Podcast
Talk Shop with Ariel Okin: A Fenimore Lane Production
Hosted by Ariel Okin · EN
Delve into the personal worlds of the top interior designers & tastemakers around the globe – interviewed by Ariel Okin, House Beautiful Next Wave Designer, Founder of Fenimore Lane, and Contributing Writer to Vogue, Architectural Digest, & Coveteur. These insightful conversations range from a designer’s favorite resources when sourcing for clients, to how creatives, shopkeepers, and artisans built their businesses, and more. Tune in each Wednesday as Ariel welcomes a new guest to discuss their career journey, design inspirations and even share a little advice for fellow design enthusiasts!
40episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Heritage-Inspired Design with Shannon Davis, Stephenie Watts & Alexander Widener | Live from the Fenimore Lane Design Summit
Yesterday00:54:16Summary readyThis week we are bringing you two special bonus episodes recorded live at the third annual Fenimore Lane Design Summit, with the second a thoughtful conversation about craftsmanship, preservation, and the enduring power of heritage-inspired design.Presented by Woven and moderated by Grace Beuley Hunt, Home & Design Editor at LUXE Interiors + Design, this panel brings together Shannon Davis, co-founder of Woven, designer and preservationist Stephenie Watts, and tastemaker and shopkeeper Alexander Widener.Together, they explore what it means to create homes rooted in history, place, and authenticity. From restoring historic properties and preserving original architectural details to sourcing natural materials and supporting traditional craftsmanship, the conversation examines how thoughtful design choices can create spaces that feel deeply personal and enduring.The panel also reflects on sustainability, intentional sourcing, and why so many homeowners are gravitating toward pieces with a sense of origin and story. At its heart, this discussion is about creating homes that not only look beautiful, but also foster connection—to history, to craft, and to the people who live within them.—Recorded live on June 6, 2026, at the Fenimore Lane Design Summit at the Mayflower Inn & Spa in Washington, Connecticut in partnership with The Shade Store.
SummaryThe Art of Light & Shade with Victoria Hagan, Jennifer Hunter & Lee Ann Thornton | Live from the Fenimore Lane Design Summit
Yesterday01:00:48Summary readyThis week we are bringing you two special bonus episodes recorded live at the third annual Fenimore Lane Design Summit, with the first welcoming listeners to a conversation exploring one of the most transformative elements of interior design: light.Presented by The Shade Store, and moderated by Grace Beuley Hunt, Home & Design Editor at LUXE Interiors + Design, this discussion brings together three celebrated designers, to examine how window treatments shape the mood, comfort, and architecture of a home. Our guests are Victoria Hagan, Founder, Victoria Hagan Interiors, Jennifer Hunter, Founder, Jennifer Hunter Design, and Lee Ann Thornton, Founder, Lee Ann Thornton Interiors.From balancing beauty and practicality to designing around natural light from the very beginning of a project, the panel explores how drapery, shades, texture, and proportion influence the way we experience a space. Along the way, the designers share their approaches to creating warmth, intimacy, and atmosphere, as well as the trends and innovations shaping the category today.Whether you're renovating a home, designing a single room, or simply fascinated by the details that make great interiors feel effortless, this conversation offers a thoughtful look at the art of designing with light.—Recorded live on June 6, 2026, at the Fenimore Lane Design Summit at the Mayflower Inn & Spa in Washington, Connecticut in partnership with The Shade Store.
SummaryThe Thread of Life: Sarah Lederman Launches Three Fates
Mar 500:40:17Summary readyThis week on Talk Shop, Ariel wraps up the season by welcoming fellow designer and friend Sarah Lederman in anticipation of the launch of her new textile and wallpaper line, Three Fates Textiles.A graduate of the New York School of Interior Design, Sarah began her career interning for Bunny Williams before joining Tom Scheerer. After her time under the two icons, Sarah developed a refined aesthetic that seamlessly blends classic elements with modern, unexpected touches, and branched out on her own to open her own firm.Sarah offers a collaborative, client-centered interior design experience rooted in creating spaces that are both beautiful and deeply functional. Her thoughtful approach, paired with extensive experience managing residential and commercial projects around the world, ensures no detail is overlooked. Her work has been featured in Domino, House Beautiful, Luxe Magazine, and more. She was recently named a featured designer by AD Pro for 2024 and included on The List by House & Garden.—Now available, discover Sarah’s textile line, Three Fates TextilesLearn more about Sarah LedermanFollow on social @SarahLedermanInteriorsExplore Sarah’s ShopMy storefront —To join Ariel and our Season 5 guests on ShopMy, download the ShopMy app, create a shopper account, and start building wishlists and shopping your favorite pieces, now at go.shopmy.us!—Join us for this year’s Fenimore Lane Design Summit on June 6th and 7th!
SummaryThe Fenimore Lane Summit Effect: Creating Events That People Feel with Sarah True
Jan 2900:44:55Summary readyThis week on Talk Shop, Ariel sits down with someone who has played a deeply meaningful role in both her professional life and personal milestones: Sarah True, founder of True Event and the creative force behind the Fenimore Lane Summit.With over two decades of experience, Sarah True has become a premier leader in the wedding and event planning industry. Sarah’s passion for design began while studying alongside some of the most talented floral designers at the renowned Parsons School of Design. Working with flowers gave her insight into how color, texture, and fragrance can transform a space or event.Since 2009, Sarah has produced hundreds of weddings and events across the country, and has built strong relationships with some of the most elite vendors and venues in the industry. Not everyone can say that their job is their passion – Sarah is lucky that her job is her dream come true.Sarah is one of those rare people who instantly makes you feel calm, cared for, and completely at ease. And that energy is woven into everything she creates. From planning Ariel’s wedding to producing the Fenimore Lane Summit, Sarah has an extraordinary ability to design experiences that feel warm, intentional, and genuinely human.This episode is a love letter to gathering well, building community, and creating moments people carry with them long after the event ends.-Explore Sarah's ShopMy storefront—Join us for this year’s Fenimore Lane Design Summit on June 6th and 7th!Learn more about True Events: https://trueevent.com/Follow on social @TrueEventsAriel & Ben’s Wedding Photos—To join Ariel and our Season 5 guests on ShopMy, download the ShopMy app, create a shopper account, and start building wishlists and shopping your favorite pieces, now at go.shopmy.us!
SummaryRevisiting a S2 Favorite: Louise Roe From Television to Timeless Design
Jan 2100:34:48Summary readyThis week, we’re revisiting one of our favorite episodes: Louise Roe!—Joining Ariel this week on Talk Shop is Louise Roe – an iconic figure in the fashion and lifestyle industry who has worked as an editor, TV host, and writer for over 15 years. With a storied career that includes stints as a former fashion editor-at-large for Glamour magazine, as well as time writing for Vogue, Elle, The Telegraph and House & Garden magazine, Louise’s personal style is clearly honed and undeniably chic.After a decade in LA, Louise returned to England with her husband, Mackenzie, and their two young daughters, where she turned her passion for interior design into the next stage of her career, founding Sharland England in 2021. Tune in as Louise and Ariel discuss what drew her to pave a new path in design, the origin story of her brand Sharland England, where she finds inspiration, and all about her love for rattan.—Explore Louise’s ShopMy storefront: https://shopmy.us/shop/louisevroe—To join Ariel and our Season 5 guests on ShopMy, download the ShopMy app, create a shopper account, and start building wishlists and shopping your favorite pieces, now at go.shopmy.us!
SummaryDesigning for Real Life with Lilse McKenna
Jan 1600:51:47Summary readyThis week on Talk Shop, Ariel sits down with Lilse McKenna for a thoughtful, personal conversation about designing homes that are meant to be lived in — and loved — over time.Lilse is known for creating spaces rooted in tradition and tailored to reflect each client’s personality and lifestyle. Drawing on years of experience in residential design, she expertly layers pattern, color, and texture to create interiors that feel sophisticated yet deeply livable. Longevity sits at the heart of her work, as she brings together a wide range of stylistic influences to ensure her clients’ homes can grow and evolve alongside them.In this episode, Lilse shares her path into design, from growing up surrounded by shelter magazines and strong opinions on furniture proportions, to training under esteemed designers Lindsey Coral Harper and Markham Roberts before launching her own firm in 2017. Today, she is based in New York and Connecticut, with projects spanning the East Coast and abroad.Lilse was recognized as one of House Beautiful’s Next Wave 2022 designers, and her work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Luxe Magazine, Domino, and more — but at its core, her work is about helping people build homes where memories, community, and everyday life can unfold.—Learn more about Lilse McKenna: https://www.lilsemckenna.com/Follow on social @lilsemckennaAnd subscribe to her Substack: https://lilsemckenna.substack.com/Explore Lilse’s ShopMy storefront—To join Ariel and our Season 5 guests on ShopMy, download the ShopMy app, create a shopper account, and start building wishlists and shopping your favorite pieces, now at go.shopmy.us!
SummaryThe Salvesen Graham Story // From Georgian Roots to Modern Living
Jan 701:01:07Summary readyThis week on Talk Shop, Ariel sits down with the powerhouse duo behind London-based design studio Salvesen Graham: Nicole Salvesen, and Mary Graham. Established in London, their studio combines over 25 years of experience and a deep understanding of both residential and commercial design to create beautifully curated spaces for clients in the UK and around the world.Since founding their studio in 2013, Nicole and Mary have developed a signature approach to blending the elegance of Georgian England, the vibrancy of historic Indian textiles, and a modern sensibility–a unique design philosophy they call "Future Heritage."Ariel also chats with Mary and Nicole about the impetus for launching The Collection by Salvesen Graham, their own chic range of fabrics, wallpapers, and furniture inspired by the elements that have shaped their aesthetic, and what's on the horizon, with new SKUs releasing in 2026.With over 25 years of combined experience, Nicole and Mary share how their partnership—rooted in trust, collaboration, and friendship—has shaped a studio known for richly layered, deeply livable interiors. An episode fit for both anglophiles and design lovers of all stripes, this is one you won't want to miss.—Learn more about Salvensen Graham: https://www.salvesengraham.com/Follow on social @SalvensenGrahamExplore their ShopMy storefront: https://shopmy.us/shop/salvesengraham—To join Ariel and our Season 5 guests on ShopMy, download the ShopMy app, create a shopper account, and start building wishlists and shopping your favorite pieces at go.shopmy.us.
SummaryFrom the Mississippi Delta to Reed Smythe: Keith Meacham’s Story of Friendship and Craft
Dec 1700:47:41Summary readySome people collect memories; others collect stories, objects, and traditions. Keith Meacham does it all, creating a beautiful alchemy of unexpected home goods that celebrate her Mississippi roots.This week on Talk Shop, Ariel heads to the heart of the American South to welcome Keith Smythe Meacham, co-founder of Reed Smythe & Company, the home goods shop she launched in 2018 with her dear friend and fellow Mississippian, the late Julia Reed, a beloved industry legend.Rooted in the Mississippi Delta and shaped by a deep respect for craft and collaboration, Reed Smythe & Company partners with artisans across the South and beyond to create uncommon goods for house and garden. Keith shares her journey from a long career in public education to entrepreneurship, the power of female friendship, and the importance of trusting your gut, both in design and in life.Keith’s work and home have been featured in Veranda, Elle Decor, Flower, and Southern Living, and she’s been recognized as a Southern Living Tastemaker and a judge for the Garden & Gun Made in the South Awards.From career pivots and creative risk-taking to honoring legacy and building community through design, this is a thoughtful, inspiring conversation about making a home, and a life, that feels true to you.—Learn More about Reed Smythe: https://reedsmythe.com/Follow on social: https://www.instagram.com/reedsmytheco/Explore Keith’s ShopMy storefront: https://shopmy.us/shop/mksmeacham—To join Ariel and our Season 5 guests on ShopMy, download the ShopMy app, create a shopper account, and start building wishlists and shopping your favorite pieces: https://go.shopmy.us/join/arielokin
SummaryHow Shea McGee Built a Design Powerhouse: One Home at a Time
Dec 1000:44:16Summary readyThis week, Ariel sits down with Shea McGee, Chief Creative Officer and Co-Founder of Studio McGee, and one half of the powerhouse duo behind the beloved design brand. Shea shares how a single home remodel, documented casually on social media, sparked an unexpected career pivot, growing into the Studio McGee universe we know today.She walks us through the evolution of her brand: from launching her design firm in 2014 to building a thriving e-commerce platform, McGee & Co., and spearheading collaborations with Target, Kohler, Ann Sacks, and more. Ariel and Shea also dive into her bestselling books, Make Life Beautiful and The Art of Home, and of course, her hit Netflix series Dream Home Makeover.Thoughtful, grounded, and endlessly creative, Shea reveals how she’s helping millions “Make Life Beautiful” through elevated, accessible design. You’re going to love this conversation.—Follow Shea: https://www.instagram.com/shea_mcgeeLearn more about Studio McGee: https://www.mcgeeandco.com/Explore Shea’s ShopMy storefront: https://shopmy.us/shop/sheamcgee—To join Ariel and our Season 5 guests on ShopMy, download the ShopMy app, create a shopper account, and start building wishlists and shopping your favorite pieces: https://go.shopmy.us/join/arielokin?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=paid_sponsorship&utm_campaign=talkshop
SummaryInside the World of Guy Oliver: Britain’s Master of Timeless Design
Dec 300:53:25Summary readyThis week on Talk Shop, Ariel heads across the pond to welcome one of the UK’s most accomplished interior designers: Guy Oliver, the creative mind behind Oliver Laws in Mayfair. Guy’s path to design is anything but conventional, from childhood weekends hunting antiques in Scotland, to leaving home at 17 to serve in the Royal Navy, to ultimately becoming one of Britain’s most respected designers and philanthropists.Guy has transformed some of the world’s most storied hotels, including Claridge’s, The Connaught, and The Shelbourne in Dublin, and even redesigned the State Rooms at 10 Downing Street. But beyond his work on luxury hotels and private estates, his passion lies in craft, heritage, and cultural preservation. As Creative Director of the Turquoise Mountain Foundation, Guy works to restore historic architecture in Afghanistan, trains local artisans, and integrates their extraordinary craftsmanship into projects around the world—including his suites at The Connaught, where Afghan woodcarving and miniature painting add profound depth and narrative.This conversation is filled with lessons on creativity, purpose, resilience, and the power of design to honor history. It’s an inspiring look at a life lived with curiosity and conviction.—Learn more: https://www.oliverlaws.com/Explore Guy’s ShopMy storefront: https://shopmy.us/shop/guyoliver—To join Ariel and our Season 5 guests on ShopMy, download the ShopMy app, create a shopper account, and start building wishlists and shopping your favorite pieces: https://go.shopmy.us/join/arielokin?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=paid_sponsorship&utm_campaign=talkshop
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