IDS Podcast

n this episode of the IDS Podcast, Brian sits down with Hailey, Tim, and Nicole from Elements Lighting and Decor in Carle Place to explore how lighting truly defines a space. Hailey, a visual merchandiser and media communications specialist, Nicole, a buyer and analyst, and Tim, the general manager, share their expertise on how lighting goes far beyond being a finishing touch—it’s often the starting point in a well-designed room.

They discuss how today’s designers are integrating lighting early in the process to influence mood, highlight textures, and create a sense of flow in interior...

In this episode of IDS Podcast, host Brian Berkowitz sits down with Rob Marchese, owner of Zippboxx, a Long Island–based moving and storage company specializing in storage logistics for interior designers. Rob shares the fascinating journey from quitting his masonry job to launching Zippboxx, originally envisioned as an on‑demand storage service. Over time, Zippboxx evolved into a niche operation that now partners with designers to receive, inspect, store, and deliver high‑end furniture and accessories with true white‑glove service.

Rob explains how Zippboxx handles every detail of designer logistics—from photographing and cataloging each item upon...

In this insightful episode of the IDS Podcast, host Brian Berkowitz welcomes back Dean Camastro, former President of IDS Long Island and current Northeast Sales Rep for Duravit. As a returning guest this season, Dean brings his deep expertise in bathroom design and construction to an important topic—sustainability in the built environment.

Dean and Brian dive into why the bathroom is a crucial space to consider when thinking about sustainable home design. From water conservation with low-flow showerheads and dual-flush toilets to the environmental impacts of outdated materials, Dean breaks down the key ways homeowners and de...

In this episode of the IDS Podcast, host Brian Berkowitz sits down with Melissa Pollack, the Long Island Sales Representative for Phillip Jeffries and the current President of IDS Long Island. Recorded in the beautifully designed Phillip Jeffries showroom in Midtown Manhattan, Melissa shares her journey from interior designer to sales rep, highlighting how she found her passion with Phillip Jeffries just before the pandemic and hasn’t looked back since.

Melissa dives into the offerings of IDS Long Island, emphasizing the supportive, collaborative nature of the design community it fosters. From networking and social events to ch...

Wendy Estela, a Connecticut-based attorney who specializes in representing interior designers, joins the IDS Podcast for an insightful conversation on navigating legal challenges in the design world. With over 25 years of experience in transactional law and a strong background in construction law, Wendy shares how her passion for beautiful spaces and connections within the design community led her to niche down and focus on helping creatives protect their businesses.

In this episode, Wendy dives into essential legal topics designers often overlook—from why contracts are more than formalities to how to enforce photography rights and intellectual property ow...

In this episode, Brian sits down with Ronelle Hills from Seigerman's Furniture, a 50,000-square-foot showroom that specializes in customized furniture and offers services to interior designers. The conversation dives into the intricacies of furniture customization, exploring how Seigerman's provides a range of customizable options, from fabrics to dimensions, to meet clients' unique space requirements. Ronelle explains that custom furniture has grown in demand, particularly due to its flexibility in fitting awkward spaces and allowing customers to personalize their selections down to every detail.

The episode also covers the importance of space planning for interior designers, emphasizing how...

In this episode, host Brian welcomes Eric Vogel from Coastal Cabinet Works, where they dive into the world of outdoor kitchens. Eric, who leads the outdoor kitchen division, shares his expertise on how outdoor kitchen trends have evolved, especially post-COVID, and offers valuable insights for both homeowners and designers.

Eric explains how outdoor kitchens have transitioned from simple setups with a grill to more elaborate, fully functional spaces that include stainless steel cabinets, warming drawers, wine coolers, and even dishwashers. He emphasizes the importance of planning ahead, as outdoor kitchen projects often require coordinating with larger outdoor...

In this episode of the IDS Podcast, host Brian interviews Marie Byrne, an accomplished interior designer, educator, and the Treasurer of the IDS organization. Marie shares her unique journey from a returning student to a dual career in interior design and education. She currently teaches at Molloy University, where she inspires emerging designers with her passion for both design and teaching.

The conversation kicks off with Marie discussing her unexpected transition into teaching and how it has enriched her career. Brian and Marie then delve into the importance of formal education versus hands-on training in interior design...

In this episode of the IDS Podcast, the host interviews John Thiessen, founder of the John Thiessen Children's Foundation. John shares the inspiring story of how his own battle with a brain tumor at 17 led him to create a foundation dedicated to helping sick and underprivileged children. He recalls meeting a young girl named Tasha during his hospital stay, whose kindness inspired him to start a holiday toy drive in 1992. This initiative eventually grew into a full-fledged foundation providing toys, medical expense support, and various other services to children in need.

The episode also highlights the recent...

In this engaging episode of the IDS Podcast, host Brian Berkowitz chats with Nancy Ganzekaufer, a business coach specializing in helping interior designers. Nancy, originally from Long Island and now based in Florida, shares her journey from being an art consultant to becoming a prominent figure in the interior design community and a business coach.

The episode dives deep into various pricing models for interior designers, including flat fees, hourly rates, and the hybrid model Nancy advocates. She explains the importance of charging for initial consultations and the value of tracking time to ensure profitability. Nancy also...

In this episode of The IDS Podcast, Estelle Weiss takes over as guest host to interview Brian, an accomplished interior design and architectural photographer. Brian shares his extensive experience, emphasizing the importance of photography in branding for interior designers. He highlights how photography can significantly impact a designer's portfolio, helping secure awards and attract new clients.

Brian delves into the concept of branding, stressing that it encompasses more than just logos and colors; it includes the overall customer experience. He explains that brand identity, voice, and values are crucial, with photography playing a pivotal role in brand...

In this episode of The IDS podcast, we sit down with Joe Calise, the innovative mind behind Sights-N-Sounds, a company that specializes in home technology solutions. Joe shares his journey from working with car audio systems in high school to now transforming homes with cutting-edge technology. His company, accessible at hometheater.biz, offers integrated solutions for security systems, smart homes, lighting control, and more, simplifying technology into one easy-to-use app.

Joe also discusses his extensive involvement with the Interior Design Society (IDS) on both local and national levels. Starting as a member, he quickly moved up to v...

In this episode of The IDS Podcast, Brian welcomes Jenna Gaidusek, an interior designer with a rich background in leveraging technology to enhance her design business. Jenna, fresh off a plane from Charleston, South Carolina, discusses her journey from traditional interior design to founding various tech-driven initiatives.

Jenna started her career with a degree in interior design from a college in upstate New York. After a stint in retail in New York City, she pivoted to virtual interior design in 2015, founding the Design Tribe community on Facebook, which grew to 5,000 members. She developed multiple tools, including a...

In this episode of The IDS Podcast, we feature a unique conversation with two guests, Estelle Weiss of Estelle Weiss Designs and Christine Conti of Christine Conte Interiors. The episode dives into their respective journeys into the world of interior design, highlighting their diverse backgrounds and the pivotal moments that led them to pursue design as a second career.

Estelle Weiss began her career in elementary education, later transitioning to public relations and marketing before ultimately finding her passion in interior design. Her varied experiences, from working with architects to managing public relations for large projects, provided...

In the debut episode of the IDS podcast, host Brian Berkowitz sits down with Dean Camastro, the Northeast Regional Sales Manager for Duravit, a historic plumbing products manufacturer. Dean shares insights into his extensive role, covering the territory from Philadelphia to Maine, and elaborates on the company's wide range of products used in both residential and commercial settings.

Dean is also the current president of IDS Long Island, an association that supports the A&D community through various programs and events. He discusses how he first got involved with IDS six years ago and highlights the association's...