Working with a new general contractor for the first time is one of those “this should be simple” situations that turns into a surprisingly high-stakes conversation. Because it is not really about faucets versus flooring. It is about clarity, accountability, client experience, and yes, profit. Get this right, and your project feels calm and professional. […]
Working With a New GC: Who Buys What and Who Warrants What Read More »
To-The-Trade Episode Summary In this episode of To-The-Trade, Laurie Laizure talks with Boston-based interior designer Dane Austin about the long game of building a design career, the quiet power of community, and why comfort and quality should drive nearly every major furnishing decision. Dane shares that he’s known he wanted to be a designer since
The contractor was charming right up until he ghosted her. A designer in our community told me this story. She met with a general contractor for coffee to discuss partnering on a series of remodels. He had seen her work online and “loved her refined process.” “Walk me through how you run a project,” he
Protect Your Interior Design Process: 9 Ways to Handle Contractor Copycats Read More »
Contractor bids for interior designers can feel like a tightrope walk. Your client wants “transparency,” your trusted GC wants their time respected, and you want bids you can actually compare without turning your project into a free-for-all. This guide gives you a clean, repeatable way to run the contractor bid process like a pro. You’ll
Contractor Bids for Interior Designers: 6 Steps to Compare Estimates Read More »
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 Insider October, 28th 2025 Welcome to this week’s update! Blog Highlight Bookkeeping Red Flags for Interior Designers, Money management is not glamorous; it is essential to the business of interior design. Interior Design Procurement, A Practical Playbook We see the same patterns, concealed damage, wrong finish, off by an inch, back orders, or packaging
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,
To-The-Trade Episode Summary On this episode of the To-The-Trade, Laurie Laizure sits down with designer and entrepreneur Sarah Brohm, founder of UA Designs, to talk real process, pricing clarity, and the operations that carry a project from concept to completion. Sarah’s path began in nursing, a background that sharpened her skills in systems, communication, and
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 »
Moving Forward in Tough Times Running a studio involves more than just taste; it’s the business of interior design. When projects stall and supply chains wobble, the weak spots in your systems become apparent. In this blog, designer Nikki Levy shares how a tough season became the catalyst to tighten processes, protect profit, and rebuild
What Tough Times Teach You About Running a Design Firm Read More »
