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Beyond the DesignPassion to Design, Integrity to Give, Freedom to Dream Author: Cray Bauxmont-Flynn
Step into the captivating world of design with Beyond the Design. Unveiling the untold stories and shedding light on the real heroes shaping the industry, this podcast goes beyond the glamour to explore the journeys, experiences, and profound insights of visionary leaders. Each episode ignites a sense of curiosity, delving into the intersection of living in a creative atmosphere and tackling the industry's most pressing issues. Prepare to be inspired as we engage with today's foremost practitioners, including renowned designers, architects, manufacturers, emerging brands, and influential tastemakers. Their wisdom will quench your thirst for design and empower you to forge connections and embrace transformative ideas. From the realms of architecture, interior design, furniture, and urban planning to the intricacies of creativity and visionary perspectives, Beyond the Design covers an expansive range of topics. As a devoted design enthusiast, you'll find a treasure trove of inspiration here. Join us as we pull back the curtain and hear firsthand from the trailblazers of the design industry. Discover their thoughts on the ever-evolving landscape of creativity, emerging trends, sustainability, and their own personal narratives. Get ready to embark on a journey of profound insights and positive disruption in the world of design. Language: en Genres: Arts, Design, Fashion & Beauty Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Client-Focused, Designer-Led: The Partnership Behind Light and Dwell
Episode 11
Thursday, 2 April, 2026
In this episode of Beyond the Design, we sit down with Light and Dwell founder Aymee Kuhlman and design principal Katie Cunningham—two creative powerhouses who believe a home should be more than a backdrop. They share how a farm childhood in Oregon, grandmothers who collected antiques, and a mother who painted murals in the eighties quietly shaped their design eyes and set them on a path toward interiors that feel deeply personal and lived in. From early guinea-pig projects for friends to full-scale renovations, Aymee and Katie trace how curiosity and courage slowly turned a side passion into a nationally recognized studio.Together, Aymee and Katie unpack their client-focused, designer-led philosophy and what it really takes to translate a family’s stories, habits, and hopes into spaces they can grow old in. They explain why they’re just as interested in how a room will be used on an ordinary Tuesday as how it will photograph, and why they intentionally break certain “design rules” to make homes truly livable. You will hear how they educate clients in the age of Pinterest and fast furniture, set realistic expectations around timelines, and use intuition and trust-building as some of their strongest design tools.We also go behind the scenes of some of Light and Dwell’s most memorable projects—from a sprawling compound in Mexico to a cozy lake house in Montana and a Victorian in New York—and talk about what it means to be named one of Architectural Digest’s New American Voices. Aymee and Katie get candid about running a remote boutique studio, balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship, and the legacy they hope to leave in the homes they touch. If you’ve ever wondered what it really means to design a home that holds your whole life—highs, lows, and everything in between—this conversation will stay with you long after you listen.
