ArtsDesign

Design Discord

Design Discord is a podcast that digs into what it really takes to build a creative business today. Hosted by artist and furniture designer Fernando Mastrangelo, the show explores the business side of creative work. Fernando and his accomplished guests bring perspectives that span generations — combining decades of industry experience with a grounded understanding of the challenges facing the next generation of designers. Each episode features candid conversations covering pricing, production, market trends, visibility, PR, and the real obstacles creatives face. Nothing is off the table!

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Avg 1 hr 13 min
English

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October 5 · 1 hr 1 min
Cristina Grajales on 35 Years in Design: Prouvé, Perriand & Her Newest Artist, Mastrangelo
Cristina Grajales, one of the most respected dealers in the design world, joins Fernando Mastrangelo for a historical, deeply personal conversation. She is also Fernando's new gallerist, and his solo show, Territories, opens October 8 at her Tribeca gallery. Cristina takes us from her childhood in Colombia's coffee region, through a job in the DA's office, to an accidental start in design. She went on to run Tony DiLorenzo's legendary 1950 gallery, bring Charlotte Perriand to America, open her own gallery in 2001, and help launch Design Miami as an original exhibitor. Along the way she shares stories about Jean Prouvé, Jean Royère, Hechizoo and the early days of the collectible design market, plus her philosophy on trust, editing and treating everyone with dignity. TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 Intro 1:37 Growing up in Pereira, Colombia 8:25 New York and the DA's office 12:03 Accidentally entering design 14:10 Tony DiLorenzo and 1950 gallery 21:43 Jean Prouvé chairs and the rise of the market 23:17 Bringing Charlotte Perriand to America 26:18 Starting her own gallery 27:31 The Sandy Hill commission 36:27 Selling the Jean Royère Yo-Yo sofa 37:51 Hechizoo and Latin American craftsmanship 41:40 The first Design Miami 47:26 How she works with designers 49:12 How Cristina and Fernando met 58:08 About Territories Guest: Cristina Grajales, founder of Cristina Grajales Gallery cristinagrajales.com Instagram: @cristinagrajalesgallery See the show: Fernando Mastrangelo: Territories Opening October 8, 2026 at Cristina Grajales Gallery 50 Vestry Street, Tribeca
August 20 · 1 hr 4 min
What It Really Takes to Work With High-End Interior Designers: Nicole Fuller Breaks It Down
What does it actually take to work with a high-end interior designer? Fernando Mastrangelo sits down with Nicole Fuller — founder of her namesake lifestyle design firm with studios in New York, Los Angeles, London, and soon Palm Beach — for a candid, no-fluff conversation about how she builds trust with artists, vets new talent, and decides who earns a seat at the table on multi-million dollar residential and hospitality projects. Nicole breaks down her process for discovering artisans on a global scale, why she still buys through galleries even when she has direct relationships with artists, how she "tests" new collaborators before handing them a major commission, and what separates an artist with real staying power from someone riding a trend. She also gets into the business of collectible design, how secondary market value gets tracked, and why fearlessness is non-negotiable if you want to grow as a creative. This episode is part of Design Discord, the podcast where we go beyond the finished room or the finished piece to talk shop with the people actually building the design world — titans & tastemakers who've spent decades learning what works, what doesn't, and what it really takes to make it at the highest level. If you're an artist, maker, designer, or just obsessed with how the best in the business operate, this is the insider access you won't find anywhere else. 00:00 Intro 00:48 Growing up with her artist mother, Diane Bokel 04:47 Modeling in London & living in King's Cross 08:42 Becoming an interior designer by accident 09:41 Landing her first mega estate project 14:00 Running a firm across 4 cities 18:19 How she discovers new artists & artisans globally 22:07 Inside her art advisory division 23:04 Why she still buys through galleries, not direct 24:20 How she tests new talent before committing 26:44 Why Milan is the design world's hottest city 28:16 Buying art for love vs. investment 30:44 Collectible design & tracking secondary market value 33:07 Betting on rising talents 39:39 The explosive crossover of art, fashion & design 45:23 Are interior designers the industry's real gatekeepers? 48:02 What she wishes artists understood about commissions 50:41 Why fear kills great artists — and how to beat it 56:14 Her new private members club 59:34 What's next: hospitality, landscape design & more Subscribe for more conversations with the designers, artists, and tastemakers shaping the future of design.
August 6 · 1 hr 4 min
Design Media Insider Tells All: Dan Rubinstein on Vogue, AD & The Grand Tourist
Dan Rubinstein — founder of The Grand Tourist and former Home & Design Director at Departures magazine — sits down with Fernando Mastrangelo to talk about how design media really works, and why it's changing faster than ever. Dan turned a pandemic passion project into a 160+ episode podcast and a full biannual hardcover print magazine. In this conversation, he shares candid stories from his years at House & Garden, Surface, and Departures, breaks down why the old magazine business model died but great storytelling didn't, and hands out real, tactical advice for designers trying to get press today — no publicist needed. They also dig into the collapse of the design fair model, whether "collectible design" is really just decorative arts with a new name, the K-shaped economy reshaping who's actually buying design, and what's happening behind the scenes in the gallery world right now. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Intro 02:14 What old-school magazines got right 04:35 House & Garden, Surface, and Departures 07:34 His "Devil Wears Prada" moment 08:16 5 years, 160+ episodes of The Grand Tourist 09:37 Is the magazine model broken? 12:01 Media is getting "atomized" 15:33 Personalities vs. institutions 17:44 Building a brand, not just a podcast 19:11 Podcasting as the new radio 20:00 Interning at The Sally Jessy Raphael Show 23:13 Defining The Grand Tourist as a business 24:46 From podcast to hardcover magazine 28:07 "Prolific, not comprehensive" 29:43 Lessons from Murray Moss 34:00 Is design's center of gravity shifting? 37:09 How young designers get press now 39:24 Real advice for landing coverage 44:16 The death of the design fair model 45:19 What's next for The Grand Tourist 50:12 Defining "collectible design" today 55:06 The K-shaped economy of design buyers 58:05 Inside the gallery world's growing pains Guest: Dan Rubinstein, founder of The Grand Tourist thegrandtourist.net Instagram: @danrubinstein Host: Fernando Mastrangelo, Design Discord Follow, rate, and subscribe if you enjoyed this one — it helps us bring on more guests like Dan.
July 23 · 45 min
Championing Women Artists in Craft: Inside Lisa Perry's Onna House
In this episode of Design Discord, Fernando Mastrangelo sits down with Lisa Perry—legendary art collector, fashion entrepreneur, and founder of Onna House—to discuss her remarkable journey from collecting '60s pop art to championing women craftspeople. Lisa shares how her childhood surrounded by creatives, her mother's craft gallery, and decades of art collecting shaped her mission to give women artists a platform. From her political activism for women's reproductive rights to launching her iconic '60s-inspired fashion brand, Lisa's life has been defined by advocating for women—and now, through Onna House, she's focusing on how craft is valued in the art world. TOPICS COVERED: Growing up in an artistic household in Chicago The '60s fashion movement and vintage collecting Political activism & supporting Hillary Clinton's Senate campaign Discovering Onna House: from Instagram call-out to renovation Why craft deserves gallery recognition Collaborations with TWP (Trish Wescoat Pound) Future vision: Onna House Curates Lisa's legacy: helping women artists one at a time TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 – Intro 0:26 – Lisa Perry's Background & Family 8:30 – Studying Textile Technology at FIT 12:15 – Collecting Art in the 1980s SoHo Scene 16:30 – Discovering Her Passion for '60s Fashion 21:10 – How Her Fashion Brand Started (2006) 27:00 – Getting Involved in Politics & Hillary Clinton 37:25 – Discovering & Buying the East Hampton House 42:30 – Why She Chose to Focus on Women Artists 51:45 – Featured Artists: Tamiko Kawata, Jane Yang Dahane, Kelly Cline 56:00 – The SoHo Gallery Opening & Commercial Expansion 59:30 – Collaborating with Fashion Brand TWP 63:45 – Onna House Curates: Future Plans 68:00 – Her Legacy & Why This Feels Like Her Best Work 75:00 – How to Visit Onna House & Connect CONNECT WITH LISA PERRY & ONNA HOUSE: Website: https://onnahouse.com Instagram: @onnahouse & @lisaperrystyle (Lisa responds to DMs) Email: info@onnahouse.com East Hampton Location: By appointment only SoHo Gallery: Second floor, open by appointment CONNECT WITH DESIGN DISCORD: design.discord.podcast@gmail.com KEYWORDS: Lisa Perry, Onna House, women artists, craft gallery, art collecting, East Hampton, SoHo gallery, women entrepreneurs, women in art, craft design, pop art, fashion design, Hillary Clinton, women's rights, contemporary art
July 9 · 1 hr 23 min
From Auction House Rookie to Design Institution: The Rise of Wexler Gallery
In this episode of Design Discord, host Fernando Mastrangelo sits down with Lewis Wexler of the acclaimed Wexler Gallery in Philadelphia, for one of the most candid and wide-ranging conversations about the art and design world you’ll hear anywhere. Lewis traces his journey from a $17,000 a year job at the front counter of Christie’s in the 1980s, where he had no connections and no pedigree, through his years training under legendary dealer Tony DiLorenzo, to opening Wexler Gallery with his wife Sherri in Philadelphia in 2000. Over 25 years, Wexler Gallery has grown into one of the most respected and distinctive galleries in the collectible design world, known for mixing eras, mediums, and markets in a way that was genuinely ahead of its time. Lewis and Fernando cover everything from the Japanese collector boom of the 1980s auction world, the rise and fall of the contemporary glass market, the real economics of art fairs, the challenges of representing artists through feast and famine cycles, the blurring lines between fine art and collectible design, and why the secondary market remains the biggest challenge facing the collectible design world today. They also discuss the opening of Wexler Gallery’s extraordinary 11,500 square foot flagship space in Fishtown, Philadelphia, a former pencil factory with 35-foot ceilings that has become a destination for museum-quality exhibitions This is an essential listen for anyone passionate about art, design, collecting, gallery business, or building a life and career around the things you love. Design Discord is hosted by Fernando Mastrangelo. New episodes available wherever you listen to podcasts. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with anyone who loves art and design.
June 25 · 1 hr 3 min
Jill Singer on How Sight Unseen Ushered in the Golden Age of American Design
Jill Singer, co-founder and editor-in-chief of Sight Unseen, joins Fernando Mastrangelo to talk about 17 years of defining American design. From establishing OFFSite, the fair of the season, to launching the Design Hot List, Sight Unseen became the platform that shaped an entire era of design. Topics covered: Sight Unseen's origin story at i-D magazine Bootstrapping a design platform with no money How the 2014 Offsite show became a turning point Why design fairs are struggling now The state of design in Milan vs. Copenhagen Why everything in design costs more now What "collectible design" actually means The shift from online magazine to newsletter Jill's new Substack, Counter/Space The future of design media and discovery The designers Sight Unseen discovered and launched Guest: Jill Singer Host: Fernando Mastrangelo Show: Design Discord
June 11 · 1 hr 16 min
Holly Howard on What Actually Moves the Needle for Creative Entrepreneurs
In this episode of Design Discord, Fernando Mastrangelo sits down with Holly Howard — founder of Ask Holly How and the new AI-powered platform Pyramid.work — for one of the most inspiring and practical conversations we’ve ever had. Holly’s journey is unreal: from training at the Joffrey Ballet, to becoming a music therapist who worked with Oliver Sacks’ methods, to managing legendary Williamsburg restaurants (Marlowe & Sons and Egg), to building a 14-year consulting practice helping designers and creative entrepreneurs build sustainable, values-driven businesses. We go deep on: • Why culture must come before strategy • The psychology of pricing and perceived value • The uncomfortable truth about social media & Instagram ads • How to stop copying other people’s paths • The origin story of Pyramid.work — the AI “strategic engine” that helps entrepreneurs define their purpose, values, and vision, then generates aligned strategy, operations, PR plans, and more! Whether you’re a designer, maker, creative entrepreneur, or just someone trying to build a business that actually feels like you, this episode is packed with hard-won wisdom. Learn more about Holly & Pyramid.work: pyramid.work | askhollyhow.com Timestamps: 00:00 — Intro & why Holly is the guru for creative entrepreneurs 01:13 — Holly’s origin story: Joffrey Ballet → music therapy → Oliver Sacks 04:11 — The magic (and lessons) of Marlowe & Sons in post-9/11 Williamsburg 06:29 — Columbia, dropping out of pre-med, and Egg as “business school” 14:17 — Forensic accounting, P&Ls, and learning to read the story in the numbers 16:38 — Culture before strategy — why values must come from your lived experience 21:16 — The most important question most designers never ask 24:52 — Pricing psychology, perceived value & the storytelling gap 34:18 — Should every designer sell direct-to-client? (Some shouldn’t) 36:15 — The brutal truth about social media, ads, and what actually moves the needle 45:20 — Introducing Pyramid.work — the AI strategic engine for entrepreneurship 53:26 — The wild story of building Pyramid (family investment, Hypatia séance & more) 01:01:21 — Putting her own methodology into practice publicly If this episode helped you, drop a comment with your biggest takeaway and tag a designer or creative friend who needs to hear it. Subscribe for more conversations at the intersection of design, business, and creativity. #DesignDiscord #HollyHoward #PyramidWork #CreativeEntrepreneurship #DesignBusiness #PricingStrategy #AIForBusiness #ValuesBasedBusiness
May 28 · 1 hr 1 min
Jean Lin: The Rule Breaker Behind Colony’s Game-Changing Co-op Inspired Model
Fernando Mastrangelo interviews Jean Lin, founder of Colony Gallery in New York, about her incredible journey from Hurricane Sandy relief work to creating a groundbreaking gallery that supports independent designers. Jean reveals the details behind Colony’s co-op inspired model — affordable monthly fees paired with a low 15% commission — and why she’s stayed committed to this approach for over 12 years. The conversation covers the challenges of starting with almost no money, building community in the 2010s NYC design boom, launching an 8-month artist residency/incubator program, expanding into interior design projects, and navigating slow markets and rising costs. They also discuss Jean’s book “What We Keep,” which shifts focus from objects to the personal stories of collectors, makers, and the emotional connection to design. Perfect for designers, makers, gallerists, and creatives who want real talk about building a sustainable career in the design world. **Timestamps:** 00:00 - Introduction 01:45 - Hurricane Sandy Origin Story 05:48 - 2010s NYC Design Scene 09:49 - First Lease & Personal Risks 13:24 - Finding the Space & Early Struggles 16:44 - Colony’s Co-op Inspired Business Model 26:38 - Starting Interiors & Staging 30:00 - Current Gallery Operations (24 Designers) 35:15 - The Residency Program Explained 41:10 - Trends, Cycles & Timeless Design 44:46 - Market Challenges & Moving Spaces 46:39 - “What We Keep” Book & Collecting 55:58 - 5-Year Vision for Colony 59:00 - Closing Thoughts Follow Colony Gallery and Jean Lin for more inspiration in the world of collectible and contemporary design.
May 14 · 1 hr 2 min
David Michon: The Optimistic Critic Changing Design Discourse with his Must-Read SubStack 'For Scale'
In this refreshingly honest episode of Design Discord, Fernando Mastrangelo sits down with David Michon, the sharp, eloquent voice behind For Scale, the buzziest Substack in the design world right now. David shares how he went from writing for Monocle and Icon to creating his own independent platform for real design criticism. Together they unpack why so many design magazines feel identical, why celebrity homes dominate the covers, and how the industry has become strangely polite and risk-averse. They explore: Why “decor” might actually be a more honest word than “design” The liberating joy of imperfect, lived-in homes over sterile perfection How growing up in Winnipeg shaped David’s refreshing perspective on taste The myth of “timeless” design and why dated interiors can be incredible What’s really wrong with events like Basic Space / Design Space The missing critique in interiors and why optimistic criticism matters David’s writing is smart, observational, and deeply human. He believes great interiors are about people, not just perfect objects — and that your home should never feel “finished.” This conversation will make you look at your own space differently and feel a whole lot better about the dents on your dining table. If you’re tired of aspirational interiors that feel fake and unattainable, this episode is for you. A must-listen for designers, design lovers, interior enthusiasts, and anyone who wants sharper, more honest conversations about the spaces we live in. Follow For Scale on Substack for David’s weekly writings that are quickly becoming essential reading in the industry. Timestamps: 00:00 – Introducing David Michon & For Scale 09:28 – Winnipeg roots and forming real taste 13:00 – Reading rooms as people, not just objects 15:00 – Why your home should never feel finished 19:20 – Wealth, aspiration, and lived-in reality 25:25 – The origin story of For Scale 37:25 – Why David chooses “decor” over “design” 47:30 – Honest critique of Basic Space 52:00 – The future of For Scale: print, events & real-life energy
April 30 · 1 hr 1 min
The Rise of The Future Perfect Empire with Laura Young
Laura Young of The Future Perfect joins Fernando Mastrangelo on Design Discord for a wide-ranging conversation covering her full career path, the evolution of one of design’s most respected galleries, and what’s actually in or out right now. From RISD and chaotic auction-house days to co-leading The Future Perfect across New York, LA, Miami, and San Francisco, Laura opens up about building a business that balances commerce and culture, their signature showroom/gallery approach, the deep collaboration with artists like Chris Wolston, and the realities of gatekeeping. Timestamps 0:00 – Intro 0:01:08 – RISD & early career 0:05:12 – Auction house years 0:13:22 – Meeting David & joining The Future Perfect 0:22:15 – The Future Perfect model explained 0:23:27 – Residentializing the gallery experience 0:31:18 – Chris Wolston deep dive 0:42:04 – Gatekeeping in design 0:47:15 – Discovering new designers & open call 0:53:35 – Future Perfect as cultural institution 0:56:12 – In or Out design trends 1:01:10 – Outro A must-listen for designers, collectors, and anyone obsessed with the business and culture of contemporary design. #TheFuturePerfect #DesignPodcast #InteriorDesign #CollectibleFurniture #DesignTrends #ChrisWolston
April 16 · 55 min
Ashlee Harrison: From Mega Gallery Powerhouse to Intimate Salon Curator
Join Fernando Mastrangelo on Design Discord for an in-depth conversation with Ashlee Harrison, powerhouse in collectible design. From helping establish Carpenters Workshop Gallery in the US to launching her own private salon Thirty8East in a historic Upper East Side brownstone, Ashlee brings unparalleled insight into the world of functional sculpture, curation, and cultural storytelling. Topics include the maturing collectible design market, working with legendary designers, the power of intimacy over scale, fair experiences, and practical advice for collectors and creatives. Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro 01:01 – State of Collectible Design Today 02:43 – Advisors vs. Interior Designers 03:36 – Joining Carpenters Workshop Young 05:25 – Early Responsibilities & Building the Business 06:35 – Market Expansions to LA, SF & Aspen 09:21 – Defining Collectible vs. Fine Furniture 11:35 – Collaborating with Artists like Campana Brothers & Studio Drift 18:33 – Transition to Thirty8East Salon 20:20 – The Salon Experience: By Appointment, Storytelling & Coffee 29:48 – Value of Design Fairs & Relationships 34:29 – Market Cycles, COVID Impact & Slow Growth 39:56 – Future of Her Career & Excitement Ahead 48:10 – Advice for Young Designers Perfect for anyone interested in design, art, collecting, or building a meaningful creative career. Follow Design Discord on Spotify for more. Support the show and share with a fellow design lover! #CollectibleDesign #DesignPodcast #Thirty8East #AshleeHarrison
April 2 · 1 hr 26 min
Zesty Meyers: How Two Artists Built R & Company from a Flea Market Hustle into a Design Empire
Zesty Meyers (co-founder of R & Company) joins Fernando Mastrangelo for a raw, inspiring conversation about his incredible 30+ year journey in the design world. From performing with molten glass as part of the legendary B Team, to starting what later became R & Company with just $200 at the Chelsea Flea Market, to shaping the modern collectible design market — this episode is packed with philosophy, hard-earned lessons, and optimism for the future of craft and design. Topics covered: - The dying craft scene of the late ’80s and why they had to create their own path - Turning a hobby into one of the most influential design galleries in the world - Why most creatives only have one great idea, and why that’s worth celebrating - The future of handmade objects in the age of AI and billionaires - Longevity in creative careers, failure, and building real partnerships with artists Notable Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro & Welcome 01:10 – Pilchuck Glass School & the Birth of the B Team 14:02 – Starting R & Company in 1997: The Flea Market Days 28:23 – Most People Only Have One Great Idea 32:02 – Bringing in Contemporary Artists (Jeff Zimmerman & Beyond) 43:48 – The Haas Brothers & Building Long Careers 50:36 – Year 11 Struggles: What No One Tells You About Creative Careers 53:06 – Why Handmade Objects Will Define New Wealth in the AI Age 61:02 – Brazilian Design Discovery & Building a Secondary Market 72:07 – Tribeca Space, Fairs & Refocusing the Gallery Program 82:53 – Final Thoughts: Raising Our Voice as a Design Community If you’re a designer, artist, collector, or someone who loves stories of grit and creativity, this one will move you. Subscribe for more deep dives into the design world!Leave a comment: What’s one lesson you’re taking from Zesty? #CollectibleDesign #RAndCompany #designnews #designbusiness #designmotivation #designinspiration #businesspodcast #artpodcast #artmotivation #creativepodcast #CraftAndArt #CreativeJourney #ZestyMeyers #fernandomastrangelo #nydesignscene
Dec 18, 2025 · 1 hr 40 min
Design Discord Awards: Best of 2025!
In this episode of Design Discord, hosts Fernando Mastrangelo and Alyssa Gerasimoff celebrate the end of the year with the first annual Design Discord Awards. They discuss their selections for various categories, including best fair, booth, interior designers, and galleries, while reflecting on the challenges of making these choices. They also highlight designers to watch in 2026 and discuss their plans for the upcoming season two of the podcast, reflecting on their journey and the insights gained throughout the year. 05:26 Best Fair 10:30 Best Booth 14:02 Best Interior Designer/Architect 18:31 Best Gallery 25:55 Best Showroom 32:19 Best Breakout Star 34:51 Best New Collection 38:56 Most Innovative Use of Materials 46:34 Best Chair 49:45 Best Lighting 56:45 Best Side Table 59:30 Best Fine Furniture 01:03:10 Best Ceramic Furniture 01:12:46 Best Collectible Design 01:18:35 Best Photography 01:24:40 Favorite Design Discord Episode 01:28:10 Designers to Watch in 2026
Dec 4, 2025 · 1 hr 32 min
PR for Designers: The Cost, the ROI, and Why Most of You Are Waiting Too Long – Rebecca Goldberg
Should you hire a PR firm… or are you just paying someone to spam editors? Rebecca Goldberg — co-founder of Dada Goldberg, the most dialed-in design PR agency in New York — finally pulls back the curtain. We ask every question designers are dying to ask about PR: - What does real PR actually cost these days? - When is the right moment to pull the trigger? - Does PR actually move the needle on sales and collabs or is it just ego? - Can you get overexposed and ruin your brand? - Big agency vs boutique: which one is best? - Do legacy magazines (AD, Elle Decor, Vogue) still matter or is it all Instagram now? - Why dinners, press releases? Plus: what is the one thing every emerging designer needs before they even think about hiring PR? (hint: it’s not a finished website). If you’ve ever googled “design PR firms” at 2 a.m., this episode will save you six figures and a lot of heartbreak. Hosted by Alyssa Gerasimoff & Fernando Mastrangelo Guest: Rebecca Goldberg (Dada Goldberg) https://dadagoldberg.com/ https://www.instagram.com/dadagoldberg/ Timestamps & full takeaway list in the show notes. 01:20 How much does design PR really cost in 2025? 06:45 When should you actually hire PR (the exact moment) 12:10 Does press = sales? The honest ROI breakdown 18:30 Can you get overexposed and kill your brand? 23:15 Legacy media vs Instagram: what actually moves the needle 29:40 Big agency vs boutique: pros, cons, and horror stories 35:20 Why dinners are the new press release 41:50 The personal toll no one talks about 48:30 How PR unlocks collaborations and bigger opportunities 54:10 The future of design PR in a cooked economy 1:01:00 Rebecca’s one piece of advice for every emerging designer This episode is pure fire for anyone trying to figure out how to go from “talented” to “known.”
Nov 20, 2025 · 1 hr 30 min
Collectors Are DONE With Avant-Garde (Here’s What They Actually Want Now)
By popular demand, our favorite overseas correspondent Julia Haney-Montanez is BACK and fresh off the fair floors! She was on the ground at PAD London and Design Miami Paris spilling the tea straight from the dealers’ mouths: collectors are officially over uncomfortable concept pieces and torture chairs. They want livable luxury, pieces you can actually sit on, live with, and love. Comfort is the new currency Dealers are quietly prioritizing the “hits” to survive this soft market The real reason galleries are struggling (and what it means for designers) The insider conversation everyone in design is having behind closed doors… but we’re saying it out loud. Hit play and find out what collectors are buying right now and what designers can do to weather this soft sales cycle. Drop a if you’re ready for cozy to make a comeback.#DesignDiscord #PADLondon #DesignMiamiParis #LivableLuxury #InteriorDesign #CollectibleDesign
Nov 6, 2025 · 1 hr 12 min
The Business of Weird Design: Chen & Kai in Conversation
In this episode of Design Discord, Fernando sits down with Chen Chen and Kai Williams of the Brooklyn-based namesake studio. If you’re not already familiar with their work, get ready. We talk about how their partnership formed, what it’s been like building a practice in New York, and how their experimental approach has evolved into a studio that balances artistic risk with business. The conversation touches on everything from navigating international production and building meaningful relationships in the gallery world to the trade-offs between accessibility and collectibility. Chen and Kai share insights into working with The Future Perfect, what it really takes to get a product to market, and the value of staying rooted in curiosity and materials exploration — even as the industry changes around them. This one’s a must-listen for anyone thinking about how to make your weird ideas actually work. https://cckw.us/ https://www.thefutureperfect.com/exhibitions/
Oct 23, 2025 · 1 hr 26 min
Where to Show: Trade Fairs, Galleries, Ads? – A conversation with Julia Montañez
In this episode of Design Discord, we dive deep with Julia Haney-Montañez, founder of The Design Release, to unpack the tough choices designers face today: where to show their work in a post-COVID world. From her time curating the Architectural Digest Design Show to building her own platform, Julia shares sharp insights on how trade fairs have lost their pre-COVID spark and why designers are turning to social media, digital ads, and personal networks to get seen. We explore how these shifts have scattered the design community, leaving it out of sync and searching for connection. Julia reveals how her work is fostering a more collaborative, community-driven design culture to bridge the gap. Whether you’re navigating fairs, betting on digital marketing, or wondering how to stand out—this episode is for you. Follow Julia and the Design Release: https://thedesignrelease.com/ https://www.instagram.com/thedesignrelease/
Oct 9, 2025 · 1 hr 16 min
Cara Woodhouse: Real Talk with Interior Design Powerhouse
In this episode of Design Discord, we sit down with interior designer Cara Woodhouse to talk about what it really takes to build a lasting, fulfilling career in design. With a formal background in interiors, years spent at top design firms, and multiple businesses under her belt before launching her namesake studio, Cara brings deep experience and hard-won perspective to the conversation. From her early fine art influences to the intuitive way she approaches interiors today, she shares the real behind-the-scenes—and how she’s learned to navigate it all. We also dig into the mechanics of how interior designers source from emerging artists and makers, and uncover what makes a designer say yes—or no. Cara shares why supporting young talent has always been important to her, how she thinks about client relationships, and where she sees the future of design heading—from sensory spaces to the evolving role of social media and branding in the field. Whether you're a designer, a collector, or just love peeking behind the curtain of creative businesses, this one’s for you. -- About Cara Woodhouse: Cara Woodhouse is a trailblazing interior designer, creative force, and the founder of Cara Woodhouse Interiors, a high-end design studio known for sculptural statement pieces, bold palettes, and unexpected moments that redefine modern luxury. With a signature aesthetic that fuses elegance with edge, Cara’s work has captivated global audiences, drawing in celebrity clients, top developers, and leading brands alike. Her visionary approach spans residential, commercial, and hospitality design, product collaborations, and real estate development. Cara’s latest project, It’s a Mood, is more than a coffee table book, it’s a manifesto of style, emotion, and function, filled with expert insights and a curated resource guide. She's also the star of an upcoming design TV series and the creative behind shoppable, rentable homes that blend high design with lifestyle branding. Whether she’s designing a show-stopping project or creating cinematic content for her 900K+ Instagram followers, Cara brings a fresh, fearless perspective to every space and continues to shape the future of design, one mood at a time. https://www.instagram.com/carawoodhouseinteriors/https://www.carawoodhouse.com/
Sep 25, 2025 · 1 hr 1 min
The Ultimate Designer Q&A: Must-Do’s and Major Don’ts
In this episode of Design Discord, Fernando and Alyssa answer your questions. From whether an MFA is worth it to how to actually get the attention of galleries, interior designers, and press—they dig into the gritty realities of building a creative career today. The conversation covers the role of social media, the financial pressures of working in design, and what visibility really looks like in an oversaturated industry. Questions: 00:39 Fernando, if you were to start as a designer today, what would you do to make it work? 08:54 What is the value in receiving a furniture MFA? Who is it right for and who is it wrong for? 21:45 What is the best strategy for getting in contact with galleries or interior designers? 33:02 Any advice on showing work for the first time in a design week or design fair, and how to maximize it? 43:38 Do you believe a career in furniture design is financially feasible in this economy?
Sep 11, 2025 · 1 hr 25 min
Did the collectible design bubble burst? What’s next?
WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/LObYYbK3Wzo In this episode of Design Discord, Alyssa and Fernando reflect on their week in New York City – where they saw it all: Collectible, Duet, The Armory, The Future Perfect, and more. The conversation dives into the evolving language around “collectible design,” the challenges facing emerging designers, and the gap between curatorial intent and market execution. They unpack questions of visibility, pricing, and who these fairs are really serving—while also exploring the role of galleries, the shifting tone of the industry, and whether the word ‘collectible’ still means anything at all. Links to designers & References: In the order they are mentioned. Aguirre https://www.aguirredesign.co/ https://www.instagram.com/aguirredesign/ Juntos Design studio https://www.juntosprojects.com/ https://www.instagram.com/juntosprojects/ Uppercut Space https://uppercut.space/ https://www.instagram.com/uppercut.space/ Yoon Shun https://yoonshun.com/ https://www.instagram.com/yoon.shun/ Kiki Goti https://kikigoti.com/ https://www.instagram.com/kikigoti/ Miles Gracey https://www.miles-gracey.com/ https://www.instagram.com/plays.on.woods/ Thomas Yang https://thomasyangstudio.com/ https://www.instagram.com/thomasyangstudio/ Sam Klemick https://www.studiosamklemick.com/ https://www.instagram.com/samklemick/ Joesph Algeri https://josephalgieri.com/ https://www.instagram.com/megaplex/ Rosie Li https://www.rosieli.com/ https://www.instagram.com/rosielistudio/ Dudd Haus https://www.duddhaus.com/ https://www.instagram.com/duddhaus/ Llewellynn Chupin https://llewellynn.com/ https://www.instagram.com/llewll/ Marcela Cure https://marcelacure.com/ https://www.instagram.com/marcela.cure/ Atelier Ollin https://www.ollin.us/ https://www.instagram.com/atelier_ollin/ Of the Cloth https://www.instagram.com/ofthecloth.us/ Kawabi https://kawabi.com/ https://www.instagram.com/kawabi/ Ian Love https://www.ianlovedesign.com/ https://www.instagram.com/ianlovedesign/ Masa Gallery https://mmaassaa.com/ https://www.instagram.com/masagaleria/ Duet WSA Exhibition https://www.instagram.com/p/DOTyyLuEdSq/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=ZjhvdTdlZGE2b3No The Future Perfect https://www.thefutureperfect.com/

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