<p>Ellen Bennett likes to speak in mantras. As founder and CEO of apron and kitchen accessories company Hedley &amp; Bennett, Ellen has had an incredibly inspiring path to success. Her new book, <em>Dream First, Details Later: How to Quit Overthinking &amp; Make It Happen!,</em> is for all the entrepreneurs out there who have dared to dream. It’s a fresh take on a business book, crafted with the tone of your friend giving you a pep talk, and it’s packed with sage advice, vibrant illustrations, and frank and honest accounts of her own journey.</p> <p>Among other things, Ellen is a talented chef and organizer. And during the pandemic, Hedley &amp; Bennett has sold and donated hundreds of thousands of masks to date. You always learn something when you talk to Ellen, and her passions run <em>deep</em>. I’m so excited to share my conversation with Ellen with all of you.</p>

<p>JJ Martin has created a brand and a life that radiate color. Her expressive collection, La DoubleJ, includes ready-to-wear, accessories, home, bedding, and tabletop. It is a dynamic reflection of JJ’s life in Italy <em>and</em> the evolution of her very personal journey to success.</p> <p>She launched her business from Milan, selling vintage fashion and accessories, alongside her career as an American journalist reporting on fashion, design, and travel for a hit list of the best international publications. With an incredible eye for all things vintage and <em>also</em> color-driven, JJ’s collection is joyful and accessible.</p> <p>In May JJ debuted a fabulous collaboration with Ladurée, including a tea set, apron, and dessert plate adorned with a spectacular tree of life motif. Plus she opened her very first La DoubleJ shop in Milan. More recently, she has incorporated her spiritual practice into her brand, and today we explore how all these things are impacting her collection, the perfect calming pink in her living room, and how to truly hunt for vintage—without breaking the bank. I’m so excited to share my conversation with JJ with all of you.</p>

<p>Carmeon Hamilton has had a big year: winning HGTV’s <em>Design Star: Next Gen,</em> landing her own TV show, and taking on so many exciting new projects with her interior clients and brands. Big green energy and plants are a huge part of Carmeon’s work—she incorporates them into almost every project, and on- and offscreen she creates spaces that are personal, layered, highly curated, <em>and</em> alive! At the core of her design practice, Nubi Interiors, is the passion for creating spaces that are a true reflection of how you live, what you value, and what makes you feel good. Her exciting new television concept is all about stylish and smart solutions for renters and how to shop for your home in a way that is thoughtful and accessible. Carmeon is hugely influenced by her favorite design hotels and her hometown of Memphis. Add to that interiors that exude joy and her love for deep shades of green. Her power and positivity feel so right for this moment.</p>

<p>Joy Cho of Oh Joy! is a graphic designer, author, product designer, O.G. lifestyle blogger, Pinterest super-influencer, and Domino’s Summer issue cover star. Her Los Angeles home, built from the ground up, was years in the making—a collection of buildings that includes a dreamy A-frame house that serves as a hybrid creative space, photo studio, and guest quarters for visiting friends and family. Known for a signature aesthetic that leans on color-blocking, pattern, whimsy, and bold creativity, Joy has partnered with big-name brands such as Target, Keds, and Anthropologie to help bring her style to scale. Add to that impressive résumé author, social influencer, brand ambassador, and overall creative cheerleader. Joy is a master of documenting the process. She openly shares her journey on her Instagram feed, the pain points in growing her successful business, and the emotional balancing act of family and work. Her renovation and build process have been no different. Joy has documented the twists and turns, visual inspirations, sources, and financial considerations that go into a project of this scale. She’s got a lot to say! I’m so excited to share my conversation with Joy with all of you.</p>

<p>There is a certain level of polish and style associated with organizing the Martha Stewart way. There’s a reason for this, and much of it traces back to Kevin Sharkey. Kevin is the executive vice president and executive director of design for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, and for more than 25 years he has been Stewart’s right hand and creative confidant. He is a visionary decorating editor, a creative mind, and one of the most organized people I know. His apartment in Manhattan features a number of stylishly organized spaces that lean heavily on color—a beautifully designed bookcase with hundreds of books arranged by hue, a graphic all-black closet that rivals the merchandising at any chic store, and an epic china and silver cabinet for his encyclopedic collections of tabletop. After a conversation with Kevin, I walk away inspired and <em>always</em> having learned something.</p> <p>Tune in as we explore Kevin’s organizing solutions, which are as hardworking and precise as they are intuitive and cool.</p>

<p>Jeremiah Brent is on a mission for the original. Known for his megawatt career and likable television personality, Jeremiah’s design approach is rooted in the ritual of living in a home you love and comfort without sacrificing an ounce of style.&nbsp;Despite his visual point of view being highly appealing, he is incredibly thoughtful about what he buys, instinctual, and generous. Natural materials, sculptural lines, and collected vintage mingle in a way that is artistic and uniquely his. Along with his husband, Nate Berkus, Jeremiah’s current TV projects include HGTV’s competition show<em> Rock the Block </em>and Netflix’s <em>Say I Do,</em> along with the popular <em>Nate and Jeremiah by Design,</em> which follows their career and family life with their two adorable children, Poppy and Oskar. His collections of furniture for Living Spaces are a study in emotional and functional design. Listen in as Jeremiah shares his rituals around family life and the budget-friendly reno hacks he’s learned on TV.</p>

<p>Sophia Roe wants us all to have a conversation. By inspiring an open dialogue, she’s bending the idea of what wellness really means, pushing the boundaries of every industry she touches. Most recently, it has been through her Vice TV series, <em>Counter Space</em>, which weaves a narrative around where culture, food, community, sustainability, racial justice, and storytelling meet.</p> <p>Beyond cooking delicious, beautiful food and lending focus to its impact on health and well-being, Sophia is a spiritual powerhouse who wants to show you how to nourish and care for your soul—tapping into balance and what makes you feel good, which extends to your home, your surroundings, and the items you choose to touch every day. Listen in as she brings awareness to the topics of food insecurity, welfare, shelter, and body positivity in a way that is approachable and empowering and inspires action.</p>

<p>Swedish-born and London-based designer Beata Heuman believes interiors should really sing. They should tell your personal story and be a reflection of the lives lived within a space and of the places and personalities that have inspired the journey to get you there. Beata is a rising star in the British design world—known for her bright and fearless interiors but also as a smart and open-minded product designer. Her Shoppa web shop sells everything from her fantastical and wildly patterned fabrics to smart lighting and bespoke furniture. Her designs strike this cool balance of effortlessly Scandinavian and distinctly British—which means they are cozy, whimsical, inviting, and timeless. In the foreword to her new book, <em>Every Room Should Sing </em>(Rizzoli),<em> </em>Beata writes, “It is easy to become preoccupied with trying to copy a perfect look. But the truth is that if you try to completely imitate another person’s style, you will always fall slightly short.” Learn more as we explore the dynamic spaces she creates that are a reflection of her go-for-it attitude. They rest not on expensive items or hard-and-fast design rules, but instead value passion, humor, fearlessness, and comfort. Bright, happy colors, new ways to frame and hang art—unexpected details intended to bring you joy.</p>

<p>Julia Marcum has built her career around the concept of love. Her popular blog, Chris Loves Julia<em>,</em> launched as a personal creative diary of renovation, home, marriage, and family—all of the very real parts of life that impact how you truly live in your home. Her deep passion for the process of renovation and documenting all the little details—the earned sweat equity and mishaps that happen in the journey of making spaces better and more personal—gives her content an approachability that inspires her fans to do it themselves. With her community following along as she updates her spaces, Julia believes that you can <em>always </em>make a space function better for you and budget is a construct we can all learn to work within. Listen in as we chat with the self-described homebody and explore the <em>six</em> kitchens she has renovated along with her husband, Chris.</p>

<p>Loeffler Randall’s Jessie Randall has a spot on the timeline of Domino’s history. The O.G. Domino cover featuring her Brooklyn home with the “For Like Ever” poster launched a thousand Pinterest boards and Etsy shops, and that story is still circulating today. Jessie’s love of sun-faded neutrals, ditzy florals, and reimagined gingham finds its way into her collections, and she shares those inspirations on her Instagram feed. Her brand is embarking on a new chapter this month, with Loeffler Randall’s first retail shop, opening in New York City’s Nolita neighborhood; a ready-to-wear collection; and shoes that strike that magic balance of comfort and style.</p> <p>So many of the techniques used in crafting the label take their inspiration from interiors—pleating, hand-stitched embroidery, quilting—and it all is informed by Jessie’s own creative process. Listen in as we dive into the projects and hands-on crafts that she’s been working on for the past year.</p>

<p>British designer Matilda Goad’s products are just the dose of joy we all need in our homes right now. Her collection of tabletop and brightly hued accessories is a fabulously low-commitment way to inject new energy into our spaces: wavy rattan lampshades,&nbsp;scallop-edged napkins, and planters in a spectrum of appealing colors. Matilda’s love for elevating everyday items informs everything she touches. Her own home in London is equally bold and chock-full of ideas—a checkerboard-pattern tile on the stovetop surround, a smart grid of inexpensive glossy white tiles with oxblood red grout in the pantry, a scalloped detail behind a sink, and a skirt fashioned from an oversize floral to hide away unsightly messes. Dive in as we explore the joy in shaking things up in your home: by setting a fun table, playing some good music,&nbsp; or surrounding yourself with flowers, which reminds us that home should be a reflection of your passions—whatever that means to you.</p>

<p>Frances Merrill of Reath Design draws inspiration from seemingly unlikely sources—a favorite item of clothing, a textile from an antiques mall, or a piece of furniture handed down from a friend. Frances got her start designing spaces for Commune, and her warm, cozy, and layered interiors radiate personality—they are, like Frances herself, a bit of California style by way of Greenwich Village. Her use of color has become a signature and feels familiar and welcoming yet always surprising.</p> <p>Frances and her team design&nbsp;high-vibration spaces, saturated with personality, texture, and color. Adventurous block prints sit next to more traditional elements, and it’s this juxtaposition that makes Reath Design’s spaces exciting, fresh, and unique—not one is the same. Listen in as we explore the boldness and intentionality that are the hallmarks of Frances’s design approach.</p>

<p>Estelle Bailey-Babenzien is the cofounder and creative director of fashion and lifestyle brand Noah and Dream Awake Design. She’s responsible for building the Noah brand and retail environments, including its downtown New York City flagship, shops within Dover Street Market in Los Angeles and London, and locations in Osaka and Tokyo. The company donates a portion of its profits to causes it cares about. Estelle’s interiors prioritize fabric, a meaningful lifestyle, and conscious consumerism, and they’re classic, soulful, and timeless. Her choice of materials leans on the education she received at Central Saint Martins in London, and her recent project—a sustainably driven townhouse for actor Adrian Grenier in Brooklyn—will be revealed on Domino next month. Noah isn’t just good retail; it’s become a community gathering spot (pre-COVID, of course) for local design and inclusive activism. Listen in as Estelle shares her thoughts on sustainability in design and creating environments that build community and connections.</p>

<p>Anthony D’Argenzio of Zio and Sons has evolved from stylist, photographer, designer, and content creator to renovation expert, developer, and real-estate visionary. As a frequent contributor to Domino, he’s documented his journey of restoring and refreshing historic spaces in New York’s Hudson Valley and creating a series of enviable short- and long-term residences that he rents via Airbnb. Anthony understands how to maintain the beauty, patina, and integrity of a space while updating it for modern living.</p> <p>Anthony has collaborated with Clé Tile on an incredible line of easy-to-install zellige tile; is launching a new wallpaper collection this spring; and has a booming real-estate practice. He embraces old-world materials and European influences—brass, plaster, artfully crafted wood—and knows how to source and collect the best vintage. Listen in as we learn how all these elements come together to create Anthony’s coveted spaces.</p>

<p>Shea McGee’s hit Netflix show, <em>Dream Home Makeovers,</em> just launched its second season, highlighting her talent for creating spaces that strike that perfect balance between aspirational, attainable, and highly livable. In the series, Shea and her husband, Syd, take us into the day-to-day life of Studio McGee, their design, interiors, and commerce business located in Lehi, Utah, south of Salt Lake City. Along with their highly successful collections for Target; a best-selling book, <em>Make Life Beautiful</em>; and a growing and engaged Instagram audience, the McGees have helped define what it takes to build a thriving design studio and multifaceted content business. The firm crafts spaces that are, of course, beautiful, but also easy to understand and layered with materials that are timeless and classic. Its clean and enviable aesthetic is often copied, but for many, it’s the way that Shea speaks about the creative process that’s the hook—and the opportunity to learn from her successes and choices keeps her fans hungry for more. Listen in as we dive into Shea’s approach to design, and the colors and materials she is loving right now.</p>

<p>Jean Brownhill, founder and CEO of Sweeten, really understands homeowners’ needs when jumping into a renovation project. She learned by personal experience both as an architect and a first-time homeowner while renovating her brownstone in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. After learning from a mis-hired contractor and her own mistakes, and seeing an opportunity in the market to empower homeowners <em>and </em>contractors, Jean decided to launch Sweeten in 2011. She provides an invaluable service—connecting homeowners with vetted and certified contractors and providing tools to aid in the process, including budgeting, bidding guidelines, financial protection, and planning—and is an inspiring innovator and visionary. Sweeten experienced massive growth in 2020, with so many people at home <em>really</em> experiencing their spaces and planning how to make them function better. Specializing in projects big and small, Jean and her team have seen it all when it comes to renovations. So if you’re thinking of taking one on, listen in…you’ll want to take notes.</p>

<p>For our last episode of 2020, Jessica Romm Perez and Domino editors Kate Berry and Alex Redgrave sit down for a special chat about all things kids. The team was so excited to launch Domino Kids this year and support families with hardworking ideas and fun. Our theme, “Kids Rule the House,” would actually become a reality—and the team quickly saw the need for parents to gain advice on how to set up that homeschool station in a small space; put together an organization strategy that tames some of the toy chaos; and—maybe most important—create a home where everyone can still have fun together, be creative, and make special moments even during challenging times.</p> <p>The resident moms of Team Domino have been scattered around since March: Kate stayed in her Manhattan apartment with her husband and 7-year-old daughter, Quinn; Alex and her husband and 2-year-old son, Mischa, went to live with family in Canada; and Jess has been moving around with her family of five <em>a lot</em>, between their apartment in New York and rentals upstate. It’s been a wild ride, so listen in as they look back and share what they’ve learned!</p>

<p>Roman Alonso and his Los Angeles–based creative studio, Commune Design, have had a hand in defining what many associate with the modern California aesthetic. Layered, collected, built to last—these are the signatures of Commune’s work. Born in Caracas, Venezuela, Roman defined his career as a visionary creative, working across fashion, interiors, and publishing. From the time he founded his groundbreaking studio, Roman and his team have been incredibly prolific, designing textural, layered environments for hotels, restaurants, and retail and residential interiors. With a holistic creative approach that values community and collaboration, the team fuses historic references and global perspective with product design across almost every category imaginable. Listen in as Roman shares his thoughts on some of the most exciting interiors of the past two decades.</p>

<p>Nate Berkus is a role model in so many senses of the word. As an interior designer, megawatt TV celebrity, businessman, and industry thought leader, he’s changed the course of how designers think about what’s possible in their careers. Nate’s aspirational approach to interiors is communicated in language that is attainable, accessible, and uniquely his own. He established his design firm at 24 years old and launched his TV career on Oprah Winfrey’s talk show and later with his own hit series, <em>The Nate Berkus Show.</em> Nate has product lines for the Shade Store, Target, and Kravet, as well as a furniture collection for Living Spaces. Beyond product, it’s his soulful approach to design and family that really strikes us. Listen in as we catch up with Nate as he shares the ways he and husband Jeremiah Brent and their two kids, Poppy and Oscar, have been sharing this time of unique togetherness.</p>

<p>On a very special episode of <em>Design Time,</em> we were able to get two of our contributors—Sarah Sherman Samuel, our cover star from last winter’s Renovation issue, and our newly anointed cover star, Leanne Ford—to talk about the concept of coming home, which is something we have all done in some capacity this year. Their hilarious, heartfelt chat is filled with reno gold, and the two buddies, who have both left Los Angeles to move home—Sarah to Michigan and Leanne to Pennsylvania—are seeing their careers blossom in inspiring new directions. There is a lot to learn from these two, and we hope you love it. Don’t forget to pick up our Winter Renovation issue featuring Leanne’s new home and so much more. It will inspire and guide you through your next reno project, big or small.</p>

<p>Amber Lewis of Amber Interiors has had a really big year. Team Domino is constantly talking about her expert renovations and calming, light-filled spaces—and her three shops in Los Angeles have seen incredible growth this year, as everyone has been focused on nesting. Amber’s recent best-selling book, <em>Made for Living: Collected Interiors for All Sorts of Styles,</em> dives into the art of layering and focuses on how we create spaces that are warm, welcoming, cozy, and—most important—a reflection of what we love and value. Despite her massive following and successful career, Amber is approachable and funny and doesn’t take design too seriously. You can really feel that joy in her spaces, and isn’t that ultimately how we all should live? In this episode, she dives deep on the recent renovation of her L.A. house, what materials give you the most bang for your buck, and how everyone should reimagine their home to be more comfortable for daily living.</p>

<p>It’s 2020, and Ina Garten needs no introduction. Her passionate following hit a peak during lockdown, when the food-world superstar began sharing viral videos of her life at home with her husband, Jeffrey, and imparting her knowledge on what to cook, how to organize, and how to live during these challenging and unusual times. Her Instagram fan base of more than 2 million followers hang on her every post, and she has emerged as a sort of quarantine queen for the home cook, bringing joy and humor to everything she does. Ina released a just-right-for-now best-selling book in October called <em>Modern Comfort Food,</em> filled with recipes that feed your soul and make you feel good. She’s a homebody in the best sense of the word. Ina’s bons mots give us license not to be perfect: “How easy is that” and “Store-bought is fine” make it okay for us all to be a little easier on ourselves—and that feels right. Listen in as Ina shares her tips on how to group your pantry staples and how to make a weeknight dinner feel like a celebration with her signature relatable style and ease—which has inspired a whole new generation of home cooks.</p>

<p>Matt Hranek and Yolanda Edwards are what most would call a creative power couple. Throughout their careers, they have worked together and separately for some of the most dynamic and inspiring publications, documenting their travels, food, and homes for digital and print, and solidifying a loyal following that trusts their every move. Each recommendation they put out there—where to go, where to eat, what to drink, what to shop for—and, most important, how to document it, is supported by vibrant images and heartfelt storytelling. Memory keeping and collecting are central to Matt and Yolanda’s perspective. They are gifted editors, prolific content creators, and trusted curators who are generous with their knowledge and always up to share a recommendation or a story to give their suggestions more weight. After leaving <em>Condé Nast Traveler,</em> they each launched independent print magazines, <em>WM Brown</em> and <em>YOLO Journal,</em> while engaging their loyal audience on Instagram and consulting for brands. As we approach the holidays, we catch up with Matt and Yolanda to talk about how they’re celebrating the holidays, even on a smaller scale this year.</p>

<p>Despite the uncertainty around us, it’s been <em>quite</em> a year of accomplishments for Ayesha Curry. While gracing the cover of Domino’s Fall Style issue, the food enthusiast, philanthropist, and mother of three released her second cookbook, <em>New York Times</em> best-seller <em>The Full Plate: Flavor-Filled, Easy Recipes for Families With No Time and a Lot to Do;</em> appeared at the Democratic National Convention; and hosted an Instagram Live cooking demo with Vice President–elect Kamala Harris. This year has marked many serious milestones for Ayesha, including launching her media platform and magazine, <em>Sweet July,</em> which champions female entrepreneurs and people of color, and planning for the imminent opening of her retail environment in downtown Oakland, California. Along with that, her nonprofit foundation, Eat. Learn. Play., which she cofounded with her husband, NBA superstar Steph Curry, is doing incredible work to support children in need through this moment of global pandemic and remote schooling. Her work and vision are an inspiration, as is the way she decorates, feeds her family of five, and communicates with her fans. Listen in as Ayesha shares how she uses her platform to amplify diverse voices…and for that, we are all grateful.</p>

<p>Tavia Forbes and Monet Masters of design firm Forbes Masters are a creative team focused on a personal approach to design, diving into their clients’ passions, personalities, and style before embarking on a plan for interiors. They are all about innovating the design process, pushing their craft forward with digital design, social media, and their active and growing network. With an impressive roster of celebrity clients and exciting product collaborations in the works, including a wallpaper collection with Mitchell Black, Tavia and Monet are just getting warmed up. Bold in their approach, and inspired by projects big and small, they are about to move into a brand-new studio and embark on some of their most personal work to date. 2020 and COVID-19 have boosted the duo’s online presence, with clients all over the country utilizing their digital design services. Listen in as we dive in on the future of digital design and what the future holds for this impressive pair.</p>