EP 468 | Beyond Beautiful: Why Interior Design Now Carries Responsibility with Megan Reilly

February 17, 2026

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Design doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It responds to real life — and sometimes, real loss. In this thoughtful conversation, Kimberley Seldon sits down with Megan Reilly, co-founder of WestEdge Design Fair, to explore how the role of interior designers is evolving beyond aesthetics and into responsibility.

They discuss how design shows up during disruption and rebuilding, why resilience and smarter material choices are becoming non-negotiable, and how industry platforms like WestEdge are adapting to support designers who want to do meaningful, relevant work without sacrificing business sustainability. This is not about burnout, martyrdom, or working for free — it’s about clarity, education, and community.

If you’ve been feeling the pull toward more impact but aren’t sure how to balance that with running a healthy business, this episode offers a grounded, honest perspective on what it means to be a designer right now — and how to step into a bigger role with intention.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

  • Why design has consequences far beyond aesthetics
  • How designers can contribute meaningfully during rebuilding and recovery
  • What resilience, sustainability, and smarter material choices look like in practice
  • Why in-person events and industry platforms matter more than ever
  • How designers can expand their impact without diluting their business model
  • Why education and community are strategic advantages — not “extras”

DESIGN INTERVENTION

You can have it good, fast, or cheap — but not all three.
Done is better than perfect.

 

WATCH ON YOUTUBE

 

About Megan Reilly

Megan co-founded WestEdge Design Fair in 2013, relocating from New York City to Santa Monica to immerse herself with the West Coast design community. She has extensive experience in brand activations, event management, marketing, programming, project management, and public relations. She now calls Irvine home and, when not looking for new and undiscovered design brands, can be found exploring the many hiking trails throughout Southern California.

www.westedgedesignfair.com

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Legal Disclosure | This podcast is for educational purposes only and provides general business advice for interior designers and design professionals. It is not intended as individual legal, accounting, or professional guidance. Kimberley Seldon and Business of Design® make no guarantees regarding accuracy and are not liable for how information is used. Strategies shared may not apply to every situation—listeners should seek qualified legal, financial, or professional advice before making business decisions. References and resources mentioned may change over time.

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