Hospitality Design: What I've Learned
In this series, Hospitality Design magazine's editor in chief Stacy Shoemaker Rauen talks with influential hotel and design leaders about their career journeys, motivations, and key lessons learned in an ever-changing industry. Each episode offers insights from top figures in hospitality and design, exploring what drives them and how they navigate challenges. The podcast provides a behind-the-scenes look at the people shaping the world of hotel and design.
Episodes
Chantell Walsh, Strategic Hotels & Resorts
Growing up in a small town in central Minnesota, Chantell Walsh’s creativity took the form of graph paper floorplans and endless hours outdoors inventing adventures. A pivotal job shadow at local architecture firm KKE Architects during high school solidified her path.After earning her degree in architecture, Walsh landed in Chicago, working under a mentor who taught her to embrace process over per
Greg Bradshaw, Adam Farmerie, Kristina O'Neal, and William Harris, AvroKO
For more than two decades, AvroKO has pushed the boundaries of what it means to be a design firm. Founded by longtime friends Greg Bradshaw, Adam Farmerie, Kristina O’Neal, and William Harris, the multidisciplinary studio has earned a reputation for its richly layered interiors, holistic approach, and narrative-driven process.From launching self-propelled projects like Ghost Donkey and Host on How
Craig Stanghetta, Ste Marie
Raised in Sault Ste. Marie, a small industrial town in Northern Ontario, Craig Stanghetta grew up surrounded by hospitality—his family owned the city’s oldest hotel. Though initially drawn to theater, he worked as a professional actor until he found the same sense of connection in the world of design.His first project, the Chinese brasserie Bao Bei in Vancouver’s Chinatown, solidified the career p
Sarah Klymson and Simon Marxer, Hyatt
As senior leaders shaping the future of Hyatt's wellness-focused brand Miraval, Sarah Klymson and Simon Marxer bring complementary expertise to the table: Klymson is a trained architect and global design strategist, while Marxer is a veteran spa and wellbeing innovator with roots at Canyon Ranch and Red Flower.Since Hyatt’s acquisition of Miraval in 2017, the duo has worked together to evolve
Dr. Jonathan Leary, Remedy Place
Growing up in a small town outside Providence, Rhode Island, Dr. Jonathan Leary always had big dreams. At a young age, he had plotted to move to Los Angeles and pursue a career in medicine, despite never having visited the city. Those dreams evolved as he explored ways of helping people on a deeper level—not just improving their physical health but enhancing their lifestyle.After completing his un
Caroline and Sabri Farouki, Farouki Farouki
Caroline and Sabri Farouki, partners behind New Orleans-based studio Farouki Farouki, bring a personal and global perspective to their practice. Caroline grew up in Lafayette, Louisiana in a home designed by Louisiana architect A. Hays Town, known for pioneering reusing materials. Surrounded by antiques and architectural details, her passion for design started early. She studied architecture in co
Suchi Reddy, Reddymade
Suchi Reddy’s creative journey began in Chennai, India, where she grew up in a vibrant home curated by her mother—think scenic wallpaper, terrazzo floors embedded with marble fragments, and a rich mix of textures. Surrounded by gardens and books, Reddy developed an early sensitivity to how environments shape our sense of self. That awareness grew into a passion for architecture, which she pursued
Jacu Strauss, Lore Group
Born in the Kalahari Desert of South Africa, Jacu Strauss’ early years were marked by his imagination—crafting dollhouses from wine boxes and drawing urban streetscapes in the dirt. With limited access to TV or the internet, he turned to encyclopedias and magazines to fuel an inner world that laid the foundation for his future.At 18, he left for London on what was meant to be a brief gap year. It
Morris Adjmi, Morris Adjmi Architects
As founder of his eponymous New York firm, visionary architect Morris Adjmi's work is deeply rooted in a respect for heritage while embracing innovation. With a career shaped by early experiences working alongside Pritzker Prize-winning architect Aldo Rossi, Adjmi developed a distinct approach that balances modern aesthetics anchored in a deep understanding of architectural and cultural histo
Cathy O'Brien, Naturopathica
From her childhood in Larchmont, New York to leading a renowned wellness company, Cathy O'Brien’s wide-ranging career spans the music industry as well as the beauty and wellness sectors, where she helped rethink brand strategies at luxury companies like Jo Malone.Driven by her vision for holistic wellness and inspired by her own health challenges, O'Brien came to Naturopathica in 2022 wi
Brad Guidi and Jason Brown, Blue Flag Capital
When Jason Brown and Brad Guidi joined forces to create hospitality real estate private equity firm Blue Flag Capital, they weren’t just building hotels—they were crafting experiences rooted in storytelling, design, and a sense of place.Their journey began with a bold vision on Nantucket and has since expanded to destinations from Martha’s Vineyard to Jackson Hole.With a philosophy of hospitality
Darius Davie + Matthew Sears, Groom Guy
Growing up in Brooklyn, lifelong friends Matthew Sears and Darius Davie started their entrepreneurial journey thanks to a shared passion for design, grooming, and community. Enter Groom Guy, their take on a luxury salon concept that blends wellness with hospitality.Davie, a former hairstylist, envisioned Groom Guy as a resource hub for men’s self care, while Sears—who has a background in finance—
Elizabeth Blau
A driving force behind the evolution of Las Vegas dining scene and beyond, Elizabeth Blau began her F&B journey under the legendary Sirio Maccioni at Le Cirque in New York. That foundation propelled her to Las Vegas in the late ‘90s, where she played a crucial role in transforming the city into a culinary powerhouse.Today, as founder and CEO of Blau Associates, she continues to shape the futur
Sigurlaug Sverrisdóttir
Icelandic hotelier Sigurlaug Sverrisdóttir has built a reputation for her innovative approach to creating immersive guest experiences.Growing up in a small town near Reykjavik, she developed a deep connection to Iceland’s rugged natural beauty, a bond that would later shape her career.After nearly two decades with Icelandic Airline, Sigurlaug returned to Iceland in 2013, where she transformed a fo
Vincent Celano, Celano Design Studio
From working in a butcher shop as a child to immersing himself in the world of art and architecture, Vincent Celano’s upbringing in Brooklyn, New York instilled in him a love of storytelling and a deep appreciation for the power of design.After graduating from Pratt Institute, he cut his teeth at design giants like Rockwell Group, Jeffrey Beers International, and ICRAVE, where he honed his craft i
Matt Goodrich, Goodrich
Matt Goodrich, principal of his New York-based design studio Goodrich, has cultivated an approach that is rooted in collaboration, curiosity, and pursuing the unexpected. With a career that spans more than two decades, including stints at Rockwell Group and AvroKO, Goodrich’s perspective champions the art of storytelling.Since founding his eponymous firm in 2017, Goodrich, who was recently named B
Episode Re-release December 8, 2020: Tara Bernerd, Tara Bernerd & Partners
Revisit our conversation with prolific designer Tara Bernerd, founder of her eponymous London-based firm Tara Bernerd & Partners. Back in 2020, as the world was facing an unprecedented pandemic, Tara shared how her team was navigating Covid, as well as detailed her work on projects including the Hari Hong Kong. This year, Tara was guest editor of our November 2024 issue, where she and her tea
Aliya Khan, Marriott
Having lived across continents—from Hong Kong to Houston and Singapore to Pakistan—Aliya Khan’s upbringing instilled a appreciation for culture, architecture, and art.After studying architecture at Pratt Institute in New York, Khan began her career in residential design before transitioning to the hospitality industry, working for Starwood Hotels & Resorts (now Marriott), helping launch brands
Tom Ito, Gensler
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Tom Ito, a third-generation Japanese-American, was destined to be in the hospitality industry. He worked at his grandparents’ restaurant when he was young, and he was also inspired by his parents—his father was a bartender-turned-restaurant GM and his mother worked as a hostess. He joined Gensler nearly 40 years ago, launching the firm’s hospitality practice in the
Sam Fox
Born in Chicago and raised in Arizona, Sam Fox’s early experiences working in his parents’ diners, Mexican restaurants, and delis shaped his understanding of the industry. He dropped out of the University of Arizona, where he was studying real estate finance, to pursue his passion, using his tuition money to open his first restaurant—all before he turned 21. Now, with a vast portfolio of successfu
John Meadow, LDV Hospitality
Raised for much of his childhood in Connecticut before moving to New York as a teenager, John Meadow developed a love for hospitality at a young age. He got his start as a dishwasher and sandwich maker at Au Bon Pain before attending Cornell’s hotel school. By 24, he opened his first restaurant, and in 2008, launched Scarpetta, which won accolades for its refined yet unpretentious take on Italian
My Nguyen, Holland America Line and Seabourn
Settling in Seattle as a Vietnamese refugee, My Nguyen began her 22-year design career as an intern for Holland America Line followed by nearly nine years at NB Design Group. Now, Nguyen leads the interior design and interior asset management teams for Holland America Line and Seabourn fleets.Through her commitment to sustainability, Nguyen has pushed boundaries in the cruise industry, transformin
Juan Bremer, Xala
Juan Bremer has a deep connection to nature that has shaped his journey into the world of luxury hospitality. Growing up as the son of an ambassador, Bremer’s early years were a whirlwind of cultures, spanning Moscow, Germany, and Mexico. (Today, he splits his time between Mexico and Italy.) This multicultural upbringing instilled in him an appreciation for diverse environments and languages, a fo
David Montalba, Montalba Architects
Born in Florence and raised between Switzerland and Northern California, David Montalba, founder of Montalba Architects, was exposed to many different cultures growing up, which is evident in his work today from the rustic yet refined Whitepod eco-chalets in Monthey Switzerland to the bespoke Nobu Palo Alto in California.Today—with offices in Santa Monica, California; New York; and Lausanne, Switz
Eric Papachristos, A Street Hospitality Group
Eric Papachristos, who lived in Greece before returning to the U.S. at age 10, spent his life in restaurants, working at his father's diner as a dishwasher. It made sense, then, that his path would lead him back to hospitality after earning a degree in finance.With a keen eye for collaboration, Papachristos joined forces with celebrated chef Jody Adams to open Greek restaurant Trade Boston in
Karen Herold, Studio K Creative
After a 13-year stint at Chicago firm 555 International, Karen Herold, who grew up in Holland, went out on her own, founding Studio K Creative in 2014. A decade since she launched her firm, Herold has made a name for herself with a portfolio that includes restaurants for BOKA Restaurant Group like chef Stephanie Izard’s Girl and the Goat in Chicago and Los Angeles and BIÂN wellness cub in Chicago.
Michael Pandolfi, Nora Liu-Kanter, and Tim Rooney, JBI
The industry lost an icon when architect and designer Jeffrey Beers passed away earlier this year at age 67 after a battle with cancer. But Jeffrey Beers International (JBI), the New York practice Beers founded in 1986, will uphold his visionary legacy and continue to shape the hospitality design sphere under the guidance of newly appointed partners Michael Pandolfi, Nora Liu-Kanter, and Tim Roone
Mark Eacott, Ennismore
Growing up in Kent in southeast London, Mark Eacott was always a curious kid—inspired by his artist grandfather, who taught him how to sketch and draw, and his dad, who was a builder with a strong do-it-yourself skillset. Those influences, coupled with Eacott’s creative mind, fostered his passion for design. He majored in architecture at the University of Bath, where he studied abroad as part of t
Sam Nazarian, SBE
In 1979, as the Iranian Revolution swept through the streets of Tehran, Younes Nazarian and his wife Soraya Sarah made the decision to leave behind a successful construction business and move their family to the U.S., ultimately landing in Los Angeles. His youngest son, Sam, was only 3 years old at the time, but he watched his dad build a new life in America. Younes’ business acumen led him to be
David Barry, Urby
New Jersey native David Barry studied law before getting into real estate development alongside his brother, focusing on redeveloping shipyards and truckyards. When the W brand was being developed in Hoboken, New Jersey, Barry entered the hospitality side of the real estate business. Today, he counts Chiltern Firehouse in London, New York's Chelsea Hotel, and Caldera House in Jackson Hole, Wy
Mary Celeste Beall, Blackberry Farm
Located in the Great Smoky Mountains in Walland, Tennessee, the 68-room Blackberry Farm is a verdant escape known for its food, wine, and Southern hospitality. The small inn was originally purchased by Samuel E. Beall III (known as Sandy), founder of the Ruby Tuesday chain, and his wife, Kreis, in 1976. After adding land and more buildings, it blossomed into the exclusive property it is today.In 1
Gulla Jónsdóttir, Atelier Gulla Jónsdóttir
Known for her sensual, dynamic designs that integrate with their surroundings, the Iceland-born, West Hollywood, California-based Gulla Jónsdóttir creates unique spatial experiences that exist at the intersection of organic beauty and function.Since 2009 when she launched her firm Atelier Gulla Jónsdóttir, she has spearheaded projects including China’s Macau Roosevelt hotel and the renovation of H
Alejandro Bataller, SHA Wellness
A diagnosis of colon cancer led Alejandro Bataller’s father Alfredo Bataller to launch the SHA Wellness Clinic in Alicante, Spain 15 years ago. Today, the family-run business has established itself as of one of the leading wellness resorts in the world. A recently opened outpost in Costa Mujeres, Mexico designed by local firms Sordo Madaleno and Alejandro Escudero (a forthcoming property set on a
Mario Tricoci, Aparium Hotel Group
Growing up in the Chicago suburbs, Mario Tricoci got the entrepreneurial bug at an early age, watching his parents revolutionize the salon world and invent the day spa concept. He saw what they created and wanted to emulate it, but with his own spin. When he opened the Simeone Deary Design Group-crafted Elysian hotel in Chicago in 2009, it changed the hospitality landscape as a refined luxury hote
Leslie Kale, Adam Goldstein, and Christian Schulz, Studio Collective
Studio Collective partners Leslie Kale, Adam Goldstein, and Christian Schulz founded their firm during the Great Recession. Though they started out to make ends meet, they soon found successful with cocktail lounge the Spare Room at the Hollywood Roosevelt before diving into hotels with the Landsby in Sylvan, California. Today, the trio leads a 20-person team, where they’ve expanded their portfoli
Julien Albertini, Asthetique
Growing up in Brooklyn, New York and then Long Island, Julien Albertini, cofounder of Asthetíque, was influenced by his architect father and his mother, who loved redecorating their home. He studied architecture and then finance, designing small projects around the city until he met his business partner, the Moscow-based designer Alina Pimkina. Their vision and goals aligned, and their design firm
Asher Warr and Robin Faulkner, Amarla
Childhood friends Asher Warr and Robin Faulkner, cofounders of Amarla Hotels, launched their first property in Cartagena in 2018. The 17th-century mansion, a former tobacco factory, celebrates the community via authentic experiences—a pillar of the newly founded brand. Next came Amarla Casco Viejo, the eight-room boutique that is reimagining Panama’s hospitality scene. The British entrepreneurs a
Ross Mollison, Spiegelworld
From an early age, the Melbourne-bred, New York-based Ross Mollison had a love for music and live entertainment. This nascent passion led him to launch Spiegelworld in 2005, known for its groundbreaking shows that blend cabaret, the circus, and variety performances.Under Mollison's leadership, Spiegelworld has become synonymous with cutting-edge, adult-oriented entertainment that pushes the b
Carlos M. Martínez Flórez, Gensler
Carlos Martínez Flórez, who left Cuba when he was 3 years old, spent his early years in Puerto Rico, where he developed a passion for reading and storytelling. He struggled in school but was always interested in architecture, which he pursued at the Ohio State University. He cut his teeth with Holabird & Root, the Doblin Group, and Perkins&Will before landing at Gensler in 2001. With more
Louis Thompson, Nomadic Resorts
Louis Thompson began his hospitality career working with Six Senses. While there, he learned about the importance of sustainability, innovation, and regeneration. In 2011, after 10 years with the wellness-focused brand, Thompson founded Nomadic Resorts. It was a natural next step for the entrepreneur, who was experimenting with crafting eco-friendly resorts in remote locales. Take the Wild Coast T
Iain Watson, David Collins Studio
Growing up in Scotland, surrounded by Glasgow's vibrant culture and architecture, Iain Watson, CEO of David Collins Studio, found his passion early on. A chance meeting with David Collins changed his life forever. He started working alongside the designer over the summer. Since that pivotal moment, spanning more than three decades, Watson has remained an integral part of the studio's evo
Maryellis Bunn, Museum of Ice Cream
Born in Laguna Beach, California, Maryellis Bunn, founder of the Museum of Ice Cream, was influenced by her artist mother, who shaped her creative mindset. Dubbed the Millennial Walt Disney, Bunn launched the original concept for the Museum of Ice Cream as a pop-up in New York in 2016, and has since transformed it into brick-and-mortar experiential spaces that invite people to slide into a pool ma
Ken Fulk
Designer Ken Fulk is a renaissance man, avid traveler, and a design dreamer. He’s known for his artistry and creativity, conjuring cinematic experiences that defy expectations. Take his longtime partnership with nightlife empresario David Grutman. Together, they have created the whimsical Goodtime Hotel and the recently opened, equally eclectic and singular, Casadonna, both in Miami. Fulk is also
Andy Goodwin and Tom Parker, Fettle
Tom Parker and Andy Goodwin founded the London- and Los Angeles-based Fettle in 2013 after a decade of working with some of London’s most notable design firms including United Designers and Martin Brudnizki Design Studio. Launching their own firm was the natural next step for the friends-turned-business partners. “At the time, it was very exciting and it felt like we were on the precipice of somet
Tolù Adẹ̀kọ́, Adẹ̀kọ́ & Co
British-Nigerian designer Tolù Adẹ̀kọ́, who founded his London-based Adẹ̀kọ́ & Co in 2014, is known for his compelling design narratives that nod to his childhood in Lagos, Nigeria. He moved to London at the age of 6, and it wasn’t long before Adẹ̀kọ́ started sketching furniture and clothing that caught the eye of his teachers and landed him a slot in a summer product design program led by Ter
Cobi Levy and Will Makris, Prince Street Hospitality
When COVID hit, Lola Taverna in New York’s SoHo neighborhood had only been open for a few months. The world had stopped, and Cobi Levy and Will Makris, the duo behind Prince Street Hospitality, had to pivot. They turned Lola Taverna into a communal gathering spot, offering takeout food with chairs to rent (the money went to first responders). Utilizing the park next door, they served up to 250 peo
Tina Edmundson, Marriott International
As president of luxury at Marriott International, Tina Edmundson oversees all aspects of Ritz-Carlton, Ritz-Carlton Reserve, BVLGARI Hotels & Resorts, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, EDITION, Luxury Collection, JW Marriott, and W Hotels Worldwide brands. But Edmundson, an industry veteran, first made a significant mark on the company as global brand and marketing officer, leading a portfolio o
Matt Kliegman, Authentic Hospitality
With a roster of venues including New York hotspots Ray’s, Jac’s on Bond, and Georgia Room, the trio behind Authentic Hospitality—Matt Kliegman, Matthew Charles, and Carlos Quirarte—have been reshaping New York’s F&B scene since they opened the Smile In 2009. One of those partners, Kliegman, started his party-planning career back at New York University (NYU) and his résumé speaks for itself. W
Emlyn Brown, Accor
With a father in the military, the Paris-based Emlyn Brown attended 13 schools over 18 years. During high school in Munich, he traveled constantly with his family, from Italy to Cyprus and Hong Kong. He graduated from the University of Manchester in the UK with a degree in leisure and sport, and furthered his education in the field by studying sport science and psychology. That led him to his firs
Linda Boronkay, Linda Boronkay Design Studio
Born in Budapest, the London-based Linda Boronkay was inspired by her architect father and her journalist mother. Indeed, her interest in design was piqued from an early age with the former model winning Britain’s Best Emerging Interior Designer award during her second year of college. That led to jobs with Martin Brudnizki, Tara Bernerd, and Woods Bagot. From there, she landed at Soho House, wher
Libby Sims Patrick (re-release)
In November 2023, Libby Sims Patrick will be inducted into Hospitality Design's Platinum Circle, an honor bestowed on those who have made significant impact and contributions to the hospitality industry. In February of 2022, Sims Patrick joined editor in chief Stacy Shoemaker Rauen for a wide-ranging conversation, where she reflected on her southern upbringing, launching her Atlanta-based fir
Andrew Fay and Roger Hill, The Gettys Group
Andrew Fay and Roger Hill met at Cornell University and became fast friends bonding over their shared passion for hospitality. In 1988, they took a leap of faith and founded the Gettys Group. It was a big risk at the time, but one that has paid off in the three-plus decades they’ve run the Chicago-based company as COO and CEO, respectively. Their work speaks for itself. Consider the Farnam Hotel’s
Malene Djenaba Barnett, Artist and BADG Founder
For Malene Djenaba Barnett, the common thread of her life's work is her ancestors, whom she pays homage to through her multidisciplinary pursuits. There's Barnett's textiles and ceramics work tied to the Black diaspora, her 2018 founding of the Black Artists + Designers Guild (BADG) to celebrate and support Black creatives, and her current studies as a Fulbright scholar where she is
Noah Tepperberg and Jason Strauss, Tao Group Hospitality
The Co-CEOS of Tao Group Hospitality share the unique distinction of being business partners and best friends. After meeting in high school, Tepperberg and Strauss started throwing parties which quickly evolved into larger events and an exclusive list of clientele. After graduating from college, they founded Strategic Group, opened gamechanging Manhattan nightclub Marquee, and eventually, met Marc
Meghann Day, HBA
After 17 years ascending the ranks of Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA), starting out as a designer before eventually becoming a partner, Meghann Day was recently promoted to President of the Americas. Although Day’s career has taken her all over the world and through different roles from designer to principal interior designer to her newly created position, one thing hasn’t changed—her love of hospi
Clint Nagata, BLINK
Clint Nagata founded BLINK Design Group with the goal to create a firm that would outlast him by placing the emphasis on the brand as a whole—and its work—rather than any one individual. Since 2006, Nagata and his team at BLINK Design Group have been reshaping the modern hospitality landscape together, crafting luxurious oases including Vietnam’s Regent Phu Quoc, Raffles Maldives Meradhoo Resort,
Kevin O'Shea and David Bowd, Salt Hotels
Partners in love and in life, Kevin O'Shea and David Bowd are the minds behind Salt Hotels. After walking their own paths in hospitality, with O'Shea cutting his teeth at Starwood Hotels and Resorts and Bowd working for hospitality heavyweights Andre Balazs and Ian Schrager, they set out on their own. What started as a small boutique hotel, Salt House Inn in Provincetown, Massachusetts h
Barbara Parker and Miriam Torres, Parker-Torres
Barbara Parker and Miriam Torres made their way into design independently but it wasn't long before they decided to go into business together, after a mutual colleague pointed out their complementary talents. In 2004, they founded their Boston-based firm Parker-Torres Design. Over the past 19 years, Parker and Torres have brought their visionary touches to a slate of renowned properties, inc
Helen Jorgensen, Host Hotels & Resorts
"You [have] to embrace change. Don't doubt it," says Helen Jorgensen, who would certainly know. Her nontraditional journey into the hospitality industry began with stints in government at the IRS and the NSA before she pivoted to roles at Marriott and Disney. Now, as the vice president of design and procurement at Host Hotels & Resorts, she helps instill a strong sense of place
Mark Zeff, MARKZEFF
Designer Mark Zeff's life changed in 1982 after boarding a flight bound for New York City from Australia. What was intended as a short trip soon stretched to three weeks, and before he knew it, New York was home. Spending glamorous nights at Studio 1954 and mingling with iconic creatives Andy Warhol and Anna Wintour, it wasn't long until he founded his namesake interior design and archit
Ian Rolston, Decanthropy
Wanting to combat burnout after stints at several high-profile firms, Barbados-born, Toronto-raised Ian Rolston set out on his own to found Decanthropy. Rather than bringing just another design studio to market, Rolston was fueled by his desire to remake design for the better. The "innovation studio", as he calls it embeds equity and inclusivity at every layer from people to processes
K.J. Hughes, Manifest
Entrepreneur K.J. Hughes has proven himself time and again, first cutting his teeth as a nightlife promoter before founding a sports and entertainment agency. His latest venture? Manifest, the Snarkitecture-designed, Washington, D.C.-based hybrid concept that spans a barbershop, speakeasy, coffee bar, and retail shop. No matter Hughes' pursuits, there's one constant—his persistence to b
Celebrating 100 Episodes
In this 100th episode clip show of Hospitality Design's What I've Learned podcast, editor in chief Stacy Shoemaker Rauen reflects on 100 fascinating guests, incredible stories, and thought-provoking lessons learned with past guests including Raul Leal, SH Hotels & Resorts; Brad Wilson, Ace Hotel Group; Venus Williams, V Starr; Ian Schrager, ISC; chef Daniel Boulud, Kia Weatherspoon,
Marcus Samuelsson (Re-Release)
In November, Marcus Samuelsson became the first chef to guest edit Hospitality Design magazine, and to celebrate, we're re-releasing his episode from August 2020. During the conversation, the prolific chef, restaurateur, and author discussed his career as well as the subject on everyone’s minds at the time—COVID and its impact on the industry. Since then, Samuelsson has opened Hav and Mar,
Michael Suomi, Suomi Design Works
Michael Suomi's multifaceted career in architecture and interior design has included stints with Jordan Mozer and Associates in Chicago to Stonehill Taylor in New York, where he worked for 15 years before going out on his own with the New York-based Suomi Design Works. His namesake firm's budding portfolio includes the Pelham Hotel in New Orleans and the forthcoming Radical hotel in Ashe
Kellie Sirna, Studio 11 Design
Born into a family of painters, musicians, and designers for Hallmark, and growing up in the art-centric city of Kansas City, Missouri, creativity was an encompassing part of Kellie Sirna's childhood. After pinpointing her passion for interiors and spending a decade at Duncan Miller, Sirna set out on her own. Her multifaceted firm, Studio 11 Design, which has offices in Austin, Dallas, and Ne
Amar Lalvani, Standard International
Amar Lalvani says, “You have to be bold at the right time.” Lalvani exemplifies his own advice with a career that has seen him working with some of the biggest names in hospitality. After studying business, Lalvani cut his teeth at Starwood Capital Group and Blackstone before landing at the Standard. Working alongside the brand's founder, André Balazs, Lalvani helmed its worldwide expansion—c
Corinna Kretschmar-Joehnk and Peter Joehnk, JOI Design
Intertwined by their love for design (and each other), Corinna Kretschmar-Joehnk and Peter Joehnk are the minds behind the Hamburg, Germany-based JOI Design. Together, they and their family-like team have designed more than 500 hotel projects around the world including Moxy Hamburg City in Germany and Il Salotto Wines & Resort in Italy. This episode is brought to you by Craft and Main. For mor
Victor Body Lawson, Body Lawson Associates
Born in Lagos, Nigeria to a family of entrepreneurs, Victor Body Lawson seemed destined to build something of his own. After moving to the states, he discovered his passion for architecture while studying at Montgomery College, Catholic University, and Columbia University and went on to found his firm Body Lawson Associates. A certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Body Lawson strives to hel
Tristan du Plessis, Tristan du Plessis Studio
Tristan du Plessis’ rise through the ranks of the design world has been meteoric, going from self-taught designer to partner at a firm to founding his namesake studio—all in less than 10 years. The South Africa native’s portfolio, which includes Rome’s Chapter Roma hotel and Gorgeous George in Cape Town, spans the globe.This episode is brought to you by Craft and Main. For more information, go to
Tina Norden, Conran and Partners
Tina Norden has built her career at the esteemed Conran and Partners since graduating from University of Westminster, joining the firm in 1997, and becoming a partner in 2016. A quote from founder Terence Conran—which Norden often cites—is “Good design improves people’s lives," a lens that guides her and her team in their work for visionary spaces like the Park Hyatt Auckland and The Peninsul
Little Wing Lee, Studio & Projects
After cutting her teeth in the interiors department at SOM and Atelier Ace, Little Wing Lee became part of the Exhibition Design Team for the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC. Now, the designer is busy helming her own firm, Studio & Projects, as well as overseeing Black Folks in Design, which she founded as a network for Black designers across multiple
Bill Walshe, Viceroy Hotel Group
Born in Limerick, Ireland, Bill Walshe’s passion for design has taken him all over the world—from Dubai, working for the Jumeirah Group to sunny Los Angeles, California where he serves as the CEO of Viceroy Hotel Group. No matter where he is, Walshe’s approach to hospitality stays the same. As he says: “My fundamental essence of hospitality is very simple. We’re human beings who make other human b
Kia Weatherspoon, Determined by Design
A champion of diversity and inclusion, Kia Weatherspoon founded Determined by Design 10 years ago with the belief that everyone deserves well-designed spaces. Together, they’ve created intimate, community-oriented projects including Uncle Bobbie’s Coffee & Books in Philadelphia, and multifamily housing units in Washington, DC, using what Weatherspoon calls Design Equity to create an elevated s
Lionel Ohayon, ICRAVE
Lionel Ohayon says "The most important thing you'll ever do is design your own path." Since founding ICRAVE in 2002, Ohayon has taken a transformative approach to design, integrating technology in spaces from hospitals to airports. After 20 years of award-winning work, ICRAVE has joined forces with Futures Intelligence Group and Skilled Creative to create Journey, a futurescaping co
Lisa Simeone and Gina Deary, KTGY Simeone Deary Design Group
Design duo Lisa Simeone and Gina Deary met while working at a firm in Chicago in the 1990s and became fast friends. Realizing they had a similar vision and passion for design, they took a leap of faith founding their own firm Simeone Deary Design Group in 2002. Their thoughtful approach can be seen in projects such as the Detroit Foundation Hotel and Hotel Kansas City—two historic buildings transf
Tom Dixon, Tom Dixon Studio
From learning how to weld for practical reasons to designing the iconic S-Chair for Cappellini to founding his eponymous label, Tom Dixon took an unconventional path to becoming one of Britain's most renowned designersThank you for listening! For more of our great interviews, find us at hospitalitydesign.com.
Roman Alonso, Commune Design
Before founding Los Angeles-based Commune Design in 2004, Roman Alonso let his curiosity lead the way. Following his affinity for art and design led to experiences working for Hearst magazines, Barney's, renowned fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi, and founding his own publishing company Greybull Press. Informed by his multifaceted career, Commune Design leads residential, commercial, and hospita
Susie Ellis, Global Wellness Institute
Before the term "wellness" became a buzzword and grew into the trillion-dollar industry it is today, Susie Ellis was championing the cause. In 2014, she founded the non-profit organization Global Wellness Institute dedicated to research and educating both public and private sectors about preventative health measures. As Chairman and CEO, Ellis also oversees the organization's annual
David Galullo, Rapt Studio
David Galullo roots himself in the idea of placemaking and how people use spaces to connect and build communities rather than the utilitarian side of architecture. It is with this lens, Galullo founded his multidisciplinary firm, Rapt Studio, where he has been pushing boundaries for clients from Goop to Google for the last ten years. When approaching projects, Galullo wants his team to question ev
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Lighting the Legal Career Path
High Performance Mindset | Learn from World-Class Leaders, Consultants, Athletes & Coaches about Mindset
Pintastic® Pinterest Podcast
Learn 50 English Phrases While You Sleep | Everyday English Phrases & Vocabulary
The Daily
The Joe Rogan Experience
World News Tonight with David Muir
Talk About Talk - Executive & Leadership Communication Skills
This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von
