The Interior Design Business

Why Craft Matters With Natasha Mann, Claire Coles, Louisa Pacifico, Sam Fisher And Katharine Pooley

Wildwood — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 17:00:00 +0000

We live in a mostly mass-produced, machine-made world of globalised banality. Interior spaces from north to south look and feel the same. Yet, as human beings, we revel in our individuality and crave the means to add a personal stamp to the way we live and the places we inhabit. We yearn to possess things that are unique to us and that no one else can have. Artisan-made items created by skilled and loving hands will deliver those special touches that make a room memorable and distinctive, but where should designers go to find these precious pieces? How can craft makers find an appreciative audience for their work? And how can designers best explore and source from the vast range of crafts in existence? To discuss this topic, we're joined by makers, Natasha Mann and Claire Coles, Louisa Pacifico from Future Icons, Sam Fisher from Decorex and internationally renowned interior designer, Katharine Pooley. Recorded in Katharine Pooley Studio in London. A big thank you to our series partner, Decorex

Chapters

(00:00:00) - Welcome to the Interior Design Business
(00:01:21) - Three of London's best-known artists and their business
(00:02:43) - What is craft in France?
(00:04:03) - In the Elevator With Craftspeople
(00:05:22) - How to Train to Become a Painter
(00:11:57) - How Do You Find an Interior Designer?
(00:13:00) - Are Artisan Made Materials Naturally More Expensive?
(00:15:12) - Making Spaces at Decorx
(00:16:41) - Making Spaces
(00:20:40) - Interior Designers Work With Makers
(00:23:08) - How to decorate a large house with an online gallery
(00:24:52) - Claire's Small Business
(00:26:21) - Storytelling in the Art World
(00:27:02) - When You're On Your Own
(00:27:50) - The Story of Interiors
(00:31:39) - Will Your Objects Go to an Art Gallery?
(00:32:20) - Bespoke Design: Managing Client Expectations
(00:37:26) - The Color of Light
(00:37:40) - Where should designers go to find the makers of tomorrow?
(00:41:34) - Crafts in the Interior: Future Icon Selects

What They Don't Teach You at Design School With Laura Hammett, Franky Rousell and Charu Gandhi

Wildwood — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 13:00:00 +0000

As interior design gains ground as a serious career and profession, more and more academic institutions are offering degree and master’s level interior design courses to teach the rudiments of this highly technical subject. But is this enough?

Susie and Jeff are joined by three renowned designers - Charu Gandi from Elicyon, Franky Rousell from Jolie Studio and Laura Hammett from Laura Hammett Interiors to discuss whether design schools adequately equip budding designers with the skills they need to take their place in our industry.

We explore the the important subjects that they don't teach at design school, and invite our panel to suggest what students and employers should do to identify and plug those gaps.

This episode was recorded in front of a live audience of designers at Arte in the Design Centre Chelsea Harbour.

Thank you to our series supporters, Decorex 2026.

We are a Wildwood Plus production.

Chapters

(00:00:00) - What Don't They Teach You in Design School?
(00:01:45) - Interviewing Designers
(00:04:53) - Interviewing: Fit and Hard Work
(00:07:04) - How do you test out a candidate's portfolio?
(00:12:13) - Have You Got What it Takes to Be a Design Designer?
(00:13:16) - Do graduating designers have the skills they need to survive life in an
(00:19:46) - Teaching the management of client relationships
(00:24:17) - The role of guest lecturers in interior design
(00:27:31) - Can Anyone Become an Interior Designer?
(00:28:59) - Are Interior Designers Team Players?
(00:30:26) - What do you think are the really valuable lessons that they can't
(00:36:27) - The Secret to Working As an Interior Designer
(00:38:34) - The Importance of Interiors
(00:39:33) - The Interior Design Exhibition

A BIID Awards Special: Turning Great Design Into Industry Recognition

Wildwood — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 11:19:52 +0000

Entering an interior design award can boost visibility, credibility, and client trust - but not all awards are created equal. In this episode, Jeff and Susie are joined by two BIID award-winning designers, Jennifer Hamilton from The Vawdrey House and Melinda Kiss from Keyhole Interiors for a deeper dive into the awards process. We'll explore how designers can identify award schemes with genuine merit and industry recognition, how to present a standout project and the storytelling techniques that capture attention and bring design concepts to life. Thanks to our episode partner, the British Institute of Interior Design, for their support. We are a Wildwood Plus production.

Chapters

(00:00:00) - The Interior Design Business
(00:01:25) - Jennifer Vaudrey House
(00:02:06) - The BIID Interior Design Awards
(00:04:00) - The British Institute of Design Awards
(00:05:56) - The Making of an Award Entry
(00:09:17) - The Marketing and Awards
(00:11:15) - The Impact of Client Wins and Awards
(00:13:52) - The BIID Awards
(00:16:37) - British Institute of Interior Design Awards
(00:17:59) - The BIID Awards 2017
(00:18:50) - What truly defines an award winning interior design project?
(00:20:54) - BIID Awards 2017
(00:22:29) - Projects for the Future: Eskdale vicarage
(00:23:48) - What Is The Secret to Timeless Spaces?
(00:25:17) - The Narrative of the
(00:26:42) - The Clients' Project
(00:28:58) - Outstanding Project
(00:30:09) - The BIID Awards 2018

Divas, Devils or Delights? With Joanna Wood and Paul Fitzgerald

Wildwood — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 11:41:17 +0000

Interior designers have a bad rep on building sites for being demanding, difficult and dis-organised, but is this fair? In their drive for perfection, are interior designers their own worst enemy? Do designers efficiently provide the information needed by builders, or do contractors sometimes wilfully misunderstand their design intentions? What can designers and contractors do to make each other’s lives easier? In this episode, Jeff and Susie are joined by renowned interior designer Joanna Wood, Founder of Joanna Wood Interiors and Paul Fitzgerald, Founder and Managing Director of Hawksmoor Construction to answer these questions and more.

This episode was recorded as part of the Design Talks programme at Decorex 2025. Thanks to Decorex and to our episode partners, Sofas & Stuff for their support.

Chapters

(00:00:00) - Interior Designers: Difficult, Diva and Irrit
(00:01:01) - Interior Design and Construction
(00:01:48) - Both of the presenters start off with a brief introduction
(00:03:22) - Do Interior Designers Have a Bad Reputation Among Contractors?
(00:05:06) - Are Interior Designers Accused of Neglect?
(00:05:54) - Do Interior Designers Have Prejudices About Their Jobs?
(00:06:40) - Are Interior Designers Bad For Contractors?
(00:11:02) - Projects and Construction Contractors
(00:13:09) - Tender Process
(00:16:41) - The quality of the Tender Pack
(00:19:05) - Choosing a contractor
(00:23:57) - Interior Designers: Do You Need a Contractor?
(00:26:18) - Paul, have you ever refused to work with an interior designer on
(00:28:26) - Paul and Joe: The Contractor Relationship
(00:31:24) - How often do you need to go to site on a project?
(00:32:59) - What's your biggest bugbear?
(00:37:12) - Interiors Design: When Problems Occur, Do Designers Let
(00:38:26) - What's the funniest, maddest thing a designer's
(00:40:14) - The Worst Contractor Ever Do
(00:42:26) - Inside The Interior Design Business Podcast

Taking The Strain with Christian Bense and Helen Bygraves

Wildwood — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 16:00:00 +0000

Taking The Strain - How To Be a Safe Pair of Hands. The only things in life more stressful than building or renovating a home are bereavement, divorce, and redundancy. And yet the finished result should be life-changing for the client and worth all the pain of the experience. To assist their clients, interiors designers must act as a safe pair of hands, ready to support and guide through the ups and downs of the design and project process, skilfully managing any unforeseen dramas, problems, or delays enroute. So, how can we best prepare and manage our clients to minimise the stress for them – and for ourselves, and emerge successful and feted at the finish line? Jeff and Susie are joined by two acclaimed interior designers Helen Bygraves, Co-Founder of Hill House Interiors and Christian Bense, Founder of Christian Bense to find out the best strategies behind achieving a stress-free project. This episode was a recorded in front of a live audience of designers at Decorex 2025. Thanks to Decorex and to our episode partners, Sofas & Stuff for their support.

Chapters

(00:00:00) - Welcome to the Interior Design Business
(00:01:40) - Interior Designers
(00:02:54) - Interior Designers on Vandalising a Home
(00:04:51) - Having a career change in interior design
(00:06:50) - Interior Design: The Client's Issues
(00:09:24) - Does a stressy client affect your fee proposal?
(00:11:43) - Project budgets and timescales
(00:18:23) - Clients' emails and WhatsApp
(00:22:41) - What do you do about clients' fear of making decisions?
(00:24:51) - How should designers go about managing their clients expectations?
(00:27:31) - Setting guidelines for the build phase
(00:29:42) - Projects and the stresses of designing
(00:32:42) - Interior Design Report
(00:34:43) - How to Win the Client's Trust
(00:36:41) - The Interior Design Business

Awkward Clients and How to Manage Them With James Roberts and Simon Mayhew

Wildwood — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 15:00:00 +0000

It has often been said that interior design would be a great job if it wasn’t for the clients.

They can be unappreciative, indecisive, and unreasonable even when their project is on track and bellicose, belligerent, and litigious when things go wrong. In fact, the designer-client relationship which often begins as a love affair can sometimes end tragically in the bitterest of divorces.

But is there really such a thing an awkward client, or are any problems just down to poor communications? What can make a good client turn bad? And how can designers effectively manage this most important and sensitive of relationships? Jeff and Susie are joined by Simon Mayhew from Txtured and James Roberts from James Roberts Interiors to answer these and other questions in front of a live audience of designers at the Design Central North West event at Capesthorne Hall in Cheshire.

Thanks to our series partners Naturalmat for their support.

Chapters

(00:00:00) - Intro to the Interior Design Business
(00:00:39) - An awkward Client
(00:01:41) - Three of the Designers
(00:03:06) - Getting Off On The Right Foot With Your Clients
(00:04:53) - How To Lead a Design Team With Age
(00:08:40) - How To Win A Friend's Over
(00:09:18) - Are there any client categories that you avoid?
(00:12:38) - On Working With An Angry Partner
(00:13:26) - How to manage a big project's budget
(00:14:12) - The importance of access to the client
(00:16:37) - How to Talk Budget With the Client
(00:17:53) - Budgeting in the UK
(00:20:15) - Projects' length and timings
(00:23:37) - The Challenges of Leading a Project
(00:27:29) - The Importance of a Fee Proposal
(00:31:17) - Interior Design: Natural Mat
(00:35:43) - A Good Team For Tougher Clients
(00:38:03) - The Big Picture
(00:41:34) - Structural engineers: Quality of design and cost
(00:46:37) - "It's like a funeral..."
(00:46:53) - How To Read 2-D Plans
(00:51:49) - How to Deal with Difficult Contractors
(00:53:19) - The On-Site Blame Game
(00:58:21) - "When to say enough is enough?"
(00:59:00) - What Do You Do When a Client Threatens to Sue You?

Lighting The Way With Lee Lovett and Henriette von Stockhausen

Wildwood — Fri, 10 Oct 2025 15:00:00 +0000

Interior designers know that lighting is crucial to the success of every project. Bad lighting can be simultaneously gloomy and glary – deadening colours and flattening textures, while good lighting can make even basic decorative schemes sing. But lighting is also a highly complex and technical minefield that designers must somehow learn to navigate.

Susie and Jeff are joined by Lee Lovett, founder and managing director of Soho Lighting and award-winning interior designer, Henriette von Stockhausen, founder and Creative Director of VSP Interiors to explore how interior designers should go about managing this critical design element. They also discuss how early in the project cycle lighting should be considered and the lighting knowledge and tools that designers need to succeed at every project stage.

This episode was recorded in that front of a live audience of designers at the Simpsons showroom in the Design Centre Chelsea Harbour.Thanks to our series partners Naturalmat for their support. We are a Wildwood Plus production.

Chapters

(00:00:00) - The Importance of Lighting in the Interior Design
(00:01:27) - Both of the Electricians have now reached 25 years of practice
(00:02:56) - Lighting
(00:04:38) - Should Lighting be Included in Project Space Planning?
(00:05:52) - The Lighting of a Home
(00:07:04) - How to Describe Good Lighting
(00:09:11) - How Lighting Affects the Client's Mood
(00:09:43) - How to light a house room
(00:12:06) - The Art of Architectural Lighting
(00:13:34) - How to light architectural features indirectly
(00:15:25) - How to Lighting a Low Ceiling with High Ceilings
(00:20:07) - How to light a period house?
(00:22:03) - Natural Mat
(00:23:13) - Lighting layering
(00:25:48) - Interior Lighting
(00:28:36) - Lighting and shadows
(00:32:08) - In the Elevator: Architectural Lighting
(00:34:54) - The Perfect Spotlight
(00:37:47) - Dimming Systems
(00:40:30) - Setting the lights on and off
(00:42:11) - The Secret to Lighting Design
(00:42:58) - Inside The Interior Design Business

Decorex And The Power Of The Pop-Up

Wildwood — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 16:00:00 +0000

In this episode, Jeff and Susie dive into the dynamic world of pop-up installations while exploring the enduring appeal of Decorex.

Recorded at the Sofas & Stuff showroom on the Kings Road, they’re joined by designers Tolù Adẹ̀kọ́(Adẹ̀kọ́ & Co) and Lucy Mayers (Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler), both creators of standout temporary spaces for Decorex 2025. Together, they explore what makes a pop-up truly successful, the creative and logistical challenges behind these here-today-gone-tomorrow marvels, and how temporary design can deliver lasting value.

The conversation continues with insights from Decorex’s Sam Fisher, QEST’s Deborah Pocock, and Ricky Partner from Sofas & Stuff. They look at the secrets behind Decorex’s ongoing relevance, the importance of curation, and the role of live craftsmanship in engaging audiences.

Whether you’re a designer, exhibitor, or simply passionate about interiors, this episode offers inspiration and practical advice on making the most of pop-ups and trade shows. Tune in for expert perspectives, behind-the-scenes stories, and a celebration of creativity at the heart of the design industry.

Thanks to Sofas & Stuff and to our series partner, Naturalmat, for their support.

We are a Wildwood Plus production.

Chapters

(00:00:00) - Welcome to the Interior Design Business
(00:01:24) - Introducing the Design Teams
(00:02:18) - What makes a good pop-up?
(00:03:56) - What Makes a Signature Space?
(00:05:23) - How a bar can feel like a garden?
(00:08:01) - The Circus Lounge at Decorex
(00:12:54) - The Luminous Tented Bar at Decorex
(00:20:04) - The DPA Pop Up
(00:23:57) - What motivates you to create pop up design?
(00:26:46) - Decor X: What Lessons Have You Learned?
(00:30:32) - Natural Mat
(00:31:48) - Decorex
(00:32:25) - The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust
(00:33:17) - Decor X: What sets Decor X apart?
(00:37:07) - Decor X: A Curation Experience
(00:38:38) - What Makes the Decorex Show So Successful?
(00:39:53) - What exactly are the goals of an exhibitor at Decorx
(00:43:58) - Decorx: Making Spaces
(00:47:42) - How do exhibitors measure the success of their participation in Deco
(00:53:19) - Wonders of the World 2017 talk
(00:54:35) - Decorex Pop-ups

Finding The Ultimate Hook With Venetia Rudebeck and Romanos Brihi

Wildwood — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 13:32:00 +0000

It is often said that Interior Design is 5% creativity and 95% uphill slog. Most of what we do involves translating a creative vision into a set of instructions for someone else to build and then battling through to make sure the vision is realised.

So, while the process is important, without that precious initial spark there is no interior to build.

All designers suffer at times from designer’s block – there are times when the ideas simply will not flow, and times when the designer can find themselves drowning in the 95% of project admin.

So how can designers keep their heads above water and keep the creative spark alive? Where should they look for the design hooks that will make their projects sing? And how can they hold onto their vision while weathering the din of project noise that can sometimes threaten to overwhelm them?

To find out the answers to these and other burning questions, we’re joined in this show by two very special guests – Venetia Rudebeck and Romanos Brihi – the creative drivers behind London based practice ‘Studio Vero’ – recently named one of House and Gardens Top 100 finest interior designers.

Recorded at Studio Vero.

Thanks to our series partners, Naturalmat, for their support.

Chapters

(00:00:00) - How to Keep Your Creativity in the Interior Design Business
(00:01:28) - Inside Studio Vero
(00:04:13) - What sort of projects do you focus on?
(00:05:48) - How do you start a project?
(00:08:28) - Working with Romanos and Venetia
(00:10:35) - Do you also take inspiration from your clients?
(00:11:43) - How does inspiration from the design process influence your work?
(00:13:33) - Are Clients' Existing Possessions a BENEFIT or
(00:15:36) - The interior of a house
(00:18:04) - How important is the design process for the client?
(00:19:09) - The Art of Working With a Client
(00:20:51) - Interior Design's Creativity
(00:23:18) - Visit The National Trust's London Homes
(00:24:24) - Meet Natural Match
(00:26:56) - How to Develop a Design: Christie's
(00:28:44) - The Layering of Color in Interiors
(00:30:02) - The Art of Antiques and Furniture
(00:32:16) - How often do you need to meet with a client?
(00:35:01) - Australian Interior Designers: Inspiring Work
(00:37:57) - Getting inspired by places
(00:40:01) - Inside The Interior Design Business

Designing For Health And Wellness with Mark Tremlett, Fiona Watkins and Melanie Zarins

Wildwood — Thu, 31 Jul 2025 11:06:36 +0000

We are joined by Mark Tremlett, founder and managing director of Naturalmat, Fiona Watkins founder and creative director of Fiona Watkins Studio and Melanie Zarins, Project Director at international design powerhouse, tp bennett to explore the topic of wellness and interior design.

Interior design has evolved way beyond mere aesthetics to embrace wellness as a core principle. Whether designing homes, workplaces, or public spaces, integrating wellness into design decisions is no longer optional - it’s essential.

But whereas in the past wellness referred only to physical comfort and health, today’s definition has expanded to include mental health, the long-term health of our planet and of society as a whole. Never before in the history of the built environment have interior designers had so much to worry about or been under such pressure to do the right thing! But what exactly is the right thing? What and how should we be specifying to ‘Do No Harm’, and how can we fight against the tide of greenwash that threatens to engulf and overwhelm us?

This episode was recorded in the beautiful and very comfortable Naturalmat showroom in Knutsford, Cheshire.

Thanks to our series partner Naturalmat for their support.

Idb is a Wildwood Plus production.

Books mentioned by Fiona Watkins:

BIID Interior Design Project Book by Susie Rumbold

The Little Book Of Colour by Karen Heller

Interior Design Roles and Responsibilities With Sammy Bikoulis and Liz Bell

Wildwood — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 16:00:00 +0000

Interior designers undertake complex, highly skilled, technical work, within a framework of building safety regulations and consumer protection legislation yet are still largely credited only for good taste and an ability to shop.

But are designers their our own worst enemies? And if that is the case, how should they sharpen up their act, disabuse the public of this perception, and command the respect they deserve?

In this episode, recorded at the London offices of LXA Projects, Susie and Jeff are joined by Sammy Bikoulis, Associate Director at LXA and Liz Bell, Director at Absolute Project Management and President Elect of the British Institute of Interior Design to answer these questions and explore the roles and responsibilities of interior designers.

idb is a Wildwood Plus production.

Fee Charging And Getting Paid For The Work You Do With Andrea Benedettini and Anna Burles

Wildwood — Thu, 29 May 2025 16:00:00 +0000

It’s a problem most interior designers are familiar with. You have been given a brief for a lovely project, and you quote a fee based on that brief. But then the actual job turns out to be much more complex and difficult than you had expected and nothing like what you had quoted for.

What can designers do to protect themselves from goalposts that move and projects that creep? And what steps do they need to take at the start of a project to ensure smooth running further down the track?

We’re joined by two renowned interior designers, Anna Burles founder of Run For The Hills, and Andrea Benedettini, founder and principal designer of Andrea Benedettini Interiors to explore the issues and potential solutions.

This episode was recorded at the London office of Run For The Hills.

idb is a Wildwood Plus production.

Taking The Interior Outside Featuring Cathryn Bishop and Caroline Palk

Wildwood — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 16:30:00 +0000

Intimately connected with the interior of our homes, we use our outdoor spaces to relax, eat, socialise and connect with nature, and we appreciate the contribution they make to our wellbeing and mental health.

But who should be trusted with the design of these significant spaces? Is it the role of the interior designer or the garden designer? And should these relate to the interior or the exterior of the host building?

In this episode, recorded in front of a live audience of designers at the Design Central South West event in Bristol, Jeff and Susie explore these and other questions in the company of Cathryn Bishop from Cornish Interiors and Caroline Palk from Ashton House Design.

Interior Design For Interesting Times With Nicole Salvesen And Mary Graham

Wildwood — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 20:00:00 +0000

We live in interesting, if not very challenging, times.

But how do global conflicts, trade wars and economic uncertainties impact on the cosy world of interior design? Is this turmoil having a detrimental effect on our international clients both at home and abroad? And if so, can interior designers do anything to protect themselves from the chill winds of change?

Jeff and Susie are joined by international design duo Nicole Salvesen and Mary Graham, founders and co-directors of Salveson Graham, to find out more and learn how they are continuing to thrive against all the odds.

Passivhaus With The Vawdrey House Featuring Jenny Hamilton And Ian Chapman

Wildwood — Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:00:00 +0000

A Passivhaus is any building, new or retrofitted, that achieves the highest certifiable standard of energy efficiency while using negligible fuel for heating and cooling.

As the planet warms, this is clearly where we should all be heading, but passive houses are not without their detractors, who claim that these buildings are boxy, stuffy and chilly.

And is it enough for a building to be Passivhaus or does this still leave us a million miles away from achieving a truly sustainable built environment? What is the truth behind the hype? And is it possible to take a conventionally built 1990s house and turn it into a paragon of stylish sustainability?

For this episode, we are joined by Jenny Hamilton and Ian Chapman, founders and co-directors of BIID award-winning architecture and design practice, The Vawdrey House, to explore these issues through the lens of a recent project.

My Clients And Other Animals With Lyne Arbid, Jo Sampson And Katrina Burroughs

Wildwood — Wed, 15 Jan 2025 15:00:00 +0000

The British have always been famously crazy about their animals, cossetting them with as much tender treatment as they do their children.

Today there are 13.5 million dogs, 12.5 million cats, 1.5 million birds and 1.0 million pet rabbits in the UK, plus nearly a million each of tortoises, horses, Guinea pigs, hamsters and snakes. Unsurprisingly, interior designers are now being asked to design spas and bespoke bedrooms especially for pampered pets of all shapes and sizes, treating them as significant stakeholders in their projects.

Jeff and Susie are joined by Lyne Arbid of Studio Indigo, Jo Sampson of Absolute Project Management and Katrina Burroughs, Interiors Editor of The Times and Sunday Times to explore this design trend in more detail and find out where it might be heading next.

This episode was recorded in front of a live audience of designers as part of the Design Talks series at Decorex.

The Interior Design Business is a Wildwood Plus production.

The Fine Art Of Display With Sophie Paterson And Stephanie Nebbia

Wildwood — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Everyone has had the experience of packing up a home, removing the pictures and personal objects and realising with a shock that suddenly the space is no longer theirs.

Functional interior spaces that meet our practical needs are essential, but it seems it is the art and objects we use to personalise those spaces that give them their heart and soul.

We instinctively know that art in all its glorious forms provides emotional context that can make a person feel comfortable, or not comfortable, within a space.

But, in recognising the power of art to transform and complete an interior, how should designers go about preparing their buildings, and their clients, to best showcase these important elements.

We're joined by renowned interior designer, Sophie Paterson, and acclaimed artist and international curator, Stephanie Nebbia, in front of a live audience of designers to explore the fine art of display.

This discussion was part of the Design Talks programme at Decorex 2024.

Trends: The Interior Designer's Friend Or Foe With Helen Knox And Jen Williams

Wildwood — Mon, 18 Nov 2024 16:00:00 +0000

Interior designers are forever being asked for their opinions on the latest trends in paint colours, kitchen, tiles, furniture styles and so on.

And the supposed answers fill the pages of countless glossy style mags and newspapers, encouraging consumers to update their homes. But how should we respond to these questions?

As we move away from the throw-away attitude of recent times and journey towards a more sustainable future, do trends have any part to play in the work we do and the stories we tell? And how should we be advising our clients in this regard?

In responding to these questions and more, Susie and Jeff are joined by two Northern Design Award winners, Helen Knox from Lewis Knox and Jen Williams from Mon Interiors.

This episode was recorded in front of a live audience of designers at Design Central North-West.

Finding The Right Contractor With Brian Woulfe And Rina Patel

Wildwood — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 14:00:00 +0000

Designers rely heavily on contractors to faithfully execute and deliver on their visions for our clients. This reliance can mean that it is often difficult to fully control the finished quality of our projects, a situation that can vary from being merely frustrating to utterly tragic. But is there anything we can do to prevent this? How can designers ensure they have the best-fit contractor for their projects and for their clients, and the right people capable of faithfully executing their designs? Jeff and Susie are joined by Rina Patel from Vastu Design and Brian Woulfe from Designed by Woulfe to find out.

The Interior Design Business is a Wildwood Plus production.

Notes: During this episode, we discuss workmanship documents from the National Association of House Builders. Our faux pas: this standards document is actually produced by the NHBC- https://nhbc-standards.co.uk/

Designing Up A Stormzy With Sally Anne McCoy

Wildwood — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 13:00:00 +0000

In a world far, far, away from your average night club, cult rapper Stormzy, with a little help from design dynamo Sally Anne McCoy and her friends at the Cream Group, has just opened, House Party, the ultimate party place in a 7-storey building in London’s Soho. But what is the back story to the project? What inspired the team to come up with their wildly original theme and why is it so perfect for right now? Find out in this fascinating conversation with Sally which took place on location in the House Party kitchen.

The Interior Design Business is a Wildwood Plus production.

Decorex 2024 Preview

Wildwood — Mon, 23 Sep 2024 13:29:06 +0000

In this episode, we look ahead to Decorex 2024, Europe’s leading event for interior design professionals, taking place at Olympia London between Sunday 6th October and Wednesday 9th October.

Event Director, Sam Fisher and Marketing Manager, Carly Barclay set the scene for this year's show. We also hear from Tim Butcher at Fromental, Shayne Brady at Brady Williams, Jules Haines from The Haines Collection, Mirry Christie from B Able, John Stubbs from YesColours and decorative artist, Ellen Merchant, about their involvement in Decorex 2024.

The Interior Design Business is a media partner of Decorex 2024.

More information on the show can be found at www.decorex.com.

Growing Your Design Business With Laura Hammett

Wildwood — Thu, 29 Aug 2024 11:41:34 +0000

There are few UK designers as admired and emulated as Laura Hammett, both for her signature style and for the glamorous international projects in her portfolio.

But what is her back story? Has her eponymous company always been so successful? How does she continue to stay one step ahead of the competition? And where is she planning to take her business next?

In this episode, Laura joins Jeff and Susie in conversation to share her fascinating story.

The Changing Face Of Workplace Design With May Fawzy And James White

Wildwood — Mon, 29 Jul 2024 13:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we explore the changing face of workplace design with help from James White, Co-Founder of global interior design powerhouse, MAWD, and May Fawzy, Founder and Creative Director of MF Design Studio and President of the British Institute of Interior Design.

What does the post-pandemic, hybrid-working office look like? Can co-working spaces provide a second option to working from home? And, how does this new reality impact the design of office and co-working spaces?

The Interior Design Business is a Wildwood Plus production.

Interior Design Degrees And Apprenticeships With Leanne Wookey, Graeme Brooker And Courteney Kieley

Wildwood — Mon, 08 Jul 2024 14:00:00 +0000

25 years ago, there were only a handful of UK universities where undergraduate students could study interior design. Today there are 53 offering a total of 117 courses, and this does not include the growing number of private schools who also offer interior design degrees.

But are these courses producing well-rounded students, fully equipped and ready to take their place in industry? Is the current degree model a bar to inclusivity? And would apprenticeships be a better way to train new talent in what is essentially a practical discipline?

To help us untangle these complex issues we are joined by Professor Graeme Brooker, Head of Programme, Interior Design at the Royal College of Art, Leanne Wookey, Director at international commercial design juggernaut, T P Bennett, and Courteney Kieley, Founder and Creative Director of Scene Interiors and instigator of the Interior Design Apprenticeship Scheme.

Design For Neurodiversity With Lori Pinkerton Rolet And Judi Watkinson

Wildwood — Fri, 31 May 2024 14:33:00 +0000

How should designers approach the subject of neurodiversity with their clients? How can they accurately assess their client’s needs and, most importantly of all, how should they translate these requirements into their designs?

In this episode, Susie and Jeff are joined by specialist inclusive design consultant, Judi Watkinson and dementia specialist, writer and presenter of the definitive Third Age Design podcast, Lori Pinkerton Rolet, to find out.

Home Technology And Well-Being With Susie Pfeiffer, Ben Channon And Damien Smith

Wildwood — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 15:54:00 +0000

Health and wellness continue to be top priorities in residential design. Interior design that addresses both the mind and the body challenges designers to learn new skills and adapt their design approaches.

As part of this evolution, we find out the role that home technology plays in delivering a comfortable, healthier and mood-enhancing lifestyle at home with help from BIID award-winning designer, Susie Pfeiffer of Pfeiffer Design, Ben Channon of specialist well-being design consultancy, EKKIST and Damien Smith of leading home technology firm, New Wave AV.

This episode was recorded in front of a live audience of designers at Decorex 2023.

Designing Spaces For Art With Julia Bell And Jennie Trethewy

Wildwood — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 16:30:19 +0000

Art in all its glorious forms plays a key role within the interior, providing emotional context that can make a person feel comfortable, or not comfortable, within the space.

But, in recognising the power of art to transform and complete an interior, how should designers go about preparing their buildings, and their clients, to best showcase these important elements?

We’re joined by Julia Bell from Parapluie and Jennie Trethewy from Studio Far West to explore the important steps to take when designing spaces for art.

This episode was recorded in front of a live audience of designers at Design Central South West.

Demystifying The Media With Katrina Burroughs And Hatta Byng

Wildwood — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 14:55:09 +0000

Many interior designers want their projects and expertise to be featured within magazines and the interior sections of newspapers but are unsure or unaware of how to present themselves, their projects and their stories to do that.

We're joined by Hatta Byng, Editor of House & Garden and Katrina Burroughs, Interiors Editor of The Times and Sunday Times as they share their insights on how the media works, the content that journalists are looking for and the best approaches that designers can take to engage effectively with writers and the media.

Recorded in front of a live audience at Decorex 2023.

The Rise And Rise Of Branded Residences With Antonio Quesada And Heidi Schmidtke

Wildwood — Thu, 25 Jan 2024 15:32:00 +0000

For the super-rich who spend their lives moving between homes in the world’s most glamorous cities, it can be reassuring to buy a property endorsed by a designer brand who they already know and trust.

In this episode, Jeff and Susie are joined by Antonio Quesada, MD of design studio Morpheus & Co and Heidi Schmidtke, Managing Director of JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group to discover more about the recent trends in the space. Listen in to find out more about the rise of the branded residence and learn how interior designers can be involved in this lucrative but challenging sector of the market.

Women In Property & Construction With Karen Howes And Agnita Benjamin

Wildwood — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 14:38:47 +0000

When UK employment for women is broken down by sector, construction comes last in the table. Only 14.7% of those employed in the industry are women. This is 32.9 percentage points lower than the national average. At a time of industry-wide skill shortages, this represents a calamitous wasted opportunity both for construction and for women. 

So, what are the factors at play that keep women out of the sector? What can be done to correct this position? And what benefits will women bring to construction once they do join their male colleagues as full participants? 

Hear the discussion unfold, at the Design Club in the Chelsea Design Centre, with Susie Rumbold who is joined by Karen Howes, Founder and CEO of Taylor Howes Designs and Agnita Benjamin, Senior Quantity Surveyor at Verve Concepts, where they share valued insights and experiences from their times working on site!

Thanks to our series supporters, Havwoods, the prevailing name in beautiful wood flooring.

When Kelly Met Martin With Kelly Hoppen and Martin Waller

Wildwood — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 15:15:00 +0000

Throughout the course of her long career, international interior designer and author Kelly Hoppen, CBE, has earned and received every plaudit. Her impact on our industry and the public’s perception of the significance of interior design in their lives cannot be underestimated.

She joins us for this latest show alongside Martin Waller, Founder of the Global design brand, Andrew Martin, the internationally recognised Andrew Martin Interior Designer of The Year Award and the annual Interior Design Review. Martin is also a long-time friend and collaborator of Kelly.

In this episode, we learn about their own career pathways, their views on the evolution of interior design and the fruits of their many partnerships, including Kelly’s latest collection for Andrew Martin.

This show was recorded in front of a live audience of designers at the fabulous Andrew Martin showroom on Walton Street in South Kensington.

Is Interior Design Too London-centric? With Fiona Watkins, Cath McCubbin and Kate Hatherell

Wildwood — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 15:00:00 +0000

For the UK interior design industry, London acts like a black hole sucking in product, education and designers to the exclusion of everywhere else. Little wonder you might think when, with a population of 9.3 million people, it is more than three times the size of its nearest rival city, Manchester.

But is this how it should be and is this situation inevitable? Talented and professional interior designers are constantly completing challenging, world-class, complex projects all over the country!

We are joined by Fiona Watkins of Fiona Watkins Design, Cath McCubbin founder of Design Central UK and Kate Hatherell of The Interior Designer’s Hub to explore if interior design is too London-centric.

This episode was recorded in front of a live audience of interior designers at Design Central North West, Capesthorne Hall in Cheshire.

Thanks to our series supporters, Havwoods, the prevailing name in beautiful wood flooring.

Looking Forward To Decorex 2023

Wildwood — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 08:20:00 +0000

In this episode, we preview Decorex 2023, Europe’s leading event for interior design professionals, which opens its doors at Olympia London on Sunday 8^th October running until Wednesday 11^th October.

We hear from four of the key figures involved in this year's event.

Listen to Sam Fisher, Event Director at Decorex, alongside Brian Woulfe of Designed by Woulfe, Mark Tremlett of Naturalmat and Laurence Katz of Elemental Studio as they explain what to look out for at Decorex 2023.

Thanks to our series supporter, Havwoods the prevailing name in beautiful wood flooring.

The Interior Design Business is a media partner of Decorex 2023.

Anatomy Of An Award-Winning Project With Lisa Keates

Wildwood — Thu, 24 Aug 2023 10:54:51 +0000

We all want dream projects that will earn us the accolades of our peers and attract new clients. But what makes an award-winning project? What makes it special and worth the significant investment in money, time and effort that it takes to prepare a winning award entry?

Find out in our latest episode with Lisa Keates from Keates Interiors as she talks us through her award-winning project from the Northern Design Awards 2022.

Thanks to our series supporter, Havwoods the prevailing name in beautiful wood flooring.

Storytelling In Interior Design With Inge Moore and Nathan Hutchins

Wildwood — Thu, 27 Jul 2023 15:30:00 +0000

If ‘a picture paints a thousand words’, then surely an interior can tell a thousand stories?

Our most beloved interior spaces are grounded in a time and place and speak eloquently of the lives of the people who have inhabited them either now or in the past.

But what is the magic essence that makes these much-loved places so special? And how can interior designers recreate this magic in their work?

To shed light on these questions, we're joined by consummate storytellers Inge Moore and Nathan Hutchins, co-founders and creative directors of global interior design studio, Muza Lab.

This episode was recorded at the London home of Inge Moore. Thanks to Havwoods, the prevailing name in beautiful wood flooring for their support.

The Interior Design Business is a Wildwood Plus production.

How To Build A Good Relationship With Your Suppliers With Ed O’Donnell And Naomi Astley Clarke

Wildwood — Thu, 29 Jun 2023 18:34:51 +0000

Interior designers are a bit like ‘piggy in the middle’. They must be adept at managing client relationships while also managing their supply chains in order to finish on time and deliver the best possible projects.

So, how can designers find and retain professional and reliable suppliers? How can they ensure they get early warning when things are going wrong? And is it possible to build a dream supplier team that will last forever?

To help us answer these important questions and more, we are joined today by Ed O’Donnell from Angel O’Donnell and BIID Register Interior Designer, Naomi Astley Clarke.

Recorded in front of a live audience at the Andrew Martin showroom on Tottenham Court Road in London. Thanks to Havwoods, the prevailing name in beautiful wood flooring for their support.

The Interior Design Business is a Wildwood Plus production.

Career Changing To Interior Design With Charlotte Dawson And Stephen Tozer

Wildwood — Fri, 26 May 2023 16:05:10 +0000

Many people would love to have a career in interior design. To get there, some take the conventional route of obtaining an interior design qualification straight out of school and then gain experience within an established design practice before branching out on their own, but many also set up businesses later in life and enjoy a satisfying career having already had a career in another field.

Do late-design bloomers have any advantages over their younger rivals? And is it possible to be a good designer without a design qualification?

We are joined today by three designers from very different backgrounds to discuss this topic - Charlotte Dawson from Chestnut Interiors, Stephen Tozer from Boaz Interiors and Susie Rumbold, creative director of Tessuto Interiors and a Past President of the British Institute of Interior Design.

Recorded in front of a live audience at Design Central South West in Blagdon, Somerset. Thanks to Havwoods, the prevailing name in beautiful wood flooring.

The Interior Design Business is a Wildwood Plus production.

Beyond Sustainability

Wildwood — Thu, 27 Apr 2023 15:02:25 +0000

Sustainability is defined as ‘the ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level’.

But, given the environmental damage we have already inflicted on our planet, is it sufficient to maintain the status quo at our current degraded level?

In other words, is it enough to merely cause no further damage or should we be setting our sights higher with long-term goals to restore the environmental quality of our home to pre-industrial levels?

Mel Meale from Steer Design and Simon Myatt from Havwoods share ideas with Jeff and Susie in an episode recorded in front of a live audience at the recent Design Central South West event held at Blagdon in Somerset.

Thanks to Havwoods the prevailing name in beautiful wood flooring.

The Interior Design Business is a Wildwood production.

Finding The Right Interior Designer

Wildwood — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 19:50:24 +0000

Buying the services of an interior designer is unlike any other purchase. The client knows they have a project and a set of requirements, they have a budget figure in mind, they know when they want the project to end, and they may know what they like, but beyond that they have no idea what the finished product will be.

For most people that is a truly daunting prospect. The answer,of course, is to get help from a professional. But where can you go to find this wonderful person who truly gets you and will be able to give you the perfect product? And, once you think you have found them how can you be certain that they can deliver?

Jackie Fisken from Ampersand Interiors, John Amabile from John Amabile Design and Nicky Emlick from N M Design joined co-hosts Jeff Hayward and Susie Rumbold to share their views in a lively discussion recorded in front of a live audience at the splendid sofa.com showroom in Glasgow.

Thanks to our series supporter, Havwoods.

Work Smarter Not Harder

Wildwood — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 07:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we explore ways that designers can sustain and grow their businesses by working smarter not harder in the company of Freeman Studio's, Mathew Freeman, the President of the British Institute of Interior Design and Anna Burles, Creative Director and Founder of Run For The Hills.

It seems the only way designers and architects can achieve the quality results that their clients expect is to produce drawings and other information in such detail that there is no room for misinterpretation on site and that nothing could possibly ever go wrong.

But was this always the case? Or has something fundamentally shifted? And if so, how can designers do less and still achieve the perfect product for their clients?

This episode was recorded at the Havwoods showroom in Clerkenwell. Havwoods, the prevailing name in wood flooring is a supporter of the series.

The Interior Design Business is a Wildwood Plus production.

Travel As Design Inspiration

Wildwood — Thu, 26 Jan 2023 15:47:00 +0000

Most people walk through the world with their eyes closed, not seeing the beauty or noticing the details that surround them, but this is certainly not true of interior designers.

But how can they ensure their work never gets stale? Where should they go to look for fresh inspiration and how do they recognise it when they see it?

For this episode, we are lucky enough to be joined by internationally acclaimed designer, Katharine Pooley, to find out how she uses travel as an inspiration and how it translates into her work.

The Interior Design Business is supported by Havwoods, the prevailing name in beautiful wood flooring.

We are a Wildwood production.

Mind The Gap: Where Architecture Meets Interior Design

Wildwood — Thu, 22 Dec 2022 16:46:00 +0000

Today architects and interior designers work closely together to deliver highly intricate building projects for their clients.

How can these design professionals ensure their clients appoint the right people at the right time during their project? And, what steps do architects and designers need to take to achieve a continuity of service to ensure the project runs smoothly?

Max de Rosee and Claire Sa, founding partners of international architecture and interior design studio, De Rosee Sa join Susie and Jeff to answer these questions and more in this latest show.

The Interior Design Business is a Wildwood production.

A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Showroom Part Two

Wildwood — Thu, 24 Nov 2022 17:56:00 +0000

The working life of an interior designer is rarely, if ever, entirely plain sailing.

As we strive to deliver projects on time, that meet our client’s brief as well as their budget, there are frequently bumps on the road to navigate, pitfalls to avoid and unforeseen difficulties that arise which challenge the most resourceful and most creative-thinking designers.

So, quite how do interior designers manage to deal with what’s thrown at them to make sure they solve the seemingly insoluble and emerge triumphant, against all odds, to the delight of all parties, especially their clients!

Let’s find out in the company of Philip Vergeylen and Heather Lindahl from the internationally renowned design firm, Paolo Moschino.

This episode was recorded in front of a live audience as part of the Decorex Talks programme.

Is TV Good For Interior Design?

Wildwood — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 13:49:00 +0000

We all know those crazy interior design TV shows where wannabe amateur designers try to cover themselves sometimes in glory but more often than not cover themselves in paint. Love them or hate them they make weirdly compelling viewing for practicing designers and the public alike.

But do these reality TV shows bear any resemblance to what real designers do?

How do they impact the public’s perception of the interior design profession?

What is it really like to be a contestant, and do the winners go on to become renowned designers in their own right?

We asked Verity Coleman from Rascal & Roses, Siobhan Murphy from Interior Curve and Peter Grech from The SpaceMaker Interiors the question, ‘Is TV Good For Interior Design?’ in this episode, recorded in front of a live audience at DesignCentral North West.

Find out what they have to say in a fascinating and hugely entertaining hour of conversation with Susie Rumbold and Jeff Hayward.

Sustainability: Your Questions Answered

Wildwood — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 15:00:00 +0000

There are many ways in which products can be unsustainable.

Some are flown halfway round the world, some are produced using unacceptable quantities of water and other natural materials, some produce dangerously polluting substances as bi-products and others exploit and dehumanize the people that produce them. And then there is the problem of what happens to the product when it is no longer required.

But in a world of competing sustainability claims, how can designers find out the truth about the products they specify and steer a confident path between the many hazards?

We're joined by three designers in the vanguard of the interior design sustainability movement to answer the questions at the forefront of designer minds: Alexandra Jurkiewicz, Creative Lead at Helen Green Design, Chloe Bullock, founder of Materialise Interiors and David Chenery, founder and director of Object Space Place.

This episode was recorded in front of a live audience of designers gathered at the newly renovated showroom of sofa.com in Chelsea.

Previewing Decorex 2022

Wildwood — Wed, 14 Sep 2022 17:58:00 +0000

In this show, we’re looking forward to Decorex 2022, Europe’s leading event for interior design professionals, which opens its doors at Olympia London on Sunday 9^th October running until Wednesday 12^th October.

So, what can we expect from this year's event?

We talk to Bethan Laura Wood, Carden Cunietti, Natascha Dartnall, Alidad, De Rosee Sa and Rita Konig to find out.

The Confident Client

Wildwood — Thu, 25 Aug 2022 11:59:00 +0000

All designers have them.

The clients who are allergic to colour, refuse to listen to the designer’s pearls of wisdom, fail to recognise their strokes of genius and only want what they already have. Or, worse still what their best friend already has!

But why are some clients so afraid, and what exactly are they afraid of?

And how can interior designers help their clients discover their true inner style and be confident in expressing it?

In this show, we are joined by leading residential designers and masters of confident eclecticism, Audrey Carden and Eleanora Cunietti, co-founders of Carden Cunietti to find out how it’s done.

The Pursuit of Wellness

Wildwood — Thu, 21 Jul 2022 15:17:00 +0000

In this episode, we’re exploring healthy spaces, happy places and how to integrate wellness into the design process.

Wellness is defined as ‘the state of being in good health, especially as an actively pursued goal’.

Interior designers have always understood that well-ordered, functional spaces can relieve anxiety and bring relaxation and peace, but today’s well-informed clients are now demanding enhanced wellness as requisite for their interior spaces.

So, what exactly constitutes wellbeing? How can we achieve this elusive goal?And, what should interior designers do to keep pace with the latest thinking on wellness and apply that theory in their work?

We're joined by Karen Stonely and Peter Pelsinki, co-founders and the creative force behind SPAN Architecture LLC, the internationally renowned, New York-based, architecture and design studio, to find out how they embed design for wellness at the core of their spectacular projects.

On The Pathway To Professionalism

Wildwood — Wed, 29 Jun 2022 13:43:00 +0000

Interior designers are well respected for their creativity, but much less so for their business practices. Most design studios are micro businesses whose owners are often too busy designing to pay sufficient attention to contracts and other key project documents.

So, what do designers need to do to tighten up their business practices in order to be seen as true professionals? And where can they turn to for advice?

The British Institute of Interior Design in partnership with the Royal Institute of British Architects has commissioned a new, comprehensive guide to professional practice for interior designers, called ‘The BIID Project Book.

The author of this publication, none other than podcast co-host, Susie Rumbold, a Past President of the BIID and Creative Director of London firm, Tessuto Interiors, joins us on the show to explain more about the project and tell us what we can find inside 'The BIID Project Book'.

What Does Success Mean To You?

Wildwood — Thu, 19 May 2022 14:07:00 +0000

Success, like beauty, is firmly in the eye of the beholder.

For interior designers, and the practices they run, it goes without saying that success involves happy clients and being paid to create beautiful, functional interiors but, in reality, what does this look like? What really constitutes success for an interior designer? Is it fame? Or is it fortune? And in the end, does size really matter?

In this show, recorded in front of a live audience of designers at the fabulous Roca London Gallery as part of the Chelsea Design Quarter Springtime Sessions, Jeff and Susie talk with David Goodman, COO of the renowned David Collins Studio, and Monique Tollgard Co-founder and Head of Studio of the Tollgard Design Group, to find out what success means to them personally and professionally.

Shining A Light

Wildwood — Fri, 29 Apr 2022 14:57:00 +0000

In this episode, we’re taking a detailed look at typical lighting issues facing interior designers with advice on how to deal with them from Luke Thomas, Design Director at John Cullen Lighting.

Interior designers and their clients often underestimate the importance of lighting.

Simply put, it seems senseless to spend time, energy and lots of money designing and installing beautiful interiors, if you cannot see them properly.

So, how can interior designers avoid the most common pitfalls and create the right lighting for their projects?

We are a Wildwood production.

And The Nominations Are...

Wildwood — Fri, 25 Mar 2022 15:49:00 +0000

Interior designers are always looking for ways to showcase their work and gain recognition from a wider audience, but this is not always easy to achieve. Getting editorial coverage in glossy magazines can be tricky and Instagram has become a seriously crowded place. But what about winning interior design awards?

Will winning a recognised design award bring about the desired rise in profile? Or does the cost and effort of entering outweigh the benefits? And in a space crowded with design award schemes, how can you tell which ones are the real deal?

We're joined by two multi-award-winning practitioners, May Fawzy of specialist workplace design practice MF Design Studio and Matt Freeman, Senior Associate at Goddard Littlefair and President-Elect of the British Institute of Interior Design (BIID), to talk about how they go about entering, and more importantly, winning interior design awards.

We also receive privileged insights into the new BIID Interior Design Awards scheme.

This episode is a Wildwood production.

The Business Start-Up

Wildwood — Thu, 17 Feb 2022 11:27:00 +0000

You’ve worked hard to get your interior design qualifications and you have spent years working even harder in other people’s design studios honing your knowledge and skills. Finally, you feel ready to break free, spread your entrepreneurial wings and run your own interior design company.

But how do you know when the time is right to take the first step? And do you go it alone or join forces with a partner? Should you rush out and rent office space? And, most importantly, how will you let prospective clients know you are open for business and ready to take on their projects?

New kids on the block, Courtney Giles and Marianne Roe, explain how and why they set up Studio Smiths and what's making their partnership such a success.

This episode is a Wildwood production.

Hit Them With Your Best Shot!

Wildwood — Thu, 20 Jan 2022 11:36:00 +0000

So, you have spent a fortune on your website and have a clutch of completed photogenic projects ready to be showcased. As a designer, you know that quality photographs will make your interiors sing and induce those high spending clients to pick up the phone.

But how do you go about finding that special photographer who will be capable of conveying and amplifying your unique style?

Once found, how should you work with them to ensure you ratchet the maximum value from each photoshoot?

And how important is the quality of communication between designer and photographer in ensuring a breathtaking outcome?

We're joined by the experienced interior design photographer, James Balston, to find out the answers.

This episode is a Wildwood production.

How To Attract The Perfect Clients

Wildwood — Thu, 16 Dec 2021 15:16:00 +0000

For interior design projects, the perfect client is one with deep pockets and a spirit of adventure; a client who admires their designer’s personal style and respects and trusts the designer’s vision for their spaces.

So just how important is it for designers to have a recognisable style to attract their dream clients?

And how should designers define their unique design vision and then communicate it effectively to attract those dream clients?

We're joined by acclaimed interior designer Susie Atkinson for her perspective on this fascinating topic as she shares her own journey with a live audience of designers, together with her views on interior design style and client relationships.

This episode was recorded at the Roca London Gallery as part of the podcast's third birthday celebrations. We are grateful to series sponsors, Parkside Architectural Tiles, for their support.

We are a Wildwood production.

Growing Your Business

Wildwood — Thu, 18 Nov 2021 11:41:00 +0000

Most interior designers begin in a whirl of creativity, energy and optimism.

In an average working week, they will act as designer, specifier, accountant, project manager, client liaison, IT support, office dogsbody and tea-lady.

There is no time to spare for marketing the business or finding new clients. Workflows are impossible to manage, and famine follows feast in a never-ending cycle that can be difficult to break. This is the curse of the small business.

Yet some design businesses seem to quickly grow and effortlessly thrive acquiring prestige and financial success along the way. Their founders serene, glamorous and much admired.

So, what is their secret? At what point did they make the jump to hyperspace? And how did they orchestrate it?

In this episode, we are joined by two very special guests, successful designer Lindsey Rendall, British Institute of Interior Design President and founding partner of Rendall and Wright, and Rose Murray, founder and creative force behind These White Walls, to find out they did it.

This episode was recorded at the Parkside Studio in Clerkenwell - thanks to Parkside for their support.

We are a Wildwood production.

A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Showroom

Wildwood — Thu, 21 Oct 2021 15:47:00 +0000

The worst experiences often make the best stories. Never has this been truer than in the world of interior design!

In this episode, we are going to explore some of the best-worst moments in the careers of Joanna Wood from Joanna Wood Ltd, Irene Gunter from Gunter & Co and co-host, Susie Rumbold from Tessuto Interiors. We'll find out how this acclaimed panel of designers solved the insoluble and still came up smiling and smelling of roses.

This discussion was originally part of the Talks Programme in the Seminar Theatre at the international design fair, Decorex.

It was recorded on 12th October 2021 - we apologise for any temporary audio interference with the recording.

Our thanks to series supporters, John Lewis & Partners Business and Parkside Architectural Tiles.

We are a Wildwood production.

Previewing Decorex 2021

Wildwood — Thu, 30 Sep 2021 18:53:00 +0000

This year, Decorex, Europe’s leading event for interior design professionals, returns as an in-person event.

The show welcomes back the design community at Olympia London from Sunday 10^th until Wednesday 13^th October.

What can we expect from Decorex 2021?

In this special episode, we talk to designers Sara Cosgrove, Laura Hammett, Charu Ghandi, Olivia Outred and Dee Gibson as well as Ben Rigby from Decorex exhibitor, Haberdashery, to find out what's in store.

The Home Staging Opportunity

Wildwood — Thu, 16 Sep 2021 12:44:00 +0000

Home staging is the preparation of a private residence for sale but how far is it an area of opportunity for interior designers today?

We're joined by Paloma Harrington-Griffin, Founding Director of the Home Staging Association and Lauren Colquhoun, Senior Interior Designer at the Accouter Group of Companies to assess the state of home staging in the UK and find out how designers can tap into this potentially lucrative stream of work.

This episode was recorded in the John Lewis store in White City. Thanks to our supporters John Lewis & Partners Business and Parkside Architectural Tiles.

We are a Wildwood production.

Interior Design And The Circular Economy

Wildwood — Fri, 13 Aug 2021 09:39:00 +0000

In this episode, we explore interior design and the circular economy with Jules Haines from The Haines Collection and Chaline Church from 540 World.

In 2018, a major study concluded that the world was only 9% circular with more than 90% of raw materials not being cycled back into the economy.

Clearly, for the health of the planet and the survival of the human race, we must become more sustainable and resource-resilient.

But how will this new thinking impact the sourcing and use of materials in the construction industry? How can interior designers embed circularity into their approach to design? And, how can we best encourage our clients to embrace this new way of consuming?

This episode was recorded at the Sustainability Studio of series supporter, Parkside Architectural Tiles in Clerkenwell. Thanks also John Lewis & Partners Business for their support.

Winning New Business

Wildwood — Thu, 15 Jul 2021 15:34:00 +0000

It’s a dog-eat-dog world out there for interior designers. The competition is fierce and new designers are entering the market every day.

We work our socks off, our designs are beautifully considered, and we have happy clients, but for many designers the reality is one of alternating feast and famine, and sometimes it can feel as though we are being left behind.

Not only do designers have to find new business, they have to convince new clients that they are the right person for the job and then close the deal at a level that makes it financially worth doing.

So, what tools do interior designers need to secure new business and how can they be sure they are getting their fair share of the action?

We're joined by Lloyd Princeton from the Design Management Company and Helen Bygraves and Jenny Weiss, the co-founders of the internationally renowned, Hill House Interiors to find out more.

Thanks to our series supporters, John Lewis & Partners Business and Parkside Architectural Tiles.

We are a Wildwood production.

The Future Of Home

Wildwood — Thu, 17 Jun 2021 11:00:00 +0000

2020 was the year that bought our homes and the way we use them into sharp focus. Stuck inside while the pandemic raged, we were all forced to find space at home to work, play and carry out activities that would previously have been done elsewhere. For residential interior designers, all this domestic churn has created real challenges as they try to advise their clients on future home trends and accurately interpret their needs. But was 2020 really the year that changed everything? Or, were these lifestyle changes already taking place? Will these changes be a permanent feature of our future lives and how can interior designers determine what advice to offer their clients? To discuss all of this and more, Susie Rumbold and Jeff Hayward are joined by Suzanne Knight, Partner and Sales Manager, Property at John Lewis & Partners, Sarah O’Sullivan, from the Trend team at John Lewis & Partners, and Verity Coleman, residential interior designer and founder of design practice, Rascal & Roses. This epsiode is recorded at the Peter Jones store in Sloane Square and is supported by John Lewis & Partners. We'd also like to thank Parkside Architectural Tiles for their support. The Interior Design Business is a Wildwood production.

Pattern: Evolution And Revolution

Wildwood — Thu, 13 May 2021 10:00:00 +0000

In the third decade of the 21st century, designers could be forgiven for feeling overwhelmed by the colossal variety of pattern available to them. Fabrics, wallpapers and tiles are embellished with patterns created by man, while stone, timber and other materials provide us with the ever-changing patterns that occur in the natural world. Throughout history, much of man’s ingenuity has been spent designing cunning patterns and developing techniques to apply them to cloth and other materials and today new production techniques mean that pattern is now only limited by the designer’s imagination. But what is it that designers need to know about the application of pattern? How can we learn to use it with confidence, and how can we encourage our clients to welcome pattern into their world? To find out, we're joined by Christian Lee, Managing Director of the fabric company, Christian Lee and Philip Sykas, Reader in Textile History at The Manchester Metropolitan University. Thanks to our series partner Parkside Architectural Tiles for their support. Parkside offers a RIBA approved CPD, ‘An Introduction to Tiling Patterns – symmetry, repeat patterns and tesselations’ – more information available at https://www.parkside.co.uk/.

Interior Design Declares

Wildwood — Thu, 15 Apr 2021 11:00:00 +0000

A group of nine forward-thinking and influential design firms have joined forces to launch an ambitious initiative for our industry, Interior Design Declares. They have committed to working together to urge everyone in the UK design and construction industry to adopt a paradigm shift in their behaviour over climate change. We're joined by three of these founding members - Oliver Heath from Oliver Heath Design. Jecks Stone from Persona Abode and Josie Lees from MCM - to find out how interior designers can be a force for good in the global fight against imminent environmental catastrophe. Thanks to our series partner Parkside Architectural Tiles for their support.

Emotion In Design

Wildwood — Thu, 18 Mar 2021 12:00:00 +0000

In his 2003 book, Emotional Design, the well-known American academic, Don Norman, came up with a theory to capture how and why people react, and emotionally connect, to certain objects and visual experiences. His theory was that true delight and enduring pleasure in something can only be achieved if positive visceral, behavioural and reflective reactions are achieved. In this episode, Jeff and Susie are joined by Brian Woulfe of Designed by Woulfe to explore how this theory can be applied to the design of interior spaces. Is Don Norman’s approach just marketing spin or are there real benefits to be had? And, if so, how can designers ensure their clients respond positively to their designs on all levels? Thanks to our series partner Parkside Architectural Tiles for their support. The Interior Design Business is a Wildwood production.

Designing Globally

Wildwood — Thu, 18 Feb 2021 16:00:00 +0000

How do you design an overseas project for clients, especially in these most difficult of times? Established in 2009 by husband-and-wife team Aaron and Laura Hammett, London-based studio, Laura Hammett Interiors, has since expanded into a global design powerhouse, undertaking complex residential projects for demanding private clients all over the world. But, how do the team manage to maintain their exacting luxury standards when working across the globe? In this episode, Aaron and Laura join us to explain just how it's done. It's a fascinating conversation. The Interior Design Business is a Wildwood production.

Blogging For Interior Designers

Wildwood — Thu, 21 Jan 2021 14:00:00 +0000

Originating in the late 1990s, blogs were, initially, personal online diaries or journals, mostly written in internet cafes by gap year students on their travels. From these humble beginnings, and with the advent of social media, blogging has evolved into big business and is an important way for creative businesses of all kinds to engage with their target customers. But, writing a blog can be a daunting and arduous task! Is blogging worth the considerable effort involved? And, will it increase your client base and add to the profitability of your interior design business? In this episode, we are joined by Kate Watson Smyth, the property and interiors journalist, co-host of The Great Indoors podcast and author of the multi-award-winning interiors blog “Mad about the House” and Fiona Mostyn, specialist digital marketing coach for interior designers and founder of My Deco Marketing, to find out the answers to these and other burning questions. The Interior Design Business is a Wildwood production. We are supported by Parkside Architectural Tiles.

The Future Of Hotel Design

Wildwood — Wed, 23 Dec 2020 14:00:00 +0000

In March 2020, hotel design was booming. There were 6,860 luxury hotels in the construction pipeline in Europe alone, containing a planned number of 1,516,493 new guest rooms. The sector was experiencing unprecedented global expansion and new groups of customers with new requirements were emerging. And, then, along came COVID-19... How have hotel designers dealt with the challenges they've faced in 2020? What long-term impact might the pandemic have on hotel design and what other trends are affecting the way they will be working on future schemes? Co-hosts Jeff Hayward and Susie Rumbold are joined by Elizabeth Lane from RPW Design and Fiona Thompson from Richmond International to find out the answers. The Interior Design Business is a Wildwood production.

Cutting Through The Greenwash

Wildwood — Mon, 30 Nov 2020 00:00:00 +0000

As awareness of the crisis facing our planet grows, more and more interior suppliers are making environmentally friendly claims for their products to increase their sales; but working out who to believe can be a minefield for designers. Greenwash, defined as behaviour or activities that mislead people into believing that a company is doing more to protect the environment than it actually is, is rife. How can interior designers cut through the greenwash to be sure that they are sourcing as sustainably as possible? What information is available to designers who want to understand the origins and impact of what they are specifying, and what are the questions all designers need to be asking their supply chains to get to the truth of sustainable sourcing? We're joined by Nicola Keenan from Boxx Creative, Chloe Bullock from Materialise Interiors and Stefan Dodds from Dodds & Shute to find out. This episode was first broadcast as a panel discussion as part of the Decorex Virtual 2020 Agenda programme.

The Great Escapes

Wildwood — Thu, 29 Oct 2020 00:00:00 +0000

This year, Decorex, Europe’s leading event for interior design professionals, transitions from a live event to an all-virtual format show. Decorex Virtual 2020 will bring the industry together from 17th to 19th November and, in this epsiode, we explore one of the exciting, immersive features of the event, The Great Escapes. We talk to Sam Fisher, Event Director of Decorex, about how this new feature will work and we also speak with the talented designers who will create these virtual spaces - Charu Ghandi of Elicyon; Louise Wicksteed of Louise Wicksteed Interiors; Alexandria Dauley of Dauley Design; Henriette Von Stockhausen of VSP Interiors and Duncan Campbell and Charlotte Rey of Campbell Rey. This episode is supported by Decorex and is a Wildwood production.

Taking The Brief

Wildwood — Fri, 16 Oct 2020 04:24:53 +0000

In this show, co-presenter Susie Rumbold, Creative Director of Tessuto Interiors, and our special guest, Julia Alexander of Julia Alexander Interiors talk us through that significant first step for a designer in any client relationship, taking the brief. The success or failure of every project lies in their ability to extract an accurate brief from their clients. It sounds straightforward enough, but many clients who begin work with a designer are unable to articulate what it is that they need and want. Often, they simply don’t know, and, in many cases, they are not aware of what is possible. So, where should designers begin in this process and how do they determine what questions to ask their clients in order to gain the information essential to delivering that successful project? This episode is a Wildwood production.

A Product Design Masterclass With Tricia Guild

Wildwood — Wed, 23 Sep 2020 11:00:00 +0000

Tricia Guild OBE is the creative force of Designers Guild and has been at the forefront of interior design since starting the company in 1970. Internationally renowned for her passion for colour, pattern and texture as well as her signature lifestyle brand and books, Tricia has built a formidable reputation for her dynamic and innovative collections and is instantly recognisable for her unique and contemporary style. In this episode, recorded at the Designers Guild flagship store on the King’s Road, Jeff and Susie sit down with Tricia to talk about her design inspirations and how she develops those ideas into the beautiful finished products that grace the homes of discerning consumers the world over. Listen in for a product design masterclass. The Interior Design Business is a Wildwood production.

What's Happening To Design Events?

Wildwood — Mon, 14 Sep 2020 11:00:00 +0000

What can we expect from the international design show, Decorex, when it opens this November? In our latest episode, we talk to Event Director, Sam Fisher, about the challenges facing exhibition organisers, what the long-term future looks like and how a virtual Decorex will offer business opportunity for interior designers and brands. This episode is supported by Decorex and is a Wildwood production.

Rethinking Technology And Interiors For The Post-Pandemic Home

Wildwood — Wed, 19 Aug 2020 08:00:00 +0000

Never before in the history of the modern family have homes been under such intense pressure as they have been since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis. Residential properties that would have been mostly empty during weekdays and only fully occupied during sleeping hours have suddenly had to do double duty as office, school, and gym, putting enormous strain on occupants as they compete for the space they need. We are radically rethinking our homes and how we want to live. What should interior designers be focusing on to meet these new needs? And, how can technology help in solving some of the issues encountered in this Brave New World? Join Vanessa Leyland of Vanessa Leyland Interiors, Andrew Royall of Eclectic Home Technology and Susie Rumbold of Tessuto Interiors to find out. Sponsored by CEDIA, this episode is an edited, audio-only version of our webinar which is available to view, if preferred,from the on-demand content at Designscape here: https://www.thedesignscape.co.uk We are a Wildwood production.

Diversity In Interior Design

Wildwood — Sun, 12 Jul 2020 23:00:00 +0000

The recent horrific killing of George Floyd in the US and the worldwide protests that followed have sparked a long overdue discussion in the UK about the lack of opportunities afforded to Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people in every aspect of their lives, including their careers. How difficult is it to be a BAME designer working in the interior design profession today? What are the barriers encountered by young BAME people, trying to get started in their design careers? And, what should be done to address these issues? We're joined by Design Career Consultant, Simon Hamilton, and Charmaine White of The White House Interiors to explore diversity in interior design. We support Design For Diversity and we support United in Design, a movement which, since the recording of this epsiode, has now launched. We are a Wildwood production.

COVID-19 A Supplier Special

Wildwood — Tue, 02 Jun 2020 11:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we have invited a distinguished selection of suppliers to share their thoughts with us on the COVID-19 crisis. We find out how their supply chains have been affected by the pandemic and get their predictions for the likely shift in availability of product ranges for interior designers and their clients one year on from today. Between them, they cover a broad range of product types from specialist interior finishes and hand-woven textiles to international lighting, timber flooring and bespoke furniture. We hear from Fameed Khalique of Fameed Khalique, Chiara Prestigiacomo from Porada, Mark Abbott of Abbott and Boyd, Lisa Mabey from Malissa Lighting, Simon Myatt of Havwoods, Margo Selby from Margo Selby, Robert Knapp of Robert Langford, Miranda Kirwan from Tom Faulkner and Martyn Bennett of Stereo Interiors. We are a Wildwood production.

COVID-19 Design Havens For Heroes

Wildwood — Fri, 15 May 2020 08:00:00 +0000

We talk to interior designer, Francesca Rowan Plowden who, in trying to find a way to show her appreciation for NHS workers, alighted on a brilliant but simple idea. What if she could bring the interior design and construction communities together to give our NHS heroes the sort of beautiful rooms that would become havens for them from the stresses and fatigue of their daily working lives? The result was new charity Design Havens for Heroes. In this episode, Francesca tells us about the charity and how designers, brands and others can get involved to support this fantastic initiative.

COVID-19 Interior Design Perspectives

Wildwood — Thu, 30 Apr 2020 07:00:00 +0000

In this second COVID-19 special episode, we look at how interior designers from around the country are surviving the present storm and looking to thrive in a post-pandemic future. We’ve interviewed nine designers, running both large and small practices, for insights into their response to the COVID-19 outbreak. We find out the positives that they're taking from the current situation and the advice they have for other interior designers in the community. Our thanks to Aflux Designs, Ashton House Design, Henry Prideaux Interior Design, Julia Alexander Interiors, Louise Bramhill Interiors, MF Design Studio, Smartstyle Interiors, Studio Suss and Taylor Howes. The Interior Design Business is a Wildwood production. We support Design Havens For Heroes.

COVID-19 Advice For Business Survival

Wildwood — Wed, 08 Apr 2020 15:55:00 +0000

The COVID-19 pandemic lockdown has resulted in closed building sites, current projects on pause and a vanishing pipeline of work. Many viable and profitable interior design businesses are facing extinction. Meanwhile, a sometimes-confusing deluge of information on funding and financial support has emerged intended to provide help for small businesses on how they can remain functioning entities until the situation eases. Luke Desmond, CEO of Crisp Accountancy, is our special guest on this episode. Crisp Accountancy specialise in the provision of business advice to SMEs in the construction sector. He talks with us about business survival strategies, giving us some clear direction on the packages of financial support available from the UK Government and advice on how to access them. The Interior Design Business is a Wildwood production.

Interior Design For Historic Buildings

Wildwood — Fri, 28 Feb 2020 15:29:51 +0000

Jeff and Susie are joined by Jane Landino and Helena Lowry from Taylor Howes to discuss interior design for historic buildings. In the UK, we are blessed with a huge stock of incredible old buildings. In fact, around 30% of all our homes were constructed before the year 1910. Many of these properties are quite rightly protected by strict laws designed to preserve their historic features and, at the same time, maintain our lovely streetscapes. But wonderful as these buildings are, they were designed for the way people in previous generations lived and worked, which is a far cry from the way we live and work today. Plus, many of them are fragile and in need of repair. Is it possible to sensitively re-purpose these outmoded historic structures and make them relevant for modern use, and what is the role of the interior designer as protector and custodian of our national heritage? This episode is recorded at Taylor Howes in Knightsbridge.

The Interior Designer As Brand

Wildwood — Fri, 31 Jan 2020 14:00:48 +0000

For this show, we’re joined by a very special guest, Sophie Paterson, to dissect the interior designer as brand in front of a select gathering of VIP designers. Interior designers tend to fall into two camps. Those who deliberately avoid having a house style and always try to subjugate their own taste to that of their client’s preferences. And others whose names become firmly associated with a particular interior style, and eventually become a brand in their own right. But does this approach make the successful delivery of projects harder or easier for interior designers and their clients? Recorded at the wonderful Andrew Martin showroom in South Kensington.

All About Colour

Wildwood — Mon, 16 Dec 2019 08:00:00 +0000

We celebrate our first anniversary with a live audience special where we talk all about colour and interior design. In the company of colour and design consultant, Karen Haller, the author of 'The Little Book of Colour' and Marianne Shillingford, Creative Director of Dulux, Jeff, Susie and our audience of designers learn about colour psychology and its impact on interior design. We ask how colour works and learn about its innate power to change human behaviour, happiness and well-being. We then discover how interior designers can harness the positive virtues of colour in their work. Karen and Marianne also answer questions as part of a lively discussion that's packed with insight and intelligence. Recorded at the fabulous Roca London Gallery in Chelsea Harbour.

Kick Out The Kick-Backs

Wildwood — Mon, 09 Dec 2019 08:00:55 +0000

In this special episode, we look at the unethical practice of kick-backs in interior design on the day that the British Institute of Interior Design (BIID) launches its Kick Out the Kick-Backs campaign. Susie and Jeff are joined by Katherine Elworthy, COO of the BIID, to find out more about the potential issues that can arise for interior designers and how the Kick Out The Kick-Backs campaign can help. Recorded in the Experience Centre of BIID Industry Partner, Lutron, this episode is released to coincide with International Anti-Corruption Day 2019.

Design For Activity-Based Working

Wildwood — Thu, 31 Oct 2019 16:00:37 +0000

In this episode, we’re joined by May Fawzy from award-winning interior architecture and design firm, MF Design Studio, to explore the impact of activity-based working on office design. Back in the day, the corporate workplace used to be filled with serried rows of employees in battery-style cubicles while bosses resided in spacious paneled offices on the upper floors of the building. Today’s organisations measure their success by the ideas, innovation and creativity of their teams. And, when individuals come together to talk, big ideas are born. The result is a more flexible approach to workplace design where staff can occupy any space at any point of their day depending on the activity they are performing. But what does activity-based working mean for the interior designer? Listen in to find out in this show, recorded at Workstories in Clerkenwell, the commercial furniture company, representing 6 brands carefully curated from across the globe for workspace, hospitality and residential projects. This show is brought to you with support from Bureau.

The Happy, Healthy Home

Wildwood — Fri, 11 Oct 2019 13:20:00 +0000

In this episode, recorded in front of a live audience at Decorex 2019, we ask: what makes a happy, healthy home? Back in 1971, an American researcher called Roger Ulrich began tracking the outcomes of patients recovering from routine surgery in a suburban hospital in Pennsylvania. Half of these patients had rooms that overlooked the trees of the adjacent park while the other half had rooms with a panoramic view of a brick wall. To his astonishment, Ulrich discovered that the group of patients looking at the trees, achieved faster recovery rates, spent less time in hospital and needed fewer painkillers than the ones left staring at the wall. Since then further studies have gone on to support these findings. Human beings have an innate connection to nature. If we believe this connection to be important, how should designers approach the design of interior spaces, both public and private, that will improve physical and mental health, and enhance the wellbeing and happiness of their clients? Cinzia Moretti of Moretti Interior Design and Phoebe Oldrey of Smartstyle Interiors, two passionate advocates of well-being, happiness and interior design, join us to offer their take on this increasingly important subject.

Designing For The Third Age

Wildwood — Tue, 01 Oct 2019 07:55:00 +0000

In this episode, we're looking at design for the Third Age. The term “Third Age” was first coined by British historian, Peter Laslett, in 1987. His theory on positive ageing stated that life consists of Four Ages, with the Third Age being that period immediately after retirement,generally characterised by health, vigour, on-going personal achievement and a positive attitude to life. The truth is that we all want to remain living well and independently into our Third Age for as long as we can. How can designers approach the design of interior spaces, both public and private, that will allow people to enjoy every aspect of their lives to the full, for the longest possible time? Lori Pinkerton-Rolet, Principal at Park Grove Design, a Past President of the British Institute of Interior Design, and an expert practitioner in this field joins us to explore the challenges and the opportunites of designing for the Third Age. This episode is recorded in the Clerkenwell showroom of Hitch Mylius.

Design For The Client You Never Meet

Wildwood — Tue, 27 Aug 2019 08:57:13 +0000

More than half of all design projects fall outside of the private residential realm. In the workplace, healthcare, education, hospitality and residential development sectors, interior designers are frequently creating schemes for 'clients' that they never meet. Dean Keyworth, Principal at Armstrong Keyworth and a Past President of the British Institute of Interior Design, is our guest as we explore this important and challenging aspect of design. We look at the pressures facing designers on projects where commercial success, or, indeed, failure often rests on the designer’s ability to accurately predict the needs and aspirations of the imagined end user. We also unearth the tricks of the trade that can be employed to achieve the right design and commercial goals. This episode is recorded in the Clerkenwell showroom of Danish furniture brand, NORR11.

Working With Architects

Wildwood — Mon, 29 Jul 2019 15:00:35 +0000

In the latest episode, we’re looking at the relationship between architects and interior designers. Do architects and interior designers get on? And, if not, why not? Some architects are known to dismiss interior designers as mere cushion fluffers whilst interior designers can see architects as patronising at best and bullying at worst. Do these views still hold sway today? Have designers and architects learned to collaborate effectively? And, is there room in today’s challenging construction industry for them both? Susie and Jeff are joined in this frank disussion by John Tehan, Director at the renowned London practice, Smallwood Architects. Founded by Christopher Smallwood in 1976, Smallwood Architects was set up to provide a very personal service to clients, delivering beautiful buildings of the highest quality. This episode is recorded in the Farringdon showroom of modular furniture specialist, USM.

Sourcing Secrets

Wildwood — Thu, 04 Jul 2019 15:45:09 +0000

We examine the secrets of successful sourcing in another live audience special. Once upon a time, interior designers were only as good as the contents of their “little black book”. Favoured suppliers and specialist tradespeople were jealously guarded secrets. In today’s age of the internet and globalisation, we’re in a different place but one where designers can still add value to their client’s projects through clever sourcing. But how? Sharing their insights with co-hosts Jeff Hayward and Susie Rumbold are Jim Hamilton of Jim Hamilton Design and Creative Director of the internationally acclaimed consultancy, Graven, alongside BBC Scotland’s Home of the Year judge, Anna Campbell-Jones from Habitus. This episode is brought to you from the magnificent Charles Rennie Mackintosh-designed Billiard Room at the Willow in the heart of Glasgow. Jim, Anna and Susie also take questions from our audience of designers as part of this wonderful and wide-ranging conversation.

Ironclad Fee Proposals

Wildwood — Fri, 24 May 2019 16:00:59 +0000

Susie and Jeff are joined by Charles Leon of Leon Black, a Past President of the British Institute of Interior Design, to examine the fee proposal. As a designer, your fee proposal should speak volumes about you, your approach to design and your practice. Typically, it’s the first piece of written information that your client will ever receive from you. It should showcase your professionalism and present you as the safe pair of hands who they can trust to complete their project. Most importantly of all, it should clearly set out the design services that are included for the stated fee. But how should you put a fee proposal together? What assumptions and exclusions should you consider? How can you make sure it’s as ironclad as possible? We also hear Charles’s take on the strangest request that he’s ever received from a client. This episode is recorded in the Bulthaup Holland Park showroom. The Interior Design Business is a Wildwood and Alfi Media production.

Succeed With Social Media

Wildwood — Thu, 25 Apr 2019 04:50:36 +0000

In our first ever show recorded in front of a live audience, we examine social media for professional interior designers. Interior designer, Simone Suss, founder and CEO of London-based practice, Studio Suss (17.8K followers on Instagram), together with well-known interiors influencer and the uncontested queen of colour, Sophie Robinson (78.4K followers on Instagram), join us to share their secrets in this specially extended edition. How can social media help you build your brand and your business profile? Is it all about Instagram and, if so, why so? How should you use social platforms to grow your business? What content works best and where and when should you use it? Simone and Sophie also take questions from designers in our audience as part of a lively discussion that's choc-full of great advice. Recorded at the Roca London Gallery in Chelsea Harbour.

Building Private Client Relationships

Wildwood — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 10:00:18 +0000

We're in Manchester to explore the chemistry between interior designers and private residential clients. It can be hugely satisfying and fun to work on private residential projects. Indeed, interior designers can have a massively positive impact on the lives of clients and their families. All designers dream of working for delighted, grateful, non-quibbling, fee-paying, private clients, but, in reality, how easy is this to achieve? And, what can you do to avoid some of the possible pitfalls? Fiona Watkins of Fiona Watkins Design joins co-host Susie Rumbold, Head of Tessuto Interiors and a Past President of the British Institute of Interior Design, to share their experiences and offer practical advice. We also take the temperature of business in the North with the help of Natalie Holden from NH Interiors and Melinda Kiss of Keyhole Interiors. Natalie and Melinda are the founders of Concept North, the region's fast-growing community for designers. We find out what Concept North is all about and the type of events, activities and support that they offer to help interior designers in the North. This episode is recorded in the Havwoods Manchester Showroom, located in Deansgate, the Design Quarter of the city. The Interior Design Business is a Wildwood and Alfi Media production.

The State Of Design Education

Wildwood — Tue, 19 Feb 2019 20:50:00 +0000

In this episode we take a look at the state of design education with expert help and insight from the Principal of the KLC School of Design, Jenny Gibbs, and co-presenter, Susie Rumbold, Head of London-based design practice, Tessuto. We ask if design education is preparing graduates successfully for real-world employment. We also consider other important questions. How is interior design education changing to meet the needs of the construction industry? What are the key skills that interior design practices look for in graduates? And, what can be done to ease that, sometimes, painful transition from education into professional practice? Susie reveals how, even when qualified, the learning process never stops and Jenny takes us right back to the beginning of her career in design education to explain the origins of KLC. This episode is recorded in the offices of KLC. The Interior Design Business is a Wildwood and Alfi Media production.

Hard Hats And Hard Knocks

Wildwood — Fri, 01 Feb 2019 13:30:00 +0000

The latest episode is all about hard hats and hard knocks. Kia Stanford of London-based practice, Kia Designs, joins co-presenter Susie Rumbold, Past President of the British Institute of Interior Design and Principal of Tessuto to look at how designers can successfully manage contractors. What constitutes a good contractor, how do you find one and how do you keep them on the straight and narrow to deliver great projects and good profit? We also examine the problem situations that can arise with contractors and hear from Kia and Susie on ways that they’ve dealt with real issues on site. In a wide-ranging conversation, we also find out about Kia’s pathway into the profession and how she’s able to keep her sanity, reduce stress levels and switch off from interior design in her spare time. This episode is recorded in the luxury cinema beneath the Experience Centre of Ideaworks. The Interior Design Business is a Wildwood and Alfi Media production.

Designer Fees And Getting Paid

Wildwood — Tue, 04 Dec 2018 15:00:01 +0000

In this episode, we get our teeth into one of the most talked about topics for professional interior designers: fees. How do you go about pricing a project? What value should you place on design? How should you deal with FF&E? How does pricing affect the perception of interior design as a profession? And, ultimately, we also look at the steps you can take to ensure your client pays for the service you provide. Listen in for insights and practical advice provided by two Past Presidents of the British Institute of Interior Design, co-presenter Susie Rumbold of Tessuto and Lori Pinkerton-Rolet of Park Grove Design. Finally, we discover the life-changing experience that has made Lori the designer she is today. Recorded in the offices of Tessuto, this epsiode is sponsored by Crestron. The Interior Design Business is a Wildwood and Alfi Media production.

Design Meets Technology With The Showroom Experience

Wildwood — Thu, 13 Sep 2018 09:00:58 +0000

September is a busy, back to work month. The holidays are a dim and distant memory, the kids are heading off to school and it’s time to gear up for show season - a time that's full of innovations, new ideas and education opportunities. From the 15th until the 23rd September, London is taken over by the London Design Festival. Smart home is an increasingly visible part of the events taking place. So, on this first episode we talk about interior design and technology integration. We welcome two special guests to look at how professioanl designers and integrators collaborate, sometimes collide, but, ultimately, can work better together for the mutual benefit of clients. From the world of interior design, we're joined by Susie Rumbold of Tessuto Interiors, former President of the British Institute of Interior Design, and from award-winning, London integration business, ClearSphere, we have Director, Alistair Ingram. Our home for this episode is the Crestron showroom, located on the second floor of the sourcing mecca for savvy interior designers, the Design Centre in Chelsea Harbour. Later in the show, Phil Pini and Kate Fauset from Crestron are our guests. They will explain the showroom experience, how it works and give their insights into how this facility helps bring home technology to life for the benefit of interior designers and their clients.