The Chaise Lounge Podcast

Today in The Lounge, Nick chats with Rachel Thomas Murphy of Thomas Grey Interiors about her early stages of design, her affinity for the University of Kansas Jayhawks, and her community-focused Passion Project.

Today in The Lounge Nick joins Nicole Hogarty, principal of Nicole Hogarty Designs. Nicole chats with Nick about growing up in a small town, the importance of design in her childhood, pursuing her education at Parsons School of Design, and diving head first into her design career!

Today in The Lounge, Nick chats with Janice Barta of Barta Interiors. Janice discusses her early days as a designer, how she started her business, the implications of technology for the industry and her plans for the future.

Today in The Lounge, Nick speaks with Susan Bunting from Datacolor and Phyllis Harbinger. Susan speaks at length about Datacolor’s apps and how they help everyone from seasoned designers to homeowners painting their own spaces. Then, Phyllis and Nick discuss how she got in the industry and the importance of being organized in your business to get ahead.

Today in The Lounge, Nick chats with Rachel Cannon from Rachel Cannon Limited. Learn about her early days as a designer, her transition from commercial to residential design, and the game changer that ignited her successful business.

Today in the Lounge Nick chats with Bridget Beari Designs principal Susan Jamieson, live from Universal Furniture at High Point Market. Nick and Susan discuss what got her interested in interior design, her business today, and Susan gives some advice for new designers in the business.

Design by HW Design. Click the image for more info!

Ron Werner and Marc Molinsky

Today in The Lounge, Nick chats with Ron Werner of HW Home. A native of Chicago, Ron began his professional career as a stockbroker prior to opening a series of home furnishing store. Next, Nick sits down with Marc Molinsky of Designer Advantage for a fascinating conversation about his years of working with designers, as well as current industry trends and billing best practices.

Ron Werner

Ron is an interior designer based in Boulder, Colorado, who has had a fascinating journey from stockbroker to interior designer.

Early Beginnings

Ron began his career as a stockbroker in Chicago, Illinois,  after graduating with a Bachelors in Economics from Indiana University. He says his years as a broker taught him the ins and outs of running a small business, and later, on a trip to Boulder, Colorado to visit his sister, Ron decided to move to the area and open his own shop along with his partner, Jim, who was currently running a Holly Hunt showroom in Chicago. The duo decided that purchasing real estate in the area would be the best investment and opened their first store in 1999.

The Store - HW Home

Ron and Jim always had a clear idea of what they wanted: a true home store that reflected their personal aesthetic. Now expanding into their third location, the look and feel of the store is still in alignment with their original business plan: they create an eclectic palette using their sourcing methodology of “ Hunt, Gather, Edit” -- working  to select items that are unique and beautiful, stand the test of time and will excite people.

Marc Molinsky - Designer Advantage

Next in The Lounge, Nick chats with Marc Molinsky of Designer Advantage. For 18 years now Designer Advantage has handled the financials and bookkeeping for interior designers, allowing for more time to focus on client relations and the creation of design vision. Designer Advantage handles the financial side of the business, ensuring that designers are paying bills and making a profit. Functioning as both a full-service booking company and an outsourced CFO, Designer Advantage provides services to designers at a cost less expensive than hiring a full-time employee. They currently manage 120 firms across the country.

Industry data

Designer Advantage has been in business for 18 yrs, and during this time they have seen a shift in the way in designers are being compensated for work. Originally, profit was generally tied to product, with designers making 35-45% profit markup on top of the flat fee. This practice has deteriorated over time as designers lose the competitive advantage of purchasing trade only products. More notably, when markup profit is divided by the hourly rate, the numbers simply do not add up -- resulting in designer not being properly compensated for the amount of hours spent. Therefore, the industry has been shifting toward an hourly model which can help designers increase their profitability.

Time Billing Best Practices

As Designer Advantage sits on the front lines preparing and receiving invoices for the client they possess a unique vantage point. As such they have developed a few techniques to minimize negative client feedback, to help your interior design business weather the seismic shifts we’re all seeing in the industry. Listen to take a deep dive!

To learn more about Design Advantage visit their website!

Chaise Lounge Updates

HD Expo – May 2 – 4

ICFF – May 20 – 23

NeoCon – June 11 – 13

Dallas Market – Jun 20– 26

Las Vegas Market July 29 – Aug 2

High Point Market – October 13 – 17

BDNY  – Nov 11 – 12

Resources

Follow this link to check out our fantastic sponsors and find out how they can help YOU!

Wrap Up

Intercontinental Hotel Los Angeles, by Amy Jakubowski and Wilson Associates. Click on the image for more info!

Amy Jakubowski: International Design

Today in the Lounge Nick speaks with Amy Jakubowski live from BD West in LA. Amy talks about how she she got started in interior design at young age, what she does working for Wilson Associates, and some qualities she looks for in interns.

Getting to Know Amy

On Amy’s coffee table you would find two candles, a book on 1950’s California design, and plant that’s still alive. She loves to travel for work and also takes trips with her friends -- this year it’s a jaunt in Croatia. One of her projects has even taken her to Minsk, and she loves going back to Paris. Beer, wine, or cocktail? She loves rosés in the afternoon and reds at night, but if it isn’t a nightcap, she prefers a cocktail.

Click on the image to see the complete portfolio of the Intercontinental Hotel Los Angeles!

How Amy got into Interior Design

Amy’s passion for interior design grew when she was thirteen and drew inspiration from her neighbors, which led her to the classroom on Saturdays for FIT classes and an eventual bachelor's degree. She worked in the industry part-time while in school and full-time when on breaks, and even had a job offer waiting for her when she graduated. Her first ten years were spent in the garment district, and from there she went to a firm that designed hotels before transitioning from boutique and retail to hospitality.

The Business Today

Amy is currently the Manager and Design Director for Wilson Associates in the LA office, where she manages the ten offices worldwide and a total of 70 projects -- from Morocco and Minsk to Abu Dhabi and Shanghai. She says that it’s important to get to know the market you’re in because every place is unique and different, and you have be able to adapt to different cultures.

Click on the image to see the complete portfolio of the Intercontinental Hotel Los Angeles!

What Amy looks for in Interns

When hiring interns at Wilson Associates, Amy looks for an energetic go-getter with computer graphic skills like InDesign, Photoshop and CAD along with a passion for design. Amy also looks to make sure that a student has already done an internship when in the hiring process. She also has a few tips for resumes: a professional resume should include some sample projects but it is important to be concise and personable. Also, be sure to write the point of your objective in your resume. With digital portfolios also keep it simple: balance out your portfolio with technical skills and hand sketches, because it is important for her to see your process. And when you do find an internship (maybe even one with The Chaise Lounge!) be sure to find a mentor and ask a lot of questions! That’s how you learn and get to know what different areas in design are out there.

Visit Wilson Associates to learn more about Amy and Wilson Associates.

Chaise Lounge Updates

Get to know Nick this week in Las Vegas at HD Expo, May 2-4. It’s not too late, register NOW!

Last chance to enter the Moore & Giles INSTAGRAM GIVEAWAY!!! Follow the instructions on our Instagram Post for your chance to win a FREE tote bag.

Resources

Datacolor– If you’ve ever worked with a Benjamin Moore dealer and asked for a color match, then you’ve probably worked with Datacolor. Now, if you pick up a ColorReader pro, you can color match from home! You can also work with almost all of the color decks, including Benjamin Moore. Visit www.datacolor.com to order one or click the link from The Chaise Lounge Podcast website.

Moore & Giles

JLF Collections

Design Manager

Benjamin Moore

Porcelanosa

Universal Furniture

Upcoming Events

HD Expo – May 2 – 4

High Point Spring Market 2018: Christi Barbour

Today in The Lounge we air the last of our High Point Spring Market coverage, kicking the episode off with the Nick May Morning Show co-hosted by Catherine Hersacher of Bespoke Interiors featuring Jane Dagmi of Designers Today, Shay Geyer of IBB Design, Lynai Jones of Mitchell Black, LuAnn Nigara, and Garrison Hullinger. Garrison chats about branching out to High Point to stand out from other West Coast designers and explains why he is constantly telling friends “no design for wine!” Next, Nick sits down with Christi Barbour, an incredible designer based in High Point with the firm Barbour Spangle Design. As a local, she's able to offer an incredible perspective on the Spring Market!

Christi's Story

Christi is from High Point and grew up no more than ten miles from the market. On her coffee table, you can find Kelly Wearstler and Chanel design books, as well as flowers. Her favorite accessory is a pair of Tom's shoes, and her favorite city is Paris.

Getting into Design

Christi loved barbie homes and rearranging her room as a child, but didn't get into design until mid-way through college. As a student at Virginia Tech, she struggled to find a career she was passionate about and originally planned to work in childcare, but was thankfully exposed to the design world through her suite-mate, who persuaded her to switch majors. She immediately knew that design was the fit for her. After college, Christi went back home to High Point to do an internship for a designer who becomes a mentor and her first employer for three years as she worked in photographic design, which she says was perfect for experimentation. Afterward, Christi moved to a furniture company to take over floor display and retail, and bounced around a few jobs, but was unhappy and struck out on her own around 1997.

Success!

Now, Christi has a partner and thirteen staffers at her hyper-local design business. She loves how quiet High Point is in between markets, and says that it is always exciting to see people trickle in!

Find Christi's work here and look for her at High Point Fall Market!

Resources

Datacolor– If you’ve ever worked with a Benjamin Moore dealer and asked for a color match, then you’ve probably worked with Datacolor. Now, if you pick up a ColorReader pro, you can color match from home! You can also work with almost all of the color decks, including Benjamin Moore. Visit www.datacolor.com to order one or click the link from The Chaise Lounge Podcast website.

Moore & Giles

JLF Collections

Design Manager

Benjamin Moore

Porcelanosa

Universal Furniture

Upcoming Events

HD Expo – May 2 – 4

ICFF – May 20 – 23

NeoCon – June 11 – 13

To hear more episodes, visit us on iTunes or on our website www.TheChaiseLoungePodcast.com. Lastly, find The Chaise Lounge on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter or post a review on iTunes — and you may even hear your review read live on our next podcast. With that said keep dreaming big, and keep designing a great design business. See ya!

 

High Point Spring Market 2018: Thom Filicia

Today in The Lounge, Nick continues his journey at High Point Market. We start off with with a snapshot of The Nick May Morning Show co-hosted Joseph Haecker of Dezign Wall. Guest appearances include Dorothy Willetts of Willets Design, Bobbi Jo Engelby of Domain Interiors, Michelle Wiebe of Studio M and Zandy Gammons & Liles Dunnigan of The Warehouse 1924. Join in through the live video on our Facebook Page! Then join Nick and designer/TV personality Thom Filicia of Thom Filicia Inc live from the showroom floor at Listen to Thom answer fan questions while discussing his early days as a designer, his experience on Queer Eye, and his upcoming new projects.

Early Beginnings

Thom Filicia grew up in Syracuse, NY, and realized that he wanted to be a designer in the 5th grade when he drew an elaborate McMansion on his elementary school desk -- even though he got in trouble. Later, Thom entered into an advanced art program at school and went on to study art and design, ultimately earning a degree in Interior Design. In 1998 he opened his own business.

The Business

Now, Thom Filicia manages three different business empires: Thom Filicia Inc, a traditional brick and mortar interior design firm focusing on commercial projects, hotels and restaurants; Sedgwick and Brattle, a showroom and experience center in NYC; and Tom Filicia Entertainment, which focuses on books and television. Originally Thom thought he opened his own business before he was really ready. In retrospect, he realizes that you are never really ready for anything that is monumental in your life, and becoming a business owner taught him how to acclimate to things intuitively. Sometimes, he says, you have to take on more than you are capable of to go to the next level, and he credits his internship experience as the springboard for his career.

The Show

Of course, Thom is best known for his appearances on the show Queer Eye -- and the backstory is incredible. Believe it or not, Thom was actually discovered by a talent scout while they were both stuck in a broken elevator. Thom says he was able to bring a lighthearted humor during a difficult situation which helps to alleviate the hysterics of other passengers, and after they were rescued from the elevator, the two exchanged cards. A few months later, Thom was contacted by the scout for an upcoming project, and although Thom didn't have television experience, the agent submitted his name anyway. The rest is history. Thom is excited that the show is back on the air and that the brand is still relevant to viewers today. Beyond the commercial appeal, he says that the Fab Five are like brothers to him. Today Thom is currently filming his new Bravo show, the Thom and Carson Project. The show will focus on the pair helping people who have some issue with the design on their home and is scheduled to air in mid-October.

For more information or to connect with Thom visit his website www.thomfilicia.com

Chaise Lounge Updates

Last chance to enter the #makemychaise Design Competition! Enter via Facebook or Instagram for the chance to see YOUR chaise lounge design come to life!!!!

Where in the world is Nick??? Find Nick next week in Las Vegas at HD Expo, May 2-4. It’s not too late, register NOW!

Our Events Page

Resources

Datacolor–If you’ve ever worked with a Benjamin Moore dealer and asked for a color match, then you’ve probably worked with Datacolor without even knowing it. Now, Datacolor has announced the ColorReader, a tool that identifies paint colors from any surface and provides you the closest existing paint match right on the spot! Stop cutting out your drywall or scanning fan decks and start saving time by confiming color with the help of the ColorReader. Revolutionize your color tools and visit www.datacolor.com/may for more information.