I confess... the $50k mistake

Explicit content warning

11/27/24 • 43 min

Welcome back!! We are BUZZING with excitement and completely obsessed with all your amazing feedback since our launch. Today’s episode is packed with drama, inspiration, and plenty of laughs – and I can’t wait for you to hear it!

This week, I’m joined by the endlessly talented interior design consultant and stylist Darwin Fitz. From dodging veterinary school to becoming a landscape design star and now a sought-after stylist, Darwin’s unexpected career twists will leave you inspired and ready to embrace your own unique path in the industry.

And then - hold onto your tape measures - because this week’s listener confessions are next-level outrageous! In “The Mouse Mansion,” revolting rodents, a tyrannical boat captain (yes, really), and unhinged house rules combine for one designer’s nightmare project. And in “The Case of the Swapped Marble,” a $50,000 blunder takes an unbelievable turn, proving that sometimes the universe really does work in mysterious ways...

But it’s not all chaos and confessions. We’re also digging into practical advice, from surviving life after a company acquisition to balancing clients with wildly clashing tastes. Plus, the tiny joys that keep us sane (and stylish) in this whirlwind industry.

This episode has everything: drama, wisdom, and plenty of tea to spill. Don’t miss it! And keep those messages coming—we’re LOVING building this incredible community with you. 💕

What to Expect This Episode:

Darwin Fitz spills all – the exciting and unexpected path to success
The Mouse Mansion – bizarre rules, revolting surprises, and a house manager you won’t believe
The Marble Mishap – a jaw-dropping $50K disaster with an unexpected twist
Industry Survival Tips – managing acquisitions and clients with wildly clashing tastes
Little Joys, Big Wins – what keeps us sane in a hectic industry

Find out more about Darwin Fitz:

Visit Darwin’s website: darwinfitzdesign.com
Follow Darwin on Instagram: @darwin.fitz
Request Darwin’s portfolio by emailing [email protected]

Got a Confession?

Your secret’s safe with us! Submit your anonymous confession here.

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

Ready to hear confession? Listen now!

Credits:

Caroline Turner - Host & Executive Producer
Morgan Purcell - Executive Producer
Megan Bay Dorman - Producer & Consultant
Cory Barton - Audio Engineer & Editor
Kim Kovacik - Cover Photography

This episode has everything: drama, wisdom, and plenty of tea to spill. Don’t miss it! And keep those messages coming—we’re LOVING building this incredible community with you. 💕

What to Expect This Episode:

Darwin Fitz spills all – the exciting and unexpected path to success
The Mouse Mansion – bizarre rules, revolting surprises, and a house manager you won’t believe
The Marble Mishap – a jaw-dropping $50K disaster with an unexpected twist
Industry Survival Tips – managing acquisitions and clients with wildly clashing tastes
Little Joys, Big Wins – what keeps us sane in a hectic industry

Find out more about Darwin Fitz:

Visit Darwin’s website: darwinfitzdesign.com
Follow Darwin on Instagram: @darwin.fitz
Request Darwin’s portfolio by emailing [email protected]

Got a Confession?

Your secret’s safe with us! Submit your anonymous confession here.

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

Ready to hear confession? Listen now!

Credits:

Caroline Turner - Host & Executive Producer
Morgan Purcell - Executive Producer
Megan Bay Dorman - Producer & Consultant
Cory Barton - Audio Engineer & Editor
Kim Kovacik - Cover Photography

Previous Episode

I confess... I broke into my client's house

Welcome to Confessions of an Interior Designer! I’m Caroline Turner, your host, here to pull back the velvet drapes on the secrets, scandals, and stories of the interior design world.

In this very first solo episode, I’m spilling my own confessions - because it wouldn’t be fair to dish out the drama without sharing some of my own. From an unforgettable under-the-desk moment during my early days working for an industry legend, to learning what it's really like to work with high profile people in the industry, I’m taking you through the wild twists that shaped my journey.

But the tea doesn’t stop there. This week’s listener confession is a jaw-dropper: high-profile clients, a $25,000 surprise, and a dinner party disaster that spirals out of control. You’ll want to grab your popcorn for this one.

To wrap things up, I’m diving into your burning questions about working with indecisive clients, navigating residential design challenges, and the tiny joys that keep me grounded in this wonderfully chaotic industry.

Get ready for an episode packed with candor, chaos, and confessions—it’s going to be a wild ride!

What to Expect This Episode:

Office Glam Gone Wild – confessions from my newbie era with an industry legend
The Chair Scandal – when high stakes lead to an audacious cover-up
Meet Morgan! – our producer makes her debut with sharp insights and a little sass
Your Design Dilemmas – solved
Things That Make Me Feel – my current comforts and inspirations

Got a Confession?

Your secret’s safe with us! Submit your anonymous confession here.

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

Ready to hear confession? Listen now!

Credits:

Caroline Turner - Host & Executive Producer
Morgan Purcell - Executive Producer
Megan Bay Dorman - Producer & Consultant
Cory Barton - Audio Engineer & Editor
Kim Kovacik - Cover Photography

Next Episode

I confess... my client offered me cocaine

Welcome to another scandalously entertaining episode of Confessions of an Interior Designer! I’m your host, Caroline Turner, and today we’re diving into the drama, creativity, and lessons that come with life as an interior designer. From a Silicon Valley penthouse project gone awry to a discount-obsessed nightmare client, this week’s stories prove that every space has its sins -and we’re here to spill the tea.

What to Expect This Episode:

🎨 Special Guest: Joining me is the talented Kimberly Swedelius, a prop and interior stylist specializing in still life and set design. Kimberly shares her inspiring journey from novice to pro, with invaluable advice for thriving in the fast-paced world of styling and interior design.

🔑 Listener Confessions:

“Lines and Designs”: A tech mogul with over-the-top demands and an unexpected (illegal!) “thank you” for creative genius...
“Discount Disaster”: A Dallas dream home client whose obsession with bargains turns into a designer’s worst nightmare...

💡 Industry Insights:

How to navigate client negotiations and red flags
Strategies for building rapport with challenging personalities
Tips on showing your personality online without alienating clients

🌟 The Feel Factor: Kimberly and I wrap up by sharing the little joys and big wins that keep us sane in the whirlwind world of design.

GET INVOLVED!

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

📲 Stay inspired—follow Kimberly for prop styling magic:

Instagram: @kimberlyswedelius
Website: kswedelius.com

This episode has everything: outrageous client antics, insider advice, and plenty of laughs. Don’t miss it - and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review!

💌 Connect with Us: