Welcome to the very first episode of Talk Shop, where Ariel is joined by her friend, talented Elle Decor A-List designer, Paloma Contreras. Based in Houston, Texas, Paloma’s design sensibility is a modern take on traditional style– gravitating toward classic silhouettes and timeless pieces, paired with a touch of glamour and an infusion of color. Paloma is known for designing beautiful interiors in her signature modern-meets-traditional aesthetic, resulting in spaces that feel polished, refined, and effortless.


Paloma has repeatedly been named to the prestigious ELLE Decor “A-List” of the top interior designers in the world, as well as House Beautiful's "Next Wave" list, and more. Paloma and her work have been featured in numerous publications, including ELLE Decor, Architectural Digest, House Beautiful, Vogue, Better Homes & Gardens, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and the Wall Street Journal.


In addition to her timeless designs, Paloma is a sought-after speaker, author, product designer and shopkeeper. But her most important title is mother, to her beautiful daughter, Margot. You can find her lighting collection at Visual Comfort, and her curated retail shop, Paloma & Co, in Houston. Paloma’s newest book, The New Classic Home, is now available.

Paloma Contreras // On Career Pivots, The Best Design Advice Ever Received, and Following your Passion

Delve into the personal worlds of the top interior designers &amp; tastemakers around the globe – interviewed by Ariel Okin, House Beautiful Next Wave Designer, Founder of Fenimore Lane, and Contributing Writer to Vogue, Architectural Digest, &amp; Coveteur. These insightful conversations range from a designer’s favorite resources when sourcing for clients, to how creatives, shopkeepers, and artisans built their businesses, and more. Tune in each Wednesday as Ariel welcomes a new guest to discuss their career journey, design inspirations and even share a little advice for fellow design enthusiasts!

Arts

Literature

Performing Arts

Design

Food

Fashion & Beauty

Visual Arts

This week Ariel welcomes her friend, Amanda Jones Vaughan. A creative consultant and tastemaker with a career path that runs the gamut from cutting edge interior design startups to fashion powerhouses, Amanda has done it all. From NET-A-PORTER and J. Crew, to most recently, Editor-At-Large for Over The Moon, Amanda’s day-to-day involves overseeing events, content partnerships, and VIP services along with sharing top trends, product picks and styling content for brides and beyond.
After over a decade in Manhattan, Amanda returned to Philadelphia with her husband and 3 lively boys, where she is continuing to provide her keen sense of brand building through a growing consulting and styling business. 
Follow Amanda over on Instagram and to learn where you can subscribe to her weekly newsletter, “That Said,” where she will be sharing her fresh take on aesthetics, an enthusiasm for unique finds and a healthy, humorous dose of motherhood reality. 
https://www.instagram.com/amandajonesvaughan/
Books recommended by Amanda:
Move and Work by Malene Birger: https://www.amazon.com/Move-Work-Malene-Birger/dp/3832798099
Mr & Mrs Clark: Ossie Clark and Celia Birtwell: https://www.artbook.com/9788836653768.html
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Also, we’re not wrapped for the season yet! Come back on May 22nd and the 29th for two special episodes recorded live from the Fenimore Lane Design Summit. And hopefully see you all at the Mayflower Inn on Saturday, May 18th!
Learn more about the Fenimore Lane Design Summit: 
https://aubergeresorts.com/mayflower/experiences/fenimore-lane-design-summit/


Amanda Jones Vaughan // A Personal Touch from Design Start-Ups to Fashion Powerhouses to Her Own Brand

On this week’s episode of Talk Shop, Ariel is joined by the accomplished interior designer, Hillary W. Taylor. Having grown up in the San Francisco area, Hillary learned the art of designing the home environment from her mother. After graduating from Princeton, she worked for an investment banking firm, before realizing design might be much more her style, and founding her business, Hillary W Taylor Interiors in 2003.
Known for her neo-traditional design style that seamlessly blends classic elegance with contemporary elements. Her work exudes a sense of refined sophistication, creating spaces that are both timeless and inviting. With a keen eye for detail, Hillary blends colors, textures and patterns to achieve a sense of balance and harmony, with a bit of her own eclectic charm. 
And when Hillary is not in the design studio, one might find her digging in the dirt, on the running trail, or cheering on one of her four children at their sports games, all while awaiting her next plane ride to adventure. 
Learn more about Hillary’s design firm: https://hillarytaylorinteriors.com/

Hillary W. Taylor // From Law to Design, Twenty Years of Fresh, Authentic and Traditional Styling

This week is all about legacy, as Ariel joined by Eliza Crater Harris, the Chief Creative Officer of American heritage brand, Sister Parish Design. As the great-granddaughter of design icon Sister Parish, Eliza's work honors her family's design legacy by overseeing product development, textile production, visual merchandising, and marketing initiatives for Sister Parish Design.
After graduating from the University of St. Andrews in 2011, Eliza began her career in the decorative arts in New York City, training under some of the most prestigious design firms in the country. From there Eliza joined her family business in 2018, and under Eliza's creative vision, the company continues to honor the story of great American houses. Sister believed that to decorate is to dream and Sister Parish Design is a family of dreamers.

Learn more about Sister Parish Design: https://sisterparishdesign.com/

Eliza Crater Harris // A Nostalgic, Playful and Layered Career Built on a Legacy of Women

Ariel’s guest this week has over two decades of experience in the interiors world, both in print and digital. Tori Mellott is the Style Director at Frederic Magazine, and Director of Video Content at Frederic Media. Throughout her storied career, with stops at House Beautiful, Domino Magazine, Martha Stewart and Traditional Home, to name a few, Tori has curated a deep understanding of print and digital storytelling.
When she’s not behind the editor’s desk, Tori is a face many know in the industry both as a social media personality as the Instagram Live host for Schumacher, as well as a mentor to various designers, stylists, photographers, writers and editors in the industry.
Originally from a small town in western Pennsylvania, Tori now resides in New York City with her ten year old twin daughters. Listen in as Ariel has a lovely conversation with this industry legend! 
Follow Tori’s design inspirations on her instagram at https://www.instagram.com/torimellott/

Tori Mellott // Starry Moments from a Storied Career in Publishing, Advice for Designers, and a Book Announcement!

On this week’s episode of Talk Shop, Ariel is joined by Katie Rosenfeld, a fellow self-taught designer, whose career started on Wall Street, but eventually led to design through starting her blog, Bogle Street, in 2007. Originally from Tampa, Florida, she would spend time in New York and Los Angeles before landing in Massachusetts with her family. In 2012, after her Boston home was published in Better Homes and Gardens, Katie would launch her design career and eventually her own firm, Katie Rosenfeld & Co.
Katie is equal parts vintage and modern, never trendy and always comfortable, she brings this same sense of stylish-ease to her designs. Her firm’s goal is to design a home to feel warm, comfortable and familiar, but thoughtfully designed, well-functioning and beautiful. At the end of the day, Katie’s aim is a home that reflects the clients’ life ― with Katie’s signature warmth and layers peppered throughout.
Learn more about Katie’s firm: https://katierosenfeldandco.com/

And her upcoming retail site for Vanity and Co: https://www.instagram.com/vanityandcompany/

Paloma Contreras // On Career Pivots, The Best Design Advice Ever Received, and Following your Passion

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