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Kate Rumson is the founder and creative director of The Real Houses of Instagram – one of the largest media brands with a community of more than 2 million people interested specifically in design, home building and luxury real estate.
Kate has been designing, building, remodeling, buying, selling and investing in real estate for over a decade, and gained global recognition in 2015 when The Real Houses of Instagram became a household name and a go-to resource for everyone thinking of buying, building, or remodeling a home.
Today Kate is known as the leading expert in all things HOME, and her company’s long list of clients includes some of the biggest global brands in the space: GE, Monogram, LG, Caesarstone, Masonite, Trane, Brizo, Hinkley, Belgard, The Container Store, DuChateau, Honeywell, Huber, Rockwool, Emtek and many more.
She is also a licensed real estate advisor and founder of Private Client Luxury Division with Sotheby’s International Realty – a luxury real estate company tailored for clients looking to buy and/or sell $1 million and above properties in the suburbs of New York City.
She has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, BBC, New York Post, DailyMail, Design NJ, Modern Luxury Interiors, Gotham, The Real Deal, Dering Hall, New Jersey Monthly, Apartment Therapy, Hunker and many more.
Kate lives in central New Jersey and is currently in the process of building her ultimate dream home.
Discover Kate’s work on Instagram @KateRumson and @the_real_houses_of_ig
Recognized as one of this era’s most prominent talents, Ryan has become the go-to designer for discerning clientele and celebrities alike, who revere his raw yet refined sensibilities. As principal of his eponymous firm, Ryan’s formal education in interior design, culminating in a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Interior Architecture from The Art Institute of California, brings a depth of knowledge that enriches every project.
He was recently named among the prestigious Andrew Martin Interior Design Review of the world’s top 100 interior designers as well as the international Luxe Deco list of the top 100 designers shaping global design. Other accolades include Interior Designer of the year by the city of Los Angeles, the Top 25 designers in LA by the Los Angeles Times, and best-selling author of his book, Unapologetically Chic. Most recently, he was awarded with the coveted Design Star on the Rise Award by the Pacific Design Center, the West Coast’s premier design source, further underlining his influence on the West Coast’s design landscape.
Beyond his professional achievements, Ryan has also become a social media sensation, captivating audiences around the world with over 400K followers.
Madeline Stuart is a leading member of the Los Angeles design community whose projects reflect a collaborative relationship between architecture and furniture, function and form, client and designer.
Over the past 30 years, the work of Madeline Stuart Associates has been featured in numerous publications including, World of Interiors, Architectural Digest, Elle Décor, Veranda, Town & Country, and House Beautiful. The firm has been distinguished by its inclusion on the AD100, and Elle Décor has included Madeline on their A-List as one of the top designers in the country.
Rizzoli published a monograph of Madeline’s work, No Place Like Home, written by her and featuring eight of her most unique projects.
Ms. Stuart lives in the Hollywood Hills and Santa Barbara with her husband, writer Steve Oney, and Phoebe & Mr. Peabody, professional Parson Russell terriers.
Ursula Carmona is a home & garden style expert, design influencer, and the creative mind behind the design blog Home Made by Carmona.
From micro-influencer to widely featured design expert, Ursula has honed the art of building a brand with a quality core following, and the right collaborations. She hopes to inspire and educate entrepreneurs with the tools for business success, no matter the size of your audience.
Ursula’s design expertise and innovative ideas have contributed to a number of noteworthy magazines, including Better Homes & Gardens, Real Simple, Magnolia, and Good Housekeeping. You can spot her on talk shows such as Rachael Ray and Hallmark’s Home & Family TV Show. Her design savvy can be seen on camera as the host of HGTV’s Table Wars: The Look For Less digital series and through her work as a three-time featured designer for the One Room Challenge.
She has been an ambassador + design influencer with the High Point Market Design Influencers Tour, the HGTV Style Set, and HomeGoods Style Expert.
Her passion is using her platform to empower others to create a beautiful home for a well-lived life.
Based in Southern California, interior designer and retailer Jeanne Chung is celebrated for her unique blend of classic design principles and modern flair. Jeanne’s diverse portfolio showcases her ability to craft a variety of classic and contemporary styles that are influenced by the architecture and her clients’ needs and aesthetic. Jeanne has showcased her talents as a five-time designer for the Pasadena Showcase House of Design, and her work extends beyond Los Angeles to include projects nationwide. She is known for her painstaking attention to detail and the layered and soulful spaces she creates.
Teaming up with her husband, Jeanne established Cozy Stylish Chic, a retail and trade showroom in Pasadena, CA in 2016, which has become a go-to destination for both seasoned designers and design enthusiasts.
Through her design blog, Cozy Stylish Chic, Jeanne has become recognized as a thought leader in the industry and frequently collaborates with brands and manufacturers. Currently, she holds positions on various advisory boards for associations and brands.
Tiffany Ferris is the chair of the Haynes Boone’s Trademark and Advertising Practice Group. Tiffany’s practice focuses on advising clients in all aspects of brand management and promotion. From analyzing potential risks associated with advertising claims to evaluating the availability of a potential trademark, Tiffany works to help her clients build, maintain, and promote their brands. She has broad experience in the creation of influencer marketing programs, design and development of product packaging and labeling, and frequently represents clients in advertising-related disputes.
Sandra Funk is the founder and CEO of the boutique interior design firm, House of Funk. After 20 years as a luxury designer, Sandra is now a business strategist. Established designers come to Sandra for her program – the Interior Design Standard – when they realize that they want more for their effort, they’re ready to take on fewer, larger projects and they ONLY want to work with dream clients.
Despite her business degree, a background in business process consulting and studying design at Parsons, it took Sandra over a decade – and the help of several experts – to develop and fine-tune a business model that allowed her interior design firm to thrive. Over 30 national press outlets – Elle Decor, Architectural Digest and House Beautiful, to name a few – have recognized Sandra for her award-winning designs and innate entrepreneurial spirit.
Jon is CEO of Newrocc Digital and brings more than 15 years of expertise in digital marketing and web development to the forefront for his clients. His journey, which began as a web designer, developer, and SEO expert, laid the foundation for his deep understanding of the technical aspects of the digital landscape. This experience, combined with an intimate understanding of digital marketing efforts cultivated through previous ventures, has shaped Jon’s unique approach to navigating the interconnectedness of the digital ecosystem. With a passion for merging elegance with rock-solid technical foundations, Jon has developed innovative industry-leading processes and solutions that simplify complex digital challenges, providing clarity and effectiveness for clients seeking to achieve their organizational objectives.
Rasheeda Gray is the Founder and Principal Designer of Gray Space Interiors, a marketing expert, and television personality with a unique blend of creative and strategic expertise. Since 2016, Gray Space Interiors has completed over 200+ design projects and Rasheeda named a House Beautiful Next Wave Designer, Philadelphia’s 40 under 40 Most Influential and more. Before founding her award-winning firm, Rasheeda built a fifteen-year long career in marketing and brand management in the Insurance and Financial Services Industries, mastering the art of crafting impactful campaigns and fostering brand influence.
Her impressive portfolio includes features in Architectural Digest, Rue Magazine, CNN, Robb Report, Elle Decor, and more. On-screen, Rasheeda has showcased her expertise on HGTV’s Flea Market Flip, A&E Network’s Sell This House, Magnolia Network’s In With the Old, and over a dozen segments on Good Day Philadelphia. Most notably, she recently completed filming an entire season of a flagship HGTV show, premiering in Spring 2025.
Beyond her professional success, Rasheeda is passionate about empowering creatives with the marketing tools and strategies to elevate their visibility, achieve success, and thrive in the dynamic world of design.
With over 18 years of experience in marketing, public relations, event management and business development, Ashley Grigg currently serves as the Vice President of Strategic Growth and Partnerships for the High Point Market Authority. In this position she oversees several fundamental elements of the Market Authority’s role, including registration, database management and customer service, while also being tasked with developing and executing partnerships and programs to grow buyer recruitment and retention.
Amber Guyton is the owner of Blessed Little Bungalow, an interior design firm based in Atlanta, Georgia. A passionate champion for personal finance, she believes that interior design should not be a luxury reserved for the privileged few and is committed to democratizing the industry one home at a time. A lover of soulful maximalism, Amber has served dozens of clients across the country designing colorful, affordable, and aesthetically pleasing residential and commercial projects. As an interior designer, content creator, influencer, product curator, and wallpaper designer with her latest collaboration with Mitchell Black, Amber has been featured and recognized by notable organizations and publications such as HGTV Magazine, Architectural Digest, House Beautiful, Forbes, Ebony, Apartment Therapy, Domino, Hunker, Real Simple, Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles, Atlanta Magazine’s HOME, Good Housekeeping, and many more.
Dustin Hayes is founder of Hermosa Digital. A passionate brand builder, speaker, and marketing futurist, Dustin has earned a reputation developing disruptive marketing strategies for Fortune 500 brands and technology startups. A creative at heart, Dustin began his career building content for top media and broadcast networks including MTV, CBS, and HBO. Today, he works alongside business leaders to provide new perspective and direction, helping brands realize and surpass their goals.
Nicole Heymer is the founder of Glory & Brand, a boutique creative agency specializing in branding, websites, marketing automation, and SEO for interior design firms, architects, and builders. Since 2011, Nicole and her team have worked with a wide variety of businesses at every stage in their development, from nationally-known design firms to iconic local brands.
Nicole’s clear, practical take on branding and digital marketing has been featured by a range of design industry resources—from the A Well-Designed Business®️ podcast to the Business of Design. You’ll find her methods on design school reading lists, on podcasts, and in print.
Leading up to founding Esteem Media, LLC., Adam Japko served as President of DigitalSherpa, a high growth SMB social media and internet discovery business offering content, social media, reputation management, local listings, lead generation, web business intelligence, and other internet marketing programs. The company served over 4,000 SMBs. These experiences, along with the surprising success of his wine blog, WineZag, reaffirmed a deep belief that community engagement, quality content, and in-person networking are lethal tools for transforming brands and businesses in meaningful ways.
Prior to DigitalSherpa, Adam led the creation of the largest network of regional luxury shelter media properties for Network Communications, Inc. While President of the NCI Home Design business, he acquired or launched all of the properties that now make up Esteem Media, Inc.’s ongoing investments.
Esteem Media, www.esteemmedia.com, is home to leading national and local media brands in the luxury home design, gardening, and fine wine communities – -focused on connecting professionals and consumers around their passions and businesses. Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles, Design Influencers Leadership Conference, Luxury Home Design Summit, New England Home, WineZag leverage events, print media, social media, blogs, and digital marketing…but overall, provide a community connection as the catalyst for their constituents’ commercial success.
Greg McDonough, Managing Partner at Blackburn Capital, is a seasoned executive who has owned and operated businesses in the professional services sector, navigating them through both good and tough times. He brings his personal experience of knowing what it’s like to be ‘in the owner’s seat’ when working with clients, taking time to ask the questions others may not. As a Certified Insolvency and Restructuring Advisor (CIRA), he has successfully led companies through turnarounds, mergers, acquisitions, and other financial matters. His book The Turnaround, published in 2017, guides businesses in navigating difficult financial matters and gives practical information when they need it most.
When he’s not serving clients, Greg competes in Ironman competitions, where he is a 5-time finisher. Greg and his wife Monique share their dedication to triathlon training and parenting on Triathlon Parents.
Jamie’s design aesthetic can best be described as “traditional made modern.” He grew up in Belgium and Kentucky, surrounded by art and antiques. His design work often features traditional elements reimagined with modern colors and textures. And as a Southern boy, Jamie is naturally inclined to respect the importance of hospitality and a comfortable lifestyle.
Jamie leads a team of 22, including five full-time interior designers as well as retail staff and an installation crew. Jamie has also developed a comprehensive named collection for Chelsea House featuring furniture, lighting, and home accents.
A brand and product marketing executive for over 20 years, Ben Muller led consumer apparel brands such as Hanes, Champion, and No nonsense before joining High Point Market Authority as the Vice President of Marketing and Communications. In his role with the Market Authority, he oversees High Point Market’s brand identity and all marketing and public relations efforts for the world’s largest home furnishings show.
Kate O’Hara is an award-winning CEO with extensive experience in creative design, scalable growth, brand development, and digital marketing. Her firm is regularly featured in publications including Architectural Digest, the Wall Street Journal, Elle Decor, and Forbes. She has been recognized as a TX Woman of Influence by Austin Business Journal, a Digital Influencer by Women’s Way, and one of the 32 Under 32 in Advertising & Marketing by the AdFed of Minnesota. In addition to her accomplishments in business leadership, Kate is a sought-after speaker, Krav Maga practitioner, and avid reader and sailor.
O’Hara Interiors is a full-service interior design firm with studios in Austin, Texas, and Minneapolis, Minnesota. Working throughout the U.S. and international markets, O’Hara Interiors partners with luxury builders and award-winning architects to design high-end commercial and residential spaces. The firm is regularly featured in leading industry publications and reaches an audience of half a million followers across social media platforms.
Holly Hollingsworth Phillips, owner of The English Room in Charlotte, North Carolina, is an interior designer, tastemaker and popular lifestyle content creator. Holly is known for her elegant, eclectic and colorful interiors with a penchant for contemporary art. According to Holly, “Color makes people happy!” She loves mixing the tradition of the past with the modern style of the future. The English Room Blog penned by Holly has become a daily must for many design hungry followers. She has been featured in Traditional Home, Southern Living, Elle Décor, House Beautiful, Domino as well as multiple local publications.
Over the past two decades, Los Angeles-based interior designer Jaime Rummerfield has become one of the city’s most influential women. As principal and co-owner of the wildly successful interior design firm Woodson & Rummerfield’s House of Design, she had design enthusiasts across the globe mesmerized.
Her numerous accolades include being recognized in the list of “Top 25 Most Influential Angelenos” by Angeleno Magazine, as one of the world’s top 100 interior designers by Phaidon and one of Hollywood’s Top 20 Interior Designers by the Hollywood Reporter. Her work has been featured in over 150 design magazines and publications including Elle Décor and Architectural Digest. Rummerfield has also been honored with the Design Leadership Award by the DLN and as the Interior Designer of the Year by the National Arts Awards Council.
Rummerfield carries this extensive industry recognition into the next stage of her career: a focus on high-provenance projects. Rummerfield launched her new namesake firm, Jaime Rummerfield Interior Design, in 2023. Website: www.rummerfields.com Instagram: @jrummerfield
Being a multigenerational maker effervesces in Aviva Stanoff’s DNA. Raised in a multicultural environment as a child of Japanese and Eastern European immigrants, she split her time amongst old growth redwoods in Northern California and summers spent studying traditional arts in her family’s Buddhist temple in Japan. Her Japanese ancestry extends back 17 generations. Her reverence for nature and culture took root early on and is still honored today. Her entre into the world of the textile arts was centered around the runways and internships at Calvin Klein Home while earning her MFA. By graduation, Aviva’s designs for Calvin Klein and Donna Karan were on store shelves, earning her a mention in Vogue. These early triumphs turned into commissions from Christian Dior, Givenchy Couture, and Madonna among others.
Lisa Staprans literally wrote the book on the neuroscience of beauty and design philosophy centered around wellbeing. Based in the Bay Area, Lisa is known for creating transformative spaces that envelop, heal, and nurture by weaving the spiritual and scientific worlds together. A proponent of living well in spaces designed to enhance the human experience, Lisa speaks to the power of design in her first book, The Soul of Design. In light of the recent tragedies in LA, the topic of healing, restorative spaces could not be more timely. A two-time breast cancer survivor, female entrepreneur, and neuroscience of beauty expert, she is poised to speak with authority and profound understanding on various subjects.
Inspired by designers who broke away from the pack, Tineke is known for creating soulful, artistic, and imaginative interiors. By mastering both the art and science of design, her work gives rise to a unique form of design mixology. Her elevated interiors not only provoke the senses but deliver on the details that create truly memorable spaces.
A veteran of seven San Francisco Decorator Showcases, her award-winning work has been featured in numerous publications including Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, Veranda, Dwell, Luxe, California Home & Design, Modern Luxury Interiors, California Homes, and Sunset Magazine. Tineke’s first book, Design Mixology: The Interiors of Tineke Triggs, was released in October 2023.
When not designing, Tineke enjoys working on her tennis game, kick-boxing, spending family time on the beach, and traveling down the coast with her vintage 1973 Airstream in tow. Tineke lives in San Francisco with her husband, Will, and their two sons.
Hardy Wallace is one half the dynamic husband and wife team who own Extradimensional Wine Co. Yeah! Hardy, previously of pioneering wine brand, Dirty and Rowdy Family Winery, developed a wild following redefining California wine. He is known for his deep dive into California Mourvèdre and for championing lesser-known grape varieties that speak to the soul and stand with the world’s greatest wines. Hardy is a believer in wine as a vehicle for transformation and is noted for his marketing acumen and storytelling flair, adeptly utilizing social media and digital platforms to engage consumers with wine, stories, and philosophies.
Highly praised as a prominent figure in the wine world, his work has been used as a case study in Harvard Exec. MBA courses, and he has presented at The UCLA Anderson School of Management. He has been a feature on the CBS Morning Show, NY Times, Decanter, Wine & Spirits, GQ, SF Chronicle, and more.
EXTRADIMENSIONAL WINE CO. YEAH!
California Energy Wine
winecoyeah.com
Podcast: The Extradimensional Life
Instagram: @winecoyeah
