Confessions of an Interior Designer - I confess… my contractor is sabotaging me

I confess… my contractor is sabotaging me

Explicit content warning

02/05/25 • 54 min

Confessions of an Interior Designer

Welcome to another episode of Confessions of an Interior Designer!

Today, host Caroline Turner chats with Dee Thompson. From IT consultant to construction mogul: discover how Dee transformed her career and built Urbane Home, a thriving woman-led construction and design company. Despite initial self-doubt, Dee's journey showcases how she leveraged her IT project management skills to navigate the construction industry, turning her passion for design into a successful business venture.

Learn how Urbane Home revolutionized client relationships through a methodical pre-selection process, carefully vetting potential clients to ensure perfect matches. Their unique approach includes a structured interview process and strategic presentation of options, setting clear expectations from the start.

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⏰ Timestamps:

00:00: Intro and welcome with Caroline Turner
00:21: How did Dee get to where she is
20:20: Dee's vice
22:22: Confession #1 - teen angst
34:15: Confession #2 - contractor crosses the line
47:03: Audience Question #1 - questions to ask when vetting a contractor
47:50: Audience Question #2 - advice for women pursuing construction
53:04: What made Dee feel

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📲 Building bold spaces—follow Dee for expert design and construction insights:

Instagram: @urbanehome
Website: urbanehome.com

Got a juicy confession or design dilemma? Submit anonymously here.

Help others find us! Give us a quick rating or review on your pod platform - we appreciate every one of you.

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💌 Connect with Us:

Follow us on Instagram and TikTok
Join the conversation in our Facebook Group!
Learn more about the podcast, guests and episodes here

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

📝 Credits:

Caroline Turner - Host & Executive Producer
Cory Barton - Audio Engineer & Producer
Gracie Miller - Producer
Kim Kovacik - Cover Photography

Welcome to another episode of Confessions of an Interior Designer!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

⏰ Timestamps:

00:00: Intro and welcome with Caroline Turner
00:21: How did Dee get to where she is
20:20: Dee's vice
22:22: Confession #1 - teen angst
34:15: Confession #2 - contractor crosses the line
47:03: Audience Question #1 - questions to ask when vetting a contractor
47:50: Audience Question #2 - advice for women pursuing construction
53:04: What made Dee feel

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

📲 Building bold spaces—follow Dee for expert design and construction insights:

Instagram: @urbanehome
Website: urbanehome.com

Got a juicy confession or design dilemma? Submit anonymously here.

Help others find us! Give us a quick rating or review on your pod platform - we appreciate every one of you.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

💌 Connect with Us:

Follow us on Instagram and TikTok
Join the conversation in our Facebook Group!
Learn more about the podcast, guests and episodes here

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

📝 Credits:

Caroline Turner - Host & Executive Producer
Cory Barton - Audio Engineer & Producer
Gracie Miller - Producer
Kim Kovacik - Cover Photography

Previous Episode

I confess… my client is going to bankrupt me

Welcome to another episode of Confessions of an Interior Designer!

Today, host Caroline Turner chats with Maddie Asebrook! Ever wondered what happens when a fashion industry professional switches lanes to interior design? Maddie's compelling journey from fashion to becoming a successful design rep in Chicago reveals fascinating insights about industry evolution and cultural shifts.

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⏰ Timestamps:

00:00: Intro and welcome with Caroline Turner
00:21: Maddie Asebrook’s background and transition from fashion to interior design
25:29: Maddie’s vice
26:34: Confession #1 — fronting money for my client
42:06: Confession #2 — the "partner"
59:04: Audience question #1 — advice on staying inspired
62:29: Audience question #2 — balancing client preferences and yours
64:44: Things that made Maddie and Caroline feel

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Got a juicy confession or design dilemma? Submit anonymously here.

Help others find us! Give us a quick rating or review on your pod platform - we appreciate every one of you.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

💌 Connect with Us:

Follow us on Instagram and TikTok
Join the conversation in our Facebook Group!
Learn more about the podcast, guests and episodes here

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

📝 Credits:

Caroline Turner - Host & Executive Producer
Cory Barton - Audio Engineer & Producer
Gracie Miller - Producer
Kim Kovacik - Cover Photography

Next Episode

I confess… publishing my work turned into a PR disaster

Welcome to another episode of Confessions of an Interior Designer!

Today, host Caroline Turner chats with Shannon Sharpe, a Chicago-based design and lifestyle writer with nearly two decades of experience in the publishing world. Shannon shares her unconventional journey from marketing to journalism, eventually finding her passion in design writing. With bylines in Luxe Interiors & Design, Architectural Digest, and Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles, Shannon dives into the behind-the-scenes world of design publications, offering insights into how stories are crafted and the ethics of editorial decisions. Plus, she reveals the challenges of balancing client expectations with journalistic integrity and the surprising ways her work has intersected with her personal life—including meeting her husband through a design feature!

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⏰ Timestamps: