In this engaging conversation, Rachel Usher speaks with Philippa Thorp, a seasoned designer with 40 years of experience in the industry. Philippa shares her unique journey into design, the challenges of building a successful business, and the importance of understanding client relationships. They discuss the dynamics of teamwork, cultural differences in design practices between the UK and the US, and the significance of collaboration within the design community. Philippa emphasizes the need for ...
May 02, 2025•59 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Summary In this engaging conversation, Rachel Usher interviews freelance copywriter Lucy Banwell, who specialises in the property and interiors industry. Lucy shares her journey from journalism to copywriting, emphasising the importance of understanding client needs, crafting compelling narratives, and connecting imagery with words. The discussion delves into the nuances of targeting ideal clients, identifying pain points, and the significance of building trust through effective communication. L...
Apr 10, 2025•1 hr•Season 2Ep. 2
In this engaging conversation, Rachel Usher interviews LuAnn Nigara, a prominent figure in the interior design industry. They discuss the importance of collaboration among designers, strategies for growth, and the necessity of documenting processes for efficiency. LuAnn emphasizes the significance of understanding financial management and revenue streams in design, while also addressing the value that interior designers bring to clients. The conversation concludes with insights on navigating cli...
Mar 24, 2025•1 hr 15 min•Season 2Ep. 1
In episode 24 I am speaking with the wonderful Laura Hammett, founder and creative director of the award-winning and renowned Laura Hammett Interiors. Laura authentically shares her journey of starting her design studio and the challenges that she faced along the way. She emphasises the importance of planning ahead to navigate uncertain economic times and the impact of projects being put on hold and the need for open communication with clients. In this candid conversation, we also discuss the ch...
Oct 31, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 24
I am so grateful that Jude Charles is back for another episode and this time we’re discussing all things marketing! This time we discuss the importance of storytelling in the interior design industry and how capturing the unpolished version of a project can set designers apart. Jude emphasises the power of showing the behind-the-scenes journey and the challenges that arise during a project. He believes that sharing these moments not only builds trust with clients but also allows designers to sho...
Oct 15, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 23
In episode 22, I am speaking with Jude Charles. Jude is a videographer, documentary and filmmaker from the United States. Jude offers videography captures the unique essence of his client's personal stories. His storytelling technique has been transformative to businesses in the Interior Design world and beyond. He emphasises the power of storytelling and the importance of sharing who you are beyond what you do. Jude also discusses his experience with burnout and the need for emotional balance i...
Oct 01, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 22
In episode 21, I had the pleasure of speaking with Karen Howes, CEO and founder of Taylor Howes. Karen candidly shares her journey in the interior design industry. From her nomadic childhood to her early experiences in the art world, Karen developed a passion for creating safe and beautiful spaces. She discusses the different arms of her business, including Taylor Howes (high-end residential design), Studio Howes (furnishing solutions for clients), and the newly launched Howes & Landino (col...
Sep 18, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 21
In episode 20 I am chatting with Elliot Barratt of Elliot James Interiors. Elliot shares his journey of becoming an Interior Designer and establishing his business in Singapore. He grew up surrounded by design and craftsmanship, which sparked his passion for the industry. After studying furniture design and interior architecture, he started his own furniture business and later transitioned into interior architecture. Elliot emphasises the importance of creating a luxury brand and discusses the c...
Sep 10, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 20
In this episode I am interviewing Tom and Andy of Fettle Design, a global design studio that focuses on high-end projects in the hospitality industry, including restaurants, hotels, members clubs and many more. They have a narrative and conceptually driven design process, with a strong emphasis on client relationships and enjoyment in their work. Tom and Andy share their journey of building their renowned design practice and candidly share the challenges of balancing profile, profit and client r...
Aug 27, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 19
In episode 18, I’m speaking to Alistair McCauley and Paul Simmons, the creative minds behind the fabric and wallpaper brand Timorous Beasties. One of the things I enjoy the most about this podcast is that the conversations I have with my guests are with utterly brilliant and authentic people. I've started to realise that there's a commonality between my guests and that's probably because these people have really incredible backstories of grit. They share a common attribute of optimism and self b...
Aug 12, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 18
In episode 17 I am talking with Fameed Khalique. Fameed shares his journey from aspiring airline pilot to becoming a prominent figure in the Interior Design industry. He started his career in fashion shows and PR, then worked in publishing and logistics before joining his brother's company, Alma Leather, where he learned about the interior design community. After five years, he left and started his own business, curating a vast collection of materials for both couture and ready-to-wear projects....
Jul 16, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Season 1Ep. 17
In episode 16, I am interviewing Aoife Tobin, the founder and director of Style So Simple, which is an Irish interior architecture studio. Aoife's design aesthetic is classic and timeless, and Aoife's story is perhaps not dissimilar to many designers here in the UK, but it has a slight twist in some of the nuances of the Irish market. I'm really pleased to welcome my first Irish guest. Connect with the host: @thebusinessofinteriors Thebusinessofinteriors.com Connect with our guest: @stylesosimpl...
Jul 04, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 16
In episode 15 I am speaking with Carmen Reitnour, a sales representative for Romo Fabrics. Carmen shares her journey from being a librarian to working in the design industry and how she navigated this career change. She also discusses the importance of building relationships with designers and how reps can provide valuable support and save designers both time and money. Carmen hass a fabulous energy and highlights the need for a strong design community and shares examples of successful events an...
Jun 18, 2024•57 min•Season 1Ep. 15
In episode 14 I am speaking with Amy Dalrymple. Amy and her husband, Hewie, together run Dalrymple Studio, which is a London -based interior design and architecture practice. Amy and Hewie have crafted a design aesthetic that is timeless and classic, and also believe in the values of being accessible, sustainable and crafting a bespoke approach that has allowed them to work on some really beautiful projects in London and also in New York. Connect with the host: @thebusinessofinteriors Thebusines...
May 14, 2024•1 hr 15 min•Season 1Ep. 14
In episode 13 I am speaking with Samantha Pope, founder of Samantha Pope Interiors. Samantha candidly shares her journey of starting her own practice and the challenges she faced along the way. She emphasises the importance of learning business skills and the need for designers to understand the financial and administrative aspects of running a company. Samantha also highlights the significance of personal development and the core values that guide her design approach. Samantha's journey is insp...
Apr 30, 2024•54 min•Season 1Ep. 13
In episode 12 Rachel interviews Grant Pierrus, founder of Pierrus Agency and the Interior Style Hunter. Grant candidly shares his journey from starting a blog to building a successful luxury marketing agency that is aimed at serving the design community. He discusses the challenges and opportunities in the industry, including the need for designers to focus on sustainability and define their brand narrative. Grant shares his vision for his team and the agency, as well as his expert advice on how...
Apr 15, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 12
In episode 11 Rachel interviews Emma Sims Hilditch. Emma runs the immensely successful design studio Sims Hilditch, which is just outside of Bath and has grown a large team and a hugely successful brand through her application of being purely consistent in both her vision and her ability to offer a clear aesthetic that is rooted in a timelessness and has absolute enduring appeal. Emma has an even more remarkable approach to business. She's clear, she doesn't get distracted and she knows exactly ...
Mar 26, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 11
In Episode 10, I’m going to be speaking with James Horwitz. James is the founder of London based design studio, Two Times Elliot. For over a decade, James's studio has been a leading contributor towards the global conversation of design and creativity. James is the type of person that's willing to ask difficult questions and he's prepared to shift paradigms and explore alternative approaches and ways of thinking. The way in which Jame approaches problems and brings a solution to a design conundr...
Mar 12, 2024•1 hr 15 min•Season 1Ep. 10
In episode 09 of the 'If These Walls Could Talk' podcast I am speaking with a fellow Northern Interior Designer-Hannah Sidley. Hannah is the creative director of Cream and Black, which is a luxury high -end residential interior design practice based in the West Midlands, working on projects across the UK. Hannah has a similar size team to my own and has followed a similar entrepreneurial journey to the one that I have followed. I've often looked at Hannah's studio's work and found it really quit...
Feb 27, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 9
In Episode 08 Rachel interviews Peter Grech of the SpaceMaker Interiors. Peter established his company approximately four years ago, having left an established career in medicine to work in the interior design industry. His career change and some of the frustrations and learning points that he has experienced are relatable to many of us. Not least his big decision to move from one very abstract profession to a different one. Peter is a rising star. He's been on a TV show, The Design Masters, and...
Feb 13, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 8
In Episode 07 of the If These Walls Could Talk Podcast we’re talking about paint. Rachel interviews Rob Green, who is one of the co-founders of Coat Paints. Coat Paints was established at the beginning of the COVID era, about three years ago. And Rachel started to become aware of this as an alternative challenger brand to some of the other premium paint brands that were in the industry and it caught her eye. And over the last year or two, it has taken the digital space quite significantly. I t's...
Jan 30, 2024•48 min•Season 1Ep. 7
In Episode 06, Rachel speaks with British-born textile artist Rosemary Hallgarten. Rachel first met Rosemary during the pandemic, not face-to-face, but over a video call. They were simply two business women on two different sides of the Atlantic. They connected on Instagram, which shortly turned into a video call and a conversation. During that conversation Rosemary was authentic. The story of her product and brand was inspiring. Rachel connected with Rosemary as a friend and a business peer who...
Jan 02, 2024•45 min•Season 1Ep. 6
In episode 05 Rachel speaks with Gregory Phillips from Gregory Phillips Architecture. Gregory is an architect here in the UK and he predominantly designs very contemporary modern, super0prime and high-end residential buildings in London and the South East. Gregory has been an architect running his own practice since the very early 90s. He has many, many yeat and decades of rich experience that he brings and the changes that he’s seen along the way and some of the pivotal moments that have taken ...
Dec 19, 2023•47 min•Season 1Ep. 5
In episode 04 Rachel is speaking with Charu Gandhi. Charu is the director and founder of Elicyon, which is a luxury interior design practice based in Kensington, London. Rachel first met Charu in 2018 when she was speaking at an event where Rachel was a guest. After that, when we were mingling, Rachel had the opportunity to speak to her one-to-one and Charu struck her as being different in so much that she was authentic, honest, quite direct and so generous and willing to share business techniqu...
Dec 05, 2023•56 min•Season 1Ep. 4
In Episode 03 of If These Walls Could Talk, Rachel interviews Rick Campos. Rick is the founder and podcast host of the Design Biz Survival Guide in the USA. Rick is primarily based in Orange County, California. His spirit and energy to open up the conversation amongst the interior design community is something that caught Rachel's interest a couple of years ago. Since that time, she has spoken to him on many occasions. She's been guest on his podcast, and has also attended one of his retreats in...
Nov 21, 2023•57 min•Season 1Ep. 3
In Episode 02 of the If These Walls Could Talk Podcast, Rachel is joined by Lori Bolon. Lori is the founder of Portaire, an inspirational platform for Interior Designers and Architects. Portaire offers commentary on luxury design and has a curated and growing directory of high end interior brands, ultimately it is designed to help simplify processes. Portaire was born out of frustration of inefficient workflows, and Lori is on a journey to help change that. Lori's international experience has un...
Nov 07, 2023•44 min•Season 1Ep. 2
In Episode 01 Rachel is joined by one of the most prominent ambassadors for the interior design industry and founder of The Society Of British & International Design, Vanessa Brady OBE. Vanessa was awarded an OBE in the Queen's birthday honour list in 2013 for her services to the interior design industry and in our debut podcast she takes us on her journey into the industry and candidly shares her plans to continue to make waves and improve the industry for interior designers in the UK and i...
Oct 25, 2023•49 min•Season 1Ep. 1
