OLISE Podcast

Fortune Favours the Brave: Claire German, Charu Gandhi and Martin Kemp on WOW!house and Building a Design Career

In this WOW!house special of the OLISE Podcast, Bilen sits down with three figures from this year's show: Claire German, CEO of Design Centre Chelsea Harbour and founder of WOW!house; Charu Gandhi, founder of Elicyon; and Martin Kemp, founder of Martin Kemp Design. Each shares the path that brought them here. Charu decided at 11 that she would be an architect, after watching a young female architect design her family home, and calls herself a reluctant founder. Martin was a self-described drifter at school and ended up in Los Angeles, until a newspaper story, a TV appearance and a phone call in the night brought him home to Candy & Candy. Claire traces her route from Fleet Street to Condé Nast, where she ran Brides at 30 before moving to House & Garden, and then on to 16 years at the Design Centre. The conversation then turns to WOW!house itself. Claire describes how she dreamt up "the most glamorous bungalow in the world" during lockdown. Charu takes us inside the Elicyon x Lalique bar, and Martin explains the story behind his Rouge Noir room, inspired by a colleague's nail polish. They talk candidly about the fear before opening, the camaraderie of the WOWers, the visitor who walked through the house and became a major client, and what might come next for WOW!house beyond London. In this episode: How Claire conceived WOW!house during lockdown Building a purpose-built showhouse from a blank canvas Charu's decision to become an architect at 11 Why Charu calls herself a reluctant founder Running a business like a parent and a home like a CEO Martin's journey from art college to Los Angeles The coincidences that led Martin to Candy & Candy The Candy & Candy era and the movement it created in London Claire's path from Fleet Street to Condé Nast and the Design Centre Inside the Elicyon x Lalique bar at WOW!house 2026 The story behind Martin's Rouge Noir room Nearly pulling out two weeks before opening How Claire selects designers, from legends to rising stars What's next: growth, evolution and a possible WOW!house sibling Headline Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Calibre Climate, specialists in bespoke climate control for high-end homes. Calibre Climate works closely with architects and interior designers to deliver quiet, beautifully integrated air conditioning solutions, creating environments that feel effortless, balanced, and considered. https://www.calibreclimate.com/ Perfect for: Interior designers and studio founders, design lovers and WOW!house visitors, aspiring designers, and anyone building a creative business. Listen & Watch: Full video available on YouTube. Audio on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all major platforms. Guest Links: Claire German, Design Centre Chelsea Harbour and WOW!house https://www.dcch.co.uk/ https://www.instagram.com/designcentrech/ https://www.instagram.com/clairegerman01/ Charu Gandhi, Elicyon https://www.elicyon.com/ https://www.instagram.com/Elicyon/ https://www.instagram.com/charu_gandhi/ Martin Kemp, Martin Kemp Design https://martinkempdesign.com/ https://www.instagram.com/martin_kemp_design/ Follow OLISE Magazine: Website: https://olisemagazine.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/olisemagazine/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/olise-magazine/

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Karen Howes on 33 Years of Taylor Howes, Hiring Better Than Yourself, and Why Kindness Is a Business Strategy

In this episode of the OLISE Podcast, Bilen sits down with Karen Howes, founder of Taylor Howes, one of London's most enduring luxury interior design studios. Karen traces a career that started not in design school but in a three-bedroom flat in Camberwell, bought at 19 for £15,950, which she decorated herself with no money beyond the mortgage. Karen speaks openly about growing up across ten schools, leaving education at 17, and being diagnosed with ADHD long after the fact. She talks about the chance encounter that changed everything — turning up on the Caledonian Road at 18 and meeting Martin Waller, founder of Andrew Martin, who became her lodger and her first introduction to the world of serious design. She also talks about the business relationship that has defined Taylor Howes: Jane Landino, who arrived on work experience 26 years ago and never left, and what Karen means when she says hire better than yourself. The conversation covers the fight to be taken seriously as a designer rather than a decorator, how Taylor Howes has built 60% repeat-client loyalty over 33 years, and the core values — passion, honesty, and kindness — that emerged not from the top down but from Post-it notes on a studio wall. Karen also shares the story behind Rest Nest, the initiative she founded to transform NHS nurses’ rest rooms, and why her next challenge involves jumping out of an aeroplane. In this episode: Growing up across ten schools and what it taught her about people ADHD: what she knows now that she didn't know then Moving to London at 18 and landing at Martin Waller's door Buying her first flat at 19 and how the career actually started 33 years of Taylor Howes: what keeps a studio going Jane Landino and the philosophy of hiring better than yourself The fight for interior designers to be brought in at the start, not the end How Taylor Howes's core values came from a Post-it note exercise with the team Why kindness is not soft — it is a way of doing business Rest Nest: transforming NHS nurses’ rest rooms across the Imperial Trust Training for a skydive to raise money for MS research What she would tell her younger self Headline Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Gladee Lighting, rooted in century-old Bohemian glassmaking. Gladee creates custom lighting, chandeliers, sculptures, and commercial interiors worldwide, combining generations of hand-skilled craftsmanship. https://www.gladee.co.uk/ Perfect for: Interior designers, founders, business owners, working mothers, and anyone building a business that lasts. Listen & Watch: Full video available on YouTube. Audio on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms. Guest Links: Karen Howes, Taylor Howes https://www.taylorhowes.co.uk/ https://www.instagram.com/taylorhowesinteriors/ Follow OLISE Magazine: Website: https://olisemagazine.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/olisemagazine/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/olise-magazine/

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Laylah Holmes, Kalpa Patel and Deborah Fiddy: Three Founders on Business, Family and Resilience

In this episode of the OLISE Podcast, Bilen sits down with three women who have each built a business on their own terms: Laylah Holmes, founder of Holmes Bespoke, Kalpa Patel, owner of Prestige Bathrooms, and Deborah Fiddy, founder of Gingerlily. Their routes into the industry look very different. Laylah moved from fashion and Ralph Lauren into rug design and started her business when her first daughter was eight months old. Kalpa went from retail management into bathrooms, then took over the business she had joined as an admin hire. Deborah left a career as an in-house lawyer at Harrods to bring silk-filled bedding to the UK, and Gingerlily is now 22 years old. Together they talk about saying yes before you know how, taking risks with very little behind you, and why relationships come before everything else in business. They are candid about motherhood and the guilt that comes with it, the husbands who back them, leading small teams that feel like family, and why looking after yourself is the thing they all put last. The conversation also covers Laylah's first showroom, a Chiswick townhouse filled with around 20 partner brands, Kalpa's new space in Chelsea Design Centre, and the story behind the name Gingerlily. In this episode: From fashion to rugs: Laylah's pivot into interiors Saying yes to an 80-room hotel project with an eight-month-old baby Why Holmes Bespoke was never meant to be just a rug company Going from admin to owner at Prestige Bathrooms Opening a showroom at Chelsea Design Centre From in-house lawyer at Harrods to a Harrods bestseller The story behind the name Gingerlily Building a business on relationships, not just revenue Leading small teams like family Motherhood, guilt and the juggle The husbands who back them Why wellness always comes last, and why it shouldn't Headline Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Moroso, the iconic Italian furniture house founded in 1952. Renowned for sculptural form, bold colour and artisanal craftsmanship, Moroso has spent over seventy years collaborating with the world's most influential designers, including Patricia Urquiola and Ron Arad, to create furniture that lives at the intersection of design, contemporary art and fashion. https://moroso.it Perfect for: Interior designers, founders, business owners, working mothers, and anyone building a business from scratch. Listen & Watch: Full video available on YouTube. Audio on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms. Guest Links: Laylah Holmes, Holmes Bespoke https://holmesbespoke.com/ https://www.instagram.com/holmesbespoke/?hl=en Kalpa Patel, Prestige Bathrooms https://www.prestigebathrooms.com/ https://www.instagram.com/kalpapatel1/ Deborah Fiddy, Gingerlily https://gingerlily.co.uk/ https://www.instagram.com/gingerlilylondon/?hl=en Follow OLISE Magazine: Website: https://olisemagazine.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/olisemagazine/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/olise-magazine/

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Poetry in Physical Form: Róisín Lafferty on Craft, Colour, and Building a Creative Legacy

In this episode of the OLISE Podcast, Annie sits down with award-winning designer Róisín Lafferty, founder of Róisín Lafferty Studio and Róisín Lafferty Gallery, for a rich and generous conversation about creativity, craftsmanship, and building a design business with no script to follow. Roisín shares the story of starting her studio at just 24, with no funding, no safety net and no real business plan, and how sixteen years of discipline, curiosity and self-belief have grown it into a team of 26. She speaks candidly about the intimidation of working with far more experienced consultants in her early years, and the importance of asking questions, even the ones that feel stupid. The conversation explores her immersive, installation-style approach to design, fresh from her standout library concept at WOW!house 2026, her decade-long dream of opening Róisín Lafferty Gallery in Dublin's Fitzwilliam Square, and the sensory, emotionally-driven philosophy behind how she designs with colour, materiality and atmosphere. Róisín also reflects on the creative industries more broadly, from her early career in fashion journalism to her belief that technical skill should never overshadow storytelling, sketching and true creative voice, and shares what travel, art and simply looking up has taught her about inspiration. This episode is a celebration of craft, curiosity, and the quiet confidence of building something entirely your own. In this episode: Inside the WOW!house 2026 library installation, and the concept behind it Starting a design studio at 24, with no funding and no safety net Building a 26-person studio over sixteen years The reality of construction, and why creativity must never get lost in process Opening Róisín Lafferty Gallery, a decade-long dream realised in Dublin Designing through colour, tone and atmosphere Why technical skill should never overshadow storytelling and sketching The power of travel, observation, and simply looking up Advice for the next generation: find your true voice, don't imitate What's next for Roisín Lafferty Studio and Gallery Headline Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Moroso, the iconic Italian furniture house founded in 1952. Renowned for sculptural form, bold colour and artisanal craftsmanship, Moroso has spent over seventy years collaborating with the world's most influential designers, including Patricia Urquiola and Ron Arad, to create furniture that lives at the intersection of design, contemporary art and fashion. https://moroso.it Perfect for: Interior designers, architects, creatives, entrepreneurs, students, and anyone interested in craftsmanship, colour, and building a design business rooted in authenticity. Listen & Watch: Full video available on YouTube. Audio on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms Guest Links: Roisín Lafferty https://roisinlafferty.com/ https://www.instagram.com/roisinlafferty/ Roisín Lafferty Gallery https://www.instagram.com/roisinlaffertygallery/ Follow OLISE Magazine: Website: https://olisemagazine.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/olisemagazine/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/olise-magazine/

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Let's Give It Six Months: Jenny Weiss and Helen Bygraves on Friendship, Risk, and 29 Years of Hill House Interiors

In this episode of the OLISE Podcast, Bilen sits down with Jenny Weiss and Helen Bygraves, the founding directors behind Hill House Interiors, for a warm and candid conversation marking 29 years in business together. Jenny and Helen tell the story of how a chance meeting through their ex-husbands, and an impromptu champagne-fuelled trip to Henley, turned into a working partnership built on a six-month trial neither of them expected to outlast a single season. They speak openly about who they were when they started, Jenny rebuilding her confidence after stepping back from work to raise her children, Helen learning to project an air of confidence through years in dance and as British Airways cabin crew, and how those early insecurities went on to shape the way they lead today. The conversation explores how Hill House grew from a single showroom into a 46-person studio with its own Lifestyle Collection, an in-house florist, and a showroom that has stayed in Weybridge by design rather than default. Jenny and Helen open up about the realities of running a creative business with no formal business training, the year they had to borrow significant money to keep going, and the lesson they say they would never trade away. They also reflect on opening their Dubai office after waiting years for a friend on the ground to tell them it was finally the right time, and what it means to have built a team where people stay for ten, fifteen, even sixteen years, including women who have left to have children and returned to thriving careers. This episode is a celebration of friendship, commercial instinct, and a business built one decision, and one six-month trial, at a time. In this episode: How a chance meeting through their ex-husbands led to 29 years in business Starting Hill House on a six-month trial, and never looking back From dance and cabin crew to interior design, Helen's unconventional route in Jenny's journey from property renovation to building a design studio Why the name Hill House has nothing to do with either of their surnames Building the Hill House Lifestyle Collection, and keeping it deliberately accessible Why their showroom has stayed in Weybridge, not London, for almost three decades Inside the Chelsea Design Centre pop-up that ran for a year Opening a Dubai office, and waiting years for the right moment Leadership, team loyalty, and supporting women through motherhood and beyond Advice for designers thinking about expanding into new markets Why neither of them went to business school, and what they learned instead Headline Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Moroso, the iconic Italian furniture house founded in 1952. Renowned for sculptural form, bold colour and artisanal craftsmanship, Moroso has spent over seventy years collaborating with the world's most influential designers, including Patricia Urquiola and Ron Arad, to create furniture that lives at the intersection of design, contemporary art and fashion. https://moroso.it Perfect for: Interior designers, business owners, creative entrepreneurs, design students, and anyone interested in long-term business partnerships, brand building, or expanding into international markets. Listen & Watch: Full video available on YouTube. Audio on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms Guest Links: Hill House Interiors https://hillhouseinteriors.com/ Hill House Lifestyle https://hillhouselifestyle.com/ Follow OLISE Magazine: Website: https://olisemagazine.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/olisemagazine/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/olise-magazine/

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From Mexico City to Miami to Mayfair: Natalia Miyar on Architecture, Identity, and a Decade of Building Beautifully

In this episode of the OLISE Podcast, Bilen sits down with award-winning architect and interior designer Natalia Miyar for a candid and deeply personal conversation about identity, resilience, and a decade of building one of London's most distinctive design studios. Natalia shares her unconventional path into architecture, a journey that began in Mexico City, moved through Miami, and led her to London, where she has now spent almost twenty years. She speaks openly about the naivety of starting her own studio, the toughest lessons of the first few years, and why she believes happiness, like resilience, is ultimately a choice. The conversation explores her award-winning hospitality project, The 22 in Grosvenor Square, her instinctive, sensory approach to design, and the deeply personal realisation that women, particularly first-born daughters, are often conditioned to please rather than protect their own peace. Natalia also opens up about leadership, friendship, and what she has learned about giving herself grace, sharing how a decade of running her own business, through a pandemic, Brexit, and constant change, has shaped both her studio and the woman she has become. This episode is a celebration of patience, self-awareness, and the quiet confidence that comes from a decade of showing up. In this episode: From Mexico City to Miami to London, an unconventional path into architecture Building a design studio from scratch, and the naivety of the early years Inside The 22, an immersive hospitality project in Grosvenor Square Designing through the senses, scent, texture, light and atmosphere Why women are conditioned to please, and what it means to unlearn it Leadership built on transparency and bringing your team into the vision Self-care, silence, and the discipline of switching off A decade of resilience, through a pandemic, Brexit and constant change Why happiness is a choice, and failure is simply a lesson Advice for the next generation of designers and architects Headline Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Calibre Climate, specialists in bespoke climate control for high-end homes. Calibre Climate works closely with architects and interior designers to deliver quiet, beautifully integrated air conditioning solutions, creating environments that feel effortless, balanced, and considered. https://www.calibreclimate.com/ Perfect for: Architects, interior designers, creatives, entrepreneurs, students, and anyone interested in resilience, leadership, and building a design business with longevity and purpose. Listen & Watch: Full video available on YouTube Audio on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms Guest Links: Natalia Miyar Studio https://www.nataliamiyar.com/ Natalia Miyar https://www.instagram.com/nataliamiyar/ Follow OLISE Magazine: Website: https://olisemagazine.com Instagram: @olisemagazine LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/olise-magazine/

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No Reference Point, No Limits: Enass Mahmoud on Heritage, Representation, and Building Studio Enass

In this episode of the OLISE Podcast, Bilen sits down with interior designer Enass Mahmoud, founder of Studio Enass, for a powerful and honest conversation about heritage, representation, and what it means to build a design career with no roadmap to follow. Enass shares her journey from Sudan and London, growing up surrounded by the colour, craft and eccentric self-expression of Sudanese culture, and how that visual language has shaped her design philosophy. She speaks candidly about the reality of starting out with no industry connections and no Sudanese reference point in design to look to, and how a single social media post for the O2 Arena VIP rooms became the accidental beginning of Studio Enass. The conversation explores her belief that representation in design is bigger than any one career, the importance of building genuine community rather than going it alone, and her evolution from a designer who wanted to hide behind her work to one who understands she has to show up, front and centre, for the people coming up behind her. Enass also reflects on her standout Garden Folly Room at WOW!house 2026, a deeply personal love letter to her Sudanese heritage and British upbringing, and the remarkable story of how she manifested the project a full year before it happened. This episode is a celebration of heritage, community, and the courage to build something the industry has never quite seen before. In this episode: Growing up between Sudan and London, and the influence of Sudanese colour and craft Starting Studio Enass by accident, with no reference point in the industry The first project, the O2 Arena, and the house that took a client from beige to bold Why building a personal brand can take years, and why that's okay The importance of community over going it alone Representation, visibility, and designing for the next generation Inside the Garden Folly Room at WOW!house 2026, and the heritage behind it Manifesting Wow House a year before the email arrived What's next: lighting design, product lines, and dream commercial spaces Headline Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Moroso, the iconic Italian furniture house founded in 1952. Renowned for sculptural form, bold colour and artisanal craftsmanship, Moroso has spent over seventy years collaborating with the world's most influential designers, including Patricia Urquiola and Ron Arad, to create furniture that lives at the intersection of design, contemporary art and fashion. https://moroso.it Perfect for: Interior designers, architects, creatives, entrepreneurs, students, and anyone interested in heritage, representation, and building a design career rooted in identity and authenticity. Listen & Watch: Full video available on YouTube Audio on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms Guest Links: Studio Enass: https://www.studioenass.com/ Enass Mahmoud: https://www.instagram.com/studioenass/ Follow OLISE Magazine: Website: https://olisemagazine.com Instagram: @olisemagazine LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/olise-magazine/

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From Fashion to Fine Art: Caroline Chinakwe on Identity, Culture, and Building a Lifestyle Brand with Purpose

In this episode of the OLISE Podcast, Bilen sits down with artist and founder Caroline Chinakwe for a powerful and deeply personal conversation about identity, creativity, and building a brand that reflects culture and truth. Caroline shares her unconventional journey from a 20-year career in fashion into the art world, a transition that was never planned, but driven by a desire to represent Black women with authenticity, strength, and beauty. She speaks candidly about imposter syndrome, starting again later in life, and why she refused to follow the narrative of the “struggling artist.” The conversation explores the meaning behind Chinakwe, not just as a name, but as a legacy, and how Caroline has built a lifestyle brand rooted in Afrofuturism, storytelling, and emotional connection. From her early experiences growing up between Nigeria and the UK, to creating work that celebrates colour, identity, and culture, her perspective is both honest and empowering. Caroline also opens up about motherhood, risk-taking, and resilience, sharing how being a young mother shaped her independence and drive, and how her work today is not only about creativity, but about visibility, representation, and creating space for others. This episode is a celebration of courage, reinvention, and the power of owning your story. In this episode: • Moving from music to fashion, and ultimately into art • Leaving the fashion industry and finding a new creative direction • Overcoming imposter syndrome and claiming the title of “artist” • The meaning behind Chinakwe and building a brand with legacy • Representation, culture, and redefining how Black women are seen • Creating a lifestyle brand rooted in Afrofuturism • Motherhood, independence, and starting young • Risk-taking, resilience, and building a business with intention • The importance of visibility and creating opportunities for others • Expanding the brand through retail, galleries, and global reach Headline Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Calibre Climate, specialists in bespoke climate control for high-end homes. Calibre Climate works closely with architects and interior designers to deliver quiet, beautifully integrated air conditioning solutions, creating environments that feel effortless, balanced, and considered. https://www.calibreclimate.com/ Perfect for: Artists, interior designers, creatives, entrepreneurs, students, and anyone interested in identity, culture, storytelling, and building a purpose-led brand. Listen & Watch: Full video available on YouTube Audio on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms Guest Links: Chinakwe https://chinakwe.com/ Caroline Chinakwe https://www.instagram.com/carolinechinakwe/ Follow OLISE Magazine: Website: https://olisemagazine.com Instagram: @olisemagazine LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/olise-magazine/

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Design, Motherhood and Creative Leadership with Rose Murray of These White Walls

In this episode of the OLISE Podcast, Bilen sits down with Rose Murray, founder of These White Walls, for a thoughtful and deeply personal conversation about creativity, identity, and the evolving role of the designer. Rose’s path into interior design was anything but traditional. With a background in anthropology and early experience in editorial, she began her career working alongside Nigella Lawson before moving into festival spaces, scenography, and hospitality. This organic journey shaped her belief that space is never neutral, it is a powerful tool for storytelling, identity, and human connection. Since founding These White Walls, Rose has built an award-winning studio known for its highly personalised, narrative-led approach across both hospitality and residential projects. Her work moves fluidly between public and private spaces, often blurring the line between the two. In this conversation, Rose reflects on the importance of relationships in design, the role of emotional intelligence in working with clients, and why interiors are about far more than aesthetics. She shares how her studio has evolved, from early micromanagement to creating a collaborative environment where creativity can flourish. Rose also speaks candidly about motherhood and leadership, and how becoming a mother has expanded her capacity, sharpened her vision, and reshaped her understanding of legacy. She challenges the lack of visibility for women in business during pregnancy and advocates for a more open, human conversation around creativity, leadership, and life. The episode also explores the future of design, from the impact of AI and technology to the increasing importance of human connection, cultural awareness, and meaningful dialogue in shaping spaces. This is a conversation about intuition, courage, and the belief that design is not just about what we see, but how we live, feel, and connect within a space. In this episode • Rose’s unconventional path from anthropology to interior design • Working with Nigella Lawson and early editorial influences • The connection between food, space, and experience • Founding These White Walls and the meaning behind the name • Creating a collaborative studio culture and evolving leadership • Designing across hospitality and residential spaces • Why relationships and emotional intelligence define great design • The reality of creating highly private, unseen projects • The impact of AI and the importance of human creativity • Motherhood, leadership, and expanding creative capacity • Representation, visibility, and women in business • Designing for legacy and the future of the studio Headline Sponsor This episode is supported by Moroso, the luxury Italian design house renowned for turning furniture into works of art. For over 70 years, Moroso has collaborated with leading designers to create bold, expressive pieces that define contemporary interiors. https://www.moroso.it Perfect for Interior designers, architects, creative founders, and anyone interested in the emotional and human side of design, building a studio with purpose, and balancing creativity with leadership, identity, and life. Listen and Watch Full video available on YouTube Audio available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms Guest Links Rose Murray https://www.instagram.com/rose_murray/ These White Walls https://www.thesewhitewalls.com/ Follow OLISE Magazine Website: https://olisemagazine.com Instagram: @olisemagazine LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/olise-magazine/

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Design Without a Rulebook and the Power of Saying Yes: Brian Woulfe on Global Interiors and Building Designed by Woulfe

In this episode of the OLISE Podcast, Annie White sits down with Brian Woulfe, founder of Designed by Woulfe, for a candid conversation about building an international interior design studio without a traditional path. Brian’s journey into design was anything but conventional. Originally trained as a musician, he found himself unexpectedly working on luxury properties in Thailand during the global recession, an experience that would shape his practical, on-site approach to design and business. Since then, Brian has completed projects across five continents and built Designed by Woulfe into a globally recognised studio known for richly layered residential interiors and deeply personal client relationships. In this conversation, Brian reflects on how saying yes to opportunities helped launch his career, why he believes trends are often misunderstood, and how great interiors are created through interpretation rather than imitation. He shares honest insights into running a design studio, from the realities of entrepreneurship and hiring the right team, to managing complex client relationships and navigating the pressures of creative leadership. Brian also discusses the evolving role of technology and artificial intelligence in design, why luxury will always depend on human connection, and how personal passions such as polo have helped him rediscover balance and avoid creative burnout. This episode explores the realities behind the images: the risks, resilience, and relationships required to build a global design practice. In this episode • How Brian moved from music into interior design • Moving to Thailand and designing luxury villas during the recession • Learning design through construction sites rather than studios • Why saying yes shaped Brian’s career • Building Designed by Woulfe into a global residential studio • Why trends often distract from authentic design • The impact of AI on creativity and design workflows • The importance of relationships in luxury design • Why networking and human connection still drive business • Entrepreneurship, burnout, and finding balance through polo Headline Sponsor This episode is supported by Calibre Climate, specialists in bespoke climate control for high-end homes. Their goal is not just temperature control, but creating environments that feel effortless, balanced, and considered. Calibre Climate works closely with architects and interior designers to deliver quiet, beautifully integrated air conditioning solutions. https://www.calibreclimate.com/ Perfect for Interior designers, architects, studio founders, creative directors, and anyone interested in the realities of building a global design practice, navigating entrepreneurship, and balancing creativity with business leadership. Listen and Watch Full video available on YouTube Audio available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms Guest Links Brian Woulfe https://www.instagram.com/brianwoulfe/ Designed by Woulfe https://www.designedbywoulfe.com/ Follow OLISE Magazine Website: https://olisemagazine.com Instagram: @olisemagazine LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/olise-magazine/

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Cultural Luxury and Global Vision: Clint Nagata on Building BLINK Design Group

In this episode of the OLISE Podcast, Annie White sits down with Clint Nagata, Founder and Creative Partner of BLINK Design Group, for an in depth conversation about global hospitality design, cultural luxury, and building an international studio without ego. From leading iconic projects for One&Only, Six Senses, and Banyan Tree Dubai, to growing BLINK into a 120 person practice across Bangkok, Singapore, Dubai, and London, Clint shares what it really takes to scale a creative business while protecting its culture. Born in Hawaii and now based in Bangkok for over 20 years, Clint reflects on how travel shaped his worldview, why he believes luxury is no longer singular, and how cultural luxury designing through the lens of place has become central to Blink’s philosophy. He speaks candidly about walking away from projects when visions do not align, why losses can be more valuable than wins, and how humility, transparency, and friendship underpin his leadership style. Clint also shares the story behind A Wish to Remember, Blink’s internal travel award created in memory of a beloved team member, and explains why exposure to the world is essential if designers are to create meaningful hospitality experiences. This is a conversation about resilience, perspective, mentorship, and what it means to design for the next generation of global luxury travellers. In this episode • Growing BLINK organically into a global hospitality studio • Why cultural luxury is redefining high end design • Designing through interpretation, not imitation • Leadership without ego and building an egoless firm • Moving from creative to business leader • Why losses can be more valuable than wins • Transparency, open studios, and global team culture • Mentorship and shaping the next generation of designers • The story behind A Wish to Remember • Why Morocco is next on Clint’s design horizon Headline Sponsor This episode is supported by Calibre Climate, specialists in bespoke climate control for high end homes. Their goal is not just temperature control, it is creating environments that feel effortless, balanced, and considered. Calibre Climate works closely with architects and interior designers to deliver quiet, beautifully integrated air conditioning solutions. https://www.calibreclimate.com/ Perfect for Interior designers, architects, hospitality professionals, studio founders, creative directors, and anyone interested in global design leadership, cultural storytelling, and building a values led business. Listen and Watch Full video available on YouTube Audio on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms Guest Link: BLINK Design Group https://www.blinkdg.com/ Follow OLISE Magazine: Website: https://olisemagazine.com Instagram: @olisemagazine LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/olise-magazine/

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Fighting Racism in Design: Toni Black on Resilience, Identity and Building House of Black

In this episode of the OLISE Podcast, Bilen Zeremariam sits down with interior designer and founder of House of Black, Toni Black, for a candid and powerful conversation about fighting racism in the design industry. Toni shares what it was really like trying to break into interiors as a young Black woman, including the bias she experienced during recruitment and interviews, and the resilience it took to keep going when doors repeatedly closed. She reflects on how prejudice shaped her strength, why representation still matters, and what it means to stand firm in your identity while building a business in a competitive industry. Alongside this, Toni talks about pivoting into lighting design, what it taught her about mood and atmosphere, and how her work evolved into hospitality projects shaped by emotion, memory, and the senses. She also introduces House of Black, a brand and interiors agency “where stories are lived,” bringing together strategy and design to build fully immersive concepts, from narrative and naming to scent, service, and spatial experience. In this episode • Toni’s creative upbringing and path into interior and spatial design • Fighting racism and navigating prejudice in recruitment • Resilience, perseverance, and standing up for your value • The power of pivoting, and what lighting design taught her • Designing through emotion, memory, and the senses • Leadership, loyalty, and building strong team culture • House of Black and holistic hospitality design • Delegation, burnout, and building a sustainable studio • Identity, heritage, and designing through multiple perspectives Headline Sponsor This episode is supported by Calibre Climate, specialists in bespoke climate control for high-end homes. Their goal isn’t just temperature control, it’s creating environments that feel effortless, balanced, and considered. Caliber Climate works closely with architects and interior designers to deliver quiet, beautifully integrated air conditioning solutions. https://www.calibreclimate.com/ Perfect for: Interior designers, architects, students, studio founders, hospitality creatives, and anyone interested in leadership, resilience, identity, and building a more inclusive creative industry. Listen & Watch Full video available on YouTube Audio on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms Guest Links: Toni Black https://www.instagram.com/toniblack.official/ House of Black https://houseofblack.design/ Follow OLISE Magazine: Website: https://olisemagazine.com Instagram: @olisemagazine LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/olise-magazine/

No Permission Needed: Annie White on Building OLISE, Breaking Rules, and Backing Yourself

In this episode of the OLISE Podcast, Annie White sits down for a candid conversation about her journey from luxury fashion at Dior and LVMH to founding OLISE Magazine. From cold-calling her way into the industry to managing high-pressure fashion shows, relocating between Paris, New York, and London, and ultimately creating her own platform, Annie shares the realities behind ambition, resilience, and creative leadership. She reflects on building OLISE without permission, trusting her instincts, assembling a high-performing team, and staying focused in the face of doubt. Along the way, she opens up about motherhood, marriage, competitiveness, and the personal drivers behind her success. Together, the conversation explores what it really takes to build something meaningful in the creative industries. In this episode: • Breaking into LVMH and working at Dior and Thomas Pink • Life in Paris, New York, and global fashion • High-pressure moments behind major fashion shows • Transitioning from fashion to interiors • The story behind founding OLISE Magazine • Building teams and company culture • Women in leadership and confidence at the table • Balancing career, ambition, and family • Why you don’t need permission to start Headline Sponsor: This episode is supported by Material Bank, the leading global platform transforming how architects and designers discover, sample, and specify materials. Material Bank streamlines the sampling process, saving time, reducing waste, and improving sustainability across the design industry. https://materialbank.eu https://materialbank.com Perfect for: Creative entrepreneurs, interior designers, architects, founders, marketing leaders, students, and anyone interested in building a career with confidence, resilience, and independence. Listen & Watch: Full video available on YouTube Audio on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms Guest Links: OLISE Magazine https://olisemagazine.com Annie White El Hachem https://www.linkedin.com/in/annie-white-el-hachem-89a1a728/ Follow OLISE Magazine: Website: https://olisemagazine.com Instagram: @olisemagazine LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/olise-magazine/

The Power of Determination: Alex Dauley on United in Design and Owning Your Creative Path

In this episode of the OLISE Podcast, Bilen sits down with interior designer and founder Alex Dauley for an honest conversation about identity, ambition, and building a career with integrity. Alex shares her journey from a small village in Wales to creating a thriving design studio in London, and how she entered the industry later in life with no network, no portfolio, and a decision to back herself anyway. She speaks candidly about motherhood, the reality of “having it all”, and why boundaries, honesty, and kindness matter in an industry that is often more polished than transparent. The conversation also explores the creation of United in Design, the charity Alex founded in response to the lack of access for Black and Brown designers, and what real change looks like when the next generation is supported from education through to employment, and ultimately, ownership. Alex also reflects on her WOW!house 2025 moment, designing the first ever media room, and how it became a turning point in her confidence, creativity, and future direction. In this episode: • Growing up in Wales and finding her way to London • Entering interior design at 32 and starting a studio with no network • Motherhood, ambition, and the reality of balance • What it means to be a Black woman in the design industry • Why United in Design was created, and what it’s changing • The truth about access, networks, and “feast or famine” in design • WOW!house 2025 and designing the Date Night media room • What’s next, media, brand collaborations, and building a multi-faceted business Headline Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Calibre Climate, specialists in bespoke climate control for high-end homes. Calibre Climate works closely with architects and interior designers to deliver quiet, beautifully integrated air conditioning solutions, creating environments that feel effortless, balanced, and considered. https://www.calibreclimate.com/ Perfect for: Interior designers, architects, students, studio founders, creative entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in honesty, access, and building a career with purpose. Listen & Watch: Full video available on YouTube Audio on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms Guest Links: Alex Dauley https://www.alexdauley.com/ United in Design https://www.unitedindesign.com/ Follow OLISE Magazine: Website: https://olisemagazine.com Instagram: @olisemagazine LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/olise-magazine/

Fighting Injustice, Building Standards: Vanessa Brady OBE on Leadership, Legacy and Design

In this episode of the OLISE Podcast, Annie White sits down with Vanessa Brady OBE, founder of the Society of British and International Interior Design (SBID), to explore her extraordinary journey through the design industry, from its unregulated early days to today’s global, professionalised landscape. Vanessa reflects on resilience, integrity, and the importance of standing up for yourself in business. She shares candid stories from working with global clients, navigating cultural complexity, and building an organisation that protects and elevates designers worldwide. Together, they discuss why boundaries matter, how the industry has evolved, and what young designers need to succeed in an increasingly competitive environment. In this episode: • Vanessa’s unconventional path into interior design • Building SBID and professionalising the industry • Navigating power, culture, and global clients • Women in leadership and industry inequality • Why boundaries protect creativity • Advice for young designers and growing studios • The importance of standing up for your value Headline Sponsor: This episode is supported by Moroso, the luxury Italian design house renowned for turning furniture into works of art. For over 70 years, Moroso has collaborated with leading designers to create bold, expressive pieces that define contemporary interiors. https://www.moroso.it Perfect for: Interior designers, architects, students, studio founders, creative entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in leadership, resilience, and building a meaningful career in design. Listen & Watch: Full video available on YouTube Audio on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms Guest Links: Society of British and International Interior Design (SBID) https://www.sbid.org Vanessa Brady OBE https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-brady-obe Follow OLISE Magazine: Website: https://olisemagazine.com Instagram: @olisemagazine LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/olise-magazine/

Global Thinking, Local Sensitivity: MAWD on Designing for Emotion

In this episode of the OLISE Podcast, Annie White sits down with James White and Elliot March, founders of the internationally renowned studio MAWD (March and White Design). Together, they explore how design creates emotional impact, what it means to build hospitality spaces with soul, and how a global perspective influences their work across London, Dubai, New York, and Los Angeles. James and Elliot talk openly about the creative process, the value of collaboration, and why the most successful interiors are the ones that make people feel something. In this episode: • The early days of MAWD and the evolution of their studio • Designing for emotion in hospitality, residential, and mixed-use spaces • Global perspectives: how geography shapes creativity • Why narrative matters in design • The future of hospitality and the next shifts in user experience Headline Sponsor: This episode is supported by AB Consulting, a boutique strategic and creative advisory studio working across design, architecture, and the built environment. AB Consulting is deeply committed to building community, hosting curated networking events that bring together designers, founders, and industry leaders. Their focus on meaningful connection is at the heart of their mission: to create opportunities, spark collaboration, and strengthen the creative ecosystem. Discover more at https://abcltd.co.uk/ Perfect for: architects, interior designers, students, and anyone curious about the thinking behind world-class spaces. Listen & Watch: Full video available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lre9sNSV22o Audio on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms. Guest Links: MAWD Studio https://www.mawd.co Follow OLISE Magazine: Website: https://olisemagazine.com Instagram: @olisemagazine: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@OLISEmagazine Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/olise-magazine/

Revolutionising an Industry: Farshid Tafazzoli Talks Innovation, Sustainability & Design Access

In this episode of the OLISE Podcast, Annie White speaks with Farshid Tafazzoli, Co-Founder of Material Bank, about the future of material sourcing, sustainability, and the technology reshaping the design industry. From simplifying the sampling process to building smarter circular systems, Farshid shares how Material Bank is transforming the way architects and designers work and what’s next as the platform expands across Europe. In this episode: • How Farshid started his path to becoming a tech entrepreneur • The story behind Material Bank and its expansion to Europe • How technology is improving the designer workflow • Sustainability and the future of material circulation • What designers really need from suppliers • The future of product libraries and specification culture Headline Sponsor This episode is proudly sponsored by Parador, a global interiors brand known for design-led flooring crafted with care in Europe. Parador combines material innovation, responsible production, and timeless aesthetics to help architects and designers create spaces that feel considered, beautiful, and built to last. Discover more at parador-interiors.com Perfect for: architects, designers, specifiers, suppliers, product companies, and anyone curious about how innovation is changing the industry. Listen & Watch: Full video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/rkrMbwItx2w Audio on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms. Guest Links: Material Bank Europe https://materialbank.eu Follow OLISE Magazine: Website: https://olisemagazine.com Instagram: @olisemagazine: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@OLISEmagazine Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/olise-magazine/