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Melissa Diehl

Melissa Diehl
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The Metaverse, Mirrorworlds & Interior Design: What to Use, Learn, and Watch Now

By
Melissa Diehl
-

The boundaries between physical and digital space are disappearing, and this change opens up entirely new ways of presenting, testing, and refining ideas in the design space. Once-futuristic concepts like the metaverse, mirrorworlds, and digital twins are quickly becoming integral to how forward-thinking professionals today collaborate with clients, visualize spaces, and streamline projects. If you’re still using mood boards and physical mockups alone, now might be the time to brush up on these concepts.  

This week, Interior Design 411 takes a closer look at the most sophisticated simulative tech shaping the future of interiors. 

Virtual Staging 2.0 

Traditional virtual staging tools have already helped designers and realtors present furnished spaces without physical inventory. But 3D and real-time rendering tools are taking that further. High-fidelity staging through platforms like Unreal Engine or Twinmotion allows you to show realistic lighting changes, subtle material shifts, and layout options interactively. 

Clients can explore multiple concepts within minutes, even changing finishes on the fly. These tools give clients a sense of presence and personalization in the design process from the start, and that emotional engagement is often what gets approvals faster. 

Your Design in Their Hands 

Augmented reality is now part of everyday consumer tech, and interior designers are starting to use it seriously. Apps like IKEA Place or Morpholio AR Sketchwalk were just the beginning. Today’s AR tools, like Apple Vision Pro and emerging AR glasses integrations, allow you to project your designs into a client’s actual environment through their own phone or tablet. 

This is especially useful for layout validation and scale accuracy. You can walk a room with a client while showing how new millwork will align with existing architecture or where a lighting system will run. Used right, AR enhances in-person consultations, bringing immediacy to abstract concepts and helping everyone see the same thing at the same time. AR can reduce miscommunication significantly. 

Selling the Vision Before It’s Built 

Virtual walkthroughs are making static renderings of the past feel like ancient relics. VR platforms today like Enscape give designers the ability to create immersive presentations where clients can walk room to room, experience ceiling height, and understand how natural light affects the space across time before any physical construction begins. 

For complex commercial or hospitality projects, walkthroughs can be layered with interactivity, allowing real-time annotations and changes during live client sessions. It’s a powerful tool allowing you to cut down on revisions, clarify intent, and get buy-in faster. And if you’re dealing with high-end or international clients, it eliminates logistical bottlenecks. They don’t need to visit the space to approve a layout anymore. They can just inhabit it virtually. 

Refining Design in Real Time 

A digital twin isn’t just a 3D model. It’s a living, evolving replica of a physical space, often enriched with data from IoT devices, sensors, or behavioral analytics, that can not only help visualize how a space will look but also how it will function. For interior designers working in commercial or public spaces, digital twins allow you to track how a space is used in real time and use that data to refine your designs. 

Want to know where foot traffic concentrates in a lobby or which seating area in a co-working space is underused? A digital twin can tell you. You can simulate changes and instantly assess the impact on usability, energy consumption, or acoustics. For sustainable design consultants or workplace strategists, this is a game-changer. 

And designers aren’t just using these tools to sell ideas. They’re using them to debug and troubleshoot. A digital twin can help you catch spatial conflicts, assess material choices in context, and simulate wear patterns or flow before anything is ever built. 

New Markets, New Mediums 

The metaverse isn’t just for gamers anymore. Virtual environments are becoming branded destinations, showrooms, and social hubs, with companies commissioning interior designers to craft virtual environments in platforms like Decentraland or Roblox. These are legitimate projects with real budgets. 

Mirrorworlds, by contrast, aim to replicate the real world in 1:1 digital fidelity. Think of Google Earth but updated in real time and interactable. Designers could eventually test their designs in the exact digital replica of the building or city block where it will live. This has implications for urban designers and those working on adaptive reuse or heritage projects. 

Where You Fit in the Mirrorworld 

Adopting these tools doesn’t mean becoming a tech expert. But it does mean integrating digital literacy into your design process. Whether you’re presenting to a high-end residential client or planning a public installation, being able to show your ideas dynamically makes your process more persuasive and your work more adaptable. 

The future of design is layered, data-driven, and increasingly immersive, and the earlier you get fluent in these tools, the more competitive you’ll be. Welcome to the era of spatial intelligence. Your design process just got its own twin — and it’s about to make you faster, smarter, and more convincing than ever. 

Tech Tune-Up: More Resources To Explore

Not sure where to start? Dive deeper with these vetted tools and learning hubs:

Visualization & Collaboration Platforms

  • Twinmotion: Real-time rendering built on Unreal Engine, optimized for interiors and architectural walkthroughs.
  • Enscape: Trusted rendering plugin for SketchUp, Revit, Rhino, and more. Ideal for client presentations and VR-ready walkthroughs.
  • Morpholio Suite: Mobile-friendly tools like Trace and Board, tailored to concept development, AR sketching, and digital presentations.

Courses & Training

  • LinkedIn Learning: Try “AR/VR in Interior Design,” “Unreal Engine for AEC,” or “SketchUp for Interior Design.”
  • Unreal Engine Training: This 10-part course takes users of any skill level throughout the whole process of creating high quality interior stills and animations.
  • Harvard GSD Executive Education: Short-format courses covering spatial computing, adaptive reuse, and data-enhanced environments.

The September Edit: Where Interior Designers Are Getting Inspired This Month

By
Melissa Diehl
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Summer may be winding down, but the design world is just heating up. Whether you’re hunting for the latest collectible pieces, connecting with global brands, or diving into lighting innovations, Interior Design 411 has your curated roundup of the standout events that deserve a spot on your calendar this month. 

Collectible NYC | Sept. 4–7 | New York, NY 

Back for its second edition, this highly anticipated show spotlights the best in today’s collectible design. Featuring over 100 exhibitors from 25 countries across categories like Fashion, Bespoke, New Garde, and Curated, it draws a vibrant mix of journalists, collectors, and design lovers alike. Ideal for sourcing one-of-a-kind pieces and discovering emerging voices. 

Paris Design Week + Maison&Objet | Sept. 4–13 | Paris, FR 

Don’t miss Maison&Objet’s 31st edition, highlighting more than 2,000 brands and trend exhibitions in home, decor, retail, and hospitality at this trend-forecasting epicenter with global scope. 

World Design Congress 2025 | Sept. 9–10 | London, UK 

Running alongside London Design Festival, this biannual Design Council–hosted congress brings professionals together under the theme Design for Planet. Expect thought leadership from designers, researchers, and business innovators exploring how design can meet our global environmental challenges. 

Habitare | Sept. 10–14 | Helsinki, FI 

A sensory-rich design fair with a focus on human connection. This year’s theme, Touch, spans contemporary furniture, lifestyle, antiques, and vintage across four curated zones with over 550 participating brands. Look out for immersive exhibits, forward-thinking talks, and a sensory take on modern interiors. 

FIND – Design Fair Asia | Sept. 11–13 | Singapore 

Set during Singapore Design Week, this premier Southeast Asian design showcase connects architects, interior designers, and developers with global suppliers. Expect standout lighting, furniture, surfaces, kitchenware, and homeware. This will be the place to find the next wave of regional talent and products. 

Cover Connect New York | Sept. 13–15 | New York, NY 

A high-end, boutique trade event hosted by Cover magazine, showcasing handmade rugs from 44 curated brands, including Eliko Rug Gallery, Jaipur Rugs, Rug & Kilim, and Zollanvari. Perfect for rug sourcing that’s both refined and exclusive. 

London Design Festival | Sept. 13–21 | London, UK 

The festival returns for its 23rd year, showcasing global talent in furniture, materials, lighting, and more from names like Anthropologie, Fisher & Paykel, and Molteni&C. Plus: Programming includes expert-led talks and tours. Keep an eye out for the session on intellectual property in the AI era, which promises to be a thought-provoking, timely highlight. 

Interior Design Society National Conference | Sept. 15–17 | New Orleans, LA 

Residential designers, industry professionals, and partners gather for dynamic workshops, networking, and citywide architectural tours. The keynote by Jeffrey Shaw, author of Sell to the Rich, will unpack strategies for attracting and retaining high-end clients, an unmissable business boost for boutique practices. 

ArchLIGHT Summit | Sept. 16–17 | Dallas, TX 

Part of Dallas Design Week at the Dallas Market Center, this lighting expo showcases innovations from over 120 manufacturers alongside hands-on activations and seminars. Perfect if you’re looking to stay ahead in commercial and architectural lighting trends. 

Dallas Design Week | Sept. 16–18 | Dallas, TX 

A three-day fusion of programming inside Dallas Market Center, featuring conversations with industry luminaries, showroom tours, and panels ranging from the cinematic influence of interiors to the crossover between fashion and decor.

Atlanta Fall Market | Sept. 16–18 | Atlanta, GA 

A home-and-gift powerhouse where hundreds of brands converge. Browse wares across furniture, lighting, rugs, and tabletop, and attend educational seminars tailored to professionals. 

Brussels Design September | Sept. 17–Oct. 3 | Brussels, BE 

A growing festival spotlighting Belgian and global creatives in furniture, ceramics, tapestry, jewelry, and more. Highlights include hands-on workshops, expert lectures, and an exhibit nodding to Palm Springs design. A creative blend of heritage and contemporary design. 

What’s New, What’s Next | Sept. 18 | New York, NY 

A power-packed day at the New York Design Center highlighting today’s most compelling trends and products. Don’t miss a “Thursday Show” conversation on tariffs, inflation, and rising construction costs with Dennis Scully and Fred Nicolaus at the Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams showroom. 

Serenbe Designer Showhouse | Sept. 19–Oct. 12 | Chattahoochee Hills, GA 

This 12th annual showhouse benefits Art Farm’s Decorative Arts Fellowship. Inside a stylish 3,185-square-foot home, 12+ designers bring fresh perspectives. The event will also include a brand-new pop-up shop and is sure to offer an engaging blend of philanthropic design and local inspiration. 

Discover ADAC | Sept. 23–25 | Atlanta, GA 

Inside the Atlanta Decorative Arts Center, this three-day event opens up showroom presentations from 1,200+ lines, book signings, and conversations with design heavyweights like Marshall Watson, Susan Ferrier, Marcus Mohon, Tara Shaw, and Bobby McAlpine.  

London Design Social | Sept. 24–25 | London, UK 

Design Social lands at Chelsea Old Town Hall, connecting designers with boutique brand makers. Expect hot talks such as a U.S. vs. U.K. design practice discussion with Sarah Vanrenen and Meredith Ellis, plus one on craft and storytelling with Veranda’s Steele Marcoux, Jamb’s Charlotte Freemantle, and Farrow & Ball’s Patrick O’Donnell. 

IDS Vancouver | Sept. 25–28 | Vancouver, BC, Canada 

A West Coast design mainstay, IDS Vancouver returns to the Vancouver Convention Centre West. Expect new product launches, trend spotting, and panels alongside brands like California Closets, JennAir, and Lazzoni Furniture. Great for fresh insights on Pacific Northwest and global design intersections. 

Atlanta Design Festival Creative Futures Conference | Sept. 27–Oct. 5 | Atlanta, GA 

An immersive exploration into design’s future. Under the theme, Now That You Know, What Will You Do?, forward-thinking sessions will unpack human-centered design’s impact across business, community, climate, and culture. 

ASID NJ DesignXPO | Sept. 30 | Holmdel, NJ 

A one-day gathering for designers, students, and industry pros. Explore vendors across furniture, surfaces, lighting, and tech, and catch the keynote moderated by LuAnn Nigara on scaling your business with intention, featuring panelists from Thyme & Place Design, Jenny Madden Design, Mimi & Hill, and more. 

From collectible treasures to global showcases and craft-forward experiences, September’s events span the full spectrum. Where will you be this September?

Inflation Is Real. Here’s How Smart Designers Talk About It With Their Clients

By
Melissa Diehl
-

Costs are up everywhere. Materials, labor, shipping, you name it. That means your rates may need to rise too. But how do you explain that to clients without damaging the relationship? This week, Interior Design 411 breaks down how to navigate these high-stakes conversations with clarity and confidence. 

Raising your rates doesn’t have to mean losing trust. The key is in how you frame the conversation, set expectations, and reinforce the value you bring. Here are four strategies that make tough conversations about rising costs easier: 

1. Be Transparent 

Clients won’t love hearing prices are up, but most will understand when you explain why. Breaking down your fees and showing them how market forces, like material and labor costs, play into your pricing builds credibility. Instead of being vague, connect the dots: “Here’s what rises, and why it matters.” Clients who respect your craft will get it. 

2. Give Options 

When costs surge, so does stress. For both designer and client. Here’s how to ease it: 

  • Present every service with its cost. 
  • If a component is over budget, let clients choose alternatives or drop it. 

When they know their budget matters to you, it builds rapport and trust. 

3. Reinforce the Value of Quality 

“Cheap” doesn’t always win. In fact, cutting corners today can mean headaches tomorrow. 

  • Charge what you’re worth. If you meet with clients, travel, and deliver prepped options, that time matters and costs money. 
  • Remind clients that shoddy materials or fast-tracked work can hurt longevity. Quality lasts. You can lean in on your reputation here. Show off glowing reviews, awards, or past projects that speak for themselves. 

If someone balks at fair value, that’s a red flag that your working styles might not align. 

4. Advocate for Your Clients 

Not every supplier price hike is inevitable. Ask questions. 

  • Negotiate with suppliers when you can. 
  • Preserve trusted relationships. When you get passed-on costs, you can deliver that news with confidence. 
  • Show clients you’re protecting them and not yet another middleman accepting every markup without a fight. 

Tools That Make Transparency Easier 

Software like Houzz Pro, Ivy, Studio Designer, and DesignFiles can help you clearly present line item costs, margins, and updated estimates. Even general project management tools like Asana (a personal favorite of ours), Monday.com, or QuickBooks can streamline communication and budgeting when tailored for design workflows. Transparency is easier when your tools do the heavy lifting for you. 

Turning Strategy Into Practice 

To build these strategies directly into your workflows right now, imagine a tiered approach: 

  • Tier 1: Full Scope, Full Visibility You lay out everything, from your prep time to premium materials. Costs rise, but so does trust. 
  • Tier 2: Flexible Design Base You break your proposal into must-haves and nice-to-haves. The client picks what they want and cuts only where they’re comfortable. 
  • Tier 3: Responsive Quality Push for deals and absorb only where necessary. You advocate at every step. You don’t blindly accept supplier hikes.  

This approach makes clients feel in control without sacrificing the value and vision you bring. 

Price increases are unavoidable, but how you handle them speaks volumes. Be honest, offer choices, stand by quality, and advocate at every turn. If clients can’t meet your revamped pricing, consider it added clarity. That kind of relationship, one you’d rather not have, just fell away. And that’s perfectly okay. 

What about you? Share how you’ve handled a recent price increase! How did you communicate it to your client, and what was the outcome? Let’s learn from each other! 

Folk-Art Furniture Is Having a Moment. Here’s How To Source and Style This Tattooed Trend

By
Melissa Diehl
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As mass production and digital replication dominate, a return to the human hand is happening in the design world. Clients are craving interiors that feel alive, imperfect, personal. And at Interior Design 411, we’re seeing the clearest signal of this through a folksy rising trend. Yes, tattooed furniture is having a moment. And if you want to infuse some more originality into your projects, create emotional resonance, and position yourself ahead of the retail design curve, this is a movement worth watching — or using in your next design. Let’s take a closer look at this unique trend, plus how to source the right folk-art piece for perfectly imperfect interiors. 

The Comeback of Craft and Character 

Furniture is transforming into personal canvas. “Tattooed,” or hand-painted, embroidered, engraved, furniture injects maximalist flair and bespoke spirit into any room. These pieces channel primal desires to connect, to preserve, and to decorate not for aesthetic alone but for memory, meaning, and identity.  

From the antique marriage cupboards of Central Europe to contemporary one-off commissions for celebrities, designers are embracing furniture as narrative object meant to be seen, touched, and remembered. The echo of centuries-old crafts is loud in this trend, from medieval cassoni, Swedish kurbits painting, Otomi-like motifs, and 18th-century decorative traditions. The trend is artisanal, emotional, and downright human. 

Practical Ways to Incorporate It 

1. Collaborate With Artisans and Craftspeople 

Connect with local or heritage craftspeople like embroiderers, painters, and leatherworkers. Think Bode and Green River Project’s mustard yellow sofa for Kendall Jenner, embroidered with hand-drawn illustrations of deeply personal motifs to the star, or the embroidered ottomans in this LA home of Studio MUKA founders.  

Start small with wardrobes, credenzas, or even a single side table. Allow the artist’s hand to shine. It builds trust, offers storytelling points, and positions your studio as curator of unique pieces that bake OOAK meaning into the everyday. 

2. Offer Bespoke Options With Built-In Operational Clarity 

Introduce a “tattoo-finish” upgrade tier within your services to make this trend an intentional, billable offering rather than an ad-hoc request. Choose a theme or motif (floral, personal iconography, folk pattern), choose surface (wood, leather, upholstery), and agree on rough scale and timeline. Highlight that hand-finished work requires planning, patience, and premium pricing. Position it as an heirloom-level investment that elevates not just the furniture piece but the emotional weight of the entire room. 

Consider offering tiered pricing based on complexity (think a single-panel motif versus a fully wrapped surface) and provide visual mood boards or small sample swatches so clients can see the quality before committing. By structuring the process clearly, you make it easy for clients to say yes while reinforcing that they’re commissioning something rare and deeply personal, not just buying an off-the-rack extra destined for the landfill years down the line. 

3. Source Ready-Made or DIY-Friendly Folk Statements 

For budget-sensitive or eclectic projects, don’t overlook the ready-made market. Vintage and antique stores are often treasure troves for hand-painted or carved folk pieces, especially armoires, wardrobes, sideboards, and blanket chests with floral or symbolic motifs. Think kurbits, birds, vines, stylized tulips, or folkloric animals. We’re also seeing the tattoo trend crop up direct from artisans at major design events like NYCxDesign 2025. Designer Hamilton Holmes showcased this Oxalino tattoo finish in his booth at this year’s event, and we’re smitten. 

Online platforms like 1stDibs, Chairish, and Etsy also host small-batch makers and vintage dealers who specialize in folk styles, from Scandinavian to American primitive. If you’re curating a space for a younger or more trend-conscious client, affordable painted reproductions from larger retailers like Wayfair or IKEA can deliver the visual language without the custom price tag. And for ultra-lean budgets or DIY-minded clients already sold on the trend, consider a consultation-based upsell: Help them select a basic piece, then offer guidance on color palette, motif options, and preservation finishes. You’ll turn a simple furniture flip into a collaborative storytelling piece that still feels authored. 

4. Use These Pieces as Anchor Moments 

Don’t overdo it. Tattooed or folk-painted furniture should be intentional and rare, not scattered throughout a room. Their power lies in singularity. One well-placed credenza, a mural-backed chair, or a painted wardrobe can serve as the emotional focal point of a space. Everything else should quiet down to let that one piece speak. 

In modern interiors, the juxtaposition is especially effective. Pair a floral folk-painted cabinet with steel lighting or minimalist lines. In historic homes, use these pieces to tie into existing architecture or motifs while adding a flash of personality. Placement matters. The foyer, bedroom corners, reading nooks, and kids’ rooms are particularly ripe spots for these storytelling objects to shine. Use them like art, and when staging for photography or editorial, lean in. Let these standout pieces center the frame. 

5. Educate Clients on Longevity & Care 

Tattooed furniture carries the value of the maker’s hand and, with that, a responsibility to maintain it properly. Walk clients through the care process yourself to ensure their sentimental investment stands the test of time. Hand-painted wood may require low-VOC sealants or wax coatings, especially if it’s in a high-touch zone like an entryway or dining space. Upholstered or embroidered pieces may benefit from periodic professional cleaning or fabric protectors. 

Help clients understand how light exposure, humidity, and even air quality can affect the piece over time. Consider including care cards or aftercare instructions with these unique pieces, as this will only reinforce your role as a trusted advisor invested in the long-term life of the interior you’ve created. 

Crafting a Legacy With Folk-Inspired Interiors 

Tattooed and folk-art furniture can be a fun challenge to source as well as a strategic edge for your design business. Clients today increasingly want spaces that feel personal, and when the work is authentic, thoughtful, and rooted in technique, it becomes part of their story just as much as your own design story. Use this trend not to follow the crowd, but to build a collection of signature, expressive moments in your portfolio. When chosen well and integrated with intention, these pieces become living heirlooms that carry your design narrative forward for years to come. 

SOURCES: Architectural Digest, Apartment Therapy

4 Color Palettes To Watch in 2026

By
Melissa Diehl
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Sherwin-Williams just released its 2026 Colormix Trend Forecast Anthology Volume Two, an update on their 2024 release that analyzes trending colors and their evolving emotional and cultural associations. The Trendsight Team, guided by Sue Wadden and Emily Kantz, spent years tracking color movements to deliver 48 nuanced hues organized into four expressive palettes. These collections embody subtle shifts in perception: pastels with purpose, shades that embody warmth, deep tones with emotional resonance, and neutrals with personality. These are the paint picks gaining momentum for 2026, poised to influence both client requests and supplier offerings across the design spectrum. This week, Interior Design 411 is getting you future-ready by exploring how to apply these freshly curated palettes with insight.  

Frosted Tints 

The pastel collection includes near-weightless lavender, green and blue tones embodying the softer side of biophilia: Modern Lavender, Celery, Grape Mist, Tradewind, Halcyon Green and more. But these aren’t your typical Easter pastels. Grape Mist carries a whisper of mauve-gray, like fog rolling across a spring garden, while Celery feels like a dewy sprig of new growth — fresh without being sweet. They offer a refined, minimal, and elegant injection of color to an otherwise pared back interior. Use them to break up neutral-heavy kitchens or powder rooms. A Halcyon Green cabinet can add a lift of life to a cool kitchen without disrupting a chromatic neutral palette. 

Pro tip: In minimalist spaces, these tones act as calm focal points, serving soft but distinct. Best applied to cabinetry, trim or a single accent wall. 

Sunbaked Hues 

Inspired by midcentury design and hazy desert landscapes, this palette includes Sundew, Coral Island, Armagnac, Lemon Chiffon, Heartthrob, Henna Shade, Pennywise and others. These shades shift subtly with daylight, coaxing in the heat of the sun and evoking tactile warmth to even the darkest, coolest corners of a space. Sundew, a soft golden yellow, feels like morning light filtering through linen curtains, while Armagnac delivers a burnished, clay-like orange with the richness of sunbaked adobe. Together, this duo can lend rooms a lived-in vibrancy that reads rich and organic. 

Use case: Living rooms, patios, or guest bedrooms where warmth is key. Layer sunset reds and golden yellows to energize spaces without overpowering. 

Restorative Darks 

This collection revisits rich tones like Carnelian (reimagined into Dark Auburn and Plum Brown), Relic Bronze, Tarragon, Rojo Marrón, Sable and more. Plum Brown smolders with a moody mix of violet and umber, while Relic Bronze leans into a patinated, metallic earthiness that catches just enough light to feel alive. These deep, resonant colors provide cozy enclosure, a useful tool in spaces meant to feel intimate and enveloping. 

Best in: Bedrooms or dining rooms where texture, layered wood or metal accents soften heaviness and invite lingering. Pair dark walls with natural textiles and reflective metals to bring in light. 

The New Neutrals 

White Snow, Sanderling, Universal Khaki, Pavestone, Clove, Inkwell, Mushroom and others form a neutral palette with character, from warm taupe to deep blue-black. Inkwell delivers a dense, inky navy that reads black in shadow, while Clove’s brown-black base is laced with a hint of bronze, adding subtle warmth to traditionally stark tones. These aren’t the builder-grade neutrals you’re used to. They offer a layered, elegant and purposeful feel that supports both restraint and richness. 

Application idea: Use these as baselines for a layered design. Think tone-on-tone trim, furniture, and flooring. They support bolder accents or crisp styling without flattening the palette. 

From the Forecast to Your Future Projects 

Frosted Tints invite minimal elegance. Sunbaked Hues bring earthy energy. Restorative Darks offer enveloping calm. Foundational Neutrals provide the backbone for layered sophistication. This novel presentation of trends, from broad groupings to emotional tone and color-family evolution, gives you a palette toolkit for telling design stories rooted in psychology, context, and cultural shifts. 

Instead of chasing color trend cycles in 2026, you can now take inspiration from palettes designed to align with evolving client needs and emotional cues. Frame color as strategy in your next pitch. Understanding emotional tone mapped to hue can be your edge in crafting interiors that don’t just look current but feel purposeful, for the next year and beyond. 

These color collections reflect deep industry expertise in tracking how cultural shifts influence color preferences across commercial and residential spaces. Use them not as prescriptions, but as curated starting points in your own work — a tool for shaping narratives, building emotional resonance, and designing environments that are as intentional as they are relevant. 

SOURCES: Elle Décor, Sherwin-Williams, Builder Online

Your August Agenda: Where Interior Designers Need To Be This Month

By
Melissa Diehl
-

The late heat of August brings a dynamic mix of in-person markets, virtual workshops, and national conferences to grow your sourcing savvy, deepen your design know-how, and fortify your client relationships. Interior Design 411 shares the standout events that deserve a spot on your calendar this month. 

Hampton Designer Showhouse | July 19–August 31 | Southampton, NY

This annual showhouse is an excellent venue to steal style secrets and study the design choices of top firms like Purple Cherry Architects and Robert Brown Interior Design in context, translating high-end concepts to your own luxury residential projects.  

NY Now | August 3-5 | New York City, NY

NY Now is open to wholesale buyers from all industries (think retail designers, buyers, business owners, and importers/exporters) and is a top spot for wholesale product discovery. Outside of finding new brands and products, you can also expect thought-provoking panels, workshops, and networking opportunities. 

Shoppe Object | August 3-5 | New York City, NY

Shoppe Object returns to New York this August with a focus on quality, originality, and design-forward thinking. Featuring over 500 carefully selected brands across home, gift, and lifestyle, this semiannual event is a treasure trove for designers seeking thoughtfully crafted goods with a distinct point of view.  

Webinar: Farewell, Fast Furniture | August 14 1:00–3:00 p.m. EST | Virtual

It’s time to rethink the throwaway culture of interiors. In this virtual session, designer Patrick Ediger introduces “The Rule of Thirds,” his practical framework for curating spaces with sustainability at the core. With over 12 million tons of furniture ending up in U.S. landfills each year, Ediger empowers designers to lead the change. You’ll gain actionable tools to reduce waste, source responsibly, and educate both your team and your clients on eco-conscious design. 

GATHER 2025 (National ASID Conference) | August 17-19 | Atlanta, GA 

Celebrating ASID’s 50th anniversary, GATHER 2025 brings together interior design professionals across sectors for three days of hands-on education and community building. Expect evidence-based strategies to help design practices thrive during uncertain times, presented in a blend of keynotes, breakout sessions, and networking events.  

Houston X Design Week | August 18–22 | Houston, TX 

Hosted by AIA Houston’s Interior Architecture Committee, this week-long series includes CEUs, lectures, site tours, and roundtables exploring current innovations in interior architecture. A must-attend for designers keen to deepen technical knowledge and engage with issues like material disruption and spatial wellness in commercial and built environments.  

Webinar: Boost Your Cash Flow, Confidence & Clientele With the Perfect Contract | August 21 1:00–3:00 p.m. EST | Virtual 

Even the most stunning design work can unravel without a solid contract behind it. In this webinar, business coach and former interior designer Melissa Galt breaks down the legal foundations of a strong client agreement, minus the jargon. You’ll learn how to protect your firm from risk, set clear boundaries, and turn your contract into a client-converting tool. 

This August offers a high-impact mix of inspiration and education to choose from. Whether you’re diving into sustainable design, strengthening your contracts, or scouting your next great vendor, these events empower their attendees to lean into the final lap of Q3 with clarity, creativity, and confidence. Where will you be this August? 

The New Sourcing Playbook: How Interior Designers Are Procuring in 2025

By
Melissa Diehl
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Understanding how tariffs impact design logistics has never been more crucial, and Interior Design 411 is here to cut through the noise. Whether you’re managing luxury residential installs or fast-turn commercial projects, sourcing smarter is now a must. Here are our tips on how to source smart amid the tariff turbulence of 2025. 

Prices Are Climbing 

Designers who rely on imported furniture and decor should brace for significant cost increases. Upholstered furniture and wood products from China, Vietnam, and Indonesia are facing cumulative tariff rates as high as 40%, with baseline import duties now averaging 15–30% across key categories. Even American-made goods aren’t immune. Rising raw material costs and diminished price competition are pushing domestic suppliers to quietly raise prices too. In July, the pause on new 30–50% tariffs for Canada, the EU, and Mexico was extended to August 1, but unless a deal is struck in the next few days, those duties will go into effect immediately. 

Expect price increases not just from traditional importers, but also from domestic brands reacting to supply chain disruptions and inflationary pressures. Companies like Steelcase and MillerKnoll have already announced list price hikes, and others are sure to follow. 

Inventory Will Tighten Fast 

Designers should be especially wary of lagging availability. While some retailers and manufacturers are holding steady for now, these prices reflect current inventory, products already in the country or warehoused stateside. Once existing stock is depleted and suppliers are forced to reorder under new tariff structures, prices will spike and lead times will extend dramatically. 

Delays Are the New Normal 

International lead times, especially from Asia, have stretched well beyond the typical 10–14 weeks, with some vendors now quoting 18–20 weeks due to tariff-related slowdowns and shipping bottlenecks. Domestically, while timelines are somewhat more stable, increased demand on U.S. manufacturers means longer queues and less flexibility for rush orders. For critical project components like custom upholstery, cabinetry, and lighting, build in a buffer of six to eight weeks beyond standard estimates, especially for U.S.-based makers experiencing backlog due to material constraints. 

Communicate early and often with vendors to confirm stock status and production schedules, and always have a contingency plan in place. Delays are becoming the new normal. 

Your Sourcing Playbook: What to Do Now 

  1. Secure Your Key Pieces Now 
    If your upcoming projects include sofas, case goods, light fixtures, or any upholstered items, get deposits down immediately. Tariff-related pricing increases tend to hit the most material-intensive categories first. 
  1. Vet Domestic Vendors Carefully 
    Not all “Made in the USA” labels are created equal. Dig deeper into where materials are sourced. Brands like Copeland Furniture and Loll Designs, both using over 95% domestic materials, are better positioned to maintain stable pricing. Domestic makers reliant on imported hardware or textiles, however, are still vulnerable. Also worth noting: Recent court rulings have questioned the legality of broad presidential tariff powers, but with appeals underway, all tariffs remain active and enforceable. 
  1. Consider Secondhand 
    Vintage and secondhand pieces are tariff-proof, often unique, and increasingly popular with design-savvy clients. Platforms like Chairish, 1stDibs, and AptDeco offer curated selections, while local antique stores and auctions can fill in the gaps for budget-conscious projects. 
  1. Prioritize In-Stock or Quick-Ship Items 
    Focus on vendors who offer same- or next-day shipping. These items are most likely still priced before tariff hikes took effect. Avoid suppliers with vague lead times or open-ended fulfillment dates. 
  1. Build More Sourcing Time Into Your Projects 
    Extended lead times are inevitable. For international orders, expect delays of 8 to 12 weeks beyond normal windows. Communicate this to clients upfront and revise project timelines accordingly. 
  1. Stay Agile on Materials and Specifications 
    Be prepared to pivot. If one vendor announces a sudden surcharge, have a backup in place. Flexibility with finishes, fabrics, and form factors can save you from blowing the budget or missing a deadline. 

Yes, budgets are tightening, but the smartest designers are using this moment to double down on strategic sourcing as a skill. This includes leveraging their vendor networks for better terms, exploring sustainable and local sourcing options, and increasing transparency with clients about cost fluctuations. 

Tariffs are shaping up to be more than just a temporary nuisance. Designers who adapt quickly by planning ahead, diversifying their sources, and adjusting client communications accordingly will weather the storm and come out ahead. In a volatile market, preparation and flexibility are your essential tools of the trade. 

SOURCES: AD, Woodworking Network, NPR

Lessons From the Third Place: Designing Workplaces That Earn the Commute

By
Melissa Diehl
-

Interior designers are being called on to reshape the workplace into something radically different from the sterile cubicle farms of the past. In our new era of RTO and hybrid work, the office must now compete with the comfort of home, the convenience of coworking, and the connection of community and third spaces. To succeed, workplace design must embrace a hospitality mindset, something the best hotels, cafes, and clubs have perfected for decades.  

This week, Interior Design 411 explores why your next workplace design should feel more like a boutique hotel, plus some ideas to get you inspired for your next project. 

Rethinking the Office Pull 

The return-to-office era has us rethinking motivation, with the most successful workplace designs today leveraging emotional resonance, not just functional need. That means designing spaces that foster connection, joy, spontaneity, and even indulgence. The new goal is to earn the commute. 

Start with the guest journey. Every detail, from signage to lighting to concierge-style reception, needs to create a welcoming narrative. Look to hospitality as a prime example. Anticipate needs before they arise and build intuitive experiences throughout for every user journey. 

Creating a workplace that feels like a destination starts with spatial sequencing. Design the flow to mirror the boutique hotel experience guiding people intuitively through the space. Wayfinding should go beyond signs with layered materials, nuanced lighting, and subtle color shifts to orient and engage users without overwhelming them. To deepen the sensory experience, you can even incorporate scent and soundscaping. A light, branded fragrance or curated ambient soundtrack can transform arrival moments into something memorable and immersive. (After all, in today’s neurodiverse world, designing for all the senses is the new standard.) 

Design in zones that replicate the feel and function of different third places, such as a library-like focus area for deep work, a clubhouse-style lounge for informal connection, or a café setting for social moments and solo breaks. These spatial archetypes resonate because they mirror environments where people want to be, not where they’re told to go. The goal is to layer experiences that make office presence feel like a choice instead of a chore. 

Culinary Programming as a Design Layer 

Food can be a community builder, a cultural signifier, and a daily wellness tool. Don’t forget to design with it in mind. Chef-led cooking classes, culturally inspired menus, and open kitchens can be the foundation of a tight-knit work culture, turning passive users into active participants in their workplace ecosystem. 

To design food programs that truly build culture, it starts with the setup. Open kitchens with integrated AV make it easy to host chef demos, cooking classes, or community-building events. Finishes should be selected not only for durability but also for how they encourage casual gathering. Think tactile surfaces, warm tones, and acoustically friendly materials for these spaces. And to ensure a seamless experience, collaborate with food and beverage vendors early in the design process. Their input can shape everything from utility placement to workflow alignment, preventing costly retrofits later on. 

Prioritizing Guest-Centric Design 

Warmth should be an operational imperative in today’s workplace. Comfort, support, and delight must be engineered into every interaction. Ancillary furniture choices should prioritize flexibility and comfort without sacrificing visual interest. Lighting design must create zones of intimacy, energy, and focus throughout the day. Social hubs, tech lounges, and even concierge services must be designed with intentionality, not as afterthoughts. 

Add to that thoughtful tech integration. Seamless connectivity, access to power, real-time translations, and intuitive room booking systems matter more than ever. AI can enhance this further with automated task capture, intelligent summaries, and adaptive environmental controls that help your end users work smarter, not harder. 

Prototyping the Modern Workplace 

The post-pandemic realities of life in a return-to-office world have necessitated spaces that are designed to both evolve and keep us connected. Hammock lounges, podcast studios, library zones, pet-friendly spaces are no longer fringe ideas. These additions can be viable workplace modules that can support diverse work styles and mental states. Flexibility in furniture, layout, and use of the space is essential for great design today. 

Tech campuses popularized the concept of “collisions per minute,” a proxy for how often spontaneous encounters happen, and the best third places excel at this. Design for unplanned collaboration by including shared seating areas between departments, coffee bars near work zones, and walkable loops that encourage mingling. These intentional design decisions generate the kind of serendipity that can fuel innovation and build team cohesion. 

Start seeing the workplace as an evolving prototype over a finished product. Observe, adapt, and refine while encouraging feedback loops that reflect what people are actually doing and their real user journeys, not just what leadership thinks they want. 

Designing for Work-Life Balance 

Hybrid work isn’t just about location or flexibility. It’s really about life integration. Designers are now expected to create environments that account for the full spectrum of daily human needs, not just productivity. This can mean adding service lockers for dry cleaning or meal kit delivery, pet care stations, or on-site amenities that ease daily burdens. For companies with a mobile or global workforce, designing spaces for cultural onboarding, like lounges that showcase local art or multilingual welcome signage, can ease transitions and build belonging. 

From a layout perspective, these services need thoughtful adjacency planning, such as drop-off points near entries, private alcoves for wellness rooms, or shared amenity hubs that consolidate lifestyle support features. Consider how traffic flows interact with these touchpoints and how branding can make them feel cohesive rather than commercial. Done well, these elements reinforce the message that employees are valued beyond their output. In turn, for your clients, they could also drive higher engagement, longer tenure, and deeper emotional connection from their employees. 

Earning the Commute 

To stay competitive in workplace design, you need to think like a host, not just a planner. Approach every design decision through the lens of how it makes someone feel, not just how it functions. Every texture, service, and layout choice sends a message. Make sure yours says: This is a place where people belong, where they thrive, and, most importantly, where they want to be.  

To support that approach, consider updating your design brief templates with hospitality-oriented prompts. Questions like “What’s your ideal guest journey from door to desk?” or “How should the workplace reflect your brand’s culture of care?” can surface insights that shape exceptional design that delivers exceptional experiences. That’s the new benchmark. And that’s how you, and your clients, will earn the commute. 

SOURCES: Work Design Magazine, Urban Land, Arch Daily 

Designing Through Uncertainty: The ASID Trends Outlook (Plus 5 Moves To Make Now)

By
Melissa Diehl
-

The 2025 ASID Trends Outlook Report confirms what most designers are already feeling: Things are rocky out there! But rocky doesn’t have to mean hopeless. While challenges like rising material costs and inflation persist, there’s room to maneuver and even grow, if you know where to look. This week, Interior Design 411 breaks down what you need to know from the report and what you can start doing differently right now.

1. Stop Waiting, Start Planning

If you’ve been hoping material prices will drop back to pre-pandemic levels, it’s time to move on. The report notes tariffs could drive material costs up another 5–8%, while furniture prices remain 25% above 2020 levels. Inflation is seriously impacting client budgets and decision timelines.

What to do:

2. Look for Opportunity in New Sectors

While consumer demand for design services is flat, sectors like build-to-rent, adaptive reuse, and senior living are seeing increased development. Office vacancy rates are slowly improving, opening renovation and office-to-residential conversion opportunities as organizations adjust to hybrid work models.

What to do:

  • Diversify your project types. If you’ve relied heavily on single-family residential or new commercial builds, consider multifamily, senior living, or adaptive reuse[KL3] .
  • Connect with developers and municipalities exploring suburban conversions or office upcycles. These projects often have shorter timelines and lower budgets but can create consistent workflow and portfolio diversification.

3. Invest in People

The multigenerational workforce highlighted in the ASID Trends Outlook points to a change in how firms are managing design talent. Younger designers expect collaboration, mentorship, and alternative education pathways. Meanwhile, senior designers bring deep technical and project management skills.

What to do:

  • Foster a culture of cross-generational mentorship to retain talent.
  • Invest in trend forecasting and digital fluency to keep your teams agile.
  • Use slower periods to upskill your staff through programs like IIDA’s Certified Design Futurist or digital modeling certifications.

4. Lean Into Neuro-Inclusivity, Outdoor Integration, and Joyful Spaces

Clients are seeking spaces that evoke joy and support mental well-being, particularly as uncertainty remains a backdrop in daily life. Neuro-inclusive design, outdoor connectivity, and integrating AI-driven smart technologies are becoming expectations.

What to do:

  • Position yourself as a consultant who can align these needs with realistic budgets, especially for clients in healthcare, education, or hospitality.
  • Test and document case studies within smaller projects to build a portfolio demonstrating how these elements can be integrated meaningfully.

5. Use the Slowdown To Level Up

The ASID report emphasizes that despite the economic slowdown, now is the time to build a solid strategic foundation. Designers that get creative, manage costs smartly, and develop resilient operational practices will emerge stronger when the market rebounds.

What to do:

  • Review your vendor and sourcing strategy for resilience and agility.
  • Refresh your business plan to account for build-to-rent and adaptive reuse market shifts.
  • Invest in process automation tools that can save your team time and reduce errors, such as integrated project management and material tracking software.

The 2025 ASID Outlook is a call to adapt and diversify. Inflation, tariffs, and high interest rates will continue to test the market, but opportunities are present in sectors ripe and ready for design innovation. The design stars that will thrive are those taking proactive steps now to diversify their project types, upskill teams, and refine sourcing strategies.

Don’t let uncertain demand freeze your business. Use this period to strengthen your foundation, position your services within growth sectors, and build the agility that the next market upswing will reward. To purchase and download your version of the full report, visit the ASID website.

SOURCES: ASID, Window and Door, Furniture World, I+S

Your July Hit List: Design Events To Inspire, Source, and Scale

By
Melissa Diehl
-

Summer is heating up with an exciting lineup of events for design pros. It’s the perfect time to recharge your creativity while sourcing fresh perspectives (not to mention hidden gems!), upskilling in an era of uncertainty, and networking with those shaping the future of interior design. Interior Design 411 shares what’s worth your time in July 2025. 

Online Workshop: Create Scroll-Stopping Content That Converts | July 9 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. EST | Virtual 

In the second part of her Social Storytelling series, strategist Ericka Saurit offers an advanced, practical dive into using Instagram intentionally as a driver of interest, traffic, and conversion for your design business. This session moves beyond aesthetic curation to unpack how your feed, stories, and overall content funnel work together to build a cohesive, brand-forward visual presence that attracts the high-end clients you crave. 

Dignify by Design Summit | July 9–10 | Santa Fe, NM 

At the Museum of International Folk Art, this summit gathers leaders in design, architecture, and media to discuss how dignity informs creative processes. Expect more than your typical trend talk here. Panels will address sustainability, design’s role in cultural dignity, and the ethics of material sourcing. With Kravet’s Scott Kravet and Wolf-Gordon’s Marybeth Shaw in attendance, the event will be dense with industry insights for designers seeking to align business strategy with responsible design practices. 

East Hampton Antiques & Design Show | July 11–13 | East Hampton, NY  

Set on the historic Mulford Farm, this show is a well-edited hunting ground for antiques and mid-century decorative pieces for home and garden from about 50 dealers. It’s an excellent opportunity to source some truly unique pieces and support the East Hampton Historical Society.  

Webinar: No More Guesswork – Confident Pricing for Interior Designers | July 14 12:00 p.m. EST | Virtual 

This targeted webinar helps designers stop undercharging and start pricing with clarity. Led by business coach Nancy Quinn and designer Lesley Myrick, the session covers aligning fees with value, building profitable service packages, and avoiding pricing pitfalls that erode your bottom line.  

Nantucket by Design | July 14–17 | Nantucket, MA  

This annual festival celebrates Nantucket’s design heritage through panels, keynotes, and high-level discussions. Programming highlights include Martha Stewart with Fernando Wong, plus a design-fashion crossover panel with J.J. Martin and the founders of Veronica Beard. Beyond inspiration, these discussions can sharpen your ability to integrate fashion’s agility with interiors, particularly for clients with lifestyle-driven design expectations. 

Webinar: From Chaos to Control: How Automation Propels Your Business Forward | July 15 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. EST | Virtual 

Ready to streamline your marketing and attract your ideal clients? This session covers how to use automation, such as nurture campaigns, templates, and calendars, to move from chaos to control in your design business. Learn practical steps to eliminate manual tasks, align with emerging AI trends, and create a system that makes it easy for clients to start working with you while freeing your time for design work that moves the business forward. 

Flooring Sustainability Summit | July 15-17 | Washington, D.C. 

ASID’s Flooring Sustainability Summit is your chance to stay ahead of rising demands for eco-conscious materials and stricter sustainability standards. Designers, architects, and industry leaders will gather to share practical strategies for advancing green building practices throughout the supply chain. Featuring keynote Elizabeth Von Lehe, Chair-Elect of ASID, this event positions you to shape a more sustainable future while aligning your projects with the evolving environmental priorities clients now expect. 

Atlanta Market | July 15–21 | Atlanta, GA  

AmericasMart’s biannual market features thousands of brands across home decor, seasonal items, fashion accessories, and outdoor categories. It’s a comprehensive sourcing event with numerous opportunities for networking and brand discovery. 

Summer Casual Market Atlanta | July 15–17 | Atlanta, GA  

Co-located with Atlanta Market and featuring 200+ outdoor furniture brands under one roof, you can efficiently compare emerging materials, scale, and finishes for outdoor projects at this event. Look out for discussions on weather-resilient textiles and luxury outdoor living trends that continue to drive client interest post-pandemic. 

Why Interior Designers Should Know Relevant Codes & Standards | July 16 | Chicago, IL 

This ASID Design Learning Series session helps interior designers build confidence in applying critical codes and standards across residential, commercial, hospitality, educational, and healthcare projects. Led by Tracey Fillmore and Virginia Weida, the workshop will cover practical strategies for sourcing and implementing codes effectively, reinforcing your role in protecting the health, safety, and welfare of building occupants.  

Hampton Designer Showhouse | July 19–August 31 | Southampton, NY  

This annual showhouse is an excellent venue to steal style secrets and study the design choices of top firms like Purple Cherry Architects and Robert Brown Interior Design in context, translating high-end concepts to your own luxury residential projects. 

Home Textiles Sourcing | July 23–25 | New York, NY  

An essential visit if textiles are your specialty, this show covers fabric innovation, trade updates, and trend forecasting that directly inform your sourcing and specification processes. This year’s lineup will include a talk on tariffs and trade wars, making it a must-attend for keeping current, discovering the latest designs, and connecting with global suppliers. 

Las Vegas Summer Market | July 23–31 | Las Vegas, NV  

This large-scale event offers exposure to West Coast lifestyle trends, client-friendly furniture lines, and high-turnover decor brands. Attendees can explore hundreds of exhibits and join in industry events like a panel on staying ahead of industry trends featuring designers Christopher Todd, Anne-Marie Barton, and Peti Lau. 

The Newport Show | July 26–27 | Newport, RI  

Combining antiques, art, and contemporary design, The Newport Show offers a curated atmosphere where you can explore luxury coastal aesthetics, valuable for designers managing secondary home projects in beach markets or clients seeking relaxed elegance. 

Aspen Art Fair | July 29-August 2 | Aspen, CO 

Aspen Art Fair merges art, design, and hospitality in a boutique fair format during Aspen Art Week. With 40+ influential international exhibitors and artist-in-residence projects, the fair blends top-tier works by established and emerging artists with home tours, expert-led talks, and curated local experiences. 

Whether you’re hunting for the perfect textile, refining your pricing strategy, or looking to spark new design ideas, this month’s events will move your design business forward. Pick a few that align with your goals, and return to your projects with fresh insights and sharper perspective. 

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Interior Design 411 is your premier source for the latest trends, updates, and insights in the world of interior design. We are dedicated to helping design professionals stay ahead with exclusive articles on new materials, innovative design techniques, and key industry events.
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