Style Matters

My guest today is Jessica Shaw, The Director of Interiors for the Turrett Collaborative. The firm typically works on high-end architecture and interior projects, but what Jessica has to share, and what she believes, is that creating a space that gives something back to you, in a positive way, can happen on any budget. And that’s because she implements what we’ve learned from neuroscience into how she creates built environments. And those touchpoints haven’t much to do with money. Today, Jessica introduces us to the concepts behind neuroarchitecture. The full episode show notes are available here, where you can see the amazing beautiful works of Jessica and her team.

My guest today is Jane Pollak, who walks the line between artist and artisan. You know I love to get the story behind pieces of art to help us all understand and appreciate their value. And Jane tells great stories! She’s taken a centuries old craft called Penny Rug Pillows and reimagines them with new colors, patterns, and motifs. In this conversation, we talk a lot about what it’s like to keep reimagining ourselves as well. We’ll have lots of photos of her pillows on the show note page of this episode so you can see for yourself the beauty of what she creates. Here’s Jane.

My guest today is designer Nikki Klugh, whose approach is centered around the idea of creating sacred spaces. We talk about what that looks like in design terms and why activating all of your senses in your sacred space is so transformative. Since Nikki is a mom of four, I had to ask her some questions related to living with kids while also creating beautiful homes, and she had a lot to share on that as well. Overall, Nikki is simply a warm, welcoming, nurturing human being whom I want to get to know better and whom I’m happy to share with you. Here’s Nikki.

My guest today is Delyse Berry, co-owner, with her husband, of Upstate Down, a real estate company, interior design and lifestyle company located in the beautiful Hudson Valley north of New York City. The region stretches all along the Hudson River, so depending on how far north you go, you're anywhere from about a hour to two and half hours away from Manhattan. In this episode, we talk about a particular essence, a sense of place, that creates and sustains a recognizable aesthetic. It's a beautiful part of the world, and you'll probably want to make plans to visit by the time we wrap up this conversation. And maybe, once you're there, you'll end up giving Delyse a call, and ask her to find you your dream home! Here's Delyse.

I have a lot in common with my guest today, designer Lisa Kahn. She lives and works in Florida, near the town I grew up in, she and I both have kids with intellectual disabilities and We’re in complete alignment in terms of how we think about the connection between our overall well being and the built environment. In other words, how our physical spaces affect our sense of self and happiness. I think you’ll find her approach to be just as helpful and illuminating as I did. You can visit the show notes pages here to see beautiful pictures of Liza's  work . Here’s Lisa.

I had a delightful conversation with my next guest, Lizzie McGraw. We talk about how she started and developed her popular boutique, Tumbleweed & Dandelion, in Venice Beach, California, and then went on to create interiors for many of her repeat clients. She’s recently come out with a beautiful book called "Creative Style," in which she shares her thought process on design, which prompted my interest in having her on the show. Visit the show notes pages for this episode at www.littleyellowcouch.com/podcast to see some wonderful pictures of Lizzies work and learn more about her design inspiration. Here’s Lizzie.

When was the last time your table prompted you to think about big life questions? Do you have a candle holder that doesn’t just illuminate with a little flame but demands you become meditative when lit? This is how I think of the furniture designed and made by my two guests today. 
Angie West and Alberto Velez have joined forces to create a new furniture company called Refractory, where they bring together their creativity from concept to the final process of manufacturing at their foundry in Chicago. I wanted to have them on because I think for consumers, It is important to understand the skill, practice, discipline, and vision involved in making something from scratch with the hands of humans especially when we are overwhelmed with objects that are mass-produced and identical, their work, and their dedication and craftsmanship stands out as something we can all aspire to incorporate into our homes.  I have to say, you really do need to check out the show notes page for this episode to see photos of the collections we refer to. So if you’re driving, at the gym, or walking the dog, go to littleyellowcouch.com, and click on Podcast when you get home. You may even want to re-listen to this episode while you’re looking at these beautiful, meaningful pieces of art.

Bertille de Lestrade is an artist and on her Instagram account called Darling Toutim, she primarily shares her sculptural and mixed media pieces.  Her other instagram account is called Cette Maison Bleue, and that's where she showcases her paintings of private interiors... living rooms, bedrooms, etc. and that's why I wanted her to come on the show... to talk about the connection she makes between art and interior design.  But this conversation turned out to be a whole lot more than that.  Bertille has such a generous spirit about her.  We do talk about her work as an artist, of course, be we also talk about coming through to the other side of depression, developing self confidence, and finding beauty in the world, as well as putting beauty into it.

There is a genuine warmth emanating from my guest, Marie Flanagan.  She's a designer in Houston, TX and she's just come out with her first book called The Beauty of Home.  Now, I gush a little bit about the book in the very beginning so let me just say here that I found Marie's chapters to each be a foundational lesson in design that clarifies so much of the intangible elements such as composition, character, palate, depth... and my conversation with her is like sitting in on several master classes rolled into one.  I think you're going to get a lot out of this episode and even more out of her book.  

Monica Leed is a pro organizer and author of the book, Simply Spaced.  In this episode we cover things such as how a good decluttering is growth for the soul, how getting organized is empowering, how to agree with your spouse or partner on what "neat and tidy" actually means, and why style is critical to staying organized.