The Chaise Lounge Podcast

Sue Moss: Designing HawaiiSue Moss owns Trans-Pacific Design in Kamuela, located on the big Island of Hawaii, and executes residential and commercial design. Growing up in Wisconsin, Sue took the opportunity to move to Hawaii after college, and has lived there ever since.  Sue is a past president of ASID, continues to be an active member of ASID, and looks to her contacts and resources from the organization to build her design business.Working in Hawaii has a lot of challenges due to the fact that they are very remote, and have limited access to resources and vendors. Thinking long term, and ordering samples early is required. Sue works with a lot of resort clients as well as second home clients, ranging from new construction to remodel and everything in between.Sue shares how she got into the industry by working for a few different design firms, and encourages emerging designers to do the same. She explains that it is good to get a broad understanding of design prior to starting an independent business. Sue explained that keeping an eye on cash flow and work-load is her biggest challenge.To get in touch with Sue, contact her through her website at transpacificdesign.com

Brian Workman:  Blind Corners and Curves

 

On this episode of The Chaise Lounge, we will be going out to Studio D to talk with Brian Workman, owner of Blind Corners and Curves.  

Marketing Tips:Getting PR and put in Print

It is the goal of just about every designer to be on the cover of a high end magazine.  But have you ever really stopped to consider if it was really worth it.  After interviewing about a dozen or so successful interior designers from across the country, I am not sure the value of print, is as high as we place on it.  You may disagree with me, but listen in as a plead my case.

Window treatments are an important part of any interior design project.  Brian's company, Blind Corners and Curves is a specialty window treatment company that helps designers and homeowners cover difficult and challenging windows all around the country.  BCC is one of the larges Hunter Douglas dealers in the country and receives referrals from Hunter Douglas for fabricating difficult to cover windows.  They have worked on projects all around the world.  Working with installers in the local markets, Brian is able to just ship the treatments without needing to go to each individual installation.  An additional area of specialization for BCC is motorization, even on the specialty sizes.

Blind Corners and Curves works with a lot of designers locally in Denver and throughout Colorado.  The advantage for a designer purchasing through BCC is:

The  use of their large showroom and buying power.

Designers are able to borrow samples from the showroom to avoid the need to invest in expensive and ever changing sample collections.

Service on window treatments is also another great reason for designers to utilize BCC.

Access to the full line of products.

Full service measure and install...no headaches.

If you would like to hear this episode or past episodes, please go to www.thechaiseloungepodcast.com or listen in on iTunes or Stitcher.

Today in the Lounge Nick sits down with international designer Jenny Provost. Jenny is the owner and Principal of, K2 Design. She has created an amazing design and architecture firm that specializes in taking projects from “dirt to drapes”. This, combined wither “Fearless Design” philosophy and creating anything that can be imagined has won her the reputation for fantastic design and execution around the world.Jenny Provost and K2 DesignJenny originally studied architecture but after seeing how few architects who could be considered wealthy. This lead her to looking at architecture not only as a profession but as an end. The mindset of design as a business was what lead to the creation of her firm K2 Design in 1992. She wished to create a design and business model that allowed her to work on them from beginning to end. She called this model “Dirt to Drapes”. Using this mindset Jenny was able to open not one but two locations in North America, on in Naples, Florida and the other in St. Gabriel, Quebec, Canada.“Dirt to Drapes and Solving “Impossible” ProblemsThe “Dirt to Drapes” model of Jenny’s firm allows her to be apart of the design process from the landscaping all the way to the finishing touches. The firm provides a very comprehensive project to clients because they can look at as a whole, rather than in pieces. K2 Design is not only known for its comprehensive design style, they are also known for their problem-solving skills. They are often called into projects that Jenny describes as being “like putting lipstick on a pig”. The bring “impossible” projects back to life and use their problem-solving skills to “mold” problem projects into something that suits their client’s needs.Designing FearlesslyTo Jenny, designing fearlessly means that when she faces roadblocks, she doesn’t allow them to get in her way, she removes them. She doesn’t allow things like what is typical, or what “can’t” be done, etc. hold her back, she instead challenges them and works to out unique ways to overcome them. If the design has never been done before, that’s not only accepted but welcomed. Another part of designing fearlessly is the ability to accept that sometimes ideas are not going to work out and that sometimes things really can’t be done. This does not mean that you shouldn’t try, it simply that you have to think of another solution that can allow your idea to see fruition.

Chaise Lounge Updates

We're covering High Point Market fall 2018! Stay in the loop on our Instagram and Facebook pages.The Student Lounge is up and running! Visit us to hear podcast episodes produced for students, by students.

Our Events Page

Resources

See what our sponsors can do for you.

Upcoming Markets

BDNY Nov 11 – 12

More About Our Sponsors

Wrap Up

If you would like to hear more episodes, please visit us on iTunes or on our website at TheChaiseLoungePodcast.com. Lastly, find The Chaise Lounge on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter or post a review on iTunes, 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!

Welcome to the Lounge!In the lounge today, Nick shares some of his tips on how to market your business, later, he sits down with Devon Tilly, owner of Mountain View WIndows and Doors based out of Denver, Colorado. Nick and Devon chat about how what exactly Mountain View Windows is and what they can offer you.Nick's Marketing 101So often we talk about marketing our business, but the truth is, a lot of designers don’t really know what marketing really is.  Today on the show Nick shares his tips and insight in to marketing. Marketing is how you communicate your brand and your value proposition to the  customer at ever different touch point:         on the phone         on our website         on our business cards         in an ad         and in every customer interaction.Be bold.  Be brave.  Talk about what make you, you, and how you are different.  There are tens of thousands of designers out there, and most likely at least several hundred within a 30-minute radius of where your customers live, WHY should they work with YOU?  Then you need to communicate that point of difference.Devon Tilly: Mountain View Windows and DoorsDevon bought Mountain View after years of working in window sales for someone else.  He decided he wanted to build the elite place for builders and architects to come to pick out windows, doors, and hardware for their clients.  He has partnered with Andersen Windows, Fleetwood Weiland, and a host of other manufacturers to create one of the premier, hands-on showrooms for window and doors in the state.Custom Pieces to Elevate your ProjectDevon works many different manufactures all over Colorado in order to create unique pieces for their clients. Each piece is unique in its own way. No two are the same. Devon’s creations are not limited by traditional ideas of doors but work to explore how they can use non-traditional items to create their pieces. They also offer different ways to integrate multiple functions into their products. In their VeraLock system offers built-in security to the windows and doors which allows clients to add security to their homes without the need for after finish additions. Allowing clients to access and control their homes security remotely.  The system not only tells clients when windows and door are locked or unlocked but also when they are opened or closed. This just one way that Mountain View windows and Doors seeks to maximize function and design for their clients.

Chaise Lounge Updates

We're covering High Point Market fall 2018! Stay in the loop on our Instagram and Facebook pages.The Student Lounge is up and running! Visit us to hear podcast episodes produced for students, by students.

Our Events Page

Resources

See what our sponsors can do for you.

Upcoming Markets

BDNY Nov 11 – 12

More About Our Sponsors

Wrap Up

If you would like to hear more episodes, please visit us on iTunes or on our website at TheChaiseLoungePodcast.com. Lastly, find The Chaise Lounge on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter or post a review on iTunes, 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!

Today in the lounge Nick sits down with Miami designer Renata Pfuner. Renata is a luxury residential interior designer who works on both local and international projects. Today Nick and Renata chat about how she got her start, the importance of lighting and how she gained her clients.Getting StartedBorn and raised in Europe, Renata brings a sophisticated, cosmopolitan aesthetic to her work. She relocated to the U.S. in 2001, and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Miami International University in 2006. She had always known that she wanted to be in a design profession, coming from a family of prominent designers, both fashion and otherwise she felt a strong connection to the field.  After graduating, rather than going to work for an established firm, Renata opened Pfuner Design. In 2013, she received a Design Excellence award from the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and is LEED-certified to serve clients committed to sustainability.The Importance of LightingRenata believes that lighting is one of THE most important parts of a project. She compares lighting to being the jewelry of the house something that can add that special touch to a home. According to Renata, lighting can either upgrade or downgrade an interior, and in order to create the best design for her clients she looks for the best lighting. She finds lighting for her clients from all over the world, each one selected specifically to bring out the best in each space. Choosing the wrong lighting could turn a fun and welcoming atmosphere into something boring and uninviting one.Gaining and Keeping ClientsRenata has gained most of her clients through either recommendations or from publications. She states that the split between the two is about 50/50.  While the majority of her work comes from those two sources, she also gains clients through internet marketing and sponsorship.Renata does not spend much money on advertisement outside of maintaining her website and instead prefers to let her work speak for itself and through that gain clients.  She believes that the “best [marketing] investment, is to do a great job.” About Pfuner DesignPfuner is a small luxury interior design firm comprised of two employees. Renata prefers a small team that for the firm and use independent contractors or freelancers from project to project. Rather than working with an architect or project manager from the beginning of each project Renata, creates her design, including architectural features, then after it is complete she has it looked over for viability. This unique approach to design allows her to work with a large amount of creative freedom.Learn more about Renata Pfuner at pfunerdesign.com.

Chaise Lounge Updates

We're covering High Point Market fall 2018! Stay in the loop on our Instagram and Facebook pages.The Student Lounge is up and running! Visit us to hear podcast episodes produced for students, by students.

Our Events Page

Resources

See what our sponsors can do for you.

Upcoming Markets

BDNY Nov 11 – 12

More About Our Sponsors

Wrap Up

If you would like to hear more episodes, please visit us on iTunes or on our website at TheChaiseLoungePodcast.com. Lastly, find The Chaise Lounge on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter or post a review on iTunes, 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!

Welcome to the Lounge! Today, Nick chats with New York Designer and entrepreneur, Hillary Unger. Hillary is the Principal of two firms, Perianth Interior Design, and Buy My Eye, both based in New York. During the chat they talk about getting started in the industry, gaining press, and the conception of her two successful and unique firms.

A Little Background

Hillary did not start her educational career in Interior Design. She gained her Bachelors in Textiles Merchandising, and Design (fashion) from the University of Rhode Island and a minor in arts with a focus in Interior Design. It wasn’t until after graduating that she realized her passion was not for fashion but Interior Design. This realization lead her to the New York School of Interior Design, where she gained her degree and started her journey to becoming the successful entrepreneur she is today.

Gaining Press

Like many Designers today, Hillary gains many of her clients from a combination of

referrals, word of mouth, and her website (which she compares to having a storefront, emphasizing the importance of maintaining it.) She also spoke about how she gained press over the years. One story focuses on how she came to be the focus of a local news story on “Good Morning New York”. Her work and unique approach to design lead to a previous client pitching her to FOX which got the ball rolling. She has also been featured in Home By Design Magazine and The New York Times.

Buy My Eye

Created 10 years ago, Buy My Eye has a unique approach to luxury Interior Design. The firm was created in order to make Interior Design a more attainable resource for the general public. The design model of the firm allows clients to take advantage of the knowledge of a Professional Interior Designer without the use of a contract or commitment. Clients are given a flat rate for an in-home consultation and given a detailed list of what they need to do. This allows clients to tackle projects at the speed and budget that they are comfortable with.

Perianth Interior Design

Perianth is Hillary’s “full service, luxury, high-end company”. This firm unlike its sister company, works on multi-million dollar projects and highly customized interiors. Hillary always knew that she wanted to have her own firm but rather than leaping straight in from school she chose to gain experience. This choice lead her to working at 3 well known and respected firms before she finally created her own. The firm focus mainly on residential projects but also has commercial work.

Chaise Lounge Updates

We're covering High Point Market fall 2018! Stay in the loop on our Instagram and Facebook pages.

The Student Lounge is up and running! Visit us to hear podcast episodes produced for students, by students.

Our Events Page

Resources

See what our sponsors can do for you.

Upcoming Markets

BDNY Nov 11 – 12

More About Our Sponsors

Wrap Up

If you would like to hear more episodes, please visit us on iTunes or on our website at TheChaiseLoungePodcast.com. Lastly, find The Chaise Lounge on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter or post a review on iTunes, 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!

Interview with rep Bryan Aboud from Miele

The first thing you need to know, is how to correctly say Miele.  It is like Tequila.  Bryan covers a large portion of the western United States for Miele.  We chatted about some of the new and interesting products coming out for Miele, as well as how their fancy dishwasher cleans glass with a mix of hard and soft water.

We discussed in detail the new 6000 series, Masterchef ovens, and steam options for ovens.

To get in touch with a Miele rep, contact him through his website at miele.com  

If you would like to hear more episodes, please visit us on iTunes or on our website at www.thechaiseloungepodcast.com.

 

Transcript

Well, Slew, we’re back at Decorative Materials.

 

Yes. We are.

 

How have you been?

 

I’ve been fantastic! How am I looking?

 

Oh, you look fantastic as always! We've got a great guest today.

 

I know. I’m thrilled.

 

So, do you know much about Miele?

 

I do.

 

Do you have one?

 

I don’t. But I will.

 

You can.

 

I can.

 

I want to have one now.

 

I know.

 

Now, that I know what I know.

 

I know.

more>>

Vincenzo Avanzato: Miami designer

Type of design: commercial and residential

Working: Miami, India, Middle East, Europe

Favorite place to work: Italy or South of France

What do you LOVE about design: being in tune with the client

What is your favorite design element: the whole

If you did not do interior design: men's clothing or women's jewely

Favorite evening drink: wine - pinot noir

Avanzato Design

Based in Miami, Avanzato Design is recognized as one of the leading luxury interior decorator and design firms in South Florida. The company is renowned for the quality of its work and for the very highest standards of professional integrity. Specializing in custom interior design they offer a full range of interior details and creative space solutions.

Originally an upholsterer, Vincenzo transitioned into interior design after watching a lot of designers that did not do a great job with clients.  He believes in building trust with his clients and talked about communicating well with the customer through mood boards, photographs, and things that the client can see and touch.

Marketing for Vincenzo takes place first on the web.  They have built a great website with a lot of great project pictures, a blog, and uses social media.  He is fortunate enough to have a team helping him, and has someone in his office that is dedicated to working on their marketing and internet presence.

To get in touch with Vincenzo, contact him through his website at avanzatodesign.com 

If you would like to hear more episodes, please visit us on iTunes or on our website at www.thechaiseloungepodcast.com.

Transcript

Are you ready to learn how to grow your interior design business? Welcome to “The Lounge,” “The Chaise Lounge.” So, get comfortable. Grab a glass of cabernet and let’s talk the business of interior design. Now, here’s your host, Nick May.

Welcome and thanks for joining me today in The Lounge. I’m Nick May, your host. Today, we’re talking the business of interior design. So no matter if you’re in Chicago, Milan, or Paris, Texas, I know you want to do one thing. You want to grow your interior design business. We’re going to do just that by finding out how successful designers do that from around the world.

But before we jump on in, let me just remind you. You can connect with us in a few different ways. First, our website, wallsbydesign.com and look at the "Podcast" tab at the top. You can also connect with us on our Facebook page at the Chaise Lounge. If you have found us on our website, you can also get into our feeds at iTunes and at Stitcher.

So, we’d love to connect with you in those different ways. We will be putting show notes, links to different things we talk about in the show in our show notes. Those will all be found at the website, wallsbydesign.com.

Today, we’re talking to a designer out of Miami, Florida, Vincenzo Avanzato from Avanzato Interior Design. He’s down in South Florida, but works all over the world. He’s going to share some fantastic things, how did he get into the design business from being an upholsterer.

So, we’re going to jump right into the interview with Vincenzo. But the first thing I asked him was, “Do you focus more on residential or commercial design?

Read more >>>

Today in The Lounge, Nick and Slew are joined with George Harrison of Harrison Home Systems and Laura Dalhauser of Sonoma Tilemakers. Nick and Slew dive into the worlds of tile and smart homes.

Sarah Lewis (Slew)

Starting The Chaise Lounge series of vendor talks, Sara “Slew” Lewis, from Decorative Materials, joins Nick for interviews at the Denver Design Center. Decorative Materials is a superb source for all Denver designers looking for tile and stone resources.

George Harrison: Harrison Home Systems

Harrison Home Systems, based in Denver, offers high-end residential home automation to residencies in Telluride and Aspen. After 15 years in the business, the company specializes in connecting HVAC, blinds, home security, and audio and visual connections. Smart homes eliminate confusion with multiple remotes, by all being in one central location - an app on your device.

Home Treatments with Harrison Home Systems

A favorite part of smart homes are automated shades and draperies. Lutron, a lighting and dimming company, now has partnered with Savoir - the quietest shade motor company - to automate window treatments.

Collaborating with interior designers, Harrison Home Systems is both programming and designing. There is a solution for every taste, and if the client doesn’t find their desired look, partnering with third-party designers is welcome.

Laura Dalhauser and Sonoma Tilemakers

Regional account manager for the western area of Sonoma Tilemakers, Laura Dalhauser is based in northern California. The 21-year-old business now has a factory in Windsor, Sonoma County, a showroom in Napa, and is now the largest vendor of handcrafted tile in the country, working with 400 dealers throughout the US and Canada.

Sonoma Tilemakers is known for custom mixing their unique tiles - providing carved stone tiles, modern ceramics, old-world looking, tumbled stone, and a glass line including tantrum crackle glass, hard glasses in iridescent and silk, a Tuscany reserve, and an earthy reserve. The company has a new line, the Euphoria collection. The line has 18 colors, five shapes, and five sizes. The raco finish is glazed in Boulder, Colorado and shipped to dealers throughout the country.

Learn more about Harrison Home Systems at harrisonhomesystems.com or hhsusa.com. To find out more about Sonoma Tilemakers, visit sonomatilemakers.com.

Chaise Lounge Updates

We're covering High Point Market fall 2018! Stay in the loop on our Instagram and Facebook pages.

The Student Lounge is up and running! Visit us to hear podcast episodes produced for students, by students.

Our Events Page

Resources

See what our sponsors can do for you.

Upcoming Markets

BDNY Nov 11 – 12

More About Our Sponsors

Wrap Up

If you would like to hear more episodes, please visit us on iTunes or on our website at TheChaiseLoungePodcast.com. Lastly, find The Chaise Lounge on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter or post a review on iTunes, 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!

Barrie Livingstone: Malibu, CA interior designer

Lives: Malibu, CA

Working on projects in: Miami Beach, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Lake Tahoe

Drink of choice: Vodka with squeeze of lime

Pet Peeve:  wrong size

Favorite design element: Fabric

Focus: Nature

If you were not doing interior design, what would you be doing:  On television

My first interview for my new podcast.  We will be talking the business of interior design.  One thing I have learned from working with lots of interior designers over the last 15 years, is that many of you struggle with the business aspect of running a design firm.  Most are fantastic with picking fabrics, accessories, furniture, and layouts, but when it comes to finding new clients, managing vendors, but when it comes to all the back-end items of running their business...there is a breakdown.  I want to help, and that is why I have started The Chaise Lounge Podcast!  For YOU to grow your interior design business.  So each week, I will be talking to designers, like Barrie, from around the world, that are running fantastic interior design businesses.

Today's Show

Originally from Manchester, England, Barrie moved to the United States with his parents as a teenager.  He had an interest in interior design from an early age, rearranging his mums furniture, and being fascinated with buildings and architecture.  Barrie has a great ability to network, to meet the right people, and connect.  Barrie has met some of his clients sitting on an airplane with his dog Rio and a cocktail.

If you would like to hear more episodes with more successful interior designers, please visit us on iTunes or on our website at www.thechaiseloungepodcast.com.

 Show Notes

Welcome this is podcast number one.  Thanks for joining me on the Chaise Lounge, my name is Nick May and today we’re going to be talking about growing your interior design business whether you are here in New York City to Kansas or Sydney, Australia.  I know you want to do one thing you want to grow your interior design business and we are going to find out just how successful designers do that from around the world and since this is our very first podcast I want to take a little bit of time to tell you about what we talked about in the Chaise Lounge, Chaise Lounge has been in the works for a little while now and I am a paint contractor I know crazy a paint contractor in Denver, Colorado, and the interesting thing is I work with designers all the time we work with designers here in Colorado.  Some folks from outer state and one thing I realized is that most of you guys are fantastic designers I talk to designers all the time they just love design that's all they eat,  drink.  They sleep design and that's all they want to do.  But the problem is and this is truly where I feel that separates the good from the bad, and that's the ones that are really understanding how to run the business of interior design and so that's what we are going to talk about here in the Chaise Lounge, we are going to talk about the business of interior design talk.  So we are going to talk to designers from around the world.  How have they grown a successful design business.  They may have a staff they may work all over the globe.  But no matter how you look at their business.  You go you know what that person is killing it and I want to know what they're doing is made them so successful. more>>>