Nita Phillips - How to Start a Home-Based Interior Design Business

Nita Phillips is an interior designer based in Wilmington, North Carolina. Upon obtaining her associate degree in interior design, she began her career working for a local firm. After gaining some experience she started her own retail business, which she ran for six years. She currently runs her own home-based interior design business, which specializes in consultation for private clients and builders.

Listed below are some trade publications I have found useful. You can also ask your manufacturers representatives for the names and addresses of others. It is possible that they may be able to get you a subscription for free.

Periodicals

Drapery and Window Coverings

LC Clark Publishing Company

840 U.S. Highway 1, Suite 330

North Palm Beach, FL 33408

(800) 537-4271

www.dwconline.com

Window Fashions Magazine

4215 White Bear Parkway, Suite #100

St. Paul, MN 55110

(651) 293-1544

www.wf-vision.com

They also print Fine Furnishings International magazine and Loopreports, a quarterly trend newsletter.

Books You Should Own

The Encyclopedia of Window Fashions, 6th edition

Randall International

P.O. Box 7628

Capistrano Beach, CA 92624

(800) 882-8907

www.randallonline.com

Drapery workrooms use this as a standard for window treatments.

The Professional Workroom Handbook of Swags, Volume I

Sew Easy Windows

P.O. Box 87

Avon Lake, OH 44012

www.seweasywindows.com

This is a manual for workrooms. Some designers may want to own this book in order to better understand construction of draperies.

Selling To The Limit

Jo Ann Brezette

512-B Hunters Drive East

Carmel, IN 46032

(317) 844-4636

Brezette is a highly successful salesperson in the window covering industry. If you are selling retail, this book is a must have!

Listed below are the major organizations and associations you may want to join. The more connections you have in this industry, the better.

American Society of Interior Designers (ASID)

608 Massachusetts Avenue, NE

Washington, DC 20002-6006

(202) 546-3480

www.asid.org

The leading organization for interior design professionals.

The Carpet & Rug Institute

P.O. Box 2048

Dalton, GA 30722-2048

(800) 882-8846

www.carpet-rug.org

A good source for educational and technical information.

Color Association of the United States

315 West Thirty-ninth, Studio 507

New York, NY 10018

(212) 947-7774

www.colorassociation.com

Produces an annual report that forecasts upcoming colors for most interior design products.

DraperyPro

27281 Las Nieves

Mission Viejo, CA 92691

(949) 916-9372

www.DraperyPro.com

A national networking group that concentrates on the issues of soft window coverings.

Home Fashion Partners, LLC

585 South Duncan Avenue

Clearwater, FL 33756

(800) 275-1891

www.wallpaperguide.com

A good source for information relating to the wall covering industry.

National Association of Home-Based Businesses

NAHBB, Inc.

10451 Mill Run Circle, Suite 400

Owings Mills, MA 21117

(410) 363-3698

www.usahomebusiness.com

Organization will analyze your business plan and give advice.

Window Covering Association of America (WCAA)

2646 Highway 109, Suite 205

Grove, MO 63040

(888) 298-9222

www.wcaa.org

Trade association for independent designers.

The sites listed below offer a great deal of information for beginners and prove to be valuable resources in continuing your design education.

www.draperyeducation.compublications, software, and training

www.homeown.orgincrease sales by reaching new homeowners first

www.expoquestions.comeducational seminars, trade shows, and conferences

www.chfindustry.comprofessional workrooms and education programs.

www.textilefabric.comsupplier of fabric swatch kits used in teaching textiles.

www.nikastewart.commarketing inspiration for designers.

www.thehome.comcheck this site for latest trends.

www.wallcovering.orgonline classroom on wallpaper facts.

www.floorfacts.comvaluable information on all types of flooring.

www.ezdecorator.comcreate floor plan layouts with furniture templates.

www.greenseal.orgeco-friendly paint company resources.

www.sustainablefurnishingscouncil.orgcompanies with eco-friendly furniture.

www.ballarddesigns.commail order catalog for accessories and interesting pieces

Answers to the practice questions on pages 176-81

1. $327.60. See the surcharge for shades under 12.
2. $33.38 for the regular-priced shade. $42.75 for two shades on one head-rail. See the surcharge listed at the bottom of the price chart and add it to the retail before you deduct your discounts.
3. $28.31. Again, remember to figure in your surcharge.
4. $25.95. No additional charge for controls change. See note at bottom of price chart.
5. $43.31. Add a 50 percent surcharge for a bottom-up shade. See note on price chart.
6. The best application for this window is to use three miniblinds on one headrail. Remember, there is a $145 surcharge for this feature.
7. $109.73. To increase energy efficiency, use insert channels on the vertical blinds.
8. $605.95.
9. $157.75.
10. $471.04.
11. $370.90.
12. King-size throw $342.60. Fabric for the shams $53.80. The pillows will cost you $35.60.
13. The carpet will cost $270, and the tile will cost $358.80.
14. The wallpaper will cost $146.20, and you will need six border rolls (remember to round up).

Does your heart skip a beat when colors blend together perfectly? Does the concept of combining patterns excite you? Does the idea of spending other peoples money make you want to do back flips? If you answered yes to these questions, you may have the beginnings of what it takes to become a great interior designer.

Of course, there is more to interior design than designing throw pillows and rearranging furniture. The business aspect cannot be ignored. You can be the most gifted, talented, and creative person in the world, but if you dont run your business wisely, you will not make it in this competitive field. This book provides the information that will help you set up and run a successful home-based interior design business. In addition, you will learn the basics of interior design. Youll have formulas and charts at your fingertips, providing you with the relevant information youll need to get started in this fun and profitable business.

The design business is a natural home-based business. Most of the sales take place in the customers home because of the need to match color swatches to existing furniture or measure the windows for draperies. It is rare that a customer will ever have the need to come to your office. Of course, there are exceptions. As your business expands you may want to consider adding builders to your list of clientele, and some may require that you have an office. (More about this later.)