A show for the curious creatives who want to learn what it takes to become an interior designer.
Welcome to the Design Curious podcast!
Each week, you'll learn practical skills every designer needs to develop regardless of whether you want to work for yourself or someone else. You'll learn secrets from professional interior designers to help you avoid costly mistakes & regrets. You'll be encouraged & empowered to overcome your fears of change, failure & money.
With my 20 yrs of experience, I'll help you on the RIGHT WAY to get started.
Discover if interior design is the career for you!
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214 | Integrating Architecture + Interiors for Better Client Experiences With Sarah Broughton
Episode 214
Monday, October 26, 2026 • Duration 28:08
What if the best interior design solutions don’t come from having all the answers, but from being curious enough to ask better questions?
In this episode with Sarah Broughton of Rowland+Broughton, the Colorado-based architecture and design studio, what really stood out to me was the way Sarah approaches design: not as a collection of separate specialties, but as a holistic, collaborative practice.
She describes this approach as convergent design—bringing architecture, interior design, landscape, makers, products, and other creative disciplines together rather than treating them as isolated pieces of a project.
And at the heart of it all is the client. Great design isn’t simply about creating something beautiful. It’s about listening, anticipating, collaborating, solving problems, and ultimately providing a level of service that creates delight for the person you’re designing for.
Featured Guest:
Sarah Broughton is a principal and co-founder of Rowland+Broughton, an Aspen- and Denver-based architecture and design studio she founded with her husband, John Rowland, in 2003. A licensed architect and Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, Sarah is recognized for her leadership in sustainable design and professional advocacy. Her work spans architecture, interior design, hospitality, residential projects, product design, and civic work, with a strong emphasis on collaboration, place, wellness, and artistic integration. She and John have built a multidisciplinary practice that embraces a convergent approach to design and actively mentors the next generation of designers.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
✳️ Why curiosity makes designers better collaborators
✳️ How convergent design creates a seamless client experience
✳️ Why designers should anticipate client needs
✳️ How iteration strengthens the creative design process
Thanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week...
Timestamps
0:00 Introduction and Guest Bio
3:32 Sarah’s Journey From Architecture to Convergent Design
6:18 The Advantage of Combining Architecture and Interiors
9:38 Building a Multidisciplinary Design Team
14:54 Blending Architecture, Interiors, and Product Design
18:18 Why Progress Matters More Than Perfection
20:13 The importance of mentors
22:40 Getting Unstuck by Returning to the Basics
213 | How Design Leaders Collective Helps Interior Designers Build Stronger Businesses With Jodie Carter and Andrea Reordan
Episode 213
Monday, October 19, 2026 • Duration 42:46
Running an interior design business can be incredibly rewarding, but let's be honest: it can also be lonely. You might love the creative work, enjoy transforming homes, and feel passionate about serving your clients, yet still struggle with financial management, project profitability, client challenges, and the many decisions that come with being a business owner. And when things slow down, it's easy to question yourself, wonder whether you're doing something wrong, or feel like you should have everything figured out by now.
I've learned that growing a successful interior design business isn't just about having the right skills, creating beautiful spaces, or listening to another business podcast. It's also about surrounding yourself with people who understand what you're going through, who will hold you accountable, and who are willing to give you candid feedback when you need a fresh perspective. That's one of the biggest benefits I've experienced through the Design Leaders Collective (DLC), an international community of interior designers who share their experiences, compare business practices, and help one another grow.
In this episode, I'm joined by two of my fellow Design Leaders Collective members, Jodie Carter of Jodie Carter Design in Australia and Andrea Reardon of Andrea Reardon Design in Texas. We talk about how our group evolved from a three-year mastermind into an ongoing community, why financial transparency and accountability matter, and how peer support can help you make better business decisions. If you're an established interior designer looking for accountability partners, candid feedback, and a stronger business perspective, this conversation will help you understand what meaningful professional support can look like. We're also opening the door to new members who are ready to contribute, learn, and grow alongside other design business owners.
✳️ How financial comparisons improve business management and profitability
212 | Brand Positioning for Interior Designers: Stand Out and Get Paid Premium Rates With Jon Czeranna
Episode 212
Monday, October 12, 2026 • Duration 25:48
If you’re an interior designer trying to build a business, you’ve probably heard that you need a strong brand. But what does that actually mean? Is it your logo? Your color palette? The beautiful images on your website? While all of those things can help identify your brand, they aren’t what makes your business different.
The more important question is: Why should a potential client choose you over another interior designer? When designers look similar from the outside, clients can easily start comparing portfolios, services, and—eventually—prices. That can make it incredibly difficult for a small business or solopreneur to establish a competitive advantage.
In this episode, I talk with Jon Czeranna, co-founder of Wit & Craft and creator of the Brand Lab, about brand positioning for small businesses and interior designers. Jon shares a structured positioning framework that helps you identify your competition, uncover market gaps, understand your ideal client, articulate what makes your business unique, and build a brand story around that difference.
And if you’re a newer designer without a large portfolio, Jon shares something that can help you build your online presence right away.
Featured Guest
Jon Czeranna is the co-founder of Wit & Craft and creator of the Brand Lab. With more than 20 years of experience in advertising, branding, and graphic design, Jon focuses on helping small businesses and solopreneurs uncover and articulate their competitive advantage. Through the Brand Lab, he teaches entrepreneurs how to approach brand positioning, ideal client profiles, brand stories, messaging, and brand voice so they can better connect with customers, differentiate themselves from competitors, and build a stronger foundation for business growth.
211 | The Interior Design Software I Use to Run My Business Efficiently
Episode 211
Monday, October 5, 2026 • Duration 26:21
If you’ve ever looked at another interior designer’s business and thought, “Maybe I just need better software,” you’re not alone.
There is always a new platform, app, or shiny software promising to make your projects run more smoothly, save you time, or help you make more profit. And with AI becoming part of almost every software platform, it can be even harder to know what you actually need.
But after years of running an interior design business, I’ve learned that software is only as effective as the systems behind it. Before you start investing in expensive platforms, you need to understand how you want your business to operate. In the early stages, especially when you have zero or one client, simple spreadsheets can be enough. They can help you learn how you like to manage projects before you invest in more sophisticated interior design software.
In this episode, I’m opening up my toolbox and walking you through the software I currently use to run my interior design business—from project management and time tracking to accounting and interior design operations, including drafting, client presentations, client intake, file management, communication, and even AI support. My goal isn’t to tell you there is one perfect software solution. Instead, I want to give you a real-world look at how these tools support my systems and workflows.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
✔️ Why strong systems matter more than software
✔️ How I use Asana for projects and time tracking
✔️ Why Studio Designer supports my design business accounting
✔️ Which software I use for drafting and presentations
✔️ How I manage clients, files, communication, and AI
210 | Bringing Together the Aesthetic and Technical Sides of Interior Design With Jessica Marchant
Episode 210
Monday, September 28, 2026 • Duration 27:14
Interior designers love the beautiful, creative side of the work. They love choosing materials, working with clients, selecting furnishings, and bringing a vision to life. But when a project moves into renovation, remodeling, or new construction, another side of interior design becomes just as important: the technical side.
I see this gap often, especially with designers who are moving from decorating and furnishing into more complex residential or commercial projects. You may be confident in your aesthetic skills but feel intimidated by construction documentation, building drawings, space planning, technical details, or understanding how everything will actually be built. And if that technical knowledge wasn't a major focus of your interior design education or career, it can become a real weak spot. In this episode, Jessica Marchand and I talk about exactly why this matters and what you can do about it.
Interior design is really two distinct crafts—the aesthetic craft and the technical craft—and great projects happen where those two worlds meet. You don't have to be brilliant at both. But the work does.
Featured Guest
Jessica Marchant is the founder of Blue-Sky Creative, a technical design firm that partners with interior designers nationwide to provide white-label design support, space planning, build-ready construction documentation, and realistic 3D renderings. Her team helps bridge the gap between interior designers and contractors so designers can confidently execute residential and commercial projects. Jessica is a formally trained interior designer with a master's degree in design management and has experience in kitchen and bath design, construction, themed entertainment, and project management. She also coaches interior designers who are transitioning into more complex renovation and new construction work. Her approach combines technical design expertise with practical business strategy to help creative businesses scale with confidence.
Ep209 | 7 Must-Read Books to Help Interior Designers Build a Successful Business
Episode 209
Monday, September 21, 2026 • Duration 25:42
You became an interior designer because you love design. You know how to create beautiful spaces, solve design problems, make thoughtful selections, and bring a client's vision to life. But once you start your own interior design business, you quickly discover that being a talented designer is only one part of the job.
Suddenly, you're also responsible for marketing, sales, client experience, project management, finances, systems, leadership, and all the decisions that come with running a business. It can feel overwhelming because nobody necessarily teaches you how to make that transition from skilled creative to confident business owner.
One way I've grown my business over the years is through reading. I've read a lot of business and personal growth books over the last 10 years, and some have completely changed the way I think about my career, my clients, my money, and my business. In this episode, I'm sharing seven books that have helped me answer important questions about building an interior design business that is profitable, sustainable, memorable, and capable of growing beyond me.
My recommendation: Start with the book that speaks to the question you're asking in your business right now. Sometimes one idea or one important shift in perspective is enough to make an entire book worthwhile.
208 | The Real Work of a Professional Interior Designer With Tamera Gamble
Episode 208
Monday, September 14, 2026 • Duration 32:54
What does it really mean to be an interior designer? Is it simply choosing beautiful colors, furniture, and finishes? Or is there something much deeper happening when we step into a client's home and ask them to trust our professional judgment?
In this episode, I sit down with Tamera Gamble of Arranged Space, an interior designer, educator, mentor, and longtime design professional whose career has taken her from high-end residential design to commercial, municipal, retail, and residential projects. Her story is a wonderful reminder that interior design is both a creative career and a technical, human-centered profession.
I especially loved Tamera's commitment to making good interior design accessible to real people, regardless of their budget. Whether you're working on a luxury residential project, helping a client make a few changes with $1,000, creating construction documents in AutoCAD, or simply solving a difficult space-planning problem, the fundamentals still matter. Your job is to make the space work for the person living in it.
And sometimes, doing that means telling a client no.
Featured Guest
Tamera Gamble is the founder of Arranged Space, an interior design business focused on creating thoughtful, functional spaces that reflect each client's style and budget. Her career in interior design spans residential, commercial, municipal, retail, and historic preservation projects, including work with prominent firms such as Ralph Lauren, Gruzen Sampton, and Goldenstein Hill and West. Tamera earned her BFA from the New York School of Interior Design and has developed a particular passion for space planning, technical drawing, and using design to make everyday spaces work better for the people who live in them. In addition to practicing interior design, she teaches at the New York School of Interior Design and has spent years mentoring aspiring designers, helping them build their skills, confidence, and portfolios.
207 | 5 Tips for Managing Construction & Remodel Projects Smoothly as an Interior Designer
Episode 207
Monday, September 7, 2026 • Duration 31:25
Construction and remodel projects can feel intimidating, especially when you’re a new interior designer approaching your first project.
You may be wondering how to work with contractors, who should handle permits and engineering, how to respond when a contractor pushes back on your design, or what happens when something unexpected appears after a wall is opened. These are all real concerns—and they’re exactly why understanding construction project management is such an important part of becoming a confident interior designer.
In this episode, I’m walking you through how I approach construction and remodel projects, from bringing contractors into the process early to defining responsibilities, managing site visits, documenting decisions, communicating with clients, and building strong relationships with your construction team. My goal is to help you approach construction projects with more confidence instead of fear—and become the project leader your clients need you to be.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
✔️ Understand your role during construction and remodel projects
✔️ Bring contractors into the design process early
✔️ Define responsibilities before construction begins
✔️ Improve construction communication and document project decisions
✔️ Build stronger relationships with your A-list contractors
📋 Get the : a step-by-step process on the construction side of a remodel project
206 | 6 Proven Strategies for a Profitable, Sustainable Interior Design–Build Firm With Annie Obermann
Episode 206
Monday, August 31, 2026 • Duration 29:02
If you're an aspiring interior designer, career changer, or established designer trying to grow a sustainable business, you may feel pressure to know everything before you begin. You may also believe that growth means taking on more projects, hiring more people, or becoming the person who can handle every detail of every project.
But Annie Obermann’s journey with Forge and Bow offers a different perspective. Annie and her husband and business partner, Jordan Obermann, didn't start with formal design training or a perfectly structured business plan. They learned through renovating their own homes, working with partners, making mistakes, and eventually building a boutique design-build firm known for thoughtful residential renovation, craftsmanship, and high-end design. This year, Forge and Bow is celebrating its 10th anniversary.
In this episode, I talk with Annie about what happens when you are brave enough to start before you know everything—and humble enough to recognize when you need better systems, experienced team members, and outside support. We explore client experience, project management, team communication, hiring, professional development, branding, delegation, and how to build an interior design career that supports both your professional and personal life.
Featured Guest
Annie Obermann co-leads Forge and Bow, a Colorado-based boutique design-build firm, with her husband and business partner, Jordan Obermann. Together, they have transformed the residential landscape of Northern Colorado through timeless, warm, nostalgic design paired with expert craftsmanship. Annie brings expertise in interior architecture, while Jordan contributes a strong spatial and visionary perspective. Their work includes historic renovations and custom new builds, with a focus on creating cohesive, functional, and elegant homes that reflect each client's unique story. Forge and Bow is celebrating its 10th anniversary and is known for thoughtful problem-solving, meticulous attention to detail, and a commitment to quality.
205 | The House Hushing Framework for Beautiful, Soulful Homes With Myquillyn Smith
Episode 205
Monday, August 24, 2026 • Duration 26:03
As interior designers, we often focus on creating beautiful spaces, but beauty alone isn't always enough. Sometimes a room can have gorgeous furnishings, meaningful décor, and impeccable styling, yet still feel visually loud. When every surface competes for attention, a home stops supporting everyday life and starts demanding energy from the people living in it.
That's why I was so excited to sit down with bestselling author Myquillyn Smith, better known as The Nester, to talk about her newest book, House Hushing. Rather than encouraging us to simply own fewer things, Myquillyn introduces a refreshing perspective: great design is about managing visual volume, not just the volume of possessions. Her approach blends interior design, decluttering, quiet decorating, soulful styling, and seasonal simplicity into a practical framework that helps create homes that feel both peaceful and deeply personal.
If you're designing for clients—or even creating a home for yourself—this episode will encourage you to think beyond minimalism. You'll discover how thoughtful design decisions can reduce visual noise while preserving warmth, personality, and the lived-in beauty that makes a house truly feel like home.
Featured Guest
Myquillyn Smith, also known as The Nester, is a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, decorating expert, and founder of The Nester. For more than fifteen years, she has encouraged homeowners to embrace their homes—imperfections and all—by creating spaces that reflect their personalities instead of chasing perfection. Her thoughtful approach combines decorating, styling, decluttering, and intentional living, helping thousands of women create welcoming homes with less stress and more meaning. Living in a historic Victorian home in North Carolina has further shaped her philosophy, inspiring her latest book, , which introduces a fresh framework for reducing visual noise while maintaining warmth, beauty, and soul.
✳️ Why candid feedback leads to better business decisions
✳️ How peer support helps designers navigate challenging seasons
✳️ What it takes to join Design Leaders Collective
Featured Guests:
Jodie Carter is the founder of Jody Carter Design, based near Sydney, Australia. With more than two decades of experience in interior design, she works on high-end residential projects, including beautiful coastal waterfront homes and historic properties.
Andrea Reardon is the founder of Andrea Reardon Design, serving the Dallas, Texas, suburbs. She specializes in residential interior design and has increasingly focused on accessibility design, including remodels for families with special needs.
Thanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week...
Timestamps
0:00 Introduction and Guest Bio
2:27 Myquillyn’s Journey Into Decorating
4:39 Living in a Historic Victorian Home
8:37 What House Hushing Really Means
13:00 Knowing When a Home Needs Hushing
14:34 How Backwards Decluttering Works
17:51 Why Visual Volume Changes Everything
19:56 Quiet Decorating in Action
23:00 Book Launch and Bonus Resources
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