Beyond the Design

Cray Bauxmont-Flynn
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  • Design
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Step into the captivating world of design with Beyond the Design. Unveiling the untold stories and shedding light on the real heroes shaping the industry, this podcast goes beyond the glamour to explore the journeys, experiences, and profound insights of visionary leaders. Each episode ignites a sense of curiosity, delving into the intersection of living in a creative atmosphere and tackling the industry's most pressing issues. Prepare to be inspired as we engage with today's foremost practitioners, including renowned designers, architects, manufacturers, emerging brands, and influential tastemakers. Their wisdom will quench your thirst for design and empower you to forge connections and embrace transformative ideas. From the realms of architecture, interior design, furniture, and urban planning to the intricacies of creativity and visionary perspectives, Beyond the Design covers an expansive range of topics. As a devoted design enthusiast, you'll find a treasure trove of inspiration here. Join us as we pull back the curtain and hear firsthand from the trailblazers of the design industry. Discover their thoughts on the ever-evolving landscape of creativity, emerging trends, sustainability, and their own personal narratives. Get ready to embark on a journey of profound insights and positive disruption in the world of design.

  1. Jun 19

    Spaces That Breathe with Lauren Thomsen

    Lauren Thomsen’s profound connection to architectural environments began with a deeply formative childhood event when she was just seven years old. After her family made the decision to relocate, a young Lauren found herself sitting in the back of her mother's realtor's car, completely mesmerized as they toured a wide array of houses. Walking through those highly varied layouts, she experienced an architectural epiphany, intensely imagining the entirely different types of lives she might live within each distinct boundary. This early realization that spatial layout directly dictates the quality of human life established a permanent lane that she would follow into her adult career. Before gaining the confidence to launch her own independent firm, Lauren pursued a rigorous academic path and built a strong foundation inside prestigious, high-stakes design studios. She describes her years spent working under established mentors as an invaluable phase where she learned the complex operational realities of translating abstract blueprints into physical structures. However, as she sharpened her technical skills, she increasingly felt a strong internal push to express her own unique, holistic design language—one that favored soulful intention and longevity over fast-paced corporate execution. This desire for creative alignment ultimately led to the founding of Philadelphia-based Lauren Thomsen Design. For Lauren, stepping into entrepreneurship was not driven by individual vanity, but by a necessity to craft a practice that could seamlessly blend rigorous architectural discipline with an empathetic understanding of her clients' personal narratives. Her journey stands as a powerful masterclass for emerging designers, illustrating how a pure childhood fascination with spatial possibilities can mature into a celebrated, forward-looking architectural studio.

    48 min

  2. Jun 12

    Scott Hudson on Henrybuilt, Master Carpentry, and Whole-House Engineering

    Scott Hudson’s creative lineage is deeply rooted in American craftsmanship, carrying the name of his grandfather, Henry, who was originally a farmer turned carpenter-builder. Growing up on a piece of land that had been split across generations of his family, Scott was raised by his mother and his grandfather just five miles down the road. Beginning at the young age of twelve, Scott spent his summers laboring alongside his grandfather—doing everything from repairing weathered barn roofs and building fences to laying structural concrete foundations. This early immersion in the trade instilled in Scott a foundational understanding of raw materials and spatial geometry, effectively embedding a passion for building into his DNA. Alongside this technical training was a rich domestic culture anchored by a massive two-acre garden, cattle, and a grandmother who was an exceptional cook. This environment taught Scott to view the kitchen not as an isolated showroom, but as a hard-working, vibrant extension of agricultural life and family sustenance, a perspective that would later shape his corporate trajectory. After transitioning through diverse intellectual pursuits—including studying creative writing, working in literature, and entering the fast-paced corporate tech sector during the dot-com boom—Scott returned to his foundational roots. In 2001, he combined his grandfather's legacy of rigorous manual execution with his own refined corporate insights to launch Henrybuilt. From its humble origins, the company has grown into a major force in high-end design, proving that a deep-seated respect for ancestral utility can revolutionize modern luxury living.

    48 min

  3. Jun 5

    Outlining the Human Space with Laura Tribbett

    Laura Tribbett’s evolutionary path into interior design had a remarkably early and structured beginning in the public school system of suburban Twin Cities, Minnesota. In the mid-1990s, a fourth-grade school assignment requiring graph paper and a scaled cardboard model house sparked a lifelong fascination with space planning. Growing up in a household with a one-story layout, a young Laura designed a two-story miniature cabin with a dramatic opening overlooking the main floor—an architectural element that represented the ultimate luxury in her eyes. This formative cardboard project established a clear lane that she would eagerly follow into adulthood. As the youngest of three siblings, Laura enjoyed a high degree of creative autonomy within her home. Her parents, who balanced careers as musicians and language and math teachers, gave her free rein to experiment, allowing her to constantly rearrange her furniture and explore 1990s trends like sponge painting and wallpaper borders. This self-directed exploration was heavily supplemented by consuming shelter magazines and racing home from school to absorb the transformative—and sometimes wildly chaotic—episodes of early home improvement television programs like TLC's Trading Spaces. While she pursued interior design as her core major in college, Laura candidly acknowledges that her real education only truly commenced upon stepping into professional high-stakes work environments. She sharpened her skills across the industry before taking the leap to launch her own firm. Intentionally naming the venture "Outline Interiors" rather than utilizing her own name, she aimed to establish a highly collaborative environment focused on collective, beautiful execution rather than individual vanity. Her path highlights how a blend of early public educational opportunities and a passion for spatial puzzle-solving can build a lasting legacy.

    39 min

  4. May 29

    The Design Alchemist, the journey of Marcel Wanders

    Marcel Wanders' journey into the world of creation began long before he or the world around him even had a word for "design". Growing up in the Netherlands, where his parents ran a local shop, a young Marcel found his sanctuary in a backroom filled with broken items. Armed with just a hammer and a few screwdrivers at three or four years old, he would enthusiastically unscrew objects to study how they were made. He began gluing these pieces together to craft little sculptural fidgets as gifts for visiting aunts, discovering early on the intoxicating power of extracting a joyous, emotional reaction through handmade objects. This early instinct evolved into a deeply personal design philosophy centered on the concept of the "ultimate gift". Marcel realized that a truly great creation must feel intimately customized for the recipient while remaining unmistakably reflective of the giver's unique identity. This guiding principle ultimately anchored his professional life, driving him to view every commercial product and immersive interior space as a medium to celebrate and deepen the relationship between himself and his audience. The trajectory of his career changed forever with the 1996 debut of the iconic Knotted Chair, a piece that seamlessly fused handcrafted magic with technical innovation. Shortly thereafter, Marcel co-founded the globally renowned design brand Moooi alongside Casper Vissers, transforming a local Amsterdam lampshade venture into a premier launchpad for vanguard design talent. Today, having famously closed his massive powerhouse studio three years ago to embark on a solo path of rediscovery, Marcel looks back at his decades of work not as a series of shifting styles, but as a singular, organically growing philosophy.

    54 min

  5. May 22

    The Editorial Eye: Michelle Morgan Harrison on Fashion, Ground-Up Construction, and Timeless Interiors

    Michelle Morgan Harrison’s creative trajectory began not in design studios, but in the fast-paced world of 1990s print fashion journalism. An intersectional internship between her junior and senior years of college at Elle magazine introduced her to legendary industry giants like Marion McEvoy and Rona Berg. After completing her degree in magazine journalism at Syracuse University, she transitioned into a full-time career in the fashion capitol ecosystem. Her early professional years were defined by old-school curation, starting as the wardrobe manager for Mirabella magazine under the iconic Grace Mirabella. Working in the fashion closets handling couture dresses and traveling across Europe to cover runway shows alongside visionary creative directors, Michelle developed a keen instinct for predicting cultural shifts. During the height of the mid-90s "British Invasion," she was running up five flights of stairs in London to help spot and support emerging talents like Alexander McQueen. The transition into interior architecture happened organically as Michelle rose to become the fashion director at Mirabella, where she began managing holistic home and lifestyle photo shoots. After a brief stint directing corporate editorial work for Saks, her passion for historical home restoration took center stage. Shortly after relocating to Connecticut and giving birth to her second child, neighbors began knocking on her door to ask about her exterior paint colors and light fixtures—a sign that inspired her to officially launch her own design firm Morgan Harrison Home in 2006.

    54 min

  6. May 15

    Susan Weiss: Curation, Craftsmanship, and the Art of the Architectural Journey

    Susan Weiss’s career is a masterclass in how early environments shape creative destinies. Growing up the daughter of Harold Bailey—an architect, avid collector, and adventurer—Susan was immersed in a world where design was not just a profession, but a lifestyle. She describes this early exposure as "intravenous," suggesting that while she didn't realize she was being shaped at the time, the appreciation for craftsmanship and the stories behind objects became part of her DNA. Her father’s approach to collecting was never about the mere possession of "things"; it was about the journey, the people met along the way, and the process of refurbishing and sharing those pieces. This foundational philosophy led Susan into the world of luxury curation, eventually leading her to play a pivotal role in the development of Net-a-Porter’s furniture and home divisions. She learned early on that a piece of furniture is a living history, carrying the fingerprints of those who created it and those who lived with it before. Today, Susan reflects on her journey from a curious child watching her father refurbish antiques to becoming a leading voice in high-end curation. She discusses how her background in art history and her inherent "processor" personality allowed her to bridge the gap between architectural structure and the fluid beauty of interior objects. Her story is a testament to the power of observation and the importance of honoring one's creative lineage while forging a unique professional path.

    53 min

  7. May 8

    From HGTV to High-End Design: The Evolution of Britany Simon

    Britany Simon’s path to interior design was paved early on, influenced by her father’s career as a residential developer. As a child, she was constantly building and decorating homes for her Legos and Polly Pockets, showing clear signs of her future career. Though she briefly considered architecture and fashion in high school, she ultimately returned to her primary passion of interior design. Her early professional years were spent on the construction side of residential development, where she assisted clients in picking finishes for new builds. However, she found herself yearning for more creative fulfillment, as she rarely saw these projects through to completion. This desire led her to audition for HGTV’s Design Star on a whim, a move that proved to be her "first big break". Appearing on television was a pivotal moment that transformed her business. After the show aired, she began receiving calls from clients she didn't know, allowing her to transition from working with friends and family to taking her company to a professional level. Since 2004, she has built a career defined by transformation and a deep love for textiles and creativity.

    36 min

  8. May 1

    Jamie Drake: 40 Years of Bold Color, Philanthropy, and Iconic Design

    Jamie Drake describes his aesthetic in a single sentence as "urbane, sophisticated, energetic, visually intriguing, and always has a touch of wit". His professional philosophy is driven by a balance between his creative and entrepreneurial sides, ensuring he remains a "chameleon" who can adapt to changing trends—from the vibrant, saturated colors he was first known for to the more neutral, gray palettes favored by clients in the last decade. Tactically, Jamie designs rooms to include "visual exclamation points". He believes that when entering a space, your eye should immediately land on a strong, bold, or tall piece at the far end. From there, the composition should guide the eye to discover additional interesting elements throughout the room, creating an experiential narrative. He emphasizes that spaces need "room to breathe," and he carefully guides clients in selecting art with composition and balance in mind. This process extends beyond interiors and into product design for furniture, lighting, and carpets. Jamie explains that while product design is simpler in focus—creating a single object—it comes with unique manufacturing limitations and high setup costs compared to interior decoration. Whether he is designing a bathroom faucet for THG or a sprawling oceanfront property, his work is guided by core principles of scale, texture, and program.

    50 min
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About

Step into the captivating world of design with Beyond the Design. Unveiling the untold stories and shedding light on the real heroes shaping the industry, this podcast goes beyond the glamour to explore the journeys, experiences, and profound insights of visionary leaders. Each episode ignites a sense of curiosity, delving into the intersection of living in a creative atmosphere and tackling the industry's most pressing issues. Prepare to be inspired as we engage with today's foremost practitioners, including renowned designers, architects, manufacturers, emerging brands, and influential tastemakers. Their wisdom will quench your thirst for design and empower you to forge connections and embrace transformative ideas. From the realms of architecture, interior design, furniture, and urban planning to the intricacies of creativity and visionary perspectives, Beyond the Design covers an expansive range of topics. As a devoted design enthusiast, you'll find a treasure trove of inspiration here. Join us as we pull back the curtain and hear firsthand from the trailblazers of the design industry. Discover their thoughts on the ever-evolving landscape of creativity, emerging trends, sustainability, and their own personal narratives. Get ready to embark on a journey of profound insights and positive disruption in the world of design.

Information

  • Creator
    Cray Bauxmont-Flynn
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    114
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Cray Bauxmont-Flynn
  • Show Website
    Beyond the Design

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