Design Discord Awards: Best of 2025!

Jean Lin: The Rule Breaker Behind Colony’s Game-Changing Co-op Inspired Model

Fernando Mastrangelo interviews Jean Lin, founder of Colony Gallery in New York, about her incredible journey from Hurricane Sandy relief work to creating a groundbreaking gallery that supports independent designers. Jean reveals the details behind Colony’s co-op inspired model — affordable monthly fees paired with a low 15% commission — and why she’s stayed committed to this approach for over 12 years. The conversation covers the challenges of starting with almost no money, building community in the 2010s NYC design boom, launching an 8-month artist residency/incubator program, expanding into interior design projects, and navigating slow markets and rising costs. They also discuss Jean’s book “What We Keep,” which shifts focus from objects to the personal stories of collectors, makers, and the emotional connection to design. Perfect for designers, makers, gallerists, and creatives who want real talk about building a sustainable career in the design world. **Timestamps:** 00:00 - Introduction 01:45 - Hurricane Sandy Origin Story 05:48 - 2010s NYC Design Scene 09:49 - First Lease & Personal Risks 13:24 - Finding the Space & Early Struggles 16:44 - Colony’s Co-op Inspired Business Model 26:38 - Starting Interiors & Staging 30:00 - Current Gallery Operations (24 Designers) 35:15 - The Residency Program Explained 41:10 - Trends, Cycles & Timeless Design 44:46 - Market Challenges & Moving Spaces 46:39 - “What We Keep” Book & Collecting 55:58 - 5-Year Vision for Colony 59:00 - Closing Thoughts Follow Colony Gallery and Jean Lin for more inspiration in the world of collectible and contemporary design.

David Michon: The Optimistic Critic Changing Design Discourse with his Must-Read SubStack 'For Scale'

In this refreshingly honest episode of Design Discord, Fernando Mastrangelo sits down with David Michon, the sharp, eloquent voice behind For Scale, the buzziest Substack in the design world right now. David shares how he went from writing for Monocle and Icon to creating his own independent platform for real design criticism. Together they unpack why so many design magazines feel identical, why celebrity homes dominate the covers, and how the industry has become strangely polite and risk-averse. They explore: * Why “decor” might actually be a more honest word than “design” * The liberating joy of imperfect, lived-in homes over sterile perfection * How growing up in Winnipeg shaped David’s refreshing perspective on taste * The myth of “timeless” design and why dated interiors can be incredible * What’s really wrong with events like Basic Space / Design Space * The missing critique in interiors and why optimistic criticism matters David’s writing is smart, observational, and deeply human. He believes great interiors are about people, not just perfect objects — and that your home should never feel “finished.” This conversation will make you look at your own space differently and feel a whole lot better about the dents on your dining table. If you’re tired of aspirational interiors that feel fake and unattainable, this episode is for you. A must-listen for designers, design lovers, interior enthusiasts, and anyone who wants sharper, more honest conversations about the spaces we live in. Follow For Scale on Substack for David’s weekly writings that are quickly becoming essential reading in the industry. Timestamps: 00:00 – Introducing David Michon & For Scale 09:28 – Winnipeg roots and forming real taste 13:00 – Reading rooms as people, not just objects 15:00 – Why your home should never feel finished 19:20 – Wealth, aspiration, and lived-in reality 25:25 – The origin story of For Scale 37:25 – Why David chooses “decor” over “design” 47:30 – Honest critique of Basic Space 52:00 – The future of For Scale: print, events & real-life energy

The Rise of The Future Perfect Empire with Laura Young

Laura Young of The Future Perfect joins Fernando Mastrangelo on Design Discord for a wide-ranging conversation covering her full career path, the evolution of one of design’s most respected galleries, and what’s actually in or out right now. From RISD and chaotic auction-house days to co-leading The Future Perfect across New York, LA, Miami, and San Francisco, Laura opens up about building a business that balances commerce and culture, their signature showroom/gallery approach, the deep collaboration with artists like Chris Wolston, and the realities of gatekeeping. Timestamps 0:00 – Intro 0:01:08 – RISD & early career 0:05:12 – Auction house years 0:13:22 – Meeting David & joining The Future Perfect 0:22:15 – The Future Perfect model explained 0:23:27 – Residentializing the gallery experience 0:31:18 – Chris Wolston deep dive 0:42:04 – Gatekeeping in design 0:47:15 – Discovering new designers & open call 0:53:35 – Future Perfect as cultural institution 0:56:12 – In or Out design trends 1:01:10 – Outro A must-listen for designers, collectors, and anyone obsessed with the business and culture of contemporary design. #TheFuturePerfect #DesignPodcast #InteriorDesign #CollectibleFurniture #DesignTrends #ChrisWolston

Ashlee Harrison: From Mega Gallery Powerhouse to Intimate Salon Curator

Join Fernando Mastrangelo on Design Discord for an in-depth conversation with Ashlee Harrison, powerhouse in collectible design. From helping establish Carpenters Workshop Gallery in the US to launching her own private salon Thirty8East in a historic Upper East Side brownstone, Ashlee brings unparalleled insight into the world of functional sculpture, curation, and cultural storytelling. Topics include the maturing collectible design market, working with legendary designers, the power of intimacy over scale, fair experiences, and practical advice for collectors and creatives. Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro 01:01 – State of Collectible Design Today 02:43 – Advisors vs. Interior Designers 03:36 – Joining Carpenters Workshop Young 05:25 – Early Responsibilities & Building the Business 06:35 – Market Expansions to LA, SF & Aspen 09:21 – Defining Collectible vs. Fine Furniture 11:35 – Collaborating with Artists like Campana Brothers & Studio Drift 18:33 – Transition to Thirty8East Salon 20:20 – The Salon Experience: By Appointment, Storytelling & Coffee 29:48 – Value of Design Fairs & Relationships 34:29 – Market Cycles, COVID Impact & Slow Growth 39:56 – Future of Her Career & Excitement Ahead 48:10 – Advice for Young Designers Perfect for anyone interested in design, art, collecting, or building a meaningful creative career. Follow Design Discord on Spotify for more. Support the show and share with a fellow design lover! #CollectibleDesign #DesignPodcast #Thirty8East #AshleeHarrison

Zesty Meyers: How Two Artists Built R & Company from a Flea Market Hustle into a Design Empire

Zesty Meyers (co-founder of R & Company) joins Fernando Mastrangelo for a raw, inspiring conversation about his incredible 30+ year journey in the design world. From performing with molten glass as part of the legendary B Team, to starting what later became R & Company with just $200 at the Chelsea Flea Market, to shaping the modern collectible design market — this episode is packed with philosophy, hard-earned lessons, and optimism for the future of craft and design. Topics covered: - The dying craft scene of the late ’80s and why they had to create their own path - Turning a hobby into one of the most influential design galleries in the world - Why most creatives only have one great idea, and why that’s worth celebrating - The future of handmade objects in the age of AI and billionaires - Longevity in creative careers, failure, and building real partnerships with artists Notable Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro & Welcome 01:10 – Pilchuck Glass School & the Birth of the B Team 14:02 – Starting R & Company in 1997: The Flea Market Days 28:23 – Most People Only Have One Great Idea 32:02 – Bringing in Contemporary Artists (Jeff Zimmerman & Beyond) 43:48 – The Haas Brothers & Building Long Careers 50:36 – Year 11 Struggles: What No One Tells You About Creative Careers 53:06 – Why Handmade Objects Will Define New Wealth in the AI Age 61:02 – Brazilian Design Discovery & Building a Secondary Market 72:07 – Tribeca Space, Fairs & Refocusing the Gallery Program 82:53 – Final Thoughts: Raising Our Voice as a Design Community If you’re a designer, artist, collector, or someone who loves stories of grit and creativity, this one will move you. Subscribe for more deep dives into the design world!Leave a comment: What’s one lesson you’re taking from Zesty? #CollectibleDesign #RAndCompany #designnews #designbusiness #designmotivation #designinspiration #businesspodcast #artpodcast #artmotivation #creativepodcast #CraftAndArt #CreativeJourney #ZestyMeyers #fernandomastrangelo #nydesignscene