The Chairish Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Coping with Clients Feb 19, 2020

Show notes

Today’s clients are ever more savvy and informed, but are they also more demanding, and difficult? What do clients want from designers, and how do you navigate their needs and desires? Host Michael Boodro is joined by renowned designers Sheila Bridges, Richard Mishaan and Josh Greene.

In this episode, we find out how to deal with difficult clients and more:

Challenges of working with clients
What ignited a shift in client behavior
Establishing boundaries and understanding expectations
Paying due diligence
Red flags to watch out for
Photography agreements
Client relation best practices

Get to know our high-profile guests:

Named “America’s Best Interior Designer” by CNN and Time Magazine, Sheila Bridges founded her own interior design firm, Sheila Bridges Design, in 1994. She recently launched her own product line originally based in French toile wallcoverings — called Toile de Jouy — that has expanded to include a variety of good home goods. Toile de Jouy motifs challenge some of the stereotypes about the African-American experience. Her work is embellished with thoughtful pieces and colors, and has landed her on the Architectural Digest 100 and Elle Decor’s A-List from 2011 to 2019.

Owner of Richard Mishaan Design, Richard Mishaan holds more than three decades of experience in design, combining his knowledge of fashion, architecture, and interior design. He has crafted style ranging from urban to beachside in his distinctly layered and luxe, colorful style.

One year ago, Josh Greene founded his own firm, Josh Greene Design, that focuses on creating stylish environments balancing functionality, warmth, and comfort. He has over 15 years of design experience and has been featured on publications such as the New York Times, Architectural Digest, and House Beautiful.

Discover the work of our marvelous guests, and find more tips:

Tour Sheila’s colorful home in Reykjavík via The Cut
Inside Richard’s chic space in New York via Architectural Digest
Check out this beach house from Josh and his former partner via Architectural Digest
More tips for handling challenging clients via Kathy Kuo

Connect with us on Instagram:

Chairish: @chairishco
Michael Boodro: @michaelboodro
Sheila Bridges: @harlemtoilegirl
Richard Mishaan: @richardmishaan
Josh Greene: @joshgreenedesign

Produced by Hangar Studios

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hitting The Wall: How Can Designers Confront A Blank Wall? Feb 05, 2020

Show notes

If it’s not vast expanses of glass then it’s large expanses of white wall designers have to contend with. From multi-million dollar artworks to hand-painted wall coverings to hand-rubbed Venetian plaster, how can designers best confront a blank wall? Host Michael Boodro chats with designers Bella Mancini and Elena Frampton, as well as Phillip Jeffries CEO Jeffrey Bershad.

What you can expect from this episode:

The contemporary wallpaper trend
Client hesitation about wallpaper
Tips for selecting artworks for walls
Detailing, balance, and additional finishes
The trends and future of wall design

Get to know our chic guests:

Bella Mancini is known for her charming and astute way of working with patterns and wallcoverings within her designs. She founded her firm, Bella Mancini Design, just two years after making her career shift from fashion PR and marketing to interior design.

Elena Frampton is a talented designer and owner of interior design studio Frampton Co, which includes an art advisory service and locations in the Hamptons and New York City. Her studio uses dynamic, otherworldly palettes while also elevating artists and expanding access to their art.

Jeffrey Bershad is the CEO of Phillip Jeffries, a wallcovering company that was started with just 10 grasscloths over 40 years ago by his father, and is now a preeminent global company. With an elevated focus on design, quality, and efficiency, Phillip Jeffries prides itself on ready-to-ship and custom solutions and has been featured in magazines including Luxe, California Home+Design, and Interior Design.

During the episode, we mention these high-end wallpaper brands:

Phillip Jeffries – a range of high-quality wallcoverings
Fromental – hand-embroidered wallpaper
De Gournay – bold and custom wallpaper
Pierre Frey – commissions artists for wallpapers

Think beyond conventional wallpaper ideas with these sources of inspiration:

Sisters and interior designers Charlotte Harris Lucas and Liz Harris Carroll offer their tips on wallpapers via Chairish
Tour this Dumbo loft from Bella Mancini via Brownstoner
Art advisory via Frampton Co.
The latest, art-inspired wallpaper collection from Phillip Jeffries
Shimmering wallpaper ideas via Chairish

Connect with Chairish and our guests on Instagram:

Chairish: @chairishco
Michael Boodro: @michaelboodro
Bella Mancini: @bellamancinidesign
Frampton Co: @frampton_co
Phillip Jeffries: @phillipjeffriesltd

Produced by Hangar Studios

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Showhouses: How Much Will They Cost You and Will They Pay Off? Jan 21, 2020

Show notes

This episode on The Chairish Podcast we will look at the growing phenomenon of Showhouses. Why are there so many, who do they benefit, and do they really make a difference to a designer’s career? Guests include interior designers Neal Beckstedt and Young Huh, whose rooms at the Kips Bay Decorator Showhouse became hugely popular on social media, and publicist Christina Juarez, who has helped shape the careers of numerous designers and worked with many national brands.

We mention these showhouses in the episode:

Kips Bay Decorator Show House, New York City and Palm Beach
The Hampton’s Showhouse, Hamptons, New York
Holiday House, New York City
Brooklyn Designer Showhouse, Brooklyn, New York
The Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles: Home for the Holidays, Atlanta
Ronald McDonald 2019 Designer Showhouse, Miami

During the episode, we discuss these showhouse designs:

Young Huh – Corridor and Bath, 2014, and Artist Loft, 2019 / Both from the Kips Bay Decorator Show House
Neal Beckstedt: Sitting Room, 2017 / Kips Bay Decorator Show House
Sasha Bikoff’s – Color Me Happy Stairway, 2018 / Kips Bay Decorator Show House
Robert Passal Living Area, 2019 / Kips Bay Decorator Show House

Check out these urther resources:

Design tips from Young Huh via Chairish
Explore Derek Lam’s Manhattan home that was designed by Neal Beckstedt via Architectural Digest
Tour Christina Juarez’s colorful apartment via Elle Decor

Connect with us on Instagram:

Chairish: @chairishco
Michael Boodro: @michaelboodro
Neal Beckstedt: @nealbeckstedt
Young Huh: @younghuh
Christina Juarez: @christinajuarezandco

Produced by Hangar Studios

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Success by the Yard Jan 21, 2020

Show notes

Host Michael Boodro questions the conventional idea that fabric lines make designers rich: “Is it possible to have success by the yard?” Four fabric professionals with a range of perspectives — including Stephen Elrod and Brian Dicker from Kravet and Holland and Sherry respectively, and designers Lori Weitzner and James Huniford — gather to talk about how they made it in the fabric industry, and how they continue to look forward to the future of fabric.

This episode we dive into:

How brands select designers for collaborations
The method and process of collaborating on a fabric line
What makes licensing and collaborations successful
How to become successful through a fabric line
The future and technology of textiles
Buyer trends and the value of the experience

Get to know our fabulous guests:

Stephen Elrod is the executive vice president and creative director for Lee Jofa and Brunschwig & Fils. With close to three decades of experience, Stephen has led partnerships with various designers including another podcast guest, James Huniford, and most recently, Kelly Wearstler.

President of Holland and Sherry, Brian Dicker drove the tailor-focused fabric company’s expansion into interior design. Holland and Sherry is now a prominent player in the interior design realm and has partnered with designers like Elizabeth Eakins, Muriel Brandolini, and Christopher Maya.

Lori Weitzner is an independent fabric designer and the founder of Weitzner. Lori built her own textile company from the ground-up and later, successfully merged with Pollack. After 12 years as a business owner, Lory grown as a fabric designer and expanded into other areas of design.

James (Ford) Huniford, is a renowned interior designer and founder of Huniford Design Studio. He has a fabric line with Kravet / Lee Jofa and has been featured in magazines such as Architectural Digest, W Magazine, and Vogue.

Check out these further resources:

Get to know the history of Kravet
The story behind Holland and Sherry:
Lori Weitzner’s new collection for Artistic Tile:
Video: Tour Lori Weitzner’s studio
Learn more about Huniford Design Studio
Discover some of James Huniford’s top design tips.

Connect with Chairish and our guests on Instagram:

Chairish: @chairishco

Michael Boodro: @michaelboodro

Kravet: @kravetinc, @leejofa, and @brunschwigfils

Holland & Sherry: @hollandandsherryinteriors

Lori Weitzner: @loriweitzner

James Huniford: @fordhuniford

Produced by Hangar Studios

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Color(s) of the Year Jan 21, 2020

Show notes

Each year major paint companies, Pantone, etc, announce their color of the year—and they are all different. What is the meaning of color trends, and do they have any importance? And how do certain colors become anointed—and is that a good thing? Should designers embrace or ignore color hype? Guests include designers Nick Olsen and Nicole Fuller, who are known for their innovative use of color and Martin Kesselman, a paint retailer and color consultant who recently created the “perfect” modern white for Farrow and Ball.

You’ll love this episode if you’re interested in:

Color trends and colors of the year
What meaning trends have and their impact
How our guests implement color and best practices
Light, contrast, and perception
White, a color that can’t be overlooked
The inspiration and process of color development and selection
The influence and mood color ignites

Get to know our guests:

Nicole Fuller is an interior designer and owner of Nicole Fuller Interiors with offices in New York and Los Angeles. She is known for contrasting neutrals with bold color and pattern and has created a line of tile with Ann Sacks, wallpaper for Fromental, and various rug designs for The Rug Company. Currently she’s in the process of collaborating on a paint collection with fashion photographer Steven Klein for Farrow & Ball.

After completing an architecture degree at Columbia, Nick Olsen shifted into interior design after working with Miles Redd. Nick launched his own firm, Nick Olsen Style, in 2010, and as Michael describes, is distinguished by the added charm, humor, and playfulness he adds to his designs. His work has been featured on the covers of Domino Magazine and World of Interiors.

Martin Kesselman is an entrepreneur, interior designer, and color consultant. Martin owns his own paint shop in New York City, In Colour, which represents brands including Farrow & Ball, Benjamin Moore, Fine Paints of Europe, and Donald Kaufman Color. He has previously worked with many of these paint companies, and most recently developed a contemporary white with Farrow & Ball called Martin Kesselman White.

Michael notes these 2020 Colors of the Year from paint brands:

Classic Blue by Pantone
First Light by Benjamin Moore– Pale rosy pink
Back to Nature by Behr – Gentle sage
Naval by Sherwin-Williams – Grayed navy

Check out these go-to whites and off-whites:

Decorator’s White by Benjamin Moore – Gray hints
Simply White by Benjamin Moore – Fresh white
Dove White by Benjamin Moore – Neutral
All White by Farrow & Ball – Pure white. Nicole Fuller references this color as a “ceiling pop” white.
Cornforth White by Farrow & Ball – Hint of gray
Skimming Stone by Farrow & Ball – Warm gray undertone
Martin Kesselman White by F arrow & Ball – This new shade of white, created by Martin, was inspired by the stark white of galleries, and transformed into a warmer shade of white for the home.

Shades of gray our guests couldn’t get enough of:

Gull Wing Gray by Benjamin Moore – Miles Redd’s townhouse entryway is painted in this “Dior gray” featuring a hint of blue.
Metropolitan by Benjamin Moore – Benjamin Moore’s Color of the Year in 2019.
Purbeck Stone by Farrow & Ball – Nicole’s revered gray she used in her home.

Additional colors mentioned:

Caliente by Benjamin Moore – a surprising choice of merlot for Color of the Year in 2018.

Hague Blue by Farrow & Ball – Nicole mentions this blue when speaking about monochrome.

For more resources, explore: