208 | The Real Work of a Professional Interior Designer With Tamera Gamble

What does it really mean to be an interior designer? Is it simply choosing beautiful colors, furniture, and finishes? Or is there something much deeper happening when we step into a client's home and ask them to trust our professional judgment?In this episode, I sit down with Tamera Gamble of Arranged Space, an interior designer, educator, mentor, and longtime design professional whose career has taken her from high-end residential design to commercial, municipal, retail, and residential projects. Her story is a wonderful reminder that interior design is both a creative career and a technical, human-centered profession.I especially loved Tamera's commitment to making good interior design accessible to real people, regardless of their budget. Whether you're working on a luxury residential project, helping a client make a few changes with $1,000, creating construction documents in AutoCAD, or simply solving a difficult space-planning problem, the fundamentals still matter. Your job is to make the space work for the person living in it.And sometimes, doing that means telling a client no.Featured GuestTamera Gamble is the founder of Arranged Space, an interior design business focused on creating thoughtful, functional spaces that reflect each client's style and budget. Her career in interior design spans residential, commercial, municipal, retail, and historic preservation projects, including work with prominent firms such as Ralph Lauren, Gruzen Sampton, and Goldenstein Hill and West. Tamera earned her BFA from the New York School of Interior Design and has developed a particular passion for space planning, technical drawing, and using design to make everyday spaces work better for the people who live in them. In addition to practicing interior design, she teaches at the New York School of Interior Design and has spent years mentoring aspiring designers, helping them build their skills, confidence, and portfolios.What You’ll Learn in This Episode✳️ Why interior design requires technical expertise✳️ How to confidently stand behind your recommendations✳️ Why continuing education matters throughout your career✳️ How to make good design accessible✳️ Ways to build experience and your design portfolioRead the Blog >>> The Real Work of a Professional Interior DesignerNEXT STEPS:🎯 Join My Design Mentor and start creating a design career you truly love.👉https://my-design-mentor.mn.co📺 WATCH FREE WEBINARS 📺 "From Passion to Profit," and learn the 5 Money Moves to start your interior design business right 👉 https://rwarddesign.myflodesk.com/5moneymovesAre You Ready to Start Your Interior Design Business? How to Know for Sure (and What It Really Costs to Launch) 👉 https://rwarddesign.myflodesk.com/areyoureadyreplayCheck out our Designer's Playlist!*️ Start Your Interior Design Journey *️ From Newbie to Confident Designer *️ Switching Gears to Interior Design Grab your freebies:📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my CareerConnect With Me:📧 Email: [email protected]🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign 🌎 Website at rwarddesign.comThanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week...Timestamps0:00 Introduction and Guest Bio2:35 How Barbie’s Dream House Sparked Tamera’s Design Career4:14 Education and Early Career8:53 The Experience That Led to Business Ownership11:32 Making Interior Design Accessible to Everyone14:28 When a Designer Has to Tell a Client No18:29 Why Design Fundamentals Matter25:34 The Challenge of Educating Clients28:53 Career Advice for Aspiring Interior Designers

Construction and remodel projects can feel intimidating, especially when you’re a new interior designer approaching your first project.You may be wondering how to work with contractors, who should handle permits and engineering, how to respond when a contractor pushes back on your design, or what happens when something unexpected appears after a wall is opened. These are all real concerns—and they’re exactly why understanding construction project management is such an important part of becoming a confident interior designer.In this episode, I’m walking you through how I approach construction and remodel projects, from bringing contractors into the process early to defining responsibilities, managing site visits, documenting decisions, communicating with clients, and building strong relationships with your construction team. My goal is to help you approach construction projects with more confidence instead of fear—and become the project leader your clients need you to be.What You’ll Learn in This Episode✔️ Understand your role during construction and remodel projects✔️ Bring contractors into the design process early✔️ Define responsibilities before construction begins✔️ Improve construction communication and document project decisions✔️ Build stronger relationships with your A-list contractorsRead the Blog >>> 5 Practical Tips for Managing Construction and Remodel Projects SmoothlyNEXT STEPS:📋 Get the Remodel Survival Guide: a step-by-step process on the construction side of a remodel project🎯 Join My Design Mentor and start creating a design career you truly love.👉https://my-design-mentor.mn.co📺 WATCH FREE WEBINARS 📺 "From Passion to Profit," and learn the 5 Money Moves to start your interior design business right 👉 https://rwarddesign.myflodesk.com/5moneymovesAre You Ready to Start Your Interior Design Business? How to Know for Sure (and What It Really Costs to Launch) 👉 https://rwarddesign.myflodesk.com/areyoureadyreplayCheck out our Designer's Playlist!*️ Start Your Interior Design Journey *️ From Newbie to Confident Designer *️ Switching Gears to Interior Design Grab your freebies:📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my CareerConnect With Me:📧 Email: [email protected]🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign 🌎 Website at rwarddesign.comThanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week...Timestamps0:00 Introduction to managing construction projects4:16 Understanding Your Role as the Designer5:47 Collaborating with Experts Early10:10 Defining Roles and Responsibilities15:01 Client Communication and Contractor Collaboration18:14 Using Site Binders and Documenting Decisions21:13 Managing Budgets and Timelines23:25 Building Professional Relationships

If you're an aspiring interior designer, career changer, or established designer trying to grow a sustainable business, you may feel pressure to know everything before you begin. You may also believe that growth means taking on more projects, hiring more people, or becoming the person who can handle every detail of every project.But Annie Obermann’s journey with Forge and Bow offers a different perspective. Annie and her husband and business partner, Jordan Obermann, didn't start with formal design training or a perfectly structured business plan. They learned through renovating their own homes, working with partners, making mistakes, and eventually building a boutique design-build firm known for thoughtful residential renovation, craftsmanship, and high-end design. This year, Forge and Bow is celebrating its 10th anniversary.In this episode, I talk with Annie about what happens when you are brave enough to start before you know everything—and humble enough to recognize when you need better systems, experienced team members, and outside support. We explore client experience, project management, team communication, hiring, professional development, branding, delegation, and how to build an interior design career that supports both your professional and personal life.Featured GuestAnnie Obermann co-leads Forge and Bow, a Colorado-based boutique design-build firm, with her husband and business partner, Jordan Obermann. Together, they have transformed the residential landscape of Northern Colorado through timeless, warm, nostalgic design paired with expert craftsmanship. Annie brings expertise in interior architecture, while Jordan contributes a strong spatial and visionary perspective. Their work includes historic renovations and custom new builds, with a focus on creating cohesive, functional, and elegant homes that reflect each client's unique story. Forge and Bow is celebrating its 10th anniversary and is known for thoughtful problem-solving, meticulous attention to detail, and a commitment to quality.What You’ll Learn in This Episode✳️ How courage can launch your interior design career✳️ Why sustainable growth requires strong business processes✳️ How team communication improves the client experience✳️ Why competency matters when hiring design professionals✳️ How delegation creates more freedom and business growthRead the Blog >>> 6 Proven Strategies on Building a Sustainable Interior Design BusinessNEXT STEPS:🎯 Join My Design Mentor and start creating a design career you truly love.👉https://my-design-mentor.mn.coCheck out our Designer's Playlist!*️ Start Your Interior Design Journey *️ From Newbie to Confident Designer *️ Switching Gears to Interior Design Grab your freebies:📺 Watch this free webinar, "From Passion to Profit," and learn the 5 Money Moves to start your interior design business right 📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my CareerConnect With Me:📧 Email: [email protected]🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign 🌎 Website at rwarddesign.comThanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week...Timestamps0:00 Introduction and Guest Bio2:57 Annie’s Unconventional Path Into Interior Design5:09 How HGTV Helped Shape Forge and Bow7:20 The Story Behind the Forge and Bow Name8:41 Building a Team and Processes10:49 Connecting Systems With Client Experience12:44 Building Strong Team Communication14:55 Competency Versus Personality When Hiring19:09 Creating a Culture of Constant Learning20:30 Future Goals and Business Strategy24:18 Advice for Aspiring Designers

As interior designers, we often focus on creating beautiful spaces, but beauty alone isn't always enough. Sometimes a room can have gorgeous furnishings, meaningful décor, and impeccable styling, yet still feel visually loud. When every surface competes for attention, a home stops supporting everyday life and starts demanding energy from the people living in it.That's why I was so excited to sit down with bestselling author Myquillyn Smith, better known as The Nester, to talk about her newest book, House Hushing. Rather than encouraging us to simply own fewer things, Myquillyn introduces a refreshing perspective: great design is about managing visual volume, not just the volume of possessions. Her approach blends interior design, decluttering, quiet decorating, soulful styling, and seasonal simplicity into a practical framework that helps create homes that feel both peaceful and deeply personal.If you're designing for clients—or even creating a home for yourself—this episode will encourage you to think beyond minimalism. You'll discover how thoughtful design decisions can reduce visual noise while preserving warmth, personality, and the lived-in beauty that makes a house truly feel like home.Featured GuestMyquillyn Smith, also known as The Nester, is a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, decorating expert, and founder of The Nester. For more than fifteen years, she has encouraged homeowners to embrace their homes—imperfections and all—by creating spaces that reflect their personalities instead of chasing perfection. Her thoughtful approach combines decorating, styling, decluttering, and intentional living, helping thousands of women create welcoming homes with less stress and more meaning. Living in a historic Victorian home in North Carolina has further shaped her philosophy, inspiring her latest book, House Hushing, which introduces a fresh framework for reducing visual noise while maintaining warmth, beauty, and soul.What You’ll Learn in This Episode✳️ Understand the four-part House Hushing framework.✳️ Reduce visual noise without sacrificing personality.✳️ Style meaningful homes with fewer decorative items.✳️ Create peaceful interiors through quiet decorating.✳️ Design homes supporting changing life seasons.Read the Blog >>> The Four Principles of House HushingNEXT STEPS:🎯 Join My Design Mentor and start creating a design career you truly love.👉https://my-design-mentor.mn.coCheck out our Designer's Playlist!*️ Start Your Interior Design Journey *️ From Newbie to Confident Designer *️ Switching Gears to Interior Design Grab your freebies:📺 Watch this free webinar, "From Passion to Profit," and learn the 5 Money Moves to start your interior design business right 📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my CareerConnect With Me:📧 Email: [email protected]🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign 🌎 Website at rwarddesign.comThanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week...Timestamps0:00 Introduction and Guest Bio2:27 Myquillyn’s Journey Into Decorating4:39 Living in a Historic Victorian Home8:37 What House Hushing Really Means13:00 Knowing When a Home Needs Hushing14:34 How Backwards Decluttering Works17:51 Why Visual Volume Changes Everything19:56 Quiet Decorating in Action23:00 Book Launch and Bonus Resources

What does it really take to build a successful interior design business when no one is opening doors for you?If you've ever wondered whether you're talented enough, questioned your career transition, or felt discouraged because clients aren't calling, this conversation is one I want you to slow down and absorb. Too many aspiring interior designers believe success comes from luck, connections, or overnight visibility. Corey Damen Jenkins proves the opposite. His story reminds us that meaningful careers are built through relentless persistence, business discipline, and the courage to keep showing up—even when every door seems to close.In this episode, I sit down with internationally acclaimed interior designer Corey Damen Jenkins, who shares his journey behind his remarkable success. From leaving the automotive industry after the Great Recession to knocking on 779 doors before landing his first major client, Corey shares the mindset shifts, business lessons, and mentorship philosophy that helped him build one of the most respected brands in interior design.Whether you're navigating a career transition, building your client acquisition strategy, or wondering how AI will shape the future of our profession, this conversation will encourage you to build your career with confidence while choosing collaboration over competition.Featured GuestCorey Damen Jenkins is an internationally acclaimed interior designer, bestselling author, MasterClass instructor, television personality, and mentor. His work has been featured by Architectural Digest, House Beautiful, ELLE Decor, Vanity Fair, The New York Times, and numerous leading design publications. He is the author of Design Remix and Design Reimagined, creator of the Design Reimagined YouTube series, and has developed celebrated brand partnerships spanning furniture, textiles, wallcoverings, and lighting. Corey is widely recognized not only for his colorful, timeless interiors but also for his passion for mentoring the next generation of interior designers.What You’ll Learn in This Episode✳️ Why relentless grit outperforms natural talent.✳️ Turning career setbacks into business opportunities.✳️ Protecting your mindset from discouraging voices.✳️ Building business acumen beyond creative skills.✳️ Why mentorship strengthens the entire design community.Read the Blog >>> 5 Principles That Turned Rejection Into a Profitable Interior Design CareerNEXT STEPS:🎯 Join My Design Mentor and start creating a design career you truly love.👉https://my-design-mentor.mn.coCheck out our Designer's Playlist!*️ Start Your Interior Design Journey *️ From Newbie to Confident Designer *️ Switching Gears to Interior Design Grab your freebies:📺 Watch this free webinar, "From Passion to Profit," and learn the 5 Money Moves to start your interior design business right 📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my CareerConnect With Me:📧 Email: [email protected]🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign 🌎 Website at rwarddesign.comThanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week...Timestamps0:00 Introduction and Guest Bio3:15 Corey’s Passion for Interior Design5:55 Studying Architecture and Early Career Decisions11:08 Finding the First Client15:15 The Grit Required for Entrepreneurship18:06 Learning Business Without Mentorship20:56 Why Giving Back Matters23:05 AI, Industry Standards, and Protecting the Design Profession26:16 Running a Global Design Brand30:07 Staying Motivated After Achieving Success31:54 Design Remix and Design Reimagined35:05 Advice for New Interior Designers

Is talent alone enough to build a successful interior design career? This episode is a powerful reminder that creativity is only one piece of the puzzle.Many aspiring interior designers spend years refining their aesthetic but struggle with the business side—pricing, vendor relationships, execution, and confidently bringing their ideas to life. Without those skills, even the most inspired creative vision can remain just that: an idea.In this conversation, I sit down with Jamie Young, co-founder of Jamie Young Co., to explore how she transformed a lifelong passion for design into a nationally recognized home furnishings company. Jamie shares how her upbringing, education at Parsons School of Design, love of art history, global travel, and willingness to embrace uncertainty shaped both her creative identity and entrepreneurial journey.Whether you're launching your interior design business, developing your own creative process, or learning how to work more effectively with vendors, Jamie offers practical wisdom that reminds us success isn't about having all the answers—it's about combining inspired design with thoughtful business execution, authentic relationships, and the courage to keep moving forward.Featured GuestJamie Young is the co-founder of Jamie Young Co., a nationally recognized home furnishings company known for its thoughtfully designed lighting, mirrors, furniture, and home accessories. Raised in Los Angeles by an artist and entrepreneur, Jamie developed an early appreciation for design, creativity, and business. After studying at Parsons School of Design, she combined her passion for design, art history, fashion, and global travel with her husband David Jeter's artistic talents to build a brand that has inspired designers for more than 27 years. Today, Jamie Young Co. is celebrated for its approachable luxury, elevated basics, handcrafted products, and commitment to supporting interior designers through exceptional customer service and lasting vendor relationships.What You’ll Learn in This Episode✳️ Build business through consistent creative execution.✳️ Discover your unique creative design DNA.✳️ Develop stronger vendor relationships from day one.✳️ Balance design inspiration with profitable decisions.✳️ Use travel and curiosity to inspire creativity.Read the Blog >>> 5 Rules for Long-Term Success in the Interior Design BusinessNEXT STEPS:🎯 Join My Design Mentor and start creating a design career you truly love.👉https://my-design-mentor.mn.coCheck out our Designer's Playlist!*️ Start Your Interior Design Journey *️ From Newbie to Confident Designer *️ Switching Gears to Interior Design Grab your freebies:📺 Watch this free webinar, "From Passion to Profit," and learn the 5 Money Moves to start your interior design business right 📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my CareerConnect With Me:📧 Email: [email protected]🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign 🌎 Website at rwarddesign.comThanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week...Timestamps0:00 Introduction and Guest Bio3:34 Jamie Young Company's Founding and Initial Products7:27 Why Execution Matters More Than Having Ideas8:01 Learning the Business Side of Creativity9:34 Scaling From a Garage Startup to Global Manufacturing11:48 How Global Travel Transformed Product Design15:51 Behind the Scenes of Product Development and Customer Service20:27 Why Vendor Relationships Matter21:55 The Value of Trade Shows and Telling Product Stories24:31 Balancing Design Trends With Elevated Basics26:48 What Jamie Would Do Differently if Starting Over

Are you intimidated by Revit?I hear from so many interior designers who are curious about commercial design, multifamily housing, student housing, senior living, or hospitality projects, but feel held back because they don’t have the technical skills employers are asking for. And honestly, that hesitation can keep talented designers from pursuing opportunities they’d genuinely love.In this episode, I’m joined by Marcy Sagel, creator of Designer Bank, an online learning platform that helps interior designers strengthen their technical and commercial design skills. Marcy shares why Revit has become one of the most valuable skills a designer can learn, how rendering tools like Enscape can dramatically increase your marketability, and why commercial firms are actively looking for designers who can work confidently in these programs.What I love most about this conversation is that it’s not about becoming a tech expert overnight. It’s about expanding your opportunities. Whether you’re a residential designer curious about commercial projects, a student preparing for interviews, or a designer who feels “rusty” in Revit, this episode will help you see how strengthening your technical skill set can open doors, increase your confidence, and make you more competitive in today’s interior design industry.Featured GuestMarcy Sagel is the creator of Designer Bank, an online learning platform that helps interior designers strengthen their technical and commercial design skills. She is also the founder and principal of MSA Interiors, a leading commercial interior design firm specializing in multifamily housing, student housing, senior living, affordable housing, and other complex commercial projects. With more than 30 years of industry experience, Marcy has built a reputation for creating innovative, functional, and aesthetically compelling spaces that align with her clients’ strategic goals. What You’ll Learn in This Episode✳️ Why Revit matters for commercial interior design careers✳️ How rendering skills increase your marketability✳️ What commercial firms look for when hiring✳️ How online Revit training fills industry gaps✳️ Future trends in multifamily and commercial designRead the Blog >>> How Revit Can Make You More Marketable As An Interior DesignerNEXT STEPS:🎯 Join My Design Mentor and start creating a design career you truly love.👉https://my-design-mentor.mn.co/Check out our Designer's Playlist!*️ Start Your Interior Design Journey *️ From Newbie to Confident Designer *️ Switching Gears to Interior Design Grab your freebies:📺 Watch this free webinar, "From Passion to Profit," and learn the 5 Money Moves to start your interior design business right 📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my CareerConnect With Me:📧 Email: [email protected]🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign 🌎 Website at rwarddesign.comThanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week...Timestamps0:00 Introduction and Guest Bio2:30 Marcy Sagel's Recent Projects and Courses3:15 Revit Courses for Interior Designers4:19 Rendering with Enscape7:03 University Partnerships and Online Learning8:02 Choosing the Right Revit Level10:31 Expanding Course Offerings13:42 Trends in Multifamily and Commercial Projects18:51 Transitioning From Residential to Commercial Design20:47 AI Integration and the Future of Design Technology

Interior designers naturally focus on aesthetics, layouts, furnishings, and creating spaces that feel beautiful. But what happens when a client's home is filled with clutter, unfinished systems, and daily chaos that no amount of beautiful design can solve? The reality is that even the most stunning space will struggle to function if the foundation of organization isn't in place first.In this episode, I sit down with professional organizer and Organize 365 founder Lisa Woodruff to discuss the critical relationship between organization and interior design. Lisa shares why decluttering and creating household systems should happen before design decisions are made, how mental clutter impacts wellness, and why understanding a homeowner's real-life habits is essential to creating spaces that truly serve them. If you've ever wondered how to design homes that work as beautifully as they look, this conversation will completely change the way you approach your projects.Featured GuestLisa Woodruff is the founder and CEO of Organize 365, a company dedicated to helping individuals reduce overwhelm, eliminate mental clutter, and create productive household systems. A former teacher turned professional organizer, Lisa has spent more than a decade developing practical solutions for household management, productivity, and organization. She is the host of the highly successful Organize 365 Podcast, which has accumulated more than 24 million downloads, and the author of Escaping Quicksand: 10 Steps to Overcome the Overwhelm of Modern Life. Through her programs, courses, and coaching, Lisa helps people create organized homes and lives that support their goals and well-being.What You’ll Learn in This Episode✳️ Why organization must happen before design decisions✳️ How mental clutter affects daily productivity✳️ Systems that simplify household management✳️ Creating homes that support real-life habits✳️ Balancing beauty, function, and family lifeRead the Blog >>> Designing Homes That Fit Real LifeNEXT STEPS:🎯 Join My Design Mentor and start creating a design career you truly love.👉https://my-design-mentor.mn.coCheck out our Designer's Playlist!*️ Start Your Interior Design Journey *️ From Newbie to Confident Designer *️ Switching Gears to Interior Design Grab your freebies:📺 Watch this free webinar, "From Passion to Profit," and learn the 5 Money Moves to start your interior design business right 📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my CareerConnect With Me:📧 Email: [email protected]🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign 🌎 Website at rwarddesign.comThanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week...Timestamps0:00 Introduction and Guest Bio2:25 Lisa Woodruff's Journey into Professional Organizing5:01 Challenges of Starting a Profitable Organizing Business7:34 Balancing Household Management and Career10:07 The Importance of Systems in Home Organization12:20 What Interior Designers Should Understand About Organization15:15 Practical Tips for Effective Home Organization17:45 Empty Space, Storage, and Household Clutter22:32 Letting Go of Perfectionism at Home25:14 Wellness, Mental Clutter, and Digital Overload28:43 The Sunday Basket System Explained29:15 Quarterly Planning for Household Management31:27 Inside Organize 365What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeTimestamps

What is it really like to work for an interior designer? And just as importantly, what does it take to build a healthy, balanced employee-employer relationship that lasts?As I celebrate 200 episodes of Design Curious, I wanted to pull back the curtain and share a candid conversation with someone who knows my business better than almost anyone—my employee, Lillian Janik. Lilly has worked alongside me for eight years, and together we've navigated everything from residential interior design projects and company growth to mentorship programs, commercial work, and the everyday realities of running a creative business.If you're an aspiring interior designer wondering whether you should work for a design firm or start your own business, this episode offers valuable insight into the employee-employer relationship. We talk about communication, company culture, leadership, career growth, and the mindset shifts that come with being part of a design team.We also have some fun along the way. Lily turns the tables and interviews me, asking questions about work-life balance, design trends, my personal style journey, and how I manage everything from mentoring designers to running the Sacramento Design Business Community. You'll even get a peek at my love of Art Deco architecture, my obsession with historical plaques, our mission to identify the names of Sacramento alleyways, and how a simple wardrobe redesign became its own creative project.Whether you're building a creative career, growing a design business, or simply curious about the behind-the-scenes realities of working in interior design, this conversation is full of practical wisdom and honest reflections.Featured GuestLillian "Lilly" Janik brings a thoughtful eye, calm presence, and strong design sensibility to the Rebecca Ward Design team. She is a graduate of CSU Sacramento with a Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design. Lillian first joined the studio as an intern during her final semester and quickly became an essential part of the team. Today, as an Associate Designer, she supports projects through design development, sourcing, documentation, and the many details that help each home feel cohesive and complete.What You’ll Learn in This Episode✳️ Employee versus entrepreneur mindset differences✳️ Building strong workplace communication and trust✳️ Creating a positive company culture in design firms✳️ Work-life balance strategies for busy creatives✳️ Finding community through mentorship and networkingRead the Blog >>> Secrets to Creating a Strong Employer–Employee Relationship in Interior Design FirmsNEXT STEPS:🎯 Join My Design Mentor and start creating a design career you truly love.👉https://my-design-mentor.mn.co⁠Check out our Designer's Playlist!*️ Start Your Interior Design Journey *️ From Newbie to Confident Designer *️ Switching Gears to Interior Design Grab your freebies:📺 Watch this free webinar, "From Passion to Profit," and learn the 5 Money Moves to start your interior design business right 📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my CareerConnect With Me:📧 Email: [email protected]🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign 🌎 Website at rwarddesign.comThanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week...Timestamps0:00 Introduction and Celebrating 200 Podcast Episodes3:15 Updates After 100 episodes7:14 Lilly’s Expectations as a New Employee11:10 Employee vs Entrepreneur Mindset Differences16:20 Communication and Company Culture Lessons19:49 Understanding Your Role Within a Design Firm23:29 Q&A: The Rewards and Challenges of Being A Boss26:25 Q&A: Art Deco and Emerging Interior Design Trends29:22 Q&A: Design Leaders Collective and SDBC34:37 Work-Life Balance Strategies40:28 Rebecca’s Personal Style Transformation

Have you ever completed a beautiful interior design project, only to reach the final stage and realize the walls still feel unfinished because the art hasn’t been selected yet?Many designers focus heavily on furniture, finishes, textiles, and architectural details, but art often becomes something clients think about at the very end.In this episode, I’m joined by Sarah Hurt, founder of Seattle Art Source, to talk about how interior designers can confidently integrate art into their projects, collaborate with local artists, and create more meaningful spaces for their clients. Sarah shares practical advice on art curation, working with an art advisor, selecting pieces that complement a design vision, and helping clients discover artwork they truly connect with.Whether you are a new designer building your creative career or an experienced designer looking to elevate your client experience, this conversation will help you rethink the role art plays in creating complete, intentional interiors.Featured GuestSarah Hurt is the founder of Seattle Art Source, a company dedicated to connecting interior designers, clients, and local artists through meaningful art experiences. After starting Seattle Art Source as a second career, Sarah built a bridge between artists and buyers by helping designers curate artwork that enhances everyday life. She works with designers on residential and commercial projects, offering art sourcing, commissions, installations, and advisory support.What You’ll Learn in This Episode✳️ Why art belongs in the initial design package✳️ How to confidently curate art selections✳️ Ways to collaborate with local artists✳️ How to manage client art preferences✳️ Building stronger design relationships through artRead the Blog >>> How to Integrate Art Into the Interior Design ProcessNEXT STEPS:🎯 Join My Design Mentor and start creating a design career you truly love. 👉https://my-design-mentor.mn.coCheck out our Designer's Playlist!*️ Start Your Interior Design Journey *️ From Newbie to Confident Designer *️ Switching Gears to Interior Design Grab your freebies:📺 Watch this free webinar, "From Passion to Profit," and learn the 5 Money Moves to start your interior design business right 📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my CareerConnect With Me:📧 Email: [email protected]🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign 🌎 Website at rwarddesign.comThanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week...Timestamps0:00 Introduction and Guest Bio2:49 Sarah Hurt's Journey into the Art Industry6:34 How Seattle Art Source Works8:59 Integrating Art into the Design Process10:31 Making Art Approachable for Clients14:23 Handling Client Art Preferences19:10 Renting Art for Photography21:21 Building Confidence in Art Selection