Advertise on podcast: Talk Shop with Ariel Okin: A Fenimore Lane Production

This 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. — 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 @TrueEvents Ariel & 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!

This 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!

This 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 @lilsemckenna And 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!

This 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 @SalvensenGraham Explore 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.

Some 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

This 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_mcgee Learn 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

This 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

 While we’re preparing new episodes, we’re revisiting one of our favorite episodes: Annie Meyers-Shyer. A friend, and returning guest to the show, Annie has meticulously been documenting the renovation of her family’s historic home in sunny Los Angeles on her instagram account, @thisoakhouse – and it’s quickly become a fan favorite. So whether you’re hearing it for the first time or revisiting, this episode is a must-listen. — Originally from LA, Annie comes from a life grown up in Hollywood, thanks to her filmmaking parents, the iconic writer, director and producer Nancy Meyers and her father, also a writer, director and producer, Charles Sheyer. Annie’s love for design and fashion has followed her from a young age, as a fresh out of college editor at Harper's Bazaar to working on the PR team at Chanel, and has most recently landed her in the form of a modern day design oracle. Ariel sat down with Annie to chat all things interiors, home inspiration, renovation musts and don'ts, and more! — Explore Annie’s ShopMy storefront: https://shopmy.us/shop/thisoakhouse — To join Ariel and our Season 5 guests on ShopMy, follow these simple instructions: 1. Download the ShopMy app, linked below 2. Sign up for a Shopper Account 3. Create a Circle with Ariel & your favorite tastemakers! (For inspiration, we've added some of our #TalkShopPod favorite ShopMy storefronts from guests past and present below!  Start building wishlists and shopping curated goods from your favorite tastemakers all in one place: https://go.shopmy.us/join/arielokin?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=paid_sponsorship&utm_campaign=talkshop --- Shop Friends of the #TalkShopPod's ShopMy Storefronts:  - Annie Meyers-Shyer, This Oak House LINK: https://shopmy.us/shop/thisoakhouse  - Louise Roe, Sharland England LINK: https://shopmy.us/shop/louisevroe -Paloma Contreras, Paloma Contreras Design + Paloma & Co LINK: https://shopmy.us/shop/palomacontrerasdesign  - Amanda Jones Vaughan, That Said LINK: https://shopmy.us/shop/amandajonesvaughan - Eliza Crater Harris, Sister Parish Design LINK: https://shopmy.us/shop/sisterparish?Section_id=312498&tab=collections 

This week on Talk Shop, Ariel is joined by one of the most influential designers of our time, Nate Berkus. Known for his classic, layered, historically-rooted approach to interiors, Nate has spent nearly 30 years helping people create homes that reflect who they are, not just how they live.  Starting his interior design firm at just 24, Nate’s world has since expanded far beyond interiors, into product collections, television, film, and bestselling books. From curated furniture collections to collaborations with Kravet, Living Spaces, PetSmart and more, Nate’s design sensibility extends into every corner of the home. Nate is also the Travel Ambassador for Celebrity Cruises, and even served as Executive Producer on the Oscar-winning film The Help–multifaceted is an understatement. Nate has authored two New York Times bestselling books, and his newest book, Foundations: Timeless Design That Feels Personal, out November 18th, is the most intimate distillation of his philosophy: your home should tell your story, and that story should unfold slowly, over time. Join us for this warm and wise conversation with the wonderful Nate Berkus. - Join Nate and Friends on November 18th for a special event in NYC at Symphony Space: https://www.symphonyspace.org/events/nate-berkus-and-friends-foundations-timeless-design-that-feels-personal — Learn more: https://nateberkus.com/ Follow Nate on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nateberkus/ Explore Nate’s ShopMy storefront: https://shopmy.us/shop/nateberkus?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=paid_sponsorship&utm_campaign=nateberkus-storefront — Get Started on ShopMy Today To join Ariel and our Season 5 guests on ShopMy, create a free shopper account to build create a free shopper account to build wishlists and shop your favorite pieces: https://shopmy.us/home/shoppers?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=paid_sponsorship&utm_campaign=talkshop

If you’ve ever fallen down a rabbit hole looking for the perfect crib or nursery chair , something stylish, safe, and built to last, chances are you’ve come across Nestig.  This week on Talk Shop, Ariel is joined by Sara Adam Slywka, co-founder of Nestig, the beloved children’s furniture brand that’s redefining modern nursery design. Born from Sara’s passion for creating thoughtful, design-forward spaces for families, Nestig has quickly become known for its beautifully crafted cribs, furniture, and decor that balance form, function, and emotion. Before launching the company, Sara studied at Duke University and earned her MBA from Columbia Business School, where she met her co-founder at Nestig. Her background in merchandising and marketing helped shape her approach to building a brand that feels both elevated and deeply personal. Under her leadership, Nestig has built a devoted following of parents who care just as much about craftsmanship and sustainability as they do about style. — Learn more: https://www.nestig.com/ Follow Nestig on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nestig/ Explore Netstig's ShopMy storefront: https://shopmy.us/shop?AllBrand_id=1141 — Get Started on ShopMy Today To join Ariel and our Season 5 guests on ShopMy, create a free shopper account to build create a free shopper account to build wishlists and shop your favorite pieces: https://shopmy.us/home/shoppers?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=paid_sponsorship&utm_campaign=talkshop

Welcome back to a brand-new season of Talk Shop with Ariel Okin, brought to you by ShopMy! With ShopMy, you can discover and shop the pieces experts actually use and love in their own homes—all in one beautifully curated place. To kick off Season 5, Ariel sits down with two of the most respected names in American architecture: Bill Curtis and Russell Windham, founding principals of the award-winning Houston-based firm Curtis & Windham Architects. For more than three decades, Bill and Russell have collaborated to create homes and gardens that celebrate classical design through a modern lens—grounded in craftsmanship, proportion, and a deep respect for history, yet always infused with warmth and livability. Bill, who began his career working under the legendary architect Allan Greenberg, brings a scholar’s eye to architecture’s historic roots. Russell, whose background in both architecture and interiors lends a refined sensitivity to scale and comfort, complements that expertise with an instinct for how people truly live. Together, they’ve built a body of work that has been widely published and honored with countless awards, and most recently captured in their new book with Rizzoli, Building on Tradition—a stunning follow-up to their first monograph, A Vision of Place.  Tune in as Ariel talks with Bill and Russell about their creative partnership, the evolution of their firm, and what it means to design homes that stand the test of time. — Learn more: https://www.curtisandwindham.com/ Follow Bill and Russell on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curtisandwindham/ Explore their ShopMy storefront: https://shopmy.us/shop/curtisandwindham?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=paid_sponsorship&utm_campaign=curtisandwindham-storefront — Get Started on ShopMy Today Join Ariel and our Season 5 guests on ShopMy by creating a free shopper account, then start building wishlists and shopping your favorite pieces: https://shopmy.us/home/shoppers?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=paid_sponsorship&utm_campaign=talkshop

This week on Talk Shop, Ariel is joined by the award-winning Los Angeles designer, Peter Dunham. Known for his signature California-cool-meets-international-chic style, Peter has built a multifaceted career that spans interior design, fabrics and wallpapers, and his iconic showroom, Hollywood at Home. Raised in France and educated in England, Peter made his way to New York before settling in Los Angeles in 1998, where he launched his design firm. Five years later, he introduced a textile and wallpaper collection that has become a beloved industry staple. In 2007, he opened Hollywood at Home, a destination for furnishings, textiles, and vintage finds that has since expanded from LA’s La Cienega Design Quarter to New York City. Most recently, Peter published his first book, The World of Peter Dunham: Global Style from Paris to Hollywood (Vendome), a celebration of his refined yet worldly design perspective. Tune in for a conversation about his journey, his inspirations, and what continues to drive his ever-evolving vision. — Learn more about Peter Dunman’s Textiles: https://peterdunhamtextiles.com/ Follow him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peterdunhamdesign/ And pick up his book now: https://www.vendomepress.com/products/the-world-of-peter-dunham

This week on Talk Shop, Ariel is joined by the brilliant Rebecca Gardner, founder and creative director of Houses & Parties, a full-service events, interiors, and retail collective with homes in Savannah and New York. Named a top event designer by Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, Rebecca is known for creating unforgettable experiences and imaginative worlds, with her work featured in Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, The Wall Street Journal, and beyond. Through Houses & Parties, she curates what she lovingly calls “unnecessaries,” collections brimming with wit, elegance, and delightfully unexpected treasures. And now, she adds “author” to her repertoire with the release of her debut book, A Screaming Blast (Rizzoli). Tune in for a conversation that dives into Rebecca’s unique creative vision and the irresistible joy she brings to everything she touches. — Learn more about House and Parties: https://housesandparties.com/ Follow them on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/housesandparties/ Plus pick up her book now: https://www.rizzoliusa.com/book/9780847874255/

This week on Talk Shop, we’re bringing you the second of our live-recorded panels from the Fenimore Lane Design Summit at the Mayflower Inn & Spa. In partnership with our friends at ShopMy—an invaluable tool for creators and brands alike—this conversation dives into the power of creators in the home space and how they build authentic, engaged communities. Moderated by Grace Beuley, Home & Design Editor at LUXE Interiors + Design, the panel features an incredible lineup:  Tiffany Lopinsky, Co-Founder of ShopMyLouise Roe, Founder of Sharland EnglandEliza Harris, Chief Creative Officer of Sister Parish DesignErin Jennie, Founder of the Underwater Weaving Studio. Together, they share how they bring their unique perspectives into their work, their homes, and their digital platforms—offering inspiration and insights on creativity, connection, and the evolving role of creators in design. — Learn more about ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/home Follow our panelists on Instagram: Tiffany Lopinsky: https://www.instagram.com/tifflopinsky/ Louise Roe: https://www.instagram.com/louiseroe/ Eliza Harris: https://www.instagram.com/eliza.c.harris/ Erin Jennie: https://www.instagram.com/erinjennie/

Joining Ariel this week Talk Shop is Alexander Widener, a lifelong design enthusiast whose love of rummage sales and flea markets as a child in Pennsylvania grew into a career in the textile world. After stints at Matouk, Sister Parish, and Samuel & Sons, Alexander took a leap of faith earlier this year: leaving corporate America, moving to coastal Maine, and opening his own shop, Widener Collection, in a former antiques store. Since he joined us, his guest cottage is now open to visitors, and the shop, Widener Collection, is open for your visit.  So tune in for a conversation around the thrill of collecting, art of brand-building, and what it really takes to pivot into a new chapter of life. Plus, his explosion on TikTok! --- Follow Alexander on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexander_widener/ And TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alexander_widener Plus learn more about his cottage and store: https://widenercompany.com/ Finally, the Ina is Cooking for Jeffery playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6qyF59UZ2apkT0IzVuqFTn