What happens when interior design and fabrication live under the same roof?

In this episode of the Interior Design San Diego Podcast, host Rachel Larraine Crawford sits down with Brittany Cartwright, Design Studio Director at Texture, a Barrio Logan–based design and fabrication studio known for bringing bold, custom ideas to life.

Texture has been shaping some of San Diego’s most memorable hospitality spaces—from beloved restaurants like Nolita Hall to cutting-edge installations for biotech campuses. What sets them apart is their unique ability to design, engineer, and fabricate complex elements all in-house, giving designers and clients a seamless path from concept to installation.

Brittany shares how Texture started with three architecture students working out of a garage and evolved into a multidisciplinary studio collaborating across hospitality, multifamily, commercial, and experiential design. She also explains how their recent rebrand into Texture Studio and Texture Architectural Fabrication (AF) reflects the company’s growing specialties.

Whether you're a designer with a big idea, a student exploring career paths, or a creative curious about fabrication, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how collaboration turns imagination into reality.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• How Texture combines interior design and fabrication to streamline projects

• Why involving fabricators early in the design process can save time and budget

• The design process Texture uses—from programming and concept through installation

• What designers should understand about lead times, sequencing, and fabrication realities

• How collaboration across disciplines leads to stronger, more creative design outcomes

Key Takeaway

One of Texture’s biggest strengths is their ability to bridge the gap between design vision and physical construction. By collaborating closely with fabricators, estimators, and engineers from the beginning, designers can push creativity further while staying grounded in what’s possible.

Community Spotlight: Texture Open House & SDAF Event

Brittany also shares details about Texture’s upcoming open house in Barrio Logan as part of the San Diego Architectural Foundation Open House.

RSVP Here

The event will feature:

• A behind-the-scenes look at Texture’s fabrication shop

• Local artists, makers, and designers exhibiting work

• A panel discussion with architects, designers, and builders (including Rachel!)

• A community graffiti mural project

• A Oh San Diego Wrap Party featuring espresso martinis, music, and local vendors

Wrap Party Tickets Here

It’s a unique opportunity for the San Diego design community to connect, collaborate, and celebrate creativity together.

Guest Bio

Brittany Cartwright is the Design Studio Director at Texture Studio, where she leads the interiors team on hospitality, retail, and multifamily projects. A graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design, Brittany joined Texture over a decade ago and has helped grow the studio from a small five-person team into one of San Diego’s most dynamic design and fabrication studios.

Her work focuses on creating immersive spaces while collaborating closely with fabrication experts to bring complex custom ideas to life.

Stay Connected:

1. Follow Tecture here: instagram.com/tecture & instagram.com/tecturestudio
2. Tecture Website
3. Sign Up for Our Newsletter
4. ASID San Diego Website
5. LinkedIn
6. Follow us on Instagram
7. Ask your question, share a topic of interest or be our guest here.
8. Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss upcoming episodes
9. Share this podcast with a fellow designer in your community
10. Questions, sponsorship or feed back: [email protected]

This week on Interior Design San Diego, Rachel sits down with Lorena Gaxiola—San Diego native and global design force—whose career spans luxury hospitality, high-end residential, product licensing, and international practice. Lorena shares how curiosity, systems, and a whole lot of courage helped her scale from local projects to designing around the world—while staying grounded in purpose, people, and energy.

1. How Lorena’s architecture-rooted upbringing shaped her “superpower” in design
2. The real reason merchandising/model homes became her masterclass in branding + emotional connection
3. How she landed opportunities with major retailers and built product/licensing partnerships (hint: ask, show up, follow through)
4. Her definition of “style”: experiential design—less ego, more user experience
5. Practical advice on contracts, IP ownership, and building a small-but-mighty international firm

Stay Connected:

1. Sign Up for Our Newsletter
2. ASID San Diego Website
3. LinkedIn
4. Follow us on Instagram
5. Ask your question, share a topic of interest or be our guest here.
6. Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss upcoming episodes
7. Share this podcast with a fellow designer in your community
8. Questions, sponsorship or feed back: [email protected]

In this episode, Rachel sits down with educator and designer Jessica Newman to talk about the evolving world of interior design education—and why students today are uniquely positioned to lead the future of the industry.

Jessica shares her journey from fine arts to hospitality design (including time at Hirsch Bedner Associates) and into academia, where she now champions sustainability, technology, and inclusive pathways into the profession.

What we cover:

1. How today’s design students are reshaping the industry with ethics, sustainability, and tech-forward thinking
2. Why associate degrees and community college pathways deserve more respect
3. How AI is being integrated into design education (and why it’s a tool—not a threat)
4. Palomar College’s new Bachelor of Science in Building Performance & Environmental Design—and why it’s a game changer
5. How firms can support students through mentorships and internships (and why it benefits everyone)

Get involved:

Jessica invites designers and firms to connect with students through internships, mentorship, guest lectures, and real-world collaboration. Email her at: [email protected]

Info on Palomar's Interior Design program: Interior Design at Palomar College - Interior Design

Info on Palomar's BPED program: Bachelor of Science in Building Performance and Environmental Design - Building Performance and Environmental Design

Perspective and Sketching for Designers - YouTube

Jessica's Book: Perspective and Sketching for Designers (Fashion Series): Newman, Jessica, Beduhn, Jack: 9780132574945: Amazon.com: Books

Jessica's art paintings: JESSICA NEWMAN - ARTIST

Cityscape paintings of San Diego: Jessica Newman Art

About Jessica Newman:

She is an associate professor and the lead faculty for the Interior Design department at Palomar College. She is also the co-lead for Palomar’s first bachelors degree program in Building Performance and Environmental Design. Jessica is a designer, artist, author, and professor. She has an AA and BFA in Interior Design from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, and an MFA in Painting and an MA in Interior Architecture and Design from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. Jessica has worked for a number of architecture and interior design firms in New York, Atlanta, and San Diego, including the top hospitality design firm in the world, Hirsch Bedner & Associates. Some of the various types of projects she has worked on include; public schools, private colleges, assisted living facilities, office spaces, churches, four and five-star hotels, and private homes. Jessica has been teaching at the college level for over 20 years. She is also an internationally published author. Her textbook Perspective and Sketching for Designers has been published in English and Mandarin. She also has a YouTube channel of the same name, with over 50 free instructional videos for students. Jessica is also an oil painter who exhibits regularly in San Diego, and nationally. Her oil paintings focus on cityscapes and the built environment.

Stay Connected:

1. Sign Up for Our Newsletter
2. ASID San Diego Website
3. LinkedIn
4. Follow us on Instagram
5. Ask your question, share a topic of interest or be our guest here.
6. Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss upcoming episodes
7. Share this podcast with a fellow designer in your community
8. Questions, sponsorship or feed back: [email protected]

In this episode, Rachel chats with Julia Savas, a fourth-year interior architecture student at San Diego State University, about following a clear design calling, discovering a passion for healthcare and wellness spaces, and finding confidence as an emerging professional in the San Diego design community.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

1. How a fifth-grade dream became a focused path in interior architecture
2. Why personal experiences in healthcare spaces shaped Julia’s design lens
3. The gap between design school and business—and how internships help
4. How students are actually using AI in their projects
5. Julia’s advice for new design students: say yes, show up, and let your interests evolve

About Julia

Julia Savas is a senior graduating this semester from San Diego State University’s School of Art and Design. A four-year ASID member, they studied architecture abroad in Florence and gained hands-on experience as an intern with Humble Design and the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego. As they prepare for post-graduation, they’re embracing the transition from student to emerging professional; pursuing certifications, licensure, and meaningful connections within San Diego’s design community, with a long-term focus on healthcare architecture.

Stay Connected:

1. Sign Up for Our Newsletter
2. ASID San Diego Website
3. LinkedIn
4. Follow us on Instagram
5. Ask your question, share a topic of interest or be our guest here.
6. Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss upcoming episodes
7. Share this podcast with a fellow designer in your community
8. Questions, sponsorship or feed back: [email protected]

In this episode of Interior Design San Diego, host Rachel Larraine Crawford sits down with the incredible Anjum Razvi, founder and principal of Razvi Design Studio, to explore her dynamic 40+ year design journey from architecture in India to boutique hospitality design in San Diego.

Anjum shares how motherhood, resilience, and a passion for creative freedom shaped the evolution of her studio—and how a single ASID showcase bathroom led to her biggest project to date: the iconic Sofia Hotel. If you’ve ever wondered how small residential jobs can lead to big opportunities, or what it takes to transition into hospitality design, this episode is for you.

1. Anjum’s early spark: Following her architect cousin on site visits in India
2. Finding design footing: Navigating identity, licensing, and inspiration in a new country
3. From freelance to founder: How flexibility and intuition shaped her firm’s growth
4. Landing the Sofia Hotel: A career-defining opportunity born from an ASID showcase
5. Hospitality design today: Tech integration, sustainability, and business-minded creativity
6. Teaching and mentorship: Why sharing knowledge gives just as much as it gets

1. Design exposure matters – Participating in ASID showcases directly led to Anjum’s hospitality work.
2. Hospitality is business – Great design must align with guest experience and the owner's bottom line.
3. Stay adaptable – Whether designing 200 unique hotel rooms or shifting to tech-integrated spaces, flexibility is key.
4. Your background is a strength – Anjum’s architectural foundation and global perspective set her apart.
5. Mentorship multiplies impact – Teaching at NewSchool and mentoring ASID members keeps her connected and inspired.

About Anjum Razvi

President | Founder. Anjum Razvi has a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, is a professional member of ASID and is certified by CCIDC and NCIDQ. Her design firm provides interior design services that include residential properties, hospitality properties, commercial businesses and office spaces.

Razvi Design Studio specializes in guiding clients through the endless decisions required for new home construction or an extensive architectural remodel. The designers skillfully detail materials and furnishings to create a unique finished style that is both functional and beautiful. Design expertise includes whole homes, kitchens, baths, custom built-ins, material specifications and more. The design firm provides aesthetic and pragmatic design solutions for public areas and guest rooms of boutique hotel properties, both historical and new. No matter what type of project, they specialize in the intelligent integration of architecture and interior design to create an extraordinary environment.

Additionally, Anjum has been an adjunct professor at The New School of Architecture and Design in their Interior Architecture program since 2019. She is the recipient of several awards for both service to ASID as well as for design excellence competitions and has been widely published in magazines and coffee table books over the years.

WEBSITE: www.razvidesign.com

EMAIL: [email protected]

instagram.com/designerar

Stay Connected:

1. Sign Up for Our Newsletter
2. ASID San Diego Website
3. LinkedIn
4. Follow us on Instagram
5. Ask your question, share a topic of interest or be our guest here.
6. Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss upcoming episodes
7. Share this podcast with a fellow designer in your community
8. Questions, sponsorship or feed back: [email protected]

In this solo episode, host Rachel Larraine Crawford pulls back the curtain on one of her favorite community-driven events: ASID San Diego’s Spring Spruce Up. Now in her third year of participating, Rachel shares how this one-hour consultation event has helped her generate real leads, deepen community ties, and give back in a meaningful way.

Whether you're a seasoned designer or just stepping into the field, this episode is packed with practical advice for making the most of your Spruce Up experience—from tools to bring, how to prep, and the key to turning consultations into long-term clients.

What You'll Learn:

1. What the Spring Spruce Up is (and why it matters)
2. Rachel’s tried-and-true prep and follow-up strategy
3. What types of consultations to expect (spoiler: it’s not all paint picks!)
4. How AI tools like Plaud can streamline your follow-ups
5. The power of bringing students along for the ride

Key Takeaways:

1. 20% of Rachel’s consultations have turned into full projects
2. Following up within 24 hours makes all the difference
3. Tangible tools like paint kits and business cards go a long way—especially with older clients
4. Recording your sessions (with permission!) can simplify your follow-up workflow
5. It’s a fundraiser—but also a powerful lead generator

ASID Spring Spruce Up Requirements:

1. Must be an ASID member in good standing
2. Minimum of 3 years of professional design experience
3. Available March 1 – April 31, 2026
4. Sign up deadline 1/31/26
5. Sign up link.

Stay Connected:

1. Sign Up for Our Newsletter
2. ASID San Diego Website
3. LinkedIn
4. Follow us on Instagram
5. Ask your question, share a topic of interest or be our guest here.
6. Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss upcoming episodes
7. Share this podcast with a fellow designer in your community
8. Questions, sponsorship or feed back: [email protected]

Today on Interior Design San Diego, host Rachel Crawford sits down with Lauri Howell, a designer, community-builder, and longtime ASID leader who has navigated big career shifts — from running her own design firm, to leading chapter boards, to her current role connecting design professionals with resources at Sunset West. Lauri dives deep into why community truly matters in design, how leadership transitions shape us, and what the future holds for designers at all stages.

💡 What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

Lauri’s Path Into Design

Lauri shares her winding journey from communications school (thanks, Mom!) to finding her people at the Art Institute of San Diego, and how her thesis project turned into her first real professional opportunity.

✨ Finding Community Through ASID

Hear how a single volunteer signup led Lauri into leadership — from event chair roles to chapter president. She breaks down how getting involved early can instantly transform your experience from outsider to insider.

📍 Region-to-Region Design Culture

Lauri has worked across San Diego, Orange County, and Arizona. She reflects on the subtle cultural shifts between regions and elevates San Diego for its sophisticated, collaborative design vibe that sometimes goes under the radar.

🤝 Collaboration Over Ego

A core theme of this episode: design isn’t done in isolation. Lauri underscores why collaboration — with peers, industry partners, manufacturers, and clients — is the backbone of successful work and stronger design communities.

↻ Leadership Lessons Through Challenges

From near-board-collapse moments to unexpectedly busy events, Lauri shares candid stories on resilience, pivoting, and why persistence wins in leadership and design.

🎓 What ASID Needs for the Next Gen

Lauri offers actionable insight into how ASID (and industry at large) can better serve emerging designers — from pathways to licensure to business fundamentals that go beyond cocktail-hour networking.

🏡 Sunset West & Designer Partnerships

Learn what drew Lauri to her current role at Sunset West, how the brand uniquely supports designers (like no minimums and quick lead times), and how manufacturer–designer partnerships are evolving to be more transparent, educational, and collaborative.

⚡ Confidence & Creative Identity

Lauri wraps with an empowering message for designers: embrace your unique skill set, trust your voice, and recognize the depth of capabilities you already bring to the table.

1. Volunteer roles are career accelerators — you don’t have to wait for opportunity; step in and the community will meet you there.
2. Leadership is about recreating spaces where others feel connected, not about titles or ego.
3. San Diego designers are world-class — and it’s time that reputation gets louder.
4. Emerging professionals need more than events — they need tools, pathways, and business literacy.
5. Partnerships with manufacturers are strongest when built on education, transparency, and mutual support.
6. Confidence in your craft is as essential as technical skills.

✔ Emerging designers or recent graduates

✔ Mid‑career professionals looking to deepen community connections

✔ ASID members or industry partners

✔ Designers navigating leadership roles

✔ Anyone curious about the intersection of design, collaboration, and growth

🔗 Sunset West

Website | @sunsetwestusa

Email: [email protected]

🔗 Connect with Lauri through ASID events and local chapter collaborations

(Links via your platform)

1. Sign Up for Our Newsletter
2. ASID San Diego Website
3. LinkedIn
4. Follow us on Instagram
5. Ask your question, share a topic of interest or be our guest here.
6. Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss upcoming episodes
7. Share this podcast with a fellow designer in your community
8. Questions, sponsorship or feed back: [email protected]

In this episode of Interior Design San Diego, host Rachel Lorraine Crawford is joined by Laura Abrams, founder and creative force behind Laura Abrams Design. Laura shares her journey from early design instincts to building a boutique design studio rooted in “livable luxury” — a philosophy centered on comfort, function, and elevated living.

Laura opens up about what it takes to run a small design firm with intention, how to shape meaningful client experiences, and how she maintains creativity, balance, and joy in her business. This conversation dives deep into systems, process, boundaries, burnout, and evolution — offering practical insights for designers at every stage of their career.

🎧 What You’ll Learn

1. Defining Your Design Identity

Laura describes her core design ethos — livable luxury — where beauty meets practical living, especially for families with pets and kids.

She discusses discovering her creative calling early and pursuing interior design with purpose from the very beginning.

2. Intentional Business Choices

Instead of building a large firm, Laura chose a small, personal studio to protect flexibility, quality, and client relationships — especially important once she started a family.

3. Team, Hiring & Scale

Laura talks about finding the right team members, why design education mattered in her hiring decisions, and the moment she knew she needed help to sustain her business.

4. Defining Success on Your Terms

Success, for Laura, has shifted from accolades and publication to quality of life — like taking a two‑week vacation knowing her business hums without her.

5. A Client Experience Built Around Trust & Process

Laura walks through her three‑stage client journey (Kickoff → Concept → Detailed Design) that helps keep projects calm, clear, and collaborative. She discusses how setting expectations, communication channels, and deliverables upfront creates strong relationships and better outcomes.

6. Burnout, Recalibration, and Coaching

Laura shares how COVID pushed her to the brink, and how working with both a business coach and life coach helped her recalibrate, establish healthier rhythms, and sustain creativity.

7. How Laura Fills Her Creative Well

From time in nature to trade shows and exhibitions like Salone del Mobile Milano, Laura reveals how she intentionally refuels her imagination.

8. Hard Lessons & Smart Systems

Important takeaways include having rock‑solid contracts, flat‑fee pricing models that respect time and scope, payment boundaries, and clear communication to avoid confusion downstream.

About Laura:

Laura Abrams Design, Inc. is a full service, boutique interior design firm located in San Diego, CA. LAD has designed projects all over the United States and abroad including new construction and remodeling.

Lead designer Laura Abrams is a National Certification for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam-certified designer and active member of the American Society of Interior Designers. With over 20 years of experience, Laura studied Interior Design at Florida State University and the Interior Design Institute in Milan, Italy. She has won multiple design awards and has been recognized in magazines including the Wall Street Journal, San Diego Home and Garden, Florida Design, Modern Luxury and more.

LAD, Inc. specializes in residential design and is passionate about guiding and educating their clients through the journey of home design.

Laura’s design style is livable luxury and the spaces she provides are calming, inviting and practical for everyday living. She spends a great deal of time getting to know her clients so their homes are truly an extension of who they are. Her goal is to create spaces that bring joy, calm and connection through combining her clients’ needs with her design expertise.

Stay Connected:

1. WEBSITE: lauraabramsdesign.com
2. EMAIL: [email protected]
3. Sign Up for Our Newsletter
4. ASID San Diego Website
5. LinkedIn
6. Follow us on Instagram
7. Ask your question, share a topic of interest or be our guest here.
8. Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss upcoming episodes
9. Share this podcast with a fellow designer in your community
10. Questions, sponsorship or feed back: [email protected]

In this special episode, we’re flipping the mic! Interior design student Lynn Salbato from Mesa College joins me for a candid Q&A that started as a school assignment—and turned into one of my favorite conversations about business, balance, and building a career in design.

We cover everything from how I landed my first client (hi, Thumbtack!) to what I really wish someone told me before starting my own firm. Lynn brings the smart questions—and I’m sharing it all: the messy parts, the wins, and why community and mentorship (hello, ASID!) have mattered most along the way.

Whether you’re a student, emerging designer, or just curious what happens behind the scenes of a boutique design studio, this episode is full of real talk and real tools.

👂 What you’ll hear in this episode:

1. How I made the leap from showrooms to solo designer
2. My philosophy on pricing, flat fees, and charging what you’re worth
3. A business mistake I made recently—and what it taught me
4. Why having a mentor (or becoming one) changes everything
5. The role ASID San Diego has played in my career—and how to get involved now

✨ “If you’re not being invited to the table—make your own table.”

About Lynn Salbato:

Lynn Salbato is currently completing her Certificate in Interior Design at San Diego Mesa College, a path inspired by a lifelong love for the visual world and a desire to create evocative atmospheres. Working alongside her husband, she focuses on Interior Design for Masterworks Construction Co. and serves as a Realtor with Pacific Sotheby’s International Realty, helping homeowners recognize the potential in a property and translate that vision into reality.

When she isn’t focusing on her design work, Lynn is a volunteer for the San Diego Architectural Foundation’s annual Open House (OH!) event and an active member of Toastmasters International. She leverages this multi-faceted expertise to help her clients navigate the entire process of purchasing, designing, and bringing their projects to life.

Stay Connected:

1. Sign Up for Our Newsletter
2. ASID San Diego Website
3. LinkedIn
4. Follow us on Instagram
5. Ask your question, share a topic of interest or be our guest here.
6. Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss upcoming episodes
7. Share this podcast with a fellow designer in your community
8. Questions, sponsorship or feed back: [email protected]

Hosted by Rachel Larraine Crawford, ASID Allied

Happy New Year, design community! In this solo episode, Rachel kicks off 2026 with a fresh (and grounding) perspective on what’s actually worth paying attention to—beyond the “what’s in / what’s out” lists flooding your feed every January.

You’ll hear the trends showing up in meaningful ways this year, a handful of unexpected aesthetic shifts worth watching, and the timeless design truths that never go out of style. Rachel also shares ASID San Diego chapter updates, how to get involved as a member or sponsor, and a simple design prompt to carry into the new year.

Chapter Updates + Save the Date

Rachel opens with gratitude for ASID San Diego members, volunteers, and industry partners who helped make the chapter’s programming, events, and collaborations possible.

Sponsorship opportunities for 2026 are still available.

If you or your company want to support programming, education, or outreach, reach out to ASID San Diego’s president: [email protected]

January 21 (third Wednesday of the month) at Visions Museum of Textile Art (Liberty Station)

Topic: Custom Window Treatments — a frequently overlooked design element with major aesthetic impact and profit potential. Rachel teases a conversation on elevating projects through custom solutions, client relationships, motorization/tech, and where craftsmanship still matters in the age of AI.

To RSVP / attend: [email protected] (Membership Chair: Kendra)

What’s Trending in 2026 (The Meaningful Shifts)

Rachel breaks down the trends designers are already noticing—and why they matter beyond surface style.

1) Earthy + Moody Color Palettes

• A continued move away from gray/white toward sun-washed clay, moss green, dusty rose and other grounded hues.
• At the same time: a resurgence of deep forest green, inky navy, charcoal, oxblood, even black-on-black for cocoon-like, luxe spaces.
• Takeaway: These palettes aren’t loud—they’re emotionally intelligent, creating sanctuary and depth.

2) Texture-Forward, Sensory Materials

Luxury is shifting from “shiny” to tactile: plaster, brushed limestone, honed stone, character woods, coarse linen, chunky textiles.

Takeaway: Designers are specifying for the body as much as the eye—helping clients feel more grounded in a post-digital world.

3) Reimagined Nostalgia

Not literal replicas—more like memory translated: curved cabinetry, fluted glass, low-slung seating, subtle checkerboard, with nods to the 70s and 90s (without going full theme).

Takeaway: Nostalgia becomes a doorway to storytelling and comfort.

4) Wellness as the Baseline

Wellness is no longer an add-on. Expect more:

• Circadian lighting
• Acoustic zoning
• Air quality upgrades
• Low-VOC / non-toxic materials
• Nature integration (plants, water, natural light)
• Takeaway: Clients are asking how a space feels, supports stress levels, sleep, and energy—not just how it looks.

5) Personalization Over “Perfect”

The catalog-perfect interior is giving way to homes with soul: handmade pieces, layered art, heirlooms, mixed metals/woods, story-driven choices.

Takeaway: Meaning beats status. Local makers and artist collaborations become a standout value-add.

Unexpected Trends Worth Watching

Rachel shares a few emerging shifts that may not be on the usual “top 10” lists.

• Bold aesthetic fusion (playful, cross-cultural, eclectic “attitude” aesthetics seen on platforms like Pinterest)
• Wallpaper in unexpected places (ceilings, cabinets, closets, mural-scale, textured coverings, narrative prints as “art”)
• Comforting chaos + pattern drenching (layered patterns with intention—not randomness)
• Experimental material concepts (unconventional combos, repurposed elements, story-driven objects)
• Spatial reconfiguration (modular layouts, “spaces within spaces,” intentional vignettes vs. default open plan)

Design Truths That Never Go Out of Style

When trend noise gets loud, Rachel recommends returning to these pillars:

1. Light is everything
2. Great design choreographs light—natural + artificial—to shape mood, rhythm, and experience.
3. Design must serve life
4. Function is the foundation of beauty. If it doesn’t support how someone lives, it’s just a stage set.
5. Storytelling is the ultimate aesthetic
6. Instead of “What’s in?” ask: “What matters here?” Narrative-driven design transcends style categories.
7. Sustainability drives better creativity
8. Sustainability isn’t sacrifice—it’s better questions, better materials, better longevity. A compass, not a constraint.
9. Community creates better work
10. Design thrives in dialogue—with peers, mentors, vendors, makers, and clients. You don’t have to do it alone.

How to Guide Clients Away From Trends That Won’t Serve Them

Rachel shares a practical approach designers can use in real client conversations:

• Start with curiosity: What draws you to this trend—the look, the feeling, the memory?
• Translate the emotion: deliver the spirit of the trend in a way that fits their lifestyle.
• Educate with kindness: help them understand maintenance and real-life implications (especially with families/pets).
• Remind them: timeless means personal (not beige).

A 2026 Design Prompt

Choose:

• One trend that excites you, and
• One design truth that grounds you
• …and commit to designing from both places this year.

Rachel shares her own: deep color + layered patterns/textures, grounded in storytelling.

Stay Connected:

• Sign Up for Our Newsletter
• ASID San Diego Website
• LinkedIn
• Follow us on Instagram
• Ask your question, share a topic of interest or be our guest here.
• Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss upcoming episodes
• Share this podcast with a fellow designer in your community
• Questions, sponsorship or feed back: [email protected]