Episode 59: The Designer’s Edge: Finding Inspiration in Unexpected Places with Thom Filicia

In this episode, our guest is Thom Filicia, legendary designer, author, and TV personality—recorded live from High Point Market.

We talk about how inspiration actually works in the real world. Not just the Pinterest version of it, but how to train your eye to notice the right things.

Thom pulls back the curtain on how he blends creativity with functionality, especially when moving between residential, hospitality, and product design. He shares how designers can think several steps ahead when creating a piece of furniture—and why sometimes the way a sofa leg is shaped today can make or break an entire collection tomorrow.

We also get into the conversations designers need to have with clients: how to speak their language, how to build trust, and how to lead them away from trend-chasing into something that actually reflects who they are.

If you’ve ever wondered how to turn a creative idea into something that actually works—for the client, the showroom, and the market—this one’s for you.

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