Ep. 12 Markups, Sample Books & Friends and Family Design Drama

Ep. 12 Holiday House Reveal: The “Sex Room,” Show House Chaos & Designing Under Pressure

John Ryan and Wendy Lynn are back with a behind-the-scenes look at their Holiday House show house collaboration in Wellington, Florida. From getting selected for the inaugural South Florida designer showcase to building an entire luxury bedroom in just five weeks, this episode dives into the reality of designing under pressure, working with sponsors, making bold creative decisions, and creating the room everyone now calls “the sex room.” The duo shares how their friendship made collaboration seamless, the challenges of sourcing custom pieces on impossible timelines, and the risks they took to create a dark, moody, high-end space that stands out from traditional Palm Beach interiors. They also break down the sponsorship process, vendor relationships, wallpaper drama, custom furniture details, and the design choices that turned their room into one of the most talked-about spaces in the house. If you love interior design, show houses, luxury finishes, or hearing the unfiltered reality behind the scenes of the design industry, this episode is for you. Topics include:  • Holiday House Wellington and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation  • Designing a luxury room in five weeks  • Collaboration between two interior designers  • Creative risks in Palm Beach interiors  • Sponsorships and vendor relationships  • Color drenching and moody design trends  • Custom upholstery, wallpaper, and luxury finishes  • The story behind the “sex room” nickname

Ep. 12 Markups, Sample Books & Friends and Family Design Drama

John Ryan and Wendy Lynn dive into the unfiltered realities of running an interior design business. They break down how to handle client questions about markups, why transparency should always live in the contract, and what designers are really responsible for once a product is ordered. The conversation also covers charging friends and family, why those projects often go sideways, the growing cost of vendor sample books, and which expenses designers shouldn’t be footing themselves. Expect real talk, strong opinions, and plenty of champagne-fueled tangents along the way.

Ep. 11 Real Estate ROI: Design That Wins in Flips and Rentals with Chris Mygatt

John and Wendy welcome Chris Mygatt, a real estate investor, coach, and vacation rental operator, for a conversation at the intersection of design and real world ROI. They break down why quality design is a competitive advantage in today’s short term rental market, what flippers should look for in a property, the hidden cost of delays, and where homeowners waste money chasing trends. Chris also shares his “Neiman Marcus on the inside, Disneyland on the outside” philosophy and practical advice for anyone getting started in the fix and flip world.

Ep. 10 Paint Myths, Color of the Year & Sherwin-Williams Secrets (ft. Clint Craven)

In Episode 10, we hit double digits without getting canceled (somehow) and bring in a special guest: Clint Craven, Design Marketing Manager at Sherwin-Williams. We get into what “sustainable paint” actually means, how Sherwin is reducing waste, and the surprising tech behind paints that can purify air or sanitize surfaces. Then we go behind the scenes of Color of the Year—how it’s chosen, why the team is already talking about future years, and what makes Universal Khaki so versatile in real homes. Clint also shuts down one of the biggest paint myths designers hear every day (paint + primer in one… not always what you think), and we finish with the funniest part: the weirdest paint names and where they come from (yes, we go there). If you’re a designer, homeowner, or anyone who’s ever argued with a painter about primer or sheen—this one’s for you.

Ep. 9 Marble Myths & Tile Mistakes

John Ryan hosts a solo episode of Design, Drink and Dish while Wendy is under the weather, welcoming Sofia and Amy from Elements and Surfaces, one of South Florida’s top tile and stone showrooms. They break down common marble myths, when natural stone makes sense, why grout should never be an afterthought, and the biggest tile mistakes homeowners and designers make. From trend hot takes to real-world installation advice, this episode is packed with practical insight for anyone planning a renovation or working in design.