In this episode of the Slow Style Home Podcast, I chat with Maggie Dillon, an interior designer featured in House Beautiful, about her unique design approach. Maggie discusses how she gently pushes clients out of their comfort zones by incorporating bold patterns and colors. She shares stories of successfully integrating unconventional elements like plaid fabrics and sentimental heirlooms into her designs. Maggie explains her Bloomsbury aesthetic, which mixes vibrant patterns and minimizes traditional design rules. We also explore her projects, including a guest bedroom filled with diverse patterns and a living room featuring mural wallpaper and an eclectic mix of furnishings, demonstrating her skill in creating spaces that are both dynamic and harmonious.

How often do you think about the hardware in your home? In other words, the drawer knobs and pulls? I actually think about them more than a lot of people but still, you may be wondering how we’re going to fill up an entire podcast episode about knobs and pulls! I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by this conversation, especially if you’re a renter, it’s really for anyone who’s looking to refresh and personalize their style without having to hire a contractor or know anything about power tools. My guest is Priya Vij, founder of Hapney Home, that’s H A P N E Y, and she’s started her own hardware company focused on the little details that can take a room from fine to refined. We talk about lifestyle, the economics of renting, and how to make non-permanent changes in our spaces. She’s quite delightful and I think you’re going to really enjoy this conversation.

In this episode of the Slow Style Home podcast, I sit down with Kay Pressney and Becca Cherry, authors of 'A Home for All Seasons.' They advocate for aligning home decor with the natural cycles of the seasons, instead of commercial holidays. Both guests share how their deep-rooted connections to nature influence their design philosophies and discuss the concept of biophilic design, which integrates natural elements into built environments. The conversation explores how small, mindful changes in our homes can enhance well-being and creativity, emphasizing the use of natural materials, colors, and textures. We also discuss how being attuned to the seasons can foster a deeper connection to nature and a more mindful, balanced lifestyle.

In this episode of the Slow Style Home podcast, I discuss listener Josie's challenge of decorating large, double-story walls in her home’s entryway to reflect her family's love for nature, travel, and craftsmanship. We explore ways to create a meaningful and personal space including creating a gallery wall with found objects, using diverse materials, considering wallpaper, and incorporating moulding. Josie shared her vision of integrating family photos, travel mementos, and handmade items to achieve a welcoming entryway. I guided Josey on how to start small, such as beginning with a core group of art pieces at eye level, and the importance of taking a slow, collected approach to decorating.

In this episode of the Slow Style Home Podcast, I chat with Barry Bordelon and Jordan Slocum, also known as the Brownstone Boys, about their journey from renovating their first historic Brooklyn brownstone to helping others do the same. They share insights from their new book, 'For the Love of Renovating,' and offer practical advice on whether to renovate or move, making the best renovation decisions, and integrating modern elements into historic homes. We also discuss common renovation mistakes, budget planning, and the value of timeless design. Whether you're a first-time renovator or a seasoned DIYer, this episode is packed with valuable tips and inspiration for creating your dream home.

In this episode of the Slow Style Home podcast, I discuss listener Josie's challenge of decorating large, double-story walls in her home’s entryway to reflect her family's love for nature, travel, and craftsmanship. We explore ways to create a meaningful and personal space including creating a gallery wall with found objects, using diverse materials, considering wallpaper, and incorporating moulding. Josie shared her vision of integrating family photos, travel mementos, and handmade items to achieve a welcoming entryway. I guided Josey on how to start small, such as beginning with a core group of art pieces at eye level, and the importance of taking a slow, collected approach to decorating.

On this episode of the Slow Style Home Podcast, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Trevor Fulmer, a Boston-based designer launching a new line of eco-friendly hand-knotted rugs. We discuss the importance of sustainable design, the impact of rugs on a room, the art of combining contemporary and antique pieces, and the exciting trends in the world of design like sculptural elements and innovative lighting. Trevor emphasizes the significance of storytelling in interior design and the sense of community and collaboration within the design industry.

In this episode, I chat with Marie Cloud, the founder of Indigo Pruitt, a design firm dedicated to creating emotionally supportive and visually appealing environments. We discuss her unique approach to design, which combines aesthetics with emotional well-being, and the role of family and heritage in her work. Additionally, Marie shares her involvement in community projects aimed at aiding those transitioning out of homelessness and her efforts to increase visibility for black and brown designers in the industry.

Today we’re talking cleaning products. Specifically, the process of developing and manufacturing eco-friendly, safe-for-our-skin cleaning products, with Kristi Lord and Lindsay Droz, co-founders of L’Avant Collective. Like many of us, they wanted a plant based alternative that actually worked as well as the chemical laden products we’ve been using. So they decided to do something about it! We also talk about the power of scent when it comes to motivating us to deep clean our homes and the ways in which you can use their multipurpose cleaner for unusual spring cleaning tasks. Even though I clearly love what they’re doing and would personally recommend trying out their products, it’s not an ad, it’s real!

“Break the rules on purpose because we believe the room will look better. Not because we don't know better.” That's the premise of Myquillyn Smith’s new book, “House Rules.” In my conversation with her we pull apart some of these key rules and why they’re so useful, across the board. I love her examples of balancing casual and formal elements, the value of antiques and art, and how decorating with meaningful objects is better than decorating with diamonds. The Slow Style philosophy regarding intentionality, contrast, and patience in home decor comes through loud and clear. I’m so happy to have Myquillyn back on the show!

Home is the place you can be yourself in your wildest dreams because home is where we create who we want to become. This is the overarching theme of this week’s conversation with Carla Morano of the wallpaper and mural company, Fine & Dandy Co. Take some risks in putting yourself out there, visually, visibly throughout your home, and don’t worry so much about rules, or what other people think, whether or not things “go” together. Oh, and we talk about wallpaper, too!

In this episode of the Slow Style Home podcast, I sat down with Bo Shepard and Kyle Dubé, the founders of Woodward Throwbacks and authors of the new book “Throwbacks Home Interiors”. They share their journey from salvaging materials in Detroit to creating unique furniture pieces with a story. We also explored the philosophy of Slow Style, the importance of trial and error, and how individual pieces can inspire entire rooms. The duo describes how economic downturns led to an abundance of materials for their projects and emphasizes the significance of adaptive reuse in modern home design. We also spoke about the importance of community, preserving historical materials, and contributing to Detroit's revitalization.

In this episode, and a Slow Style Home Podcast first, I had a conversation with one of our listeners, Lisa, about a common design dilemma - choosing the right rug. Specifically, how to choose a rug to go underneath the dining table.

In this episode I welcomed back artist, collector, and shop owner Sean Scherer, to talk about his 2nd book, Sean Scherer’s Vignettes. He shared why he loves certain objects, how he chooses them, and his process behind crafting vignettes to tell a story. We also explored the role of vignettes in creating a sense of belonging in one's home.

In this episode, I talk with Elizabeth and Ethan Finkelstein, the creators of the popular Instagram account Cheap Old Houses. During the interview, they shared insights about their inspiration for the account, their thoughts on the American dream, the value of renovating old homes slowly, and the significance of preserving everyday American homes. They also discussed their own experiences with their historic home and their unique interior design approach, as well as the educational aspects of their book.

In this episode I walk you through our new 'Fix My Room' quiz, aimed at helping you assess and enhance the functionality and aesthetics of your rooms. I address four main pitfalls: not applying basic design rules, managing clutter, lacking a specific vision for the room, and lacking design confidence. At the end of the quiz, you’ll know which pitfall is the one you’ve fallen into and why it’s so important to start by addressing that one, before doing anything else. Additionally, I share info on our monthly membership program, the 'Slow Style Society,' as a resource for personalized help and community support with your home!

In this episode, I have a fun conversation with Bilal Rehman, a 23 year old designer making waves in the industry. We discussed the importance of creating personalized spaces that reflect a person's unique style and needs. Bilal shared insights on lighting, mixing metals, and incorporating cultural artifacts. And true to form, Bilal didn’t shy away from sharing his honest opinions on what’s going on in design today!

In this episode, I talk about the concepts of minimalism and maximalism. I share my personal experience with decluttering and the conflicting emotions I feel as someone who loves collecting things but also craves simplicity. Throughout the episode, I challenge the traditional definitions of these two styles, exploring the possibility of being both a maximalist and a minimalist. I emphasize the importance of intentional curation and finding balance in one's home. Ultimately, I encourage listeners to define their own style and embrace a mindful approach to their belongings.

During our insightful discussion on the podcast, Dana Che continually emphasized the concept of a "win-win" mentality while dealing with home-related conflicts among couples. Rather than trying to make one partner conform to the other's preferences, Dana offered strategies that encourage understanding, compromise, and finding mutual ground.

Dana expertly pointed out that navigating home decor conflict is not just about overcoming disagreements over furniture, pull-overs, or wall paint. It's more of a deeper issue that includes respecting each other's preferences. In dealing with disagreements over TV placements, chores or aesthetic choices, the idea is not to find a winner but to create a solution that pleases both parties.

She offered unique suggestions that encourage a "win-win" scenario in all aspects. For instance, if one partner prefers a dark room for nightly events while the other partner prefers a bright and lively room, she suggests solutions like blackout curtains that can cater to both preferences.

This "win-win" approach fosters respect and harmony in the relationship. It reinforces the idea that understanding and compromise are crucial for a peaceful living environment. Dana's conversation starters provide another tool to initiate these necessary discussions for couples. Through her advice, it's apparent that when both partners feel heard and respected, the home becomes a peaceful place where everyone's preferences are acknowledged and respected.

In this episode of the Slow Style Home podcast, I have a delightful conversation with designer Chad Graci. We discuss defining personal style, blending different styles, and the importance of balance in design. Chad shares his eclectic approach, influenced by travel and a mix of old and new elements. We explore merging styles in our own homes and the importance of investing in quality pieces. We touch on the big impact of tiny design rules like the significance of lighting and paying attention to lampshades. Lastly, we talk about the exciting connectivity and access to the design world through platforms like Instagram. Stay tuned for more inspiring conversations on the Slow Style Home podcast.