Once Upon A Design

Charleston based interior designer Allison Elebash is our guest today. Over the past two decades, Allison has built an impressive interior design business throughout the Southeast and Caribbean. She has become a fixture on the local design circuit, and her  work has graced the pages of countless magazines over the years. Today we will learn how she pivoted from a career as a licensed social worker and mental health counselor, to talented interior designer with a dedication to craftmanship, how going the extra mile means everything, and last but not least, the importance of having a good mentor - even it if happens to be your wonderful mother-in-law. Here is her story….

For this episode, Becky joins me in the studio to chat with our dear friend and acclaimed British interior decorator and textile designer, Susan Deliss. Susan has had a fascinating, albeit circuitous path to her current career, from living in a convent, to traveling all across the Middle East as a corporate finance lawyer, to collecting exquisite vintage textiles, and becoming a sought after decorator. She finally found, what she refers to as her "Secret Self" when she began to design and create her own line of exquisite textiles that were inspired by her journey along the way. This is her story….

Kathryn Maresca Faull started her namesake company Maresca Textiles in 2011 after a stint in the world of fashion. But like many textile designers, she is an artist at heart. Having parents who were immersed in careers of architecture and interior design, she found herself drawn to the art of textile design. . In the years since she launched her brand, she has perfected her craft, creating beautiful screen and digitally printed designs that have stood the test of time. In this episode, we will get into her creative process, the people and places that inspire her, and how it was good old fashioned trial and error that brought her the success she has found along the way. This is her story....

Charlotte-based designer Barrie Benson is an inspiration to anyone  in the design world that is looking to expand their business beyond decorating. She not only runs a very successful interior design studio, she has also partnered with some incredible brands to create a beautiful collection of rugs, furniture, hardware and wallpaper. In this episode we learn how Barrie got into the business, what inspires her, and why a little baptism by fire can be the best way to jumpstart a career.

In our inaugural episode Host Sarah-Hamlin Hastings interviews Becky LaRoche, textile director at Fritz Porter.  Together they dive into how Becky got started in the world of interior design as well as the history, techniques, and personal passions that shape the world of high end fabric and décor. We are so thrilled you're here, stay tuned for more fascinating conversations about the art and craft of our industry, and the talented people who bring it to life.  Main Topics Covered: Becky LaRoche's journey from Virginia to the interior design industry The evolution and craftsmanship of hand block and digital printing Building relationships with textile artisans and the importance of storytelling Organizing showrooms to reflect quality over quantity How textiles influence the personality and authenticity of interior spaces Insights into sourcing small-batch, artisanal textile lines The significance of understanding scale, tradition, and cultural context in design Future trends and exciting new collections coming to Fritz Porter