Classic & Curious

In this episode of Classic & Curious, Anne sits down with celebrated event designer David M. Handy for a conversation on the art of entertaining, timeless design, and creating meaningful moments that linger long after the last guest leaves.
From the founding of Handy & Dallaire Events to the thoughtful curation behind The Event Rental Co., David shares how he and his husband, Donald, built a brand rooted in originality, collaboration, and impeccable hospitality. Together, they explore what it means to create an experience—not just an event.
Listeners will walk away with David’s signature entertaining wisdom, from curating the perfect guest list and layering a tabletop with vintage finds and luxury pieces, to crafting playlists that move with the rhythm of the evening and sending guests home with thoughtful parting gifts. Along the way, David reflects on the power of taking chances, why timelessness always wins over trends, and the enduring influence of icons like Ralph Lauren.
This episode is an invitation into a world where entertaining is both art and ritual—and where the most memorable gatherings are built on beauty, intention, and connection.
Connect with Handy & Dallaire Evnets on IG @handydallaireevents and explore Handy & Dallaire Events at handydallaireevents.com
Connect with Anne: @classicandcuriouslife, classicandcurious.com and on Substack: Curiosities by Anne Kokoskie

This week, Anne welcomes Ann Huff and Meg Harrington, the visionary duo behind Huff Harrington, for a conversation on how a meeting over lunch in Atlanta grew into one of designs most admired creative partnerships. 
Ann and Meg share the evolution of their brand — from selling art out of their kitchens to building a multifaceted business spanning galleries, interiors, retail, curated travel, and Parisian renovations.
Along the way, they reflect on entrepreneurship, the power of complementary strengths, navigating challenges with grace, and the lessons they’ve learned about building a business rooted in trust, beauty, and resilience. They also dive into the art of curation — how to mix old and new, why craftsmanship matters, and the guiding philosophy behind every piece they source: if you love it, it will work.

This episode is an inspiring look at creating a brand with soul, designing with instinct, and building a life — and business — around beauty, story, and connection.  You will absolutely find yourself shopping right after your listen!
Connect with Huff Harrington @huffharrington and huffharrington.com
 
Connect with Anne: @classicandcuriouslife, classicandcurious.com and on Substack: Curiosities by Anne Kokoskie

In this episode, Anne sits down with James Dolenc and Tom Riker, the founders of James Thomas, to explore their unconventional path from corporate careers to building one of Chicago’s most respected residential design studios.

James and Tom share the story behind their 23-year partnership, the lessons they’ve learned growing a business together, and why culture has remained at the heart of their firm’s success.  Their work has been featured in leading design publications, showcased on Homeworthy and most recently selected for the 50th Anniversary Kips Bay Decorator Show House in New York, one of the design industry’s most prestigious showcases.  

Along the way, they discuss the importance of kindness in leadership, developing a distinctive brand voice, mentoring the next generation of designers and creating homes that feel deeply personal rather than trend-driven. They also offer their unique perspective on how anyone can discover and express their own “voice” through their personal homes. 
This episode is a thoughtful conversation about partnership, creativity, and the values that sustain both a design practice and a meaningful life.

As with every Classic & Curious episode, the conversation concludes with a collection of inspirations—from favorite hotels and brands to timeless advice and unexpected discoveries—offering a deeper glimpse into the people, places, and ideas that continue to spark curiosity and
s​hape a considered life.
Connect with James Thomas on IG @jamesthomasinteriors and JamesThomasInteriors.com
Connect with Anne: @classicandcuriouslife, classicandcurious.com and on Substack: Curiosities by Anne Kokoskie

In this episode, award-winning interior designer Carolyn Kendall, founder of Alcott Interiors, joins Anne for a rich conversation on collected living, Southern hospitality, and the art of creating spaces that tell a story.

Known for her refined eye and timeless interiors, Carolyn has been featured in Luxe Interiors + Design, Traditional Home, Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles, and Homeworthy, and was recently recognized with a Best of Design award from Modern Luxury Interiors. She shares her journey from Southern California to Nashville, why the city’s culture of hospitality shaped both her life and design philosophy, and how meaningful collections — from oyster plates to antique glassware — bring warmth, personality, and depth into a home.

Together, Anne and Carolyn explore entertaining in Nashville, layering interiors with intention, avoiding visual overwhelm, the importance of lighting and ambiance, and why the most beautiful homes reflect the people who live within them. 
If you love thoughtful design, timeless antiques, and the feeling of a home that invites people to gather and stay awhile, this conversation will leave you inspired to see your own spaces with a more curious and intentional eye.
Connect with Anne: @classicandcuriouslife, classicandcurious.com and on Substack: Curiosities by Anne Kokoskie

In this soulful episode of Classic & Curious, Anne sits down with internationally acclaimed jazz trumpeter, composer, and storyteller Dominick Farinacci for a conversation about music, humanity, and the stories that connect us.
From growing up in Cleveland to becoming part of Juilliard’s inaugural jazz studies program — under the influence and mentorship of jazz legend Wynton Marsalis and the community of Jazz at Lincoln Center — Dominick shares the experiences that shaped both his artistry and his understanding of music as a universal language.
Together, Anne and Dominick explore how music can transport us, create connection, and bring people together across cultures and generations. Dominick reflects on his global experiences, the emotional power of jazz, and how music became a bridge between people and shared human experience.
Known for his TED Talk at the Kennedy Center on music, wellbeing, and mental health, Dominick also shares the personal experiences that transformed his work, including his mother’s cancer journey and the creation of Modern Warrior Productions, an immersive storytelling platform centered around resilience, healing, and the power of storytelling through music.
At its heart, this episode is about the beauty of storytelling — the kind that makes us slow down, lean in, and linger a little longer at the table. Because whether through music, memory, or shared experience, these are the conversations that remind us what it means to live a full and beautiful life.
Connect with Dominick @Dominicklife
Connect with Anne: @classicandcuriouslife, classicandcurious.com and on Substack: Curiosities by Anne Kokoskie