Episode 02: Frustration to Innovation: An Interior Designer's Journey with Lori Bolon Founder of Portaire
If These Walls Could Talk: The Business of Interiors PodcastShow Notes
In Episode 02 of the If These Walls Could Talk Podcast, Rachel is joined by Lori Bolon. Lori is the founder of Portaire, an inspirational platform for Interior Designers and Architects. Portaire offers commentary on luxury design and has a curated and growing directory of high end interior brands, ultimately it is designed to help simplify processes. Portaire was born out of frustration of inefficient workflows, and Lori is on a journey to help change that.
Lori's international experience has undoubtedly shaped her view on how things are done, and despite differences in how one country may operate compared to another, she has distilled that into one simple and similar set of problems, Establishing something like Portaire is bold, it requires speed, clarity, funding, and while Portaire remains young, it also remains agile, and something which can be shaped by the end user. You can tell that she has a creative mind, her self confessed inability take things slow and not do all of the things has required taming. Her intention to create a single source of truth is something we can all relate to and if she can create one platform that achieves that, I think we’re listening.
Follow the host: https://www.instagram.com/thebusinessofinteriors/
Connect with the show: https://www.thebusinessofinteriors.co.uk/podcast
Connect with the guest: https://www.instagram.com/portaire_/
Artwork featured in the video of the podcast is by Bromley & Bouverie: https://www.bromleyandbouverie.com/
This podcast is sponsored by Rachel Usher Interior Design: https://rachelusherinteriordesign.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
More from If These Walls Could Talk: The Business of Interiors Podcast
In this episode, I sit down with Phoebe Hollond, founder of Studio Hollond, to explore her unconventional route into interior design and the realities of building a creative business from the ground up.
Joanna Draper on career change, design business systems, and the value of specialist wall covering.
Building a Business on Your Own Terms: Rebecca Hughes on Leadership, Growth, and Resilience Discover the inspiring story of Rebecca Hughes, who transitioned from a career in advertising to establishing a high-end interior design studio in London. In this episode, she shares insights into her growth, the importance of mentorship, client relationships, and balancing personal life with a thriving business.
Discover the transformative power of narrative-led design with interior designer Sameena Singh.In this episode, Sameena Singh takes us on a journey through her innovative approach to interior design, where storytelling becomes the cornerstone of creating personalised residential spaces. With over 15 years of global experience in luxury hospitality and high-end residential design, Sameena brings a refined eye and holistic vision to every project. Her work spans continents and iconic names, from the timeless grandeur of the Ritz-Carlton to the quiet opulence of Four Seasons, Fairmont, and Jumeirah where she has orchestrated every phase of the design narrative, from first sketch to final flourish.
For interior designers looking to expand beyond familiar borders, this episode is a deep dive into why global exposure isn’t just valuable, it’s essential. We explore how engaging with international suppliers, markets, and perspectives can elevate your design work, strengthen your sourcing network, and open doors to entirely new opportunities. At the centre of this conversation is High Point Market Authority and its flagship event, High Point Market—widely regarded as the world’s largest home furnishings trade show.