Show Summary:
In this vibrant episode of the To-The-Trade podcast, Laurie Laizure and Nile Johnson sit down with designer, shop owner, and vintage curation expert Ariene Bethea, founder of Dressing Rooms Interiors Studio. Nile shares how he first met Ariene through coaching and was instantly drawn to her warmth, fearless use of color, and appreciation for good hotels and dogs.
Ariene shares her unconventional journey into interior design. Growing up around creative women who DIYed everything, her breakthrough came in corporate life after redesigning her boss’s office. Rejecting a career in HR, she explored design classes but found that rigid “rules” limited her creativity. Instead, she gained hands-on experience through internships, working at Bassett Furniture, and eventually launching an Etsy vintage shop.
Her retail store served as both a showcase for her curated finds and a way to attract clients, but she learned that not all inquiries matched her bold, colorful aesthetic. She emphasizes the importance of only showcasing work she wants to do more of, explains why she avoids pressure-sell tactics, and discusses how reading body language is essential to luxury client service.
The conversation covers pricing strategies for designers, the idea that “products lead to projects,” and how brands need to better listen to front-line designers. Ariene offers honest insights on mismatched client expectations, the challenges of running a retail business, and the moment she finally felt financially secure in her design career.
Laurie and Nile suggest that Ariene consider a book combining her maximalist, vintage-inspired style with a message about sustainability and individuality. They talk about Gen Z’s love for thrifting, the environmental benefits of steering clear of “fast furniture,” and the unique market opportunities for her layered, story-rich design approach. Ariene also teases her upcoming line of lampshades and future lighting collections.
This episode balances honest talk about building a design career with an inspiring reminder to stay true to your creative vision.
Timestamp Guide:
00:00 – Laurie & Nile open with summer updates and introduce Ariene Bethea
02:50 – Ariene’s design roots and “HGTV reveal” moment with her mom
06:14 – The office redesign that sparked her career shift
08:33 – Attempts at formal education, color theory struggles, and finding mentorship
12:38 – Market crash, return to HR, and transition into vintage selling
14:27 – Getting hired at Bassett Furniture without experience
18:34 – Launching an Etsy shop and the retail store vision
19:32 – Products as a pathway to design clients
21:07 – Why Bassett’s high-pressure tactics didn’t fit her values
26:22 – The importance of listening to designers on the front lines
36:13 – Opening her store and reaching financial stability
38:32 – Mismatched client expectations and staying true to your style
43:08 – Finding aligned, color-loving clients
44:28 – Laurie & Nile push Ariene to write a design book
47:11 – Vintage, sustainability, and the Gen Z thrifting movement
53:26 – Ariene’s lampshade line and future lighting plans
55:40 – Tariff challenges and client pricing strategies
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