Curated 2026
On September 16, 2026, designers gathered at the Grand Bohemian Lodge in downtown Greenville for a full day of keynotes, candid conversation, and connection. The evening before, VIP guests joined our speakers for The Curated Conversation, an intimate dinner at Soby’s Loft.
Thank you to every designer, speaker, and sponsor who made the first Curated one to remember. We can’t wait to see you in 2027.
Thank You
Curated was made possible by partners who believe in the business of design. A special thank you to our presenting sponsor, SL2 Designer Services, a trade-only interior design resource serving the Upstate and Southeast, and to our supporting sponsors: UMI The Source, Ferguson Home, Clayton Tile, and Fabricut.
And to our speakers, attendees, and the team at the Grand Bohemian Lodge: thank you for making our first year unforgettable. Interested in partnering with Curated in 2027? Sponsorship opportunities are intentionally limited, so reach out early.
In Their Words
What Attendees Said
5 stars, 10/10, 100%. If there was another metaphor, I’d include it.
Such a fantastic experience! I laughed, learned, made meaningful connections, and came away feeling inspired and energized.
The speakers were incredible and the energy of the room was spot on. No one there was pretentious or pretending they had it all figured out.
Fantastic! I love that it applied to interior designers vs. being a generic women’s conference.
The conference day was clearly very well organized and well run… This was one of the best design conferences I’ve attended.
Life changing. I felt so seen and heard.
Well-planned & valuable; loved the variety and quality of speakers; thoughtfully organized.
A lot of thought-provoking information that felt attainable to go back and work on. The venue was gorgeous and visually interesting.
It was incredible! So inspirational and jam-packed with useful info!
Top notch!! Fun, exciting, and welcoming.
From our 2026 attendee survey.
The 2026 Speakers
Renee Biery
With 30 years of experience managing construction projects, Renee Biery understands what it takes to lead with confidence, collaborate effectively with contractors, and advocate for clients while keeping projects profitable and running smoothly. Her career has been built at the intersection of design and construction, with expertise spanning not only the creative side of design, but also the management, strategy, and financial oversight required to execute successful projects.
Whether working with seasoned designers refining their construction management process or those stepping into renovations for the first time, Renee helps designers streamline their approach, avoid costly missteps, and confidently lead on the job site — all while continuing to focus on what they do best: designing.
Industry expert LuAnn Nigara delivered, in her trademark high energy style, the Ten Non-Negotiables that every top-performing entrepreneur follows. Her talk distilled years of entrepreneurial wisdom into actionable insights that challenged designers to refine their purpose, optimize their operations, and elevate their leadership.
To support designers in evolving their business path, LuAnn shared the ten essential non-negotiables followed by all thriving entrepreneurs, drawing on her extensive leadership experience for the Curated community.
LuAnn Nigara
Running a successful design firm requires far more than great taste. In her session, Kate O’Hara broke down the systems, structure, and financial mindset needed to operate a design business like a true CEO. From streamlining operations and refining processes to understanding profitability and building a sustainable firm, the conversation helped interior designers move from reactive business owners to confident leaders.
Whether you’re building your team, tightening up workflows, or ready to gain better control of your numbers, the session delivered practical insight designers could put to work immediately. Kate O’Hara joined Curated to talk CEO mindset, operations, and financials — because building a beautiful business requires more than beautiful design. It was a session for the designer ready to lead with clarity, structure, and confidence.
Kate O’Hara
Cheryl Luckett
Cheryl Luckett is an award-winning interior designer, speaker, and creative entrepreneur known for her vibrant, layered interiors and approachable perspective on luxury living. As the founder of Dwell by Cheryl Interiors, she has built a nationally recognized brand rooted in bold design, thoughtful storytelling, and authentic connection. Cheryl is also known for her appearances on television and for inspiring designers to create businesses that reflect both their creativity and their values.
Cheryl Luckett joined the Curated stage to share her perspective on building a recognizable and authentic design brand. Known for her vibrant interiors and approachable luxury aesthetic, Cheryl has expanded her business through national licensing partnerships and brand collaborations while staying deeply rooted in authenticity and personal connection.
Deb Mitchell
Marketing your design firm shouldn’t feel like throwing content at the wall and hoping something sticks. In her session, attendees learned how to clarify their messaging, define what truly sets their firm apart, and create intentional visibility that attracts the right clients — all without feeling like they have to become full-time marketers to grow a successful business.
Deb Mitchell joined the Curated stage to teach designers how to clearly communicate their value, refine their brand messaging, and attract the right clients with intention — without losing themselves trying to “keep up” with marketing.