host & Executive Producer
• Cory Barton - Audio Engineer & Producer
• Gracie Miller - Producer
• Kim Kovacik - Cover Photography

Welcome to another episode of Confessions of an Interior Designer!

Today, host Caroline Turner chats with Kristin Cali Schloemer, owner and founder of Calia Stone Boutique, a Chicago-based showroom redefining the natural stone industry with glam, expertise, and sophistication. Kristin shares her journey from interior design school to running her own stone boutique, navigating the challenges of business ownership, and learning to trust her instincts. She opens up about a her thoughts on quartz, the risks of working with unreliable suppliers, and how she built a thriving business from the ground up—sometimes by making it up as she went along.

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⏰ Timestamps:

• 00:00: Intro and welcome with Caroline Turner
• 00:21: Kristin's story
• 22:14: Question #1 - Helping clients decide to go the natural stone route
• 26:35: Traveling to Italy
• 29:03: Questions #2 - Why no Quartz?
• 37:57: Kristin's vice
• 39:31: Confession #1 - Supplier sold my slabs
• 58:30: Confession #2 - Supplier grossed out my client
• 64:51: What made Kristin feel

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📲 Bringing glam and expertise to the stone industry—follow Kristin for all things natural stone:

• Instagram: @calia_stone_boutique
• Website: caliastone.com

Got a juicy confession or design dilemma? Submit anonymously here.

Help others find us! Give us a quick rating or review on your pod platform - we appreciate every one of you.

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💌 Connect with Us:

• Follow us on Instagram and TikTok
• Join the conversation in our Facebook Group!
• Learn more about the podcast, guests and episodes here

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

📝 Credits: 

• Caroline Turner - Host & Executive Producer
• Cory Barton - Audio Engineer & Producer
• Gracie Miller - Producer
• Kim Kovacik - Cover Photography

Welcome to another episode of Confessions of an Interior Designer!

Today, host Caroline Turner chats with Iga Soszynska, the founder of Designed by So, a multidisciplinary design studio based in Los Angeles. With a background in interior design, branding, and business strategy, Iga helps designers build strong, scalable businesses with a focus on marketing and process improvement. In this episode, she shares her journey from working at large firms to striking out on her own, and the lessons she learned about branding the hard way. Plus, she reveals the key mistakes designers make when trying to market themselves—and how to avoid them.

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⏰ Timestamps:

• 00:00: Intro and welcome with Caroline Turner
• 00:21: Iga's Introduction
• 32:45: Iga's vice
• 35:16: Confession - The brand refresh
• 50:10: Question #1 - What every designer should know about marketing
• 52:37: Questions #2 - Thoughts on AI
• 59:43: What made Iga feel

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📲 Helping designers build businesses that thrive—follow Iga for strategy and branding insights:

• Instagram: @designedbyso
• Website: designedbyso.com

Got a juicy confession or design dilemma? Submit anonymously here.

Help others find us! Give us a quick rating or review on your pod platform - we appreciate every one of you.

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💌 Connect with Us:

• Follow us on Instagram and TikTok
• Join the conversation in our Facebook Group!
• Learn more about the podcast, guests and episodes here

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📝 Credits: 

• Caroline Turner - Host & Executive Producer
• Cory Barton - Audio Engineer & Producer
• Gracie Miller - Producer
• Kim Kovacik - Cover Photography

Welcome to another episode of Confessions of an Interior Designer!

Today, host Caroline Turner chats with Shannon Sharpe, a Chicago-based design and lifestyle writer with nearly two decades of experience in the publishing world. Shannon shares her unconventional journey from marketing to journalism, eventually finding her passion in design writing. With bylines in Luxe Interiors & Design, Architectural Digest, and Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles, Shannon dives into the behind-the-scenes world of design publications, offering insights into how stories are crafted and the ethics of editorial decisions. Plus, she reveals the challenges of balancing client expectations with journalistic integrity and the surprising ways her work has intersected with her personal life—including meeting her husband through a design feature!

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⏰ Timestamps:

• 00:00: Intro and welcome with Caroline Turner
• 00:21: Shannon's Introduction
• 22:09: Shannon's vice
• 24:38: Confession #1 - Budget friendly design
• 46:57: Confession #2 - The statement sofa
• 58:14: Question #1 - selecting projects to feature?
• 62:08: Questions #2 - Design trends to get rid of
• 65:03: What made Shannon feel

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📲 Crafting timeless stories—follow Shannon for design writing and industry insights:

• Instagram: @shannonsharpewriter
• Website: shannon-sharpe.com

Got a juicy confession or design dilemma? Submit anonymously here.

Help others find us! Give us a quick rating or review on your pod platform - we appreciate every one of you.

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💌 Connect with Us:

• Follow us on Instagram and TikTok
• Join the conversation in our Facebook Group!
• Learn more about the podcast, guests and episodes here

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

📝 Credits: 

• Caroline Turner - Host & Executive Producer
• Cory Barton - Audio Engineer & Producer
• Gracie Miller - Producer
• Kim Kovacik - Cover Photography

Welcome to another episode of Confessions of an Interior Designer!

Today, host Caroline Turner chats with Dee Thompson. From IT consultant to construction mogul: discover how Dee transformed her career and built Urbane Home, a thriving woman-led construction and design company. Despite initial self-doubt, Dee's journey showcases how she leveraged her IT project management skills to navigate the construction industry, turning her passion for design into a successful business venture.

Learn how Urbane Home revolutionized client relationships through a methodical pre-selection process, carefully vetting potential clients to ensure perfect matches. Their unique approach includes a structured interview process and strategic presentation of options, setting clear expectations from the start.

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⏰ Timestamps:

• 00:00: Intro and welcome with Caroline Turner
• 00:21: How did Dee get to where she is
• 20:20: Dee's vice
• 22:22: Confession #1 - teen angst
• 34:15: Confession #2 - contractor crosses the line
• 47:03: Audience Question #1 - questions to ask when vetting a contractor
• 47:50: Audience Question #2 - advice for women pursuing construction
• 53:04: What made Dee feel

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📲 Building bold spaces—follow Dee for expert design and construction insights:

• Instagram: @urbanehome
• Website: urbanehome.com

Got a juicy confession or design dilemma? Submit anonymously here.

Help others find us! Give us a quick rating or review on your pod platform - we appreciate every one of you.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

💌 Connect with Us:

• Follow us on Instagram and TikTok
• Join the conversation in our Facebook Group!
• Learn more about the podcast, guests and episodes here

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

📝 Credits: 

• Caroline Turner - Host & Executive Producer
• Cory Barton - Audio Engineer & Producer
• Gracie Miller - Producer
• Kim Kovacik - Cover Photography