ArtsDesign

Handle with Care

Adam Charlap Hyman and Laura Kugel

A podcast by interior designer Adam Charlap Hyman and antiques dealer Laura Kugel, featuring guests who are usually irreverent, often idiosyncratic, and always experts in their corner of decorative arts and interior design. Loosely defined, the field becomes a springboard for conversations spanning art, design, collecting, antiques, theatre, architecture, history, and photography. While the topics may vary, each conversation possesses the same emotional and ideological core: to interrogate the forces that drive our material culture.

Play

Open in

14 episodes
Avg 34 min
English

Episodes 14

Newest Oldest Longest

All14 Unplayed14 In progress0 Played0

November 5 · 39 min
Episode 13: Suzy Slesin
In Episode 13 of Handle with Care, Adam and Laura speak with Suzy Slesin, writer, editor and publisher. Throughout her incredibly dynamic career, Suzy served as the Director of Communications and Advertising Manager at Knoll, an editor and writer at New York, Esquire and House & Garden magazines, Managing Editor of Industrial Design Magazine, Editor-in-Chief of HomeStyle, then Editor of O at Home, an Oprah magazine, and for 17 years, she was an editor and reporter for the Home Section of The New York Times. While editing magazines, Suzy has always worked on books and has co-authored over 20 books on design. Recording from her publishing house in Lower Manhattan, an amazing loft with the most amazing industrial shelving (with an integrated ladder!), Suzy takes us inside her world. She shares how her career oscillated between editing design publications and founding Pointed Leaf Press, which has published some of the most iconic design books of our time, including French Style, International Book of Lofts, Over the Top (about her step-grandmother Helena Rubinstein), and High-Tech: The Industrial Style and Source Source Book For the Home, an important reference point for so many designers today. Find out more about Pointed Leaf Press and follow her @suzyslesin Follow our adventures @adamcharlaphyman and @laurakugel_
- Transcript
September 28 · 31 min
Episode 12: Mitch Owens
In Episode 12 of Handle with Care, Adam and Laura speak with design historian, editor, and writer Mitch Owens on the occasion of the release of the September/October 2026 issue of The Magazine ANTIQUES, for which Adam served as Guest Editor. Mitch, once the Editor in Chief of this paper of record for collectors, has also held senior positions at The World of Interiors, Architectural Digest, and ELLE Decor during his impressive career. Highly respected within the world of decorative arts and design, Mitch shares with Adam and Laura specifically how he became so enthralled with Alexandre and Catherine Serebriakoff, the Russian artists and decorators who watercolored hundreds of the most important interiors from the 20th century, primarily in France. Delving into his article about the Serebriakoffs for the issue, Mitch, Adam, and Laura discuss the issue's overall ghost chasing theme while shedding light on The Magazine ANTIQUES' unique position in the world of shelter magazines. Follow Mitch's instagram here. Follow our adventures @adamcharlaphyman and @laurakugel_
- Transcript
July 2 · 34 min
Episode 11: Ralph Rucci
In Episode 11 of Handle with Care, Adam and Laura meet the great couturier, Ralph Rucci, who founded his company Chado Ralph Rucci in 1980. Rucci was the first American designer in more than 60 years to be invited to show in Paris by the French Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture, then showing his collections for the next five seasons. Recording from his Upper East Side apartment lined with plate glass mirrors, and simultaneously perusing the scrapbooks he makes after each collection, Ralph discusses many of his influences, from his mentor, Halston, to Balenciaga, to Pauline de Rothschild (and how he acquired a bed made for her that he now sleeps in). He delves into his unique creative process and relationship with the past while creating works of art that are entirely new inventions. Follow Ralph Rucci's instagram here and visit his website. Follow our adventures @adamcharlaphyman and @laurakugel_
- Transcript
June 18 · 39 min
Episode 10: Lucas Zwirner
Episode 10 of Handle with Care features Lucas Zwirner and was recorded on the occasion of "Set in Stone", the collaborative exhibition between David Zwirner and Galerie Kugel, which closes on June 26th. In this episode, Adam speaks with Lucas and Laura about growing up in major art-dealing families and why family galleries continue to thrive in the art market. The conversation also explores whether taste can be inherited, the role of art books in our increasingly fast-paced world, and how one should cultivate their own taste (good or bad!) to build a meaningful art collection. "Set in Stone" is on view at David Zwirner 34 East 69th Street until Saturday, June 26th. Learn more about the exhibition here and discover David Zwirner Books here. Follow our adventures @adamcharlaphyman and @laurakugel_
- Transcript
May 7 · 33 min
Episode 9: Felix Burrichter
In Episode 9 of Handle with Care, Adam and Laura speak with the brilliant Felix Burrichter: curator, editor, publisher and founder of PIN—UP: The Magazine for Architectural Entertainment, a first of its kind publication where Felix now serves as Editorial & Creative Director. Recorded ahead of PIN—UP 40, the Spring/Summer 2026 Issue and the magazine’s 20th anniversary, Felix discusses the early days of PIN—UP, what it is like to create each issue from scratch, his collaborations with guest editors, and how his incredible team at PIN—UP has grown and changed over the years. Find out more about Felix Burrichter and PIN—UP Magazine, or follow on Instagram @pinupmagazine PIN—UP 40 is available for purchase now at this link. Follow our adventures @adamcharlaphyman and @laurakugel_
- Transcript
April 30 · 36 min
Episode 8: Marie-Anne Derville
In Episode 8 of Handle with Care, Adam and Laura meet interior decorator, furniture designer, scenographer, and friend of the pod Marie-Anne Derville, who has in recent years become one of the most interesting and widely followed decorators in the industry. Over tea in her wonderful apartment in the centre of Paris, they explore her distinctive and intuitive way of approaching interior decoration and her own practice. Marie-Anne discusses her early days in the world of design alongside Pierre Yovanovitch, her collaboration with Nicolas Ghesquière and Louis Vuitton, some of her key influences, from Madeleine Castaing to Louise de Vilmorin, and her passion for gaffer tape. All with wit and humour! Follow Marie-Anne's instagram here and visit her website, where she shows her line of furniture and available pieces for sale. Follow our adventures @adamcharlaphyman and @laurakugel_
- Transcript
April 23 · 32 min
Episode 7: Louis Bofferding
Episode 7 of Handle with Care is really the show’s pilot. Adam and Laura interviewed Louis Bofferding over a year ago, in his fabulous Manhattan treasure trove. Louis is a dealer in art and design, an art historian, and an inimitable storyteller. He specializes in the lesser-known or forgotten stories of artworks and has a rare ability to set the scene and transport you back to the moment an object was made. The trio discuss the cornerstone topic of provenance, not from a legal perspective but from a narrative one: how much value do the stories objects carry bring? What is the appeal of a complete provenance, or of a work having none at all? If you like this episode, you will love Louis’ outstanding website, where he details in length the stories of his amazing finds. Follow our adventures @adamcharlaphyman and @laurakugel_
- Transcript
March 5 · 32 min
Episode 6: Jeanne Greenberg Rohatyn
In Episode 6, Adam and Laura visited Jeanne Greenberg Rohatyn, founder of Salon 94 and Salon 94 Design, at her home on 94th Street — configured as part gallery, part entertaining space, and part family home. In her beautiful living room, surrounded by a painting by Julie Mehretu, a table by Diego Giacometti, a steel bow stool by Maria Pergay, and a whimsical ceramic gourd by Taxile Doat, they discussed Jeanne’s views on cross-collecting, the need for a renewed generation of design patrons, and behind-the-scenes anecdotes from her upbringing and life as an art dealer. Find out more about Salon 94 and Salon 94 Design, or follow Jeanne @jeannegr Follow our adventures @adamcharlaphyman and @laurakugel_
- Transcript
February 12 · 35 min
Episode 5: Peter McGough
In Episode 5, Adam and Laura speak with New York–based artist Peter McGough. In 2019, Peter published his remarkable memoir "I’ve Seen the Future and I’m Not Going: The Art Scene and Downtown New York in the 1980s", recounting with wit and sincerity the story of his artistic duo with David McDermott, their experience as time-travellers reliving through the Victorian era, and his encounters with Keith Haring, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Andy Warhol, among many others. In this episode, Peter shares his views on growing up gay in Syracuse, his singular artistic sensibility, his outlook on decorating, and offers a detailed account of his legendary work in tribute to the Oscar Wilde trial. Find out more about Peter's memoirs here or follow him @petertmcg Follow our adventures @adamcharlaphyman and @laurakugel_
- Transcript
January 29 · 39 min
Episode 4: Zack Winokur
In 2026, Handle with Care returns with Episode 4, featuring New York–based theatre and opera director and producer Zack Winokur. In this episode, Adam and Laura dive into the art of set design, with Adam and Zack reflecting on their long-standing collaborations and how their shared belief in the power of world-building for the stage has evolved over time. The conversation moves between various influences, from 18th-century trompe l’œil to radical contemporary productions, including a show featuring sheep herded by a giant zeppelin at New York’s Armory. Find out more about Zack Winokur here, or follow him @winokurz Follow our adventures @adamcharlaphyman and @laurakugel_
- Transcript
Dec 4, 2025 · 39 min
Episode 3: Robert Couturier
In Episode 3, Adam and Laura visit Robert Couturier, a legendary interior decorator who discusses the philosophical and psychological sides of the profession. With his infectious humor and enthusiasm, Robert speaks about how he worked with only one (fabulously wealthy) client for ten years, shares tips for working on the interiors of private jets, and unpacks how he built the multifaceted and international practice he has today. Find out more about Robert Couturier here, or follow him @real_robert_couturier Follow our adventures @adamcharlaphyman and @laurakugel_
- Transcript
Nov 28, 2025 · 37 min
Episode 2: Pierre Marie
In Episode 2, Adam and Laura speak with the inimitable Pierre Marie. A self-described ornamentalist, he works at the crossroads of artist, designer, and decorator and is a true world-builder. After starting his career designing scarves for the great house of Hermès, he now collaborates with exceptional artisans across ancestral practices to create new objects and textiles. His work spans rugs, tapestries, stained glass, mosaics, and more. In this episode, Pierre Marie shares his singular vision, reflects on the importance of craftsmanship and the role of nostalgia in contemporary creation, and even speaks about the ever-inspiring power of Disney. Find out more about Pierre Marie Studio here, or follow him on Instagram at @pierremariepm Follow our adventures @adamcharlaphyman and @laurakugel_
- Transcript
Nov 18, 2025 · 32 min
Episode 1: Dominique Nabokov
In Episode 1, Adam and Laura visit legendary photographer Dominique Nabokov at her New York flat. Dominique’s first interior photography series was commissioned by The New Yorker in 1995, when the magazine asked her to capture “portraits” of notable New Yorkers by photographing their living rooms, but free of their residents. The result, later dubbed “interior photography portraiture,” featured the homes of Susan Sontag, Allen Ginsberg, Oscar de la Renta, Diane von Furstenberg, Joan Didion, and many others. Dominique’s aesthetic has since influenced a generation of photographers. In this episode, she speaks about her extraordinary life, the impact of this original New Yorker series on her career, and the importance of documenting interiors. Get a copy of Dominique's books on Living Rooms here. Follow our adventures @adamcharlaphyman and @laurakugel_
- Transcript
Nov 12, 2025 · 20 min
Teaser with Astrid Malingreau
For this teaser episode, Adam and Laura are joined by friend of the pod Astrid Malingreau, who spearheads design gallery Friedman Benda in Paris. The tables are turned as she interviews them to answer one simple question about Handle with Care: why do we need a podcast about interiors and decorative arts? Follow our adventures @adamcharlaphyman and @laurakugel_
- Transcript

Showing 1–14 of 14 episodes