By popular demand, our favorite overseas correspondent Julia Haney-Montanez is BACK and fresh off the fair floors!

She was on the ground at PAD London and Design Miami Paris spilling the tea straight from the dealers’ mouths: collectors are officially over uncomfortable concept pieces and torture chairs. They want livable luxury, pieces you can actually sit on, live with, and love.

• Comfort is the new currency
• Dealers are quietly prioritizing the “hits” to survive this soft market
• The real reason galleries are struggling (and what it means for designers)

The insider conversation everyone in design is having behind closed doors… but we’re saying it out loud. Hit play and find out what collectors are buying right now and what designers can do to weather this soft sales cycle.

Drop a if you’re ready for cozy to make a comeback.#DesignDiscord #PADLondon #DesignMiamiParis #LivableLuxury #InteriorDesign #CollectibleDesign

In this episode of Design Discord, Fernando sits down with Chen Chen and Kai Williams of the Brooklyn-based namesake studio. If you’re not already familiar with their work, get ready. We talk about how their partnership formed, what it’s been like building a practice in New York, and how their experimental approach has evolved into a studio that balances artistic risk with business.

The conversation touches on everything from navigating international production and building meaningful relationships in the gallery world to the trade-offs between accessibility and collectibility. Chen and Kai share insights into working with The Future Perfect, what it really takes to get a product to market, and the value of staying rooted in curiosity and materials exploration — even as the industry changes around them.

This one’s a must-listen for anyone thinking about how to make your weird ideas actually work.

https://cckw.us/

https://www.thefutureperfect.com/exhibitions/

In this episode of Design Discord, we dive deep with Julia Haney-Montañez, founder of The Design Release, to unpack the tough choices designers face today: where to show their work in a post-COVID world. From her time curating the Architectural Digest Design Show to building her own platform, Julia shares sharp insights on how trade fairs have lost their pre-COVID spark and why designers are turning to social media, digital ads, and personal networks to get seen.

We explore how these shifts have scattered the design community, leaving it out of sync and searching for connection. Julia reveals how her work is fostering a more collaborative, community-driven design culture to bridge the gap. Whether you’re navigating fairs, betting on digital marketing, or wondering how to stand out—this episode is for you.

Follow Julia and the Design Release:

https://thedesignrelease.com/

https://www.instagram.com/thedesignrelease/

In this episode of Design Discord, we sit down with interior designer Cara Woodhouse to talk about what it really takes to build a lasting, fulfilling career in design. With a formal background in interiors, years spent at top design firms, and multiple businesses under her belt before launching her namesake studio, Cara brings deep experience and hard-won perspective to the conversation. From her early fine art influences to the intuitive way she approaches interiors today, she shares the real behind-the-scenes—and how she’s learned to navigate it all.

We also dig into the mechanics of how interior designers source from emerging artists and makers, and uncover what makes a designer say yes—or no. Cara shares why supporting young talent has always been important to her, how she thinks about client relationships, and where she sees the future of design heading—from sensory spaces to the evolving role of social media and branding in the field.

Whether you're a designer, a collector, or just love peeking behind the curtain of creative businesses, this one’s for you.

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About Cara Woodhouse: Cara Woodhouse is a trailblazing interior designer, creative force, and the founder of Cara Woodhouse Interiors, a high-end design studio known for sculptural statement pieces, bold palettes, and unexpected moments that redefine modern luxury. With a signature aesthetic that fuses elegance with edge, Cara’s work has captivated global audiences, drawing in celebrity clients, top developers, and leading brands alike.

Her visionary approach spans residential, commercial, and hospitality design, product collaborations, and real estate development. Cara’s latest project, It’s a Mood, is more than a coffee table book, it’s a manifesto of style, emotion, and function, filled with expert insights and a curated resource guide. She's also the star of an upcoming design TV series and the creative behind shoppable, rentable homes that blend high design with lifestyle branding.

Whether she’s designing a show-stopping project or creating cinematic content for her 900K+ Instagram followers, Cara brings a fresh, fearless perspective to every space and continues to shape the future of design, one mood at a time.

https://www.instagram.com/carawoodhouseinteriors/https://www.carawoodhouse.com/

In this episode of Design Discord, Fernando and Alyssa answer your questions. From whether an MFA is worth it to how to actually get the attention of galleries, interior designers, and press—they dig into the gritty realities of building a creative career today. The conversation covers the role of social media, the financial pressures of working in design, and what visibility really looks like in an oversaturated industry.

Questions:

00:39 Fernando, if you were to start as a designer today, what would you do to make it work?

08:54 What is the value in receiving a furniture MFA? Who is it right for and who is it wrong for?

21:45 What is the best strategy for getting in contact with galleries or interior designers?

33:02 Any advice on showing work for the first time in a design week or design fair, and how to maximize it?

43:38 Do you believe a career in furniture design is financially feasible in this economy?

WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/LObYYbK3Wzo

In this episode of Design Discord, Alyssa and Fernando reflect on their week in New York City – where they saw it all: Collectible, Duet, The Armory, The Future Perfect, and more. The conversation dives into the evolving language around “collectible design,” the challenges facing emerging designers, and the gap between curatorial intent and market execution. They unpack questions of visibility, pricing, and who these fairs are really serving—while also exploring the role of galleries, the shifting tone of the industry, and whether the word ‘collectible’ still means anything at all.

Links to designers & References:

In the order they are mentioned.

Aguirre

https://www.aguirredesign.co/

https://www.instagram.com/aguirredesign/

Juntos Design studio

https://www.juntosprojects.com/

https://www.instagram.com/juntosprojects/

Uppercut Space

https://uppercut.space/

https://www.instagram.com/uppercut.space/

Yoon Shun

https://yoonshun.com/

https://www.instagram.com/yoon.shun/

Kiki Goti

https://kikigoti.com/

https://www.instagram.com/kikigoti/

Miles Gracey

https://www.miles-gracey.com/

https://www.instagram.com/plays.on.woods/

Thomas Yang

https://thomasyangstudio.com/

https://www.instagram.com/thomasyangstudio/

Sam Klemick

https://www.studiosamklemick.com/

https://www.instagram.com/samklemick/

Joesph Algeri

https://josephalgieri.com/

https://www.instagram.com/megaplex/

Rosie Li

https://www.rosieli.com/

https://www.instagram.com/rosielistudio/

Dudd Haus

https://www.duddhaus.com/

https://www.instagram.com/duddhaus/

Llewellynn Chupin

https://llewellynn.com/

https://www.instagram.com/llewll/

Marcela Cure

https://marcelacure.com/

https://www.instagram.com/marcela.cure/

Atelier Ollin

https://www.ollin.us/

https://www.instagram.com/atelier_ollin/

Of the Cloth

https://www.instagram.com/ofthecloth.us/

Kawabi

https://kawabi.com/

https://www.instagram.com/kawabi/

Ian Love

https://www.ianlovedesign.com/

https://www.instagram.com/ianlovedesign/

Masa Gallery

https://mmaassaa.com/

https://www.instagram.com/masagaleria/

Duet WSA Exhibition

https://www.instagram.com/p/DOTyyLuEdSq/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=ZjhvdTdlZGE2b3No

The Future Perfect

https://www.thefutureperfect.com/

In this episode of Design Discord, Fernando and Alyssa sit down with Jen Kaplan, Alyssa’s co-founder at Erria, to talk about what it really means to build a platform for independent makers. They get into the complexities of designing for both buyers and sellers, the technical challenges behind creating a marketplace from scratch, and what it takes to rethink logistics, onboarding, and product discovery in a way that truly supports creatives. The conversation touches on Jen’s background as a software engineer, the role of trust and transparency in the businesses, and how Erria is reshaping what a maker-first business can look like.

Check out Erria: https://www.erria.xyz/

Follow Erria on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erria_xyz/

In this episode of Design Discord, Fernando and Alyssa take a closer look at the disconnect between design education and the realities of creative work. Through personal stories and recent experiences with students, we explore what’s missing from most design programs, and what young designers really need to succeed. The conversation covers the importance of hands-on learning, the limitations of academic training, and how the industry might rethink its approach to mentorship and preparation. It’s a candid look at what it actually takes to be ready for the design world today. Please note, this episode was recored a few months ago, in April 2025.

In this episode of Design Discord, Alyssa and Fernando sit down with designer and organizer Chris Held to talk about his journey—from founding the annual exhibition Jonald Dudd to launching the experimental showroom DUDD HAUS in Philadelphia. Chris shares what it’s taken to build alternative spaces for design, and how collaboration, community, and experimentation have shaped his approach. The conversation dives into the unique business model behind DUDD Haus that fosters generative opportunities for artists, the challenges of maintaining an artist’s spirit in their work with the demands of today’s market, and what it takes to support a new generation of collectors. We also touch on shifts in the design scene over the last few years and the realities emerging designers face when trying to build both their audience and income.

Chris Held (b.1978 Atlanta, GA) is a multidisciplinary designer, curator, and co-founder of JONALDDUDD, an NYC Design Week exhibition (2015-present). He also co-owns and operates the design studio Nice Condo (2019-present), which offers a catalog of residential furniture, brand identity services, as well as commercial fixtures, custom build-outs and creative partnerships. Held relocated to Philadelphia in 2023 and subsequently co-founded the radical design collective, DUDD HAUS (2024-present). Working in furniture design and fabrication for over two decades, Held’s work has been featured in Architectural Digest, Dwell, Surface, Sight Unseen, Core77, and Nylon. Held currently lives and works in Philadelphia, PA.

Jonald Dudd

https://jonalddudd.com/

https://www.instagram.com/jonald.dudd/

DUDD HAUS

https://www.duddhaus.com/https://www.instagram.com/duddhaus/

Nice Condo

https://nicecondo.co/https://www.instagram.com/nicecondo/

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Mentioned Designers:

Nacho Carbonell: https://www.nachocarbonell.com/

Peter Marigold: https://petermarigold.com/

Steven Bukowski: https://www.stevenbukowski.com/

Eny Lee Parker: https://www.enyleeparker.com/

Tara Donovanhttps: www.pacegallery.com/artists/tara-donovan/

In this episode of Design Discord, Alyssa, Fernando, and special guest Mika Rosique, Fernando’s wife and longtime Sales Director of Fernando Mastrangelo Studio dive into the often-overlooked side of the design world: sales. They unpack Mika’s path into the role, the value of building a strong client management system, and what it takes to maintain real, lasting client relationships. The conversation explores authenticity, communication, and the role pricing plays in shaping perception and success. They also reflect on the dynamic of working together as a couple and the realities of navigating the art and design market from the inside.