We met with Tze Chun, founder of Uprise Art, an online gallery for the next generation of art collectors. Uprise Art is on a mission to deliver the gallery experience directly to you so you can discover emerging artists “who have a unique view of the world and a conceptually compelling artistic practice”. Uprise Art has also become a go-to destination for designers to find that perfect statement piece for a design project, or, create an impressive gallery wall for a client. Tze discusses how Uprise Art changes the way people discover, buy, and collect art online, the impact of technology on the art world, and strategic ways designers can help guide their clients to purchase art.

Photos courtesy of Uprise Art

How did you get where you are today?
Tze Chun: I live in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn and Uprise Art is based in Soho. I started Uprise Art seven years ago to create a new kind of gallery experience. For a new art collector, it’s hard to know where to start. Uprise Art makes it easier for people to discover, collect, and engage with original art.

Photo by Genevieve Garruppo

How does Uprise Art change the way people can buy and collect art online?
TC: Traditional art galleries can be intimidating and hard to navigate. Uprise Art makes it easy to collect original one-of-a-kind artwork. We offer complimentary art advisory, where our in-house art advisors help people find the perfect pieces for their homes or offices. Collectors can learn more about the artist and artwork through the online gallery and the Uprise Art Journal, which features interviews with artists as well as virtual studio visits and home tours with our collectors.

“Uprise Art makes it easier for people to discover, collect, and engage with original art.”

Photo by Genevieve Garruppo

What is your criteria and process for sourcing contemporary art from emerging artists?
TC: We look for artists who have a unique view of the world and a conceptually compelling artistic practice. There are many artists creating beautiful work; we’re focused on artists who go one step further and create work that is memorable and meaningful.

Photo by Genevieve Garruppo

How is Uprise Art different from the other online art gallery marketplaces out there?
TC: We’re highly curated and work closely with our artists and collectors. Whereas marketplaces have endless options but often not enough information, Uprise Art is a gallery first and foremost, and we represent a select number of artists and do the work of finding the best artists. We also offer complimentary art advisory for collectors (and interior designers!). Instead of relying on filtering and sorting, like Amazon and most e-commerce platforms do, our advisors help you discover new artists and fall in love with artwork that you may not have known how to search for.

“There are many artists creating beautiful work; we’re focused on artists who go one step further and create work that is memorable and meaningful.”

Photo by Alisha Siegel

In your opinion, how has technology affected the art world?

TC: With so many visual platforms like Instagram and Pinterest, people are now more accustomed to processing visual information. They are regularly curating and collecting, even if only through online boards and feeds, and training their eye. It’s very empowering that people are more in tune with their own tastes and aesthetic interests. As a gallery owner, I think technology helps people more quickly identify when a piece of art really speaks to them.

Photo by Genevieve Garruppo, Design by Workshop/APD

Tell us about your “Art Under $800” section of your platform…
TC: There are two sections of our website, “Discover” and “Art Under $800”. Both feature only one-of-a-kind, original artwork. We launched “Art Under $800” last year as a way to highlight affordable pieces (some start at $60!), and help new collectors start collecting unique pieces.

Photo by Genevieve Garruppo

How does the Uprise Art Installment Plan work exactly?
TC: For any works in the Discover section, we offer a simple installment plan of 10 months or 20 months, with no interest. With our installment plan, collectors can live with art now, while purchasing over time.

Photo by Genevieve Garruppo, Design by Workshop/APD

What kind of consultation services do you offer interior designers?

TC: We are the go-to art source for many interior designers and architects and no project is too small or too large. From coordinating a gallery wall to finding a statement piece or outfitting an entire home with original artwork, we work closely with designers to find artwork that complements their vision and fits their client’s budget.

Photo by Genevieve Garruppo

How does the Uprise Art experience ease the sourcing, buying and shipping process for interior designers?

TC: We provide a full suite of artwork services for designers and their clients. From complementary art curation and recommendations on placement to coordinating custom framing and shipping, our advisors take care of art needs from start to finish. Based on a designer’s mood boards, or floor plans (or even just iPhone photos or a phone call!), we curate a selection of artwork options to be shared with their clients. Whatever the timeline, we help with all the logistics, from large-scale projects to last-minute framing, and we also offer special trade-only discounts.

“From coordinating a gallery wall to finding a statement piece or outfitting an entire home with original artwork, we work closely with designers to find artwork that complements their vision and fits their client’s budget.”

Photo by Genevieve Garruppo

What are 3 tips of “best practices” to offer interior designers for making the most out of Uprise Art?
1) Connect with a personal art advisor at advisors@upriseart.com

2) Share project notes with your advisor, such as: photos of the space, dimensions, mood boards,
and budget. Let them know if there were specific artists in the online gallery that caught your eye!

3) When your advisor curates artwork options, narrow down to your favorites before presenting
options to your client.

Photo by Alexandra Rowley, Design by StudioDB

For the designers dealing with clients who don’t know “where to start” with art but want to purchase, what are some strategic ways to understand a client’s needs?

TC: Art and design are similar in that artwork should be an expression of a client’s interests, style and lifestyle. At the end of the day, it’s about finding artwork that the client loves, so the journey of discovering artwork is important in order to arrive at the right piece. If clients don’t know where to start, we suggest keeping an open mind and making sure clients know the story behind the artwork and the artist. Sometimes clients will say they like one kind of art, but the piece they end up falling in love with is completely different, so we always cast the net wide in terms of medium and style, and find works that resonate with the client because of their subject matter or story. Designers also have the option of putting clients directly in touch with one of our art advisors- they’ll be in great hands!

“At the end of the day, it’s about finding artwork that the client loves, so the journey of discovering artwork is important in order to arrive at the right piece.”

Photo by Genevieve-Garruppo, Design by Nina Freudenberger and Bryn Schuyler of Haus Interior

What’s next for Uprise Art?

TC: We’ve had a few art fairs and exhibitions lined up for 2018, we’re working on a number of exciting projects with architects here in NYC, and, a few across the country as well. Curating for these large spaces is a thrill because we’re able to really craft the experience of the space through artwork. As always, we’re constantly growing our roster of artists and finding new pieces to introduce to collectors.

Ivy is the # 1 software for designers. To learn more about Ivy, schedule a demo with an Ivy Guru who can show you how designers use Ivy to streamline their workflow and make more time for what they love, design.

We met with Amy Frederickson, founder of Revitaliste, a company which offers full-service furniture revitalization. Think about all of the design projects you’ve worked on when your client had this old yet sad sofa chair that they just had to keep, and you thought to yourself, “That piece is not staying in this room”. Now, it’s easier than ever to transform those items into new and refreshed pieces of furniture that your clients will truly love (and will look good in your finished space!). Revitaliste’s mission is to make it simple to breathe new life into treasured pieces, whether it be a family heirloom or a flea market find. Amy shares how the Revitaliste process works, how Revitaliste typically works with interior designers, and her take on embracing technology in the design industry.

Amy, you started Revitaliste as an end-to-end, streamlined service for revitalizing vintage and pre-owned furnishings. Can you walk us through this unique, enjoyable, and frustration-free process?

Amy Frederickson: I started Revitaliste to make the furniture revitalization process transparent, convenient, and easy-to-navigate. From start to finish, the process is entirely online, so you don’t have to leave your home to give your favorite pieces a makeover. After filling out a quick questionnaire on our website to give us a sense of what you’d like to do – whether a major transformation or a subtle revamp – we’ll get back to you with a detailed quote within just one day. We also have an online design service and dedicated team available to provide design guidance with a curated selection of fabrics and finishes for your piece. Scheduling both pick-up and drop-off are also done online, and we’ll keep you up-to-date with how your project is coming along.

“It’s Revitaliste’s mission to leverage online tools to make a once opaque industry navigable for anyone who wants to revitalize their furnishings.”

Photo by Guillermo Gusils

Revitaliste is based in San Francisco…how does the culture and design scene in this city impact business?

AF: When I moved from New York to San Francisco 7 years ago, I was struck by the city’s distinct beauty: its mix of cultures, unique architecture and access to stunning naturescapes. That combination is undoubtedly what has drawn so many creatives to the Bay Area. For Revitaliste, San Francisco couldn’t be a better homebase. There is a deep pool of talented and dedicated artisans throughout the Bay Area. We’re partnering with many of San Francisco’s celebrated interior designers on projects throughout the Bay Area and beyond. And of course, San Francisco is known as the center of innovation and disruption in tech: it’s Revitaliste’s mission to leverage online tools to make a once opaque industry navigable for anyone who wants to revitalize their furnishings.

Photo by Victoria Smith (SF Girl by Bay)

What are some of the most popular pieces customers bring in to be revitalized?

AF: All types of mid-century modern pieces are common candidates for revitalization these days. We restore a lot of vintage Knoll, Dunbar, Henredon furniture and seating designed by Milo Baughman, and Vladimir Kagan. We also revitalize a lot of our clients’ heirloom pieces – dining tables and chairs, bergere chairs, writing desks, and more. We are also increasingly transforming newly made pieces from brands like Ballard Design, CB2, or West Elm for our interior design clients who like the lines and price points of these pieces, but want to customize them to be more unique.

“We provide a lot of technical and design guidance to designers to ensure that the design details they’re specifying are feasible, look fabulous and will last over time.”

Poppy Lynch Photography

And what are some of your most popular fabrics?

AF: One of our most popular options is to use indoor/outdoor fabrics, especially for families with young children or pets. Indoor/outdoor fabrics have come a long way since the awning stripe – companies like Schumacher now print many of their classic designs on indoor/outdoor fabric. Perennials is one of our most popular indoor/outdoor options because of the great “hand” of the fabric, color selection and price point.

Other popular fabrics are from boutique textile companies we work with like Tulu Textiles, Timorous Beasties, Schuyler Samperton and Voutsa, all of which are featured in the textile library on our website.

Photo by Poppy Lynch Photography, Design by Skin Interior Design

How do you typically work with interior designers?
AF: We really love collaborating with interior designers. Because we live and breath furniture revitalization, we like to think of ourselves as a tool designers can tap into for all their revitalization questions. We provide a lot of technical and design guidance to designers to ensure that the design details they’re specifying are feasible, look fabulous and will last over time.

Photo by Poppy Lynch Photography, Design by Skin Interior Design

Why should designers consider using Revitaliste for client projects?

AF: We’ve heard from our design-professional clients that there are three primary reasons they enjoy working with Revitaliste: 1) the time and cost savings our project management team affords them 2) our thoughtful and expert design guidance, and 3) piece of mind that each project we work on will be flawlessly revitalized.

With Revitaliste handling all of the operational details, interior designers are able to focus on the creative aspects of their projects.

Photo by Annie Meisel, Design by Hancock Design

Recently, you revitalized a dresser into a changing table for Ivy Designer Dina Bandman for her SF Showcase “Lemon Drop Lullaby”….can you tell us about that project?

AF: Dina Bandman of Dina Bandman Interiors was amazing to collaborate with; she’s got an incredible aesthetic! We helped her transform a very “fussy” dresser into a super chic and totally bespoke changing table. Dina had a strong vision of what she wanted to create and we helped her determine the best techniques to achieve that design. We removed some of the intricate trellis fretwork on the drawer fronts. We lacquered the entire piece in a custom-color grey and then manually added striation (using a ruler and razor blade!) to give the piece more depth. And finally, we replaced the drawer pulls with custom-made brass escutcheons to hang the lemon yellow tassels.

Photo by Christopher Stark, Design by Dina Bandman Interiors

Can you offer designers some tips or best practices for making the most out of Revitaliste?

AF: Let us obsess over the details: using Revitaliste saves designers hours spent going to and from workrooms, scheduling movers, and sorting through thousands of fabrics at the design center. We offer complimentary fabric procurement services for designers; we handle the administrative tasks of ordering and tracking fabrics. Additionally, we offer design guidance which can be as collaborative as a designer likes. Consider Revitaliste a design assistant: even the most seasoned interior designers ask us to help source fabrics, finishes and trims for them! And of course on every project, we take care of all the logistics and micro-manage the entire revitalization process.

“Using Revitaliste saves designers hours spent going to and from workrooms, scheduling movers, and sorting through thousands of fabrics at the design center.”

Photo by Poppy Lynch Photography, Design by Skin Interior Design

In your opinion, why should designers embrace the digital age and take advantage of softwares such as Ivy to manage their business operations?

AF: As a startup in the interior design space, Revitaliste understands the amount of work and attention to detail that goes into each and every design project. In comparison to other industries, the home decor industry is still catching up in terms of tech tools: everything from coordinating contractors to sourcing materials is often a manual, laborious process, and designers have to juggle a lot of moving parts to keep a project on track. We love that Ivy has created software specific to design project needs, like customizable proposals and tear sheets, which help designers share their vision for revitalization projects super easily.

Photo by Brian Byllesby

What’s next for Revitaliste?

AF: We’ve got a lot happening this year! Firstly, we’re very excited to share that we’ve recently launched Revitaliste in the Los Angeles area. Although we receive projects in our San Francisco workrooms from all over the country, we’re now officially offering our revitalization services on the ground in Los Angeles to accommodate the high demand of projects we’re seeing from this vibrant, design-loving city.

Another exciting development is that this fall, we’ll be launching an online textile library with over 5,000 of our favorite printed textiles, all in one place. These fabrics were curated by our team and pulled from lines at both boutique and established fabric brands, and we’re thrilled to be able to bring them all to a single platform for super easy sourcing. Stay tuned for the launch!

Photo by Poppy Lynch Photography, Design by Skin Interior Design

Ivy is the # 1 software for designers. To learn more about Ivy, schedule a demo with an Ivy Guru who can show you how designers use Ivy to streamline their workflow and make more time for what they love, design.

Behind the Design: Ivy Design Firm Stalburg Design – Birimingham, MI

Barbi – how did you get where you are today?

Barbi Stalburg: I studied at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor for eight years, with a BS in Architecture and a Dual Master’s Degree in Architecture and Urban Planning, which included six months of study in Florence, Italy. It was such an intense time, but it really taught me a lot about thinking outside of the box and space planning. I am grateful now for those years of training and realize that my education truly gave me a solid base to design, as well as run my company.

I am from the suburbs of Detroit, but now spend time in both Birmingham, Michigan and in Washington D.C. where my husband currently resides. We actually take on work in both cities!

Originally, I began working for a small boutique firm that specializes in larger cities and urban environments. We created new outdoor spaces in several small towns and helped to improve the downtown streetscapes. I traveled the country and met with business owners and community organizations, often proposing changes to zoning and site planning in order to create more authentic spaces.

At that point, I decided to put my roots down and spent several years at Hamilton Anderson Associates in Detroit. The talent and dedication from that firm is like none I have ever seen. They have truly helped to reshape the landscape of Detroit and taught me that you can run a business, be successful, and still be nice to everyone you meet. This firm is truly a class act and I am proud to have worked there.

I decided to open up my own company to spend time with my young children and be closer to home. I wanted to create spaces and work, but also be able to pick my kids up on the playground after school. This allowed me to shift the company focus to a smaller scale of design, and we began transitioning to residential and interior architecture.

“You can run a business, be successful, and still be nice to everyone you meet.”

Brett Mountain Photography

How do you apply your years of urban design and project management to your end-to-end design process?

BS: Urban design and residential interior design may seem far off, but they are more similar than people realize. While they are different in scale, thoughtful space planning and cohesive elements make up the building blocks for any physical space. Just as a neighborhood needs to have areas for circulation, rest, safety and interest, designing within the home is the same starting point. When I first transitioned to running my own company, I used to feel that urban design was so much more socially responsible than building just one particular home. My thinking shifted when I realized how valuable it is to provide an authentic and rejuvenating space for our clients. They need a haven and a sanctuary just the same, so they can recharge and head back out into the world play their part.

Brett Mountain Photography

What’s the design scene like in Birmingham, MI?

BS: Birmingham is very heavily saturated with designers! It is an affluent community, and many homeowners are perpetually re-designing and remodeling their existing homes, and new builders pop up every day who are tearing down older structures and creating new homes. Some people are independent consultants who design or decorate part-time. We have found that we fill a very specific niche where our homeowners, builders, and clients not only need material selections, but they require the spacial thinking and planning that comes from architecture training and interior construction drawings to go along with that.

Brett Mountain Photography

Who are your favorite vendors and tradespeople to work with in Birmingham, MI?

BS: I absolutely love working with Advance Plumbing. They are located in Walled Lake, Michigan as well as in Midtown Detroit. Their products range from items we can source for builders who are renovating rental properties in the city to high-end luxury products for kitchens and bathrooms. We also love working with Cercan Tile, they are based in the Michigan Design Center and source really interesting and unique products that make our bathrooms look incredible.

Brett Mountain Photography

How does designing make you feel? What’s your business mantra?

BS: Designing makes me feel authentic. It is a beautiful process to help create someone’s space with their vision, their budget, their unique sense of style. Each and every project comes out of this collaboration, and we take such pride in creating something new and different each time.

I’ve never really had a business mantra, but I can absolutely say that I have never let any obstacle stop me from growing, learning, and trying again. Ever. Not a difficult job, not a mean client, not a construction nightmare. Nothing will get us down for long, and there is always a learning opportunity.

“I have never let any obstacle stop me from growing, learning, and trying again.”

Brett Mountain Photography

Do you attend design conferences and trade shows? If so, which markets and what’s your market strategy?

BS: We attended NeoCon a few years ago in Chicago, we frequent the Merchandise Mart in Chicago as often as we can, and we attend High Point Market in North Carolina for the Spring furniture show. Most of our marketing is done on Houzz.com and we have a very large public profile there. Most of our work comes from people seeing us on Houzz and reading our reviews.

“Most of our work comes from people seeing us on Houzz and reading our reviews.”

Brett Mountain Photography

How much time do you dedicate towards website maintenance and upkeep?

BS: More than you would think! In this day and age, first impressions are everything and we make sure we have the most professional images and up to date posts on all our our online sites. Instagram tends to take a lot longer than other website maintenance.

Brett Mountain Photography

Why did you join Ivy?

BS: Ivy was not on my radar until we started doing more interior design. The more merchandise we began to sell and source, the clearer it became that we needed a software program to help us organize and streamline everything. Now we run all of our invoices through Ivy, while QuickBooks Online is behind the scenes and secondary.

Brett Mountain Photography

How does Ivy help streamline your day-to-day workflow as an interior designer? What’s an Ivy feature you can’t live without?

BS: I can’t say this enough. Ivy has truly changed our business. Our day-to-day workflow used to be inundated with tracking things, small non-billable tasks and correcting mistakes. With Ivy, we have almost cut that entirely from our work day.

We cannot live without the Ivy product library! We have filled it with hundreds of items including plumbing, lighting, hardware, cabinets, countertops, etc. We use it for sourcing construction items as well as furniture and fabrics. Also, I love how we can send proposals that have individual cut sheets and people can pay online. My clients appreciate that level of professionalism, our streamlined approach, and they like being able to pay with a credit card on their end.

“I can’t say this enough. Ivy has truly changed our business. Our day-to-day workflow used to be inundated with tracking things, small non-billable tasks and correcting mistakes. With Ivy, we have almost cut that entirely from our work day.”

Brett Mountain Photography

What have you learned from the community of designers using Ivy?

BS: We connected with a designer who does renderings with Chief Architect, and we have worked with her several times. We have sourced products from other designers if we don’t carry a specific line. The Ivy community has been great and I know I could benefit more from spending more time looking into other ways to connect.

Brett Mountain Photography

How has Ivy transformed your business?

BS: Ivy helped my business become equal parts consultant and product sales. Before Ivy, our revenue mostly came from hourly time or flat fees. We would have clients purchase directly from the lighting store or the plumbing store, or used to take clients to big box retailers for furniture. Now, because we are so streamlined, we purchase everything directly and then sell to the client. We have become more professional as a result.

Brett Mountain Photography

Photography by Brett Mountain Photography

Ivy is the # 1 software for designers. To learn more about Ivy, schedule a demo with an Ivy Guru who can show you how designers use Ivy to streamline their workflow and make more time for what they love, design.

This July, Ivy Designers were all about designing high contrast powder rooms. Notice the dramatic monochromatic use of tile, wallcoverings, cabinetry, and more.

Ivy Design Firm Stephanie Kraus Designs

https://www.instagram.com/p/BllF8UDAjXC/?taken-by=stephaniekrausdesigns

Ivy Design Firm Toledo Geller

https://www.instagram.com/p/BlnVVAjAXDy/?taken-by=toledogeller

Ivy Design Firm Mindy Gayer Design Co.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BlGRSXpHwDt/?taken-by=mindygayerdesign

Ivy Design Firm Widell + Boschetti

https://www.instagram.com/p/BlFvQZwA_SJ/?taken-by=widellboschetti

Ivy Design Firm Jean Stoffer Design

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bk277K1BO1a/?taken-by=jeanstofferdesign

Ivy Design Firm Breathe Design Studio

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bl3uqQqBugc/?taken-by=breathedesign

Ivy Design Firm CAROLYNLEONA

https://www.instagram.com/p/Blt0HiPgIa_/?taken-by=carolynleonadesign

Ivy Design Firm Gingerwood

https://www.instagram.com/p/BlgR1BrhPVL/?taken-by=gingerwooddesign

Ivy Design Firm Design Shop Interiors

https://www.instagram.com/p/BkyxdksgMN8/?taken-by=designshopinteriors

Ivy is the fastest growing community and business management software for interior designers. To learn more about Ivy, schedule a demo with an Ivy Guru who can show you how designers use Ivy to streamline their workflow and make more time for what they love, design.

One of the tricky growing pain points designers face is going about how to hire an assistant. You’re faced with so many questions like, how many hours are needed? How much should I pay them? How do I go about a background check? What should I task my assistant with? Sometimes, designers can feel overwhelmed by these unanswered questions, and will shy away from hiring an assistant all together, just to avoid this “hassle”.

Enter Worldwide101, a premium virtual assistant company on a mission to help professionals (including designers) move their business forward by providing highly skilled assistants they can trust to represent their business and carry out responsible tasks. Founded in 2012, Worldwide101 makes it easy for businesses to access global talent, and operate in international markets. Finding reliable, trustworthy, and competent help is their expertise and their team of experienced, reliable, and vetted virtual assistants are hand-selected to provide personalized and customized support tailored to your business’s needs. They even have assistants proficient in using the business management software, Ivy, to support their designer clients!

Here, Worldwide101 shares their criteria for becoming a Worldwide101 virtual assistant, the common tasks tackled by their team, and how Worldwide101 virtual assistants are hired by designers.

What’s Worldwide101 all about in 140 characters of less?

Worldwide101 is a premium virtual assistant company. We match busy business owners and executives with talented US-based remote staff to support their business for the long-term.

How do you match your clients with the right Worldwide101 Virtual Assistant?

We take a very personalized approach when it comes to suggesting professionals to support our clients. Just as you would hire an in-house assistant based on their skills and values, our hiring methodology includes the same careful consideration of the assistant’s skills and personality type. We believe that it’s key to have a team who not only has the pre-requisite skills and aptitudes, but also, who share your company values so that the partnership can be truly successful over the long term.  

Both our clients and our team choose to work together and this has a huge impact on retention rates. And, we are not the only ones who believe that culture fit is key!

What are the criteria for becoming a Worldwide101 Virtual Assistant?

Worldwide101 is a premium service, and that’s what truly differentiates us from other companies in our industry. We only hire candidates who have at least 7 years of professional experience in their field of specialty – in fact, most of them have more like 15 years! We also thoroughly vet for personality fit and impeccable communication skills. We look for team members who love to see others succeed, who love to make a difference in someone’s day, and who have a keen desire to help businesses grow. To us, it’s all about going above and beyond. We like to say that it just takes a little bit of “extra” to make something extraordinary – we are that extra icing on the cake! Because of our focus on creating long-term relationships, we also carefully examine our candidate’s ability and desire to work remotely. All our candidates are based in North America and Europe, and you can choose where you prefer your assistant to be located.

Our team is comprised of top-tier talent. Many are ex-Fortune 500 professionals–moms, dads, military spouses, and expats who wanted to leave the 9 to 5 behind to gain a more flexible or remote career but still wanted to use their skills and years of experience towards rewarding and fulfilling opportunities.

“We look for team members who love to see others succeed, who love to make a difference in someone’s day, and who have a keen desire to help businesses grow.”

How can a business, big or small, benefit from hiring a Worldwide101 Virtual Assistant vs. an in-person assistant?

From day one, our focus has been on giving business owners, founders and executives (of companies large and small) back some of their time so they can focus on their core strengths, and ultimately grow their business.

Hiring virtually vs. in-house has many benefits for our clients. One of the biggest, of course, is the cost saving and time efficiency. Having a team member that you can hire on a fractional basis, for exactly the hours you need them each month, with the exact skillsets, is every business owner’s dream! The time saved from not having to go through a taxing hiring process, and money saved not having to provide an office space, equipment, etc. is a big perk. Most of our clients have approached us for the turnkey solution that we provide because really, everyone knows that recruiting and hiring is a hassle!

Typically, how do your clients and Worldwide101 Virtual Assistants communicate and correspond?

Nowadays, there are so many online apps and tools that help teams manage communication, so, we integrate into whatever systems our clients already have in place. Of course we are also happy to make suggestions as well. Some clients prefer email. Others prefer the ease of using instant chats like Slack or Skype. Some prefer face-to-face communication via Zoom or another meeting software, and some clients prefer text or phone calls. It really just depends on how you communicate best. Your team will ultimately decide and establish a clear communication plan during the initial onboarding meeting.

Worldwide101

A portion of your client base happens to be interior designers…why do you think that is?

We’ve found that many of our creative interior design clients are looking for a ‘left-brain’ for their business. Many want more time to focus on the creative process of design in their business, they want to spend their time speaking with their clients and making their vision come to life and less time ordering products, tracking invoices, scheduling deliveries and communicating with vendors.

It seems to be a perfect fit for interior designers to work with a Worldwide101 virtual assistant. They have someone to provide the organization, scheduling, bookkeeping, etc. so they can focus on growing their business and doing what they love.

Also, because we work with so many interior designers, it’s nice for design clients to begin using our service, because their assistant is already ‘internally trained’ on some of the tools they use everyday – such as Ivy – as well as familiar with the best practices of their industry.

“We’ve found that many of our creative interior design clients are looking for a ‘left-brain’ for their business.”

What are the common tasks that Worldwide101 Virtual Assistants tackle when they are hired by an interior designer?
It really depends on your unique needs! But most commonly, our virtual assistants work with their interior design clients by:

• Coordinating with your clients
• Initiating and ordering products
• Communicating with vendors
• Scheduling shipping and deliveries
• Liaising with photographers and design shows
• Following through on damage claims
• Managing your ordering
• Bookkeeping software
• Social media content creation + scheduling
• WordPress Admin
• Email marketing
• Newsletters

Can you share some of the feedback you’ve received from interior designers based on their experience hiring Worldwide101 Virtual Assistants?

We feel most of the interior designers who get in touch with us have a similar story to Anelle, below!

“Our business was growing and we desperately needed help, but we were paralyzed by the process of finding someone. We didn’t have time to weed through tons of resumes, interview multiple candidates, or train someone inexperienced. Worldwide101 took all of these excuses away and connected us with a superstar purchasing assistant. We no longer need to spend nights and weekends catching up with paperwork. It has been liberating to have someone take care of purchasing and admin while we are out at client meetings, site visits and sourcing. Not only do we have more time to design, but we are now able to take on larger projects knowing we have the infrastructure in place and can easily expand our team if necessary.”  – Anelle Gandelman, A-List Interiors

Worldwide101

Why do you think it’s important for interior designers to embrace applications such as Ivy to manage their business  operations?

As a 100% virtual team, we have a real soft spot in our hearts for great cloud-based applications! We’ve found that using them helps keep things simple for our team and clients, and gives them an easy way to create systems and processes and collaborate. Ivy is a great example of that.

Many of our interior design clients have their virtual assistants completely managing their Ivy system, it frees them up to focus on other aspects of their business – we even have an internal training document for Ivy that our team shares!

What’s next for Worldwide101?

We actually have a pretty exciting change on the horizon! We feel the label “Premium Virtual Assistant Company” which we’ve worn until now has never fully encompassed the breadth of skill our people have or the difference our team makes in the businesses of their clients, or the value they bring to each project. So, over the next few months, we’ll be making the change from being a “Premium Virtual Assistant Company” to a new way of talking about what we do.

We’ve been pioneering this hiring shift over the last few years, and are now seeing the current workplace climate pushing the fractional hiring model into the mainstream. Being at the forefront of this movement has encouraged us to take a look at how we communicate its benefits. The service and commitment to premium quality that has built our success will obviously remain the same, but we’re excited about adopting a new term that will hopefully give potential clients a better feel for what we do. Stay tuned!

Ivy is the fastest growing community and business management software for interior designers. To learn more about Ivy, schedule a demo with an Ivy Guru who can show you how designers use Ivy to streamline their workflow and make more time for what they love, design.

The best way to tackle Las Vegas Market is to research, prepare, and plan your day-to-day ahead of time. Lately, there’s so much more you can get from Market than just sourcing and face time with vendor relationships. As a designer, there’s a ton of complimentary educational programming you can take advantage of. With that comes a little extra planning to fit in those inspiring panels in between vendor appointments. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to help you prioritize and navigate your Market experience in advance so you can manage Summer Las Vegas Market 2018 like a pro.

What To Bring

• Comfortable (but cute) sneakers. You’re standing on your feet all day so will want some foot support. After your showroom appointments, you won’t want to change into a cute pair of shoots so make sure your sneakers are cute!

• A sweater…that air conditioning inside the convention center is freezing. 

• A tote bag to throw samples and collateral into .

• Hundreds of business cards (more than you would think!), plus, something to store your business cards into.

• A refillable water bottle

• A portable phone charger

• If you need to get through emails while you’re also shopping at Market…we highly recommend bringing a portable tethering device…the Wi-Fi is horrible at the convention center and you don’t want that to slow you down!

The Top Must-See Showrooms at Las Vegas Market

Review the full exhibitor directory here.

• Abbyson | B170
• Aesthetic Movement | C198
• Currey & Company | 398
• Dovetail | B159
• Four Hands | A140
• Jaipur Home | B612
• Jaipur Living | B424
• Noir | C399
• Norwalk Furniture | A225
• Selamat Designs | C301
• Stark Carpet and Stark Studio Rugs | C123
• Sunpan | B700
• ZUO and ZUO Decor | A442

Pencil in these events to your calendar

Review the full calendar of LVMKT events, educational panels, tours, and parties here.

Sunday, July 29

Soft Design Lab Red Carpet Experience (Tour)

9:00 AM – 5:00 PM | VIP Tour of Las Vegas Market, Building A, Building A.1

The State of the Art: 12 Must-Know Website Design Trends (Educational)

10:30 AM – 11:30 AM | Building B: Retailer Resource Center, Building B, B-1050 

Did you know the typical attention span is seven seconds? Timing is everything. In seven seconds, shoppers decide if your site is worthy of their attention and their dollars. Your site should measure up to the extreme expectations of design and function demanded by today’s digital consumers. Find out what you can do to entice visitors by using the latest web design practices and see live examples from MicroD’s chief product officer and former furniture retailer, Richard Sexton.

Coast to Coast – Expanding your Design Firm with a Brick & Mortar (Educational)

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM | Building C: Building C Seminar Room, C174 

Leading designers across the country are building their businesses with brick and mortar. In today’s digital marketplace, consumers still want to see and feel home furnishings in person. But doing your home store homework is critical. Join Lori Paranjape, Christopher Kennedy, Bobbi Jo Engleby, and Susan Jamieson, as they share the ins and outs of opening a brick and mortar to include: combining online and in-store marketing strategies; creating a unique customer experience; design collectives; hidden costs; finding the right location and so much more. Moderated by Designers Today Editor in Chief, Jane Dagmi. (0.1 CEU)

A First-Timer Market Primer with Leyla Jaworski of Design Shop Interiors

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Jaipur Showroom, B-424

You’re a new designer and this is your first market. Well done and congratulations! So, now what?! Everyone has to start somewhere. And that’s where Design Shop Interiors owner Leyla Jaworski will share her hard-won experience on:

-Where to go and what to do while you’re at market
-Wholesale vendors – who they are and why they’re important
-How to tactfully handle clients on social media when they ask, “who can I buy that rug (or ottoman, or pillow) from?” Hint: It’s YOU!

RSVP here.

Turning Interior Designer Challenges into Opportunities (Educational)

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Pavilion One: Pavilion 1 Seminar Room

Interior designers Wendy Glaister from Central California and Debbe Daley from Boston MA have been practicing Interior Design for years. Though based on opposite sides of the country, they share the same struggles developing creative solutions for their clients. This dynamic duo has teamed up to share about the challenges they’ve faced from contracts to contractors, to building your team, to internal practices. Join in the fun, learn some clever work-arounds, and enjoy a mastermind session Q & A to follow. (0.1 CEU)

Monday, July 30

Sherwin-Williams Colormix® Forecast 2019 (Educational)

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM | Building B: WorldView on Sixteen

WELCOME TO THE COLOR JOURNALS. We’ve gathered 42 trend colors into a master palette, then arranged them into six unique color personalities, each leading its own voyage. Please join Laurie Clark, Sherwin-Williams Senior Designer Account Executive, at the Unveiling and Presentation of Colormix® Forecast 2019. You will receive the exclusive Sherwin-Williams Colormix® Forecast 2019 brochure and limited edition Fan Deck (available only at presentation). This course will take the participant on a visual journey with stimulating imagery, factual statistics and perceptive research that supports the 2019 forecast for color and design trends. (0.1 CEU). People who attend the presentation on Monday July 30 will receive the Colormix Brochure and a special edition fan deck for presentation attendees only.

Ahead of the Curve Tour with Luxe Interiors + Design – Kathryn Given (Tour)

2:30 PM – 3:30 PM | Building B: Tour of Las Vegas Market | Event Type: Tour

As a preview to our keynote “Ahead of the Curve” presentation, join us as we discover what our select designers have found to be hot and Ahead of the Curve in trends at Las Vegas Market this summer. Kathryn Given, Senior Design & Market Editor for Luxe Interiors + Design, will lead this intimate tour so you may get a first-hand look at her selections, which you won’t want to miss! RSVP for tour here.

Best of the West (Educational)

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Building B: WorldView on Sixteen

Join REstyleSOURCE and our guest moderator Jesse Bodine, President and Co-Founder of Scout & Nimble, as we discuss West Coast “Life and Style” with a curated panel of taste-making influencers and designers. This season our guest will include Jenny Komenda, of Little Green Notebook, Chelsea Shukov and Jamie Grobecker of Sugar Paper LA, Ryan Garvin of Ryan Garvin Photography, Kristen Forgione of The LifeStyled Company and Caitlin Wilson of Caitlin Wilson Design. You won’t want to miss out this on intriguing look at what’s hot in West Coast lifestyle and design from these industry leaders, and how each interprets West Coast style into their own signature look and brand. (0.1 CEU).

ZUO/Housetipster Industry Insight Panel – How to Adapt to a Changing Industry (Educational)

3:30 PM – 5:00 PM | Building C: Building C Seminar Room, C174

Join ZUO and Housetipster for this lively discussion about How to Adapt to a Changing Industry, which will be moderated by Christopher Grubb, Founder of Arch-Interiors Design Group Inc. Topic will cover the State of the Industry and how to adapt, change and thrive in a growing furnishings market. From how designers + retailers source trends, how magazines select and source features plus how each one selects individual brands. Diving deeper into the inside of how designers are adapting to change and how to diversify oneself while navigating your own branding + licensing deals. Panelists will include: John Erdos – Founder and Owner of Erdos + Ko, Andrea Guardiola – ZUO Décor Director; Nicole Davis – Editor in Chief of Lighting & Décor Magazine; and Barrie Livingstone – Designer & Real Estate Guru. Panel discussion will be followed by a cocktail hour with panelists in ZUO A442 showroom 5-7pm. Co-produced by ZUO + Housetipser.com + Arch Interiors + Lighting & Décor Magazine. RSVP for event here.

Tuesday, July 31

Inside: Out . . . Outside: In (Educational)

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM | Building C: OW Lee Company, Building C, C1301

Designers Today Editor Jane Dagmi teams up with Exterior Design Editor Waynette Goodson to address a hot new trend: the conjoining of interior design and exterior design. Today’s architects draw blueprints incorporating the all-important 5th Room—the outdoor space. So interior designers must be prepared to design the home in its entirety, both inside—and out! Thus, they’re tasked with bringing the outdoors inside through the use of nature and natural elements. Then they must seamlessly transition their indoor aesthetic to the outdoor area. Jane and Waynette find out from some of the top working designers today how they are bringing the natural world inside and introducing a true living experience outdoors. Complimentary lunch will be provided in the showroom following the presentation, and special gift bags for those in attendance! (0.1 CEU). Panelists include Justina Blakeney, Kerrie Kelly, Rafael Kalichstein, Joshua Rose, Lori Paranjape, Waynette Goodson and Jane Dagmi.

Your Style Your Brand (Educational)

1:00 PM – 2:30 PM | Building B: Sunpan, Building B, B700 

Can your personal brand be affected by the way you look? Absolutely! Two iconic designers who have mastered the ins and outs of personal branding are joined by a stylist and photographer to give you tips and tricks on how to improve your personal brand. One lucky winner will receive a full makeover and professional headshots to ignite his or her journey to success. Join Kelli Ellis, Shayla Copas, Aaron Perkins (stylist) and Myron Hensel (photographer) for this discussion, and makeover, with moderation by Nick May of The Chaise Lounge Podcast.

Yummy restaurants to eat at after a long day at Market

• Raku
• Kabuto
• Mr. Chow
• Carbone
• STK
• Milos
• Zuma
• Giada

Places to rest your head at night

• Wynn
• The Cosmopolitan 
• Four Seasons
• The Palazzo

Fun things to do in Vegas if you have an off-night

• Absinthe (get VIP tickets)
• Rose Rabbit Lie (Dinner & Show)
• James Turrell Exhibit at Louis Vuitton
• Magic Mike

As a designer, how do you differentiate yourself from your competition? What is your competitive edge? How can you prove to your client that you are trained, specialized, and the perfect match to help turn their house into a home?

Gaining certifications and being an active member of an design community helps to show the client that design is not just your job, it’s your passion. According to NARI, over 80% of consumers would choose a remodeling professional who is certified over one who is not.

There are many different types certifications and communities within the design space.

Check out the list below to see how you can increase your value and get involved in your professional community.

Written by Sarah Rebarber

AAHID – American Academy of Healthcare Interior Designers (certification)

AAHID board-certifies interior designers in the U.S. and Canada who specialize in healthcare – including acute care, ambulatory care, and residential care facility design. Led by a volunteer board of directors, AAHID is constantly striving to improve the certification process, study materials, and exam. Upon receiving the CHID (Certified Healthcare Interior Designer) credential, you will be distinguished and qualified by education, examination, and work experience to practice healthcare interior design — which separates you from other architects, designers, decorators, and interior designers. The CHID credential provides: professional credibility, ongoing growth and knowledge development, networking and volunteer opportunities, a listing in AAHID’s online directory of Certified Healthcare Interior Designers, an invitation to AAHID’s annual breakfast at the Healthcare Design conference, and quarterly email updates with news and information about AAHID events.

ALA – American Lighting Specialist (certification and community)

The American Lighting Association is a trade association working to protect and advance the residential lighting industry, while promoting the sale and proper application of quality lighting products. Certifications include Lighting Associate (LA), Lighting Specialist (LS), Certified Lighting Manufacturers Representative (CLMR), and Certified Lighting Consultant (CLC). The ALA makes it possible for firms in the lighting industry to increase their share of the market; develop effective public relations programs to increase consumers’ awareness of lighting; benefit from sales and design training opportunities; monitor the actions of legislative and regulatory bodies; represent the industry’s interests in negotiations; and encourage the continuing development and proper use of safe, energy-efficient products.

ASID – American Society of Interior Designers (community)

Be a part of a community of interior designers at every stage of your career. ASID provides funding annually to various research and scholarship initiatives as well as career stage programming that focus on Impact of Design, the Business of Design, and Leadership Development and Health & Wellness. ASID also offers study prep courses for the WELL exam and seminars for principals/owners interested in learning about business transitions. Lastly, ASID members on Houzz are eligible for a host of benefits, including automatic approval into the Houzz Trade Program with access to product discounts and referral bonuses, concierge service to set up a free Houzz profile and mobile-friendly website, and an ASID profile badge to showcase your affiliation and expertise.

CIDA – Council for Interior Design Accreditation (certification)

Originally known as the Foundation for Interior Design Education Research (FIDER), CIDA aims to advance the interior design profession as the definitive source for quality standards and accreditation in higher education. Higher education level programs accredited by CIDA voluntarily place themselves before the scrutiny of the profession to ensure that students receive an education that will serve them not only during their time at school, but also prepare them for future professional growth. Students enrolled in a CIDA accredited interior design program can be confident that the program meets the quality standards recognized by the profession. Here’s a list of the top 10 CIDA accredited schools in the U.S.

DFA – Decorative Furnishings Association (community)

DFA is committed to the health, growth, and future of interior design. That is why they launched the #DoItFor website and ad campaign, to encourage consumers to hire interior designers (as opposed to DIY). The DoItFor website has an online portal that connects consumers with interior designers via an online quiz and matchmaking tool. Chad Stark, former president of the DFA, spearheaded the initiative last year. He explained, “With #DoItFor, we are highlighting the reason you design your home in the first place: It is where special moments happen. When it comes to decorating our homes, it’s too important to do it yourself. So, we say work with professionals. Don’t do it yourself, do it for yourself: ‘DoItFor: Your Loved Ones,’ ‘DoItFor: Her First Steps,’ and for all the special moments that happen at home….”

DLN – Design Leadership Network (community)

DLN was founded by Peter Sallick, a creative entrepreneur and business leader who has led Waterworks for most of the past 20 years and co-founded Dering Hall. Peter brings decades of experience in the industry. The Design Leadership Network is committed to stimulate education and connectivity through summits. What began as intimate regional meetings with high-level designers, architects, landscape architects and industry influencers, is now an organization of 300+ top tier design industry professionals across multiple disciplines, corporate brands and media outlets. The DLN is eager to strengthen their community by investing in resources to support education, research, and advocacy in new and compelling venues, tools, and programs.

DSA – Designer Society of America (community)

DSA is committed to increasing opportunities for talented and creative designers to obtain education and the credentials to reach their highest potential professionally. When you become a member of DSA you receive discounted prices on national product lines and resources with direct links; CEU programs including home study educational courses, tele-seminar and webinar annual schedules; design newsletters and support, all member communication concerning industry practices, issues, and trends is sent via email; and more!

IDCEC – Interior Design Continuing Education Council (community and re-certification)

Continuing education strengthens the interior design profession by improving individual attitudes, competencies, knowledge and skills in specific subject areas essential to interior design. IDCEC has streamlined and centralized the support to learners, providers, reviewers and administrators, as well as enhanced the administration and approval process of professional continuing education units (CEUs) within the interior design industry. It is IDCEC’s mission to serve as the premier advocate for continuing education in the advancement of the interior design profession, and to inspire and guide providers of continuing education programs to deliver high-quality, lifelong learning activities for interior design practitioners. The IDCEC Board of Directors is a diverse group of individuals who are committed to the advancement of the interior design profession and lifelong learning. They represent the three major member associations, American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), International Interior Design Association (IIDA), Interior Designers of Canada (IDC) and education providers from the interior design industry. Continuing education strengthens the interior design profession by improving individual attitudes, competencies, knowledge and skills in subject areas essential to the growth and success of the industry.

IDEC – Interior Design Educators Council (community)

As described in its first Constitution, the stated purpose of the IDEC is to be “dedicated to the development and improvement of interior design education,” to establish and strengthen “lines of communication between individuals, educational institutions and organizations concerned with interior design,” and to strive “to improve teaching of interior design, and through it the professional level of interior design.” If you are passionate about spreading what you have learned in your time in interior design this community may be for you. Within IDEC there are networks that meet a minimum of once a year at the Annual Conference, as well as online forums to communicate with IDEC members.

IDS – Interior Design Society (community)

IDS offer a variety of educational opportunities for professionals in the Residential Interior Design Industry. IDS is an independent national organization comprised of more than 2,000 members. IDS offer online webinars and in-person CEUs throughout the year. Additionally, IDS host conferences throughout the year around the country. Conferences allow designers to earn CEUs at educational seminars and workshops, connect with vendors, network with other designers, and gain invaluable information on the latest trends and news in the residential interior design industry. IDS also offer educational tours to see inspiring design firsthand and explore a variety of architectural landmarks and beautifully decorated interiors. Previous tours have included Tuscany, Italy and Paris, France.

IES – Illuminating Engineering Society (community)

Join a community of over 8,000 engineers, consultants, researchers, interior designers, educators, manufacturers, and consumers who are involved in lighting by profession. By joining IES, you will have access to resources and opportunities to keep on top of changes in the lighting industry. Engage and network with peers and other professionals based on your areas of common interest as well as at a local section level. Lastly, continue your growth and education within the profession and industry through various educational opportunities like webinars and podcasts.

IFI – International Federation of Interior Architects / Designers (community)

IFI acts as a global forum for the exchange and development of knowledge and experience in worldwide education, research and practice. IFI connects the international community to further the impact, influence and application of the design of interiors, promote global social responsibility, and raise the status of the profession worldwide. Hosted annually, World Interiors Day (IFI WID) is a long-standing program that engages a broad range of people and communities around the world. Design professionals, students, enthusiasts, institutions, agencies and members of the public are invited to organize activities that explore the IFI WID theme for that year. IFI also has a portfolio of publications offering a global perspective on the Interior Architecture/Design profession. Topics range from historical archives of landmark design projects to breakthrough intellectual inquiries related to the practice of design.

IIDA – The International Interior Design Association (community)

IIDA is an association with global reach. IIDA supports design professionals, industry affiliates, educators, students, firms, and their clients through their network of 15,000+ members across 58 countries. IIDA hosts competitions, award ceremonies, conferences, and more! As a prominent voice for the industry, IIDA advocates for its members and their professions so interior designers may practice to their fullest abilities. IIDA offers many tools for designers interested in becoming an advocate and getting involved in local legislative issues. Join IIDA for 2019 by August 31 and save 50 percent on your membership!

IWBI – International WELL Building Institute (certification)

The WELL Building Standard v1 explores how design, operations and behaviors within the places where we live, work, learn and play can be optimized to advance human health and well-being. Covering seven core concepts of health and hundreds of features, WELL v1 is a flexible building standard and represents the future of modern design. The WELL Certification program are globally acknowledged and third-party administered through IWBI’s collaboration with USGBC, which also administers LEED certification. This relationship assures that WELL works seamlessly with LEED.  The WELL Building Standard is the first to be focused exclusively on the ways that buildings can improve our comfort, drive better choices, and generally enhance our health and wellness.

LEED – Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (community and certification)

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is the leading organization representing the green building industry, committed to a sustainable, prosperous future through LEED, the leading program for green buildings and communities worldwide. A LEED credential denotes proficiency in today’s sustainable design, construction, and operations standards. More than 201,000 professionals have earned a LEED credential to help advance their careers. LEED for Interior Design and Construction (LEED ID+C) enables project teams who may not have control over whole building operations to develop indoor spaces that are better for the planet and for people. Showcase your knowledge, experience and credibility in the green building marketplace as a LEED professional.

NAHB – National Association of Home Builders (certification)

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) helps its members build communities. Each year, NAHB’s members construct about 80% of the new homes built in the United States, both single-family and multifamily. A federation of more than 700 state and local associations, NAHB represents more than 140,000 members. NAHB offers a series of certifications including Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS), Certified Green Professional™ (CGP), Certified Graduate Remodeler (CGR). Whether you’re looking to advance in your career or gain additional knowledge about a particular topic, NAHB Education offers a wide-range of learning options. NAHB is committed to providing the best residential home building knowledge to foster success in the industry.

NARI – National Association of the Remodeling Industry (community and certification)

NARI is an organization of high-quality remodeling professionals. Its members are committed to integrity, high standards, professional education, ethics and market recognition. NARI has 47 chapters located throughout the United States. NARI takes a stand for the industry by meeting with legislators in Washington to discuss issues of importance to the remodeling industry, such as workforce development and regulations. Certifications include: CR/CRS/CRA (Certified Remodeler, Certified Remodeler Specialist, Certified Remodeler Associate), MCR (Master Certified Remodeler), CKBR (Certified Kitchen and Bath Remodeler), CLC (Certified Lead Carpenter). CRPM (Certified Remodeling Project Manager), UDCP (Universal Design Certified Professional). NARI also has a library of more than 60 webinars that can be viewed at your leisure. NARI describes its core purpose to advance and promote the remodeling industry professionalism, product and vital public purpose.

NCIDQ – National Council for Interior Design Qualification (certification)

NCIDQ Certification is the industry’s recognized indicator of proficiency in interior design principles and a designer’s commitment to the profession. Professional interior designers have proven their expertise in understanding and applying current safety and welfare codes. The NCIDQ Exam serves as the basic foundation for general interior designers and those moving into specialty design areas. The exam covers seven areas that capture the core competencies of interior design: building systems, codes, construction standards, contract administration, design application, professional practice and project coordination. The exam’s contents are regularly updated to ensure they reflect the most current knowledge required to design safe, functional and innovative interior spaces. NCIDQ Certification is required for many types of interior design in regulated jurisdictions throughout North America.

NKBA – National Kitchen and Bath Association (certification)

NKBA offer a wide range of certifications including: Associate Kitchen and Bath Designer (AKBD), Certified Kitchen Designer® (CKD), Certified Bath Designer® (CBD), Certified Kitchen and Bath Designers (CKBD), and Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer (CMKBD). If you are already NKBA certified, use the NKBA CEU Reporting Form to submit your CEUs and maintain your certification. NKBA was developed to establish an immediate, deeper level of trust between kitchen and bath professionals and their clients.

Window Coverings Association of America (community)

The Window Coverings Association of America is the only national nonprofit trade association dedicated to the retail window coverings industry and its dealers, decorators, designers, and workrooms who are our members. WCAA was founded in 1986 as a division of the National Decorating Products Association. In 1993, the association left and became the Window Coverings Association of America. Today the WCAA has nearly 1,000 members in North America, Europe, and the Caribbean. WCAA’s goal as a national organization is to make available educational and networking opportunities for home professionals, to encourage a code of ethics for fair practices in the home industry, and to work for the betterment of the window coverings industry. WCAA is committed to providing professional networking opportunities virtually and locally; educational opportunities that support the code of ethics and best business practices; and promoting the value and visibility of our professional members.

WithIt (community)

WithIt was founded with the belief that women should play a major role in the growth and future of the home and furnishings industries. WithIt is one of the best networks in the home and furnishings industries existing to encourage and develop leadership, mentoring, education and networking opportunities for professional women. WithIt hosts annual professional women’s conferences as well as gives out awards and scholarships. WithIt’s impressive network of corporate partners, sponsors, and members would be valuable to any female interior designer.

Tired of chasing down clients for overdue payments?

Enter Ivy, the fastest growing business management software for designers. As a designer, Ivy allows you to manage your business more effectively with friendly automatic payment reminders to clients for past due payments. In fact, 90% of design firms using Ivy say that Ivy helps them get paid days faster!

If your client misses their due date, Ivy will send them a friendly reminder e-mail every other day until the payment is submitted. Simply select your payment terms when sending out your invoice, and sit back and relax. No more awkward conversations or chasing your client down for an invoice payment!

ALISON GIESE
Alison Giese Interiors

“Ivy has given me the organizational and process tools that I never even realized I HAD to have to run a design business!”

SUSAN WINTERSTEEN
Savvy Interiors

“Ivy creates a platform of excellence by continually refining its user friendly features, listening to its client base, and striving for excellence to be the best in the industry.”

ERIC ROSEFF
Eric Roseff Designs

“Ivy has brought so much order to our office, and given us more time to focus on design…Ivy really cares, and the support they give is unequaled. They help us to be on top of our professional game.”

According to  a new study published by Houzz State of the Industry, 2018 is expected to be a good year for a variety of professions in the home and remodeling space (woo!).

In fact, of all the categories, interior designers are expected to see one of the greatest increases in revenue growth!

But, we can’t say we did not see this coming…according to the Houzz 2017 report, interior designers were making over a third in gross profit for projects worth more than $10K.

However, interior designers aren’t the only professionals in the space enjoying all of the fun. Architects, general contractors, and builders are also seeing significant marginal returns and are now able to charge more!

Curious as to how much exactly? Review the list of jobs and average salaries in the home and remodeling space. 

Senior Interior Designer

Median Annual Salary as of June 2018: $67,152 per year (according to payscale.com)

Senior interior designers are responsible for developing, managing, and recording technical aspects of a project. They work closely with the project manager, design coordinators, and project teams on conceptual designs, presentations, design development, and production. Senior interior designers must be responsible for project deliverables, meeting overall project design schedules, as well as preparing and presenting design presentations. They must inform the project manager of any problems and attend meetings with project managers. Senior interior designers may be required to travel, as well as work long hours when deadlines are approaching.

Junior Interior Designer

Median Annual Salary as of June 2018: $40,142 per year (according to payscale.com)

A junior interior designer is a part of a firm’s interior design team and mainly consults with senior team members about the client’s needs. Information about the client and the client’s intended use for the space allow the junior interior designer to establish critical elements for design. The designer also consults building designs for information on the dimensions of the space to be designed. They may also take a trip to the space – as well as view pictures – to get a better idea of its layout. Once the junior interior designer has more information about the project and the client’s needs, they begin to design the interior (typically using some sort of computer software).

Assistant Interior Designer

Median Annual Salary as of June 2018: $38,696 per year (according to payscale.com)

Assistant interior designers typically work with one or more interior designers – or as part of an interior design team – and help to bring a design to life by working on logistical issues such as taking measurements, arranging for the acquisition of necessary tools, researching product options and ordering necessary materials, and serving as a liaison between the designer and vendors. Interior design assistants may also be called upon to participate in the design process or complete other tasks as needed by their supervisor or team. Individuals in this position typically work in an office setting, although trips to clients’ sites and suppliers are generally required. Different employers will require different levels of education and experience with interior design.

Kitchen & Bath Designer

Median Annual Salary as of June 2018: $39,551 per year (according to payscale.com)

A certified kitchen and bath designer is an interior designer who specializes in designing said rooms and has obtained professional certification through the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA). As a certified kitchen and bath designer, you’ll work with a variety of clients in their homes, at construction sites, in commercial buildings or in your own office. Kitchen & bath designers assess the space, sketch designs, order materials, create project timelines and oversee the design process. Kitchen & bath designers could also work at a home furnishing store, providing design advice to customers and assisting them with choosing the right cabinets, bathtubs, sinks and other accessories for their rooms. While kitchen and bath design is already a specialty area within interior design, you may also choose to specialize further by focusing on just kitchen design or just bath design.

Interior Decorator

Median Annual Salary as of June 2018: $39,220 per year (according to payscale.com)

An interior decorator designs interior spaces for clients, changing the visual appearance of locations that might include homes, offices, stores, theaters, and other interior areas. They usually need to have an initial consultation with clients to determine their needs and budget, and then develop a potential plan for the decorating project. After the client approves the plan, the interior decorator must work with a variety of contractors and vendors, selecting materials and services, conducting negotiations, and ensuring materials are delivered intact and in a timely manner. Interior decorators oversee project progress and notify clients of progress regularly. If a client is dissatisfied at any step of the process, the interior decorator must work to resolve issues to the client’s satisfaction.

E-Designer

E-Design tends to be a part-time or side job for interior designers who charge anywhere between $50-$200/hour.

An E-Designer is similar to an interior designer in that they both aim to create spaces that are aesthetic, functional, and safe. They work to enhance the quality of living or working environment. An e-designer service offers clients access to the expertise of a designer in a way that’s tailored to a “tech-savvy, budget-conscious, do-it-yourself generation”. The clients that are generally willing (and want) to be active participants in the process – handling many of the logistical aspects like measuring their space, ordering the items, and installation – while the designer puts the look together and provides tools for them to be able to carry it out. It’s fast and fun for the client, and the result is an affordable, professionally designed space. As one Ivy member’s client puts it, “This is a do it WITH me service, not a do it FOR me service.” Read more about the rise of e-design and its implications for interior designers here.

Written by Sarah Rebarber

Ivy is the fastest growing community and business management software for interior designers. To learn more about Ivy, schedule a demo with an Ivy Guru who can show you how designers use Ivy to streamline their workflow and make more time for what they love, design.

Did you know that one in ten renovated homes have five or more smart devices after a renovation?

As of the 2016 U.S. Houzz Smart Home Trends Study, nearly half of renovating homeowners were incorporating smart systems or devices during their renovation projects.

Now it is 2018. Which means more ‘smart’ systems and a greater need for interior designers to know what technological upgrades are available for their client’s homes.

If your client is the type of person that likes to have control of every aspect of their life than it is time to introduce them up with a ‘smart’ upgrades. ‘Smart’ upgrades are what come together to create a convenient home setup where appliances and devices can be automatically controlled remotely from any internet-connected place in the world using a mobile or other networked device. Check out this list of smart devices interior designers need to know about to learn more.

For regular home renovations, lighting is the most common upgrade. But, when it comes to ‘smart’ upgrades, more and more people are investing in security/safety renovations.

Specifically security/safety devices like cameras, sensors, video doorbells, and motion-sensing lighting.

Interestingly, while the highest ‘smart’ investments are in safety/security devices, the highest satisfaction rates for their investments is in entertainment and lighting ‘smart’ upgrades.  

So, what does this mean for interior designers?

More and more clients feel they are ready to make ‘smart’ upgrades in safety/security rather than lighting and convenience. However, while there is a greater desire from the client to have a trustworthy security/safety system, the smart devices on the market for security/safety are not quite yet meeting client expectations. Therefore, as an interior designer, when advising your client on the best ‘smart’ upgrades, entertainment and lighting are the way to go.

Written by Sarah Rebarber 

Ivy is the fastest growing community and business management software for interior designers. To learn more about Ivy, schedule a demo with an Ivy Guru who can show you how designers use Ivy to streamline their workflow and make more time for what they love, design.