Once Upon A Design

Today we sit down with David Baker of Tipper Sease Baker Architecture. After completing his degree in Architecture at Auburn University, David began his career in Montomery AL, working for the esteemed and beloved architect and visual poet, Bobby McAlpine. After 20 years, David and two other architects Chris Tippett and John Sease, felt it was time to branch out on their own. The new firm is  aptly named TSB Architecture, and has steadily gained the reputation for not just beautifully designed spaces,but also being fully committed to their client's experience.  Today we learn how David stands by his pr...

Today we have the pleasure of speaking with Louise Roe, the founder of the beloved accessory and furniture brand @sharland_england . Louise discovered her passion for interiors and craft while renovating their new home in the English countryside. She used her vast connections from her previous career in media foster relationships with craftspeople around the world. In 2021 she launched Sharland England- a product line influenced by all the things she loves, simple rattan, beautiful ceramics, and whimsical tabletop dressings. Today we talk about the importance of having a muse, how knowing what you don't know is vital to growing...

Today we are bringing you a special episode: a conversation with New York Times bestselling author Annie Meyers Shyer of @thisoakhouse. We recorded our conversation live at the @charlestonlibrarysociety in front of nearly 400 guests, which was both exhilarating and a bit nerve wracking. 

For those who may not know Annie, she is the daughter of esteemed Hollywood film writers/producers Nancy Meyers and Charles Shyer. Annie grew up around her mother's notable set designs, but did not aspire to be a designer herself. Instead, she became what she dubs an "accidental influencer".

A few years ag...

Today our guest is the very talented Chloe Warner of Redmond Aldrich Design. Chloe started her design firm in 2005, and her unique style quickly found a following. She describes her interiors as a "poetic mashup" of effortless and refined, pretty and perfectly weird, with intentional layering of materials, colors, and patterns. In the past two years, she has published her first book - This Must Be the Place, and launched her textile and wallpaper line, RAD GOODS. Today we will learn how she draws inspiration from all five senses, how good design is rooted in Aesthetic Intellignece, and how...

Today we welcome Viktor Sobra and Legare Sinkler, founders of the Italian based Sotokler Studio. Viktor and Legare are old friends from university, who discovered a mutual love for design, craftsmanship, and the thrill of the hunt. After many years of helping friends and family source antiques from across Europe, they began a business that finds beautiful and unique vintage pieces from near and far  for their clients. In addition they have established relationships with an impressive collection of skilled artisans and craftspeople who can make just about anything you can dream up- all at the highest level. But t...

Public Regard is the design collaborative of Evan and Diego Gonzalez. They specialize in the fluent dialogue among architecture, interior design, furniture and objects. They launched Public Regard filling a niche in the market for beautifully designed commercial and hospitality spaces, and eventually moving into residential work and finally product and furniture design. Their work is deeply rooted in preservation and classical architecture yet they have a nuance that makes what could be staid and stuffy, incredibly chic and beautiful. This is their story. 

Artist and decorative painter Tess Newall is our guest for this episode. Tess began her career studying anthropology and archeology- developing a deep appreciation for the way our ancestors used art as a way to tell stories and bring joy into their living spaces. She then moved into set design before finally settling on an accidental career as a working artist. She has created incredible murals, painted furniture and decorative finishes for design clients around the world, and she recently launched her own line of textiles and wall coverings based on her whimsical and charming artistic style. Today we...

Becca Barnet is the founder and owner of Sisal Creative, an art studio that specializes in the design and fabrication of projects that vary as much in medium as they do in scope. From plaster relief, gilt lettering, painting, sculpture, 3D printing, collage and taxidermy, there is really no medium that Becca and her team are not willing to try. If you can conceive a shred of an idea, Becca and her team can most likely make it happen. Sisal Creative has been described as having the ability to turn what clients can't quite describe into something they can't...

This episode features a remarkable conversation with Joseph Kincannon and Christian Sottile about their shared passion for preserving and creating beauty. We get into the incredible work coming out of the American College of the Building Arts and how bringing back traditional craftmanship will help shape the possibilities for the future of new building developments. Joseph is the chair of the stone carving department at ACBA and a true master of the craft. Joining him is renowned architect and urban planner Christian Sottile, patron of the building arts. Christian recognized the quality of the work coming out of ACBA...

Deepali Kalia and her sister Nanu Khanna, have found success with their textile business through a shared love of the blockprinting process, a commitment to quality by bringing all manufacturing in house, and most of all, by treating everyone who works for them as family. This is their story.   https://www.fillingspaces.com/pages/about-us

In this episode we sit down with Ben Little, the founder and owner of Benjamin Paul Studio, high end furniture, millwork and metalworking studio here in Charleston. BPS is known for their problem solving skills, willingness to try just about anything, and their ability to find the perfect balance between practicality and beauty. Today we will get into how Ben honed his craft by old fashioned trial and error, how managing people is the hardest part of his business, and why learning to be good at being bad has been his key to his success. This is his story….

On this episode, we cross over into the realm of architecture with the very talented Atlanta-based architect Stan Dixon. Stan's work has such depth of range that it simply cannot be put in a box. Each of his projects is thoroughly versed in the elements of classicism, while being infused with beautifully unexpected details. He has a beautiful book called Home, and  has won countless awards including Southeastern Architect of the Year, The Phillip Trammell Schutz Award, The Addison Minzer Award, the ICAA Acanthus Award, and the Schuler Award among others.  In this episode, we get a glimpse into th...

Mary Graham and Nicole Salvesen have a wonderful partnership, in which they have built an impressive design portfolio with projects all over the world. On top of that, they have created a beautiful collection of textiles, wall coverings, furniture and rugs, all while publishing their first book- A New English Style. Last month, they made an encore appearance on  the House and Garden 101 List, and they have the honor of being one of the selected designers featured in this year's WOW! House currently on display in London. These are busy ladies, but we are delighted they were able to j...

Charleston based interior designer Allison Elebash is our guest today. Over the past two decades, Allison has built an impressive interior design business throughout the Southeast and Caribbean. She has become a fixture on the local design circuit, and her  work has graced the pages of countless magazines over the years. Today we will learn how she pivoted from a career as a licensed social worker and mental health counselor, to talented interior designer with a dedication to craftmanship, how going the extra mile means everything, and last but not least, the importance of having a good mentor - e...

For this episode, Becky joins me in the studio to chat with our dear friend and acclaimed British interior decorator and textile designer, Susan Deliss. Susan has had a fascinating, albeit circuitous path to her current career, from living in a convent, to traveling all across the Middle East as a corporate finance lawyer, to collecting exquisite vintage textiles, and becoming a sought after decorator. She finally found, what she refers to as her "Secret Self" when she began to design and create her own line of exquisite textiles that were inspired by her journey along the way. This...

Kathryn Maresca Faull started her namesake company Maresca Textiles in 2011 after a stint in the world of fashion. But like many textile designers, she is an artist at heart. Having parents who were immersed in careers of architecture and interior design, she found herself drawn to the art of textile design. . In the years since she launched her brand, she has perfected her craft, creating beautiful screen and digitally printed designs that have stood the test of time. In this episode, we will get into her creative process, the people and places that inspire her, and how it was good...

Charlotte-based designer Barrie Benson is an inspiration to anyone  in the design world that is looking to expand their business beyond decorating. She not only runs a very successful interior design studio, she has also partnered with some incredible brands to create a beautiful collection of rugs, furniture, hardware and wallpaper. In this episode we learn how Barrie got into the business, what inspires her, and why a little baptism by fire can be the best way to jumpstart a career.

In our inaugural episode Host Sarah-Hamlin Hastings interviews Becky LaRoche, textile director at Fritz Porter.  Together they dive into how Becky got started in the world of interior design as well as the history, techniques, and personal passions that shape the world of high end fabric and décor. We are so thrilled you're here, stay tuned for more fascinating conversations about the art and craft of our industry, and the talented people who bring it to life.