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Life By Design

Life By Design

Written by: DSA
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 The Designer Society of America has launched a new digital series called Life by Design, which will feature in-depth conversations with interior designers and industry professionals, highlighting the unique missions and stories that make up the fabric of our DSA community.© 2023 Art
Episodes
  • Benjamin Johnston Excited About Release of His First Book

    Benjamin Johnston Excited About Release of His First Book
    Dec 12 2025

    While Benjamin Johnston's main focuses may be interior design and his firm, Benjamin Johnston Design in Houston, he's also an artist, teacher and tastemaker.

    And, mostly recently, he added author to the list with the release of his first book, "Refined Interiors: Timeless Homes for Modern Living" by Rizzoli.

    "It was fun writing the book and putting into words what hadn't really existed in conversation, thought or in process in the office," he says, "and be able to crystalize and articulate what we did. It was a worthwhile experience."

    In this debut book with Rizzoli, Johnston unveils eight recently completed residences that embody his distinctive aesthetic and design philosophies.

    "Our entire industry thrives on collaboration, and I'm really excited to be able to have this book that is really a reflection of the incredible contractors, artisans, craftsman and vendors that we had the privilege to work with throughout this process and be able to have something tangible to really show for all that wonderful experience and collaboration together," he adds.

    We had the pleasure of interviewing Johnston recently to learn more about his design background and his passion for creativity.
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    34 mins
  • Only the Best Moving Services for Interior Designers

    Only the Best Moving Services for Interior Designers
    Nov 13 2025
    "Give me a museum and I'll fill it." – Pablo Picasso, Spanish Painter, Sculptor and Printmaker World-renowned artist Pablo Picasso, whose works of art have sold for hundreds of millions of dollars, often made this comment when talking about his prolific ability to create. Museums, which are where so many of us have seen some of the most delicate, intricate and studied art pieces in the world, are time capsules for history. They preserve some of the most beautiful things on this planet, and Picasso's pieces are absolutely some of the best. So imagine, if you will, if you had a chance to not only see one of his pieces in person, but to also handle it—albeit delicately—and be tasked with moving it ever so carefully into someone's home and helping hang it in this new space. Well, that's what Operations Manager Mark Paratore and his team at Colwright Designer Delivery—a McCorquodale Transfer company—are fortunate to do day in and day out. Described as a white glove moving service, Colwright works with a host of designers, private clients, real estate agents and contractors, delivering top-notch services for everything from a whole-home move to the rearrangement of a single room. "'White glove' at Colwright is about going into a space with a good presence—smile on your face, good rapport—and our expectation is to take our time," Paratore says. "We aren't trying to rush into a home and deliver their items. We want to make it an experience … taking our time to make sure everything is delivered the right way and nothing is damaged." We had the pleasure of interviewing Paratore recently, learning more about the company and how they provide excellent services to clients, especially those in the interior design industry.
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    26 mins
  • Rebuilding After the L.A. Fires

    Rebuilding After the L.A. Fires
    Oct 2 2025
    In January, Caren Rideau experienced the unimaginable. Her interior design firm of 30-plus years, Kitchen Design Group, burned to the ground in the devastating wildfire that swept through Los Angeles. "Within the first week after the fire, I had about 10 clients tell me that I better not get out of this business," Rideau recalls. "They were depending on me to rebuild. I knew I mattered." About two weeks later, she decided she was—in fact—coming back, although she wasn't quite sure what that was going to look like. In September, Rideau and her team reopened their showroom in Santa Monica, about 5 miles from her previous location in Pacific Palisades. "It's smaller, but that was intentional," she says. "I wanted to be more practical [with the new location], so it's a smaller space. There is one showroom in this location, and it's an operational kitchen. I want this new showroom and 'Chapter 2.0' to reflect more of the things I love, and it kind of encompasses my last book, entertaining, kitchen design and wine." We had the pleasure of interviewing Rideau recently, learning about why she chose interior design and why she chose kitchen design, as well as her book and her collaboration with Gorky Pottery. Full article and video here: https://designviewpoint.dsasociety.org/accidentally-on-purpose-caren-rideau/
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    38 mins
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