The Chairish Podcast

It’s not easy to run a business, but interior design can be more difficult than most. On top of coping with the day-to-day issues—from screwed-up deliveries to overbooked artisans to indecisive clients—designers are expected to be constantly creative, nourishing their visions and endlessly coming up with clever solutions. No wonder creative burnout is an issue. Three top designers—Nina Magen, Liz Caan, and Rayman Boozer—tell how they remain creative in the face of all sorts of distractions and stresses, how they structure their staff to allow them to focus on design, and the tricks and techniques they use—from meditation to travel to simply going for a walk—to avoid becoming overwhelmed and to remain creatively engaged.

How do you keep a historic brand from ending up on the dust-heap of history? Twoheritage fabric houses with storied pasts show how it’s done. Morris and Co, founded in1861 by William Morris, the brilliant British designer and social reformer, and Braquenié, afavorite of Marie Antoinette now celebrating its bicentennial, have managed to remain asrelevant and as sought-after today as when they were founded. Jessica Clayworth, leaddesigner of Morris & Co, and Patrick Frey, head of Pierre Frey which owns Braquenié,discuss how they respect the past while staying relevant, what new directions they canpursue without losing authenticity, and why the product always comes before the brand.

New York designer Alex Papachristidis creates interiors that are traditional but never old-fashioned, bringing new energy to the old-school traditions of decorating. He deftly mixesbold patterns and jewel-tone colors, rare antiques and contemporary designs, to createhomes that are lush but modern, elegant but exuberant. In an exclusive interview, thelarger-than-life designer tells how a friend’s advice changed his life, why understanding hisclients is crucial, why he never wants to repeat himself, and why he never ceases in hisquest for beauty.

Lighting is one of the most important—and most amorphous—elements of design. It affects everything we see and has a big impact on how we feel. Yet lighting design is too often misunderstood—or completely overlooked. Two professional lighting designers, Nathan Orsman and Stephen Bernstein, share why they consider themselves the back-up dancers of design, how LEDs have transformed the world and changed the color of light, and why, when it comes to outdoor lighting, a little goes a long way.

It’s a common complaint among designers that it is nearly impossible to find skilledartisans and craftspeople. Why is there such a shortage, and what can designers do toinspire more young people to work with their hands? Three outstandingpractitioners—decorative painter Caroline Lizarraga, floor painter Chris Pearson, andupholsterer Luther Quintana—weigh in on how they learned their craft, and how they findand train staff to keep up with demand. They discuss the ways social media hastransformed the artisan community and reveal why you just might find your next talentedteam member at the local carwash.

Proper organization and storage are crucial to any successful home. But storage has gone far beyond the utilitarian. Luxury closets have become potent fantasies for clients and stars on social media. Creating spaces for everything from an array of Hermès handbags to a hand-made carbon fiber bicycle is an opportunity for designers to dazzle their clients—or disappoint them. How can you satisfy the demand for luxury organization? Three closet designers—Lisa Adams, Melanie Charlton Fowler, and Maria Castro—reveal their secrets for transforming overlooked spaces into useful assets, ingenious ways to upgrade existing storage spaces, and why closets are quickly becoming the most glamorous room in the house.

The collaboration between architect and interior designer is crucial. At its best, it can push both to new heights. But creative differences, miscommunications, budget disputes, and client conflicts can all complicate this intense working relationship. And how much more fraught is it when the architect is married to the designer? Architect Peter Pennoyer and designer Katie Ridder, a couple who often collaborate, discuss the importance of clarity and communication, how valuable it can be to see a challenge through a different set of eyes, how they minimize mistakes, and why you should never make the client a mediator between two creative visions.

Trends are inevitable. If anything, the pace of what’s in and what’s out seems only to accelerate. It’s harder than ever to keep up—and to distinguish the best of what’s new. Shannon Wollack and Brittany Zwickl of LA-based Studio Life/Style, and San Francisco designer Jonathan Rachman joins Chairish's VP of Merchandising, Noel Fahden, to look at the trends likely to shape interior design in the year ahead. Is this the year when open floor plans and open-shelved kitchens lose their appeal? Will granny chic reign? Will bouclé be banished? Is terracotta the next color obsession? The experts weigh in and reveal why there’s likely to be a floor lamp or a footstool in your future.