In this special Student Edition episode, we’re passing the mic to Anna Wright, a junior at San Diego State University and student rep on the ASID San Diego board. Anna shares her journey from STEM to design and opens up a real, relatable conversation with fellow student and ASID committee member Theresa Staine —who brings a unique blend of business savvy and design passion to the table.

Theresa spent a decade thriving as a fashion buyer in New York City before answering the call of her creative roots. Now, she’s deep in her master’s studies at the Academy of Art University, combining an artist’s eye with a heart for sustainable, human-centered spaces.

Together, Anna and Theresa dig into:

• 🎒 What it’s really like navigating the jump from undergrad to post-grad
• ✨ How to find (and trust) your design voice
• 💼 Leveraging past careers to fuel your design future
• 🛠️ The challenges and rewards of grad school in interior architecture
• 🌿 Designing with purpose: community, wellness, and sustainability

Whether you’re a student wondering what’s next or a professional curious about the next generation of designers, this episode is full of heart, honesty, and inspiration.

About Anna:

Anna Wright (she/her) is a junior at San Diego State University studying Interior Architecture and minoring in Engineering. She is originally from Scranton, Pennsylvania. She’s been part of the ASID San Diego community since her freshman year and now serves on the student representative board.

About Theresa:

From an early age, I knew I was destined for a creative path. As a child, I loved sketching and painting landscapes, and that early love for art naturally grew into a passion for design.

My journey into interior architecture has been one of both risk and reward. Before entering the design world, I spent a decade in New York City building a successful career as a buyer for major retailers. While that experience strengthened my business sense and attention to detail, I always felt a creative pull that couldn’t be ignored. Returning to my artistic roots, I decided to pursue my master’s degree in Interior Architecture at the Academy of Art University, where I’ve found a true sense of purpose.

I’m deeply passionate about using design to support healthy urbanism, community development and sustainability. I enjoy creating spaces that inspire connection, encourage movement, and foster well-being. As an active individual who values a healthy lifestyle, I believe thoughtful design can profoundly influence the way we live, work, and thrive.

Continuing to learn and grow in this field excites me every day. My goal is to combine my creative vision, design education, and business background to make a lasting impact through meaningful, human-centered design.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theresamstaine/

instagram.com/Theresastaine

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In this episode of Interior Design San Diego, host Rachel Crawford sits down with Kristy Kropat, the incoming President‑Elect of the ASID San Diego Chapter, to explore her journey, design philosophy, and her vision for the chapter.

Key Topics Covered:

• Kristy’s unconventional path into interior design: from a decade as a software and embedded systems engineer to retraining at the Design Institute of San Diego and starting her own studio.
• How her technical/engineering background informs her design process — especially problem solving, usability, organization.
• Founding her design firm in San Diego in 2008; moving the business to San Francisco in 2014, then relocating to Berlin and building an international practice.
• Expanding her services: emphasizing lighting design and integrating her engineering + interior design expertise. Her current master’s thesis topic: Advancing Quality of Light in California Homes.
• Discussion of residential versus commercial design, and why Kristy values residential for its personal connection to clients.
• Insights into her lighting design philosophy — the role of color temperature, color rendering (CRI, TM‑30), layering light, the importance of proper lighting in realizing design.
• Her decision to say “yes” to the board role for ASID: giving back, supporting the chapter, helping bridge student/professional gaps.
• What her upcoming year as President‑Elect looks like: supporting the President, focusing on student involvement, launching new programs, lighting‑focused chapter meeting coming up on November 19 at Blackwell Lighting & Home in Encinitas.
• Ways for listeners (designers, students, industry partners) to connect with her and the chapter.

Takeaways for Listeners:

• A reminder that career paths in design can be non‑linear — technical skills and creative interests can combine powerfully.
• The often‑underestimated role of lighting in interior design — not just aesthetics but usability, quality, and outcome.
• The value of professional community (like ASID) in supporting designers, especially emerging ones.
• Encouragement for students and young professionals: how to engage, network, and transition into the profession.
• Practical event opportunities: upcoming ASID San Diego events, programs and how to plug in.

Kristy Kropat is an interior designer, lighting designer, engineer, and entrepreneur. She founded her boutique design studio 18 years ago in San Diego, designing award-winning residential and commercial projects throughout California and Germany. With a background that blends creative and technical expertise, she combines analytical problem-solving and design thinking to create beautiful, functional, sustainable and inclusive spaces. Kristy’s designs have been featured in over 28 national and international publications including Better Homes and Gardens, Wall Street Journal, Atomic Ranch, Cooking Light, Houzz Germany and more. Kristy was the off camera designer for A&E’s reality design show “Fix This Kitchen” and was the featured interior designer in California Closet’s TV commercial.

Having lived in San Francisco and Berlin, she brings an international perspective to her designs. After spending 11 years abroad, she has returned to her native San Diego, where she is currently serving as President-Elect of the San Diego Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers and a judge for San Diego Magazine’s Home + Design Awards 2026.

• Connect with Kristy Kropat: Kristy@kristykropatdesign.com

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What do you do when the dream job isn’t hiring yet—or doesn’t exist at all? You build your own path, one floor plan at a time.

In this episode, I’m joined by Heather Vitti Pruett of Vitti Interiors—a San Diego-based designer who turned her love of design into a multi-stream business that blends creativity, construction, and serious adaptability. From working in flooring and high-end residential to landing military contracts and launching a rendering side hustle, Heather shares how she grew her design career by staying flexible, saying yes to new skills, and following her intuition (even when the economy said otherwise).

If you’ve ever wondered how to keep your design passion alive while building something sustainable—especially as a parent, a multi-hyphenate creative, or someone just starting out—this episode will remind you that your path doesn’t have to be linear to be successful.

About Heather:

Stay Connected:

• Connect with Heather: vitti.interiors@outlook.com
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• Questions, sponsorship or feed back: sandiegoasid@gmail.com

Welcome back to Interior Design San Diego! In this episode of our “Meet the Board” series, we sit down with Mallory Duran—our newly‑appointed Finance Director at ASID San Diego. If you’ve ever wondered how someone with a music major and a retail‑management background ends up influencing budgets and design‑industry partnerships, you’re in for a treat. Mallory shares her circuitous journey into design, how she re‑entered the workforce as a single parent of four, and how she’s now helping connect designers, builders, and industry partners in the San Diego region. Join us as we explore creativity, community, and the power of showing up.

3–5 Key Takeaways:

1. Your path doesn’t have to be linear. Mallory’s background shows that even unexpected careers (music major → retail management → design industry) can lead to meaningful roles in design leadership.
2. Community is everything. ASID San Diego made Mallory feel welcomed—even as someone who didn’t attend design school—and that sense of belonging is a powerful asset when you show up.
3. Design professionals benefit when industry & trade connect. Mallory’s role at The Home Depot Design Center places her at the intersection of builders, designers, and vendors—highlighting how collaboration across segments strengthens the ecosystem.
4. Leadership is about service, not spotlight. Even though “Finance Director” might sound behind the scenes, Mallory emphasizes how critical this role is for making everything else possible—reimbursements, compliance, strategic growth.
5. Show up, then lean in. Whether you’re new to San Diego, shifting careers, or stepping into board service, consistency, curiosity, and connection are key. Mallory invites us to stay tuned for big things happening this year with ASID San Diego.

About Mallory:

Mallory Duran serves as the 2025-2026 ASID Finance Director and is the West Coast Builder Sales Specialist with the Home Depot Design Center. With a diverse background ranging from stay-at-home mom to designing custom window coverings and owning a construction company, Mallory brings a wealth of experience to her current role. Her passion for fostering positive relationships is her greatest strength both professionally and personally. As a proud mother of four, she expertly balances her family and career. Mallory eagerly anticipates future opportunities with ASID and is dedicated to making a significant impact in the market.

Connect with Mallory: MALLORY_L_DURAN@homedepot.com

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• Questions, sponsorship or feed back: sandiegoasid@gmail.com

This is the second episode in our ASID San Diego Board Member Spotlight Series — and today we’re shining a light on someone who’s all about connection, color, and community: Kendra from K2 Interiors, our current Membership Director.

In this candid convo, Kendra shares her journey from growing up in Baja to launching a vibrant, soulful design business in San Diego. With a style rooted in maximalism, global inspiration, and deeply personal design, she’s the creative match for clients ready to ditch the cookie-cutter.

Kendra also shares what drew her back into the ASID fold, why mentorship matters, and how she’s helping create experiences that speak to every stage of a designer’s career — like the upcoming Design Gems trip to Valle de Guadalupe (you’ll want to grab your seat fast!).

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How Kendra rebuilt her design business from scratch — twice
• Why ASID is more than networking — it's a home base for creatives
• How mentorship is evolving for students and emerging professionals
• What makes her short-term rental projects so creatively satisfying
• What to expect on our first-ever Design Gems trip across the border 🍷

What’s New:

• Design Gems: Valle de Guadalupe | November 15
• A one-day architectural + culinary field trip across the border
• Membership questions? DM or email Kendra — she’s your go-to guide
• Mentorship pilot program in the works — stay tuned!

Design Gems Sign-up link.

📬 Connect with Kendra:

• Instagram: @k2interiors
• Email: Membership@casd.asid.org
• Website: www.k2deco.com

Stay Connected:

• Sign Up for Our Newsletter
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• Ask your question, share a topic of interest or be our guest here.
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• Questions, sponsorship or feed back: sandiegoasid@gmail.com

Hey friend — let’s get real for a moment.

Have you ever walked into a room and felt like you didn’t belong there? Like you were somehow “faking it,” even though your experience, talent, and heart were 100% legit?

Same. 🙋🏻‍♀️

In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on a recent experience that had me deep in imposter syndrome — yes, even after 25 years in the design industry. It was humbling, it was hard, and it taught me a few big lessons I want to share with you today.

Whether you’re just getting started in your design career or you’ve been around the block a few times, I promise this one will feel like a warm hug and a heart-to-heart.

In this episode, I’m sharing:

• A real story of a time I questioned if I belonged — even with years of experience
• The sneaky ways imposter syndrome shows up (and how it cost me 10 months of unpaid work 😳)
• Why having a design community like ASID makes all the difference
• My go-to toolkit for getting back in alignment when doubt takes over

📝 Mentioned in this episode:

• The Gap and The Gain by Dan Sullivan + Dr. Benjamin Hardy

Stay Connected:

• Sign Up for Our Newsletter
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• Ask your question, share a topic of interest or be our guest here.
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• Questions, sponsorship or feed back: sandiegoasid@gmail.com

Imposter syndrome might pop up from time to time, but it doesn’t get the final say. You’re doing incredible work. You belong here. And this space? It needs what only you can create.

Until next time — keep designing, keep showing up, and remember: you’re enough, just as you are.

Love,

Rachel

In today’s episode, Rachel sits down with Jennifer Verruto, founder and CEO of Blythe Interiors, to talk about the evolution of her design business — from freelancing out of her home to leading a full-service firm—and everything that’s required in between: mindset shifts, team building, infrastructure, community, and more.

• Understand the pivotal moment when hiring your first assistant is no longer optional
• Learn how to let go of control without sacrificing quality
• Get a behind‑the‑scenes look at structuring a growing design firm
• Discover ways to connect with clients and the trade through events and showroom strategy
• Hear what’s next for Blythe Interiors and how Jennifer is exploring business coaching for designers

Hiring is your growth lever: When workload becomes unsustainable, the right hire (assistant, purchasing coordinator, etc.) can free you to focus on higher-value design work and growth.

Mindset over minutiae: Trusting your team, relinquishing control, and allowing “good enough” (when the client is happy) are essential for scaling.

Structure with intention: From operations to marketing to design leadership — building a clear org chart helps prevent chaos and burnout.

Flexible brand identity: Blythe doesn’t rigidly prescribe one look. The common thread is client-first, supported by designers who can span aesthetics.

Pause and grow organically: Rather than always chasing the next goal, sometimes growth is about leaning into who you already are, with curiosity and openness.

• Instagram: @blytheinteriors
• Website: blytheinteriors.com

Stay Connected:

• Sign Up for Our Newsletter
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• Ask your question, share a topic of interest or be our guest here.
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• Questions, sponsorship or feed back: sandiegoasid@gmail.com

In this inspiring kickoff to our chapter’s new year, host Rachel Larraine Crawford sits down with incoming ASID San Diego President Kirsten Recce.

As the first Industry Partner to step into the role of Chapter President, Kirsten brings a fresh, inclusive perspective on what it means to lead, support, and reimagine what our local ASID community can be.

From her journey as a lighting showroom owner to her vision for Design Gems (yes, we’re talking international design trips), this episode is packed with insight, heart, and tangible ways to get involved in the year ahead.

• How Kirsten went from math major to owning a showroom to leading ASID SD
• The services her business, Black Whale Home, offers to support busy designers
• What’s changing in the 2024–2025 ASID San Diego year—and why it matters
• A first look at Design Gems, our new travel + inspiration series (Valle de Guadalupe, Milan, Palm Springs + more!)
• Why collaboration between designers, students, and industry partners is essential—and how you can get involved
• New sponsorship opportunities and what’s coming for industry partners

Nov 2025: Design Gems: Valle de Guadalupe Day Trip

Feb 2026: Modernism Week + Private Tour of the Kellogg House

Apr 2026: Milan + Florence Design Tour

Spring 2026: Iconic Home Tour in LA

• 📧 president@casd.asid.org (ASID inquiries)
• 📧 kirsten@blackwhalehome.com (Showroom/design trade questions)
• 📸 @blackwhalelights on Instagram

Stay Connected:

• Sign Up for Our Newsletter
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• Ask your question, share a topic of interest or be our guest here.
• Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss upcoming episodes
• Share this podcast with a fellow designer in your community
• Questions, sponsorship or feed back: sandiegoasid@gmail.com