Procurement has always been both a great thing for interior designers... and the bane of our existence. It's even worse now with supply delays, shipping issues, and impossible-to-find products. So, of course, it's again raised the question about whether or not designers should shop with their...

We're heading into Labor Day week, the last hurrah for summer vacations. It has been a crazy year for interior designers and we need every bit of time off that we can get. But how do you juggle your clients AND your vacation?! How do you keep those clients happy and keep those projects moving, so...

There is nothing more awkward than sitting with a couple while they throw verbal darts at each other. And designing a home can bring stressors that cause issues between clients - which of course is made even worse if there are already problems in their relationship. UGH. But having to be a family...

Here's a scenario that's becoming way too common today - your client gets tired of waiting for product or the contractor so they decide they want to change things up. They may want to expand the scope of what they originally wanted, or they decide they don't want to continue with parts of the...

We often have to remind our clients that interior designers are not a furniture salespeople, and not an hourly employee. But, if that’s how you present your billing or your services, you’re definitely going to be undervalued – both by yourself and your client. Your clients...

I love to be dazzled by showhouse designs, don't you?! They are the pinnacle of creativity and a great opportunity to see (and get to know!) the best work of the selected designers. Showhouses can create a lot of buzz, but are they really WORTH doing? Should you be involved in a...

As designers, we know how important professional photography is to our businesses. It's the one component that can make (or break) our visual marketing. Those photos are what sell our creativity and services to future clients, so they are CRITICAL to our success. But too often we put off booking...

Budgeting for your projects is a talent, and one that you have to constantly develop. You want to give your client an accurate number and you want to still be profitable. It's an emotional process for you AND for your client! After all, this is a big investment for them and it brings up a lot of...

It's the elephant in the room when it comes to interior design today - when will the furnishings arrive?? It's especially frustrating when you're stuck between the manufacturers who can't deliver and the client who is wondering why the delivery date keeps getting pushed back further and further....

Have you ever heard that saying that you should always "start the way you want to finish"? That REALLY applies to interior design projects, too! If you want the project to finish with the client singing your praises, everything neatly tied up, and those wow-worthy interiors, then you have to...

It can be tough working on a "team" that's been put together by a client, especially if you've never even met the architect or builder who is part of the project. We've all heard (or experienced) the horror stories of teams that weren't very good at collaborating. Or who were pitted against each...

We live in a connected world, more than ever before. The lines between work and play, employees and companies, and who represents your business are blurred now. It's especially tough to separate things when something goes wrong. And on social media, things can get really ugly really...