Annie Meyers-Shyer, creator of This Oak House and daughter of filmmaker Nancy Meyers, joins Classic & Curious to share how a childhood surrounded by iconic film interiors shaped her discerning eye for design. From her early career at Harper’s Bazaar and Chanel to creating a home and lifestyle brand of her own, Annie reveals how she is defining—and making her own—the enduring Nancy Meyers aesthetic.

Interior designer Benjamin Deaton reveals what quiet luxury really means—and how timeless interiors, effortless entertaining, and personal style create a beautifully considered life.

Interior designer Eric Ross brings candor, humor, and Southern charm to a lively conversation about traditional interior design, timeless homes, and decorating with confidence. It includes tips and considerations for bringing timeless design into your home.

In this episode of Classic & Curious, Anne Kokoskie sits down with Rosemary Hallgarten, founder of one of the world’s most admired luxury textile houses. 

A British-born, award-winning textile designer and second-generation craftsperson, Rosemary pioneered the use of alpaca in luxury rugs and fabrics, building an internationally recognized brand known for its extraordinary texture and modern artisanal sensibility.

Rosemary shares the story behind her artisan-made rugs, fabrics, throws, and accessories—and her belief that true luxury lies in how thoughtfully and beautifully something is made. 

Their conversation explores sustainable design, natural fibers, traditional craftsmanship, responsible production, and the importance of creating timeless pieces with soul, purpose, and longevity.

For anyone interested in creating a more beautiful and considered home, Rosemary offers an inspiring perspective on choosing fewer, better things—and understanding the human hands, natural materials, and enduring craftsmanship behind them.

Some stories remind us that the most meaningful legacies aren’t measured by what we build, but by what we’re willing to carry forward.

In this heartfelt conversation, Anne sits down with Dana Ferraro, Principal of Molly Patton Design, to explore a remarkable story of friendship, courage, and unwavering devotion. Following the loss of her dear friend Molly Patton, Dana made the extraordinary decision to continue the firm’s work under Molly’s name—preserving not only a celebrated design aesthetic, but the values, generosity, and spirit that defined it.

Together, they discuss overcoming self-doubt, building a boutique design practice rooted in craftsmanship and trust, and why the greatest legacy is often found in the people who shape our lives. While beautiful interiors naturally weave throughout the conversation, this episode is ultimately about honoring promises, leading with heart, and discovering that our greatest work is often born from love.

It’s a conversation that will stay with you long after the episode ends.

In this episode of Classic & Curious, Anne welcomes David M. Handy, cofounder of the award-winning Handy & Dallaire Events, for a conversation on the art of creating unforgettable celebrations. From intimate weddings to grand-scale galas, David shares how thoughtful hospitality, emotional storytelling, and beautiful details come together to create moments that linger long after the evening ends.

This week, Anne welcomes Ann Huff and Meg Harrington, the visionary duo behind Huff Harrington, for a conversation on how a meeting over lunch in Atlanta grew into one of designs most admired creative partnerships. 

Ann and Meg share the evolution of their brand — from selling art out of their kitchens to building a multifaceted business spanning galleries, interiors, retail, curated travel, and Parisian renovations.

Along the way, they reflect on entrepreneurship, the power of complementary strengths, navigating challenges with grace, and the lessons they’ve learned about building a business rooted in trust, beauty, and resilience. They also dive into the art of curation — how to mix old and new, why craftsmanship matters, and the guiding philosophy behind every piece they source: if you love it, it will work.

This episode is an inspiring look at creating a brand with soul, designing with instinct, and building a life — and business — around beauty, story, and connection.  You will absolutely find yourself shopping right after your listen!

In this episode, Anne sits down with James Dolenc and Tom Riker, the founders of James Thomas, to explore their unconventional path from corporate careers to building one of Chicago’s most respected residential design studios.

James and Tom share the story behind their 23-year partnership, the lessons they’ve learned growing a business together, and why culture has remained at the heart of their firm’s success.  Their work has been featured in leading design publications, showcased on Homeworthy and most recently selected for the 50th Anniversary Kips Bay Decorator Show House in New York, one of the design industry’s most prestigious showcases.  

Along the way, they discuss the importance of kindness in leadership, developing a distinctive brand voice, mentoring the next generation of designers and creating homes that feel deeply personal rather than trend-driven. They also offer their unique perspective on how anyone can discover and express their own “voice” through their personal homes. 

This episode is a thoughtful conversation about partnership, creativity, and the values that sustain both a design practice and a meaningful life.

As with every Classic & Curious episode, the conversation concludes with a collection of inspirations—from favorite hotels and brands to timeless advice and unexpected discoveries—offering a deeper glimpse into the people, places, and ideas that continue to spark curiosity and
s​hape a considered life.

In this episode, award-winning interior designer Carolyn Kendall, founder of Alcott Interiors, joins Anne for a rich conversation on collected living, Southern hospitality, and the art of creating spaces that tell a story.

Known for her refined eye and timeless interiors, Carolyn has been featured in Luxe Interiors + Design, Traditional Home, Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles, and Homeworthy, and was recently recognized with a Best of Design award from Modern Luxury Interiors. She shares her journey from Southern California to Nashville, why the city’s culture of hospitality shaped both her life and design philosophy, and how meaningful collections — from oyster plates to antique glassware — bring warmth, personality, and depth into a home.

Together, Anne and Carolyn explore entertaining in Nashville, layering interiors with intention, avoiding visual overwhelm, the importance of lighting and ambiance, and why the most beautiful homes reflect the people who live within them. 

If you love thoughtful design, timeless antiques, and the feeling of a home that invites people to gather and stay awhile, this conversation will leave you inspired to see your own spaces with a more curious and intentional eye.

In this Mother’s Day episode, Anne welcomes Houston-based interior designer Meg Lonergan for a heartfelt conversation about creativity, motherhood and building a life and brand. 

Meg shares her unconventional path as a self-taught designer, from a childhood rooted in Louisiana tradition to launching her Houston design firm in 2009. She opens up about learning to trust her natural gifts, overcoming the need for outside validation, and rebuilding her business after a season of burnout.

Together, Anne and Meg explore what it means to ask for help, protect your energy, create a home that feels deeply personal, and stay connected to the creative passions that shaped you as a child. Meg also shares thoughtful Mother’s Day gift ideas, the brands currently inspiring her, and the hotels she loves to escape to.

This episode is a beautiful reminder that motherhood, creativity, and ambition do not always exist in perfect balance, but they can create a life full of meaning, beauty, and belonging.

Tanya Rose, founder of Mason Rose and host of Travel Secrets podcast, joins Anne for a conversation about the art of travel, storytelling, and creating connection.

From building a globally respected luxury hospitality PR agency to launching a podcast loved by travelers around the world, Tanya shares the places, people, and memories that have shaped her extraordinary journey.

Expect travel inspiration, style notes, favorite hotels, and the reminder that the best experiences are often about connection more than destination.

This episode explores how to live beautifully through entertaining and interior design with event planner and designer Blake Sams. We discuss how to host meaningful gatherings, design your home with intention, and create an “entertaining capsule.”

Blake is the founder of Gregory Blake Sams Events an award-winning event planning firm known for its flawless execution located in Charleston and New York City. 

Blake's creative talents extend beyond events into interior design, and most recently his signature taste and style can be found in his Charleston shop, Wentworth. His work has been featured in Harper's Bazaar, Veranda, Vogue, and Elle Decor. 

Together we discuss the essence of living beautifully, in ways that may surprise you.

For Blake, it all comes down to something simple.  The people you surround yourself with are the most meaningful detail of any gathering, and for us, that's exactly why this episode is such a delight. 

What does it really look like to shop for antiques in the Cotswolds—and do it well? 

In this episode of Classic and Curious, we’re joined by Tammi, founder of Claiborne & Olive, known for helping clients experience the charm of antique shopping in the Cotswolds, sourcing English antiques with confidence, and enjoying the beauty of boutique hotels, farm-to-table food, and thoughtfully planned buying trips along the way.  

Originally from New Orleans, Tammi has long been drawn to beautiful interiors, architecture, and gardens. What began with flea markets and antique stores while furnishing her first home has evolved into a thoughtful point of view on how antiques bring character and soul into a space. With a background in art and architectural history, she has cultivated a refined eye for bespoke interiors - approach that has resonated with a growing audience, including respected designers such as Cathy Kincaid, Emma Sims Hilditch and Alexandra Kaehler. 

Together, we talk about:

• What makes sourcing abroad so memorable

• How Claiborne & Olive create an experience that makes shopping for English antiques so easy.

• Tammi’s favorite hotel in the Cotswolds and what it has to offer.

From the romance of the Cotswolds to the practicality of buying well, this conversation reflects on how travel, beauty, and intentional living can shape the way we gather, decorate, and live.

Today on Classic & Curious, I’m joined by AD100 designer Patrick Mele, whose colorful design journey began at Kate Spade and Ralph Lauren before building  one of today’s most celebrated interior design firms. 

His work has been widely featured in publications including Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, Frederic, and New York Magazine. Patrick has been named to the prestigious AD100 List and Elle Decor A-List, and was recognized by Vogue as one of the five designers to watch.

In today's conversation:

• We talk about Patrick's design journey and the evolution of his signature style.

• His vibrant Color Field Collection, and his new launch with Schumacher. 

• His beautifully curated design shop in Greenwich—an extension of his studio, available both in person and online 

• A thoughtful tip for design enthusiasts looking to elevate their own homes with confidence

What strikes you immediately about Patrick is his graciousness. There's a warmth and ease in the way he speaks about design that gently draws you into his creative world. It's a quality that feels as natural to him as the beautiful environments he creates. 

Today, we are honored to welcome back Linda Jane Holden — author, historian, and thoughtful storyteller. Known for her beautiful tributes to Bunny Mellon in The Gardens of Bunny Mellon and Bunny Mellon Style, Linda has a gift for bringing legacy to life.

In this episode, she shares something far more personal: her friendship with Hubert de Givenchy. Our conversation moves beyond fashion and into the intimate terrain of character and connection. We reflect not only on the designer who made Audrey Hepburn unforgettable, but on the man behind the maison — the friend.