Want your contractor to rave about you (and send you referrals)?

Turns out, the secret isn’t great design—it’s great design files! 

You know: floor plans, elevations, and material lists. They aren’t just nice to have. They are essential to a smooth project!

In the latest episode of Stuff Interior Designers Need to Know, Rebecca chats with general contractors Chris and Lisa of Raincap Construction (Seattle, WA) to get the inside scoop on what makes design documentation truly contractor-friendly.

We cover:

• The mistakes designers regularly make in their design files
• What contractors wish we knew (but don’t always say)
•  How better documentation = smoother installs, fewer headaches, + happier clients

Thank you to Chris and Lisa for sharing their time and real-world examples of how well-prepared design files prevent miscommunications, keep costs in check, and help projects run on time (who doesn’t love a drama-free install?!). 

Whether you're a designer looking to refine your process or a contractor wishing designers would—this episode is packed with insights to help both sides collaborate more effectively and deliver top-notch results.

Give it a listen and turn your contractors into your biggest allies! 🎧💡

#InteriorDesignBusiness #ContractorCollaboration #DesignDocs #DesignSuccess #StreamlineYourProjects

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👷‍♂️💛👷🏻‍♀️ Connect with Chris, Lisa, and the team at Raincap Construction  

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Want to Be the Next Joanna Gaines or Nate Berkus? Here's What You Need to Know About Licensing Your Name

Ever wondered what it takes to build a brand like Joanna Gaines, Nate Berkus, or Jonathan Adler—the kind that turns your name into a household one (and a revenue stream)? You’re not alone!

In this episode of Stuff Interior Designers Need to Know, we’re diving into the world of licensing, trademarks, copyrights, and patents with Nicole Dolgon, an attorney at ESCA Legal in New York. If you’ve ever dreamed of expanding your brand beyond client projects—whether through product lines, media deals, or collaborations—this is a conversation you need to hear.

Nicole breaks down:
✅ When to start thinking about trademarks and legal protections in your business
✅ How to avoid signing away the rights to your own name (yes, it happens!)
✅ The legal must-knows for designers who want to scale their brand

Whether you're just starting out or already eyeing brand partnerships, this episode will give you the legal foundation to protect your future empire.

🎧 Tune in now! 😀 

Want to contact Nicole Dolgan?

www.esca.legal
Instagram: @nicoledolgonesq

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In this episode of Stuff Interior Designers Need to Know we enjoy a masterclass on marketing strategies for interior designers with Robyn White of RDW Design Studio, a website design firm dedicated to Interior Designers.

She may have come to the industry thanks to an embarrassing addiction to HGTV but she's since learned exactly what it actually takes to be a professional interior designer offering luxury services to exacting clients, and loves helping designers not only get found, but become The One to find! Of course, it helps that before Robyn did this work she spent ten years serving discerning clients in the luxury sector as the Vice President of the Manhattan location of an international art gallery. Fancy! ✨ 

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who needs to understand the big picture of marketing as an interior design business owner. Whether you're going to hire a professional website designer, or are still in the DIY phase, there is something for you in this episode!

Find Robyn at RDW Design Studio, or be friends with her on Instagram at @rdwdesignstudio! 

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In this episode of Stuff Interior Designers Need to Know I sit down with Kamala Nair, CEO of  Kamala Nair, Inc, a copywriting firm dedicated to Interior Designers,  to help us understand when - and how - to work with a professional copywriter. Having worked for Elle Decor Magazine as a content writer, and West Elm as a copy writer, she's got behind-the-scenes knowledge on what it takes to reach the luxury client and tell the unique story of your designs.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who's trying to level up the copy for their website. Whether you're going to hire a pro, or are bootstrapping the copy on your own, there is something for you in this episode!

Find Kamala at Kamala Nair, Inc., or go be friends with her on Instagram at @kamalanair!

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And here's where to find my Book on Interior Design Psychology 📚
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In this episode of Stuff Interior Designers Need to Know I sit down with Natalie Spears, CEO of  Vintage Grey, a bookkeeping firm dedicated to Interior Designers,  to reveal the bookkeeping essentials every designer needs.

From the often-ignored legal pitfalls of co-mingling funds (it’s not just a bookkeeping nightmare!) to those dreaded credit card processing fees (and why avoiding them might actually cost you clients) Natalie shares priceless advice about what interior designers need to know about bookkeepers, CPAs, and CFOs.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who feels a bit of financial chaos creeping into their design business. Tune in to get all the gems Natalie dropped!

Find Natalie at Vintage Grey LLC, and get practical daily bookkeeping tips from her on Instagram, Facebook, and Linked In.

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Looking for my Interior Design Business Coaching & Courses? 💪
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And here's where to find my Book on Interior Design Psychology 📚
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Hey interior designers! We’re living in an exciting era, watching AI technology unfold before our eyes. Of course, just like when the printing press, the telephone, or even TV emerged, people are scared AI is going end life as we know it. Are they right? Is AI going to take our interior design jobs? 

🔍 In this episode, we explore:

• Why AI isn't as threatening to interior designers as it seems.
• The current limitations of AI in design, from wonky fingers to impractical build concepts.
• The irreplaceable human elements of interior design: creativity, client communication, and problem-solving.
• How to leverage AI as a tool to enhance, not replace, your design process.
• Practical tips on using AI efficiently while mastering the human touch in your projects.

From creative idea generation to managing client expectations and navigating project hurdles, this episode covers why AI can't replicate the nuanced, empathetic role of an interior designer. Learn how to ride the wave of AI innovation without fear and use it to your advantage.

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Looking for my Interior Design Business Coaching & Courses? 💪
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And here's where to find my Book on Interior Design Psychology 📚
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In this episode of Stuff Interior Designers Need to Know we talk about the fundamentals of building in interior design website. Whether your DIYing your first site, or finally investing in a professional website designer develop, this episode will give a roadmap that decomplicates the ecosystem of your site and turns it into a conversion machine! In 17 short minutes we'll cover:

1. Function First: Prioritize functionality over aesthetics when designing your website, just as you would when designing a room. Ensure clarity in communication to effectively convey your message to potential clients.
2. Crafting a Compelling Promise: Your homepage should feature a "sigh of relief" promise that stops visitors in their tracks and assures them they've found the designer they're looking for. This promise should go beyond aesthetics and highlight how you'll deliver results that align with your clients' desires and needs.
3. Guide Visitors Through a Clear Journey: Lead visitors through a logical sequence of pages, starting with the homepage, then the portfolio, services, about page, and finally, the contact page. Each step should reinforce your value proposition and build trust, ultimately leading to conversion.
4. Avoid Overwhelming with Calls to Action: Resist the temptation to inundate visitors with too many calls to action or prompt them to contact you too quickly. Instead, gradually introduce them to your services and allow them to explore your portfolio before inviting them to inquire about your offerings.
5. Align Messaging with Brand Identity: Ensure that your website's messaging reflects your brand identity, values, and unique selling points. Consistency in messaging across all platforms, including social media and SEO efforts, reinforces your brand and attracts your ideal clientele.

Tune in to unravel the complexities of website design and distill it into a clear, actionable roadmap!

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Looking for my Interior Design Business Coaching & Courses? 💪
👉 seriouslyhappy.com

Wanna be Interior Design & Expat Insta-Friends?! 😊
👉 @beseriouslyhappy

Follow my Moving-To-France, Living-In-Paris Expat Adventures 🇫🇷
👉 Bonjhola podcast

And here's where to find my Book on Interior Design Psychology 📚
👉 Happy Starts at Home

In this first episode, host Rebecca West introduces the heart and soul of the Stuff Interior Designers Need to Know podcast. With over 17 years of residential interior design experience, Rebecca shares her mission to help designers, especially those new to the industry or transitioning from other careers, gain the respect and success they deserve. Whether you're a solo designer or leading a team, this podcast will offer valuable insights on everything from business strategy and client communication to working effectively with industry experts like contractors and bookkeepers. Tune in for solo episodes and interviews that will help you take your design career to the next level!

---

Looking for my Interior Design Business Coaching & Courses? 💪
👉 seriouslyhappy.com

Wanna be Interior Design & Expat Insta-Friends?! 😊
👉 @beseriouslyhappy

Follow my Moving-To-France, Living-In-Paris Expat Adventures 🇫🇷
👉 Bonjhola podcast

And here's where to find my Book on Interior Design Psychology 📚
👉 Happy Starts at Home