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 »
The business of interior design is not only proposals and punch lists, it is also the work that imprints on you. Inside the Interior Design Community we asked, which project are you most proud of, and why. We asked designers on @interiordesigncommunity to share the project that made them proud. The responses were not pageview
The Projects Designers Are Most Proud Of, and Why They Still Matter Read More »
Happy Halloween, designers! While you’re picking out the perfect pumpkin spice latte and the most creative Halloween costume, I’m here to talk about something truly terrifying the nightmares that keep design business owners awake at 3 a.m. After working with hundreds of interior designers and construction professionals during my long 25-year career, I’ve seen the
5 Scary Truths Every Interior Designer Needs to Face, Before They Haunt You! Read More »
To-The-Trade Episode Summary In this To-The-Trade podcast, our host Laurie Laizure talks with designer Dara Segbefia of The Zen Experience to explore where wellbeing intersects with the business of interior design. Dara’s work focuses on holistic design, and her niche is impactful, creating teacher lounges and staff spaces that prioritize educators as people first. She
To-The-Trade-S2E52 How The Zen Experience Transforms Teacher Lounges with Dara Segbefia Read More »
Client gifts for interior designers often arrive at the end of a project, in the quiet, grateful space between the final walk-through and goodbye. In the Interior Design Community, designers shared what they have been given, what they kept, and what those moments meant. It usually starts with a quiet offer. “Do you want this
The Sweetest Trade, When Clients Gift Their Designers a Piece of the Past Read More »
To-The-Trade Episode Summary In this To-The-Trade podcast episode, Laurie Laizure and Nile Johnson talk with Philadelphia-area independent manufacturer’s rep, Jason Levy, whose path started early through parents who ran a Kravet franchise spanning the Philadelphia Metro region. After years focused on residential, Jason shifted into the A&D commercial world, then launched his own firm during
Working designers know that great design only lands when the build team is aligned. This guide walks through clear communication, scheduling, and simple scripts you can use with general contractors. It is written for residential pros and creative entrepreneurs who want fewer surprises and happier clients. Why Communication With General Contractors Breaks Down Short schedules,
Communication With General Contractors, A Practical Guide For Interior Designers Read More »
It happens more often than design pros like to admit, a client falls in love with the process, decides they are a “designer,” and starts promoting themselves as one, sometimes using your finished project to launch a new “studio.” For those who have invested years in education, certifications, and experience, such a move can undermine
What To Do When a Client Wants To Be the Designer? Client Communication for Designers. Read More »
Client Delay Fees for Interior Designers A practical guide from the Interior Design Community for design pros who want clear policies for rescheduling, no shows, and project pauses. We cover the business of interior design with real talk, sample scripts, and contract tips so you can protect your time and client relationships. Why client delay
Client Delay Fees for Interior Designers, Practical Policies That Protect Your Schedule Read More »
Why People Pleasing Shows Up in Interior Design Interior design is a service business, and service-minded pros want happy clients. That impulse is kind, yet it can slide into automatic yesses. As one designer put it, “Every yes to them is often a no to myself. The right people respect your boundaries, the wrong ones
People Pleasing for Interior Designers, Set Client Boundaries Without Guilt Read More »
