Manny Makkas welcomes David Supple, CEO of New England Design & Construction and a thought leader in sustainable luxury design-build, for a conversation about the relationship between design and construction. David shares how his early experience as an architect and carpenter shaped the way he built his company, and why he believes design and construction belong together. The conversation explores the company's certified passive house retrofit in Somerville, the importance of client decision-making, and what it takes to grow and train a strong team. Along the way, Manny and David also talk about family, sports, and David's love of pickleball.

In this episode of In the Workroom with Manny, Manny welcomes husband-and-wife team Ryan and Christina Wikman of Chestnut Grove Design Group. Ryan shapes the landscape, Christina crafts the interiors, and together they create homes that feel seamless and connected from the inside out. They share how they combined their businesses, the story behind Chestnut Grove, their new Winchester office, their love of bulbs and New England stonework, and how they balance family life while running a creative studio together.  

In this episode of In the Workroom with Manny, Manny sits down with Mike Tartamella, AIA, Managing Principal at Patrick Ahearn Architect, to talk about creating timeless, classic American architecture and the craft behind great residential design. Mike shares how an architect uncle first sparked his interest in residential architecture and how that early inspiration led to a career designing the kind of homes he once admired. They also get into family, community, and golf, and what it really means to show up for clients and colleagues.  

Manny sits down with Stephanie Sabbe, Founder & Principal of Sabbe Interior Design, joining us from Nashville, to talk storytelling through design, building a personal point of view, and balancing family with business. Drawing from her journey and book, Stephanie shares how resilience, perspective, and early influences have shaped her path, along with the realities of running a design business and managing projects day-to-day.

In this episode of In the Workroom with Manny, Manny catches up with Ben Arcari Cook of Landry & Arcari, a third-generation leader at one of New England's most trusted family-run rug and carpet companies. They dig into the nuances of design, the importance of true customer service, and what it means to grow up in a family business — along with the lessons that come with carrying that legacy forward.  

In this episode of In the Workroom with Manny, Manny sits down with Chandon Georgian, Principal & Founder of 111works, and Charlie Gadbois, Owner & President of Wellen Construction, for an honest conversation about culture, collaboration, and what it really takes to run a successful design and construction company. Together, they dig into what working well together actually looks like, how strong team culture shapes better projects, and the behind-the-scenes realities of building and leading a business in today's world.

Manny is joined in the workroom by New England Home Magazine's dynamic duo, Publisher Kathy Bush-Dutton and Editor-in-Chief Jenna Talbott, for a conversation about what it's like to lead a beloved regional publication and how the magazine continues to evolve alongside the design community it serves. This episode dives into connection, collaboration, and the stories that inspire us. Kathy and Jenna share the behind-the-scenes of what makes New England Home tick, the power of staying authentic in a changing media landscape, and the importance of relationships that have shaped their careers and the region's design scene.  

We're kicking off Season 2 with award-winning designer Jocelyn Chiappone, Owner & Head Designer of Digs Design Company. In this episode, Manny and Jocelyn talk about building a studio with intention, the power of great partnerships, and lessons learned along the way. Known for her timeless style and calm, confident presence, Jocelyn shares how staying grounded fuels her unique creativity and why the best designs start with genuine connection.

In the final episode of Season 1 of In the Workroom with Manny, John Speridakos, CEO of Cosmos Painting, shares the journey of growing his company from a small residential repaint business into a leader in both commercial and residential painting. He discusses the power of networking and sponsorships through PRO New England, the shift from seasonal work to long-term collaborations with builders and designers, and the importance of prep work for quality results. John also opens up about his Greek heritage, passion for percussion, and the culture driving his team.  

Get ready for plenty of laughs on this episode of In the Workroom with Manny as Manny sits down with the warm and witty Meg McSherry, Owner and Principal Designer of Meg McSherry Interiors. Fresh off her cozy lake cottage project, Meg shares her journey from Parsons to creating livable, meaningful interiors across New England. Together, she and Manny swap stories of collaboration, laughter, and lessons learned along the way—pausing to reflect on how they each define success, celebrate small wins, and lean on trusted relationships to make design more rewarding.