Hot Young Designers Club | Interior Design Business Podcast

Hot Young Designers Club
  • 4.8 (126)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

They're not that hot, or that young - but hosts Rebecca Plumb (Studio Plumb) and Shaun Crha (Wrensted Interiors) spill the tea every week on how a new generation of interior designers run their business. Join a community exploring the emotional, practical, and humorous side of the interior design business.

  1. 3d ago

    185: That's a Wrap on Society

    Rebecca and Shaun catch up on the invisible work behind creative businesses and everyday life—from recovering after an intense project push to building routines that support mental health without falling into hustle culture. They explore the difference between discipline and consistency, the value of rest, emotional check-ins, and why sustainable habits often work better when they are quiet rather than performative. The conversation moves into the realities of managing interior design construction projects, communicating renovation timelines, selecting durable terrazzo materials, and deciding what historic details can realistically be preserved. They also dream up a better inspiration platform for interior designers before spiraling into Pinterest, artificial intelligence, virtual influencers, and AI-generated music—and ultimately deciding it may be a wrap on society. In this episode they discuss: Recovering from burnout, “bonking,” and the guilt that can come with taking time to restWhy consistency may be a healthier and more sustainable goal than disciplineCreating flexible morning routines that support creativity, movement, and mental healthUsing emotional check-ins to communicate more clearly with clients and contractorsManaging client expectations during demolition, flooring installation, and disruptive home renovationsChoosing resin terrazzo and other durable interior design materials without sacrificing visual interestPreserving vintage homes and architectural details while recognizing when something can no longer be savedImagining a curated inspiration platform for interior designers—and questioning the future of Pinterest, AI influencers, and AI-generated music Our links: Subscribe and leave a review - Apple PodcastsLike, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club InstagramRebecca’s InstagramShaun’s InstagramFor more information - Check out the websiteBecome a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on PatreonDesign Resources - Check out our shop

  2. Jul 10

    184: Permission to Break the Streak

    When does a productive habit stop serving you and start feeling like another obligation? Shaun and Rebecca unpack that question after Rebecca reveals she may abandon her 741-day Duolingo streak. Their conversation explores sunk-cost thinking, the pressure of maintaining streaks, and why letting go can create space for habits that genuinely improve your life and business. Before granting Rebecca permission to break the streak, they catch up on the realities of running an interior design business—from catching a costly furniture measurement issue before production to building financial buffers for inevitable mistakes. They also discuss Programa workflows, Schoolhouse joining Hudson Valley Lighting Group, natural bark wall panels, traditional vetiver cooling screens, and how CliftonStrengths can help designers spend more time in their zone of genius. In this episode they discuss: Planning the Hot Young Designers Club Mexico City trip and creating meaningful community for interior designersCatching furniture and cabinetry measurement conflicts before they become expensive installation problemsBuilding “oops” money into your interior design pricing, margins, and business accountsUsing Programa to organize specifications, construction documents, attachments, and purchasing responsibilitiesWhat the Schoolhouse and Hudson Valley Lighting Group partnership could mean for product development and designer pricingRebecca’s 741-day Duolingo streak and recognizing when consistency has become an obligationEscaping sunk-cost thinking and giving yourself permission to release habits, relationships, or systems that no longer serve youUsing CliftonStrengths to understand your natural talents, fill gaps on your team, and work within your zone of genius Our links: Subscribe and leave a review - Apple PodcastsLike, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club InstagramRebecca’s InstagramShaun’s InstagramFor more information - Check out the websiteBecome a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on PatreonDesign Resources - Check out our shop

  3. Jul 3

    183: Why We Can't Have Nice Things

    In this episode, Shaun and Rebecca dig into the art of having, styling, photographing, and protecting beautiful interiors. They start with the emotional intelligence of delivering client news, then move into the creative direction behind Shaun’s upcoming project photo shoot and how designers can create portfolio images that feel lived-in, layered, and aligned with their brand. They also talk about why styling budgets matter, how to help clients understand the cost of “finished,” and what happens when people want nice homes but don’t always want to invest in or care for the final details. From bookcase styling and branded client gifts to viral stories about people stealing restaurant butter dishes and basketball trash cans, this episode is a funny and practical conversation about why interior designers really can’t have nice things. In this episode they discuss: Why tone and emotional intelligence matter when delivering client updatesHow Shaun is planning the creative direction for an upcoming interior design photo shootStyling interiors to feel layered, lived-in, editorial, and story-drivenWhy designers may need to bring in furniture, accessories, art, and props to get the right portfolio photosHow to explain styling budgets and the true cost of a finished home to clientsUsing brand strategy and ideal client profiles as a compass for photo shoots and business decisionsCreating signature client gifts, like branded floral arrangements or local treatsWhy caring for beautiful things is part of the lifestyle designers are helping clients create Our links: Subscribe and leave a review - Apple PodcastsLike, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club InstagramRebecca’s InstagramShaun’s InstagramFor more information - Check out the websiteBecome a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on PatreonDesign Resources - Check out our shop

  4. Jun 26

    182: Blanding, branding, and tech stacks - oh my!

    Shaun and Rebecca are back for a classic Hot Young Designers Club catch-up, diving into the increasingly bland world of modern branding, the tension between creative identity and trend-chasing, and how interior designers can avoid losing personality in their own brands. They talk about “blanding,” luxury fashion logos, Canva-looking design identities, and why your branding needs to support—not flatten—your creative work. They also get deep into the operational side of running an interior design business: construction documents, redlines, return clients, spec sheets, software fatigue, and the never-ending quest for the perfect interior design tech stack. From Studio Designer and Programa to Harvest, Gusto, Dubsado, Basecamp, and client-facing systems, this episode is full of real talk about what it takes to keep projects organized as your studio grows. In this episode they discuss: Why so many major brands are moving toward minimal, sans-serif “blanding”How interior designers can keep their branding from feeling generic or disconnected from their workThe value of happy accidents during drafting, renderings, and creative collaborationWhy construction documents, redlines, and spec sheets can feel so mentally demandingThe benefits of working with return clients who already trust your processHow Shaun and Rebecca are evaluating software, systems, and tech stacks for interior design businessesThe challenge of creating a client-facing hub that keeps invoices, proposals, action items, and project documents organizedEarly plans for a potential Hot Young Designers Club group travel experience Our links: Subscribe and leave a review - Apple PodcastsLike, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club InstagramRebecca’s InstagramShaun’s InstagramFor more information - Check out the websiteBecome a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on PatreonDesign Resources - Check out our shop

  5. Jun 19

    181: I guess we're making project yearbooks now?

    In this episode, Shaun and Rebecca catch up on summer schedules, parenting, old photos, and the strange feeling of realizing how much of our lives has been documented somewhere. That leads them into a bigger conversation about memory, storytelling, and how interior designers can capture the deeper meaning behind the homes they create. They also dig into industry changes, including Pooky Lighting being acquired by Visual Comfort, the challenges of buying from vendors as interior designers, and why designers need to keep educating clients on craft, quality, and the human story behind furnishings. Then, in true Hot Young Designers Club fashion, they build an entire new client experience idea in real time: a project “yearbook” or home storybook that documents the process, the people, the sourcing stories, the funny renovation moments, and the emotional history of a finished project. In this episode they discuss: How summer schedules, parenting seasons, and changing family dynamics affect work and daily lifeWhy documenting homes, childhood rooms, and personal spaces can become meaningful laterThe weird nostalgia of old party photos, VHS tapes, club photographers, and early internet documentationPooky Lighting’s acquisition by Visual Comfort and what corporate ownership can mean for beloved design brandsWhy interior designers need vendors, trade programs, and manufacturers that actually support the design industryHow storytelling helps clients understand the value of custom furniture, vintage pieces, traditional upholstery, and artisan-made goodsThe idea of creating a project yearbook, home storybook, or client keepsake after a design project wrapsWhy local design communities, regional magazines, and city planning should pay more attention to residential interiors and creative industries Our links: Subscribe and leave a review - Apple PodcastsLike, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club InstagramRebecca’s InstagramShaun’s InstagramFor more information - Check out the website

  6. Jun 12

    180: Hema Persad Is Uncompromising About Mediocrity in Her Life and Her Design Business, Sagrada Studio

    In this episode, Shaun and Rebecca sit down with Hema Persad, founder and principal designer of Sagrada Studio, a Los Angeles-based interior design firm creating layered, personal, and highly intentional residential and commercial spaces. Hema shares how she moved from law to celebrity styling to interior design, and how each chapter shaped the way she runs her studio today. Hema gets candid about building a luxury interior design business, creating tiered service offerings, managing client expectations, outsourcing strategically, working with contractors, and refusing to tolerate mediocrity in her team, her process, or her life. This conversation is packed with honest interior design business advice for designers who want stronger boundaries, better systems, and a more profitable studio. In this episode they discuss: How Hema transitioned from attorney to celebrity stylist to founder of Sagrada StudioWhy outsourcing CAD drawings and low-value tasks can help interior designers focus on higher-level workThe difference between full-service interior design, consultations, and smaller client offeringsHow Hema is building a three-tier design business with The Expert, in-studio consultations, and white glove full service designWhy showing too much behind-the-scenes process can undermine a luxury client experienceHow designers can manage client expectations around delays, procurement, contractors, and scope creepWhy people pleasing does not serve clients, teams, or interior design business ownersHow Hema structures her team around design, procurement, and project execution to improve accountability Mentioned: Hema Persad on InstagramSagrada Studio on InstagramSagrada Studio’s Website Our links: Subscribe and leave a review - Apple PodcastsLike, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club InstagramRebecca’s InstagramShaun’s InstagramFor more information - Check out the website

  7. Jun 5

    179: Stay the Course, Focusing on the Right Projects

    In this episode of Hot Young Designers Club, Shaun Crha and Rebecca Plum talk about what it really looks like to stay committed to the business changes you’ve made, even when the right interior design projects take time to show up. From refining inquiry workflows to trusting your instincts with potential clients, they dig into the behind-the-scenes decisions that help interior designers build more profitable and sustainable businesses. They also discuss how client proposals, payment processes, and service boundaries evolve as your design business grows. Shaun shares how he’s testing new proposal systems for full-service interior design clients, while Rebecca talks through lead qualification, Dubsado workflows, wire transfers, and why choosing the right projects often means saying no to the ones that no longer fit. In this episode they discuss: Updates on a potential HYDC designer retreat or inspiration trip in 2027How Rebecca is navigating summer schedules, family changes, and her husband’s upcoming retirementUsing Dubsado to manage interior design inquiries, client onboarding, canned emails, and schedulingThe difference between consultation-only leads and full-service interior design prospectsWhy reviewing proposals live with clients can build trust and uncover objections earlyHow to stay the course when you’ve changed your services, pricing, or ideal project typeWhy designers should prepare professional wire transfer instructions for larger client paymentsThe importance of choosing projects that align with the type of interior design business you actually want to run Our links: Subscribe and leave a review - Apple PodcastsLike, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club InstagramRebecca’s InstagramShaun’s InstagramFor more information - Check out the websiteSign up for our Hotties on Holiday List

  8. May 29

    178: Someone needs to start a Design Detail Database

    Shaun and Rebecca are back with a winding, very Hot Young Designers Club conversation about mindset, merch, aging textiles, sleep pillows, old design magazines, and the eternal hunt for better interior design inspiration. What starts as a chat about energy, time, and side quests turns into a bigger discussion about how interior designers can find more original references outside of Pinterest, Instagram, and the current design algorithm. In this episode, they explore why designers need a better way to collect and share the tiny design details that make a project special: trim profiles, upholstery edges, tile miters, cornices, window casings, and all the little construction and styling details that rarely make it into portfolio photography. In this episode they discuss: Using mindset shifts to feel less trapped by time and business owner overwhelmRebecca’s Studio Plumb merch side quest, including custom note cards, tote bags, and hatsHow vintage sellers, rug makers, and designers use sun fading, patina, and age as part of the design storyWhy Shaun is pulling back from Pinterest and looking for older, less current design inspirationHow old shelter magazines, travel photos, architecture books, and nature references can lead to more original interior design conceptsThe problem with Pinterest search, ads, and algorithms when designers need very specific detail referencesTheir dream for a searchable design detail database full of trim, upholstery, tile, millwork, window treatment, and construction inspirationRebecca’s upcoming home projects, including reworking her daughter’s closet, flooring, hallway, doors, and possible wallpaper moments Mentioned: Sleep Crown - https://www.sleepcrown.com/MOO Note Cards - https://www.moo.com/us/notecards-oldHôtel Weekend - https://www.hotel-weekend.com/Schumacher Trims - https://schumacher.com/catalog/3 Our links: Subscribe and leave a review - Apple PodcastsLike, Comment, & Follow - Hot Young Designers Club InstagramRebecca’s InstagramShaun’s InstagramFor more information - Check out the websiteBecome a “Loyal Hottie” - Support us on PatreonDesign Resources - Check out our shop

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4.8
out of 5
126 Ratings

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They're not that hot, or that young - but hosts Rebecca Plumb (Studio Plumb) and Shaun Crha (Wrensted Interiors) spill the tea every week on how a new generation of interior designers run their business. Join a community exploring the emotional, practical, and humorous side of the interior design business.

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