Season 7 of The Interior Collective Podcast is brought to you by Materio.

This episode is brought to you in partnership with Loloi.

An operating system built specifically for design projects—from start to finish. That’s what Materio is.
From concept to handoff, client billing to procurement—it’s one connected workflow. Try it for free.
It’s intuitive. It’s fast. The Interior Collective listeners get 50% off their first month. Just head to getmaterio.com to claim the offer.

Subscribe now at patreon.com/theinteriorcollective

Welcome back to The Interior Collective. I’m your host, Anastasia Casey, and today I’m thrilled to be joined by Sam Sacks—Ontario-based interior designer, former magazine editor, and consummate storyteller—whose work masterfully blends creativity, strategy, and historical context.

As the founder of Sam Sacks Design, Sam has carved out a niche working with highly analytical clients—think lawyers, doctors, and finance professionals—who don’t just want a beautiful home, they want to understand the why behind every decision. In this conversation, we’re diving into how Sam has built a design process and presentation style that speaks directly to the left-brained client. From using architectural history as a strategic storytelling tool to delivering visually refined yet logic-driven presentations, Sam shares how she earns trust, builds alignment, and avoids hours of costly back-and-forth.

You’ll hear how her time as a writer gave her the language to translate intuition into clarity, and how her detailed intake process filters for client compatibility from the very first conversation. We also unpack how she structures presentations to maintain creative control while still appealing to highly analytical thinkers—essentially, selling her design process like a business case.

Whether you’re refining your presentation style, working with more corporate clients, or just want to build a more efficient and aligned process—this episode is full of gems.

Season 7 of The Interior Collective Podcast is brought to you by Materio.

This episode is brought to you in partnership with Loloi.

An operating system built specifically for design projects—from start to finish. That’s what Materio is.
From concept to handoff, client billing to procurement—it’s one connected workflow. Try it for free.
It’s intuitive. It’s fast. The Interior Collective listeners get 50% off their first month. Just head to getmaterio.com to claim the offer.

Subscribe now at patreon.com/theinteriorcollective

Scaling a design firm isn’t just about taking on more projects—it’s about stepping into the role of CEO, redefining your creative direction, and building a business that can grow with you. Because the truth is, if you own your own studio, you are an entrepreneur, even if you first identify yourself as a designer.

On today’s episode of The Interior Collective, I’m joined by Hilary Matt, founder and principal of Hilary Matt Interiors, a New York–based residential design studio with projects spanning the country. Known for her fearless mix of post-modern edge and Scandinavian minimalism, Hilary creates layered, highly personal spaces rooted in comfort, function, and material depth. Her work has been featured in Architectural Digest, ELLE Decor, The New York Times, and House Beautiful, and she’s been recognized as a member of AD’s Designer Directory, House Beautiful’s Next Wave class, and Better Homes & Gardens’ Color Stars for 2024.

In this conversation, Hilary shares how her firm evolved from a one-woman show into a nationally recognized business—and the pivotal moment that caused her to reevaluate everything from team structure to brand identity. We’re unpacking the growing pains of leadership, the shifts in her creative voice, and the intentional ways she’s expanding her firm’s reach beyond traditional client services.

This is an honest, behind-the-scenes look at what it really means to grow as both a designer and an entrepreneur.

Season 7 of The Interior Collective Podcast is brought to you by Materio.

This episode is brought to you in partnership with Loloi.

An operating system built specifically for design projects—from start to finish. That’s what Materio is.
From concept to handoff, client billing to procurement—it’s one connected workflow. Try it for free.
It’s intuitive. It’s fast. The Interior Collective listeners get 50% off their first month. Just head to getmaterio.com to claim the offer.

Subscribe now at patreon.com/theinteriorcollective

Today on The Interior Collective, I’m joined by husband and wife team Rebekah Zaveloff and Nick Nichols, the founders of KitchenLab Interiors and Imparfait Design Studio. With a shared background in hospitality and a deep appreciation for art, culture, and design, their work is soulful, layered, and rooted in storytelling.

Rebekah’s foundation in fine arts and set design has shaped her process-driven approach, while Nick’s early career in the restaurant world—and later, in real estate and renovation—fueled their shared passion for creating spaces where people truly want to linger. Together, they launched KitchenLab Interiors more than 20 years ago before expanding into full-service interiors with Imparfait.

In this conversation, we’re diving into what it’s really taken to build and sustain two successful design studios, including their pivotal decision not to rebrand—and why that choice paid off in the long run. We’ll also explore how they’ve scaled through economic shifts, refined their client experience, and marketed their work for lasting growth.

If you’ve ever wondered how to evolve your business without losing your momentum, this episode is for you.