Courtney Porter
Every once in a while a designer like Jesse Visser comes along whose work sits so comfortably at the intersection of art and design, so as to make them inseparable. Visser is a luminary in contemporary design, whose unmistakably singular aesthetic and iconic designs prioritize user interaction, balancing conceptual purity with commercial appeal.
Todd Noe, founder of Maiden Steel, discovered his passion in a junior high metal shop class. The sight of sparks flying and molten metal yearning to be shaped fueled his fascination. His affection for crafting with metal sparked instantly, starting with welding skateboards, then on to high-end bikes, and culminating in his current focus on architectural steel doors and windows at Maiden Steel.
nown throughout the home furnishings and lighting industries for his immense warmth and undeniable talent, Michael Bauer is sharing how he looks at all aspects of the business of design, his insights into supporting the national Interior Design Community, and what it’s like to celebrate his 1st Anniversary at his “dream job” as the Director of Trade Relations at International Rug Brand Feizy.
Ishida began her design career by selling elevated gifts, furnishings, and antiques primarily for nurseries at her petite Cici Crib shop in New York. Her unique and sophisticated approach to children’s rooms facilitated a seamless transition into designing for adults. She is currently the head designer at Splurge Home and the principal of CiCi Crib Interiors, the prominent design firm in Pittsburg, PA, specializing in transforming the whole ‘crib.’ Our conversation not only explores her shift from nurseries to comprehensive home design and from shop ownership to interior design but also delves into topics such as establishing trust with clients and considering the personality of furniture and architectural elements within a project.
DNN Editor in Chief Courtney Porter sits down with Catherine Schmetter and Joseph Palmer, the visionary founders of Russell Sutter to discuss how they prioritize standing out in a sea of mass-produced products. Together they delve into sourcing inspiration from fashion and dance, and bridging the gap between fine art and everyday design, their commitment to domestic manufacturing and the ways in which technology is challenging traditional retail models.
Los Angeles-based designer Kim Colwell has a transformational approach to interior design—one that intricately weaves together environmental psychology and the principles of feng shui. Rooted in her early experiences within her grandparents’ historic home and influenced by her mother’s background as a shaman and clinical psychologist, Colwell’s design philosophy revolves around understanding how environments shape human development and what interior designers can do about it.



