The Interior Collective

Save 15% site wide at www.idco.studio with promo code Podcast15. Welcome back to The Interior Collective. Today, we have an exciting episode lined up for you as we explore the journey of transforming an interior design studio into a thriving lifestyle brand. Joining us is the incredible Kristen Forgione, the creative force behind THELIFESTYLEDCO Design Firm and Retail Shop, and long-time, close, industry friend. After spending a decade in diverse fields like finance and hospitality, Kristen found her true calling when she attended fashion school in Los Angeles. This experience reignited her childhood passion for color and design, setting her on the path to creating a brand that would soon take the west coast design market by storm. Based in Arizona, THELIFESTYLEDCO has been leading the charge since 2012, serving clients nationwide and building a talented team of Organic Desert loving designers and support staff. Kristen has expertly mastered the art of selling a lifestyle to a wide audience, from affordable home and fashion finds to top-of-the-line, new construction custom homes. In today’s episode, Kristen will share her inspiring journey of expanding from a design studio to a full-fledged lifestyle brand. We’ll dive into the lessons she’s learned, the challenges she’s faced, and her vision for the future. Whether you’re an aspiring designer or a seasoned pro looking to broaden your horizons, Kristen’s insights will undoubtedly inspire you to think bigger and be bolder.

 Save 15% site wide at www.idco.studio with promo code Podcast15. Welcome to The Interior Collective, the podcast where we dive into the business of interior design. I’m your host, Anastasia Casey and today, I’m thrilled to welcome back Marie Flanigan, the visionary behind Marie Flanigan Interiors. With her background as a classically-trained architect, Marie’s approach marries architecture and interiors in a way that brings timeless elegance and innovation to every project. From the way her team incorporates rich textures, sophisticated color palettes, and striking plays of light, it’s no wonder MFI has been celebrated in top publications like Architectural Digest, Elle Décor, and Vogue. If you haven’t heard our first episode with Marie Flanigan, you’ll definitely want to skip all the way to our very first episode - Season 1, Episode 1 as Marie broke down her expertise in growing a team. I’ve had the pleasure of working with Marie alongside her team while filming her project installs, and I’ve honestly never been more impressed by a team’s synergy, relaxed atmosphere, and dedication to “getting it done” at an extraordinary level.Marie Flanigan is the most humble, easy going, hard working business person I’ve ever worked with and to this day, I can’t think of a woman I respect and admire more than her - personally and professionally. Truly, it’s an immense honor to have her back. Today, we’re delving into our most requested topic of the season: creating custom pieces. We’ll talk with Marie about how she designs, prices, and manages custom elements—everything from upholstered furniture to built-in cabinetry and bespoke drapery. We’ll uncover her process for finding the right workrooms and trades, what she provides them to bring her vision to life, and how she keeps projects on track from concept through installation. Plus, we’ll discuss what happens when custom pieces don’t go exactly as planned and Marie’s strategies for keeping clients happy and her standards high.

Save 15% site wide at www.idco.studio with promo code Podcast15. Welcome to The Interior Collective Podcast, the show where we dive into the art and business of beautiful living. Today, we’re thrilled to welcome a dear friend and total muse - Anne McDonald, a Minneapolis-based designer known for her layered, artful approach to creating spaces that feel both timeless and uniquely personal. Named one of Architectural Digest’s "New American Voices" in 2024, Anne’s work spans residential havens and vibrant commercial spaces across the country, each filled with thoughtful details, natural materials, and a signature warmth that invites people to linger. Anne’s portfolio is as varied as it is beautiful, covering historic home restorations, new builds, restaurants, and even ultra-feminine showrooms. In this episode, she shares the nuances of designing for both residential and commercial spaces, revealing how she adapts her process, project management, and communication strategies to suit each. Anne will also give us a behind-the-scenes look at how she weaves her signature, layered style into even the most functional spaces, ensuring they feel anything but typical. Plus, we’ll hear her thoughts on the importance of networking and community within the design world, and why she believes collaboration is key to any designer’s success.

Welcome back to The Interior Collective Podcast! In today's episode, we're thrilled to be joined by Lydia Geisel, Homes Editor at Domino magazine. Lydia has been a key figure on the editorial team at Domino since 2017, starting as an editorial intern and working her way up to overseeing the magazine’s home and renovation stories, from stunning house tours to transformative before-and-afters and creative DIY projects. Based in New York City, Lydia has not only interviewed design icons like Leanne Ford, Nate Berkus, and Brigette Romanek, but she’s also a seasoned pro at curating Domino’s weekly Reno newsletter and covering the latest in design news. In this episode, we'll dive deep into the world of design media as Lydia shares invaluable advice on how interior designers can get their work published. We’ll explore what Domino looks for in a project, from professional photography to compelling storytelling, and Lydia will offer three key tips on how to make your submissions stand out. We'll also discuss the importance of building relationships with editors, and the critical role that product links play (or don’t play) in home tour articles. Whether you're a seasoned designer or just starting out, Lydia's insights will provide the roadmap to getting your work noticed and published.

Save 15% site wide at www.idco.studio with promo code Podcast15. Welcome back to The Interior Collective Podcast, a podcast for the business of beautiful living - hosting conversations with leading interior designers from around the world about the intricacies of the design business. I’m your host, Anastasia Casey - founder of IDCO Studio, Kwin Made, The Interior Collective and host of the bi-annual industry event, Design Camp! Today, we’re diving deep into the world of custom luxury home builds with none other than Tyler Farrell, Founder and CEO of Killowen Construction. As an experienced general contractor, Tyler has built a reputation for bringing exquisite custom homes to life in and around Salt Lake City, Utah. Many of you might recognize his work from Netflix’s hit series, Dream Home Makeover, where he collaborated with interior designer Shea McGee to transform homes in truly stunning ways over four seasons. In this episode, we’ll be talking to Tyler about how interior designers can better prepare for working with contractors on custom new builds—covering everything from securing accurate bids, managing budgets, and how to value-engineer designs without sacrificing style. Tyler brings a wealth of knowledge and a world of humility, so get ready to learn invaluable tips on making your next big project a seamless success.

Hi, I’m Anastasia Casey, and in this episode of The Interior Collective, I’m sharing my journey in the interior design industry—from navigating my early career to building IDCO Studio and niching down to work exclusively with interior designers. We talk about the importance of community and support in the creative world. You’ll also hear about my passion for female financial independence, the strategies I use to manage multiple brands, and how social media has fueled my growth.

Save 15% site wide at www.idco.studio with promo code Podcast15. Welcome to The Interior Collective podcast, where we explore the art of design through the eyes of industry experts. Today, we're diving deep into the world of historic home renovations with a special guest, Jamie Haller. For nearly a decade, interior design was Jamie's personal passion, fueled by her love for restoring the charm and character of Los Angeles’ historic homes. But when the pandemic hit, Jamie turned that passion into a full-time career, blending her background in fashion with a unique approach to honoring a home's history. From being featured in Architectural Digest for her work on a mid-century Pasadena ranch to creating timeless spaces that speak to both past and present, Jamie’s expertise lies in respecting the original narrative of a home while infusing it with her signature bold use of color and pattern. In today’s episode, Jamie walks us through each phase of the design process—from initial client onboarding to collaborating with architects and craftsmen—sharing invaluable insights on working with older homes and offering advice on how to break down the hours involved in every stage. Get ready for a deep dive into the intricacies of bringing history to life with a modern touch.

Save 15% site wide at www.idco.studio with promo code Podcast15. On today’s episode of The Interior Collective, we’re welcoming Julia Bocchese, a leading SEO and Pinterest consultant with over seven years of experience under her belt. Julia has worked as an SEO professor at Drexel University, sharing her SEO expertise with the next generation of digital marketers. Throughout her career, Julia has helped countless clients boost their website traffic and achieve the coveted #1 spot for their keywords on Google. Having made the leap from the corporate world to pursue her own passion, Julia understands the challenges and triumphs that come with growing a business. In today’s episode, we’ll dive deep into the powerful combination of SEO and Pinterest for interior designers. Julia will share her top strategies for leveraging these platforms to elevate your brand visibility, attract clients, and ultimately grow your business. Further, we’ll discuss where your web designer’s work ends and Julia’s work begins.

Use code Podcast15 to save 15% off sitewide at www.idco.studio Welcome back to season 5 of The Interior Collective, a podcast for the business of beautiful living. I’m your host, Anastasia Casey - founder of IDCO Studio, Kwin Made, Design Camp, and of course, The Interior Collective. Today, we are beyond excited to have a very special guest—Jean Stoffer, the renowned interior designer, entrepreneur, and founder of Jean Stoffer Design. Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Jean has built a nationally recognized design firm that’s known for its classic, elegant style, with projects featured in top design magazines and her own TV show, The Established Home, on Magnolia Network. But what makes Jean’s story even more compelling is that this isn’t just a solo endeavor. Jean has built a true family business—her daughter, Grace Start, is her design partner, her sons, John, Daniel, and David all play key roles, and together they’ve grown their brand to include not only design services but also a retail shop, a coffee cafe, product lines and a custom cabinetry line. In this episode, Jean will be sharing her journey of building a successful business, the joys and challenges of working with family, and how they’ve created a unique synergy that has propelled their brand to new heights.

Subscribe on Patreon for bonus materials. Save 15% site wide at www.idco.studio with promo code Podcast15.   In the lead episode of Season 5 of The Interior Collective, we welcome interior designer and entrepreneur, Kate Marker, to discuss diversifying revenue and managing multiple business models. Kate Marker shares her journey in the interior design industry, highlighting her innovative approach to diversifying revenue streams through her design studio, retail brand, and short-term rental business. She discusses the importance of a cohesive team structure, the transition to larger projects, and the impact of hiring a business consultant. Kate also reflects on the challenges and growth experienced during the COVID pandemic, particularly in the realm of e-commerce. In this conversation, Anastasia and Kate discuss the multifaceted nature of the business, which includes a design studio, e-commerce, and vacation rentals. Kate shares insights on the challenges of shipping, the importance of property management, and the financial aspects of running short-term rentals. Kate also highlights the intangible benefits of her vacation properties, such as content creation and family memories, and discusses the future growth of her brand, including the launch of her new book.