A Life Creative Podcast

Episode 55 | The Architecture of Meaning with Ray Booth, Partner and Designer at McAlpine

Ray Booth grew up in Huntsville, Alabama, studied architecture at Auburn, and today divides his time between Nashville, New York City, and Provincetown, Massachusetts — a life as layered as the interiors he creates. Ray's path to becoming a partner at McAlpine, the celebrated architecture and interiors firm founded by Bobby McAlpine, wasn't a straight line. After interning with the firm in college, he headed to New York to work in the studio of legendary designer John Saladino. He also spent time as a model with Click Model Management — a chapter that funded extended travel through Europe and deepened his eye for history, craft, and beauty. McAlpine eventually drew him back with an offer to build out the firm's interiors practice, and Ray has been shaping some of America's most thoughtful homes ever since. He's published two books: Evocative Interiors (2018) and The Expressive Home (2025). In this conversation, Ray shares a design philosophy rooted not in aesthetics but in emotion — he sees homes as emotional vessels, containers for the full breadth of human experience. Beauty, he'll tell you, is the byproduct of creating a soulful home. Host Melañio Gomez has known Ray since the early '90s, when both were just beginning their careers and adult lives. For more about Ray and links to his work: www.alifecreativepod.com [https://www.alifecreativepod.com/] alifecreative.Substack.com [https://alifecreative.substack.com/] @alifecreative on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/alifecreative/#] alifecreative on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Ede1JY9CWXPk_ZfZyIChw/]

Episode 54 | Generational Design with Cy & Genevieve Carter, Founders and Creative Principals at Carter Design

Melañio Gomez, host of A Life Creative, first encountered Cy and Genevieve Carter while on assignment for Martha Stewart Living — and it's easy to see why they made an impression. After honing their craft at the celebrated Los Angeles design collective Commune Design, this married duo founded Carter Design, building a devoted following among actors, artists, and creative professionals drawn to their signature mix of modern and heritage, and their talent for delivering the unexpected. In this episode, Melañio draws out the origin stories behind that sensibility. Cy grew up on ranchland in the Texas Panhandle; Genevieve in New England, where her great-great-grandfather was the renowned architect, Stanford White. Two very different worlds — yet both formative, and both alive in their work. The Carters describe their approach as anthropological: a deep reading of who a client is, where they've been, and who they're becoming. Carter Design's clients often arrive at a particular moment — a life in transition, a new chapter opening while the last one still deserves honoring. Knowing how to hold both at once, the new and the cherished, turns out to be their quiet superpower. For more about Cy & Genevieve and links to their sites: www.alifecreativepod.com [https://www.alifecreativepod.com/] alifecreative.Substack.com [https://alifecreative.substack.com/] @alifecreative on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/alifecreative/#] alifecreative on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Ede1JY9CWXPk_ZfZyIChw/]

Episode 53 | Well Rooted with Co-founder & Creative Director of Star Bright Farm Helen Norman, & Organic Farmer Peter Elmore

A Life Creative went on location for the first time, and it was worth the trip. We recorded this episode at Star Bright Farm in Baltimore County, Maryland — home to Helen Norman, an accomplished fashion, food, and lifestyle photographer whose career took her from New York City and beyond, all while keeping her roots firmly in rural Maryland life. Helen and her son Peter Elmore have built something rare at Star Bright: a fully hands-on herb farm where they grow, distill, and craft a line of home and wellness products — lotions, candles, teas, essential oils — that are as thoughtfully made as they are beautifully packaged. You can find them online, at farmers markets, or better yet, visit the farm shop in person. Host Melañio Gomez and Helen go way back — they worked together on a Martha Stewart Living entertaining story shot in Jon Carloftis' Bucks County potting shed. (Jon told his own story in an earlier episode — worth a listen.) For more about Helen, Peter & Star Bright Farm visit links below: www.alifecreativepod.com [https://www.alifecreativepod.com/] alifecreative.Substack.com [https://alifecreative.substack.com/] @alifecreative on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/alifecreative/#] alifecreative on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Ede1JY9CWXPk_ZfZyIChw/]

Episode 52 | An Imaginary Café with Food Stylist & Imaginary Café Proprietor Frances Boswell

Frances Boswell tells the story of her life in food, from working as a 'chopper' in a local restaurant as a teen, to editing food stories for Martha Stewart Living and Real Simple Magazine and everything in between.  Her creative interests are informed by her many interesting life experiences including a stint helping prepare mountain climber food at Mt. Everest base camp.  She talks about her later education in Traditional Chinese Medicine and becoming a licensed acupuncturist. These days she's creating beautiful still life photography of food under the moniker My Imaginary Café - check out the images and find her via links below and keep an eye out for her forthcoming book. For more on Frances and our other guests check out: www.alifecreativepod.com [https://www.alifecreativepod.com/] alifecreative.Substack.com [https://alifecreative.substack.com/] @alifecreative on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/alifecreative/#] alifecreative on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Ede1JY9CWXPk_ZfZyIChw/]

Episode 51 | Carrying Style with Fashion Accessories Designer Rafé Totengco

Rafé Totengco grew up in the Philippines, where having clothing made was — and continues to be — a common practice. As a kid, his mom would send him to the tailor, who'd ask, "Okay, what do you want me to make?" That open question sparked Rafé's imagination in a way that led him to launch his own apparel business when he was still a teenager. When his sister moved to New York City, she invited him to come check it out — & Rafé never really left. He immersed himself in the city's fashion world, studying at FIT, working in fashion houses, freelance styling, & ultimately launching the accessories line he's known for today. His designs include the polished seashell minaudières that have become his signature — bags carried on red carpets by Cameron Diaz, Sarah Jessica Parker, & The Pitt stars Kristin Villanueva & Amielynn Abellera. Join us on A Life Creative as Rafé shares the story of how a tailor's question in Manila grew into a career at the front of American accessories design — & how he continues to evolve the work today. For more on Rafé and our other guests check out: www.alifecreativepod.com [https://www.alifecreativepod.com/] alifecreative.Substack.com [https://alifecreative.substack.com/] @alifecreative on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/alifecreative/#] alifecreative on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Ede1JY9CWXPk_ZfZyIChw/]