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Hot Young Designers Club | Interior Design Business Podcast

Hot Young Designers Club | Interior Design Business Podcast

Hosted by Hot Young Designers Club

BusinessArtsDesignEducation
WebsiteRSS feed

Episodes

200

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN

About the show

They're not that hot, or that young - but hosts Rebecca Plumb (Studio Plumb) and Shaun Crha (Wrensted Interiors) spill the tea every week on how a new generation of interior designers run their business. Join a community exploring the emotional, practical, and humorous side of the interior design business.

Listen to episodes

60 recent
August 14, 20261 hr 1 min

189: Just Stop: Summer Edition

Summer is summering, and Shaun and Rebecca are feeling every bit of the chaos. They catch up on Rebecca’s daughter starting middle school, the impending disruption of a home flooring project, sensory overload, and what it looks like to raise kids who can advocate for themselves instead of having every problem solved for them. They also share an exciting update on the upcoming Hot Young Designers Club Mexico City trip, designed to give interior designers a chance to connect, explore, and actually let someone else handle the planning for once.Then it’s time to bring back a Hot Young Designers Club classic: Just Stop. Shaun, Rebecca, and the Hotties weigh in on the interior design trends and industry habits they’re ready to see less of—from an endless supply of tiny cordless lamps and default Shaker cabinets to questionable 3D-rendering marketing, publicly dragging your competitors, and asking other interior designers to hand over their expertise for free.In this episode they discuss:Navigating life, work, parenting, and a home renovation when everything seems to be happening at the same timeHelping kids build independence, organization, self-advocacy, and habits that actually work for their brainsThe upcoming Hot Young Designers Club Mexico City trip and creating an intimate, low-stress travel experience for interior designersWhy the design industry might officially have enough tiny rechargeable cordless lampsWhether 3D renderings belong on an interior designer’s website or Instagram—and how to use them effectively as marketing contentWhy designers can communicate their value without publicly tearing down competitors or other creativesThe case against defaulting to Shaker cabinets and how designers can help clients make more adventurous cabinetry choicesWhy asking another interior designer to “pick their brain” should come with an offer to pay for their expertise and timeOur links:Subscribe and leave a review - Apple PodcastsLike, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club InstagramRebecca’s InstagramShaun’s InstagramFor more information - Check out the websiteBecome a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on PatreonDesign Resources - Check out our shop

August 7, 20261 hr 4 min

188: Inquiry Forms, Vendor Clickbait, and Designer Education

How well is your interior design inquiry form actually qualifying potential clients? In this episode, Shaun and Rebecca explore how budget dropdowns, minimum project investments, investment guides, and consultations can shape the quality of your leads. They discuss the tension between filtering out unqualified inquiries and educating promising clients who have the money to invest but do not yet understand what furnishing and renovation projects cost.They also unpack a viral designer post announcing a public “breakup” with furniture vendor Four Hands. The conversation expands into vendor relationships, furniture damage claims, buying power, client-facing marketing, rage bait, and whether interior designers should use their business accounts to educate other designers. Plus, they share a tariff-refund surprise, debate realistic measurement tolerances, and offer a quick update from Las Vegas Market.In this episode they discuss:How budget ranges on an interior design inquiry form can attract, qualify, or accidentally discourage potential clientsWhy some high-value clients need pricing education before they are ready to commit to a six-figure design investmentUsing consultations, investment guides, and automated responses to create different paths for different types of leadsWhen a high closing rate may signal that it is time to raise your design fees, expand your team, or increase your project minimumsWhy designers should regularly audit their inquiry process, website links, lead data, and client experienceThe risks of publicly criticizing a furniture vendor on a client-facing interior design accountHow designer education and coaching content can confuse potential clients when it is mixed into a residential design firm’s marketingVendor buying power, damaged furniture, tariff refunds, realistic site-measurement tolerances, and the changing Las Vegas Market experienceOur links:Subscribe and leave a review - Apple PodcastsLike, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club InstagramRebecca’s InstagramShaun’s InstagramFor more information - Check out the websiteBecome a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on PatreonDesign Resources - Check out our shop

July 31, 20261 hr 12 min

187: From Reality TV to the Reality of Design with Patrick Maziarski of Beau Geste Interior Design

What do reality television production and running an interior design firm have in common? More than you might think. In this episode, Shaun and Rebecca sit down with Patrick Maziarski, founder and principal designer of Beau Geste Interior Design, to trace his creative journey from growing up in Canada and working in reality TV to studying design in Los Angeles and building his own interior design business.Patrick shares how production taught him to manage budgets, schedules, crews, and countless moving parts—skills that now help him lead complex residential design projects. They also discuss finding your voice online, building a portfolio that attracts aligned clients, conducting meaningful client programming, navigating business pivots, and Patrick’s plans for a Beau Geste rebrand, a community-facing studio, and his newest entrepreneurial idea: Trapper Coffee.In this episode they discuss:How Patrick’s Canadian upbringing, creative family, and early interest in filmmaking shaped his path to interior designThe transferable project management, budgeting, scheduling, and relationship-building skills he gained while working in reality televisionMoving to Los Angeles, attending UCLA Extension, finding mentors, and learning the real-world side of the interior design industryThe career experiences that gave Patrick the confidence to launch Beau Geste Interior DesignRecommitting to Beau Geste after a design-build partnership changed direction and refining the firm’s identityWhy showing your personality online can attract the right interior design clients while repelling the wrong onesPatrick’s deeply personal approach to client programming and incorporating family history, culture, lifestyle, and meaningful details into a homeUpcoming project photography, the Beau Geste rebrand, plans for a street-level studio, and the launch of Trapper Coffee in Los AngelesMentioned:Beau Geste Interior Design website - https://www.beaugeste.design/ Beau Geste Interior Design Instagram -https://www.instagram.com/beaugeste.design/Patrick Maziarski’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/patrickm.design/Our links:Subscribe and leave a review - Apple PodcastsLike, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club InstagramRebecca’s InstagramShaun’s InstagramFor more information - Check out the websiteBecome a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on PatreonDesign Resources - Check out our shop

July 24, 20261 hr 9 min

186: Working Backward from Your Goals with Linette Dai

Interior designer Linette Dai joins Shaun and Rebecca to share how she built Linette Dai Design by following opportunities, embracing discomfort, and working backward from the kind of business and life she wanted to create. Linette reflects on her unconventional path into interior design, from operating a boba shop and teaching English in Taiwan to helping renovate investment properties and eventually studying interior architecture at UCLA Extension.The conversation explores what it takes to move into the luxury design market, invest in professional photography and public relations, build a collaborative team, and become more visible even when self-promotion feels uncomfortable. Linette also shares how ADHD, curiosity, meticulousness, and a willingness to ask questions have become creative superpowers that help her develop thoughtful, highly customized interiors.In this episode they discuss:How Linette transitioned through several careers before discovering interior designBuilding an interior design business organically through referrals, freelancing, and hands-on experienceWhy business partnerships require clearly defined roles, expectations, and complementary skill setsWorking backward from long-term goals to identify the uncomfortable steps required to achieve themWhy affordable luxury can be difficult to sustain and how Linette shifted toward luxury interior designInvesting time in networking, industry events, professional photography, PR, and relationship buildingTurning ADHD traits, curiosity, overthinking, and meticulous attention to detail into design superpowersHiring freelance and hourly support, delegating tasks, and building a lean interior design teamMentioned:Linette Dai DesignLinette Dai Design on InstagramOur links:Subscribe and leave a review - Apple PodcastsLike, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club InstagramRebecca’s InstagramShaun’s InstagramFor more information - Check out the websiteBecome a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on PatreonDesign Resources - Check out our shop

July 17, 20261 hr 28 min

185: That's a Wrap on Society

Rebecca and Shaun catch up on the invisible work behind creative businesses and everyday life—from recovering after an intense project push to building routines that support mental health without falling into hustle culture. They explore the difference between discipline and consistency, the value of rest, emotional check-ins, and why sustainable habits often work better when they are quiet rather than performative.The conversation moves into the realities of managing interior design construction projects, communicating renovation timelines, selecting durable terrazzo materials, and deciding what historic details can realistically be preserved. They also dream up a better inspiration platform for interior designers before spiraling into Pinterest, artificial intelligence, virtual influencers, and AI-generated music—and ultimately deciding it may be a wrap on society.In this episode they discuss:Recovering from burnout, “bonking,” and the guilt that can come with taking time to restWhy consistency may be a healthier and more sustainable goal than disciplineCreating flexible morning routines that support creativity, movement, and mental healthUsing emotional check-ins to communicate more clearly with clients and contractorsManaging client expectations during demolition, flooring installation, and disruptive home renovationsChoosing resin terrazzo and other durable interior design materials without sacrificing visual interestPreserving vintage homes and architectural details while recognizing when something can no longer be savedImagining a curated inspiration platform for interior designers—and questioning the future of Pinterest, AI influencers, and AI-generated musicOur links:Subscribe and leave a review - Apple PodcastsLike, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club InstagramRebecca’s InstagramShaun’s InstagramFor more information - Check out the websiteBecome a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on PatreonDesign Resources - Check out our shop

July 10, 20261 hr 11 min

184: Permission to Break the Streak

When does a productive habit stop serving you and start feeling like another obligation? Shaun and Rebecca unpack that question after Rebecca reveals she may abandon her 741-day Duolingo streak. Their conversation explores sunk-cost thinking, the pressure of maintaining streaks, and why letting go can create space for habits that genuinely improve your life and business.Before granting Rebecca permission to break the streak, they catch up on the realities of running an interior design business—from catching a costly furniture measurement issue before production to building financial buffers for inevitable mistakes. They also discuss Programa workflows, Schoolhouse joining Hudson Valley Lighting Group, natural bark wall panels, traditional vetiver cooling screens, and how CliftonStrengths can help designers spend more time in their zone of genius.In this episode they discuss:Planning the Hot Young Designers Club Mexico City trip and creating meaningful community for interior designersCatching furniture and cabinetry measurement conflicts before they become expensive installation problemsBuilding “oops” money into your interior design pricing, margins, and business accountsUsing Programa to organize specifications, construction documents, attachments, and purchasing responsibilitiesWhat the Schoolhouse and Hudson Valley Lighting Group partnership could mean for product development and designer pricingRebecca’s 741-day Duolingo streak and recognizing when consistency has become an obligationEscaping sunk-cost thinking and giving yourself permission to release habits, relationships, or systems that no longer serve youUsing CliftonStrengths to understand your natural talents, fill gaps on your team, and work within your zone of geniusOur links:Subscribe and leave a review - Apple PodcastsLike, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club InstagramRebecca’s InstagramShaun’s InstagramFor more information - Check out the websiteBecome a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on PatreonDesign Resources - Check out our shop

July 3, 20261 hr 12 min

183: Why We Can't Have Nice Things

In this episode, Shaun and Rebecca dig into the art of having, styling, photographing, and protecting beautiful interiors. They start with the emotional intelligence of delivering client news, then move into the creative direction behind Shaun’s upcoming project photo shoot and how designers can create portfolio images that feel lived-in, layered, and aligned with their brand.They also talk about why styling budgets matter, how to help clients understand the cost of “finished,” and what happens when people want nice homes but don’t always want to invest in or care for the final details. From bookcase styling and branded client gifts to viral stories about people stealing restaurant butter dishes and basketball trash cans, this episode is a funny and practical conversation about why interior designers really can’t have nice things.In this episode they discuss:Why tone and emotional intelligence matter when delivering client updatesHow Shaun is planning the creative direction for an upcoming interior design photo shootStyling interiors to feel layered, lived-in, editorial, and story-drivenWhy designers may need to bring in furniture, accessories, art, and props to get the right portfolio photosHow to explain styling budgets and the true cost of a finished home to clientsUsing brand strategy and ideal client profiles as a compass for photo shoots and business decisionsCreating signature client gifts, like branded floral arrangements or local treatsWhy caring for beautiful things is part of the lifestyle designers are helping clients createOur links:Subscribe and leave a review - Apple PodcastsLike, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club InstagramRebecca’s InstagramShaun’s InstagramFor more information - Check out the websiteBecome a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on PatreonDesign Resources - Check out our shop

June 26, 20261 hr 5 min

182: Blanding, branding, and tech stacks - oh my!

Shaun and Rebecca are back for a classic Hot Young Designers Club catch-up, diving into the increasingly bland world of modern branding, the tension between creative identity and trend-chasing, and how interior designers can avoid losing personality in their own brands. They talk about “blanding,” luxury fashion logos, Canva-looking design identities, and why your branding needs to support—not flatten—your creative work.They also get deep into the operational side of running an interior design business: construction documents, redlines, return clients, spec sheets, software fatigue, and the never-ending quest for the perfect interior design tech stack. From Studio Designer and Programa to Harvest, Gusto, Dubsado, Basecamp, and client-facing systems, this episode is full of real talk about what it takes to keep projects organized as your studio grows.In this episode they discuss:Why so many major brands are moving toward minimal, sans-serif “blanding”How interior designers can keep their branding from feeling generic or disconnected from their workThe value of happy accidents during drafting, renderings, and creative collaborationWhy construction documents, redlines, and spec sheets can feel so mentally demandingThe benefits of working with return clients who already trust your processHow Shaun and Rebecca are evaluating software, systems, and tech stacks for interior design businessesThe challenge of creating a client-facing hub that keeps invoices, proposals, action items, and project documents organizedEarly plans for a potential Hot Young Designers Club group travel experienceOur links:Subscribe and leave a review - Apple PodcastsLike, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club InstagramRebecca’s InstagramShaun’s InstagramFor more information - Check out the websiteBecome a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on PatreonDesign Resources - Check out our shop

June 19, 20261 hr 1 min

181: I guess we're making project yearbooks now?

In this episode, Shaun and Rebecca catch up on summer schedules, parenting, old photos, and the strange feeling of realizing how much of our lives has been documented somewhere. That leads them into a bigger conversation about memory, storytelling, and how interior designers can capture the deeper meaning behind the homes they create.They also dig into industry changes, including Pooky Lighting being acquired by Visual Comfort, the challenges of buying from vendors as interior designers, and why designers need to keep educating clients on craft, quality, and the human story behind furnishings. Then, in true Hot Young Designers Club fashion, they build an entire new client experience idea in real time: a project “yearbook” or home storybook that documents the process, the people, the sourcing stories, the funny renovation moments, and the emotional history of a finished project.In this episode they discuss:How summer schedules, parenting seasons, and changing family dynamics affect work and daily lifeWhy documenting homes, childhood rooms, and personal spaces can become meaningful laterThe weird nostalgia of old party photos, VHS tapes, club photographers, and early internet documentationPooky Lighting’s acquisition by Visual Comfort and what corporate ownership can mean for beloved design brandsWhy interior designers need vendors, trade programs, and manufacturers that actually support the design industryHow storytelling helps clients understand the value of custom furniture, vintage pieces, traditional upholstery, and artisan-made goodsThe idea of creating a project yearbook, home storybook, or client keepsake after a design project wrapsWhy local design communities, regional magazines, and city planning should pay more attention to residential interiors and creative industriesOur links:Subscribe and leave a review - Apple PodcastsLike, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club InstagramRebecca’s InstagramShaun’s InstagramFor more information - Check out the website

June 12, 20261 hr 7 min

180: Hema Persad Is Uncompromising About Mediocrity in Her Life and Her Design Business, Sagrada Studio

In this episode, Shaun and Rebecca sit down with Hema Persad, founder and principal designer of Sagrada Studio, a Los Angeles-based interior design firm creating layered, personal, and highly intentional residential and commercial spaces. Hema shares how she moved from law to celebrity styling to interior design, and how each chapter shaped the way she runs her studio today.Hema gets candid about building a luxury interior design business, creating tiered service offerings, managing client expectations, outsourcing strategically, working with contractors, and refusing to tolerate mediocrity in her team, her process, or her life. This conversation is packed with honest interior design business advice for designers who want stronger boundaries, better systems, and a more profitable studio.In this episode they discuss:How Hema transitioned from attorney to celebrity stylist to founder of Sagrada StudioWhy outsourcing CAD drawings and low-value tasks can help interior designers focus on higher-level workThe difference between full-service interior design, consultations, and smaller client offeringsHow Hema is building a three-tier design business with The Expert, in-studio consultations, and white glove full service designWhy showing too much behind-the-scenes process can undermine a luxury client experienceHow designers can manage client expectations around delays, procurement, contractors, and scope creepWhy people pleasing does not serve clients, teams, or interior design business ownersHow Hema structures her team around design, procurement, and project execution to improve accountabilityMentioned:Hema Persad on InstagramSagrada Studio on InstagramSagrada Studio’s WebsiteOur links:Subscribe and leave a review - Apple PodcastsLike, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club InstagramRebecca’s InstagramShaun’s InstagramFor more information - Check out the website

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