June 19, 2025 • 53 mins
This week, we're talking Interior Design! Award-winning designer Dane Austin offers a refreshingly authentic approach to creating spaces that truly reflect their inhabitants.
Dane beautifully articulates what sets his work apart - rather than imposing a signature style, he designs spaces that embody each client's unique definition of beauty and luxury. When pressed to describe his aesthetic, he offers a compelling blend: "Tom Ford meets Wes Anderson with Billie Holiday" - combining refined tailoring with playful whimsy and soulful imperfection.
This deeply personalized approach requires going beyond surface preferences. "We're in parts of people's homes that some people never see," Dane explains. "We're lining your underwear drawer and have to know how you organize all of your belongings." This intimate understanding allows him to create environments that feel genuinely aligned with how clients live.
Behind Dane's artistic vision lies sophisticated business savvy. He's built a nimble team that combines local creative talent with remote specialists, allowing his firm to scale up or down based on project demands. This flexibility reflects lessons learned from years of experience and multiple business coaches who helped him develop systems that support both creativity and profitability.
Perhaps most compelling is Dane's perspective on wellness as essential to both design excellence and entrepreneurial success. Despite his impressive achievements and growing industry recognition, he's intentionally simplifying his professional commitments to prioritize health and personal connections. "If you're not filling up your cup, then how are you expected to fill up the cups of others?"
Ready to create spaces that truly reflect who you are while supporting how you want to feel? Listen now to discover how thoughtful design can transform not just your home, but your entire sense of wellbeing.
More about Dane:
Dane Austin is recognized as one of New England’s most influential interior designers. His elevated yet deeply personal approach to design has cultivated a loyal and discerning following. He believes that if we live in homes that are beautifully designed and in alignment with our definition of comfort and wellness, our lives feel complete. This philosophy is the foundation of his design firm, Dane Austin Design.
Based in Boston, Dane Austin Design is a full-service interior design firm specializing in luxury residential interiors throughout New England, Washington, D.C., and North America. The firm has received several accolades, including being named IFDA “Interior Designer of the Year,” Architectural Digest Approved “Star Talent,” House Beautiful’s Next Wave “Rising Design Star,” Home & Design Top 100 Designers, New England Home Magazine’s 5 Under 40 Award, the IFDA Charity Challenge winner, and the Excellence in Design award from ASID.
Dane shares his gambrel shingle-style home, built in 1905, with his dog—a Great Pyrenees Shepherd mix named Harry—and a joyfully rotating cast of friends and family.
Instagram: @daneaustindesign
House of JerMar: houseofjermar.com.
Instagram: instagram.com/houseofjermar/
YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@Houseofjermar
Read Jeanne's Book: Two Feet In: Lessons From and All-In Life
WELCOME TO OUR HOUSE!
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Talk to us a little bit about your design style and
the design style of you and ofyour firm.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
Gosh, that's such a big question and it's one that I
often have a tough timeanswering when editors say, tell
me about your design style,what is your aesthetic?
And I always say, well, if youwant to see my design style, you
should come to my house,because when we're designing,
we're truly designing directlyfor the client, and whatever
their definition of beauty andluxury and quality may be, and
(00:26):
for every person that'sdifferent.
So I think it's reallyimportant to work hand in hand
with our clients and get to knowpeople through lifestyle
questionnaires and in-personconversations, asking the right
questions.
We're in parts of people'shomes that some people never see
.
You know we're lining yourunderwear drawer and we have to
(00:46):
know how you organize all ofyour belongings and everything
in its place.
And so I guess, if I have todefine my style, I think of it
as Tom Ford meets Wes Andersonwith Billie Holiday with Billie
(01:08):
Holiday, and yeah, it's that,that beautiful mix of quality
and tailoring and refinement,but playfulness and color and
whimsy and a little soul andgrit and imperfection.
Speaker 1 (01:18):
Welcome to the House of Jermar podcast where wellness
starts within.
The House of Jermar is alifestyle brand, empowering
women to live all in throughinterior design and personal
wellness.
We are a destination for womenready to reimagine what is
possible in their homes andlives and then create it.
We are honored to have you joinus on our mission to empower 1
(01:42):
million women to live all in.
I am your host, Jean Collins,and I invite you to become
inspired by this week's guest.
Welcome to the House of Germarpodcast where wellness starts
within.
I'm your host, Jean Collins,and today's guest.
We are talking interior design.
Dane Austin is our guest today.
I am so excited to have him.
(02:02):
He's coming to us fromMassachusetts and one of the
things I love about Dane notonly do I not get to talk to
enough interior designers on theshow, but he also has a passion
for wellness and interiordesign, which is something
that's near and dear to my heart.
So I am super excited to sharehis entrepreneurial journey.
Talk about his business, talkabout what he's doing.
He is an up and comer, guys.
He has tons of awards.
(02:23):
His bio is long, I will includeit in the show notes, but he is
super impressive as an interiordesigner and has quite the team
, and I love that you have apassion for wellness and
defining comfort within yourclient's home.
So, Dane, welcome to the show.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
Thank you so much for having me.
I'm grateful to be here.
Speaker 1 (02:41):
It's great to meet you and and any interior
designer I'm always happy totalk to, so thank you for coming
on the show.
So I love to share a little bitabout our guest's career
journey.
So how did you get intointerior design?
Because you have a supercreative backgrounds, but how
did you land on interior design?
Speaker 2 (02:58):
Wow.
I think I'm very fortunate inalways knowing that interior
design was what I wanted topursue when I was in junior high
school and high school, andthey would send you to the
library to study a career,interior design was always at
the top of my list and I wanteda job where I would be meeting
new people, always doingsomething different, have an
(03:18):
opportunity to travel, make agood living and helping people
in the process, and interiordesign tended just turned out to
be exactly what I needed, soI'm grateful that I get to do
something, using my talents forgood and helping people in the
process.
Speaker 1 (03:35):
Ooh, I like that.
So you didn't start out withyour own firm?
No one ever does, so how didyou learn and grow before you
decided you wanted to branch onyour own?
Speaker 2 (03:45):
I worked with an interior design firm in
Georgetown for about eight ornine years and that was while I
was going to college at theCorcoran College of Art and
Design in Washington DC and Iloved working there because I
had mentorship and I learned onthe job and I feel like
(04:07):
sometimes you can learn moredoing than through the education
itself and my school was veryconceptual.
But I had hands-on experiencewith this firm and they also
allowed me to go on studyabroads in the UK and in Paris,
and I was able to spread mywings and come back and still
have my position and continue togrow with them until the
economy tanked in 2009.
(04:28):
And then I was pushed out on myown.
Speaker 1 (04:33):
So you jumped all in to being out on your own,
because you were forced to.
Speaker 2 (04:38):
Yes, in a sense.
And while I was working forthat firm, just a few years in I
started my own side hustle, ifyou will, as a designer and I
had some friends who wanted toredo their top floor primary
bedroom suite and turn theirguest room into an office and
make some other changes.
So they ended up hiring me andthen they referred me to another
(05:02):
friend of theirs who was buyinga new place in Washington DC,
and then that person referred meto somebody else.
So I had my own work while Iwas also working at the design
firm and it was nice because Icould run floor plans and design
schemes and color palettes pastmy mentor and I basically just
got the stamp of approval, justgot the stamp of approval.
You know there wasn't much hewould make changes on, but it
(05:29):
was nice that he would allow meto make my own career path on
the side while also working withhim and not taking that as any
kind of a threat.
So I appreciated that so much.
Speaker 1 (05:34):
Yeah, which is nice, and I often say you know so many
people say and coaches say thistoo you know, sometimes doing
it as a side hustle before youjump in is a good way to do it,
because not everybody can takethat leap or financially take
that leap to go out on their ownright away.
So finding a way to do both,even if it's a side hustle in
the same industry or maybe not,a lot of people want to make a
(05:55):
career shift and they don't knowhow to make that leap, and so
doing it on the side to build upsome confidence, build up some
business before you take theleap, is often a very good
strategy and you're proof ofthat.
Speaker 2 (06:06):
Definitely, and I think you learn so many lessons
along the way.
There's so much that goes on ina huge design firm, but it's
very different than being anentrepreneur or solopreneur.
As a designer and some of thethings that you pick up and you
realize maybe I shouldn't bedoing it that way because it's
not really working for them, andso I'm going to figure out how
(06:26):
I can take this idea and make itbetter.
Speaker 1 (06:29):
Yeah, which is great.
So you are right that some ofthe interesting things you can
learn by being at a big firm,and I don't know if you found
this as well, but I found goingto interior design school it's
very tactical, I would say.
It doesn't involve a lot of theknowledge of business, and so
you have to go out and learn thebusiness side of business.
(06:50):
Did you have that sameexperience?
Speaker 2 (06:53):
Absolutely.
That's such a good point andthat's what I always tell
students as a guest lecturer atdifferent universities around
town.
I always explain that they needto get more experience with the
business side of things, thatthey are in the business of
design but they're entrepreneursand business owners first, and
so to get continuing educationclasses and hiring coaches and
(07:15):
having mentors is, I think, farmore helpful than the one or two
classes you might be able totake that cover business.
I think there was one businessclass called the business of
design or business 101 forinterior designers and we talked
more about branding and logosand fonts and color palettes and
things like that within thatclass.
(07:35):
But I definitely learned a lotafterward through my own
research and hiring coaches andtaking extra classes outside of
to learn the business of design.
Speaker 1 (07:46):
I love that.
Speaker 2 (07:48):
It's really important .
You know you, you can't runyour business if, if you don't
know the ins and outs of thefinances and profit margins, and
systems and processes andcustomer relations and managing
clients and expectations.
You know all of this is so muchmore important than than just
the design itself, and I thinkdesign is about 10% of what we
(08:11):
do.
The other 90% is projectmanagement and just running the
business side of things, and youhave to be really good at that
to be successful.
Speaker 1 (08:20):
It is so true I always joke with people that I
got into interior design becauseI had announced that if I could
play with fabric and wallpaperall day, I would be so happy.
And I was like the amount oftime that I spend doing that as
interior designer is like 2%,it's so true, but that's what
brings us so much joy, right,right, the creative.
Speaker 2 (08:41):
it's pulling together the artistry of design.
Speaker 1 (08:44):
Yes, yes, but I think it's also important, like you
bring up some really importantpoints about you need the
education, but having coachesand I think it's really
important as an entrepreneur tonot be afraid to reach out and
ask for help about the thingsthat you don't know.
And I found for my interiordesign business.
I hired a business coach and Iworked with her for about two
and a half years and shespecialized in interior design
(09:05):
and there's no way I could havelearned as much as I learned
from her in a short period oftime about how to run the
business and to be profitableand to have systems and manage.
It was incredible and it wassuch a gift to be able to do
that.
But I had to make the choicewhich I'm going to point out to
other entrepreneurs to invest inmyself in that education, as
(09:26):
opposed to just learning it thehard way.
Speaker 2 (09:28):
Absolutely.
I hired a business coach when Irelocated to Boston in 2012.
And through that, I learned tobuild the systems and the
processes and figure out whatare my steps of service and how
do I manage the team.
And so every time I got to alevel where I felt like I had
(09:49):
learned what I could and leveledup or ready to level up to the
next area, I would work with abusiness coach and I've worked
with, I think, four or fivepeople and a couple of them a
couple of times, but that's overthe last 13 years, and it's
really helped my business expandand grow and to be very
successful.
Speaker 1 (10:08):
It definitely does, yes.
So let's talk about yourbusiness, because your website
is very impressive.
You have multiple locations,you have a whole team of people,
so share with everybody.
You know a little bit about youand your business and your firm
.
Speaker 2 (10:22):
Well, because of the downturned economy in 2009,.
And then relocating here withina couple of years to Boston and
recognizing that I don't needto have a full-time staff at all
times, with everyone in asingular office, and so I've
been able to be very nimble andoperate with a bookkeeper that
(10:43):
is in Colorado and a purchasingmanager that's in Colorado as
well.
My concierge is in Kentucky andmy web person is in New York,
and we have help as needed inthe various states that we might
be working in and people bootson the ground in those areas.
We'll hire someone to help withproject management as needed
(11:06):
and bring in designers when wehave large projects or more in
the pipeline than our standardcore team can manage, but then
we're able to scale down asneeded as well, so it's nice to
be able to have a team where Ican grow and downsize as needed.
Speaker 1 (11:23):
Yeah, which is important, and don't you find
virtual help?
I feel like COVID really helpedus from a virtual help
perspective, where it's okay tobe able to tap into resources
that live anywhere.
Speaker 2 (11:35):
Absolutely, and it's funny to me how sometimes people
are confused that my conciergeor client care coordinator could
be in another state.
They're helping me answer phonecalls, respond to emails,
helping me with calendaring ourtime and scheduling trades and
clients, so they don't reallyneed to be in the studio to do
(11:56):
that.
The people who are in thestudio are the creative team.
They come in and so we can belean in that sense.
The design team is local toBoston and we're working
together in the studio or at theBoston Design Center on a
regular basis and meeting inperson.
As I mentioned, we'll bring ina designer as needed.
Additionally, for otherprojects we've had four
(12:18):
different people come in andwork with us, as we've had large
projects and projects out ofstate or when we have interns.
But the other administrativepeople can all be spread across
the country.
Speaker 1 (12:31):
Which is a great thing.
Speaker 2 (12:32):
Yes, I think it's a smart business.
Speaker 1 (12:35):
It is.
It really is, and just hearingyou talk it is proof.
I can tell that you've hadbusiness coaching on how to
build your business just basedon your ability to scale up and
scale down as needed based onproject workload.
So kudos to you.
You've hired some good coaches.
Speaker 2 (12:49):
Thanks.
Speaker 1 (12:50):
So let's talk about design style.
So talk to us a little bitabout your design style and the
design style of you and of yourfirm.
Speaker 2 (12:58):
Gosh, that's such a big question and it's one that I
often have a tough timeanswering when editors say, tell
me about your design style,what is your aesthetic?
And I always say, well, if youwant to see my design style, you
should come to my house,because when we're designing,
we're truly designing directlyfor the client, and whatever
their definition of beauty andluxury and quality may be, and
(13:19):
for every person that'sdifferent.
So I think it's reallyimportant to work hand in hand
with our clients and get to knowpeople through lifestyle
questionnaires and in-personconversations, asking the right
questions.
We're in parts of people'shomes that some people never see
.
We're lining your underweardrawer and we have to know how
(13:39):
you organize all of yourbelongings and everything in its
place.
And so I guess, if I have todefine my style, I think of it
as Tom Ford meets Wes Andersonwith Billie Holiday.
And yeah, it's that beautifulmix of quality and tailoring and
(14:00):
refinement, but playfulness andcolor and whimsy and a little
soul and grit and imperfection.
Speaker 1 (14:09):
There you go.
I love it.
That's a great definition.
Well, and I also love that yousay you design for people based
on what makes them feel good.
I always struggle as a designerwith that same question.
When people are like, well,what is your aesthetic?
And it's like, well, if you goto my website, I design lots of
different things.
It's like, well, what's yourspecialty?
And the answer to that for meis my specialty is figuring out
(14:30):
what will light my clients upand make my clients feel like
their home gives the energy thatthey want from their home.
Now I have preferences ofthings that I like and gravitate
towards and styles that I like,but I think it's a different
approach than some designers.
You go to their website andevery project looks exactly the
same.
It's just a different house.
Speaker 2 (14:49):
And so true.
Speaker 1 (14:51):
And for some people that's what they want they need
that and for others they wantsomething that's a little more
eclectic.
Speaker 2 (14:56):
Yes, I think our ideal clients find us because
when they view the portfolio,they realize that no two
projects are the same.
And when I ask, why did youcall us?
They realize that no twoprojects are the same.
And when I ask, why did youcall us?
I always hear two things.
They say we love the way thatyou use color and we can tell
that you listen to your clientsbecause nothing is the same
between one project to the next.
There is a through line ofrefinement and balance and color
(15:21):
in a sophisticated way.
I really enjoy deep jewel tones, but also soft gray down
pastels.
I think it's the most livableand the most prominent colors in
nature and so when you look atthe portfolio, you might see the
way that they connect in thoseways.
But truly every project is sodifferent because every family
(15:44):
is so different and I never wantto impose a one size fits all
look on the family or a clientand I truly enjoy that heart to
heart connection and getting toknow what matters.
Look of the space.
Of course it will be beautifulwhen we're finished, but we want
(16:05):
you to enjoy the process andgetting to know yourself better
along the way and enjoy working,going on this journey and
having this collaborationtogether.
Speaker 1 (16:14):
Yeah, and learning something new and being
stretched.
I always found that was sogreat when you brought an item
to a client to like, in ourvision, complete a room, and
it's stepping them a littleoutside their comfort zone of
something that they wouldnormally pick, but then having
them be able to see how thatwould make them feel, and a lot
of times those ended up beingthe most exciting pieces in a
(16:37):
room are the ones that arethings that they never would
have chosen on their own orwould have thought they would
have liked, but somehow it tapsinto them emotionally after you
show it to them and all of asudden they're like you know, I
really I'm really digging thatchair with the animal prints on
it.
Speaker 2 (16:53):
I couldn't agree more .
I think it's part of our job asdesigners to push people
outside of their comfort zoneand to give them something that
they wouldn't have picked ontheir own.
And I love this idea ofcollaboration, key to any
successful project because theclient has an idea of what they
want and they share that withthe architect or the designer or
(17:13):
the builder.
And that person turns aroundand says, well, we're not able
to do this, but we can do that,and they put a spin on it
because of some limitation,potentially, and then that gets
shared with us.
And then we're like, okay, thisis great, we can work with this
, but how about we change thehardware in this way and we do
the backs of these bookcases inthat way and we add some sconce
(17:35):
lights to wash down the front ofthis piece, and now, suddenly,
these built-ins have gone fromneeding a place just for extra
storage within the design to awow factor and something that's
eye-catching and interesting inthe space as well.
Speaker 1 (17:49):
Yeah, what's your favorite thing to design?
Speaker 2 (17:52):
I love designing celebratory spaces, so usually
the living room or dining room,but on the flip side of that, I
also really enjoy doing primarybedroom spaces, because it is
your sanctuary and that is aspace used for usually one,
maybe two people and it's justan opportunity to create a space
that is going to offer serenityand peace and calm within your
(18:15):
home.
But those celebratory spacesare so fun because you can push
the envelope and make things alittle more eye-catching or bold
and colorful and whimsical andplayful.
So I love the balance, I lovejuxtaposition, I love the idea
of opposites, I like contrast,some soft edges and hard lines
(18:37):
and light and dark and glossyversus matte or nubby versus
smooth, you know, and the ideaof doing spaces within a home
too, where you have some placesthat are more lively and others
that are meant for relaxation.
Speaker 1 (18:53):
Great Cause.
They each have a differentpurpose and each room can emit
different emotions.
You know, like you say,celebratory space, and I'm like,
I'm thinking party, and thenyou say serene bedroom, and I
was like, oh yeah, let's likesit and read a book, and even
just the way you're describingthem and the words that you're
using, I can feel differentlyabout those spaces, without
having to see them in anycapacity or see what the
(19:15):
finished design looks like.
You're talking about theemotion that the rooms are going
to give to people, which isunique in the design space.
I have to tell you, as a fellowdesigner, not everybody thinks
of spaces like yes.
Which is a nice gift.
Speaker 2 (19:31):
You get it.
Speaker 1 (19:31):
Yeah, oh, I get it.
Yeah, it makes me unique.
Now, if a client comes to youand they say, okay, well, I'm
trying to choose between threedifferent designers, what would
you tell them about how to makethat choice and whether or not
you're the right fit for that?
Speaker 2 (19:45):
I really think it comes down to what it feels like
to be around that person.
Do you have confidence, do youfeel comfortable?
You're going to be attached fora year, year and a half, two
years, you know.
If it's new construction, thenit's extended, or a large scale
project it might be up to threeyears or more, but I think I
think it really just has to be agood connection within your
(20:08):
interaction.
You know, you know if you areon board with someone or if they
give you a good vibe.
I think it's just some peoplereally want left brain,
systematic, pragmatic,everything's black and white
spreadsheets, bottom line giveit to me straight.
And other people need morehandholding and it's more
(20:30):
emotional for them, and so Ithink it's necessary to be able
to cater to either one of thoseand oftentimes it's both within
a relationship because we're alldrawn to the opposite and
opposites attract.
So much of what we do is actingas therapists and mediators and
I remember clients often sayingto me that you're so diplomatic
(20:52):
in the way that you go throughthis process.
Or if we budged on a color inthat room, then maybe you give
in on this room because itmatters more to the other person
in the relationship.
Through all of the things thatare important to people and
(21:14):
trying to capture and make surethat you check off all of the
boxes for their needs and theirwants and some of their wishes
if not as many as you can get inthere.
But really just getting to knowpeople is the best way to
understand if they're going tobe a good fit for you and your
team.
Speaker 1 (21:28):
Yes, Well, I always used to ask people in my intake
forms you know how do you makedecisions?
Are you quick to make decisions?
Does it take you a while?
Do you always wonder if there'ssomething else better out there
?
Do decisions happen in yourfamily by committee?
And I always felt like, as adesigner, you need to know what
you're walking into in terms ofhow they make decisions, and you
(21:49):
were right Very often.
When I first started this, mybusiness coach was like get
ready to become a therapist?
I was like what are you?
talking about?
They don't talk about that indesign school either.
What are you talking about?
It's like oh you wait, andhomes are so emotional.
So people get really, reallyemotional about their homes and
these design decisions thatyou're making, which you want.
You're creating emotion intheir environment, but then that
(22:11):
comes back when a coupledoesn't necessarily agree on
that emotional decision.
It's a lot.
Speaker 2 (22:19):
I think you always have to own it, and we are so
collaborative that we reallygive people a chance to make the
choices themselves.
We don't present one finaldesign and say this is what you
get.
We lead people down the journeyof design and walk them through
the process every step of theway, leading as trusted advisors
and design guides to make thebest choices for you and your
(22:39):
family.
And so we will present multiplefloor plans for a space and let
the client decide on that, andthen we help them to select the
furnishings that work best forthem.
Of course, there are a few keypieces that we will present, as
this is our number one choice,or these are the things that we
think that would work best inthe space.
But then we also like to provideoptions too, so that people
(23:00):
always feel like they had anopportunity to make a choice,
and I always say give themsomething to say no to, so that
they can then feel good aboutthe yes, because when you come
to them with one design,oftentimes they say, well, this
is nice, but what else is there?
Or if you're just giving acouple of options, they want to
see more.
So there's so much psychologyin everything that we do.
(23:20):
I studied psychology andsociology in school and I use
that every day in what I'm doingnow.
Speaker 1 (23:27):
Oh, that's a good combination because it is so
true, yes.
So what role is you're talkingabout making choices?
What role is technology and 3Dand rendering playing in your
business now?
Speaker 2 (23:41):
We utilize it when we need to.
It's an extra service that'sprovided when clients have to
see the space in 3D in order tomove forward.
It's not something we do forevery client.
A lot of people recognize thatthey can put their trust in us
and, based on our portfolio andthe press and the awards, I
think it's clear that we knowwhat we're doing and we will
(24:04):
make the right choices with themand move them in the right
direction so that the finalproduct will be beautiful,
magazine-worthy rooms, even ifthey never get published.
But we want people to understandthat they're in good hands and
when we design, we will usuallydesign 80 to 90% of the way
through when we're presenting.
(24:25):
But then we always like toleave some space for things to
uncover themselves, you know,for things to reveal themselves
to us as well, and we'll planfor an antique in each room
where possible and to bring in avintage item, things that feel
collected over time.
But part of the magic of whatwe do is how we compile all of
(24:48):
these pieces in a space Likeartists.
It's about the composition andediting and color balance and
texture and shape and silhouetteand the contrast, all of those
things and so some clients needyour rendering, but usually a
floor plan and a picture of theitem is enough.
Speaker 1 (25:10):
Good, I agree, I like those kinds of clients.
Speaker 2 (25:13):
Yes, me too.
Speaker 1 (25:15):
I prefer those to the ones that need to see like
every single detail, cause I'mlike, okay, well, that's like
another six weeks until I canget you.
Speaker 2 (25:21):
Yes, it's probably an engineer.
Speaker 1 (25:24):
Right, get you the rendering to that degree and to
that level for multiple spaces,which is fine If that's what
some people need it.
Just the lead time just becomesa lot.
So what do you say to peopleCause I get asked this question
a lot as an interior designerwho say you know, is this on
trend and should I do thisbecause it's a trend?
Speaker 2 (25:42):
Goodness.
I think trends are only therefor us to pay attention, to know
what not to do, and if it'strendy, it's something that we
would definitely steer a clientaway from.
I don't really follow trends.
I'm aware of what's happening.
I often find that what we do iswhat becomes trendy later, and
(26:03):
I don't mean to say that I'msetting the fashion, but it's
interesting that we'll do a homewith pink and then suddenly
millennial pink becomes a bigdeal.
And I never got on board with alot of open concept living.
I really like spaces that areindividualized and have a
(26:25):
singular purpose, use, you know,or it can be multifunctional,
but I think it's important tohave privacy and quiet and be
able to compartmentalizedifferent areas of your home.
So I also was not ever on boardwith the all gray when things
were in that direction for the20 teens, and here we are back
(26:48):
to cream and tan and brown andwarm tones because they are the
most livable.
I think that you can use grayshort in certain setting and in
particular ways, but you won'tfind a lot of that in our
portfolio because it was a bigtrend.
So I really do pay attention towhat to avoid really, and I
(27:09):
really dig deep.
I ask what is it about this thatyou're drawn to?
Why do you like it?
I also point out when I feellike something is being mass
marketed to us as a culture.
You know, like linen had a hugemoment because restoration
hardware and pottery, barn andcreate a bear on room and board
was really pushing it.
And then it became velvet andthen it became boucle.
(27:30):
And now everyone's sayingboucle is over.
It's like all of this justcycles through over and over
again anyway, and none of thosematerials are out of fashion.
They were just a little morepopular at that time and a good
room is going to be composed ofmany different textures of
fabrics and things.
So I think if you always dowhat you love, then you're
always going to love what you'vedone and that's what matters
(27:51):
most is enjoying it for years tocome.
Whether somebody says it wastrendy or not, the trend will
come and go, but you'll stilllove the thing.
Speaker 1 (27:58):
Yes.
Well, and I always say topeople you live here, no one
else lives here.
You live here.
If you like it, then do it,because you're going to be the
one who has to live with us, notme or your neighbors or anyone
else.
Regardless of whether it'strendy or not, you're the one
that has to live in the space.
So if you get excited by havinga bright lacquered mudroom,
(28:18):
then go for it.
Absolutely, it's okay.
And so many of the things that Ithink clients and you can tell
me if you have the sameexperience.
So many of the things that Ithink clients like hem and haw
over.
A lot of times I say to themit's really just paint or it's
really just wallpaper or it'sjust a light fixture.
If five years from now, youdon't like it anymore I mean as
(28:40):
long as it's not a $20,000 lightfixture you just change it,
it's okay.
It doesn't have to be a foreverdecision.
Some of these high ticket itemslike, yeah, you really need to
like them.
Decision.
Some of these high ticket itemslike, yeah, you really need to
like them.
But a lot of the things that Ithink cause our clients a little
bit of angst when you put itinto perspective that it can be
changed.
If you decide you don't wantyour kitchen island to be navy
(29:00):
blue anymore, then that's not adifficult change to make it a
different color down the road.
Speaker 2 (29:06):
I totally agree, and I think that's why we provide so
many different options becauseI want people to feel confident
in knowing that they've thatthey've had such a say in what
they've selected, instead ofsaying, oh, my designer made me
pick that.
You know.
I never want someone to feelthat way, and on the rare
occasion that something justdoesn't quite work out in the
space, I think it's okay to takethat item back.
(29:27):
You know, of course, if it's ahigh-end custom dining table for
$30,000 or an amazing sectionalat $25,000 that you've had
built to exact specifications,you're going to get their sign
off every step of the way on thedrawings and everything else.
Yes, but if there are somesurface mount fixtures that
(29:47):
we've put into a space and theclient's not in love with them
or they feel like they're notquite right, we end up taking it
back a lot of times.
We just want people to be happyin the end and to have a really
wonderful experience and notleave a bad taste in their
mouths when it's finished, andso yes, well, and sometimes I
tell clients.
Speaker 1 (30:07):
I have a client right now for a library project and
an Ottoman got delivered and Iwasn't there because I was busy
and they were there, they wasfine, so they delivered it.
And the text I got was threequarters of the family hate it.
And I was like how could youhate it?
And they sent me a picture.
I'm like what's to hate?
It's gorgeous.
Are you kidding me?
Oh, my goodness, it's so uniqueand it's so cool.
And they had picked out thefabric and I was like it's so
(30:28):
cool.
And they had picked out thefabric and everything and I was
like it's so fabulous, what's tohate?
And so that's like initialreaction, I hate it.
And then I gave it a week and Iactually showed up not a week
later, because they're friendsof mine also, so I kind of took
my time showing up because Iknow how they roll.
And I showed up a week laterand all of a sudden the husband,
(30:49):
who was like I absolutely hateit, he's like it's growing on me
.
And then when I explained froma design perspective why it is
the way it is and why the woodis cheroos and why it's stained
this way and how it addsmovement for this big ottoman in
this room and if it wasn't likethat, it was going to look flat
.
And all of a sudden he's like Imean, he's like huh, yeah, I
think I now like it.
I'm so glad to hear thatSometimes clients have to sit
(31:13):
with it because our vision of itis so immediate and we see how
it all flows together.
But sometimes clients don'thave that same vision.
Speaker 2 (31:20):
It's so true, we see it in our mind's eye and we can
visualize the space as a wholecomposition in 3D.
But the clients sometimesstruggle with that and if
they're not used to somethingwithin a room, it's going to be
a little bit of a shock to themonce it's changed or when
something's added.
That's part of the reason whywe love doing a grand reveal, so
(31:43):
everything gets installed allat one time, but we always tell
clients before the things arriveand before the paint color.
You're going to be a littlestunned when you first see
what's going into this room,because you're used to staring
at a white box Right and nowthere's suddenly color on the
wall or texture from the wallcoverings or the furnishings in
the space, or the draperies areup and you're going to want to
(32:04):
scrutinize every little thing.
But please wait until theentire thing is finished.
Yeah, please wait until theentire thing is finished.
So we will tell them ifsomething comes in, because
you're doing the dirty workahead of time, which is doing
the wall coverings or fauxfinished paint work and
sometimes installing carpet andrunners on the stairs and things
like this, before youropportunity to install all the
(32:26):
furnishings.
So they are seeing bits andpieces at times, and when they
start to question things, wejust say the cake's not baked.
You are tasting baking soda andsome sugar and some salt, all
by itself, but you have to waituntil everything goes in.
And then they, you know, Ithink it's just a matter of
forewarning people what they'regoing to feel like and how
(32:48):
they're going to react andwhat's going to go through their
mind.
And when you do that, when you,when you set the expectation,
people are like you're right, ohmy gosh, I can't believe that.
I thought that you know this.
This was going to be too boldor too dark or whatever it is.
You know, like just not whitewalls anymore.
That's why there's somethingthere.
Speaker 1 (33:07):
So yeah, so your clients are still willing to
wait for the grand reveal.
Speaker 2 (33:17):
Absolutely yes.
That's the only way that we'lldo the project.
We don't we don't piecemeal itbecause it's not efficient.
That's not an efficient use ofour time or your money, and so
we're waiting for the majorityof items to be completely ready.
If there's an outlier, a couplepieces aren't in, we're not
going to hold up the install foranother five weeks because your
nightstand's not ready or youroccasional chair that was custom
made had a fabric delay, thatwas back ordered for six or
(33:39):
whatever.
We're still going to moveforward, so that just becomes
part of the deficiencies listand then that gets added later.
Speaker 1 (33:46):
When people see things one off, they don't see
the vision and then they kind oflike freak out, which is
interesting.
So let's switch gears and talkabout your business, because I
don't know if everyone can seewhat I can see, but you have
like a wall of accolades on thebookshelf behind you and
different trophies and awardsand in your bio, which will be
in the show notes, you've beennominated for lots of things and
(34:09):
won lots of awards and done alot of great things in your
design business.
So for someone who might benewer in a business, can you
give a little bit of adviceabout how you were successful in
getting that amount ofawareness about your business
and what you're doing?
Speaker 2 (34:24):
It first starts with getting the best photos that you
can of every space that you'redoing.
I think that it's important tohave minimums.
Of course we want to work inwhole homes so that we are able
to have those homes pitched andpublished in magazines and
present them for awards.
But if you're at a point whereyou're only able to do a couple
(34:46):
of rooms or a single room, thenhire the best photographer that
you can afford and get the bestphotos.
And I think it's reallyimportant to take before photos
too, because it is so stunningwhen you see the difference of a
space from what it was to whatyou transformed it to, and that
helps so much for people tounderstand the transformation
that you've gone through.
(35:07):
To bring clients through thisjourney and the process to
deliver that end photograph inorder for them to be able to see
where you started, so that'ssuper helpful.
And also, having floor plansand elevations and including
potentially a mood board andreally showing the journey of
(35:27):
the design and how it wasdeveloped when you're doing a
pitch for an award.
Yeah, I think that's reallysome of the key areas that help.
And telling the story what madethis space special and unique
and why did you make some of thedecisions?
People like to hear the nittygritty, the hardship, the
setbacks and then how youovercame those.
So I think including all ofthose types of things in your
(35:50):
pitch for an award is importantand really gives people a
well-rounded understanding ofwhat it took to bring the space
to be what it is now, not justhaving that final photo at the
end.
Speaker 1 (36:02):
Right Now.
That's a really good point,because you don't always.
You know, when you look at amagazine, a lot of times you
don't see the journey.
Yes, but for awards you do getthe opportunity.
The journey, but for awards youdo get the opportunity.
And I think it's also helpfulif you have potential new
clients when they want to seewhat is a journey like of
working with you.
It's important to have built aportfolio of that, so it's not
just what they see on yourwebsite being able to show them
(36:23):
what it's like to really workwith you and how you can
transform their lives.
That's a really great point tothink about that from a
marketing perspective, whichsometimes is hard when you're
just in the business trying tojust design beautiful spaces.
Speaker 2 (36:37):
I know it's so funny.
We have these beautifulcreations of these rooms that we
do and the homes that we createfor our clients, and if you're
not understanding of the journeythat it took to get there, then
it doesn't mean as much to you,I think.
So you really have to tell thestory of the family and tell the
story of the journey as well.
It's not about the destination,it's about the journey along
(36:58):
the way.
Speaker 1 (36:59):
Of course, with everything design and with life.
Yes, yes.
So what is on your bucket listfrom a professional and even
personal perspective?
What's on the horizon?
What are things you'd like todo?
Speaker 2 (37:17):
I keep feeling like I'm a little bit oversaturated.
I have almost too muchvisibility right now, with being
named Interior Designer of theYear and winning all these
wonderful accolades and beingpublished in a couple of books
and recently coming out in fivedifferent magazines.
And House Beautiful Showhouseasked us to do their living room
and dining room space for thispast show house and I'm looking
(37:38):
for fewer.
projects that are bigger inscale, that allow creativity to
just partner with a handful ofreally great architects and
builders and clients as a dreamteam to work on a few very
select things, and I think allof that is just an opportunity
(38:00):
to find out how do I reduce theclutter, so to speak and I just
mean all of the running aroundand traveling for work and all
the client meetings.
Like taking on too much is toomuch, and I think it's really
important for yourself within toprotect your peace, and I'm
(38:21):
realizing that I want to haveless responsibility in some
aspects and focus more on myhealth and wellness and being
able to have more downtime andopportunities to meditate and go
on yoga retreats and hostfriends and family and go away
(38:41):
to lovely vacations with myfamily.
Because I travel so much forwork.
We've had projects recently inWashington DC and Virginia and
Texas and North Carolina, and sowhen it comes time for the
holidays and we have theseinvitations to see friends or
family and I said I don't wantto go anywhere, I don't want to
(39:03):
do anything.
I want to stay put for six weeks, you know, and just have some
downtime, catch up on some booksthat I've been meaning to
finish and relax a little bitmore.
So, yeah, I think I'm trying tosimplify my life a little bit
more.
Speaker 1 (39:19):
That is not an uncommon theme amongst every
entrepreneur I know, myselfincluded.
Speaker 2 (39:25):
That's so good to hear.
Speaker 1 (39:27):
We just get pulled in so many different ways and I
commend you.
All of the awards and theaccolades that you're getting is
amazing, but it does lead tomore work in some ways, and so
trying to find that balance andensure that there's an inner you
in there, I think is reallyimportant, and a lot of my
guests that I've had on the showhave had to figure that out.
Speaker 2 (39:48):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (39:48):
Because, as entrepreneurs, we go and we go
and we go and we go, and it'svery easy to lose sight of
yourself and your own personalwellness and your own personal
care and the things that lightyou up as a person outside of
work because work lights us up,but what else?
And it's making sure that youhave some boundaries.
We work in an industry inparticular, interior design,
where everyone feels they canreach out to us at any point in
(40:10):
time and everything is urgent,it's like, especially if you
work in construction.
Everything is urgent and needsyour attention, and so learning
how to set boundaries topreserve time for yourself is
really important.
Speaker 2 (40:24):
I think it's a matter of setting up the right systems
and processes and havingcontinuous, regular check-ins
and meeting and touch points andfollowing up with people on a
weekly or bi-weekly basis.
So we've implemented manystrategies in order to combat
the knee-jerk need to jump intogear when somebody needs
(40:45):
something.
So we are constantly meetingevery Monday to have our team
meetings and then we send outweekly updates to clients on
Tuesday afternoons so that theyare aware of what we've done and
what's in process and what'scoming next and what we need
from them.
And also setting up thosemeetings weekly with the
(41:08):
architect and the builder andmaking sure that we're all on
the same page before we get toan area that we're presenting to
a client.
So collaboration is key in thisand making sure that we're all
on the same team and working asa united front and not throwing
anyone under the bus or tryingto make yourself look better in
front of the client by redliningan architect's drawings or
(41:30):
saying why would the buildersmake this choice, or whatever
it's like.
This is not the way that youshould be operating.
So I really like to be a stepahead and, like always, tell the
client where they are in theprocess and this is what you can
expect.
And then this is what'shappening next and this is what
we need from you.
So you know, if you do thatweek after week and it just
becomes second nature, and thenyou set up your meetings with
(41:53):
your partners architects andbuilders then they get used to
that process and you might bemeeting excuse me, you might be
meeting week after week for thefirst portion of a project and
then you can step down to everyother week and every three weeks
.
It just tapers off after alittle while.
But in the initial onset of aproject, in the design
(42:14):
development phase, you're goingto be meeting regularly and for
a long time.
I felt overwhelmed by the numberof projects that we had and I
would lose sleep and I feel likeI'm not doing a great job for
any one project because I'mdoing too many things and trying
to cover too much territory,and I realized I need to slow
(42:35):
down, only take a handful ofprojects so I can do my very
best work and provide the verybest service and just offer that
VIP concierge level customerservice to all of our clients so
that they feel like we'reoperating with unreasonable
hospitality and everything isabout them and catering to them
(42:55):
and taking care of people.
People want to be taken care of, and this is a very stressful
job.
So many things can go wrong,and many things do.
It's just the nature of thebusiness, and it's a matter of
how we can get through thistogether rather than dealing
with things as they arise orbeing reactive instead of
(43:16):
proactive.
Speaker 1 (43:17):
Right, yes, oh, great business strategies.
Thank you All right.
So before we run out of time,two questions for you.
One is there anything that Ididn't cover that you want to
make sure we talk about?
Speaker 2 (43:28):
Well, we've touched a little bit on the importance of
wellness, but this is somethingthat I think is so important in
all of our lives Whether you'rea design enthusiast, redoing
your home or running a designbusiness of some kind
architecture, building I thinkit's really important to focus
on yourself first, and a lot ofpeople have limiting beliefs
(43:49):
around doing that.
But when I say that, I'mtalking about the opportunity to
put time in your calendar tofocus on your needs so the
doctors, the dentist, going tohave a massage regularly and go
to your chiropractor once amonth or do acupuncture with
some regularity as a way ofmaintaining yourself and your
(44:11):
self-care, because if you're notfilling up your cup, then how
are you expected to fill up thecups of others?
And so many of us get caught upin the day-to-day and rushing
around and the busyness of lifethat we're not making time to
focus on ourselves first and inorder to be more productive with
the time that we do have.
So that's just an area that Ithink is so important to touch
(44:33):
on, because it's just an areathat so many of us neglect, and
I started to learn to do thatmany years ago while renovating
a home I was living on Cape Cod,which is a very healing place.
That was back in 2018, 2019.
And I started doing yoga threedays a week and biking and
hiking and taking my dogs withme as many places as I could to
(44:56):
just commune with nature, and Iwould meet up with my yoga
friends in a cafe and just tryto maintain a calmer way of
existing, instead of being onthe hamster wheel in the busy
Boston city and running from oneevent to the next, to the next.
And I still really love to dothose things.
(45:17):
But I'm a lot more selectiveand I try to say no to more than
I say yes to at this point andreally focus on having downtime
and solitude and time forreflection and journaling,
painting, reading.
These are all ways that we canrecharge our batteries and it's
not selfish, it's really trulyself-care, and you have to take
(45:41):
care of yourself first, becauseyou can't rely on someone else
to do it.
So you've got to show yourselfthe love first before you can
spread the love to others.
Speaker 1 (45:50):
So perfectly said.
I couldn't have said it bettermyself.
All the things that I am sopassionate about journaling,
meditating, exercise, nature, Ithink, as an entrepreneur in
particular, and as executives,because I have a lot of
executives who listen it's sohard, you get so wrapped up in
the business and business isyour life and it's your passion
(46:11):
and you just work so hard.
It is so, so important, as yousay, to pause and to give your
brain and your body a chance torest.
And find ways to do that, andeven just connecting with people
that help you recharge is alsoimportant, and I am a huge.
I said yes for a long time to alot of things and did a whole
summer of yes, and then afterthat I like swung the other way
(46:32):
and I was like, oh no, we're nowin the year of no.
Speaker 2 (46:35):
Good for you, I was like it's just too much.
Speaker 1 (46:37):
You know it just became too much and I started
living life by a phrase of youknow, hit, pause and listen to
your life.
And it's amazing, when youstart to do that and really look
inward, how and really lookinward how do you feel about the
stress and the anxiety and thedecisions and the event.
And you know what, if it's notlike a yay, yay immediately,
then just make it a no and it'sokay.
It's okay.
Speaker 2 (46:58):
I love that Hit pause and listen to your life.
I give myself one day a monthas my self-care day, and I
selected the third Wednesday ofevery month.
It's 12 times a year.
You can give yourself 12 daysout of the year if you're not
giving yourself any more thanthat now?
Speaker 1 (47:16):
Yeah, great idea.
Speaker 2 (47:17):
You can squeeze in that visit to the chiropractor
and acupuncture in the same day.
I used to add a facial ormanicure pedicure and then I
felt like I was trying to addtoo many self-care things all
crammed into one day and Iwasn't getting the benefit of
doing them more over time.
So then I ended up involvingthe two Saturdays later.
(47:38):
So I'm spreading it out overtime, but just dedicating that
one day can make us all thedifference, because you know you
have that day for yourself.
Speaker 1 (47:46):
That's such a great suggestion.
I love that.
Thank you, okay, so we're aboutto run out of time, but quickly
, before we do, I want to makesure we get in your book
recommendations.
I love to ask my guests torecommend a book or more, if
they have more to recommend thathas impacted themselves
personally or professionallythat they would recommend to the
listener.
So what?
I know you have books.
What books do you want torecommend?
Speaker 2 (48:04):
So many books.
I have a whole other bookshelfand more bookshelves.
There are three that alwayscome to mind when I think of the
books that have probably hadthe biggest impact on my life,
especially at a time that Ineeded it most.
And the first one is RadicalAcceptance by Tara Brach, and
that one really helped meunderstand the importance of
(48:25):
forgiveness forgiving the peoplein your life who you felt like
they may have wronged you atsome point in your past.
You know, whether it was aspouse or someone that you were
dating, or a parent or siblingor friends or clients or
whatever it may be like.
Just let it go, just forgiveand move past it.
Don't hold on to grudges andnegativity and then forgive
(48:47):
yourself for holding onto thosethings, and I think that's just
such a huge thing to like.
The key to happiness isforgiveness.
To me, like that truly does gofar, far in the way.
Like, another book that Ireally love is Brene Brown, the
Power of Vulnerability.
She has so many amazing books,but that one really allowed me
(49:08):
to recognize that it was okay tobe my authentic, genuine self
and be sappy and sentimental andshare stories and be openly
loving, and just to recognizethat it's okay to operate that
way in a business, to lead withlove, and, instead of feeling
like I needed to be thispolished, glossy professional
(49:31):
that was perfectly buttoned upand clean shaven and didn't show
my artistic side because that'swhat I thought that people
expected so allowing yourself tobe more vulnerable in life and
with people, whether it'sclients or family, or friends or
colleagues or strangers, andI'm always so amazed about how
quickly I can dive into aconversation and go really deep
(49:51):
and, within five minutes, belike laughing hysterically or
even, you know, tearing up withsomebody that I just met,
because we're both able to bevulnerable and share something
that's really meaningful to us.
Speaker 1 (50:01):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (50:02):
So for my other book I would say Eckhart Tolle, A New
Earth.
Yeah, that was absolutelylife-changing as well, and it
just covers so much about theimportance of being present and
not getting caught up in thebusyness of life and really
getting in tune with yourself.
(50:23):
And that is a helpful lesson tolearn the idea that once you
expand your consciousness, youcannot unexpand your
consciousness, and I think thatthat book is so helpful to
awaken people to theirconsciousness and the spiritual
beings that we are within, heldwithin a 3D human form.
(50:45):
But the importance of notlosing sight of the fact that we
are spiritual beings herewalking the planet, but we're
all here to.
We need to take care of eachother and be present and live in
the moment instead of beingstuck in the past or worried
about the future.
Speaker 1 (51:00):
Agreed, life-changing , life-changing, and he comes up
a lot on this podcast, so thankyou.
Speaker 2 (51:05):
Three fabulous books.
Speaker 1 (51:06):
I will link them all in the show notes.
I will put them on my Amazonshop page, and I have read two
of those three, but I've notread the other one, so I will
make sure I grab a copy of these.
So, dan, it is such a pleasureto meet you.
You are truly a really special,unique designer and I have to
tell you, not all designers havethe heart and soul that you do,
plus the business acumen tomake it all work and the
(51:28):
incredible design taste that youshow on your website.
So you are really a unique andspecial blend.
Your clients are very lucky andI thank you so much for
spending some time with us andsharing your life, your business
, your approach to wellness.
It's been really a pleasure tomeet you and I wish you all the
greatest success for the yearahead.
Speaker 2 (51:44):
Thank you so much.
It's been such a pleasuresharing.
I really appreciate theopportunity and I look forward
to chatting with you again soon.
Speaker 1 (51:49):
Absolutely.
We will stay connected.
We'll talk soon, thank you.
Thank you for joining us foranother episode of the House of
Jermar podcast, where wellnessstarts within.
We appreciate you being a partof our community and hope you
felt inspired and motivated byour guest.
If you enjoyed this episode,please write us a review and
(52:11):
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all in.
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If you or someone you knowwould be a good guest on the
(52:33):
show, please reach out to us atpodcast at houseofgermarcom.
This has been a House of Germarproduction with your host, jean
Collins.
Thank you for joining our house.
Talk to us a little bit about your design style and
the design style of you and ofyour firm.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
Gosh, that's such a big question and it's one that I
often have a tough timeanswering when editors say, tell
me about your design style,what is your aesthetic?
And I always say, well, if youwant to see my design style, you
should come to my house,because when we're designing,
we're truly designing directlyfor the client, and whatever
their definition of beauty andluxury and quality may be, and
(00:26):
for every person that'sdifferent.
So I think it's reallyimportant to work hand in hand
with our clients and get to knowpeople through lifestyle
questionnaires and in-personconversations, asking the right
questions.
We're in parts of people'shomes that some people never see
.
You know we're lining yourunderwear drawer and we have to
(00:46):
know how you organize all ofyour belongings and everything
in its place.
And so I guess, if I have todefine my style, I think of it
as Tom Ford meets Wes Andersonwith Billie Holiday with Billie
(01:08):
Holiday, and yeah, it's that,that beautiful mix of quality
and tailoring and refinement,but playfulness and color and
whimsy and a little soul andgrit and imperfection.
Speaker 1 (01:18):
Welcome to the House of Jermar podcast where wellness
starts within.
The House of Jermar is alifestyle brand, empowering
women to live all in throughinterior design and personal
wellness.
We are a destination for womenready to reimagine what is
possible in their homes andlives and then create it.
We are honored to have you joinus on our mission to empower 1
(01:42):
million women to live all in.
I am your host, Jean Collins,and I invite you to become
inspired by this week's guest.
Welcome to the House of Germarpodcast where wellness starts
within.
I'm your host, Jean Collins,and today's guest.
We are talking interior design.
Dane Austin is our guest today.
I am so excited to have him.
(02:02):
He's coming to us fromMassachusetts and one of the
things I love about Dane notonly do I not get to talk to
enough interior designers on theshow, but he also has a passion
for wellness and interiordesign, which is something
that's near and dear to my heart.
So I am super excited to sharehis entrepreneurial journey.
Talk about his business, talkabout what he's doing.
He is an up and comer, guys.
He has tons of awards.
(02:23):
His bio is long, I will includeit in the show notes, but he is
super impressive as an interiordesigner and has quite the team
, and I love that you have apassion for wellness and
defining comfort within yourclient's home.
So, Dane, welcome to the show.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
Thank you so much for having me.
I'm grateful to be here.
Speaker 1 (02:41):
It's great to meet you and and any interior
designer I'm always happy totalk to, so thank you for coming
on the show.
So I love to share a little bitabout our guest's career
journey.
So how did you get intointerior design?
Because you have a supercreative backgrounds, but how
did you land on interior design?
Speaker 2 (02:58):
Wow.
I think I'm very fortunate inalways knowing that interior
design was what I wanted topursue when I was in junior high
school and high school, andthey would send you to the
library to study a career,interior design was always at
the top of my list and I wanteda job where I would be meeting
new people, always doingsomething different, have an
(03:18):
opportunity to travel, make agood living and helping people
in the process, and interiordesign tended just turned out to
be exactly what I needed, soI'm grateful that I get to do
something, using my talents forgood and helping people in the
process.
Speaker 1 (03:35):
Ooh, I like that.
So you didn't start out withyour own firm?
No one ever does, so how didyou learn and grow before you
decided you wanted to branch onyour own?
Speaker 2 (03:45):
I worked with an interior design firm in
Georgetown for about eight ornine years and that was while I
was going to college at theCorcoran College of Art and
Design in Washington DC and Iloved working there because I
had mentorship and I learned onthe job and I feel like
(04:07):
sometimes you can learn moredoing than through the education
itself and my school was veryconceptual.
But I had hands-on experiencewith this firm and they also
allowed me to go on studyabroads in the UK and in Paris,
and I was able to spread mywings and come back and still
have my position and continue togrow with them until the
economy tanked in 2009.
(04:28):
And then I was pushed out on myown.
Speaker 1 (04:33):
So you jumped all in to being out on your own,
because you were forced to.
Speaker 2 (04:38):
Yes, in a sense.
And while I was working forthat firm, just a few years in I
started my own side hustle, ifyou will, as a designer and I
had some friends who wanted toredo their top floor primary
bedroom suite and turn theirguest room into an office and
make some other changes.
So they ended up hiring me andthen they referred me to another
(05:02):
friend of theirs who was buyinga new place in Washington DC,
and then that person referred meto somebody else.
So I had my own work while Iwas also working at the design
firm and it was nice because Icould run floor plans and design
schemes and color palettes pastmy mentor and I basically just
got the stamp of approval, justgot the stamp of approval.
You know there wasn't much hewould make changes on, but it
(05:29):
was nice that he would allow meto make my own career path on
the side while also working withhim and not taking that as any
kind of a threat.
So I appreciated that so much.
Speaker 1 (05:34):
Yeah, which is nice, and I often say you know so many
people say and coaches say thistoo you know, sometimes doing
it as a side hustle before youjump in is a good way to do it,
because not everybody can takethat leap or financially take
that leap to go out on their ownright away.
So finding a way to do both,even if it's a side hustle in
the same industry or maybe not,a lot of people want to make a
(05:55):
career shift and they don't knowhow to make that leap, and so
doing it on the side to build upsome confidence, build up some
business before you take theleap, is often a very good
strategy and you're proof ofthat.
Speaker 2 (06:06):
Definitely, and I think you learn so many lessons
along the way.
There's so much that goes on ina huge design firm, but it's
very different than being anentrepreneur or solopreneur.
As a designer and some of thethings that you pick up and you
realize maybe I shouldn't bedoing it that way because it's
not really working for them, andso I'm going to figure out how
(06:26):
I can take this idea and make itbetter.
Speaker 1 (06:29):
Yeah, which is great.
So you are right that some ofthe interesting things you can
learn by being at a big firm,and I don't know if you found
this as well, but I found goingto interior design school it's
very tactical, I would say.
It doesn't involve a lot of theknowledge of business, and so
you have to go out and learn thebusiness side of business.
(06:50):
Did you have that sameexperience?
Speaker 2 (06:53):
Absolutely.
That's such a good point andthat's what I always tell
students as a guest lecturer atdifferent universities around
town.
I always explain that they needto get more experience with the
business side of things, thatthey are in the business of
design but they're entrepreneursand business owners first, and
so to get continuing educationclasses and hiring coaches and
(07:15):
having mentors is, I think, farmore helpful than the one or two
classes you might be able totake that cover business.
I think there was one businessclass called the business of
design or business 101 forinterior designers and we talked
more about branding and logosand fonts and color palettes and
things like that within thatclass.
(07:35):
But I definitely learned a lotafterward through my own
research and hiring coaches andtaking extra classes outside of
to learn the business of design.
Speaker 1 (07:46):
I love that.
Speaker 2 (07:48):
It's really important .
You know you, you can't runyour business if, if you don't
know the ins and outs of thefinances and profit margins, and
systems and processes andcustomer relations and managing
clients and expectations.
You know all of this is so muchmore important than than just
the design itself, and I thinkdesign is about 10% of what we
(08:11):
do.
The other 90% is projectmanagement and just running the
business side of things, and youhave to be really good at that
to be successful.
Speaker 1 (08:20):
It is so true I always joke with people that I
got into interior design becauseI had announced that if I could
play with fabric and wallpaperall day, I would be so happy.
And I was like the amount oftime that I spend doing that as
interior designer is like 2%,it's so true, but that's what
brings us so much joy, right,right, the creative.
Speaker 2 (08:41):
it's pulling together the artistry of design.
Speaker 1 (08:44):
Yes, yes, but I think it's also important, like you
bring up some really importantpoints about you need the
education, but having coachesand I think it's really
important as an entrepreneur tonot be afraid to reach out and
ask for help about the thingsthat you don't know.
And I found for my interiordesign business.
I hired a business coach and Iworked with her for about two
and a half years and shespecialized in interior design
(09:05):
and there's no way I could havelearned as much as I learned
from her in a short period oftime about how to run the
business and to be profitableand to have systems and manage.
It was incredible and it wassuch a gift to be able to do
that.
But I had to make the choicewhich I'm going to point out to
other entrepreneurs to invest inmyself in that education, as
(09:26):
opposed to just learning it thehard way.
Speaker 2 (09:28):
Absolutely.
I hired a business coach when Irelocated to Boston in 2012.
And through that, I learned tobuild the systems and the
processes and figure out whatare my steps of service and how
do I manage the team.
And so every time I got to alevel where I felt like I had
(09:49):
learned what I could and leveledup or ready to level up to the
next area, I would work with abusiness coach and I've worked
with, I think, four or fivepeople and a couple of them a
couple of times, but that's overthe last 13 years, and it's
really helped my business expandand grow and to be very
successful.
Speaker 1 (10:08):
It definitely does, yes.
So let's talk about yourbusiness, because your website
is very impressive.
You have multiple locations,you have a whole team of people,
so share with everybody.
You know a little bit about youand your business and your firm
.
Speaker 2 (10:22):
Well, because of the downturned economy in 2009,.
And then relocating here withina couple of years to Boston and
recognizing that I don't needto have a full-time staff at all
times, with everyone in asingular office, and so I've
been able to be very nimble andoperate with a bookkeeper that
(10:43):
is in Colorado and a purchasingmanager that's in Colorado as
well.
My concierge is in Kentucky andmy web person is in New York,
and we have help as needed inthe various states that we might
be working in and people bootson the ground in those areas.
We'll hire someone to help withproject management as needed
(11:06):
and bring in designers when wehave large projects or more in
the pipeline than our standardcore team can manage, but then
we're able to scale down asneeded as well, so it's nice to
be able to have a team where Ican grow and downsize as needed.
Speaker 1 (11:23):
Yeah, which is important, and don't you find
virtual help?
I feel like COVID really helpedus from a virtual help
perspective, where it's okay tobe able to tap into resources
that live anywhere.
Speaker 2 (11:35):
Absolutely, and it's funny to me how sometimes people
are confused that my conciergeor client care coordinator could
be in another state.
They're helping me answer phonecalls, respond to emails,
helping me with calendaring ourtime and scheduling trades and
clients, so they don't reallyneed to be in the studio to do
(11:56):
that.
The people who are in thestudio are the creative team.
They come in and so we can belean in that sense.
The design team is local toBoston and we're working
together in the studio or at theBoston Design Center on a
regular basis and meeting inperson.
As I mentioned, we'll bring ina designer as needed.
Additionally, for otherprojects we've had four
(12:18):
different people come in andwork with us, as we've had large
projects and projects out ofstate or when we have interns.
But the other administrativepeople can all be spread across
the country.
Speaker 1 (12:31):
Which is a great thing.
Speaker 2 (12:32):
Yes, I think it's a smart business.
Speaker 1 (12:35):
It is.
It really is, and just hearingyou talk it is proof.
I can tell that you've hadbusiness coaching on how to
build your business just basedon your ability to scale up and
scale down as needed based onproject workload.
So kudos to you.
You've hired some good coaches.
Speaker 2 (12:49):
Thanks.
Speaker 1 (12:50):
So let's talk about design style.
So talk to us a little bitabout your design style and the
design style of you and of yourfirm.
Speaker 2 (12:58):
Gosh, that's such a big question and it's one that I
often have a tough timeanswering when editors say, tell
me about your design style,what is your aesthetic?
And I always say, well, if youwant to see my design style, you
should come to my house,because when we're designing,
we're truly designing directlyfor the client, and whatever
their definition of beauty andluxury and quality may be, and
(13:19):
for every person that'sdifferent.
So I think it's reallyimportant to work hand in hand
with our clients and get to knowpeople through lifestyle
questionnaires and in-personconversations, asking the right
questions.
We're in parts of people'shomes that some people never see
.
We're lining your underweardrawer and we have to know how
(13:39):
you organize all of yourbelongings and everything in its
place.
And so I guess, if I have todefine my style, I think of it
as Tom Ford meets Wes Andersonwith Billie Holiday.
And yeah, it's that beautifulmix of quality and tailoring and
(14:00):
refinement, but playfulness andcolor and whimsy and a little
soul and grit and imperfection.
Speaker 1 (14:09):
There you go.
I love it.
That's a great definition.
Well, and I also love that yousay you design for people based
on what makes them feel good.
I always struggle as a designerwith that same question.
When people are like, well,what is your aesthetic?
And it's like, well, if you goto my website, I design lots of
different things.
It's like, well, what's yourspecialty?
And the answer to that for meis my specialty is figuring out
(14:30):
what will light my clients upand make my clients feel like
their home gives the energy thatthey want from their home.
Now I have preferences ofthings that I like and gravitate
towards and styles that I like,but I think it's a different
approach than some designers.
You go to their website andevery project looks exactly the
same.
It's just a different house.
Speaker 2 (14:49):
And so true.
Speaker 1 (14:51):
And for some people that's what they want they need
that and for others they wantsomething that's a little more
eclectic.
Speaker 2 (14:56):
Yes, I think our ideal clients find us because
when they view the portfolio,they realize that no two
projects are the same.
And when I ask, why did youcall us?
They realize that no twoprojects are the same.
And when I ask, why did youcall us?
I always hear two things.
They say we love the way thatyou use color and we can tell
that you listen to your clientsbecause nothing is the same
between one project to the next.
There is a through line ofrefinement and balance and color
(15:21):
in a sophisticated way.
I really enjoy deep jewel tones, but also soft gray down
pastels.
I think it's the most livableand the most prominent colors in
nature and so when you look atthe portfolio, you might see the
way that they connect in thoseways.
But truly every project is sodifferent because every family
(15:44):
is so different and I never wantto impose a one size fits all
look on the family or a clientand I truly enjoy that heart to
heart connection and getting toknow what matters.
Look of the space.
Of course it will be beautifulwhen we're finished, but we want
(16:05):
you to enjoy the process andgetting to know yourself better
along the way and enjoy working,going on this journey and
having this collaborationtogether.
Speaker 1 (16:14):
Yeah, and learning something new and being
stretched.
I always found that was sogreat when you brought an item
to a client to like, in ourvision, complete a room, and
it's stepping them a littleoutside their comfort zone of
something that they wouldnormally pick, but then having
them be able to see how thatwould make them feel, and a lot
of times those ended up beingthe most exciting pieces in a
(16:37):
room are the ones that arethings that they never would
have chosen on their own orwould have thought they would
have liked, but somehow it tapsinto them emotionally after you
show it to them and all of asudden they're like you know, I
really I'm really digging thatchair with the animal prints on
it.
Speaker 2 (16:53):
I couldn't agree more .
I think it's part of our job asdesigners to push people
outside of their comfort zoneand to give them something that
they wouldn't have picked ontheir own.
And I love this idea ofcollaboration, key to any
successful project because theclient has an idea of what they
want and they share that withthe architect or the designer or
(17:13):
the builder.
And that person turns aroundand says, well, we're not able
to do this, but we can do that,and they put a spin on it
because of some limitation,potentially, and then that gets
shared with us.
And then we're like, okay, thisis great, we can work with this
, but how about we change thehardware in this way and we do
the backs of these bookcases inthat way and we add some sconce
(17:35):
lights to wash down the front ofthis piece, and now, suddenly,
these built-ins have gone fromneeding a place just for extra
storage within the design to awow factor and something that's
eye-catching and interesting inthe space as well.
Speaker 1 (17:49):
Yeah, what's your favorite thing to design?
Speaker 2 (17:52):
I love designing celebratory spaces, so usually
the living room or dining room,but on the flip side of that, I
also really enjoy doing primarybedroom spaces, because it is
your sanctuary and that is aspace used for usually one,
maybe two people and it's justan opportunity to create a space
that is going to offer serenityand peace and calm within your
(18:15):
home.
But those celebratory spacesare so fun because you can push
the envelope and make things alittle more eye-catching or bold
and colorful and whimsical andplayful.
So I love the balance, I lovejuxtaposition, I love the idea
of opposites, I like contrast,some soft edges and hard lines
(18:37):
and light and dark and glossyversus matte or nubby versus
smooth, you know, and the ideaof doing spaces within a home
too, where you have some placesthat are more lively and others
that are meant for relaxation.
Speaker 1 (18:53):
Great Cause.
They each have a differentpurpose and each room can emit
different emotions.
You know, like you say,celebratory space, and I'm like,
I'm thinking party, and thenyou say serene bedroom, and I
was like, oh yeah, let's likesit and read a book, and even
just the way you're describingthem and the words that you're
using, I can feel differentlyabout those spaces, without
having to see them in anycapacity or see what the
(19:15):
finished design looks like.
You're talking about theemotion that the rooms are going
to give to people, which isunique in the design space.
I have to tell you, as a fellowdesigner, not everybody thinks
of spaces like yes.
Which is a nice gift.
Speaker 2 (19:31):
You get it.
Speaker 1 (19:31):
Yeah, oh, I get it.
Yeah, it makes me unique.
Now, if a client comes to youand they say, okay, well, I'm
trying to choose between threedifferent designers, what would
you tell them about how to makethat choice and whether or not
you're the right fit for that?
Speaker 2 (19:45):
I really think it comes down to what it feels like
to be around that person.
Do you have confidence, do youfeel comfortable?
You're going to be attached fora year, year and a half, two
years, you know.
If it's new construction, thenit's extended, or a large scale
project it might be up to threeyears or more, but I think I
think it really just has to be agood connection within your
(20:08):
interaction.
You know, you know if you areon board with someone or if they
give you a good vibe.
I think it's just some peoplereally want left brain,
systematic, pragmatic,everything's black and white
spreadsheets, bottom line giveit to me straight.
And other people need morehandholding and it's more
(20:30):
emotional for them, and so Ithink it's necessary to be able
to cater to either one of thoseand oftentimes it's both within
a relationship because we're alldrawn to the opposite and
opposites attract.
So much of what we do is actingas therapists and mediators and
I remember clients often sayingto me that you're so diplomatic
(20:52):
in the way that you go throughthis process.
Or if we budged on a color inthat room, then maybe you give
in on this room because itmatters more to the other person
in the relationship.
Through all of the things thatare important to people and
(21:14):
trying to capture and make surethat you check off all of the
boxes for their needs and theirwants and some of their wishes
if not as many as you can get inthere.
But really just getting to knowpeople is the best way to
understand if they're going tobe a good fit for you and your
team.
Speaker 1 (21:28):
Yes, Well, I always used to ask people in my intake
forms you know how do you makedecisions?
Are you quick to make decisions?
Does it take you a while?
Do you always wonder if there'ssomething else better out there
?
Do decisions happen in yourfamily by committee?
And I always felt like, as adesigner, you need to know what
you're walking into in terms ofhow they make decisions, and you
(21:49):
were right Very often.
When I first started this, mybusiness coach was like get
ready to become a therapist?
I was like what are you?
talking about?
They don't talk about that indesign school either.
What are you talking about?
It's like oh you wait, andhomes are so emotional.
So people get really, reallyemotional about their homes and
these design decisions thatyou're making, which you want.
You're creating emotion intheir environment, but then that
(22:11):
comes back when a coupledoesn't necessarily agree on
that emotional decision.
It's a lot.
Speaker 2 (22:19):
I think you always have to own it, and we are so
collaborative that we reallygive people a chance to make the
choices themselves.
We don't present one finaldesign and say this is what you
get.
We lead people down the journeyof design and walk them through
the process every step of theway, leading as trusted advisors
and design guides to make thebest choices for you and your
(22:39):
family.
And so we will present multiplefloor plans for a space and let
the client decide on that, andthen we help them to select the
furnishings that work best forthem.
Of course, there are a few keypieces that we will present, as
this is our number one choice,or these are the things that we
think that would work best inthe space.
But then we also like to provideoptions too, so that people
(23:00):
always feel like they had anopportunity to make a choice,
and I always say give themsomething to say no to, so that
they can then feel good aboutthe yes, because when you come
to them with one design,oftentimes they say, well, this
is nice, but what else is there?
Or if you're just giving acouple of options, they want to
see more.
So there's so much psychologyin everything that we do.
(23:20):
I studied psychology andsociology in school and I use
that every day in what I'm doingnow.
Speaker 1 (23:27):
Oh, that's a good combination because it is so
true, yes.
So what role is you're talkingabout making choices?
What role is technology and 3Dand rendering playing in your
business now?
Speaker 2 (23:41):
We utilize it when we need to.
It's an extra service that'sprovided when clients have to
see the space in 3D in order tomove forward.
It's not something we do forevery client.
A lot of people recognize thatthey can put their trust in us
and, based on our portfolio andthe press and the awards, I
think it's clear that we knowwhat we're doing and we will
(24:04):
make the right choices with themand move them in the right
direction so that the finalproduct will be beautiful,
magazine-worthy rooms, even ifthey never get published.
But we want people to understandthat they're in good hands and
when we design, we will usuallydesign 80 to 90% of the way
through when we're presenting.
(24:25):
But then we always like toleave some space for things to
uncover themselves, you know,for things to reveal themselves
to us as well, and we'll planfor an antique in each room
where possible and to bring in avintage item, things that feel
collected over time.
But part of the magic of whatwe do is how we compile all of
(24:48):
these pieces in a space Likeartists.
It's about the composition andediting and color balance and
texture and shape and silhouetteand the contrast, all of those
things and so some clients needyour rendering, but usually a
floor plan and a picture of theitem is enough.
Speaker 1 (25:10):
Good, I agree, I like those kinds of clients.
Speaker 2 (25:13):
Yes, me too.
Speaker 1 (25:15):
I prefer those to the ones that need to see like
every single detail, cause I'mlike, okay, well, that's like
another six weeks until I canget you.
Speaker 2 (25:21):
Yes, it's probably an engineer.
Speaker 1 (25:24):
Right, get you the rendering to that degree and to
that level for multiple spaces,which is fine If that's what
some people need it.
Just the lead time just becomesa lot.
So what do you say to peopleCause I get asked this question
a lot as an interior designerwho say you know, is this on
trend and should I do thisbecause it's a trend?
Speaker 2 (25:42):
Goodness.
I think trends are only therefor us to pay attention, to know
what not to do, and if it'strendy, it's something that we
would definitely steer a clientaway from.
I don't really follow trends.
I'm aware of what's happening.
I often find that what we do iswhat becomes trendy later, and
(26:03):
I don't mean to say that I'msetting the fashion, but it's
interesting that we'll do a homewith pink and then suddenly
millennial pink becomes a bigdeal.
And I never got on board with alot of open concept living.
I really like spaces that areindividualized and have a
(26:25):
singular purpose, use, you know,or it can be multifunctional,
but I think it's important tohave privacy and quiet and be
able to compartmentalizedifferent areas of your home.
So I also was not ever on boardwith the all gray when things
were in that direction for the20 teens, and here we are back
(26:48):
to cream and tan and brown andwarm tones because they are the
most livable.
I think that you can use grayshort in certain setting and in
particular ways, but you won'tfind a lot of that in our
portfolio because it was a bigtrend.
So I really do pay attention towhat to avoid really, and I
(27:09):
really dig deep.
I ask what is it about this thatyou're drawn to?
Why do you like it?
I also point out when I feellike something is being mass
marketed to us as a culture.
You know, like linen had a hugemoment because restoration
hardware and pottery, barn andcreate a bear on room and board
was really pushing it.
And then it became velvet andthen it became boucle.
(27:30):
And now everyone's sayingboucle is over.
It's like all of this justcycles through over and over
again anyway, and none of thosematerials are out of fashion.
They were just a little morepopular at that time and a good
room is going to be composed ofmany different textures of
fabrics and things.
So I think if you always dowhat you love, then you're
always going to love what you'vedone and that's what matters
(27:51):
most is enjoying it for years tocome.
Whether somebody says it wastrendy or not, the trend will
come and go, but you'll stilllove the thing.
Speaker 1 (27:58):
Yes.
Well, and I always say topeople you live here, no one
else lives here.
You live here.
If you like it, then do it,because you're going to be the
one who has to live with us, notme or your neighbors or anyone
else.
Regardless of whether it'strendy or not, you're the one
that has to live in the space.
So if you get excited by havinga bright lacquered mudroom,
(28:18):
then go for it.
Absolutely, it's okay.
And so many of the things that Ithink clients and you can tell
me if you have the sameexperience.
So many of the things that Ithink clients like hem and haw
over.
A lot of times I say to themit's really just paint or it's
really just wallpaper or it'sjust a light fixture.
If five years from now, youdon't like it anymore I mean as
(28:40):
long as it's not a $20,000 lightfixture you just change it,
it's okay.
It doesn't have to be a foreverdecision.
Some of these high ticket itemslike, yeah, you really need to
like them.
Decision.
Some of these high ticket itemslike, yeah, you really need to
like them.
But a lot of the things that Ithink cause our clients a little
bit of angst when you put itinto perspective that it can be
changed.
If you decide you don't wantyour kitchen island to be navy
(29:00):
blue anymore, then that's not adifficult change to make it a
different color down the road.
Speaker 2 (29:06):
I totally agree, and I think that's why we provide so
many different options becauseI want people to feel confident
in knowing that they've thatthey've had such a say in what
they've selected, instead ofsaying, oh, my designer made me
pick that.
You know.
I never want someone to feelthat way, and on the rare
occasion that something justdoesn't quite work out in the
space, I think it's okay to takethat item back.
(29:27):
You know, of course, if it's ahigh-end custom dining table for
$30,000 or an amazing sectionalat $25,000 that you've had
built to exact specifications,you're going to get their sign
off every step of the way on thedrawings and everything else.
Yes, but if there are somesurface mount fixtures that
(29:47):
we've put into a space and theclient's not in love with them
or they feel like they're notquite right, we end up taking it
back a lot of times.
We just want people to be happyin the end and to have a really
wonderful experience and notleave a bad taste in their
mouths when it's finished, andso yes, well, and sometimes I
tell clients.
Speaker 1 (30:07):
I have a client right now for a library project and
an Ottoman got delivered and Iwasn't there because I was busy
and they were there, they wasfine, so they delivered it.
And the text I got was threequarters of the family hate it.
And I was like how could youhate it?
And they sent me a picture.
I'm like what's to hate?
It's gorgeous.
Are you kidding me?
Oh, my goodness, it's so uniqueand it's so cool.
And they had picked out thefabric and I was like it's so
(30:28):
cool.
And they had picked out thefabric and everything and I was
like it's so fabulous, what's tohate?
And so that's like initialreaction, I hate it.
And then I gave it a week and Iactually showed up not a week
later, because they're friendsof mine also, so I kind of took
my time showing up because Iknow how they roll.
And I showed up a week laterand all of a sudden the husband,
(30:49):
who was like I absolutely hateit, he's like it's growing on me
.
And then when I explained froma design perspective why it is
the way it is and why the woodis cheroos and why it's stained
this way and how it addsmovement for this big ottoman in
this room and if it wasn't likethat, it was going to look flat
.
And all of a sudden he's like Imean, he's like huh, yeah, I
think I now like it.
I'm so glad to hear thatSometimes clients have to sit
(31:13):
with it because our vision of itis so immediate and we see how
it all flows together.
But sometimes clients don'thave that same vision.
Speaker 2 (31:20):
It's so true, we see it in our mind's eye and we can
visualize the space as a wholecomposition in 3D.
But the clients sometimesstruggle with that and if
they're not used to somethingwithin a room, it's going to be
a little bit of a shock to themonce it's changed or when
something's added.
That's part of the reason whywe love doing a grand reveal, so
(31:43):
everything gets installed allat one time, but we always tell
clients before the things arriveand before the paint color.
You're going to be a littlestunned when you first see
what's going into this room,because you're used to staring
at a white box Right and nowthere's suddenly color on the
wall or texture from the wallcoverings or the furnishings in
the space, or the draperies areup and you're going to want to
(32:04):
scrutinize every little thing.
But please wait until theentire thing is finished.
Yeah, please wait until theentire thing is finished.
So we will tell them ifsomething comes in, because
you're doing the dirty workahead of time, which is doing
the wall coverings or fauxfinished paint work and
sometimes installing carpet andrunners on the stairs and things
like this, before youropportunity to install all the
(32:26):
furnishings.
So they are seeing bits andpieces at times, and when they
start to question things, wejust say the cake's not baked.
You are tasting baking soda andsome sugar and some salt, all
by itself, but you have to waituntil everything goes in.
And then they, you know, Ithink it's just a matter of
forewarning people what they'regoing to feel like and how
(32:48):
they're going to react andwhat's going to go through their
mind.
And when you do that, when you,when you set the expectation,
people are like you're right, ohmy gosh, I can't believe that.
I thought that you know this.
This was going to be too boldor too dark or whatever it is.
You know, like just not whitewalls anymore.
That's why there's somethingthere.
Speaker 1 (33:07):
So yeah, so your clients are still willing to
wait for the grand reveal.
Speaker 2 (33:17):
Absolutely yes.
That's the only way that we'lldo the project.
We don't we don't piecemeal itbecause it's not efficient.
That's not an efficient use ofour time or your money, and so
we're waiting for the majorityof items to be completely ready.
If there's an outlier, a couplepieces aren't in, we're not
going to hold up the install foranother five weeks because your
nightstand's not ready or youroccasional chair that was custom
made had a fabric delay, thatwas back ordered for six or
(33:39):
whatever.
We're still going to moveforward, so that just becomes
part of the deficiencies listand then that gets added later.
Speaker 1 (33:46):
When people see things one off, they don't see
the vision and then they kind oflike freak out, which is
interesting.
So let's switch gears and talkabout your business, because I
don't know if everyone can seewhat I can see, but you have
like a wall of accolades on thebookshelf behind you and
different trophies and awardsand in your bio, which will be
in the show notes, you've beennominated for lots of things and
(34:09):
won lots of awards and done alot of great things in your
design business.
So for someone who might benewer in a business, can you
give a little bit of adviceabout how you were successful in
getting that amount ofawareness about your business
and what you're doing?
Speaker 2 (34:24):
It first starts with getting the best photos that you
can of every space that you'redoing.
I think that it's important tohave minimums.
Of course we want to work inwhole homes so that we are able
to have those homes pitched andpublished in magazines and
present them for awards.
But if you're at a point whereyou're only able to do a couple
(34:46):
of rooms or a single room, thenhire the best photographer that
you can afford and get the bestphotos.
And I think it's reallyimportant to take before photos
too, because it is so stunningwhen you see the difference of a
space from what it was to whatyou transformed it to, and that
helps so much for people tounderstand the transformation
that you've gone through.
(35:07):
To bring clients through thisjourney and the process to
deliver that end photograph inorder for them to be able to see
where you started, so that'ssuper helpful.
And also, having floor plansand elevations and including
potentially a mood board andreally showing the journey of
(35:27):
the design and how it wasdeveloped when you're doing a
pitch for an award.
Yeah, I think that's reallysome of the key areas that help.
And telling the story what madethis space special and unique
and why did you make some of thedecisions?
People like to hear the nittygritty, the hardship, the
setbacks and then how youovercame those.
So I think including all ofthose types of things in your
(35:50):
pitch for an award is importantand really gives people a
well-rounded understanding ofwhat it took to bring the space
to be what it is now, not justhaving that final photo at the
end.
Speaker 1 (36:02):
Right Now.
That's a really good point,because you don't always.
You know, when you look at amagazine, a lot of times you
don't see the journey.
Yes, but for awards you do getthe opportunity.
The journey, but for awards youdo get the opportunity.
And I think it's also helpfulif you have potential new
clients when they want to seewhat is a journey like of
working with you.
It's important to have built aportfolio of that, so it's not
just what they see on yourwebsite being able to show them
(36:23):
what it's like to really workwith you and how you can
transform their lives.
That's a really great point tothink about that from a
marketing perspective, whichsometimes is hard when you're
just in the business trying tojust design beautiful spaces.
Speaker 2 (36:37):
I know it's so funny.
We have these beautifulcreations of these rooms that we
do and the homes that we createfor our clients, and if you're
not understanding of the journeythat it took to get there, then
it doesn't mean as much to you,I think.
So you really have to tell thestory of the family and tell the
story of the journey as well.
It's not about the destination,it's about the journey along
(36:58):
the way.
Speaker 1 (36:59):
Of course, with everything design and with life.
Yes, yes.
So what is on your bucket listfrom a professional and even
personal perspective?
What's on the horizon?
What are things you'd like todo?
Speaker 2 (37:17):
I keep feeling like I'm a little bit oversaturated.
I have almost too muchvisibility right now, with being
named Interior Designer of theYear and winning all these
wonderful accolades and beingpublished in a couple of books
and recently coming out in fivedifferent magazines.
And House Beautiful Showhouseasked us to do their living room
and dining room space for thispast show house and I'm looking
(37:38):
for fewer.
projects that are bigger inscale, that allow creativity to
just partner with a handful ofreally great architects and
builders and clients as a dreamteam to work on a few very
select things, and I think allof that is just an opportunity
(38:00):
to find out how do I reduce theclutter, so to speak and I just
mean all of the running aroundand traveling for work and all
the client meetings.
Like taking on too much is toomuch, and I think it's really
important for yourself within toprotect your peace, and I'm
(38:21):
realizing that I want to haveless responsibility in some
aspects and focus more on myhealth and wellness and being
able to have more downtime andopportunities to meditate and go
on yoga retreats and hostfriends and family and go away
(38:41):
to lovely vacations with myfamily.
Because I travel so much forwork.
We've had projects recently inWashington DC and Virginia and
Texas and North Carolina, and sowhen it comes time for the
holidays and we have theseinvitations to see friends or
family and I said I don't wantto go anywhere, I don't want to
(39:03):
do anything.
I want to stay put for six weeks, you know, and just have some
downtime, catch up on some booksthat I've been meaning to
finish and relax a little bitmore.
So, yeah, I think I'm trying tosimplify my life a little bit
more.
Speaker 1 (39:19):
That is not an uncommon theme amongst every
entrepreneur I know, myselfincluded.
Speaker 2 (39:25):
That's so good to hear.
Speaker 1 (39:27):
We just get pulled in so many different ways and I
commend you.
All of the awards and theaccolades that you're getting is
amazing, but it does lead tomore work in some ways, and so
trying to find that balance andensure that there's an inner you
in there, I think is reallyimportant, and a lot of my
guests that I've had on the showhave had to figure that out.
Speaker 2 (39:48):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (39:48):
Because, as entrepreneurs, we go and we go
and we go and we go, and it'svery easy to lose sight of
yourself and your own personalwellness and your own personal
care and the things that lightyou up as a person outside of
work because work lights us up,but what else?
And it's making sure that youhave some boundaries.
We work in an industry inparticular, interior design,
where everyone feels they canreach out to us at any point in
(40:10):
time and everything is urgent,it's like, especially if you
work in construction.
Everything is urgent and needsyour attention, and so learning
how to set boundaries topreserve time for yourself is
really important.
Speaker 2 (40:24):
I think it's a matter of setting up the right systems
and processes and havingcontinuous, regular check-ins
and meeting and touch points andfollowing up with people on a
weekly or bi-weekly basis.
So we've implemented manystrategies in order to combat
the knee-jerk need to jump intogear when somebody needs
(40:45):
something.
So we are constantly meetingevery Monday to have our team
meetings and then we send outweekly updates to clients on
Tuesday afternoons so that theyare aware of what we've done and
what's in process and what'scoming next and what we need
from them.
And also setting up thosemeetings weekly with the
(41:08):
architect and the builder andmaking sure that we're all on
the same page before we get toan area that we're presenting to
a client.
So collaboration is key in thisand making sure that we're all
on the same team and working asa united front and not throwing
anyone under the bus or tryingto make yourself look better in
front of the client by redliningan architect's drawings or
(41:30):
saying why would the buildersmake this choice, or whatever
it's like.
This is not the way that youshould be operating.
So I really like to be a stepahead and, like always, tell the
client where they are in theprocess and this is what you can
expect.
And then this is what'shappening next and this is what
we need from you.
So you know, if you do thatweek after week and it just
becomes second nature, and thenyou set up your meetings with
(41:53):
your partners architects andbuilders then they get used to
that process and you might bemeeting excuse me, you might be
meeting week after week for thefirst portion of a project and
then you can step down to everyother week and every three weeks
.
It just tapers off after alittle while.
But in the initial onset of aproject, in the design
(42:14):
development phase, you're goingto be meeting regularly and for
a long time.
I felt overwhelmed by the numberof projects that we had and I
would lose sleep and I feel likeI'm not doing a great job for
any one project because I'mdoing too many things and trying
to cover too much territory,and I realized I need to slow
(42:35):
down, only take a handful ofprojects so I can do my very
best work and provide the verybest service and just offer that
VIP concierge level customerservice to all of our clients so
that they feel like we'reoperating with unreasonable
hospitality and everything isabout them and catering to them
(42:55):
and taking care of people.
People want to be taken care of, and this is a very stressful
job.
So many things can go wrong,and many things do.
It's just the nature of thebusiness, and it's a matter of
how we can get through thistogether rather than dealing
with things as they arise orbeing reactive instead of
(43:16):
proactive.
Speaker 1 (43:17):
Right, yes, oh, great business strategies.
Thank you All right.
So before we run out of time,two questions for you.
One is there anything that Ididn't cover that you want to
make sure we talk about?
Speaker 2 (43:28):
Well, we've touched a little bit on the importance of
wellness, but this is somethingthat I think is so important in
all of our lives Whether you'rea design enthusiast, redoing
your home or running a designbusiness of some kind
architecture, building I thinkit's really important to focus
on yourself first, and a lot ofpeople have limiting beliefs
(43:49):
around doing that.
But when I say that, I'mtalking about the opportunity to
put time in your calendar tofocus on your needs so the
doctors, the dentist, going tohave a massage regularly and go
to your chiropractor once amonth or do acupuncture with
some regularity as a way ofmaintaining yourself and your
(44:11):
self-care, because if you're notfilling up your cup, then how
are you expected to fill up thecups of others?
And so many of us get caught upin the day-to-day and rushing
around and the busyness of lifethat we're not making time to
focus on ourselves first and inorder to be more productive with
the time that we do have.
So that's just an area that Ithink is so important to touch
(44:33):
on, because it's just an areathat so many of us neglect, and
I started to learn to do thatmany years ago while renovating
a home I was living on Cape Cod,which is a very healing place.
That was back in 2018, 2019.
And I started doing yoga threedays a week and biking and
hiking and taking my dogs withme as many places as I could to
(44:56):
just commune with nature, and Iwould meet up with my yoga
friends in a cafe and just tryto maintain a calmer way of
existing, instead of being onthe hamster wheel in the busy
Boston city and running from oneevent to the next, to the next.
And I still really love to dothose things.
(45:17):
But I'm a lot more selectiveand I try to say no to more than
I say yes to at this point andreally focus on having downtime
and solitude and time forreflection and journaling,
painting, reading.
These are all ways that we canrecharge our batteries and it's
not selfish, it's really trulyself-care, and you have to take
(45:41):
care of yourself first, becauseyou can't rely on someone else
to do it.
So you've got to show yourselfthe love first before you can
spread the love to others.
Speaker 1 (45:50):
So perfectly said.
I couldn't have said it bettermyself.
All the things that I am sopassionate about journaling,
meditating, exercise, nature, Ithink, as an entrepreneur in
particular, and as executives,because I have a lot of
executives who listen it's sohard, you get so wrapped up in
the business and business isyour life and it's your passion
(46:11):
and you just work so hard.
It is so, so important, as yousay, to pause and to give your
brain and your body a chance torest.
And find ways to do that, andeven just connecting with people
that help you recharge is alsoimportant, and I am a huge.
I said yes for a long time to alot of things and did a whole
summer of yes, and then afterthat I like swung the other way
(46:32):
and I was like, oh no, we're nowin the year of no.
Speaker 2 (46:35):
Good for you, I was like it's just too much.
Speaker 1 (46:37):
You know it just became too much and I started
living life by a phrase of youknow, hit, pause and listen to
your life.
And it's amazing, when youstart to do that and really look
inward, how and really lookinward how do you feel about the
stress and the anxiety and thedecisions and the event.
And you know what, if it's notlike a yay, yay immediately,
then just make it a no and it'sokay.
It's okay.
Speaker 2 (46:58):
I love that Hit pause and listen to your life.
I give myself one day a monthas my self-care day, and I
selected the third Wednesday ofevery month.
It's 12 times a year.
You can give yourself 12 daysout of the year if you're not
giving yourself any more thanthat now?
Speaker 1 (47:16):
Yeah, great idea.
Speaker 2 (47:17):
You can squeeze in that visit to the chiropractor
and acupuncture in the same day.
I used to add a facial ormanicure pedicure and then I
felt like I was trying to addtoo many self-care things all
crammed into one day and Iwasn't getting the benefit of
doing them more over time.
So then I ended up involvingthe two Saturdays later.
(47:38):
So I'm spreading it out overtime, but just dedicating that
one day can make us all thedifference, because you know you
have that day for yourself.
Speaker 1 (47:46):
That's such a great suggestion.
I love that.
Thank you, okay, so we're aboutto run out of time, but quickly
, before we do, I want to makesure we get in your book
recommendations.
I love to ask my guests torecommend a book or more, if
they have more to recommend thathas impacted themselves
personally or professionallythat they would recommend to the
listener.
So what?
I know you have books.
What books do you want torecommend?
Speaker 2 (48:04):
So many books.
I have a whole other bookshelfand more bookshelves.
There are three that alwayscome to mind when I think of the
books that have probably hadthe biggest impact on my life,
especially at a time that Ineeded it most.
And the first one is RadicalAcceptance by Tara Brach, and
that one really helped meunderstand the importance of
(48:25):
forgiveness forgiving the peoplein your life who you felt like
they may have wronged you atsome point in your past.
You know, whether it was aspouse or someone that you were
dating, or a parent or siblingor friends or clients or
whatever it may be like.
Just let it go, just forgiveand move past it.
Don't hold on to grudges andnegativity and then forgive
(48:47):
yourself for holding onto thosethings, and I think that's just
such a huge thing to like.
The key to happiness isforgiveness.
To me, like that truly does gofar, far in the way.
Like, another book that Ireally love is Brene Brown, the
Power of Vulnerability.
She has so many amazing books,but that one really allowed me
(49:08):
to recognize that it was okay tobe my authentic, genuine self
and be sappy and sentimental andshare stories and be openly
loving, and just to recognizethat it's okay to operate that
way in a business, to lead withlove, and, instead of feeling
like I needed to be thispolished, glossy professional
(49:31):
that was perfectly buttoned upand clean shaven and didn't show
my artistic side because that'swhat I thought that people
expected so allowing yourself tobe more vulnerable in life and
with people, whether it'sclients or family, or friends or
colleagues or strangers, andI'm always so amazed about how
quickly I can dive into aconversation and go really deep
(49:51):
and, within five minutes, belike laughing hysterically or
even, you know, tearing up withsomebody that I just met,
because we're both able to bevulnerable and share something
that's really meaningful to us.
Speaker 1 (50:01):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (50:02):
So for my other book I would say Eckhart Tolle, A New
Earth.
Yeah, that was absolutelylife-changing as well, and it
just covers so much about theimportance of being present and
not getting caught up in thebusyness of life and really
getting in tune with yourself.
(50:23):
And that is a helpful lesson tolearn the idea that once you
expand your consciousness, youcannot unexpand your
consciousness, and I think thatthat book is so helpful to
awaken people to theirconsciousness and the spiritual
beings that we are within, heldwithin a 3D human form.
(50:45):
But the importance of notlosing sight of the fact that we
are spiritual beings herewalking the planet, but we're
all here to.
We need to take care of eachother and be present and live in
the moment instead of beingstuck in the past or worried
about the future.
Speaker 1 (51:00):
Agreed, life-changing , life-changing, and he comes up
a lot on this podcast, so thankyou.
Speaker 2 (51:05):
Three fabulous books.
Speaker 1 (51:06):
I will link them all in the show notes.
I will put them on my Amazonshop page, and I have read two
of those three, but I've notread the other one, so I will
make sure I grab a copy of these.
So, dan, it is such a pleasureto meet you.
You are truly a really special,unique designer and I have to
tell you, not all designers havethe heart and soul that you do,
plus the business acumen tomake it all work and the
(51:28):
incredible design taste that youshow on your website.
So you are really a unique andspecial blend.
Your clients are very lucky andI thank you so much for
spending some time with us andsharing your life, your business
, your approach to wellness.
It's been really a pleasure tomeet you and I wish you all the
greatest success for the yearahead.
Speaker 2 (51:44):
Thank you so much.
It's been such a pleasuresharing.
I really appreciate theopportunity and I look forward
to chatting with you again soon.
Speaker 1 (51:49):
Absolutely.
We will stay connected.
We'll talk soon, thank you.
Thank you for joining us foranother episode of the House of
Jermar podcast, where wellnessstarts within.
We appreciate you being a partof our community and hope you
felt inspired and motivated byour guest.
If you enjoyed this episode,please write us a review and
(52:11):
share it with friends.
Building our reach on YouTubeand Apple Podcasts will help us
get closer to our mission toempower 1 million women to live
all in.
You can also follow us onInstagram at House of Jermar and
sign up to be a part of ourmonthly inspiration newsletter
through our website,houseofjermarcom.
If you or someone you knowwould be a good guest on the
(52:33):
show, please reach out to us atpodcast at houseofgermarcom.
This has been a House of Germarproduction with your host, jean
Collins.
Thank you for joining our house.
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