Today With LuAnn Nigara:

Are you thinking about saying yes to a designer show house? Before you commit, listen to this episode.

A show house can be an incredible opportunity—but only if you approach it the right way. Too many designers assume that just participating will bring them business. It won’t.

Today, I’m sharing the smartest, most strategic insights from three powerhouse designers at different stages in their careers:

🎨 Barbara Ostrom – The "Queen of Show Houses" explains why some rooms bring in clients while others don’t.

🏡 Laura Hodges – Managed an entire Southern Living Idea House and reveals how to juggle a massive project while keeping your business on track.

🛁 Naika Andre – A first-timer who learned, the hard way, what works, what doesn’t, and what she’ll do differently next time.

We’ll cover:

✅ The real costs (hint: it’s not just the furniture)

✅ How to make sure a show house actually leads to press and clients

✅ Why marketing yourself is non-negotiable—no one will do it for you

✅ The tight deadlines and fast decision-making required to pull it off

If you’re serious about making a show house work for your business, this is the episode for you.

And if you want more details, listen to the full interviews with Barbara, Laura, and Naika—links are in the show notes.

PLUS: If you’re in NJ, PA, or NY, check out the Mansion in May and Bucks County Designer House, where Hannah Goldberg and Lori Bruno will be showcasing their work. Window Works is honored to be providing the window treatments for both!

What’s new with LuAnn Nigara

The Power Talk Friday Tour

Watch the Docuseries!

http://www.luannnigara.com/cob

Get The Goodies!

For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here. To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999!

Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here:

Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action

Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action

Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts

Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2

Connect with LuAnn Nigara

LuAnn’s Website

LuAnn’s Blog

Power Talk Friday

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Other Resources:

This podcast supports the Savvy Giving Design Coalition. Learn more about it here!

AWDB #717 Susan Wintersteen: Interior design firm standards in a nonprofit passion project

AWDB #164: Susan Wintersteen- Savvy Giving by Design

Exciting Windows! 21st Annual Conference - April 16th-18th in West Palm Beach, Florida!

Mansion in May

Bucks County Designer House & Gardens

Other Shows:

AWDB #08: Barbara Ostrom: Curtain Up! Thirty Years of Spectacular Showhouse Rooms

AWDB #960: Laura Hodges: The Behind the Scenes of the Southern Living Showhouse

AWDB #1055: Naïka André: Do It Scared – A Designer’s Journey Through Her First Show House