May 04-07,
2026
Charleston,
South Carolina
A Curated Luxury Retreat for Interior Designers to Cultivate Their Creative Landscape
The Design Field is a luxury retreat in Charleston, designed exclusively for interior designers longing to nurture their creativity and grow their business with intention.
Over four transformative days, our Root to Rise journey unfolds through immersive education, interactive workshops at premier showrooms around Charleston’s vibrant design district, and intimate keynote sessions with industry experts.
This retreat equips us with tools to reconnect with our craft, establish sustainable business practices, and find clarity in both profitability and artistry.
The Destination
Charleston, South Carolina
Set in Charleston’s emerging design district, we offer more than just inspiration, we provide a lived experience.
Step inside premier showrooms, engage with vendors and partners in their own environments, and connect directly with tastemakers and artisans who share our design philosophies and sensibilities.
historic roots. modern elegance. a designer’s haven
Set in the heart of downtown Charleston, The Dewberry is a striking blend of Southern heritage and modern sophistication. The hotel offers a deeply inspiring atmosphere that mirrors the spirit of the retreat itself: grounded in tradition, elevated with intention, where beauty and experience converge.
at the heart of charleston’s design scene
Ideally situated in downtown Charleston, The Dewberry offers easy access to the city’s emerging design district. Its central location places us steps away from leading showrooms, artisan vendors, and cultural landmarks making it the perfect home base for our immersive, on-the-field retreat experience.
design centric environment
The Dewberry offers a setting that speaks directly to the sensibilities of our design community.
Thoughtful midcentury-modern interiors
Locally sourced art and vintage design details
Architecture that blends heritage and innovation
Modern Roots. Modern Elegance. A Designer’s Haven (BIGGER)
Set in the heart of downtown Charleston, The Dewberry is a striking blend of Southern heritage and modern sophistication. The hotel offers a deeply inspiring atmosphere that mirrors the spirit of the retreat itself: grounded in tradition, elevated with intention – where beauty and experience converge.
AT THE HEART OF CHARLESTON’S DESIGN SCENE
Ideally situated in downtown Charleston, The Dewberry offers easy access to the city’s emerging design district. Its central location places us steps away from leading showrooms, artisan vendors, and cultural landmarks making it the perfect home base for our immersive, on-the-field retreat experience.
DESIGN CENTRIC ENVIRONMENT
The Dewberry offers a setting that speaks directly to the sensibilities of our design community.
Thoughtful midcentury-modern interiors
Locally sourced art and vintage design details
Architecture that blends heritage and innovation
Learn how to streamline your workflow, structure your services, and price with purpose. This session focuses on creating sustainable systems that maximize efficiency, profitability, and the client experience—from inquiry to delivery.
strengthen your brand & creative process
Develop a cohesive brand identity and a refined creative rhythm that communicates your value and vision. Explore how storytelling, presentation, and design strategy work together to attract aligned clients and set your business apart.
cultivate a clear & confident mindset
Discover how to release limiting beliefs, align with your core values, and lead your business with clarity and purpose. Through guided coaching and interactive sessions, you’ll redefine what’s possible.
Build Your Business On A Foundation of Strategy (Bigger)
Refine Your System & operations
THE HOSTS
Joannah Harbeck | Creative Director
The Design Field was born from a shared vision between Caity Smithson of Mae Proper Interiors (Iron Mountain, MI) and Joannah Harbeck of Sunday Morning Interiors (Monterey Peninsula, CA). What began as conversations about the gaps in traditional design conferences soon evolved into a clear idea to create something more intimate, restorative, and designed to truly serve the well-being of interior designers.
Together, they imagined a retreat that feels immersive and holistic, where wellness is as central as business strategy, and where designers can step away from the digital hustle and back into an analog world of hands-on learning, exclusive showroom tours, or “adult field trips”, and meaningful connections. With their blend of masterful strategy and soulful intention (classic Capricorns), Caity and Joannah have shaped an experience designers crave: a beautiful sanctuary to elevate their craft, grow their business, and return home renewed, clear, and deeply connected long after Charleston.
Caity Smithson | Event Director
“We created The Design Field as the retreat we wished existed. One that is immersive, wellness-driven, and a true sanctuary for designers to reconnect with their craft, rebalance their daily rhythm, and regain their sense of community.”
meet the speakers
Led by the industry’s top designers and mentors, you’ll have the chance to sit alongside experts who are generous with their knowledge and experience.
Beyond the presentations, you’ll find honest, unfiltered conversations that unfold over meals and moments in-between connections that will stick with you long after the retreat ends.
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Julia Miller | CREATIVE DIRECTOR, Yond Interiors
With an aesthetic grounded in proportion, light, and natural harmony, Julia Miller, has built a reputation for creating spaces that embody warmth, restraint, and soulful modernity. Her work bridges the technical and the emotional, reminding us that great design is both measured and deeply felt.During our retreat, Julia will lead a guided design exercise focused on rediscovering your creative rhythm, refining your design lens, and translating intuition into tangible, elevated interiors.
SPEAKER SECTIONS NEED RECONFIGURING
PORTRAIT IMAGE BLURRY
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Ali Faulkner | OWNER + PRINCIPAL DESIGNER, AEF Interiors
Ali Faulkner is the Owner + Principal Designer of Orange County-based interior design studio, AEF Interiors. With an extensive background in hospitality and consulting, Ali came into the interior design industry with a purpose: to put clients first. AEF Interiors is known for not only their charming, character-driven designs, but also for the way they weave hospitality into every step of their design process.Whether you’re looking to design a classic cottage or a home with a bit of a more contemporary flair, Ali and her team ensure that the process will be just as amazing as the final result.
SPEAKER SECTIONS NEED RECONFIGURING
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Brooke Stoll | FOUNDER, Brooke Stoll Strategic Consulting
With nearly a decade in the interior design industry, Brooke specializes in optimizing people, processes, and profitability to help design firms scale with confidence and clarity while minimizing overwhelm. By working closely with studios nationwide, she’s gained valuable insights into the strategies that enable businesses to grow successfully, often reaching multi-seven-figure revenues.
Her goal is to empower design professionals to work smarter, not harder, and achieve sustainable growth without sacrificing creativity or quality.
- SPEAKER SECTIONS NEED RECONFIGURING
- ADD ANGIE’S SECTION
ROOT
Day One
Our opening day is designed to ground us in clarity and purpose. Through dynamic speaker sessions, we’ll dive into the foundational elements of our brand, creative rhythm, and business structure. It’s a day for learning, engaging, and planting the roots that will support everything to come.
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Roam
Day Two
This is the day we explore and experiment. Through hands-on workshops, curated showroom tours, and interactive speaker sessions, we will roam through new ideas, techniques, and tools, gathering real-world inspiration and clear takeaways to bring back to our business.
RESTORE
Day Three
A day of restoration: spirit, creativity, and connection. We’ll begin with a nourishing spa session to unwind, followed by rejuvenating experiences that remind us of the beauty in preserving what was, while making space for what’s to come.
Rise
Day Four
Our final day is about integration and elevation. With space to reflect, refine, and reconnect, we will leave with a renewed sense of direction, a rhythm that supports both creativity and structure, and a deeper connection to our voice, vision, and community.
THE SESSIONS
THESE HEADLINES TO BE BIGGER >>>>>
01.
03.
Brand Building: Starting From the Ground Up
Designing the Client Experience: Onboarding, Proposals & Evolution
05.
07.
Visibility & Workflow: Where Presence Meets Process
Interactive Session - Profit & Confidence: Building Clarity in Your Financials
02.
04.
06.
08.
Finding Clients that Fit & Knowing Where To Invest
Interactive Session - Design Presentation Through Inspiration: Incorporating Custom & Vintage Pieces
Social Strategy: Building Presence with Purpose
Rewriting the Narrative: Breaking Through Limiting Beliefs
09.
Small Group & 1:1 - The Work Within: Reframing Thought, Reclaiming Power
10.
Values as Your Foundation: Leading with Clarity & Intention
THE EXPERIENCE
Our showroom visits and hands-on workshops invite us into a deeper way of connecting with tastemakers and artisans, experiencing their craft within the spaces where it comes to life.
A Place for Clarity & Connection Among the Like-Minded
The Design Field Retreat was created as a space for designers to step away from the noise, reconnect with their purpose, and find inspiration among a like-minded community. Whether you’re just beginning your business journey or have been in the industry for over a decade, The Design Field Retreat offers a place to feel grounded, inspired, and connected—a space where clarity and community come together.
Read the FAQ
Your Field Guide: What to Know Before You Join Us
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WHO IS THE RETREAT FOR?
The Design Field is thoughtfully designed for interior designers at any stage — whether you're just beginning your studio or looking to scale your business. Our curriculum and immersive experiences are tailored to support both creative growth and strategic development.
WHAT IF I’M NEWER IN BUSINESS OR AN ESTABLISHED DESIGNER. IS THIS STILL A FIT?
Absolutely. Our content is designed to stretch and serve designers at a range of experiences. Beginners will gain foundational tools and clarity, while established designers will benefit from elevated strategy, fresh perspectives, and higher-level systems.
CAN I ATTEND IF I’M NOT AN INTERIOR DESIGNER?
Although we would love to welcome all, this retreat is designed specifically for interior designers and design-adjacent professionals.
WHAT’S INCLUDED IN MY TICKET?
Your registration covers:
All meals, snacks, and beverages (from arrival through the closing gathering)
Access to all workshops, panel sessions, and showroom visits
Spa treatment (options of either 50-minute Swedish Massage or 50-minute Classic Facial) and rooftop yoga session
Professional headshots, curated gifts, business workbook
Ongoing access to our private alumni community for post-retreat connection
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ARE HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS INCLUDED?
No. Hotel accommodations are not included. However, we’ll share a discounted room block at our host venue, The Dewberry for retreat attendees. You’re welcome to stay off-site or share a room, per your preference.
WHAT IS THE GROUP SIZE OR ATTENDEE LIMIT?
Typically we limit to ~30 attendees. We maintain an intimate group size to ensure meaningful connection, one-on-one access to speakers, and deep engagement during sessions.
WHEN DO I NEED TO ARRIVE / CHECK IN? WHEN DO I NEED TO DEPART / CHECK OUT?
Check-in begins on Day 1 (Monday, May 04) at 1:00 PM, followed by our Welcome Reception & Gathering to kick off the retreat experience. Our event concludes on Day 4 (Thursday, May 07) at 1:00PM.
IS TRANSPORTATION TO SHOWROOMS, DINNERS, AND EVENT ACTIVITIES INCLUDED?
Yes. We arrange private group transport to off-site showroom visits, design district excursions, and evening events.
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ARE MEALS DIETARY-FRIENDLY? ARE NON-ALCOHOLIC OPTIONS AVAILABLE?
Yes. Meals are thoughtfully prepared and we can accommodate most dietary restrictions. We’ll also offer non-alcoholic beverages alongside cocktails and wine. You’ll be able to share your preferences after registering.
WILL I HAVE ACCESS TO SPEAKERS OUTSIDE OF THE SESSION?
Yes. The retreat is intentionally structured so speakers are present from check-in through the final gathering. You’ll have ample time during meals, breakouts, and social moments to engage with them casually and deeply.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT AFTER THE RETREAT?
You’ll be invited into our alumni community, where designers continue to connect, share resources, and support one another. We also host occasional meetups, curated virtual sessions, and collaborative check-ins throughout the year.on text goes here
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HOW MUCH DOES THE RETREAT COST?
The retreat is $5,250 USD per individual ticket or $4,850 USD per person for small groups registering together. We also offer early-bird pricing of $500 off for a limited time.
WHAT IF I NEED TO CANCEL / TRANSFER MY TICKET?
We understand life happens. Tickets are non-refundable but transferable to another designer.
DO YOU OFFER PAYMENT PLANS?
Yes. Flexible payment options are available at checkout.
CAN I WRITE THIS OFF AS A BUSINESS EXPENSE?
In most cases, yes. Many attendees are able to write it off as professional development. Please confirm with your tax professional.
Have a question we didn’t cover? Send us a note. We’d love to hear from you and will be in touch soon.
The Difference
This is a frequently asked question?
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
This is a frequently asked question?
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
This is a frequently asked question?
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
This is a frequently asked question?
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
The Partners
FRITZ PORTER
JENNI KAYNE
URBAN ELECTRIC
SCHUMACHER
TEXTURES
AVALINE
GINGER SPARROW
LIGHTHOUSE CO.
SMITHEY IRONWARE
THE NAVY YARD
SPONSOR
Our retreat comes to life through the support of wellness-driven brands that share our values of craftsmanship, sustainability, and intentional design.
These partners deepen the experience by welcoming us into their showrooms, sharing their expertise, supporting and celebrating alongside our community.
Interested in Sponsorship?
Align your brand with The Design Field and connect directly with a highly engaged community of interior designers and creative leaders.
PARTNERS
Your plot at The Design Field awaits.
Space is intentionally limited to keep the experience intimate, and spots are secured on a first-come basis.
Reserve your spot today and join us in Charleston for four days of “Root to Rise” — a journey of renewal, inspiration, and sustainable business growth.
Space is intentionally limited to keep the experience intimate, and spots are secured on a first-come basis.
Reserve your spot today and join us in Charleston for four days of “Root to Rise” — a journey of renewal, inspiration, and sustainable business growth.
Your plot at The Design Field awaits.
Get in touch.
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
