The Style Files: Conversations with Creatives

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Interior designer and tastemaker, Paloma Contreras takes you further into the beloved "The Style Files" column from her blog, La Dolce Vita, for thoughtful, engaging conversations with creative entrepreneurs. Delve into the journeys of design luminaries and design industry trailblazers through these fascinating talks.

Recent Episodes
  • Jane Churchill
    Dec 30, 2020 – 00:46:12
  • Ariel Okin
    Dec 18, 2020 – 01:01:13
  • Kit Kemp
    Dec 11, 2020 – 00:49:11
  • John Robshaw
    Dec 4, 2020 – 00:46:14
  • Markham Roberts
    Nov 23, 2020 – 00:54:36
  • Jaimie Dewberry
    Nov 13, 2020 – 00:52:07
  • Vicente Wolf
    Nov 11, 2020 – 00:56:40
  • Alfredo Paredes
    Oct 30, 2020 – 00:49:59
  • Aerin Lauder
    Oct 23, 2020 – 00:39:42
  • Peter Dunham
    Oct 17, 2020 – 01:02:58
  • India Hicks
    Oct 2, 2020 – 00:59:49
  • Kathryn Ireland
    Sep 30, 2020 – 01:03:43
  • Barrie Benson
    Sep 23, 2020 – 01:06:17
  • Paolo Moschino and Philip Vergeylen
    Sep 18, 2020 – 01:02:06
  • Josh Young
    Sep 9, 2020 – 00:55:06
  • Michael S Smith
    Sep 4, 2020 – 01:16:09
  • Tom Scheerer
    Sep 2, 2020 – 00:55:37
  • Nam Dang-Mitchell
    Aug 26, 2020 – 00:49:44
  • David Jimenez
    Aug 21, 2020 – 01:06:05
  • Serena Dugan
    Aug 19, 2020 – 01:06:52
  • Jeffrey Dungan
    Aug 12, 2020 – 01:05:16
  • Sheila Bridges
    Aug 7, 2020 – 01:08:08
  • Jan Showers
    Aug 5, 2020 – 01:08:47
  • Tina Ramchandani
    Jul 31, 2020 – 00:54:59
  • Timothy Whealon
    Jul 29, 2020 – 01:07:37
  • Lauren Liess
    Jul 24, 2020 – 00:55:06
  • Charlotte Moss
    Jul 22, 2020 – 00:59:07
  • Robert Rufino
    Jul 17, 2020 – 01:09:12
  • Timothy Corrigan
    Jul 15, 2020 – 00:59:29
  • Roxy Te Owens
    Jul 10, 2020 – 00:59:42
  • Michael Amato, Creative Director of The Urban Electric Co.
    Jul 8, 2020 – 00:49:24
  • Thomas A. Kligerman
    Jul 3, 2020 – 01:00:46
  • Katie Ridder
    Jul 1, 2020 – 00:53:12
  • Kate Rheinstein Brodsky
    Jun 26, 2020 – 00:55:14
  • Carrier and Co.
    Jun 24, 2020 – 01:00:11
  • Season 1 Finale
    Jun 20, 2020 – 00:07:22
  • Ray Booth
    Jun 19, 2020 – 00:54:54
  • Nicole Gibbons
    Jun 17, 2020 – 01:02:49
  • Bonus Episode: Dennis Scully & Paloma Contreras
    Jun 12, 2020 – 01:07:43
  • Alex Papachristidis
    Jun 10, 2020 – 00:58:44
  • William Li
    Jun 8, 2020 – 01:00:18
  • Caroline Gidiere
    May 29, 2020 – 01:07:02
  • Ashley Whittaker
    May 27, 2020 – 00:50:57
  • Amy Meier
    May 22, 2020 – 01:02:52
  • Palmer Weiss
    May 20, 2020 – 01:02:20
  • Alexa Hampton
    May 15, 2020 – 00:56:48
  • Dara Caponigro
    May 13, 2020 – 00:51:01
  • Christopher Spitzmiller
    May 8, 2020 – 00:48:55
  • Suzanne Kasler
    May 6, 2020 – 01:03:51
  • Gen Sohr
    May 1, 2020 – 01:01:40
Recent Reviews
  • axguhvhi
    Awful
    This podcast is awful. Here the host has some of the most talented interior designers and decorators with a wealth of information and she asks the most basic generic questions they may as well all be the same thing over and over again! Ask these decorators some specifics! What is their favorite fabric of all time, favorite paint color etc. pick their brains and give some better content!!!
  • bennettlynn
    Stories please!
    I think it would be a lot of fun to hear more stories; actual “boots on the ground” stories about what it means to pull the house together with some of the obstacles are with some of the designers experiences have been cautionary tales inspirational tales. What I don’t care about is where someone was born and how they got their start... honestly painfully boring.
  • Toodles777
    Great content, lacking certain qualities
    I really like this podcast and enjoy hearing about each guests life and their path into design. My one complaint (and the things that made me rate this podcast with 3/5 stars) is that the conversation seems so scripted. Paloma asks very thought engaging questions, but sometimes after her guests reply it seems like she wasn’t listening at all and just moves on to the next question. It almost lacks a sense of being genuine or personable. This is the one thing that is missing for me, and no matter how hard I try to overlook it I can’t.
  • drjcepeda
    Educational and inspirational
    This is one of my favorite podcasts. I enjoy listening to Paloma talk from the heart about design. She shares stories and tips on how to incorporate design and find our style. I like how she encourages and inspires. Hands down my favorite!!
  • 123montague
    I love this podcast!
    Thank you for helping me learn! I’m constantly listening. I can’t wait for every podcast. I have learned so much and I hope to meet you someday! As I live in Houston too! Cheers!
  • ORT090
    A novice designer’s education
    I am a new designer who is eager to learn and grow. This podcast has helped me enormously. The caliber of the guests brought onto the show is unbelievable, as is the host’s knowledge of design. The podcast brings up all aspects of a career as an interior designer. Nuggets of information about how people structure their fees, office management and procure clients are as important as hearing the creative side of the industry and I’m very grateful to hear this from actual designers in the field. Thank you.
  • Charleston Bibliophile
    Almost 5star! Technical issues
    I have followed Paloma for many years & love her interviews. I have waited to review to give her a chance to work through her technical difficulties with sound. I will continue to listen and hope for five stars in the near future once those glitches are worked out. I applaud her energy and commitment to expand her platforms!
  • DCA6457
    Love This
    I love this podcast - Paloma has amazing guests and she does something that so many podcast hosts don’t do - she lets her guests speak instead of speaking a lot herself. As a listener I’m so grateful for this as that’s why I listen - to hear what the guests have to say!
  • Minneapolis Mama of Three
    Substantive podcast
    I am very grateful this podcast exists. I love hearing an open dialogue between Paloma and such esteemed decorators and designers. I disagree with reviewers who dislike the consistent questions, I actually appreciate hearing the different takes on the same topic from the various podcast guests. The structure of the podcast makes it not only interesting but incredibly informative. It offers a glimpse of design professionals’ ideas and techniques in a unique way (versus other mediums). Overall I love it! 👍
  • LauraMotley
    So Inspiring!
    Paloma is a delightful interviewer. As a designer, I listen with great interest and always come away not only inspired but in possession of new ideas and instruction to help me in my own design practice.
  • Gill Pill 3000
    Thoroughly engaging!
    Thank you for these intelligent, interesting conversations. What a treat for those of us not in the design world. Learning something new each time! Well done!!
  • 1decorfreak
    Smart, in-depth, great guests!
    Smart, in-depth interviews with some of the greats! I appreciate Paloma’s questions and input. Sometimes there are technical issues like echos and delays but it’s smoothed over with the quality of the content. Keep up the great work!
  • akasten17
    Josh Young interview
    Loved your interview with Josh Young, so interesting and loved hearing how he got started. Great job!!
  • retailbna
    Top Rate Design Interviews
    I was first introduced to Paloma‘s design work at the 2019 Kips Bay Showhouse in New York. Walking into her stark white study and seeing how she magnificently intertwined splashes of chartreuse curtains & velvet chair cushions along with lipstick red sconce shades was one of the highlights of that show house.She has amazing design and color talent and now with her podcast, it shows how well thought of she is within the design industry to attract her top-flight guests. During this veil of COVID-19, podcasts like hers have been enjoyable and educational. It’s so awesome to hear her guests talk abut their approach to design, their background and details about their projects. The fact that she is able to lure and interview such luminaries in the design and architectural world is a gift to all of us who love our homes and want to make them more beautiful. I’ve learned so much and look forward to alerts announcing her newest interview!
  • jennette q
    Needs an editor
    While I have listened to quite a few of these because there is an amazing guest list, and I really love Paloma’s blog, please have someone edit this podcast! There are too many strange segues between questions and answers, it sounds super scripted. I think Paloma just needs some help getting this more conversational. Also, please quit asking the same questions to every designer. Most of the designers featured on this podcast are very easy to talk to and are used to being interviewed, have more of a conversation with them. Imagine if you were watching Rachel Maddow and she asked the same set of questions to every guest that came on to her program. Nobody would watch!
  • KarynMillet
    Photographer
    Anyone who loves design, will love Paloma's podcast! Each show introduces you to a new luminary in the interior or architecture arena and you feel as if you're right there having a conversation together. Bravo to Paloma and her wonderful guests!
  • JCTNMBelle
    Good but could be shorter
    I wish she would cut out some of the pleasantries and just cut to the good stuff! The guests are great..could tell you a few to skip though. Her interviewing skills are improving. With Paloma not having a design or communications degree I’m pretty impressed!
  • sayre123456
    Good content and guests, painful interviewer
    Love the content but man she is a painful interviewer. Parrots back language of those she interviews with long gaps between question and answer that make you (or at least me) squirm.
  • NancyK1122
    Host has improved a lot -- great guests
    In my original review, I criticized Paloma's interviewing skills. I've listed to more episodes and I she has really improved in that respect. It's much more conversational and natural. I realize interviewing isn't her natural domain, so I'm impressed with how much better she has gotten at it in such a short time. And she continues to get wonderful guests who are very open and willing to share not just their design expertise but a lot of interesting info about themselves and their back stories.
  • MDforsberg
    the who's who of design!
    What a wonderful podcast during what has been an uncertain time. The roster of talent is amazing and Poloma is a great host. Her style is relaxed and it's obvious the rapport she has with all of these creatives. So many of the designers i can recall rooms they designed in my archive of elle decor. With shelter mags falling to the wayside it's great to hear from such great talent. Can't wait for season 2!
  • HHP1024
    Lovely Music & Interviews! Editing needs a bit of help.
    I gobble up these interviews every time a new one comes out. It’s the perfect light way to start my day and listen to over a cup of coffee or while folding laundry. The music Paloma chose for the intro/outro is lovely and the guests are top notch. The one thing that really bothers me is toward the end of each episode, the recording is just “off”. There are long pauses between the guest answering and Paloma asking her next question, and when she starts to ask the next question, it sounds as though the guest is interrupting (they start answering way before she is finished asking the question). I’m sure this is not how the conversation actually happened, but if I hadn’t listened to all the episodes, I would have just thought things got really awkward between the guest and host in the second half of the interview. Posting this in hopes that the team will see it and work on editing the second half of the episodes so the conversation keeps its flow. But great work overall!
  • jaimefrench
    Creatives unite!
    I LOVE this podcast. I am not someone easily impressed by Hollywood or movie stars, but interior design and the wonderful artists who create beautiful spaces leave me in absolute awe. It is so inspiring to listen to how each designer has gotten his or her start, how they feel about their careers, advice they would give to younger selves or designers starting out. It certainly been a bright spot for me during this awful pandemic, and it has inspired me in many personal ways. Thank you Paloma!
  • jimmy5677
    I was hopeful...
    When I saw the guests on Paloma’s podcast, I thought this is terrific. After listening now to 4 shows, Im not so interested. The discussions go around what I want to hear about. I am tuning in to hear about design and tackeling design challenges, how designers approach projects, how they think etc. instead the discussions are very superficial and Paloma wants to obviously keep her guests happy so there is a lot of complimenting and that takes up a good chunk of time and then when you are hoping for a meaty question, she will ask, ‘how is your business structured? Do you have a large team? Im sure you do...’. I dont care if they have a large team and I dont care if they ‘always thought they would be a designer when they were young.’ I care about design. I have been listening to the Ballard How to Decorate podcast and its excellent. Gives me the meaty design talk and insights. Recommend it.
  • BEllisATX
    Inspiring, Educational, Fun!
    What an incredible lineup and eloquent host! As a budding designer, I look forward to each and every episode! I agree that the editing could use some finessing, but the that doesn’t deter me from tuning in as soon a episodes become available! Bravo, Paloma!
  • Spruce Designs Co
    Thank you Paloma
    Not only do I enjoy the amazing creatives Paloma shares with us, I love Paloma’s interview style. It’s such a treat to find a design podcast host who actually gives her guests a chance to speak.
  • Dublin&Elsa
    Fabulous!!!
    Paloma is perfect to host a design podcast!! She is so genuine and does her research! Every guest is comfortable & giving with design advice under her careful guidance. I can see why Paloma’s first career was teaching!! I have enjoyed each & every podcast & look forward to future podcasts! I’ve also appreciated Paloma’s Instagram posts & her book!!
  • Brittney.ingalls
    Love!
    This series has been such a great escape and source of inspiration. I’ve loved learning about the personalities and drive behind so many of the designers we all admire.
  • BGMBham
    Highly recommend
    Fabulous guests and conversation. Paloma is a class act. I appreciate her candor with her guests and her ability to dive deep with guests.
  • nantucket on my mind
    Long time design enthusiast
    Paloma does a wonderful job interviewing her most talented peers in the design world. The combination of easy conversion and solid question/answer format is very enjoyable to listen to. Paloma is clearly very bright and talented and always holds her own when talking to the best of the best in interior design. Keep the episodes coming please!
  • K. Hope Creative
    Class Act
    This podcast is compelling, inspiring, educational and fun. It continues to impress me. Your personal comments today reinforce what a class act you truly are. I applaud you!
  • Charity E.
    Beautiful!
    Beautiful, inspiring, elegant and excellent. Thank you, Paloma!
  • Wanna be Interior Designer
    Love it!
    I’m loving this podcast and all of the guests so far! I think Paloma asks some great questions. I would love to hear an episode where there is no guest and Paloma answers some of the questions that she normally asks. Learning a little more about Paloma, her process, and point of view would be very interesting!
  • covid break
    Breath Of Fresh Air
    What an amazing interview with Mark D. Sikes. Your interview style is so laid back and inviting; feels like I’m a fly on the wall of your very well-designed living room. I look forward to listening to more of your interviews, and feel blessed to have found your podcast. Mark D. Sikes is one of my faves, and to find that he’s also funny, thoughtful, and humble just makes my heart sing. TY❤️🌷🙏🏼.
  • dugan95
    Thank you Paloma
    These chats are so interesting and insightful. I love listening to some of my favorite designers and learning about new ones. Your pot cast style is so composed and thoughtful. Thank you!
  • MaryBracey
    Loving this
    Love listening to this while being productive at home. Beautifully done.
  • JKB90266
    Really lovely!
    Love how light the show feels. I really enjoy most of her guests. Especially loved Martyn Bullard. Sometimes it feels as though perhaps Paloma is distracted by her next question or trying to take notes as she converses? Overall really enjoy. Feels like a Nancy Meyers film brought to podcast.
  • Natalie_WS
    Fun listen and a great resource!
    Paloma is clearly well connected and beloved in the design community. She has great guests who share the most incredible stories of their lives, experiences and design philosophies. You can tell Paloma is innately a teacher because she asks thoughtful and well researched questions to help her guests and the listeners. Also, her choice of music is incredibly soothing and uplifting. I get excited every time I hear the intro!
  • Med440
    Great podcast!
    I am enjoying this podcast. I was looking for something to listen to on my walks that lets me escape current news. My Instagram feed is so inspirational now with the addition of many of these new interior designers! Am I able to make a suggestion for a future podcast?
  • CSR75214
    Outstanding discussions with design style makers
    You must listen now! Start with design royalty Alexa Hampton
  • bjkellerh
    The best
    Love her and she has selected the best of the best to interview. All the questions you would most like go ask. Keep it going , Paloma!
  • mamen de ka mano
    From an artist
    I am an artisan who worked in San Francisco for 20 years and had plenty you work. Replanted to the Midwest it’s ya d to find work here and inspiration in comparison. Listening to Paloma and her guests has revitalize my faith and desire to keep going and not feel so isolated. Thank you !!
  • Georgia Zikas
    Georgia Zikas Design
    I love Paloma’s relaxed conversational style, and her distinguished guests are so full of wonderful inspiration - both in design and life. I have loved and enjoyed each and every episode!
  • Montclairdesigns
    Inspirational
    Discovered this podcast through Paloma’s Instagram. So nice to have something inspirational to listen to during this pandemic. Great guests with thoughtful questions. Keep the episodes coming!
  • Surround Design
    Beautiful
    This podcast is a beautiful message and lots of beauty in the presentation. Much appreciated as we navigate this interesting time together. Congratulations on this beautiful new venture!
  • DidiClary123
    Fantastic Questions
    She does a wonderful job of asking open ended and thoughtful questions. Thoroughly enjoyed these interviews. Please keep them coming !
  • Jen St.
    A True Delight!
    I discovered this podcast through Instagram and have loved every episode! Paloma and the conversations she has with her guests are a true delight! I even love the French theme music! Please keep the episodes coming!!
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