Mandy Cheng // From Set Design to Interior Design, On Career Pivots, Creativity and Growing A Small Firm into an AD100 Business

We’re continuing our run of bonus episodes ahead of Season 6 with the return of designer Elizabeth Lawrence, partner at Williams Lawrence and longtime collaborator of the legendary Bunny Williams. Since Elizabeth last joined Ariel on Talk Shop, she and Bunny have reached a major new milestone together: the release of their new book, Decoration, out now from Rizzoli. Bringing together nearly a decade of work, the book goes beyond a traditional project-by-project design monograph to explore how we develop our eye, understand what we’re drawn to, and create rooms that feel personal, layered and collected over time. Elizabeth joins Ariel to talk about writing her first book alongside Bunny, how their partnership has evolved, and why the best way to become a better decorator is simply to keep looking. They get into everything from preserving craftsmanship and resisting trends to sourcing slowly, getting scale right, mixing old and new, and knowing where it’s worth investing. Plus, Elizabeth shares her practical roadmap for tackling a room from scratch, why a beautiful home should still be a place where people feel comfortable actually living, and what she hopes readers will see differently after spending time with Decoration. Decoration by Bunny Williams and Elizabeth Lawrence is on sale now. Pick up your copy now: https://go.shopmy.us/p-54398417

Annie Meyers-Shyer is back on Talk Shop — and a lot has changed since her first visit. When Annie last joined Ariel, she was deep in the renovation of her Los Angeles home, documenting the process through her beloved Instagram account, This Oak House. Now, the house is finished, her debut book This Oak House is officially here, and she’s launched a collection with Target, with even more creative projects on the horizon. In this special bonus episode, Ariel and Annie catch up on what it’s actually like to live in a home after years spent obsessing over every detail, how Annie’s approach to personal style has evolved, and why the best interiors are the ones that feel unmistakably like the people who live in them. Annie takes us inside the making of This Oak House, from writing about the renovation while she was still in the thick of it to capturing the finished home in a way that feels authentic to real life. They also get into the lessons Annie learned along the way: where to spend and where to save, why mockups are always worth it, how to avoid getting swept up in trends, what to do before beginning a renovation, and why sometimes the best thing you can do is bring your team the problem instead of the solution. Plus, Annie reflects on finding an unexpected second creative chapter, learning to trust her own point of view, and the bigger lesson behind the journey from a “random Instagram account” to a book, product collaborations, and whatever comes next: sometimes you just have to bet on yourself. Pick up your copy of This Oak House now: https://go.shopmy.us/p-83823167

This week we are bringing you two special bonus episodes recorded live at the third annual Fenimore Lane Design Summit, with the second a thoughtful conversation about craftsmanship, preservation, and the enduring power of heritage-inspired design. Presented by Woven and moderated by Grace Beuley Hunt, Home & Design Editor at LUXE Interiors + Design, this panel brings together Shannon Davis, co-founder of Woven, designer and preservationist Stephenie Watts, and tastemaker and shopkeeper Alexander Widener. Together, they explore what it means to create homes rooted in history, place, and authenticity. From restoring historic properties and preserving original architectural details to sourcing natural materials and supporting traditional craftsmanship, the conversation examines how thoughtful design choices can create spaces that feel deeply personal and enduring. The panel also reflects on sustainability, intentional sourcing, and why so many homeowners are gravitating toward pieces with a sense of origin and story. At its heart, this discussion is about creating homes that not only look beautiful, but also foster connection—to history, to craft, and to the people who live within them. — Recorded live on June 6, 2026, at the Fenimore Lane Design Summit at the Mayflower Inn & Spa in Washington, Connecticut in partnership with The Shade Store.

This week we are bringing you two special bonus episodes recorded live at the third annual Fenimore Lane Design Summit, with the first welcoming listeners to a conversation exploring one of the most transformative elements of interior design: light. Presented by The Shade Store, and moderated by Grace Beuley Hunt, Home & Design Editor at LUXE Interiors + Design, this discussion brings together three celebrated designers, to examine how window treatments shape the mood, comfort, and architecture of a home. Our guests are Victoria Hagan, Founder, Victoria Hagan Interiors, Jennifer Hunter, Founder, Jennifer Hunter Design, and Lee Ann Thornton, Founder, Lee Ann Thornton Interiors. From balancing beauty and practicality to designing around natural light from the very beginning of a project, the panel explores how drapery, shades, texture, and proportion influence the way we experience a space. Along the way, the designers share their approaches to creating warmth, intimacy, and atmosphere, as well as the trends and innovations shaping the category today. Whether you're renovating a home, designing a single room, or simply fascinated by the details that make great interiors feel effortless, this conversation offers a thoughtful look at the art of designing with light. — Recorded live on June 6, 2026, at the Fenimore Lane Design Summit at the Mayflower Inn & Spa in Washington, Connecticut in partnership with The Shade Store.

This week on Talk Shop, Ariel wraps up the season by welcoming fellow designer and friend Sarah Lederman in anticipation of the launch of her new textile and wallpaper line, Three Fates Textiles. A graduate of the New York School of Interior Design, Sarah began her career interning for Bunny Williams before joining Tom Scheerer. After her time under the two icons, Sarah developed a refined aesthetic that seamlessly blends classic elements with modern, unexpected touches, and branched out on her own to open her own firm. Sarah offers a collaborative, client-centered interior design experience rooted in creating spaces that are both beautiful and deeply functional. Her thoughtful approach, paired with extensive experience managing residential and commercial projects around the world, ensures no detail is overlooked. Her work has been featured in Domino, House Beautiful, Luxe Magazine, and more. She was recently named a featured designer by AD Pro for 2024 and included on The List by House & Garden. — Now available, discover Sarah’s textile line, Three Fates Textiles Learn more about Sarah Lederman Follow on social @SarahLedermanInteriors Explore Sarah’s ShopMy storefront — To join Ariel and our Season 5 guests on ShopMy, download the ShopMy app, create a shopper account, and start building wishlists and shopping your favorite pieces, now at go.shopmy.us! — Join us for this year’s Fenimore Lane Design Summit on June 6th and 7th!