Circaphiles

LIVE KEY CALL: BRILLIANCE IN BUYING AT AUCTION
2025-02-12 09:00 - 10:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Zoom
Designers love sourcing antique and vintage furnishings, though largely purchase the pieces from dealers and shops. While there are advantages of curation and convenience to buying that way, pricing is always higher. Why not go straight to the source and still feel the thrill of the hunt? In this Key Call, seasoned expert, Dennis Harrington – Sotheby’s Senior Vice President of the European Furniture Department, will equip you with the knowledge to find stunning pieces at incredible value. You will learn:

Understanding how auctions work
How to read auction sites/catalogs like a pro
How to place bids
Strategies for bidding without overspending
Why and how to get your client on board with buying from auction

Our monthly ”Key Calls” are typically reserved for members. If you’d like to join us for future events, Sign up now!

KEY COLLECTIVE AT TAPPAN
2025-03-12 17:30 - 19:30 | Tappan, 8200 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA, 90046, United States
members receive (2) complimentary ”Key collective” events in their annual membership.

NOT A MEMBER? Sign up now!

WHY SHOULD YOU MEET US AT TAPPAN?
So much is asked of you as an interior designer – brilliant talent and taste, lightning-fast problem-solving and acrobatic juggling skills. It’s a lot! It’s time to take a deep breath and step into Circaphiles’ safe haven at Tappan. Each designer is expected to come with a challenge they are facing whether it be with projects, clients, vendors or in business. Together we will lend our experience, wisdom and offer solutions and preventative medicine – like a fun therapy session! With the goal of everyone walking away lighter on their feet, more confident in a path forward and armed with valuable tips and tricks, we are eager to host you in the Circaphiles’ calm cool collective, in partnership with Tappan.
Tappan Collective is the leader in connecting collectors with the best in emerging art from around the world. Their curation online and at their LA-based gallery features the work of over 100 artists from around the world. Tappan’s expert advising team works with private collectors, designers, trade and special projects.
The Key Collective will be hosted at the Tappan gallery in their Private Viewing Room, a special place for designers and collectors to view works in person. The event will start with a brief tour of the gallery. Capacity is limited to 10 seats so that each designer has time to share their challenge and receive feedback. If event shows as sold out, email us to be placed on the wait list.
*You must be an interior designer to attend this event. If your purchase a ticket and you are not an interior designer, we will contact you and refund your money less the processing fee.

LIVE KEY CALL: IMPACTFUL STORYTELLING FOR PRESENTATIONS
2025-04-23 09:00 - 10:00 | Zoom
“How do I stand out in a sea of interior designers?” or “I am stuck on how to present to a client in a compelling and genuine way.” We hear these frustrations from designers often. Rebecca De Ornelas of Bold Words is here to help you breakthrough. She focuses on sharpening your unique position, setting up a framework to communicate your value so that you don’t miss out on key opportunities to garner projects and larger scopes. Get empowered with your message and get excited to share it with clients, builders, architects and industry partners. Join us for this intimate, interactive session and come with all your burning questions.
Rebecca De Ornelas is a messaging strategist and storytelling expert who helps founders, creatives, and industry disruptors turn their big ideas into powerful, strategic stories that fuel businesses, shape brands, and create opportunities. With a background in storytelling and content strategy, Rebecca specializes in turning vision into impact—whether in pitches, presentations, or brand messaging. As the founder of Bold Words, she helps clients cut through the noise, sharpen their message, and position themselves as the go-to in their industry.

Our monthly ”Key Calls” are typically reserved for members. If you’d like to join us for future events, Sign up now!

LIVE KEY CALL: ESTIMATING RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION COSTS
2025-05-14 09:00 - 10:00 | Zoom
When interior designers are the first team member hired by a client, they are often asked what will “this and that” cost without a builder partner on board to defer to just yet. And it’s not a good feeling to respond with, “I don’t know” in the moment. Led by Houck Construction, “Estimating Residential Construction Costs” is a practical workshop aimed to elevate designer’s knowledge of cost estimation skills while communicating with clients and designing the vision without inadvertently breaking the budget, as well as managing change orders along the way. Bring all your questions for this engaging and interactive conversation!

Our monthly ”Key Calls” are typically reserved for members. If you’d like to join us for future events, Sign up now!

SPECIAL TOUR: WALK YOUR PLANS | LOS ANGELES
2025-06-18 15:00 - 17:00 | Walk Your Plans | Los Angeles, 8673 Hayden Place, Culver City, CA, 90232, United States
Join us to experience the power of the Walk Your Plans Studio together! Circaphiles has curated a members-only session to discover the benefits of this advanced technology for your design firm and clientele. Bonus: The first 2 members to register will be set up to project their project floor plans and elevations and walk through in the studio.

Get all of the key stakeholders on your build to make structural decisions in parallel rather than a complicated back-and-forth method.
Accelerate the design and approval process with your clients.
Improve your time to ROI and client satisfaction.
Align on critical design choices up front will help reduce expensive change orders with your clients.

this tour is reserved for members. If you’d like to join us for monthly events, Sign up to become a Key Holder member now!

LIVE KEY CALL: NAVIGATING CRISIS CLIENT COMMUNICATIONS
2025-07-23 09:00 - 10:00 | Zoom
In moments of crisis, communicating effectively with clients can be the difference between preserving trust or escalating tension. Led by Matt Moran of Matt Moran Presentations, “Navigating Crisis Client Communications” is designed to equip designers with the tools, strategies, and confidence to handle challenging client interactions with clarity, empathy, and professionalism. You will gain actionable insights on navigating crises with tact and maintaining strong client relationships—even in the toughest situations. Bring all your questions for this engaging and interactive conversation!
Matt Moran – TEDx Speaker, Coach, and Communications Expert
With over 20 years of experience as a presentations coach, Matt Moran specializes in helping professionals communicate with confidence, clarity, and impact. For eight years, he served as the Director of Communications for Wade Weissmann Architecture, a high-end residential firm in Santa Barbara. In that role, he worked closely with designers and architects, guiding them through difficult client conversations and refining their ability to present design ideas with persuasion and ease.
Now, as a sought-after speaker and executive coach to companies like BP, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, American Crew and others, Matt empowers professionals across industries—including design—to navigate complex interactions, foster client trust, and deliver compelling presentations that resonate.

Our monthly ”Key Calls” are typically reserved for members. If you’d like to join us for future events, Sign up now!

LIVE KEY CALL: OPTIMIZING THE ARCHITECT-TO-DESIGNER PROCESS
2025-08-13 09:00 - 10:00 | Zoom
Designers often face the challenge of translating complex architectural plans into an efficient design drawing plan set, thorough enough for a builder, while also being mindful of overstepping their boundaries. Taryn Bone of Bone Collective Studio will address this pain point head on by providing practical solutions to streamline collaboration, eliminating a guessing game, and improve communication and project output between an architect and designer, strengthening the team’s value. Bring all of your challenges and questions to this intimate, engaging conversation!

Prior to launching Bone Collective Studio, Taryn honed her skills at several award-winning architecture and interior design firms including Johnston Marklee, Belzberg Architects, and Wilson Associates. Taryn earned her Master of Architecture from The Southern California Institute of Architecture, graduating with distinction and receiving the SCI-Arc Service Award. Her Bachelor of Science degree was earned from The University of Missouri where she majored in Architectural Studies and Interior Design.
Licensed in Massachusetts and Maine, Bone Collective Studio has executed projects in Los Angeles, Vermont, Maine, Alabama, St. Louis, & the Greater Boston Area. Taryn believes in the importance of expanding our design vocabulary by engaging with art, new places, and interesting stories.

Our monthly ”Key Calls” are typically reserved for members. If you’d like to join us for future events, Sign up now!

KEY COLLECTIVE AT ROSE TARLOW MELROSE HOUSE
2025-10-02 14:00 - 17:00 | Rose Tarlow, 425 N Robertson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, United States
members receive (2) complimentary ”Key collective” events in their annual membership. Please login to receive your complimentary or discounted rate.

NOT A MEMBER? Sign up now!

WHY SHOULD YOU MEET US AT ROSE TARLOW?
So much is asked of you as an interior designer – brilliant talent and taste, lightning-fast problem-solving and acrobatic juggling skills. It’s a lot! It’s time to take a deep breath and step into Circaphiles’ safe haven at Rose Tarlow Melrose House. We’re thrilled to welcome Gail Baral, a seasoned business coach and former interior designer, as our guest expert. Gail played a pivotal role in bringing Circaphiles to life and shares invaluable insights on business strategy, mindset mastery, and working creatively and strategically in the design industry.
Each designer is expected to come with a challenge they are facing whether it be with projects, clients, vendors or in business. Together we will lend our experience, wisdom and offer solutions and preventative medicine – like a fun therapy session! With the goal of everyone walking away lighter on their feet, more confident in a path forward and armed with valuable tips and tricks, we are eager to host you in the Circaphiles’ Key Collective, in partnership with Rose Tarlow Melrose House.
This intimate experience is limited to 12 designers and crafted to spark clear thinking, meaningful conversation, and actionable insights. We’ll be serving a curated “neuro-nourishment” menu, featuring energizing elixirs and brain-boosting superfood snacks to fuel both body and mind for inspired participation. Attendees will receive a worksheet to capture key questions, notes, and action steps. Attendees will have the opportunity to browse and shop the showroom before the event ends.
Don’t wait to grab your spot!
Members: If this is your 1st or 2nd Key Collective, it’s free. If this is your 3rd Key Collective, please log in to receive your $30 discount.
Non-members: We welcome you to come take a seat with design colleagues at this powerful event!
*You must be an interior designer to attend this event. If your purchase a ticket and you are not an interior designer, we will contact you and refund your money less the processing fee.

LIVE KEY CALL: RAISING RATES WITHOUT LOSING CLIENTS
2025-10-29 09:00 - 10:00 | Zoom
Are you charging less than you know your work is worth—because you’re afraid of losing clients? You’re not alone. Pricing is one of the most emotionally loaded and intimidating aspects of running a design business. Led by returning executive coach (with a niche on interior design) and entrepreneur, Kara Duffy, this Key Call will empower you to shift your mindset, raise your rates with confidence, and build a thriving, sustainable practice—without sacrificing your client base. Whether you’re just beginning to re-evaluate your pricing or ready to make bold moves, this session will give you the tools, language, and confidence to grow your revenue without sacrificing your client relationships.
You will learn:
– Ten reasons to raise your rates
– How to create a roadmap for increasing your rates over time
– Methods to confidently answer tough client questions about your fees
– How to inform existing clients of your new rates
– Current market knowledge of interior design fees
Bring all of your questions to ask and experience to share to this intimate session!

Our monthly ”Key Calls” are typically reserved for members. If you’d like to join us for future events, Sign up now!

LIVE KEY CALL: DESIGNER ROUNDTABLE (PEER-LED ZOOM EVENT)
2025-12-17 09:00 - 10:00 | Zoom
It’s that time of year again: the endless holiday to-do list, looming client deadlines, and the quiet pressure of a new year nudging you to set fresh goals.
Before you tumble headfirst into a new year, we want to offer you a moment to slow down—just long enough to breathe, reconnect, and feel excited about the possibilities waiting for you in 2026.
And what better way to do that than with people who actually understand your world?
On December 17 at 9 AM, you’re invited to gather with fellow designers for a warm, honest, peer-led roundtable.
This Zoom event is a space for real conversation—where you can swap stories, share what’s on your heart, and spark fresh ideas for the year ahead. If you’ve been craving clarity or simply a connection with a supportive circle of designers who “get it,” you’ll feel right at home here.
To make the most of our time, come ready to reflect on:

Your biggest interior design pet peeve OR a client request you will never forget
What’s one habit, belief, or process you’re ready to release in the new year?
What’s something you want to begin—something that could shift the way you work in 2026?

We’ll close by sharing our favorite resources—those small-but-mighty things that make the design life smoother, saner, or just more fun.

Our monthly ”Key Calls” are typically reserved for members. If you’d like to join us for future events, Sign up now!

LIVE KEY CALL: PRICING FOR DIFFICULT CLIENTS
2026-01-15 09:00 - 10:00 | Zoom
HOW TO PROTECT PROFIT WHEN CLIENTS ARE HIGH-TOUCH, HIGH-DEMAND, OR INDECISIVE
Before you roll full speed into January, let’s pause and talk about something that can take a big toll on designers: pricing—especially when clients are high-touch, high-demand, or endlessly indecisive.
Those clients often cost more than we anticipate. So how do we protect our profit without sacrificing professionalism or client relationships? If you’ve ever felt frustrated, uncomfortable, or unsure how to price projects that require extra hand-holding, this conversation is for you.
On January 15 from 9:00–10:00 AM PDT, join us for a live Key Call on smarter pricing strategies for difficult clients, led by business coach Kara Duffy.
Kara helps interior designers price their services with confidence, clarity, and boundaries that actually hold. With decades of experience advising businesses of all sizes, she understands what it takes to run an efficient, profitable design practice.
Together, we’ll explore:

How to spot high-touch, high-demand, or indecisive client patterns early
Smart pricing structures that account for added time, revisions, and emotional labor
How to set and communicate boundaries with clarity and confidence
Language to use when pricing conversations feel awkward or emotionally charged
The one thing to avoid doing when working with discriminating clients
Case study/learning lesson from designers on the call

Bring your questions, your real-life experiences, and join us for an intimate, candid conversation.

Our monthly ”Key Calls” are typically reserved for members. If you’d like to join us for future events, Sign up now!
