Designer Day Sneak Peek - Fall 2025

On October 12th at the Big Red Barn in Round Top, we’re bringing together two design powerhouses—Michelle Adams, founder of Lonny and former Editor-in-Chief of Domino, and Olga Naiman, renowned interior stylist and author of Spatial Alchemy. Before they take the stage to talk about designing with intention, we asked them a few fun questions about their Round Top favorites, what they’re sourcing right now, and the design philosophies that shape their work.

Read on below and don't forget to grab your Designer Day tickets here!

What’s your favorite find from a past Round Top trip?

OLGA: A set of 3 tall artist created candlesticks that have a magical quality to them. 

MICHELLE: A set of 8 Gustavian dining chairs in the perfect shade of grey. I practically started running when I spotted them! 

What are you currently on the hunt for in your own home?

OLGA: I am looking for an oval-shaped piece of art or wall sculpture to place above a doorway in my kitchen.

MICHELLE: I recently sold my home and the buyers bought nearly everything in it, so honestly I’m on the hunt for anything that catches my eye and makes my heart pound. An antique French sculptor’s stand would be fun to track down, as well as a pair of mercury glass lamps, a small butcher block island, and a dresser.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone trying to make their space feel more “them,” what would it be?

OLGA: Choose one power object that represents your future self. In Spatial Alchemy, I call these 'power objects'—pieces that hold symbolic meaning and remind you of who you're becoming.

It could be placing a meaningful sculpture on your desk that represents confidence, or a regal full length mirror at the end of your hallway that you walk mirror at the end that you walk towards many times a day.

Power objects work because they communicate directly with your subconscious. Every time you see or interact with them, they reinforce the energy you want to cultivate. I have a painted basketball in my office that reminds me to bring more play into my work—it's not just decor, it's a daily prompt to embody that quality.

The key is choosing objects that feel truly significant to you, not just pretty. When you place something in your space with clear intention about what it represents, it becomes a catalyst for transformation. Your space should support who you're becoming, not just who you've been.

MICHELLE: Forget trends entirely and focus instead on what truly feels like home to you. Maybe it’s a childhood space you still remember vividly, a friend’s house where you always felt comfortable, a hotel that instantly relaxed you, or even a film set or magazine photo you’ve returned to for years. Use those personal references as your guide — they’ll steer you toward choices that resonate on a deeper level. In the end, timeless design isn’t about what’s popular, but about creating spaces that make you feel grounded and good every day. 

For Michelle: You’re known for your talent in choosing timeless pieces that work in any home. What’s your secret to spotting something with staying power?

MICHELLE: For me, staying power comes from designs that are rooted in history rather than fleeting mash-ups. I’m always drawn to pieces with a clear lineage — a Louis mirror that’s been reinterpreted for centuries, a Knoll chair with Bauhaus DNA, or a hand-knotted rug woven by skilled artisans. When a piece is grounded in a real movement or craft tradition, it carries a sense of permanence and cultural weight that outlasts trends. By contrast, pieces that feel overly contemporary without a point of reference tend to lose relevance much more quickly.

For Olga: In Spatial Alchemy, you share how our homes can support who we want to become. What’s one simple change someone could make to start aligning their space with the life they want?

OLGA: Oftentimes it is more about dissolving outdated identities in your home than adding new things. Look around your space and identify one item that represents who you used to be, not who you're becoming—then let it go.

I had a client who kept a wobbly desk with thin legs in her office—she didn't realize it was reinforcing her feeling scattered and unsupported in her business. When she replaced it with something sturdy and grounding, she immediately felt more confident and focused. It shifted her mental and emotional well-being.

 Sometimes the most powerful change isn't adding something new—it's releasing what no longer serves you and trusting that the space you create will be filled with something more aligned.

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