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The Interior Collective
The Interior Collective

The Interior Collective

A podcast for the business of beautiful living presented by IDCO Studio. The Interior Collective is equal parts advisor, collaborator, and trusted friend to interior designers around the world. I’m your host, Anastasia Casey -- bringing in interior designers and industry tastemakers to provide you with actionable advice for your own practice from experts you already trust. Our star-studded lineup features industry-renowned names such as Amber Lewis, Heidi Callier, Shea McGee, Marie Flanigan, Jake Arnold, Clara Jung, Carley Summers, Gail Davis, Lindsey Borchard, Lauren Liess, Light & Dwell, Victoria Sass, Megan Grehl and so many more. We’ve assigned each guest a specific topic, for truly actionable, inspiring and strategic takeaways from each episode.

Available Episodes 10

Use code Podcast15 to save 15% off sitewide at www.idco.studio

Welcome back to season 5 of The Interior Collective, a podcast for the business of beautiful living. I’m your host, Anastasia Casey - founder of IDCO Studio, Kwin Made, Design Camp, and of course, The Interior Collective. Today, we are beyond excited to have a very special guest—Jean Stoffer, the renowned interior designer, entrepreneur, and founder of Jean Stoffer Design. Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Jean has built a nationally recognized design firm that’s known for its classic, elegant style, with projects featured in top design magazines and her own TV show, The Established Home, on Magnolia Network.

But what makes Jean’s story even more compelling is that this isn’t just a solo endeavor. Jean has built a true family business—her daughter, Grace Start, is her design partner, her sons, John, Daniel, and David all play key roles, and together they’ve grown their brand to include not only design services but also a retail shop, a coffee cafe, product lines and a custom cabinetry line.

In this episode, Jean will be sharing her journey of building a successful business, the joys and challenges of working with family, and how they’ve created a unique synergy that has propelled their brand to new heights.

Subscribe on Patreon for bonus materials.

Save 15% site wide at www.idco.studio with promo code Podcast15.

 

In the lead episode of Season 5 of The Interior Collective, we welcome interior designer and entrepreneur, Kate Marker, to discuss diversifying revenue and managing multiple business models. Kate Marker shares her journey in the interior design industry, highlighting her innovative approach to diversifying revenue streams through her design studio, retail brand, and short-term rental business. She discusses the importance of a cohesive team structure, the transition to larger projects, and the impact of hiring a business consultant. Kate also reflects on the challenges and growth experienced during the COVID pandemic, particularly in the realm of e-commerce. In this conversation, Anastasia and Kate discuss the multifaceted nature of the business, which includes a design studio, e-commerce, and vacation rentals. Kate shares insights on the challenges of shipping, the importance of property management, and the financial aspects of running short-term rentals. Kate also highlights the intangible benefits of her vacation properties, such as content creation and family memories, and discusses the future growth of her brand, including the launch of her new book.

Subscribe on Patreon for unlimited access to bonus materials of all five seasons and save with an annual membership.

Use code Podcast15 to save 15% off sitewide at www.idco.studio

Welcome back to The Interior Collective Podcast! I’m Anastasia Casey, your host and founder of The Interior CollectiveIDCO StudioKwin Made and co-host of Design Camp. In another life, I might have been an interior designer myself, but instead, I’ve dedicated my career to creating digital spaces and building communities that celebrate and elevate great design.

The Interior Collective is more than just a podcast—it’s a lifestyle destination and an online community that celebrates The Inside of Home. We offer project tours from designers around the world, share exclusive interviews with industry tastemakers, and curate content that strikes the perfect balance between informative and aspirational. I’m passionate about empowering interior designers to not only elevate their client experience but also find financial freedom and stability through their creative careers. We invite you to submit your projects for publication on The Interior Collective, which you can always do so linked in our show notes.

Before we dive into this season, let me take a moment to share what we’re doing at IDCO Studio. If you’re looking to streamline your interior design business, define your client experience, or elevate your brand to reflect the spaces you design, IDCO Studio is here to support you every step of the way. We’ve served thousands of interior designers around the world through a collection of beautifully designed, high-quality website templates, branding suites, and essential business tools tailored specifically for interior designers. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your existing brand, we offer a range of investments to meet you at any budget, so you can focus on what matters most—creating beautiful, memorable spaces for your clients.

Additionally, our award winning design team has created custom projects for top designers like Amber Lewis, Nate Berkus, Marie Flanigan, Carley Summers and more through our creative studio, Kwin Made. Whether you’re looking for a plug-and-play solution to your business needs or an entirely bespoke solution, our team is excited to serve you.

We’ve come a long way since launching in 2016. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built—a collaborative space where designers can not only showcase their work but also build a brand that’s deeply personal and reflective of their style and values. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of connecting with some of the industry’s most innovative minds, which has fueled my inspiration and helped expand our dedicated team of experts.

This season, we’re diving even deeper into what it takes to create spaces that not only look beautiful but feel exceptional. We’ll be sitting down with the most seasoned interior designers, general contractors, product developers, and so many other industry experts who truly shape the way we live and experience our homes. From old home renovations to new builds, we’re exploring every aspect of design and the collaborative relationships that bring these visions to life.

And with our dream of turning The Interior Collective into something physical, I’m thrilled to announce that our new appointment-only showroom in Austin has officially opened its doors. It’s a curated collection of vintage, one-of-a-kind, and female-made pieces, plus collaborations with some of our closest friends in upholstery, textiles, art, and more. It’s a space where you can see, touch, and experience the pieces that make a house feel like a home. So whether you’re booking a private shopping experience or looking to memo those final styling pieces for an upcoming shoot, we’ve got a little something special waiting for you.

Here at The Interior Collective, we believe that someone else’s success will never hinder yours. We’re committed to leading by example and fostering a community that embraces inclusivity, creativity, and connection. I can’t wait to share this season with you, and I hope it leaves you inspired to create something truly memorable—both in your business and in your home.

Let’s get started!

Josh Jarboe, Vice President of Sales at Four Hands, discusses how to best leverage your relationships with trade vendors to maximize profitability. In today's episode, Anastasia fires off rapid fire questions you should ask every trade partner, and Four Hands delivers on every answer. From simplifying pricing tiers to easy-to-navigate self-serf options, and a killer customer support team, selecting Four Hands as a primary trade vendor can improve your bottom line without increasing your client's costs. Four Hands is committed to making the design process easy, enjoyable, and profitable for designers.

Open a Four Hands trade account today: fourhands.com/theinteriorcollective

 

This episode of the Interior Collective podcast focuses on pricing as an interior designer, covering topics such as overhead expenses, time billing, flat rates, and procurement fees. Lindsay Borchard of Lindsay Brook Design shares insights and strategies for pricing services, including the importance of transparency and data-driven decision-making. The conversation delves into the details of pricing models, billing structures, and the impact of overhead expenses on pricing strategies. The conversation covers various aspects of interior design business operations, including procurement fees, receiving warehouse costs, project management billing, and increasing profitability. Lindsay shares insights on transitioning to flat rate pricing, managing client expectations, and optimizing business processes. She also discusses strategies for increasing revenue without raising hourly rates and emphasizes the importance of client experience and industry knowledge sharing.

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Design Camp

Lindsey Brooke Design Instagram
Lindsey Brooke Design Website

Brad, the founder of AFT Construction, shares his journey in the construction industry and the importance of collaboration between designers and builders. He emphasizes the need for effective communication and alignment of vision between the two parties. Brad also discusses the role of a superintendent in ensuring the success of a project and the importance of proper supervision. He highlights the value of pre-construction meetings and page turns to ensure that everyone is on the same page. Brad also addresses the issue of budgeting and the division of responsibilities between designers and builders when it comes to purchasing materials and furnishings. In this conversation, Brad Leavitt, owner of AFT Construction, discusses the importance of technology in the construction industry and how it can improve communication and transparency between contractors, designers, and clients. He emphasizes the use of tools like Buildertrend and Bluebeam to streamline project management and collaboration. Brad also shares insights on maintaining budget discipline, providing accurate bids, and value engineering. He highlights the significance of strong leadership and company culture in maintaining high morale and expectations within the team. Lastly, he discusses the value of social media in marketing and building a brand.

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For any custom projects, please inquire at Kwin Made

Brad Leavitt Instagram 
Brad Leavitt Podcast
AFT Construction Website

Tiffany Piotrowski, owner of Tiffany Leigh Design, discusses the power of pivoting in business and the decisions that inform those pivots. She shares her journey as a business owner, including starting her own design blog, working for a well-known interior design firm, and eventually starting her own business. Tiffany talks about a pivotal moment when she realized she needed to shift her focus back to design and let go of her online shop. She emphasizes the importance of listening to your gut and being flexible in business. Tiffany also discusses how she communicates changes to her team and clients and the balance between growth and financial stability.


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Shop Our Products at IDCO Studio
For any custom projects, please inquire at Kwin Made

Book a consultation with Tiffany
Tiffany Leigh Design Instagram
Tiffany Leigh Design Website

Access all bonus material now on Patreon at patreon.com/TheInteriorCollective incuding this week's New Project Marketing Plan download.

This week on the Interior Collective Podcast, we sat down with Lindye Galloway, an Orange Country, California, designer and shop owner to talk about her strategies for setting her firm apart and developing a distinct point of view in an area that is super saturated with designers. Lindye walks us through her transition from wedding designer to interior designer as she and her husband embark on a renovation just weeks after the birth of their son, Theo, and how it works now that he has joined the business. She candidly shares how she pieced her business together, always keeping her vision in mind and maintaining a stylistic thread while designing homes around the country, and how innovation and competition can propel you forward.

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Shop Our Products at IDCO Studio
For any custom projects, please inquire at Kwin Made

Lindye Galloway

 

Download our guide to pricing your services as an interior designer now on Patreon at patreon.com/theinteriorcollective. 

Hema Persad, founder of Sagrada Studio, discusses her approach to billing as an interior designer. She explains the onboarding and design discovery phase, as well as the billing structure at each phase of her process. Hema emphasizes the importance of being clear about the fee structure and having expectations outlined in the contract. She also talks about the significance of tracking hours and project profitability. Hema believes in open discussions about money in the industry to set realistic and fair industry standards. In this conversation, Anastasia discusses various aspects of billing and client management in interior design, while Hema expands her approach to collecting funds for accessories and artwork, as well as how she handles retainer fees and invoices. Hema also shares her thoughts on hourly rates for install and project management, as well as the challenges of hiring and managing a team. She emphasizes the importance of tracking time and managing finances, and discusses the benefits of remote work. Additionally, she talks about the impact of visibility and recognition on billing and client acquisition, and shares her excitement about upcoming projects and collaborations.

 

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IDCO Studio Instagram 
Shop Our Products at IDCO Studio
For any custom projects, please inquire at Kwin Made

Hema Persad
Sagrada Studio

Want to hear more from Hema Persad, listen to her episode on Design Perspectives with Gail M. Davis

Today, interior designer and 2 time author Brian Paquette is serving a masterclass in lighting design. Brian’s breaking down the concept of lighting plans, how to create one, and budget allocations. I find it particularly fascinating because of the importance of harnessing light in the Pacific Northwest where Brian’s based.

Our conversation really emphasizes the importance of understanding clients' needs and preferences during initial conversations and tailoring the lighting plan accordingly, while balancing aesthetic and function when selecting light fixtures.

Brian is also offering a peek into his latest book ‘Outside In’, which finds a deeper meaning in design. Find sample lighting plans from some of Brian Paquette’s portfolio of work in the bonus materials section of Patreon. Access them now at Patreon.com/TheInteriorCollective or book an Expert call with Brian directly.

 

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Shop Our Products at IDCO Studio
For any custom projects, please inquire at Kwin Made

Brian Paquette
Outside In: Interiors Born from Nature 
Lighting Plan Reel