Interior architect Jamie Bush grew up on a Long Island farm with machines, animals and free rein to explore. With farmers and eccentric creatives as his scrappy role models, he was always encouraged to make things, and to make his own way. After high school he ventured to New Orleans to find himself, come out, and study architecture. Now, having migrated further west to Los Angeles, he’s made a name designing organic modernist interiors for some of the most historically significant homes in the US.

Lettering artist Lauren Hom was a super shy and studious child. Her crafty mother would make snacks with her initials cut out of cheese slices. In her teenage years, her first love led to slipping grades and the realization that her creativity, not science, would be her path to college. She sold her parents on going to art school with the promise of learning the advertising business. After a brief stint at an ad agency, she started freelancing with her art, and now has made an art out of freelancing.

Industrial designer Tom Dixon discovered the transformative power of clay at a young age. Later, after dropping out of art college, he toured with his band and when a motorcycle accident ended his bass playing career, he taught himself to weld. Now his eponymous global design brand specializes in furniture, lighting, accessories and interiors. After 30+ years as a designer, he still fancies himself a rebel, thriving in chaos and experimentation.

Legendary art director Giulio Cappellini first fell in love with cars, then studied architecture, and took the family furniture business into the stratosphere with his bold curatorial vision and knack for spotting international talent. His true gifts may lie in his instinctual approach to risk taking, a dedication to longevity over market trends, and his truly familial approach to building relationships. With passion and curiosity for miles, his gaze is eternally optimistically pointed toward the future.

Industrial designer Ayse Birsel grew up thinking she’d become a lawyer until a revelation with a teacup enlightened her to the principles and practice of design. Always a playful soul, her essence of playfulness is an important part of her creative process - a process she’s used to design award-winning products as well as to help people design a life and work they love. Now, she shows us an optimistic way to lean into the transformative opportunities that are inherent in these challenging times.

Industrial designer Tomek Rygalik of Studio Rygalik shares the story of his work developing Circula, a series of functional public furniture sculptures designed to host interdisciplinary discourse around the urgency of the climate crisis. In the face of a global pandemic, this project has taken on another dimension of purpose in the potential to assist recovery and reconnection in the aftermath of isolation and social distancing.

Interior designer and art consultant Elena Frampton grew up in Southern California drawing floor plans and going to open houses. Sensitive and introverted as a child, her rebellious adolescence belied her unwillingness to conform to others’ expectations and may or may not have involved a stolen convertible. Now, as a professional interior designer and art advisor she operates as a sort of conduit between both worlds, creating aspirational spaces and placing art within them. Just don’t box her in!

In this special Clever extra we teamed up with Paintzen to talk wall power. Walls are the backdrops of all our spaces. They are in the prime position to set the vibe and ambience of our lives. Paint and wallpaper have the power to transform, brighten, warm, refresh, and personalize a space. Two experts help break down the style and execution of wall treatments, Casey DeBois, Interior Designer and Meghan Stewart, color consultant, with inspiration, trends, how-to and services that will make it easy and fun.

Graphic designer Stefan Sagmeister did not care for engineering in high school. He found designing a poster that would communicate a vibe and draw crowds to an event to be way more compelling. After design school, the Austrian native decided that New York is the city that fits him best. With many awards and a big name in his field, he’s now focusing on art, exhibitions and taking a sabbatical every 7 years. He’s got a brain for planning and long-term data which allows for a very optimistic long view.

Industrial designer Catherine Bailey grew up playing with the old school computer punch cards that were the technological accoutrements of nearby Bell Labs. A public school art teacher gave her the push she needed to find her way to industrial design. After stints designing sneakers and snowboard boots, she and her husband Robin embarked on a creative adventure together stewarding the beloved and iconic Heath Ceramics brand back to health and into modern times. Also, she’s a fan of a good road trip.