SAID - Something About Interior Designers

With a background in architecture, tennis and fashion photography, it was Stephen Karlisch’s skill at portraiture that eventually led to shooting interiors. Now, a creative collaborator to many A-list and newer interior designers alike, Stephen and his wife Kristen run a photography studio from their home base in Dallas. In this podcast, Stephen recounts discovering a love for photography while working at a camera store in Dallas, as well as his break into the world of interiors. We talk about the ingredients for a magazine-ready editorial photo shoot, the value of an image that stands the test of time, his wife Kristen’s role in the business, and his role as a photography coach. We also swap thoughts on styling dos and don'ts, and Stephen reveals several of his design crushes. stephenkarlisch.com

At the Designer Experience Atlanta, Designers Today Editor Jane Dagmi sat down with interior designer and product designer Alexa Hampton for what felt like an intimate discussion between 50 friends. Covering legacy, life lessons and licensing, attending designers asked their burning questions, too. This podcast was made possible by Theodore Alexander.

A few months away from celebrating 12 years in business, Gail Doby talks about her past, present and future, detailing how a young girl growing up on the campus of a tuberculosis sanatorium studied finance and banking, fell into interior design with little experience, and went on to be a beloved business coach and consultant. Doby also lets us in on how she assesses her own workload and blocks time before sharing how excited she is to see so many women in design becoming great business people, leaders and more.

Jane welcomes newbie designer Nicole Culler from House of Culler and the accomplished David Santiago of Casa Santi to the podcast studio for an in-person chat about their respective design journeys, their first showhouse experience, and the afterglow of the High Point Market. We’re left feeling all warm and fuzzy.

Nick May has owned a successful Denver painting business, Walls by Design, for 20 years. Five years ago he got majorly sucked into the diverse and ever-so-exciting designer vortex and decided to share and magnify his adventures by starting The Chaise Lounge Podcast which delves into the business of residential and commercial interior design and always begs the question, “Beer, wine or a cocktail?” May has grown The Chaise Lounge from a local business to a worldwide venture, sometimes through unorthodox methods, and is continuously adding to his podcast portfolio, bringing others along for the ride. Check him out at https://thechaiseloungepodcast.com/.

Ten years ago Lisa Kahn discovered the concept of Sanctuary and today it is the essence of her growing brand. Celebrating 20 years in business, Lisa recalls the beginning of her design career and gives us glimpses into what she reads, what she’s learning, and what it’s like to work with a spouse.

In a two-part interview, Jane first catches up with Libby Langdon in Palm Springs, then four months later in NY. They discuss Libby’s early years as a model and actor, getting into the industry, licensing, and the upcoming launch of her first furniture collection. Libby’s enthusiasm for the design industry is palpable in every word. Warning -- it’s contagious too.

SAID debuts with a conversation with Amy Flurry, communications strategist, author, co-founder of Paper Cut Project, and longtime colleague of Jane Dagmi. Jane and Amy, members of the Mutual Admiration Society, reminisce about working together in magazines and technology, discuss Amy’s Recipe for Press books and p.r. basics, their attraction to designers, and changes in the industry.