The Chaise Lounge Podcast

Welcome to this week’s episode of The Chaise Lounge! This week Nick May sits down with Anthony Barzilay Freund the Editorial Director of 1stDibs.

Nick and Anthony discuss the origins of 1stDibs, which was started 20 years ago by Michael Bruno, and their rise up to be the powerhouse that it is today.  With 4,000 individual shops from over 55 countries around the world, 1stDibs not only has luxurious items but also explains the origins of these items.

They also dive into 1stDibs' survey on The Top Interior Design Trends of 2021. 

For more information on 1stDibs, check out www.1stDibs.com or follow them on Instagram @1stDibs!

*Editor’s Note: Anthony meant Paul Evans not Paul Williams.

It's my duty to not tell the story that people want to hear, it's to tell them the stories they should be hearing.

Anthony Barzilay Freund

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Chaise Lounge Updates

 Coast to Coast Design is back baby! Give it a listen to learn about just how many ways there are to run a design business.

Our Events Page

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See what our sponsors can do for you.

Upcoming Markets

High Point Market – June 5 – 9 , 2021

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 on The Chaise Lounge, Nick May is joined by Rhett Alexander (Rhett Alexander LLC). Nick has an interesting connection to Rhett, as he designed the community that Nick’s parents are living in now!

Rhett was born in Columbia while his parents were serving in the Peace Corps which he later joined himself. Through the Peace Corps, Rhett was awarded a scholarship and earned a master's degree from Columbia University. While teaching at a school in Orlando, he attended a community college for interior design and worked as an intern - later starting his very own firm. Rhett Alexander LLC specializes in model home merchandising, sales centers, clubhouses, and vacation homes.

Learn more about Rhett at his website, www.rhettalexander.com or follow Rhett on Instagram @RhettAlexanderLLC!

The single most important thing that I learned was starting every job with a budget and sticking to it.

Rhett Alexander

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Chaise Lounge Updates

 Coast to Coast Design is back baby! Give it a listen to learn about just how many ways there are to run a design business.

Our Events Page

Resources

See what our sponsors can do for you.

Upcoming Markets

High Point Market – June 5 – 9, 2021

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!

Welcome! Today in The Chaise Lounge, Nick May sits down with Anne Carr of Anne Carr Designs. Anne is a home stager and interior designer in the Los Angeles area .Anne discovered her passion for interior design when she helped her friends with creative home renovations. After working in finance,  Anne decided to enrolled in the New York School of Interior Design (NYSID) to bring her talent to the next level.Anne and Nick discuss her transition from finance to interior design, the difference between staging a home and designing a home to be lived in.  Also, Anne shares a tip with Nick, that in his 28 seasons of the Chaise Lounge has never heard.Learn more about Anne at her website, www.annecarrdesigncom or follow her on Instagram @annecarrdesigns! 

We lived in a house and I designed it for me, and a woman came up to me and said "You should try staging. This is incredible."

Anne Carr

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Chaise Lounge Updates

 After a long winter/COVID-related hiatus, Coast to Coast is coming back this Wednesday (March 10).  Give it a listen to learn about just how many ways there are to run a design business. 

Our Events Page

Resources

See what our sponsors can do for you.

Upcoming Markets

High Point Market – June 5 – 9, 2021

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!

Welcome! Today in The Lounge, Nick sits down with Carrie Brigham of Carrie Brigham Design. 

Carrie is based in Naples, Florida and graduated from Florida State University in 2008, during the recession.  Nick and Carrie discuss trying to break into the interior design business during that time and Carrie's journey from working at other design firms to eventually starting her own in 2017.  They also discuss Carrie's future endeavors.

Learn more about Carrie at her website, www.carriebrighamdesign.com or follow Carrie on Instagram @CarrieBrighamDesign!

I'm more of a strong leader and it was my next step in my natural progression, to take a risk a on myself and go out on my own and launch my own company.

Carrie Brigham

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Chaise Lounge Updates

We'll be covering Spring High Point Market 2019! Stay in the loop on our Instagram and Facebook pages and keep an eye our for our upcoming market events!

Our new podcast Coast to Coast Design is live! Give it a listen to learn about just how many ways there are to run a design business.

Our Events Page

Resources

See what our sponsors can do for you.

Upcoming Markets

High Point Market – June 5 – 9, 2021

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!

You've seen them in the lobby at your doctor's office. Maybe you've even read one. On this week’s episode of The Chaise Lounge, Nick May is joined by David Kaufman of Architectural Digest. At Architectural Digest, David is responsible for converting print media to digital content.  Nick and David discuss what it takes to be on the AD100 list, moving news to mobile applications, and trends we are seeing in design like paint colors and converting to multi-use rooms. David grew up in San Francisco and moved to New York to attend NYU. He studied journalism and had an internship at another well known magazine. Learn more about Architectural Digest at www.architecturaldigest.com. 

So I think the biggest trend is that people are going to continue to be in their homes much more than they used to before covid which means that there’s going to be a lot of wear and tear on their home.

David Kaufman

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So I think the biggest trend is that people are going to continue to be in their homes much more than they used to before covid which means that there’s going to be a lot of wear and tear on their home.

David Kaufman

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Chaise Lounge Updates

Coast to Coast Design is taking a hiatus as we are working to bring you a better listening experience. Stay tuned for further updates.

Our Events Page

Resources

See what our sponsors can do for you.

Upcoming Markets

High Point Market – June 5 – 9, 2021

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!

Welcome to the Season 28 premiere of The Chaise Lounge! This week on the Lounge, Nick May is joined by returning guest Kelli Ellis with Ronati.

Nick and Kelli are longtime friends who catch up on what they’re doing. Kelli is the VP of Industry Relations at Ronati, a service that provides an online presence for antique art dealers. She is also the designer for the Design Network, which is on smart TVs. Kelli’s creativity has been stirring and is excited about one day being able to film again.

They share a longing for getting out and traveling more. While on a wedding trip to Arizona, Nick made friends with the bartender at the hotel bar! He was in his element when they started to talk about business.

So grab a glass of chardonnay and join us for Season 28!

Learn more about Ronati at www.ronati.com. Follow Kelli on her Instagram @designerkelliellis. Listen to the episode Kelli was originally on  www.thechaiseloungepodcast.com/98-kelli-ellis-interior-design-entrepreneur/.

So I do a lot virtually and of course now we’ve all learned that we can do pretty much almost anything virtually except to paint a wall. Aside from painting a wall, or anything that’s handy, I can design virtually no problem.

Kelli Ellis

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So I do a lot virtually and of course now we’ve all learned that we can do pretty much almost anything virtually except to paint a wall. Aside from painting a wall, or anything that’s handy, I can design virtually no problem.

Kelli Ellis

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Chaise Lounge Updates

Coast to Coast Design is taking a hiatus as we are working to bring you a better listening experience. Stay tuned for further updates.

Our Events Page

Resources

See what our sponsors can do for you.

Upcoming Markets

High Point Market – June 5 – 9, 2021

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!

Although getting an education is important, there are some things that can only be learned by having work experience. For our season finale of The Chaise Lounge, Nick May is joined by Melissa Banko of Banko Design. Melissa tells of the importance of getting out there and learning by working.

Nick and Melissa discuss the good and bad of HGTV programs and whether they help paint an accurate picture of what interior design is. She emphasizes that students get out and start learning the trade outside of their textbooks and what they see in the media

Banko Design specializes in senior living, multi-family and hospitality. They believe that a senior living community should be designed for the seniors living there, not just to appease the adult children. The firm also provides procurement services for FF&E, decorative lighting and custom flooring.

Learn more about Banko Design at www.bankodesign.com. Be sure to check out what they're doing on their Instagram page @bankodesignfirm.

We have had really rapid growth. I have an amazing team and people ask how we did it as fast as we did it and without sounding too cheesy, it really is the people. This team has got grit, they’ve got hussle and that’s why we’ve grown as fast as we have in 6 years.

Melissa Banko

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We have had really rapid growth. I have an amazing team and people ask how we did it as fast as we did it and without sounding too cheesy, it really is the people. This team has got grit, they’ve got hussle and that’s why we’ve grown as fast as we have in 6 years.

Melissa Banko

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Chaise Lounge Updates

Coast to Coast Design is taking a hiatus as we are working to bring you a better listening experience. Stay tuned for further updates.

Our Events Page

Resources

See what our sponsors can do for you.

Upcoming Markets

High Point Market – June 5 – 9, 2021

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 on The Chaise Lounge, Nick May is joined by Cara Woodhouse of Cara Woodhouse Interiors. Nick and Cara discuss her bad experience with an internship, her love of art as a child and downsizing her company to better provide services to her clients.

Cara has had multiple design companies with one ending with her moving to London during the 2008 recession. Back in New York, she started Cara Woodhouse Interiors in 2016 after a short partnership with a close friend. Her firm specializes in high end residential and commercial design all over the US and abroad.

Learn more about Cara Woodhouse Interiors by visiting their website at www.carawoodhouse.com. Be sure to check her out on Instagram @carawoodhouseinteriors.

I was just constantly working nonstop and I just felt burnt out so I told my now husband ‘Don’t come here. I think I’m going to come live to London.’

Cara Woodhouse

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I was just constantly working nonstop and I just felt burnt out so I told my now husband ‘Don’t come here. I think I’m going to come live to London.’

Cara Woodhouse

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Chaise Lounge Updates

Coast to Coast Design is taking a hiatus as we are working to bring you a better listening experience. Stay tuned for further updates.

Our Events Page

Resources

See what our sponsors can do for you.

Upcoming Markets

High Point Market – June 5 – 9, 2021

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!

For the first time on the show, we have a guest that became a partner at a firm after being an employee. Joining Nick May on The Chaise Lounge is Tom Diverio of Dunagan Diverio Design.

Tom had worked for Charlotte Dunagan for several years before being asked to come on as partner. Charlotte’s background in interior design and Tom’s background in architecture combine for a unique service they call interior architecture. They specialize in high end residential design and have grown the company from 4 people to 20 people. Listen in and see how they came together to grow an existing business.

Learn more about Dunagan Diverio Design at www.dunagandiverio.com. Be sure to check out their Instagram @dunagandiverio. To listen to the episode with Charlotte Dunagan, go to www.thechaiseloungepodcast.com/90-two-different-interior-designers-charlotte-dunagan-garrow-kedigian/. 

We both sort of do everything which I think is great because if something ever comes up we can both handle it. It’s not like ‘Oh my God. This person is asking this so that’s really a Charlotte question, not a me question.’

Tom Diverio

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We both sort of do everything which I think is great because if something ever comes up we can both handle it. It’s not like ‘Oh my God. This person is asking this so that’s really a Charlotte question, not a me question.’

Tom Diverio

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Chaise Lounge Updates

We’re well into another new season of Coast to Coast Design. New conversations, new microphones, new takes on old themes. Be sure to add us to your feeds if you haven’t already, and stay tuned!

Chaise Lounge Updates

Our Events Page

Resources

See what our sponsors can do for you.

Upcoming Markets

High Point Market – June 5 – 9, 2021

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!

If you’re not using social media, our next guest highly recommends you start. On today’s episode of The Chaise Lounge, Kyla Herbes joins Nick May as they talk about using social media as a marketing tool for your business.

Specifically, Kyla talks about using Pinterest and Tik Tok to grow your business. Pinterest works like Google in that with the right keywords (SEO), users can reach you easily. Videos are trending and Tik Tok is perfect for showing short clips of what you can do. Better yet, you can pin your Tik Tok clip on Pinterest and reach even more people!

Learn more about Kyla and House of Hipsters at www.houseofhipsters.com. Use Stats Check LOL to see which hashtags to use in your Tik Tok posts www.statschecklol.com. Click on the link to see Nick's Tik Tok. 

It is a huge traffic driver that if you use the proper keywords - I’m going to say SEO and hope that people know what that is - if you think about Pinterest as a search engine or as google only with images, you want to be higher ranked.

Kyla Herbes

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It is a huge traffic driver that if you use the proper keywords - I’m going to say SEO and hope that people know what that is - if you think about Pinterest as a search engine or as google only with images, you want to be higher ranked.

Kyla Herbes

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Chaise Lounge Updates

We’re well into another new season of Coast to Coast Design. New conversations, new microphones, new takes on old themes. Be sure to add us to your feeds if you haven’t already, and stay tuned!

Our Events Page

Resources

See what our sponsors can do for you.

Upcoming Markets

High Point Market – June 5 – 9, 2021

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!