Today Brad speaks with California-based interior designer Lindsey Borchard of Lindsey Brooke Design. With a background as an artist, Lindsey has a penchant for thinking out of the box, making sure each and every project is uniquely bespoke to her clients’ specific vision. Lindsey mixes “earthy textures with bold textiles” and curates “vintage finds with contemporary elements,” pulling all her “inspiration from the beautiful California landscapes she has called home all her life.”

Lindsey also hosts Design Camp, a four-day retreat offering training, support, and opportunities to network with other professionals in the design community.

Lindsey shares how she learned to build and manage an interior design business; the traits that make a builder or architect worth partnering with; best practices for establishing a budget and renegotiating around changes, limitations, and setbacks; what led her to start her four-day retreat, Design Camp, and her tips for those looking to start an interior design business today.

Sponsored by: 

Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove: Find your nearest showroom and schedule an appointment by visiting www.subzero-wolf.com/showroom

Topics Discussed:

• 05:32 - Mentality of abundance opposed to mentality of scarcity 
• 09:13 - Equal passion for business and interior design 
• 10:25 - Respect for woman in the industry 
• 13:11 - How builders can be better
• 24:03 - Managing budgets 
• 28:12 - Challenges on warranty and product procurement 
• 31:21 - Logistics of products 
• 39:21 - Design Camp 
• 51:27 - What Lindsey would do differently if she started Lindsey Brooke Design today
• 55:30 - Educating clients on design 
• 01:03:21 - New and upcoming  for Lindsey Borchard

Connect with Guest:

• Website
• Instagram
• Pinterest
• Facebook
• YouTube
• Design Camp

Connect with Brad Leavitt:

• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Houzz
• Pinterest
• YouTube

Resources & People Mentioned:

• The Identite Collective
• Anastasia Casey & The Identite Collective
• Kristen Forgione
• The Lifestyled Co

Key Quotes by Lindsey:

• When you are confident in your design, your company, and what your values are, you’re going to have a better business and a better experience for yourself, your clients, and everybody else involved, whether that’s the painter, the builder, or the architect.
• Builders and architects who have open minds and open hearts and listen to us, considering themselves as part of this one team as opposed to two separate companies—these are the builders and architects that I love working with.
• I have to establish a budget upfront. I do not want to start designing without knowing my budget.
• I always tell my contractors: “If there’s a problem, do not go to the client first. You have to come to me, because I will not go to a client with a problem unless I have a solution ready.”
• Open communication is a must in any relationship, whether personal or professional.