Confessions of an Interior Designer - I confess… publishing my work turned into a PR disaster

I confess… publishing my work turned into a PR disaster

Explicit content warning

02/12/25 • 68 min

Confessions of an Interior Designer

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:

00:00: Intro and welcome with Caroline Turner
00:21: Shannon's Introduction
22:09: Shannon's vice
24:38: Confession #1 - Budget friendly design
46:57: Confession #2 - The statement sofa
58:14: Question #1 - selecting projects to feature?
62:08: Questions #2 - Design trends to get rid of
65:03: What made Shannon feel

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📲 Crafting timeless stories—follow Shannon for design writing and industry insights:

Instagram: @shannonsharpewriter
Website: shannon-sharpe.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: Shannon's Introduction
22:09: Shannon's vice
24:38: Confession #1 - Budget friendly design
46:57: Confession #2 - The statement sofa
58:14: Question #1 - selecting projects to feature?
62:08: Questions #2 - Design trends to get rid of
65:03: What made Shannon feel

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

📲 Crafting timeless stories—follow Shannon for design writing and industry insights:

Instagram: @shannonsharpewriter
Website: shannon-sharpe.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 contractor is sabotaging me

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.

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

💌 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… my rebrand nearly ruined me

Welcome to another episode of Confessions of an Interior Designer!

Today, host Caroline Turner chats with Iga Soszynska, the founder of Designed by So, a multidisciplinary design studio based in Los Angeles. With a background in interior design, branding, and business strategy, Iga helps designers build strong, scalable businesses with a focus on marketing and process improvement. In this episode, she shares her journey from working at large firms to striking out on her own, and the lessons she learned about branding the hard way. Plus, she reveals the key mistakes designers make when trying to market themselves—and how to avoid them.

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⏰ Timestamps: