On the Table with Ashley

Send us a textSustainable Design is on the table today!In this episode, we are joined by San Francisco-based designer, artist, and climate activist, Verda Alexander.  After receiving a Bachelor of Arts from San Jose State University and advanced studies in landscape architecture at Harvard Graduate School of Design, Verda co-founded Studio O+A. Studio O+A is a design firm renowned for creating innovative workspaces for leading technology companies such as Facebook, Microsoft, and Slack. Beyond her design practice, Alexander is the Editor-at-Large at Metropolis Magazine, where she expands conversations around design, climate activism, social justice, and art. Alexander also engages audiences through "Break Some Dishes," a podcast addressing design's role in climate change.Verda Alexander joins Ashley to discuss what she has learned about productivity and comfort in the workspace from designing for some of the biggest tech companies in the world. The two dive deep into Verda’s climate activism and the ways in which climate change, sustainability and design intersect. What results is an astute conversation that interrogates the ways capitalism informs design, and the intentionality necessary to create designs that help our planet and the people living on it. Follow Verda on Instagram.Listen to Verda’s Podcast Break Some DishesCheck out Studio X+ORead Food for Thought Truck by Studio X+OCheck out the Alternative Practice ProjectRead Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal NewportLearn More about John Muir’s Alarm Clock BedRead The Eco PlaybookRead Metropolis MagazineRead Invisible Women - Exposing Data in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado PerezRead How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy by Jenny OdellFollow On the Table with Ashley on Instagram and TikTok.On the Table with Ashley is presented by Âme Atendre, a luxury home goods and tableware brand with a mission to connect people to all that matters. If you have ideas for new episodes or guests, or just want to share feedback, email us at reachoutanytime@ameatendre.com.

Send us a textThe magic of everyday objects is on the table today!In Part 2 of this two-part conversation, Ashley is joined by designers Hannah Bigeleisen and Alyssa Gerasimoff for a thoughtful exploration of the joy of color, the value of small-batch bespoke and custom production, and the creative potential found in the everyday.Alyssa Gerasimoff, a 2020 graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design with a degree in furniture design, founded Erria—a digital platform connecting artists, designers, suppliers, and fabricators—in 2023 after seeing many of her peers struggle to launch their creative careers. She’s now preparing to roll out Erria 2.0, a more sustainable, evolved version of the platform.Hannah Bigeleisen is a Brooklyn-based designer celebrated for her sculptural furniture and lighting. With a foundation in sculpture, she brings a playful yet refined approach to her work. Since launching her practice in 2020, her collections have been showcased at Brooklyn Designs, Collectible Design, and Sight Unseen Offsite Online, and featured in Domino, Architectural Digest, Elle Decor España, Vogue, Luxe, and Interior Design Magazine. Her latest collection will debut at Wanted Design in 2025.Joined by Dylan Williamson, Principal Designer at Âme Atendre, this episode dives into the creative brainwork behind design. Hannah and Alyssa share the moments of inspiration they find in the world around them—from the shifting light in nature to unexpected patterns in vintage rugs—and how these observations inform their work. They discuss the craftsmanship and intention behind hand made goods, offer insights on sustainability through quality, and reflect on how they stay creatively energized day to day. The result is a rich, accessible lesson in design, beauty, and mindful consumption—encouraging listeners to shop with both intention and imagination.Check out Erria DesignFollow Hannah and Alyssa on Instagram.Follow Erria on Instagram.Explore Hannah’s website Read Homemade Russia: Post Soviet Folk Artifacts.Read Fewer, Better Things: The Hidden Wisdom of Objects by Glenn AdamsonLearn more about An Incomplete Manifesto for Growth by Bruce MauLearn more about 3pts.Listen to Brene Brown’s Podcast. Follow On the Table with Ashley on Instagram and TikTok.On the Table with Ashley is presented by Âme Atendre, a luxury home goods and tableware brand with a mission to connect people to all that matters. 

Send us a textBusiness and design are on the table today!In the latest episode of our From Brain to Home series, Ashley is joined by Hannah Bigeleisen and Alyssa Gerasimoff for a rich conversation on creativity, connection, and the evolving design industry.Alyssa Gerasimoff, a 2020 graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design with a degree in furniture design, founded Erria, a digital platform designed to connect artists, designers, suppliers, and fabricators, in 2023 after witnessing many of her peers struggle to launch their creative careers. Alyssa is now preparing to launch Erria 2.0, a self-sustaining evolution of the platform.Hannah Bigeleisen is a Brooklyn-based designer known for her sculptural furniture and lighting.Since founding her design practice in 2020, Hannah has debuted collections at Brooklyn Designs, Collectible Design, and Sight Unseen Offsite Online, and her work has been featured in publications including Domino, Architectural Digest, Elle Decor España, Vogue, Luxe, and Interior Design Magazine. Her newest collection is set to debut at Wanted Design in 2025.Joining forces with Âme Atendre designer Dylan Williamson, this episode dives into the intersection of creativity and commerce. Together, the group explores what it means to build a sustainable design practice, how to balance artistic integrity with business demands, and how platforms like Erria can serve as vital hubs for innovation. They discuss the challenges of launching and growing creative brands, the importance of collaboration, and the transformative power of connection in art and design.Check out Erria Design.Follow Hannah and Alyssa on Instagram.Follow Erria on Instagram.Explore Hannah’s website. Listen to Part 1 and Part 2 of our episode with Dr.Chatterjee.Follow On the Table with Ashley on Instagram and TikTok.On the Table with Ashley is presented by Âme Atendre, a luxury home goods and tableware brand with a mission to connect people to all that matters. If you have ideas for new episodes or guests, or just want to share feedback, email us at reachoutanytime@ameatendre.com.

Send us a textThe power of light is on the table today!For our latest episode of our From Brain to Home series, we are joined by Dr. Mariana Figueiro. Dr. Figueiro is the Mount Sinai Endowed Professor of Light and Health Research at the Department of Population Health Science and Policy at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and the Director of the Mount Sinai Light and Health Research Center. Her research focuses on the effects of light on human health, sustainability, circadian photobiology, and lighting for older adults. As the author of more than 140 scientific articles, Dr. Figueiro has brought attention to the significance of light and health as a topic of public interest. She joins us today to discuss the impact that lighting design has on all aspects of our lives - from our physical and mental health, to our sleep patterns and even our cognitive functioning. In this episode, Dr. Figueiro and Ashley discuss the way lighting impacts people living a variety of lives, whether it be night-shift workers, the elderly, those with jetlag, or simply people who can’t bring themselves to turn off their screens before bed. She discusses her approach to light research as a form of design, informing her work through her architecture background, and sharing all the ways big and small we can maximize light in our spaces.  Powerfully, Dr. Figueiro shares with us how lighting can impact treatments for diseases like Alzheimer's and Cancer, through a treatment approach called Chronotherapy. What results is a fascinating and at points deeply profound discussion on the simple ways that we can improve our lives by giving consideration to light.Read Dr.Figueiros Research.Listen to Dr.Figueiros TedMED talk.Read Dr.Figuerios research on Chronotherapy.Listen to Part 1 and Part 2 of our episode with Dr.Chatterjee.Read The Art of Scientific Investigation by William Beveridge.Follow On the Table with Ashley on Instagram and TikTok.On the Table with Ashley is presented by Âme Atendre, a luxury home goods and tableware brand with a mission to connect people to all that matters. If you have ideas for new episodes or guests, or just want to share feedback, email us at reachoutanytime@ameatendre.com.

Send us a textThe Psychology of Confinement is on the table today!In part 2 of this two part conversation, we are once again joined by Criminologist, Dr.Yvonne Jewkes. A Professor of Criminology at the University of Bath and honorary visiting fellow at the University of Melbourne, Yvonne Jewkes is the world's leading expert on rehabilitative prison design.Her research on prison architecture, design and technology has taken her to diverse prisons in places such as Norway, Spain and Japan. Yvonne has been honored for her role in helping to design corrections in the U.K., Ireland and Australia that prioritize a humane approach to design.Ashley and Dr.Jewkes continue their profound conversation on architecture and confinement, as Dr.Jewkes takes us through her personal journey of being confined in within the 4 walls of her house, made a personal prison by her ex-husband, who left her alone with little more thana construction site. Dr.jewkes takes us through her journey and the ways in which it informs her work, leading to a profound conversation about womanhood, agency, punishment, and humanity. Dr.Jewkes reminds us of the ways that architecture can be used to liberate as well as confine, and even those at the fringes of society should be afforded conditions humane enough to call a place home. Read the research of Dr. Yvonne Jewkes.Read An Architecture of Hope by Yvonne Jewkes.Learn about Oasis Restore Secure SchoolRead The Smell of Rain on Dust: Grief and Praise by Martín Prechtel Read Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver BurkemanRead I Will Never See the World Again: The Memoir of an Imprisoned Writer by Ahmet Altman.Follow On the Table with Ashley on Instagram and TikTok.On the Table with Ashley is presented by Âme Atendre, a luxury home goods and tableware brand with a mission to connect people to all that matters. If you have ideas for new episodes or guests, or just want to share feedback, email us at reachoutanytime@ameatendre.com.

Send us a textHumane Prison Architecture is on the table today!In this episode, we are joined by Criminologist, Dr.Yvonne Jewkes. A Professor of Criminology at the University of Bath and honorary visiting fellow at the University of Melbourne, Yvonne Jewkes is the world's leading expert on rehabilitative prison design.Her research on prison architecture, design and technology has taken her to diverse prisons in places such as Norway, Spain and Japan. Yvonne has been honored for her role in helping to design corrections in the U.K., Ireland and Australia that prioritize a humane approach to design. In part 1 of this 2 part episode, Dr.Jewkes dives deep into her work in prisons, taking us through the process and outcomes of progressive prisons that she has personally consulted on. She dives further into themes explored in her book, such as surveillance, humanity, and bestowing by force, even positive things, on unconsenting participants. What results is a fearless and meditative discussion on punishment vs rehabilitation, and what constitutes punishment in our society.Read the research of Dr. Yvonne Jewkes.Read An Architecture of Hope by Yvonne Jewkes.Find out more about Dr. Yvonne Jewke’s work with The Limerick Women's Prison.Find out more about Norway’s Halden Prison. Learn more about the Irish Prison Service in Wheatfield, Ireland.Learn more about the Basto Prison in Norway.Learn about Strom Prison in Denmark.Learn about the case of Anders Brevik in Norway.Follow On the Table with Ashley on Instagram and TikTok.On the Table with Ashley is presented by Âme Atendre, a luxury home goods and tableware brand with a mission to connect people to all that matters. If you have ideas for new episodes or guests, or just want to share feedback, email us at reachoutanytime@ameatendre.com.

Send us a textCreating with Family is on the table today! In the fourth episode of our From Brain to Home series, we’re joined by father-son duo Michael and Gage Upwall of Upwall Design. Based in Park City, Utah, Upwall Design is an architectural firm that creates dream homes which literally “grow” out of the earth—merging an organic, nature-inspired philosophy with modern design practices to produce structures that harmonize with their natural surroundings. Michael completed his Master of Architecture at the University of Utah in 1991 and founded Upwall Design that same year, drawing on his intimate knowledge of Utah’s unique geography to craft timeless homes. Raised in his father’s studio, Gage was immersed in design from an early age and, after exploring photography and filmmaking to hone his artistic vision, returned to architecture to become a senior designer. Together, they craft designs that honor the heritage of architecture while embracing the possibilities of new technologies.In this episode, Michale and Gage discuss the evolution of their architectural voices—from classic mountain craftsman styles to a modern organic approach that integrates seamlessly with nature—and how outdated neighborhood guidelines and shifting demographics push creative boundaries. Find out more about Upwall Design .Listen to Rick Rubin’s Podcast "Tetragrammaton".Read The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin.Read Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett.Read The Monkey Wrench Gang by Edward Abbey.Listen to From Brain to Home: How our Built Environment Impacts Who We Are with Dr. Anjan Chatterjee, Parts 1 and 2 .Follow On the Table with Ashley on Instagram and TikTok.On the Table with Ashley is presented by Âme Atendre, a luxury home goods and tableware brand with a mission to connect people to all that matters. If you have ideas for new episodes or guests, or just want to share feedback, email us at reachoutanytime@ameatendre.com.

Send us a textThoughtful home design is on the table today!In the third episode of our neuroaesthetics and design series, we’re joined by Jennelle Butera, co-founder of Hudson and Bloum Design. Since its founding in 2016, Hudson and Bloum has been a full-service interior design firm dedicated to creating tailored, thoughtful spaces that align with their clients' unique lifestyles. By collaborating with local artists and businesses, they bring a distinctive, personalized touch to every project. Their design approach strikes a careful balance between functionality and local character, resulting in spaces that feel both inviting and deeply reflective of their clients' tastes.With a diverse portfolio spanning mountain retreats to coastal homes, Jennelle and her partner, Meghan, have a keen understanding of neuroaesthetics and the vital role it plays in home design. In this episode, Jennelle shares insights into her work, the meaningful relationships she builds with clients, and the intentional use of color, lighting, and natural elements to craft spaces that are both aesthetically and emotionally enriching.Find out more about Hudson and Bloum Design.Follow Hudson and Bloum Design on Instagram.Watch Queer Eye.Visit 1stDibs.Follow On the Table with Ashley on Instagram and TikTok.On the Table with Ashley is presented by Âme Atendre, a luxury home goods and tableware brand with a mission to connect people to all that matters. If you have ideas for new episodes or guests, or just want to share feedback, email us at reachoutanytime@ameatendre.com.  

Dr. Anjan Chatterjee, a neuroscientist and professor at the University of Pennsylvania, dives into how our environments shape our well-being. He discusses the neurological impact of beauty and aesthetics on mental health, creativity, and social connections. The conversation explores the psychology of color in design, implicit biases influenced by aesthetics, and the challenges in funding research in this field. Dr. Chatterjee emphasizes that aesthetics are essential for understanding self and fostering empathetic narratives within communities.

Send us a textNeuroaesthetics is on the table today.In our inaugural episode on Neuroaesthetics and Design, we are joined by neuroscientist and author Dr. Anjan Chatterjee. Dr. Chatterjee earned his B.A. in Philosophy from Haverford College and his M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania. He is a professor of neurology at the University of Pennsylvania and the founding director of the Penn Center for Neuroaesthetics. As the author of The Aesthetic Brain: How We Evolved to Desire Beauty and Art and numerous scientific publications, his research explores the cognitive mechanisms behind aesthetic experiences and the impact of design on well-being, creativity, and decision-making.In Part 1 of this two-part episode, Dr. Chatterjee sits down with Ashley to provide a scientific framework for understanding neuroaesthetics in the context of design. He breaks down the fundamental question: What makes something beautiful? and examines whether we perceive architectural beauty the same way we appreciate other forms of beauty. He also unpacks the five-factor model and concepts like coherence, leading to a fascinating discussion on how space shapes our brains.You can learn more about Dr.Chatterjee and his research on the Penn Center for Neuroaesthetics’ website. Follow On the Table with Ashley on Instagram and TikTok.Read The Aesthetic Brain: How We Evolved to Desire Beauty and Enjoy Art by Anjan ChatterjeeRead the study Neuroaesthetics: A Coming of Age Story by Anjan ChatterjeeExplore the research of Daniel Berlyne and Edmund BurkeOn the Table with Ashley is presented by Âme Atendre, a luxury home goods and tableware brand with a mission to connect people to all that matters. If you have ideas for new episodes or guests, or just want to share feedback, email us at reachoutanytime@ameatendre.com.