Behind the Drapery Liz Levin

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.
Coupon code to course is LIZLEVINFIFTY for 50% off 

Hello friend. Today you’re in for a treat as I welcome my dear friend and design superstar, Lauren Liess. 
When I met Lauren 13 years ago while neighbors at the DC Design House, I loved her immediately. She radiates positivity, has endless energy (like, religiously writing her blog at 5am while her toddlers slept) and has that magical X factor you can’t quite put your finger on. 
As her design stardom grew, through her books, product lines, HGTV show and real estate endeavors, her authenticity and clear point of view in design stayed strong. She’s a beauty inside and out and a lovely friend and colleague that I feel lucky to have kept in touch with over the years as our careers evolved and sometimes overlapped in moments we could catch up and high-five each other.
Her design philosophy is not only about embracing imperfection but celebrating it. It's raw, rediscovered, handmade, and homegrown—she believes home is a place where your story is woven into every worn edge. It embodies her belief that meaning and contentment aren't bought or achieved but cultivated.
It’s a celebration of living each day intentionally, savoring the little things in life: a homemade meal, a bouquet of foraged flowers, a freshly made bed, or dancing in the kitchen. Home is a place that reminds her to slow down, let go, and be. 
So dear listeners, if you don’t already know and love Lauren Liess, get ready to be inspired. Similar to her 3, soon to be 4, beautifully written and insightful books we get into design, living, evolving in our careers and even seed oils. Yep. You are in for a treat. Without further ado- let’s jump into our next episode of Behind the Drapery with my guest Lauren Liess. 
Down to Earth: Laid-back Interiors for Modern Living - By Lauren LiessLauren Liess | Interior Design

Hello friend. Today you’re in for a treat as I welcome my dear friend and design superstar, Lauren Liess. 
When I met Lauren 13 years ago while neighbors at the DC Design House, I loved her immediately. She radiates positivity, has endless energy (like, religiously writing her blog at 5am while her toddlers slept) and has that magical X factor you can’t quite put your finger on. 
As her design stardom grew, through her books, product lines, HGTV show and real estate endeavors, her authenticity and clear point of view in design stayed strong. She’s a beauty inside and out and a lovely friend and colleague that I feel lucky to have kept in touch with over the years as our careers evolved and sometimes overlapped in moments we could catch up and high-five each other.
Her design philosophy is not only about embracing imperfection but celebrating it. It's raw, rediscovered, handmade, and homegrown—she believes home is a place where your story is woven into every worn edge. It embodies her belief that meaning and contentment aren't bought or achieved but cultivated.
It’s a celebration of living each day intentionally, savoring the little things in life: a homemade meal, a bouquet of foraged flowers, a freshly made bed, or dancing in the kitchen. Home is a place that reminds her to slow down, let go, and be. 
So dear listeners, if you don’t already know and love Lauren Liess, get ready to be inspired. Similar to her 3, soon to be 4, beautifully written and insightful books we get into design, living, evolving in our careers and even seed oils. Yep. You are in for a treat. Without further ado- let’s jump into our next episode of Behind the Drapery with my guest Lauren Liess. 
Down to Earth: Laid-back Interiors for Modern Living - By Lauren LiessThe Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ckLauren Liess | Interior Design