In the realm of home aesthetics, "interior decorator" and "interior designer" are often used interchangeably, creating a common misconception. However, these roles, while they share a love for beautiful spaces, diverge significantly in their approaches, expertise, and scope of work. Understanding the differences can greatly impact the success of your project, ensuring you engage the right professional who aligns with your needs and vision. This article will elucidate the distinctive roles of interior decorators and interior designers, providing a detailed guide to help you make informed decisions for your home or professional project.

Understanding The Difference Between An Interior Decorator And An Interior Designer

The wait is over! BOD™ Run Your Business has arrived. In this episode, Advocate-in-Chief Kimberley Seldon shares her journey over the past two years, offering key insights into crafting the ultimate playbook for running a successful business.

In this episode we learn:
- what’s inside Kimberley’s latest book and how it applies to your business
- everything starts with your money mindset and limiting beliefs
- expertise comes through systems
- hourly fees vs. flat fees, which should you use
- how to embrace a standardized contract

Success is not an accident. It's a strategy.
Business of Design® is that strategy. Become a member, today.
https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

Become a Member

EP 394 | Run Your Business with Kimberley Seldon

Platinum Paints is a known professional that offers painting and decoration services to residential and commercial clients. The efficient and effective team that works here decorate your space by adding attractive and appealing aesthetics. Our painters and decorators London use top-notch painting products to beautify your space. The areas we cover include West London, Ealing, Hammersmith and Chelsea.

https://platinumpaints.co.uk/
https://platinumpaints.co.uk/painters-decorators-ealing/

Platinum Paints - The most reliable painting professional in London

Not all contracts are created equal. An hourly fee contract has distinct advantages but so does a flat fee contract. Then there’s the hybrid contract. Which one is right for you? To be honest, it doesn’t matter which you use. All work effectively, provided you know how to calculate required funds, how to ask for the required funds and how to maintain control of the funds.

In this episode we learn:
- BOD™ finally has an ebook and an audio book
- which contract is right for you—hourly, flat, hybrid
- learn how to ask for the money you need
- learn how to calculate up-front fees

Success is not an accident. It's a strategy.
Business of Design® is that strategy. Become a member, today.
https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

EP 398 | Hourly, Flat, Hybrid Contracts with Kimberley Seldon

Sure, as interior design professionals we make homes look beautiful. However, to be truly successful and create clients for life, we have to dig deeper. Interior designer Kate Marker says she likes to tap into the feeling or mood her clients are hoping to live with, in order to satisfy their deepest needs. She does that by asking strategic questions and actively listening, so she can build meaningful relationships that last and last. 

In this episode we learn:
- it takes time to know your clients and then tailor your designs to reflect their unique personalities 
- keeping the lines of communication open is critical, so build in regular updates and check-ins 
- listen actively to your clients' concerns and desires and let them know you hear them  
- foster collaboration but don’t be afraid to be the expert and make strong recommendations  
- we build trust through transparency

Success is not an accident. It's a strategy.
Business of Design® is that strategy. Become a member, today.
https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

EP 403 | Love of Home with Kate Marker

At High Point Market, in partnership with Daniel House Club and Sunpan, Kimberley talks to designers about growing your relationship and profitability with key vendors. They are an extension of your brand.

In this episode we learn:
- Work less, by relying on the expertise of key vendors.
- Grow profitability by working in harmony with vendors.

Success is not an accident. It's a strategy.
Business of Design® is that strategy. Become a member, today.
https://businessofdesign.com/membership

EP 407 | Growing Profitability with Vendors live at High Point Market

Kimberley contemplates a tattoo for the new year, while sharing wisdom from the season’s best podcasts. 

In this episode we learn:
1. systems don’t complicate your life, they remove friction
2. no is a complete sentence
3. let me look into that
4. design with intention, not just for attention
5. is this an insurmountable problem
6. when you are speaking to everyone, you are speaking to no one
7. the client’s wish list never aligns with the client’s budget
8. beware of toxic positivity
9. never be more concerned about your client’s money than you are about your own
10. feel awkward for 15 seconds, and see what the client says

Success is not an accident. It's a strategy.
Business of Design® is that strategy. Become a member, today.
https://businessofdesign.com/membership

EP 408 | My Next Tattoo with Kimberley Seldon

In this candid conversation between two long time Business of Design® Members, Dane Austin interviews Kristen Apicerno on all topics from the importance of finding a mentor to developing your processes, and committing to regular marketing to collaboration over competition. Dane and Kristen share how they navigate business challenges and the lessons they've learned on the job.

In this episode we learn:
- find and learn from experienced professions who can guide you
- develop a successful design process to streamline and elevate your work
- commit to scheduling time for marketing and finances
- set clear expectations in your contract
- identify and leverage your superpowers
- embrace practicality in your space, don't stress over imperfections
- put yourself out there

Success is not an accident. It's a strategy.
Business of Design® is that strategy. Join today.
https://businessofdesign.com/membership

Join Today

EP 411 | In My Experience with Kristen Apicerno, Hosted by Dane Austin

How do you know when the s%*&’s about to hit the fan? Are there warning signs, and if so, what are they? Kimberley shares her recent experience of being evacuated in the LA fires and relates it to preparedness when it comes to knowing your business is in trouble.

In this episode we learn: 
- by the time your business is in trouble, the chances are you missed multiple warning signs
- your P&L can act as an early warning protection system
- analyzing incoming inquiries is your number one assessment tool
- before it gets dire, get busy with client retention, client growth and client sourcing

EP 412 | Warning Signs with Kimberley Seldon

After a decade of designing private jet interiors, designer Lisa Morton had an ugly meltdown. Her health and well-being were hanging on by a thread. She discovered a holistic approach to design and began her studies into Feng Shui. Now a master teacher, she believes this is an excellent area of study for design professionals to consider, as younger generations are becoming increasingly concerned with the aspects of wellness.

In this episode we learn:
-being intentional with selections for your clients means less "fast furniture" and more pieces of value and worth
- the front door is key to a home’s energy, so light the entrance well, add comforting elements such as a carpet, and include live greens
- the water element improves fluidity so bring it into workspaces by introducing blues or blacks, wavy patterns, water features or water images
- add earth elements like brick, stone or clay to ground spaces for clients (or designers) who are stressed out such as brick, stone, or clay
- warm up winter with fire elements such as animal prints, triangular shapes and pops of red or fuchsia

Success is not an accident. It's a strategy.
Business of Design® is that strategy. Join today.
https://businessofdesign.com/membership

EP 413 | Earth, Water, Fire, Metal and Wood with Lisa Morton

You’re not imagining it. Interior design is a complex, complicated, and challenging career choice. That’s ok, you’re not afraid of hard work, but despite your best efforts, you’re nowhere near where you thought you’d be by now. Some of you graduated from design school and even with the best education available, you were not taught the fundamentals of running a successful interior design firm. Others have worked for years, even decades and still don’t have the essential systems, procedures, protocols, and strategies required to run a successful business. Until now, that is.

In this episode, you will learn:
- enjoy all the perks of business ownership, including profitability
- satisfy all your clients and generate repeat and referral business
- attract ideal clients with juicy projects grow staggering profits that lead to independent wealth
- implement policies and procedures that guarantee you get paid
- create a standardized contract that works for every project
- hire the right people and learn to delegate effectively
- confidently manage clients, trades and a team
- finally become the expert you were meant to be

Success is not an accident. It's a strategy.
Business of Design® is that strategy. Join today.
https://businessofdesign.com/membership

EP 414 | Run Your Business live at IDS Toronto

Key to success for many interior design professionals is hiring someone who excels in areas where they struggle. Amanda Giles shares her experience of hiring a Director of Operations after many unsuccessful attempts to hire an administrator. This detail oriented, office over-seer can significantly improve the quality of work and overall efficiency and allow you to do more work and better work. What’s not to love?

In this episode we learn:
- be honest with yourself about your strengths and weaknesses; nobody is good or bad at everything
- structure your business by radically simplifying for your skills or hiring those with complementary strengths
- work on understanding all the parts of the business, but empower and trust your team to take authority in their area
- teach clients and vendors to trust your team, and back them up 100%

Join Today!

EP 415 | Director Of Operations with Amanda Giles and Julie Broms

My magic is helping design leaders transform their teams and businesses by embracing an 'improv mindset.' I’m passionate about showing how practices of adaptability, bold humility, and "Yes, and..." can unlock possibility and creative partnership in every team. Through my Connective Influence Model, I share skills like creating "brave spaces" and "listening to learn", as a way to build trust, spark cohesion, and create thriving, people-first cultures.

In this episode we learn: 
- the power of holding brave space to create psychological safety
- how to foster curiosity by listening to learn 
- self-awareness allows you to be in the moment and present
- the power of bold humility
- why it’s a good idea to know and challenge your patterns
- how to use ‘yes, and…’ to build on others’ ideas instead of dismissing them

Business of Design® is your blueprint for running streamline projects and building a highly profitable interior design business.
Get your business blueprint at 
https://businessofdesign.com/membership

EP 417 | Yes, You Can Lead with Shannon Hughes

What if life-work balance isn’t a tightrope, but rather it’s a scenic drive in your dream car? Systems are the road maps that keep you on course. Delegation is your pit crew making sure the wheels stay on. Slowing down is how you take it all in and enjoy your own success. When you implement smart systems you’ll learn that success is not about perfection—it’s about enjoying the journey.

In this episode we learn:
- map your success route with systems
- create a weekly schedule that prioritizes essential tasks for work and life
- delegate to your team by allowing them to follow your systems
- block time on your calendar for non-negotiables like family, rest, and self-care
- complete a task audit monthly and look for ways to eliminate busy work or outdated habits that don’t align with your current priorities.
- regularly review your systems and goals

Business of Design® is your blueprint for running streamline projects and building a highly profitable interior design business.
Get your business blueprint at 
https://businessofdesign.com/membership

EP 418 | Map your Route to Success with Brenda Brix

When was the last time you took a risk? In this episode, we'll hear how one designer did just that when she took on a large project just outside her comfort zone. Then, we’ll hear from her PR firm who’ll share how they leveraged the new project to gain recognition for their clients.

In this episode we learn:
- leverage your expertise to bring fresh insight to new project types
- embrace market changes rapidly
- outsource anything that’s not in your zone of expertise
- plan for lighting early

Business of Design® is your blueprint for running streamline projects and building a highly profitable interior design business.
Get your business blueprint at 
https://businessofdesign.com/membership

EP 419 | Embrace the Challenge with Kim Allen

We're going to talk to about the things you need to do today, if you want to sell your design firm successfully. Today's guest, Brad Farris, is going to share with us the key factors that impact your sale, how to get yourself out of the service delivery, the role growth plans in your future sale, and so much more. It's time to start thinking about your succession plan.

In this episode we learn: 
•	if you are essential to running the business, you can't sell it
•	build a team, then go on vacation…it's practice
•	long-term contracts or clients that come back to you repeatedly are more valuable
•	build your business in a niche that's not "one-and-done" projects
•	building relationships with likely buyers before they need your services
•	if you are planning to sell your business, learn the math of how businesses are valued
•	your most likely buyer is a competitor or someone who sells a different service to the same buyer

Business of Design® is your blueprint for running streamline projects and building a highly profitable interior design business. Get your business blueprint at 
https://businessofdesign.com/membership

EP 422 | Succession Planning with Brad Farris

Ever worried that you’re charging too much? Of course you have. You’re an interior design professional! But no more says Kristen Apicerno. Kristen, a Kimberley Seldon disciple, initially struggled with charging appropriate fees for her services. She felt that charging a project management fee was "double dipping" and peers and other professionals agreed. This erroneous attitude severely limited her earning potential, that is, until she joined BOD™. Once she implemented the systems, she realized she was undercharging and tackling the most challenging parts of the project for free.  Hear her story of meteoric success. 

In this episode we learn:
- always take the approach that designer and client are equals, and emphasize that with language
- during every step, tell clients what's going to happen before it happens
- ask purposeful open-ended questions and let the client do most of the talking
- use post-project opportunities to gain repeats and referrals

Business of Design® is your blueprint for running streamline projects and building a highly profitable interior design business. Get your business blueprint at 
https://businessofdesign.com/membership

EP 423 | Double Your Profits with Kristen Apicerno

Succession planning might feel like a far-off concept, but the truth is—it’s never too early to start.

In today’s episode, we sit down with attorney Wendy Estela to tackle the big questions around IP and succession. Wendy believes that building a business that can eventually be sold doesn’t just prepare you for the future—it makes your business stronger today.

Tune in to learn:
- What intellectual property really means for your business
- How to recognize your worth as a designer and protect your value
- Key succession planning options—and when to start

If future-proofing your business is on your mind, this episode is for you.

Business of Design® is your blueprint for running streamline projects and building a highly profitable interior design business. Get your business blueprint at 
https://businessofdesign.com/membership

EP 425 | IP and Succession with Wendy Estela

Let’s be honest, some of the most powerful forces holding us back aren’t external. Our negative self-talk contributes to lackluster results and keeps us stuck. The messages may sound harmless, even reasonable, overtime they will erode your self-confidence and hamper your success. Change the message, you change the momentum.

In this episode we learn: 
	how negative self-talk quietly sabotages your business growth
	the real cost of staying stuck in a negative mental loop
	how to identify the limiting stories you keep telling yourself
	what it takes to shift your mindset and reclaim momentum

Business of Design® is your blueprint for running streamline projects and building a highly profitable interior design business. Get your business blueprint at 
https://businessofdesign.com/membership

EP 428 | You Keep Telling Yourself That with Kimberley Seldon

Welcome to JL Coates, where we transform spaces into experiences. As an award-winning, full-service interior design studio, we specialize in both residential and commercial design projects. Our main office is located in the heart of Scottsdale, AZ, with a secondary office in Cherry Hill, NJ, enabling us to offer our design services nationwide.
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Our portfolio includes a diverse range of projects, from bathroom and kitchen remodels to full home transformations, custom new builds, commercial design, company branding, and professional consulting services. At JL Coates, we believe in a streamlined, stress-free design and build process. We serve as your advocate, providing design oversight during construction to ensure your project is completed within budget and on time.
We pride ourselves on our collaborative approach, often working hand-in-hand with other industry professionals such as architects, builders, and licensed contractors. This ensures a high level of quality and consistency, guaranteeing a positive client experience. We value each project, big or small, and offer various levels of service to meet your needs. At JL Coates, every project is treated as a personal investment.

Platinum Paints is an established painting and decoration brand. The London painters and decorators who work here offer remarkable painting and decorating services to transform your home and workspace into a pleasing view. Our team of craftsmen hold a consultation meeting with you to understand your needs and wants and then incorporate their ideas in their project.

Business of Design® is the #1 trusted business training resource for design professionals around the world. Join thousands of design professional already using our field-tested project management strategies and enjoy increased confidence, improved client retention, greater profits and a business that thrives.

It’s time to take control of your business. 
Become a member of Business of Design®, today:
https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

New tracks tagged #decorator