The Interior Collective

Latest Episodes:

Carley Page Summers: Styling for Photoshoots vs. Styling for Living Feb 24, 2023

Show notes

Carley Page Summers: Styling for Photoshoots vs. Styling for Living

The reality is that styling a home for your clients is different than styling for a photoshoot. What looks beautiful in person might not exactly translate over camera. If you want to put your best foot forward on camera, online, and in-person, today’s guest has mastered it all. Carley Page Summers first explored her love for interior design through photographing and styling spaces. Now, she brings her refined editorial eye and skill for crafting a visual narrative to her interior design projects and her work is simply unmatched. Today, Carley is walking us through the key differences between styling interiors for photo, video, and lifestyle applications.

In this episode, Carley and I discuss:

How different art forms can inform and inspire interior design
The primary differences between interior design and interior styling
Skill sets required for interior styling, photography, and design
How to style spaces for lifestyle applications
How finishes and materials evoke emotion
Tips for a positive collaboration between designers and stylists
How to successfully prepare for a photoshoot
The anatomy of a perfect shot list
Capturing interiors on photo and video
And more!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Virtual Design Services on The Expert

Book - Sacred Spaces

River & Bord Collection

Thanks for listening to this episode of The Interior Collective. You can listen to our episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or access all the show notes on our website.

You can follow along with Carley on Instagram, and discover more of their work on her website.

SHOW NOTES

The Interior Collective: Website

IDCO Studio: Website | Instagram | YouTube

The Identité Collective: Blog | Instagram | YouTube

Design Camp: Website | Instagram

Chango & Co: Finding Joy in Social Media Marketing Feb 17, 2023

Show notes

Chango & Co: Finding Joy in Social Media Marketing

Episode Details.

Love it, hate it, or maybe a little intimidated by it, the role of social media in the interior design industry cannot be ignored. While some designers landed their first big project through their extensive Instagram following, others may find the fickle algorithm, the constant demands of the platform, and the thought of showing up on camera less than appealing. If you don’t aspire to expand from interior designer to lifestyle influencer, is it still worth the effort to show up on social media? And if so, how?

Today’s guest, Susana Simonpietri, Creative Director and Founder of Chango & Co., has over 286k followers and was one of the first interior designers to see Instagram’s marketing potential when the platform first launched. Despite overseeing a wildly successful interior design studio made up of a team of almost 20 individuals, Susana still runs Chango & Co.’s Instagram entirely on her own! Today, she is generously sharing how her studio shows up in such an authentic, successful, and sustainable way on Instagram, and we’ve got a lot of ground to cover.

In this episode, Susana and I discuss:

Which social media platforms interior designers should invest in
How to balance social media and running a business
Creating and maintaining an editorial calendar
Social media tools for interior designers
How to review social media analytics
Sustainable engagement strategies for designers
Managing dms about product sources
How to find a community on social media
Best practices for using Instagram engagement tools
How to budget for content creation
How to curate a grid that showcases your aesthetic
And more!

Thanks for listening to this episode of The Interior Collective. You can listen to our episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or access all the show notes on our website.

You can follow along with Chango & Co. on Instagram, Pinterest, and discover more of their work on their website.

SHOW NOTES

The Interior Collective: Website

IDCO Studio: Website | Instagram | YouTube

The Identité Collective: Blog | Instagram | YouTube

Design Camp: Website | Instagram

Unique Kitchens & Baths: Custom Cabinetry Crash Course Feb 10, 2023

Show notes

Unique Kitchens & Baths: A Crash Course on Custom Cabinetry

Episode Details.

We’ve all heard the age-old saying, “The kitchen is the heart of the home,” and oftentimes it’s also the top priority for interior design clients. Today’s guest has dedicated her business to the art of custom cabinetry and kitchen design and with over 15 years of experience, she has a lot of tips to share. Tanya Smith-Shiflett, owner and founder of Unique Kitchens & Baths, has seen and thought of everything when it comes to balancing form and function in these well-loved spaces. IDCO Studio has worked closely with Tanya on a number of projects and I recently had the pleasure of working with her and her team to bring my dream kitchen to life. Working with Unique Kitchens & Baths has been proven invaluable time and time again and I’m so excited to share a fraction of Tanya’s knowledge with you today.

In this episode, Tanya and I discuss:

Starting a business from the ground up
Diversifying business services as your business grows
The behind the scenes of creating custom cabinetry
Managing accelerated project timelines
Life-changing kitchen functionality hacks
Upcoming kitchen trends
How to work with UKB as an interior designer
How to estimate pricing for detailed projects
Managing client budget expectations
And more!

CONNECT WITH TANYA

Website

Instagram

Virtual Design Services

Showrooms

The Austin Tudor Kitchen Design Process

The Latest Austin Tudor Kitchen Update

CABINETRY COLLABORATIONS

Lauren Liess

Lauren Liess Podcast Episode

Light & Dwell

Light & Dwell Podcast Episode

Storie Collective

Zöe Feldman

Thanks for listening to this episode of The Interior Collective. You can listen to our episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or access all the show notes on our website.

SHOW NOTES

The Interior Collective: Website

IDCO Studio: Website | Instagram | YouTube

The Identité Collective: Blog | Instagram | YouTube

Design Camp: Website | Instagram

Yond Interiors: The Logistics of Distance Design Feb 03, 2023

Show notes

Yond Interiors: The Logistics of Distance Design

Episode Details.

In a post-pandemic world, distance design has become increasingly popular, especially considering the opportunities social media brings to discover designers all over the world. Today’s guest, Julia Miller of Yond Interiors, has perfected the art of high-end distance design and an expert client experience.

Yond Interiors is a boutique interior design studio based in Minneapolis, yet serving clients all over North America. Julia’s interiors have been nationally recognized, for good reason, and she has so much knowledge to share with us today.

In this episode, Julia and I discuss:

Rebranding an interior design business
Expanding and hiring a team
How to work with clients
Breaking into distance design
Balancing in-person and distance design projects
The impact of social media on client inquiries
What’s included in full-service distance design
How distance design differs from local projects
How to vet long-distance inquiries
Pricing for long-distance client consultations
How to get proper plans from a distance
Presenting to long-distance clients
Deliverables for distance design
Arranging and billing for site visits
How to prep for a long-distance install
And more!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Shore Creative

Growing Your Team with Marie Flanigan

Website Templates for Interior Designers

Design Camp

Better Homes and Garden’s Home Tour

Tips to Getting Published

Design Spec

Thanks for listening to this episode of The Interior Collective. You can listen to our episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or access all the show notes on our website.

You can follow along with Yond Interiors on Instagram, and discover more of their work on their website.

SHOW NOTES

The Interior Collective: Website

IDCO Studio: Website | Instagram | YouTube

The Identité Collective: Blog | Instagram | YouTube

Design Camp: Website | Instagram

Light & Dwell: Defining Your Signature Style Jan 27, 2023

Show notes

Light & Dwell: Defining Your Signature Style

Episode Details.

It’s no secret that the interior design industry can seem really saturated. Between Pinterest, Instagram and other social media platforms, inspiration is everywhere, making it all the more challenging to identify an aesthetic that stands out from the rest. Today’s guests are Aymee and Molly, the dynamic duo behind Light & Dwell, and they have truly mastered the art of distinguishing their brand and defining a signature style. Lately, I’ve seen them take their brand to new heights as they carry that signature style from physical spaces to digital platforms and beyond. In this episode, we’re getting a masterclass in leaning into a signature style as an interior designer and how to use that to differentiate yourself online.

In this episode, Aymee, Molly, and I discuss:

How to work with a business partner
Defining a corporate business structure with two lead designers
How to define your signature style
What influences design style evolutions
How to intentionally elevate your brand over time
How to evolve your style alongside your business
How to navigate social media authentically
The importance of a signature style when attracting clients
And more!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Dada Goldberg

Dwell Well Furniture

Jake Arnold Podcast Interview

Nebraska Lake House Project

Design Camp

Thanks for listening to this episode of The Interior Collective. You can listen to our episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or access all the show notes on our website.

You can follow along with Light & Dwell on Instagram, and discover more of their work on their website.

SHOW NOTES

The Interior Collective: Website

IDCO Studio: Website | Instagram | YouTube

The Identité Collective: Blog | Instagram | YouTube

Design Camp: Website | Instagram

Alison Giese: Interior Design as Your 2nd(+) Career Jan 20, 2023

Show notes

Alison Giese: Interior Design As Your 2nd(+) Career

Episode Details. Oftentimes the path to success isn’t linear and it might take a little longer than expected to find your true calling. In this episode of The Interior Collective, we’re exploring ageism in the interior design industry, how to avoid it, and if it even matters. If social media makes you feel like starting a career in your 40s or 50s is out of the question, today’s guest is here to tell you that it’s never too late to break into the industry. Award-winning interior designer Alison Giese found her passion for design after making two major career changes and she’s sharing her tips for breaking into the interior design industry, and creating a sustainable, thoughtful business with longevity.

In this episode, Alison and I discuss:

Getting into the interior design industry
How to overcome fear of failure
Social media marketing
Helpful skills for the design industry
How to avoid ageism
How to stay relevant while maintaining a unique perspective
What an interior design career trajectory looks like
Setting client boundaries and expectations
And more!

Mentioned in this episode:

Alison Giese on How to Decorate Podcast

Thanks for listening to this episode of The Interior Collective. You can listen to our episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or access all the show notes on our website.

You can follow along with Alison on Instagram, book a call with her on The Expert, and discover more of her work on her website.

SHOW NOTES

The Interior Collective: Website

IDCO Studio: Website | Instagram | YouTube

The Identité Collective: Blog | Instagram | YouTube

Design Camp: Website | Instagram

Bria Hammel: Pivoting in Times of Uncertainty + Expanding Into Commerce Jan 13, 2023

Show notes

Bria Hammel: Pivoting in Times of Uncertainty + Expanding Into Commerce

Episode Details. As an interior designer, how do you keep your doors open during times of uncertainty? The short answer: Diversify your revenue streams and always, always be willing to pivot. Walking us through this process is Bria Hammel, the creative director and CEO of Bria Hammel Interiors. After over a decade of business, Bria has become adept at finding ways to keep her studio thriving despite any hardships in the national economy. Full service design, complete furnishing projects, spec homes, designs for full neighborhood developments, design expert consultations, a digital store, a physical store, events, and product collaborations–Bria knows how to do it all and how to do it all really, really well.

In this episode, Bria Hammel and I discuss:

First steps in starting a business
Handling stress as a business owner
How to maintain a small but nimble team
How to conservatively approach times of economic uncertainty
Pivoting as a business owner
The process of opening an e-commerce shop
Commerce startup costs
Pop up shops as a way to test brick and mortar locations
E-design service opportunities and benefits
Design consultations
And more!

Mentioned in this episode:

SOFTWARE & SERVICES

Thanks for listening to this episode of The Interior Collective. You can listen to our episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or access all the show notes on our website.
You can follow along with Bria on Instagram, book a call with her on The Expert, discover more of her work on her website, or shop Brooke & Lou.
SHOW NOTES The Interior Collective: Website
IDCO Studio: Website | Instagram | YouTube
The Identité Collective: Blog | Instagram | YouTube
Design Camp: Website | Instagram

Heidi Caillier: Going Against the Grain Jan 06, 2023

Show notes

Heidi Caillier: Going Against the Grain

SHOW NOTES The key to success as an interior designer lies in your own understanding of who you want to be as a designer. Kicking us off on for Season 2 is none other than Heidi Caillier, the Seattle-based interior designer who has successfully grown an impressive following, earned dozens of features in top tier publications, and attracted a devoted clientele base all while avoiding trends and staying committed to her unique outlook as an interior designer.

In this episode, Heidi Caillier and I discuss:

The importance of controlling the work that you show in your portfolio
Choosing and collaborating with a photographer
Where to submit projects for publication
Print versus digital
Curating your social media feed
Where to find inspiration and how to use it
Evolving your aesthetic and challenging yourself creatively
How to approach trends
Tailoring a project for the client and understanding their vision
And more!

Mentioned in this episode:

MAGAZINES

FEATURES

PRODUCTS + SOURCES

OTHER CREATIVES

Thanks for listening to this episode of The Interior Collective. You can listen to our episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or access all the show notes on our website.
You can follow along with Heidi on Instagram, book a call with her on The Expert, discover endless inspiration on her website, or listen to more of Heidi's wisdom shared on her episode of Design Perspectives with Gail Davis.
SHOW NOTES
The Interior Collective: Website
IDCO Studio: Website | Instagram | YouTube
The Identité Collective: Blog | Instagram | YouTube
Design Camp: Website | Instagram

Brittney Vier: Financial Planning for Interior Designers Dec 23, 2022

Show notes

BONUS EPISODE
Brittney Vier: Financial Planning for Interior Designers
As an interior designer running your own studio, the finances can feel overwhelming. From taxes to payroll, there are so many things to consider. Today’s guest, Brittney Vier, is answering all the most important, the most confusing, and even just the “Where do I start?” questions. This virtual bookkeeper for interior designers shares tips on how not to leave money on the table, ways to ensure your business can stay afloat during times of uncertainty, and who should make up your financial team. Plus, Brittney shares what we can do now, before the end of year, to prepare for a stress-free tax season in this BONUS episode of The Interior Collective.
In this episode, Brittney Vier and I discuss:

The differences between + how to read financial statements
Business entity structures + how they relate to finance
Which finance experts to hire and when
The best accounting software
Budgets, forecasts, and projections
Setting financial goals
Setting salaries
Expenses you can cut back on
Where designers often leave money on the table
The year end financial checklist
Tax deductions
How to prepare for tax season

Mentioned in this episode:

American Express (AMEX)
Chase
Wells Fargo
Gusto
ADP
Quickbooks
Xero
Lindsey Brooke Design
Design Camp
Studio Designer
Design Day Service Product From IDCO Studio
“How to Manage Your Business During Uncertain Times” Webinar With Studio Designer CEO Keith Granet (Note: Even though the event day and time have passed, you can still register and receive access to the recording.)

Thanks for listening to this episode of The Interior Collective. You can listen to our episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or access all the show notes on our website. You can reach out to Brittney at brittney@brittneyvier.com or visit her website.
SHOW NOTES
The Interior Collective: Website
IDCO Studio: Website | Instagram
The Identite Collective: Blog | Instagram
Design Camp: Website | Instagram

Beth Smith: Transitioning from Side Gig to Full Time Interior Designer Jul 28, 2022

Show notes

So many designers are straddling the fence between an interior design side hustle and a full-time career. Our season one finale of The Interior Collective features Beth Diana Smith discussing her career transition and lessons learned along the way. Beth Diana Smith spent more than a decade working in accounting and finance with a hard earned Bachelor's degree in Business and a Master's degree in Accounting. Later, Beth earned a degree from the New York School of Interior Design while taking night classes working around her day job. Her interior design career started as a side hustle before she left accounting to start Beth Diana Smith Interior Design. Her designs use expertly curated art, layered textured, bold patterns, and colors to create uniquely sophisticated, layered and luxurious residential designs. Beth has been on NBC and HGTV, and you've seen her work featured in various outlets, including House Beautiful, Elle Decor, Real Simple, Lonny Magazine, Domino, The Wall Street Journal, and the Business of Home.

In this episode, Beth and I discuss:

The career path into interior design
How a background in corporate shapes her business structure
When she knew it was the right timing to design full-time
Beth's signature use of color which she credits to design school
Finding the courage to make a career change

Show Notes

Mentioned in the episode:

Thanks for reading an excerpt of The Interior Collective Season 1, Episode 12: Transitioning from Side-Gig to Opening Your Own Firm featuring Beth Diana Smith. You can listen to our episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or access the full episode transcription below. You can follow Beth on Instagram or visit her portfolio for the latest reveals of her work.

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