Author: Guest post by Shannon Ggem, Principal Designer, Ggem Design Studio As interior designers, the brands we specify reflect our values. At Ggem Design Studio, we are not just curating beautiful rooms, we are choosing which companies we invite into our clients’ homes and into our own workflow. Our brand vetting standards are one of […]
How Interior Designers Vet Brands Before They Specify Them Read More »
Interior Design Community Exclusive: High Point Market 2025 Where Innovation Meets Emotion High Point Market has always been a source of inspiration and innovation, but this season, it transcended trends to become a full-on movement. From warm palettes and layered materials to a stunning integration of kitchen and bath into the interior design conversation, what
High Point Market 2025 Recap, Natural Elegance, Mixed Metals, NKBA at Broad Hall Read More »
Client management for designers, what to do when custom orders disappoint Custom orders are the heartbeat of our industry, and sometimes a custom piece arrives, and your client is not thrilled. This guide refreshes our original post for today’s design pros with concise steps you can take before, during, and after delivery. It maintains the
Client management for designers, 9 practical moves when custom orders disappoint Read More »
Is Your Favorite Brand Actually Designer Friendly? In the Interior Design Community, we asked design pros a simple question that hits the heart of the business of interior design: what makes a brand truly designer-friendly? The response was loud and detailed. This piece draws directly on that real talk and offers interior designer tips for
Designer friendly brands, 7 non-negotiables real designers expect Read More »
Should Interior Designers Charge for Client Texts? The Trade Weighs In Picture this, you are in the middle of a site visit, knee deep in tile samples, when your phone buzzes. A client wants to know if their sofa fabric is kid-friendly. You answer quickly. Then another message comes through. And another. Before you know
Client Texting Policy for Designers, Real Talk and Tactics from the Trade Read More »
The Real Meaning of “Reasonably-Priced”: What Our Interior Design Community Had to Say Written by Sharon Sherman Designers hear it every week, “Are you reasonably priced?” This article unpacks real language you can use and practical pricing strategies for designers. It draws on insights from the Interior Design Community and is built to help you reframe
Pricing strategies for designers, what “Reasonably Priced” really means Read More »
Design pros build deep relationships with clients, and sometimes those connections lead to generous gifts. This piece collects hand me downs from interior design clients, plus a short guide to accepting client gifts with clarity. It is part celebration, part practical advice, and all about the business of interior design. Hand Me Down stories from
Client Gifts: Hand Me Downs, Real Stories and Practical Tips Read More »
As design pros, we juggle dozens of items, multiple vendors, and shipping realities that do not care about install dates. Procurement will always carry some friction, so the goal is not perfection, it is a predictable process. Inside the Interior Design Community, we see the same patterns, concealed damage, wrong finish, off by an inch,
When Bookkeepers Go Bad, Lessons from the Design Community Money management is not glamorous; it is essential to the business of interior design. Inside the Interior Design Community, designers shared honest experiences with bookkeepers who missed the mark and sometimes crossed the line. This round-up highlights bookkeeping red flags for interior designers, plus steps to
Bookkeeping Red Flags for Interior Designers, Lessons from the Design Community Read More »
The snapshot, employees vs contractors Growing firms usually blend two paths, employees on payroll, and independent contractors for specialized or variable work. Employees give control, quality consistency, and culture. Contractors give flexibility and speed for seasons and specialties. The IRS weighs three areas when deciding status, behavioral control, financial control, and the type of relationship.
Hiring Employees for Interior Designers, A Complete Guide Read More »
