Behind the Drapery Liz Levin

Today’s episode will be of particular interest to those of you looking to break into the design industry and land your first gig. My guest today is not only a wildly successful interior designer and entrepreneur in her own right, but she was also my very first hire when growing my own design business many years ago. 
Heather Safferstone is an Interior Designer known for her personalized approach to creating chic and happy spaces. Her style is a healthy mix of high-end to real steals, new, old, and everything in between. She’s especially drawn to items that build character and tell a story that reflects her clients and creates the spaces they love to be in. 
She has a friendly, approachable style and is often referred to as her clients’ Designer Bestie who magically balances function, form, and fun.
She began in the industry in 2007 in Washington, DC, and in 2016, she established Safferstone Interiors, a full-service design firm that designs high-end furnishings projects, large-scale renovations, and new custom builds for discerning homeowners. Her detail-oriented approach blends timeless appeal with color, pattern, and a few smart tricks to create layered spaces that are practical and meet the functional needs of her clients and their families. 
She has been featured in Philadelphia Magazine, Houzz, Small Space Decorating, DC Modern Luxury, and the Washington Post. Currently, she lives and operates her business in Bucks County, Pennsylvania with her family, servicing projects along the East Coast.
Safferstone Interiors & Design

The design voice of impact and change—Kia Weatherspoon has spent the last 15 years defying every design stereotype. The most damaging—that interior design is a luxury reserved for a few. Her voice, advocacy for Design Equity™, and design practice have shifted the narrative, making interior design a standard for all. Kia is challenging the lack of these standards in economically challenged communities. Her presence and leadership have created ripples, prompting housing developers, agencies, and industry partners in economically challenged communities to not just take notice of her work—but to do better.
As an advocate and educator in business leadership, equity, and diversity, Kia has been recognized as a HIP Designer for Good by Interior Design Magazine, a part of the Washington Business Journal’s 40 under 40 Class and the International Interior Design Association Luna Textile/Anna Hernandez Visionary Award recipient.
Kia is adamant change is possible when difficult conversations happen. She has them every day as a female leader of color, speaker, educator, and mentor who exemplifies what’s possible for those who are determined by design.
Kia is a force and her energy is contagious. I am grateful for her friendship and her time today and beyond excited to share her inspiring story with you. 

The design voice of impact and change—Kia Weatherspoon has spent the last 15 years defying every design stereotype. The most damaging—that interior design is a luxury reserved for a few. Her voice, advocacy for Design Equity™, and design practice have shifted the narrative, making interior design a standard for all. Kia is challenging the lack of these standards in economically challenged communities. Her presence and leadership have created ripples, prompting housing developers, agencies, and industry partners in economically challenged communities to not just take notice of her work—but to do better.
As an advocate and educator in business leadership, equity, and diversity, Kia has been recognized as a HIP Designer for Good by Interior Design Magazine, a part of the Washington Business Journal’s 40 under 40 Class and the International Interior Design Association Luna Textile/Anna Hernandez Visionary Award recipient.
Kia is adamant change is possible when difficult conversations happen. She has them every day as a female leader of color, speaker, educator, and mentor who exemplifies what’s possible for those who are determined by design.
Kia is a force and her energy is contagious. I am grateful for her friendship and her time today and beyond excited to share her inspiring story with you. 

I am so excited to continue my conversation with my good friend and colleague, Marika Meyer. We go way back and chat about how she broke into the design business, her expansive experience that led her to launch her own design firm and ultimately her own textiles and rug collections. We spill the tea! It's a lively chat. I'm glad you're here- let's jump in!
Textiles Created by Designers, for DesignersLaunched over five years ago, Marika Meyer Textiles is a go-to favorite for interior designers. Through rigorous testing to ensure quality, functionality, and longevity, our fabric and rugs are created to help provide a beautiful and uniquely practical tool for fellow designers in their role as the “Chief Problem Solver.”  With a simple process for creating custom pieces, we help designers to realize their client’s needs and aesthetics.
Today, anyone can bring a touch of timeless style and iconic imagery into their home with our fabrics.  Available in distinctive colors, patterns, and textures, available by the yard or as pillows, our textiles are designed to fit every need. 
Check out the links below for our episode references across the board!
Thibaut TanzaniaHive CollectiveSFC Home - Sustainable Furnishings CouncilFABSCRAPStudio — Marika Meyer

I am delighted to share my conversation with my good friend and colleague, Marika Meyer. We go way back and chat about how she broke into the design business, her expansive experience that led her to launch her own design firm Marika Meyer Studio, and ultimately her own textile and rug collections. We spill the tea! It's a lively chat. I'm glad you're here- let's jump in!
Textiles Created by Designers, for DesignersLaunched over five years ago, Marika Meyer Textiles is a go-to favorite for interior designers. Through rigorous testing to ensure quality, functionality, and longevity, our fabric and rugs are created to help provide a beautiful and uniquely practical tool for fellow designers in their role as the “Chief Problem Solver.”  With a simple process for creating custom pieces, we help designers to realize their clients’ needs and aesthetics.
Today, anyone can bring a touch of timeless style and iconic imagery into their home with our fabrics.  Available in distinctive colors, patterns, and textures, available by the yard or as pillows, our textiles are designed to fit every need. 
Studio — Marika Meyer
The Business of Design: Balancing Creativity with Profitability on Amazon

Meet Deborah DiMare
Deborah is a renowned interior design consultant, author, educator and pioneer of the ethical/wellness design movement. She has been executing beautiful living and sensory environments that contribute to the mental and physical health and well being of people and the protection of animals and the planet for nearly 20 years. Her company, DiMare Design, is the only 100% cruelty-free design consulting firm specializing in the creation of organic, optimal spaces, and sourcing vegan textiles and sustainable furniture that bear zero-to-low toxins
Deborah also heads VeganDesign org, where she educates consumers and designers about humane & healthy design through virtual courses, a blog and a full online shop of cruelty free, vegan and low toxin furniture, décor & curated spaces.
Deborah is showing the world that less toxic, healthier, durable and luxurious faux alternatives can easily replace wool, fur, leather & other animal derived materials. She believes in designing sensory environments free from tragedy and despair.
Only good, healthy, clean energy should be had in all spaces!
Her expertise has been featured in Architectural Digest, The Hollywood Reporter, Forbes, Better Homes & Garden, Real Simple, Dezeen, Live Kindly, Veg News and The Today Show to name a few. Deborah proudly serves on the board of Farm Sanctuary and is a PETA Approved Business.
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