The Chaise Lounge Podcast

This week in The Lounge, host Nick explores pizza, process, and customization vs. practical DIY packages with metro New York designer Lori Miller, founder of LGC, Inc. (fka Lori-Girl Creations), a full-service interior design firm based in suburban Long Island.

Welcome! Today in The Lounge, Nick sits down with NYC interior designer Kati Curtis. Kati founded Kati Curtis Design in 2005 after 12 years of working with international architecture and engineering firms. She is a Certified Interior Designer (CID), and a Leadership in Energy and Efficient Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP).

Welcome! This week on The Lounge, Nick spends some quality time with New York-based architect, interior designer, and vintage Rolex watch collector Neal Beckstedt, who boldly launched Neal Beckstedt Studio in 2010 in the depths of the recession, landed his first project two weeks later, appeared on Architectural Digest's "Ones to Watch" list in 2013, and has never looked back.

"Call me an architect, interior designer, a decorator—it's all about problem solving, and I love it," says Neal, whose portfolio of warm, modern interiors includes everything from intimate residences for two to a 40,000-square-foot office space for 500 employees and his own 1890s weekend house.  Nick and Neal talk about how the designer keeps the lightning-paced operations at his 12-person shop running smoothly, the ONE ESSENTIAL THING every designer must invest in, the marketing tool he can't live without ("Instagram, Instagram, Instagram"), and much more on this inspiring episode of The Chaise Lounge.

So pour yourself a Casamigos on the rocks (Neal's go-to cocktail...and George Clooney's, too, of course) and find out how this Midwestern boy raised "on a farm in the middle of nowhere" found his way to the top of one of the country's most competitive design markets while maintaining his reputation as a gentleman, his integrity, and his deep affinity for all things beautiful, pure, custom, and meticulously crafted.

You can learn more about Neal and his work at Neal Beckstedt Studio (and on Instagram, at @nealbeckstedt).

We need to be constantly talking to clients and vendors and be transparent about how much work goes into achieving something to the one-eighth inch and all the many people it takes to achieve that. For me, it's 'open book.'

Neal Beckstedt

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Chaise Lounge Updates

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Join us on The Lounge every week and learn just how many ways there are to run a successful design business.

 

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Upcoming Markets

KBIS 2020 | Las Vegas – Jan. 21 thru 23

The Winter Show | New York –Jan. 24 thru Feb. 22

Kips Bay Decorator Show House | Palm Beach – Feb. 2 thru Mar. 2

Design Influencers Conference – Mar. 1 thru 3

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JOIN US on THE CHAISE LOUNGE

To hear more episodes, join us on iTunes, Spotify or your favorite podcasting app! Find The Chaise Lounge on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Until we meet again, keep dreaming big—and keep designing YOUR great design business.

Welcome! Today in The Lounge, Nick sits down with Florida-based celebrity designer Krista Watterworth. Krista is perhaps best known for her appearances on HGTV and the Food Network but she has also achieved stellar success in Palm Beach with her all-female owned and operated design firm Krista + Home.

In this episode, Krista discusses the pathway to her success and goes deep into her design philosophy and process. She provides burgeoning designers invaluable advice for building relationships, marketing, how to succeed in an evolved retail environment, and she also shares insight on her fascinating career working with Vanilla Ice!

Welcome! Today in The Lounge, special guest host Stacy Garcia meets long-time friend and collaborator, philanthropist and resort designer extraordinaire Jacki Arena.

Jacki has made a name for herself in designing high end resorts throughout the world, and for establishing her celebrated Florida based design house Jacki Arena Interiors (JAI).

Welcome! Today in The Lounge, guest host Rachel Moriarty sits down with Artist/Designer/Musician/Host and Entrepreneur Tym De Santo.

Tym is perhaps best known for his appearances on HGTV’s Design Star, however, Tym’s skills and abilities go well beyond his Design Star persona, (interior and exterior design) to fine artist, (sculptural furniture and photography) award winning singer/songwriter as well as a run at professional ski racing and adventure skiing. The common thread here, running like top stitch on a leisure suit lapel, a passion for using his wild imagination in a creative and inspiring way in everything he does!

Welcome! Today in The Lounge, celebrity guest host, Chad James sits down with Katherine Nicholson of Peacock Alley. Chad and Katherine met at the Atlanta Spring Southeastern Showhouse years back and Chad has direct experience using Katherine’s services with Peacock Alley to attain his vision many times.

Welcome! Today in The Lounge, Nick meets the founder of Cochineal Design, Sarah Mendel, who, in just 5 short years since graduating from Parsons School of Design, has made a name for herself in the New York interior design community as a fresh and exciting designer to watch.

Brass Horse Heads

Antler Chandelier

CA. 1870'S SWEDISH GUSTAVIAN VITRINE

Today on the Chaise Lounge, your host is the Antiques Diva Toma Clark Haines. Toma chats with her friend and fellow antiques dealer Margaret Schwartz of Modern Antiquarian. They discuss the behind-the-scenes life of an antique dealer, like how easy it is to get into on accident and the way dealers need to surf on economic waves to weather recession. 

Margaret Schwartz started her design career working for Martha Stewart and she took everything she learned there and turned it into her own firm where she eventually hired her first and still-only employee, Kelly Maguire. And Schwartz, thanks in part to Toma’s influence, got inspired to turn the whole operation into Modern Antiquarian.

Make sure to find Margaret Schwartz online at ModernAntiquarianShop.com and on Instagram @modernantiquarian. The same goes for Toma at AntiquesDiva.com and @theantiquesdiva.

"Perfect is the enemy of good."

Maragaret Schwartz

Chaise Lounge Updates

Keep an eye out for new Chaise Lounge episodes hosted by Stacy Garcia, Toma Clark Haines, Rachel Moriarty and Chad James. 

Our Events Page

Resources

See what our sponsors can do for you.

Upcoming Markets

Atlanta Market – Jan 14 – Jan 21, 2020

KBIS – Jan 21 – Jan 23, 2020

More About Our Sponsors

Wrap Up

If you would like to hear more episodes, please visit us on iTunes, Spotify or your favorite podcasting app! We'd love it if you post a review, you may even hear your review read live on our next podcast. Also, find The Chaise Lounge on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. With that said, keep dreaming big, and keep designing a great design business. See ya!

Today in The Lounge, Nick sits down with celebrated California designer Raili Clasen. Raili has a very interesting and unique background and a great story. She is self-trained but she has become a highly sought-after designer in her native Orange County. 

Raili got her start in design late on. She originally trained to be a newscaster, and then she had a stint as a flight attendant before getting into the surf industry. The famed designer Mossimo was a family friend and he encouraged Raili to pursue a marketing role in the surf industry, which led to her launching the Roxy line for Quicksilver.