The pathway of water, the curvature of ancient wooden statues, the human body—in all these abstract forms, Colombia Everett sees a shape that can be traced, printed, assembled, polished, and worn as an ornate piece of jewellery.
Colombia Everett is a material librarian, product designer, and the founder of Studio Agaea—a brand exploring the intersection of digital and traditional craftsmanship through fine silver jewellery pieces.
Studio Agaea's debut collection, Naiads, takes inspiration from the fluid spirit of the water nymphs of ancient Greek mythology. Every Studio Agaea piece is a labour of love, meticulously designed and handcrafted by Colombia Everett herself, the process of which she intentionally lays bare to the end wearer.
We spoke to Colombia about her respect for craftsmanship, developing sustainable practice, and the beauty to be found in "imperfection".
Studio Agaea in three words: Process. Texture. Connection.
Jewellery making is a traditional technical craft that can be enhanced by different design mediums. My design practices are derived from a speculative, multidisciplinary approach. I consider myself a material-first designer, having completed my master’s in material design and working as a material librarian at an architectural firm. For me, having a deep understanding of the materials I am working with enables me to explore and stretch the limits of design with the material.
By approaching design digitally, with 3D rendering, I can experiment with forms and shapes not readily possible with traditional jewellery techniques. The freedom of the tools allows for more risk-taking that explores the limits of possibilities, operating on the edge I can use the 3D printing to evaluate the feasibility of my designs.
My designs are heavily influenced by the process. I actualise them using Blender—a 3D mesh software—and to me, it is like modelling in clay, but with the opportunity for extreme precision. The software imparts on the design process an experimentalism and organic fluidity that is especially similar to clay. Printing the pieces in 3D adds a topographical texture which enhances the fluidity of the pieces. The jewellery forms encourage connection, the open structure exposes the skin allowing the wearers' skin to act as the gems.
I want my pieces to hint at how they were made, when I think of traditional craftsmanship, the identity of the craftsman is evident. It can tell the story of how the piece was made. I associate perfect finishes with mass manufacturing, which of course is fine but I want to celebrate and tell the story of the entire making process, and it's the 'controlled imperfections’ that give my pieces their individuality.
I love the idea of Wabi Sabi, the centering of transience and imperfections in life. I believe perfection is somewhat unnatural and that translating the beauty of nature into these pieces requires an openness to imperfection. The jewellery being imperfect allows them to be one with the wearer, in contrast to perfection that can only exist separate from the person. I want my work to become an element of the wearer.
I have always preferred silver in the jewellery I wear, so my first collection leaned heavily into it. Despite this, I am very open to using gold as I progress with future collections. I find that they convey very different feelings, the silver feeling far more fluid and watery than the gold which made it more suitable for Naiads. Metals are very interesting to work with and are extremely versatile, they can take any form when worked correctly. I love the way the casting can capture the entirety of 3d prints and all the design intricacies.
for its design influences. The softness and abstract structures are translated into fluid curved textures that emulate the female form. I think the female body should be celebrated and I admire how we have interpreted it over and captured its beauty. I wanted to pay homage and create a new interpretation that can also be worn on the female body. I also found inspiration in ancient Minoan wooden statues. The forms of these pieces are simple but emotive and playful.
I would say I’ve subconsciously been influenced to be open to different aesthetics. Direct exposure and immersion [to different cultures] has led me to adopt and build on the elements that surround me—it is like learning a language, you can only truly understand if you are surrounded constantly, and then slowly one's accent changes to become like those around you.
Sustainability has always been a driving force in my design principles and played a major part in my studies. However, I am aware that not all elements are perfect. I am investigating alternative filaments that can be used for pre-casting prints, but I use recycled silver for my pieces and this contributes to a circular economy and ensures the silver finds a new purpose. Ultimately though jewellery is designed to last, and can be passed on to another home down the line.
Jewellery is just one aspect of design that I want to explore. I think of Studio Agaea as a design studio that currently uses jewellery as its primary design vehicle. I hope to expand to working on product and furniture design within the high-end/luxury market, using new materials that have zero impact on the environment.
Learn more about Studio Agaea on their website and discover upcoming collections on Instagram.
Clear client communication ties the knot for a successful planner-client relationship.
One of the smartest client communication strategies of this age is using digital tools. With features that streamlines communication and improve responsiveness, these tools foster transparency and help them stay informed.
This article will discuss...
Ready to improve your wedding business client management? Let's talk about it.
Effective client communication goes beyond simply telling—it's meeting halfway. The clients tell you what they're looking for in their wedding, you share what you can do, find balance, and turn what once was a vision into reality.
How do you know if you're communicating effectively with your clients? Here are three signs of good wedding planner communication...
Email has long been the backbone of communication for wedding planners. It offers a convenient way to share information, track discussions, and maintain a record of decisions. However, in today's collaborative world, email might be hindering how effectively wedding planners and clients can work together.
Here's why...
A study by Microsoft reveals that employees can spend up to 8 hours per week on emails. That's almost 2 hours off every workday, which is a lot for a busy wedding planner. This is mainly because emails can get buried in inboxes or junk mails. Thus delaying communication since you'll have to scroll through tens to hundreds of promotional or sponsored emails just to respond to inquiries, send invoices, and so on.
Additionally, email threads can become lengthy and disorganised, making it difficult to find specific information or track action items. Surely, you can set up folders or compile starred emails. But at the end of the day, new emails always accumulate in your primary folder unless you regularly check and organise them.
Even so, email has done an incredible job for the last four decades. It has become an integral part of every professional's life, thus it's likely not going away anytime soon. However, with the advent of AI, you'd be missing out if you don't explore alternatives that are faster, more convenient, and accessible.
While email has served faithfully, the wedding planning landscape is evolving. Couples today crave a more interactive and collaborative experience. So now is the best time to explore the latest project management tools to enhance client communication.
Why it's time to invest in digital tools...
Wedding planners, it's time to communicate better!Wedding planning thrives on clear and effective client communication. By prioritising timely updates, personalised interactions, and a two-way flow of information, planners build trust and client satisfaction.While email has been a mainstay communication tool for many years, its limitations in terms of organisation and time consumption make it less than ideal for modern wedding planning needs. Thankfully, today's digital tools are here to help you reclaim your time. That is through easier sharing of ideas and inspiration, facilitating targeted conversations, and automating reminders and messaging.
Effective project management is the glue that holds an interior design business together. Beyond adhering to timelines and ensuring adherence to budget, good project management is the key to delivering an exceptional service for your clients.
Many successful interior design businesses harness the power of project management software to streamline their operations. These software solutions automate tasks such as scheduling, communication, and tracking, liberating designers to dedicate more time to their creative pursuits.
If you're wondering whether investing in a project management software is the right move for your interior design business, we're here to help.
Here's what we'll cover:
Running a successful interior design business requires you to be good at more than just designing. As the owner of your own business, you'll need to acquire an array of skills, such as:
In order to cope with the ever-growing list of responsibilities involved with running an interior design business some designers choose to hire an assistant, others invest in a project management software.
Increasing advancements in AI mean the software available to interior designers is ever evolving.
As it stands, here are some of the main benefits of incorporating a project management software into your interior design business...
Project management software provides a centralised platform for managing tasks, timelines, and resources. Interior designers can allocate tasks efficiently, track progress in real-time, and identify potential bottlenecks to optimise project efficiency and productivity.
With features such as messaging, file sharing, and task assignments, interior designers can easily communicate project updates, share ideas, and solicit feedback from clients. A project management software allows your client to feel informed and involved from concept to completion.
Suggested article: https://www.visualistapp.com/blog/client-file-management-interior-design-business
Project management software allows you to organise project files, store important documents, and maintain a structured timeline of project milestones and deadlines. This helps in reducing clutter and minimises risk of losing important files.
Project management software provides tools for scheduling and tracking progress. Interior designers can create detailed project schedules, set deadlines for each task, and monitor progress.
The smoother the workflow and communication, the happier the clients! By involving clients in the design process and keeping them informed every step of the way, designers can build trust, manage expectations, and ultimately deliver results that meet or exceed client expectations.
Needs and priorities differ from one designer to another. There are an array of project management systems available to interior designers, the key is finding the one that is right for the specific needs and priorities of your business. Consider the following factors before investing...
Before anything else, think about whether or not you can afford such an investment. Project management software comes in a range of pricing options which can jump from zero cost to a few hundred dollars per month.
Next, consider its long-term value. Your best option is to look for software that offer tiered pricing plans based on features and team size to find the best fit for your budget. Free or low-cost solutions might seem tempting, but they often lack the features needed for complex design projects. On the other hand, while a premium tool might have a higher upfront cost, it can save time, improve efficiency, and ultimately lead to increased profitability.
As your interior design business expands, so does your project complexity and team size. So if you do decide to invest in a project management software, you have to make sure that it's flexible. It should allow you to add features or team members or integrate with other design-specific software that you might use in the future. Take note, this may cost you more than what you initially pay for.
Chances are, your design firm already uses a suite of software programs, from accounting software to design tools. Opt for a project management solution that integrates seamlessly with your existing systems. This eliminates the need for manual data entry between platforms, saving time and minimising errors.
Specifically, you can look for tools that offer open APIs (application programming interfaces) or pre-built connectors for popular design and business applications.
Even the most user-friendly software requires some level of training for your team to get the most out of it. So you will have to offer comprehensive training resources to your team, such as video tutorials, user guides, and webinars. Additionally, reliable customer support is crucial for troubleshooting any issues that might arise.
Running an interior design firm involves navigating complexities like finances, client/vendor coordination, and so on. Fortunately, there are effective project management software that you can invest in to streamline these very challenges.
But before you invest, you have to consider these four key factors: cost, scalability, software integration, and training or support. Ticking off these factors ensures you select a software that aligns with your budget, accommodates future growth, and meets the specific needs of your business.
Olivia Steingraber and Megan Kronser are the co-founders of new wave wedding and event consultancy, Coulee Creative House. Before that, they were impromptu co-planners of their friend's wedding. Before that, they were simply best friends.
Friends to co-founders is not an unusual story, but a heartwarming one all the same. What is entirely unique is the pair's approach to event planning and their method of weaving a distinctly modern style with the traditional beauty of weddings.
We spoke to Olivia and Megan about their journey into the wedding industry, the joy of building a business with your bestie, and the creation of Coulee Creative House—"a home for celebrating all things beautiful!"
The journey into wedding planning began unexpectedly for us, sparked by the impending nuptials of our dear college friends back in the fall of 2021. At that time, Megan was immersed in project management for a company in New York, while Olivia had always harboured a keen eye for design.
As our friends deliberated over the perfect timing for their big day, we found ourselves naturally stepping in to offer our assistance. Megan seamlessly transitioned into the role of the day-of coordinator, leveraging her organisational skillset, while Olivia's innate talent for design flourished as she took charge of creating floral arrangements and crafting the aesthetic vision for the event.
The experience was transformative, yet challenging. In the whirlwind leading up to the wedding, we poured our hearts into assisting a dream day for our friends,, from coordinating logistics to transforming a simple pavilion into a reception venue. As the night before the wedding approached and exhaustion threatened to overwhelm us, we found ourselves lying awake, fuelled by adrenaline, staring at the ceiling, pondering the question: "Were we made for this?"
In that moment, through the chaos and excitement, clarity dawned. The joy of creating something beautiful, the satisfaction of seeing our efforts come to fruition, and the deep sense of fulfilment we derived from helping our friends celebrate their love—it all resonated with us on a profound level.
From that night onward, there was no turning back. Our journey into the world of wedding planning had begun, ignited by an opportunity and fuelled by our passion for creating memorable experiences. Looking back, we are filled with gratitude for that pivotal moment and the path it set us on—a path where we have found not only a profession but a purpose, and where we continue to build our business surrounded by the people we love.
Going from childhood besties to business partners has been quite the journey for us. I mean, we've practically been best friends since we were seven, so you can imagine the evolution of our friendship over the years has been pretty remarkable.
What's really cool about our dynamic is that while we share the same overarching goals and dreams, our individual strengths and skill sets couldn't be more different. Liv's the visionary, the creative powerhouse who's always buzzing with new ideas and thrives on making connections. Meanwhile, Megan is more of the executor, the one who thrives on organisation, creating systems and seeing projects through to completion.
Our partnership really started taking shape back in high school when we found ourselves teaming up on community projects and co-leading various clubs. Looking back, those early collaborations were like the training ground for what was to come. They laid down the foundation for us to seamlessly transition from being a dynamic duo as young teenagers to tackling bigger ventures together in the world of business.
Sure, there have been bumps along the road, like any partnership, but we've learned how to navigate those challenges by playing to each other's strengths and communicating openly. It's all about finding that balance between our shared vision and our individual strengths, and I think that's what makes our partnership so strong.
First and foremost, make sure you're on the same page when it comes to values. Having common values that you both hold dear is like having a compass that keeps you grounded and rooted in truth, especially when things get tough.
Next, be prepared to put in the work—both in and out of the business. Building a successful partnership requires effort, communication, and a whole lot of patience. But it's not just about the business stuff; it's about nurturing your friendship too. Take time to laugh together, support each other's personal endeavours, and just enjoy each other's company outside of the business realm.
And finally, carry love, joy, and patience in your hearts. It might sound cheesy, but trust us, these qualities are like the secret sauce that keeps your partnership strong. Celebrate each other's successes, lift each other up during the tough times, and never lose sight of the joy that comes from doing what you love together.
What sets Coulee Creative House apart from traditional wedding planning services? Well, it all boils down to our commitment to connection and understanding.
At CC House, we're not just about checking items off a wedding planning checklist. We're all about getting to the heart of what our couples truly want and need for their special day. That means taking the time to really connect with them, to understand their vision, their values, and their dreams. We want to be more than just planners; we want to be partners in bringing their unique love story to life.
But that's not all. We're also laser-focused on meeting the needs of Gen-Z brides. We understand that today's couples have a whole new set of expectations and priorities when it comes to their weddings. They want experiences that are authentic, inclusive, and reflective of their personalities and values. And that's exactly what we're here to deliver.
So, whether it's our dedication to deep connection or our focus on serving the needs of the modern bride, Coulee Creative House is rewriting the playbook when it comes to wedding planning. Because we believe that every love story deserves to be celebrated in a way that's as unique and beautiful as the couple themselves.
Above all, we hope our clients feel at ease and truly excited for the present moment and the season ahead. Whether it's the anticipation of their big day or the joy of bringing their vision to life, we want them to feel a sense of excitement and possibility in every interaction with us.
Ultimately, our goal is to make our clients feel seen, understood, and cared for. We want their experience with Coulee Creative House to be not just about the end result, but about the journey itself—a journey filled with connection, creativity, and unforgettable moments.
Our brand identity isn't just about looking cool—it's a reflection of who we are and what we stand for. From the get-go, we knew that our personal brand and values would be at the core of everything we do. We wanted our branding to feel like an extension of ourselves, authentic and genuine.
But we also knew that to truly connect with today's audience, we had to stay ahead of the curve. That's why we made it our mission to understand what Gen-Z wants and needs. We're constantly strategising and innovating, keeping our finger on the pulse of emerging trends and cultural shifts.
As a creative agency, we're not just followers of trends; we're trendsetters. We're always pushing the boundaries, experimenting with new ideas, and providing inspiration to anyone who comes across our content. Whether it's through our vibrant visuals, our engaging storytelling, or our innovative approach to problem-solving, we want our brand to be a source of inspiration and excitement.
So, when it came time to craft our brand identity, we didn't just look outward for inspiration—we looked inward. We tapped into our own passions, values, and vision for the future, and let that guide us in creating a brand that's distinctly fresh, forward-thinking, and uniquely us.
While our focus right now is on wedding coordinating, planning, and floral design, we have dreams of the evolution of CC House. One of our key strategies for evolution is through content creation. We believe in the power of storytelling and inspiration, and we're committed to leading the industry with trend-forward content that captivates and delights our audience.
Drawing on our background in marketing, we're uniquely positioned to create content that goes beyond the traditional boundaries of wedding planning. Our goal is to offer a holistic approach to wedding preparation, providing resources and advice that cover everything from styling tips to wellness practices. We want to be a trusted source of information and inspiration for brides at every stage of their journey.
But our vision doesn't stop there. We're also exploring new avenues for growth and innovation, constantly pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the world of wedding design and planning. Whether it's through new services, collaborations, or innovative approaches to client experiences, we're committed to staying at the cutting edge of our industry.
In short, our journey is just beginning, and we're excited to continue evolving, innovating, and inspiring couples as they embark on the adventure of a lifetime.
Follow Megan and Olivia's journey on Instagram and be sure to bookmark the Coulee Creative House website (coming soon!)
Running an interior design business can be creatively fulfilling, but managing expenses is crucial for long-term success. By reducing overheads, you can increase profits and improve cash flow, allowing you to invest more in your business and provide exceptional service to your clients. In this article, we'll explore practical strategies to help you streamline your operations and minimise costs while maximising profitability.
Here's what we'll cover:
Let's dive in and discover how to make your interior design business more financially efficient.
Before you can effectively reduce overheads, it's essential to understand where your money is going. Take a close look at your expenses and identify areas where you can make cuts or find more cost-effective solutions. This might include:
Your workspace is a significant contributor to your overhead costs, so it's essential to make sure it's working for you. Consider the following tips to optimise your workspace and reduce expenses:
Efficiency is key to reducing costs and maximising profits in your interior design business. Streamlining your processes can help you save time and money while delivering exceptional results to your clients. Here are some ways to improve efficiency:
Technology can be a powerful tool for reducing overheads and increasing productivity in your interior design business. Consider incorporating the following tech solutions into your workflow:
Effective cash flow management is essential for the success of any business, including interior design firms. By optimising your cash flow, you can ensure that you have enough money to cover expenses, invest in growth opportunities, and weather any financial challenges that may arise. Here are some tips for improving cash flow:
If you're looking to expand your interior design business or invest in new projects, securing funding or financing may be necessary. Explore the following options to support your growth ambitions:
In conclusion, reducing overheads is essential for increasing profits and improving cash flow in your interior design business. By assessing your current expenses, streamlining your operations, and embracing technology, you can optimise your business processes and achieve greater financial efficiency. Remember to continually monitor your finances, seek opportunities for cost savings, and invest strategically in your business's growth.
Key takeaways:
"Where did I save that [insert very important client file here], again?" If you're an interior designer who often asks yourself this question, you're in need of a better client file management system.
As the owner of your own interior design business, you wear a lot of hats—which means that good organisation is essential. Having an efficient organisational system for each of your clients makes for a netter client experience and increases the chances of long term success for your interior design business.
What happens if designing comes naturally to you, but organisation? You invest in a digital tool to help you organise and manage your client files and relationships.
In this article we'll explore...
For interior designers, a well-organised file system is the backbone of a smooth workflow and satisfied clients. It simplifies client collaboration and file access so you spend more time on what you do best—designing!
Benefits of using digital tools to manage interior design files:
A popular file management system used by interior designers is Dropbox. As one of the most popular cloud storage solution, Dropbox offers a secure and centralised space where you can store, access, and share all your business and design files, from initial sketches to invoices.
Three ways in which interior designers use Dropbox for interior design file organisation:
One of the most crucial stages of interior design is formalising agreements and onboarding clients. Traditionally, this process can be cumbersome, as it can take multiple rounds of emails, document revisions, and physical paperwork to complete.
Dropbox simplifies this process by providing a unified hub for your standard contract templates and welcome kits. You can create dedicated Dropbox folders for interior design clients, where you can securely store all relevant documents, including contracts, invoices, and project briefs. Easily share a link with new clients for easy access, review, and e-signing so you won't have to chase them signatures or misplace any documents.
With Dropbox, designers can create a structured folder hierarchy tailored to your workflow. Folders can be categorised by project name, client, room, or design phase, to create an easy-to-follow framework for storing and accessing files. This ensures that files are neatly organised and easy to locate, even as projects evolve and expand over time.
Not sure how to start? Start organising your Dropbox folders for interior design clients using this structure...
Interior design is as much about creativity as it is about functionality. The flexibility of Dropbox's platform enables designers to organise their creative collections in a way that best suits you.
Collections can be organised however you want. You can do it by style, color scheme, or project theme, to help you create the best structure for organising inspiration. These collections serve as virtual mood boards, where designers can gather ideas, reference materials, and design references and share to clients or other vendors as needed.
A project management software acts a centralised hub for all files, it promotes real-time client collaboration and simplifies client file access for interior design businesses.
Three ways to use a client file management system:
You didn't become an interior designer to do more admin! However, running a successful interior design business requires being able to juggle creativity with commerce.
Invoicing and billing clients can feel like a chore, but efficiently collecting payment and keeping track of your finances is an essential part of keeping your interior design business afloat.
Thankfully, there are an array of digital tools available to help you better manage client accounts, create invoices, and collect payment for your projects. These tools integrate automations and AI to help your finances run on autopilot, meaning your time is freed up to focus on your creative work and your client relationships.
This article will explore...
Consistent income is essential to a successful interior design business—which means invoices must be sent out and paid on time.
It is easy to get overwhelmed with other tasks and struggle to find time to create invoices or chase client payment—but what if you didn't haver to? Smart softwares for interior designers can keep a track of your finances in the background whilst you work.
Without the stress of missed or delayed payments, you can focus on growing your business and delivering exceptional services to your clients. Its a win-win!
A popular tool used by interior designers is Quickbooks. Quickbooks is a user-friendly automated accounting software capable of managing bookkeeping, invoicing, expense tracking, and more.
How to use Quickbooks for your interior design business:
In the fast-paced world of interior design, efficiency is key to success. Investing in automated invoicing software is not just a smart move; it's essential for streamlining your business operations and maximising productivity.
With an automated invoicing system, interior designers can bid farewell to tedious manual processes and hello to more time for creativity and client satisfaction. Imagine effortlessly generating and sending invoices with just a few clicks, freeing up precious hours that can be better spent focusing on design concepts and client consultations. Moreover, automated software ensures accuracy and consistency in billing, minimising errors and avoiding potential disputes with clients.
Beyond saving time and reducing administrative burden, such software can also enhance your professional image by delivering polished, branded invoices that reflect your commitment to excellence. Additionally, tracking payments and managing finances becomes a breeze, providing invaluable insights into your business's financial health and enabling informed decision-making.
In today's competitive landscape, investing in automated invoicing software isn't just a luxury—it's a strategic necessity for interior designers looking to thrive in their industry.
AI-powered design tools are reshaping the future of interior design. With a common goal of making the design process faster and easier, we're seeing a steep upward trend in the number of AI-powered design tools hitting the market.
One of the most exciting innovations is Palazzo—a new AI-design tool created by Venus Williams, Raffi Holzer, and Edward Lando. This platform promotes design automation by utilising cutting-edge generative data to craft designs. It uses a three-step process to do this. You upload a photo of a space, describe your vision to Vinci, Palazzo's AI assistant, and it generates a 3D visualisation of your ideal space with just the right furniture, decor, and colour schemes.
Palazzo is a ground-breaking leap forward in interior design. This article explores...
Should interior designers incorporate Palazzo in their design process? Let's find out.
Palazzo has shaken the interior design industry, and for good reason. Not only does it shorten an hours-long process to just a few minutes, but it also streamlines the client consultation process.
Four benefits of Palazzo...
Even with as many AI-powered digital tools as there are available, there are still a stigma surrounding these design software advancements. Especially when considering the impact of AI on creativity.
Now, this skepticism is valid. Interior designers only want what's best for the industry, and even the revolutionary Palazzo has its own drawbacks that you should know about.
If you're curious about how the Palazzo AI works, then you're in the right place. We tried the digital platform ourselves and one thing is for sure—the future of interior design does look bright with Palazzo.
First of all, let's talk about customisation with AI. The Palazzo process always starts with the Aesthetic DNA Quiz. It's a two-minute assessment that let's you know what your client is looking for in terms of interior style, colour scheme, and overall mood. This means less discussions and second-guessing. It's as easy as sending them the quiz, having them fill it out, and checking the results afterwards.
Clients also have the option to upload an image of a room they like to incorporate it's style in the room they're looking to renovate. Your Pinterest boards are finally getting put to good use!
We tried this feature ourselves using this image as inspiration...
...and here is the before and after design it created. Quite brilliant, right?
Before
After
On the other hand, Palazzo definitely has several areas that need improvement. The platform often falls short at the face of highly complex requests, which is quite understandable given that it's not a human designer.
Keep an eye out for Palazzo's latest design software advancements. Particularly, the segmentation feature that's currently in the Beta testing phase. This upcoming feature let's you select the specific areas or items you want to change or work on, which allows for more detailed designs!
It's important to remember that professional designers and AI are not enemies. The role of interior designers are still as valuable, even with the birth of new digital tools. AI-powered tools are merely a product of technology integration and are not made to replace the irreplaceable role of human interior designers. In fact, it's safe to say that human expertise is now in greater demand.
Palazzo's true power lies in its ability to empower designers and increases the efficiency of the interior design process. Whilst Palazzo's AI capabilities can streamline initial consultations, generate personalised design options for clients, and explore new design possibilities, it will never be perfect. An experienced designer can fill in these gaps and translate personal needs and preferences into a space that is not only beautiful, but also functional and reflects the personality of the homeowner.
Ultimately, the future of interior design will continue to shine bright with the collaboration of AI tools and the expertise of human designers.
Overall, Palazzo is a wondrous platform that no interior designer should judge without trying. With its AI-powered features, it streamlines client communication, efficiently redesign spaces, and automates idea generation. This saves interior designers the money and effort spent on 3D visualising spaces, and frees up more time for meaningful consultations.
While it has a multitude of benefits, there are still designers who remain skeptical about AI affecting personalisation and creativity. Platforms like this can lead to over-reliance on AI tools and may result in low-quality designs.
However, keep in mind that these technological advancements are not made to harm designers. In fact, it is developed with the goal of making things easier for them. The collaboration between AI tools, like Palazzo, and human designers ensures a bright future for interior design—one where technology complements and empowers human expertise rather than replacing it.
Another client enquiry, wedding bells are ringing—oh wait, or are they alarm bells!
All professionals in the wedding industry know that fake enquiries and attempted scams are rife—even industry leading platforms such as The Knot have been accused of sending out fake enquiries to their users in order to boost revenue and user retention.
In order to keep your wedding planning business secure, you'll need to keep a look out of fake client enquiries that waste your time and resources. Let's work together to stop wedding scammers and promote safe wedding planning for all.
In this article, you'll learn how to protect your wedding planning business (and your time!) by exploring...
A fake wedding enquiry (also known as a scam) is a deceitful request for wedding planning services, typically made with the intent to mislead or manipulate the recipient. Such enquiries involve fake names and details about the wedding, and always sound too good to be true.
Most wedding planners receive at least one fake enquiry throughout their career. But unfortunately false enquiries for some, it's a daily occurrence—a random email drifts into your inbox offering you a huge wedding project. Except, it's the same email over and over again under a different name. Scam alert!
People send fake enquiries for various reasons. Some individuals seek to gather information for malicious purposes, such as identity theft or fraud. Others may be conducting research for personal gain, competitive analysis, or simply for entertainment. In some cases, fake enquiries may be part of a larger scam or scheme aimed at exploiting wedding vendors or planners.
Despite the rampancy of wedding enquiry scams, a lot of planners still fall for them. Especially, new wedding planners who are hungry for new leads. The potential consequences of falling for a fake enquiry are profound. It's frustrating. Not only can it waste valuable time and resources, but also cause privacy breaches and financial losses.
On the bright side, fake enquiries always have distinguishable characteristics and often follow a pattern. Protect your wedding planning business by keeping an eye out of the following signs of a fake wedding enquiry:
While there is always a risk of receiving fake enquiries, that doesn't mean everything is a scam. In fact, some genuine clients simply like to follow templates in their enquiries to make sure they cover everything. Plus, clients naturally enquire with several planners and vendors to find the ones that best suits their needs.
Four ways to verify a wedding enquiry...
Planning a wedding is a whirlwind, and sifting through genuine enquiries from tire-kickers can be a time-consuming hassle. So here's a quick guide to help you separate the "I do's" from the "don't bothers."
Foremost, a genuine couple will personalise their message. They'll mention details about their wedding date, venue (if chosen), or guest count. They might even express specific questions, compliments on your work, or come clean about knowing nothing about where to start.
Fake enquiries, on the other hand, will often be generic greetings like "Dear Sir/Madam" or even lack a salutation altogether. The body of the email might be a copy-and-paste job sent to multiple vendors, mentioning nothing about your specific services.
A real wedding enquiry should be something like this...
"Hi [name],
I stumbled upon your portfolio on Instagram and was captivated by your stunning floral arrangements! My partner and I are planning a romantic garden wedding with an expected guest size of 50-100 in May 2025. Could you please provide us with more information about your availability and wedding packages?"
Not like this...
"Hello dear,
I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to inquire for your wedding planning services. Please send me details and I hope to get a good package that is best for our needs."
Couples with a genuine desire to book you will often mention a budget range or at least indicate their budget as a consideration. This opens a conversation about how your services can fit their needs. They could say...
"We have a budget of $20,000 for our wedding and are hoping to find vendors who can help us create a memorable day within this range. We value quality and creativity and are open to suggestions that align with our budget and vision."
On the other hand, fake enquirers are always rich. They will most likely agree with whatever rates you declare and rush to payment with no questions asked.
Couples who are serious about booking with a wedding planner are never in a rush. Understanding how much needs to get done for a wedding, their wedding dates are usually around six months to a year ahead. They should also be open to a few consultations and might ask for your availability or suggest a timeframe for a call to discuss the details.
A genuine enquiry might say...
"My partner and I are beginning to plan our wedding, which we're hoping to hold next summer. We're taking our time to explore different venues and vendors to ensure we find the perfect fit for our special day. Could you please provide us with more information about your services and availability?"
Conversely, fake enquiries often exhibit a sense of urgency with requests for immediate responses or services. This rushed demeanor may indicate an attempt to pressure vendors into making hasty decisions or overlook potential red flags. In addition, some recent scams have unrealistic requests like a 'surprise wedding.'
A fake wedding enquiry might say...
"Need wedding planner for my wedding next month, 24 May 2024. Please reply ASAP."
Unfortunately, there's no way for you to prevent spam or fake enquiries. Some platforms like WeddingWire can help by alarming you of potential scams, but it's not always a guarantee.
Firstly and most importantly, what you can do is ignore these enquiries. As soon as you've verified that it's a fake, cut contact with that person altogether. Better yet, mark them as spam and block their emails.
Secondly, never open attachments from enquiries. All wedding details can be typed within the email or discussed directly via call. There shouldn't be a need for you to open attached files.
Thirdly, verify everything. Search up the enquirer's name and social media, and try to find as much information as possible before responding. This applies for payments as well, as they can send you fake cheques and receipts.
Pro Tip: If you do fall for a fake wedding enquiry, report the scammer to the authorities and get in touch with a lawyer. The perpetrator can be sentenced under the Fraud Act 2006 under false representation or obtaining services dishonestly.
Wedding planning is a fulfilling career. However, just like any other business, it is fraught with challenges like the rise of fake wedding enquiries targeting wedding planners and other vendors. These often use fake names, lack personalisation, and exhibit rushed behavior.
As a wedding planner, it's essential to spot even the tiniest of red flags to keep your wedding business safe. The most common signs are requests for personal information, refusal to engage in voice or video calls, poor spelling and grammar, and unrealistic budget offers.
To verify enquiries, make sure to check with other planners, verify the enquirer's business credentials, authenticate vendors, and invite them on a call to discuss details directly. Always remember, it's better to be safe than sorry!
The interior design industry is no stranger to innovation. Designers have always embraced fresh ideas to create dream spaces. In this AI-age, for instance, there is a rapid development of interior design digital tools made to boost client engagement and streamline the design process—one of which is Typeform.
In an industry where first impressions are everything, Typeform can transform the way interior designers interact with clients for the better. It automates your business and builds stronger client relationships by creating interior design consultation forms that are actually worth filling out.
How does Typeform revolutionise the way interior design businesses connect with clients? This article explores...
Is Typeform a useful tool for your interior design business? Let's find out.
Before you can wow clients with your design chops, you need a full understanding of your client's vision to establish a strong foundation for the project. This is where Typeform comes in handy.
Typeform is an online platform that lets you ditch the dry, traditional forms and create interactive experiences that feel more like a conversation. Conditional logic tailors the experience by asking specific questions based on their initial answers. This leads to higher completion rates and richer data about your clients' needs and preferences.
Beyond initial consultations, Typeform also lets you create all types of forms for various purposes. You can create design preference quizzes to understand a client's style in a fun and interactive way. Build feedback surveys to gather valuable insights on your proposals and completed projects. Or set up easy-to-use signup forms to streamline the registration process for events.
Three ways to use Typeform in interior design:
Final verdict: Is Typeform worth it?If you're looking for a go signal to invest in Typeform, then you've found what you're looking for! Typeform is overall an innovative AI tool for interior designers that eases client interactions through user-friendly forms. It replaces traditional forms with engaging conversational experiences, allowing designers to collect detailed client preferences and streamline processes. From initial data collection to lead generation and event registrations, Typeform enhances client engagement and business automation for interior design businesses.
The world of interior design thrives on strong interior design client engagement. In today's fast-paced world, traditional methods can sometimes feel clunky. So if you're still not incorporating smart digital collaboration tools in your business, then you're missing out.
By using client collaboration platforms, you can transform client communication, streamline workflows, and foster a more collaborative environment. This enhances the design experience and lead to happier clients, higher project satisfaction, and ultimately, a thriving interior design business business.
This article will explore...
Client collaboration in interior design is the ongoing partnership between a designer and client. Regular communication and feedback are the cornerstones of successful collaboration. By working together, you and your client continuously refine the design to ensure it meets their vision, needs, and goals. This helps avoid costly revisions down the line.
Technology has and continues to revolutionise the interior design process. The development of digital collaboration tools and cloud-based interior design software allow real-time collaboration, making communication more seamless than ever. Now, you can communicate, share 3D designs, and receive feedback from your client all in one platform. This keeps both you and your client at the same page every step of the way.
With a plethora of client collaboration platforms available to interior designers, it can be a challenge to pick one that's just right for you. To take the load off your shoulder, here is a quick list of the best online client collaboration tools that every interior design business should have.
If you're looking for a simple and visually-pleasing client collaboration platform, have a go at Visualist!
On Visuaist, you can set up dedicated client hubs and use to-do lists and automations with its integrated business management platform. This allows you to keep track of all your projects based on priority. Visualist also comes with your very own AI assistant for help with important tasks like creating proposals, invoices, and questionnaires. Cherry on top, it makes the design process seamless with its smart algorithms like object detection, smart collaging, and AI-powered search.
Everything you need in one single space—not another tab.
Tired of dry, traditional forms that kill engagement? Typeform lets you create interactive experiences that feel more like a conversation. Imagine a signup process that's fun, a feedback survey that feels engaging, or a design quiz that reveals your client's style – all possible with Typeform.
Typeform's conditional logic feature tailors the experience by asking specific questions based on their initial answers. This leads to improved interior design client engagement, higher completion rates, and richer data. Furthermore, your forms can easily be embed on your website for better accessibility. No more emails lost!
Suggested article: (article on Typeform: not published yet)
With Google Drive, you can consolidate all project documents, including floor plans, mood boards, photos of material samples, and communication threads in one place. Designers can allow access to documents like design plans or mood boards so clients can leave some comments when they have time. No more back-and-forth emails or missing files!
Google Drive automatically tracks changes, allowing designers and clients to see how documents have changed and revert to previous versions if needed. You can also integrate cloud-based design tools with Google Drive. This enables designers to upload design revisions directly to the Drive, where clients can provide clear annotations and feedback within the document itself.
Dropbox, similar to Google Drive, acts as a central hub for all project files, including design plans, mood boards, reference images, and communication threads. Certain Dropbox plans allow for simultaneous editing on some file types, enabling both designers and clients to make updates to documents like mood boards or design notes in real-time.
Unlike Google Drive, Dropbox is primarily focused on file storage and sharing and comes at a lower price point. This makes it a good alternative if you're working on a smaller budget.
Zoom is especially valuable for initial consultations, brainstorming sessions, or design presentations where visual cues and real-time reactions are important. Designs are hard to explain with just words and an image—that we all know.
With face-to-face interaction, designers and clients can have richer conversations compared to just emails or text. It also allows designers to share design plans, mood boards, and 3D renderings through screen sharing. Allowing clients to provide immediate feedback and ask questions in real-time.
If you're not incorporating smart digital collaboration tools, then you're seriously missing out. Integrating digital tools into interior design workflows enhances client collaboration by streamlining communication, providing real-time updates, and fostering transparency. This leads to greater efficiency, improved interior design client engagement, and cost savings.
Quick list of the top-performing client collaboration platforms:
A letter to the people-pleasers: you can’t be all things to all people.
Treading the fine line between people-pleasing and customer satisfaction is much easier said than done. Naturally, all business owners want to accept as many clients as possible, put their best foot forward on every project, and maximise client satisfaction at all costs. After all, isn’t that what’s best for business? Not quite…
Unfortunately, working closely with clients, especially in creative, service-based industries, can funnel into people-pleasing behaviour. Instead, finding a balance between meeting client needs and prioritising business growth is key. Ultimately, setting client boundaries can be the difference between succeeding and sinking.
The pitfalls of people-pleasing are difficult to identify. People-pleasing behaviour stems from a sense of responsibility to make others feel good and supported without considering your own needs. It can also be reflected in a strong desire for approval from others. Lastly, it can mean you undermine your values and associate your self-worth with others’ perception of you.
It’s anything but easy to look in the mirror and reflect on your own habits. Self-reflection, however, is the first step to setting healthy boundaries, both within your business and your life!
Allison Kraweic-Thayer is an entrepreneur, certified mindset coach, and recovered people-pleaser. Allison started her career as a psychology and conflict student at a small liberal arts college and is now the proud founder of The Grounded Empath. Over the years, Allison has learned all about the importance of setting boundaries to heal from people-pleasing. As an expert and recovered people-pleaser herself, she now provides her clients with all the tools needed to cultivate a confident and healthy mindset, and a thriving business.
In our conversation with Allison, she addresses all things people-pleasing, setting boundaries, and knowing your self-worth:
This realisation came from noticing it in myself first. In my early twenties I felt a lack of alignment between how I saw myself, and the way I lived my life. I’d always been a bold, confident person but would frequently find myself in situations that didn’t feel good. (Terrible boyfriends, covering extra shifts while already working 3 jobs as a college student, biting my tongue in disagreements). I noticed how much I was editing myself for those around me. And how much I was losing myself in the process.
As I learned more about people-pleasing, (which is also beginning to be referred to as “self-abandoning”), it was so obvious to me that’s what I was doing.
The biggest shift came for me when I realised something I don’t think many do. Repeated people-pleasing tells ourselves that we are inferior. Every time I bit my tongue and adjusted to keep others happy or not “rock the boat”, I was telling myself: “Their comfort is more important than yours.” Once I realised that…. oooof. I couldn’t continue doing that to myself.
I wish it would have been a *snap your fingers you’re healed* situation, but unfortunately there is a lot of unlearning and relearning that needs to happen. It is possible though!
The intention behind your action determines whether you are people-pleasing, or simply being a kind, supportive person. Let’s look at an example:
You are hiring a photographer for an event. You post online and your uncle replies that he has a pretty good camera and is willing to take pictures. However, you know he’s not the right fit for the event and you’ll need to tell him you’re going with someone else.
If your inner dialogue looks something like this:
“It’s so sweet that Uncle Jim offered to help out. I know his style isn’t quite what we’re looking for here. I’ll send him a message to thank him and let him know we’ll be going with someone else.”
You are probably just being a kind, supportive person.
If it looks a bit more like this:
“Oh man. He isn’t the right fit but I can’t make him feel bad. And my mom probably saw the comment so she’ll ask about it too. He’s family. I don’t want to make things awkward. Maybe I’ll just let him do it? Or maybe I’ll lie and say we aren’t doing the event after all?”
You might be falling into people-pleasing.
The difference here is that in the first example, you are rooted in love and you are choosing clear communication. You aren’t trying to save your uncle or worrying about his feelings. You aren’t making assumptions about his reaction or anyone else’s. You’re simply responding to the situation.
In the people-pleasing example you are falling into something referred to as “Emotophobia” - the fear of negative emotions. You are worried about his feelings, your mom’s feelings, and even your broader family’s feelings because you’re assuming they’ll respond negatively. You employ what I call “defensive niceness” to keep something bad from happening.
People-pleasing as a small business owner is far more common than we realise, and often we try to package it in a “pretty” way, but that doesn’t change what it is.
“Being a perfectionist” is often rooted in self-doubt. So is “being super flexible” or worrying about “being salesy”. I’ve been there, you’re on a sales call and the person thinks it’s too expensive or wants to change up parts of the offer… so in the name of “good customer service” you give a discount, or cut something out.
When you do this, you are not standing in your authority as a business owner. You are letting other people know they can push you around a little, and in the end, it could cost you big, like $8k big, as it did for a woman I know.
This woman provided social media content services for a non-profit. At the beginning of the agreement she “didn’t want to be difficult” so she didn’t put a contract in place. Fast forward to today, she is coming to terms with the fact that she will probably never see the $8000 that she is owed for the work she did for them.
Client boundaries are critically important! Especially if you’re in a relationship where they are contacting you outside of organised sessions. You deserve time off and time unplugged just like everyone else. Many of my clients are in real estate and are contending with the need to be constantly available to clients, no matter what. I once spoke with a man who missed a really sweet moment at his son’s wedding because he had stepped out during dinner to take a client call. Clients are important of course, but remember that you are a human as well and life is bigger than just your work.
This is where I recommend letting boundaries be flexible and/or providing context. I’ve heard horror stories from friends, one whose coach decided to move to Bali 1 month into a 6 month arrangement and now would only be available for calls between 9pm and 1a local time for my friend. The coach was entirely unwilling to shift this boundary and expected everyone to adjust around her. Understandably, my friend (the client) definitely had their satisfaction compromised.
However, it is possible for boundaries to be flexible too. I always tell clients that boundaries can be a tall cement wall with barbed wire at the top, or they can be like a gentle row of sunflowers separating your yard from the neighbours. You might have a boundary that you prefer not to work on weekends. However, the dreamiest dream client is booked solid and only available to meet to discuss their wedding planning on Saturdays. You can choose to adjust that boundary in this case, without letting it go entirely.
It is also helpful to provide context, if it feels relevant. Perhaps a client repeatedly pushes you for an afternoon meeting when you have deliberately set your schedule up to be done by 2pm. It could be helpful to share your reasoning with them to help them understand. Perhaps you say something like: “I know you’d like to shift our meeting time to 4pm, but as I’ve stated, I am not available after 2pm. I pick up my kids at 2:30p and am fully present in family time from then on.” This helps the client feel heard and will likely also get them to stop pressuring for a later meeting.
Setting boundaries and standing up for yourself is never about being mean, or being right, or proving anything. I always encourage clients to come into those experiences envisioning their neutral Higher Self. The Ego often wants to get defensive and fight back, but this is generally not what you want as a business owner. If that anger starts to well up, take a breath and decide if now is the best time for the conversation.
If it seems like you are too activated to navigate calmly, perhaps say: “I hear what you are saying and need some time to work through my thoughts and feelings. Could we reconnect tomorrow to talk about this?”
If clients are turned off by you standing up for yourself, ask yourself if this is a client you really want to have on your roster.
To me, cherishing yourself is about loving yourself unconditionally. It’s not “I’ll love myself when I finally book that one year retainer client.” Or “I’ll finally feel validated in my business when I book a $20k event.” Or, “I need to be booked out for the whole season before I feel like I’m good enough.”
All of this people-pleasing healing starts with the mindset, and when your mindset is one of cherishing yourself like the once-in-a-lifetime gift that you are… you tend not to get sucked into people-pleasing.
In my life as a female business owner who cherishes herself, this looks like: having a weekly schedule that works for me (no calls on Mondays or Fridays), not pressuring myself to hit posting goals on social media, not taking it personally if someone says no when I make an offer, trusting myself and my ideas enough to show up online talking about them, saying what I want to say in my content and not worrying about what people will say, to name a few ways.
Figure out what boundaries feel necessary and why. Like the earlier example, are you picking up kids and not available for calls later in the day? Or maybe you know you function better with a slow morning, so you don’t take any calls till after lunch. Maybe you’re in interior design, and you desire boundaries around the edits your clients can make before there are additional charges. (It’s one thing to swap out a piece of art, and another thing to totally change the direction and require you to basically re-do your work).
Plan what you want to say, and for how they may react. It’s helpful to have a plan going into the conversation. Knowing what you want to communicate and how you’d like to move forward gives you an excellent place to ground in the conversation. You can also plan for how they may respond. Perhaps you need to set a boundary with a bride who is violating your “office hours” boundary by calling you at all hours of the day. Of course you want the conversation to go smoothly, but what if it doesn’t? How will you respond if she takes it personally or gets upset? Those kinds of unknowns can feel super frightening, so do yourself a favour and just make some mental notes ahead of time.
Remember your worthiness to set this boundary and tune into it before the conversation. If you’re a people-pleaser, you may very well try to talk yourself out of setting the boundary. Tune into that energy of cherishing yourself. You deserve to set this boundary and how other people react is more telling of them. Give yourself time before the chat to get in your most confident headspace. Make sure you feel grounded and connected to what you want to say. I also recommend having some space planned for after the conversation to decompress and process.
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