Design Curious | Interior Design Podcast, Interior Design Career, Interior Design School, Coaching

• 156 | The Impact of Custom Furniture in Your Interior Design Projects With Michael Brinkley

  Are you tired of sourcing the same mass-produced furniture pieces your clients can find anywhere?Imagine offering them something truly unique—a custom furniture solution that not only fits their space perfectly but also reflects their personality and lifestyle.In this episode, I explore how interior designers can elevate their projects through custom furniture with builder Michael Brinkley. Michael shares how designers can turn client frustrations, like the wrong size, finish, or style in mass-produced pieces, into opportunities by collaborating with a custom furniture maker. He walks us through his creative process, from sketching and 3D modeling to building functional, heirloom-quality pieces that solve real design challenges. Through stories of unique projects, like a dining table made from wine crates and a barn door with a built-in TV, Michael highlights how custom furniture isn’t just a design upgrade; it’s a powerful way for interior designers to stand out in a competitive market.If you’re an interior designer looking to deliver distinctive, tailor-made solutions for your clients while elevating your business, this conversation will give you the insider’s perspective you need.Featured Guest:Michael Brinkley is the owner and master craftsman of Brinkley Furniture, a nationally recognized custom furniture studio in Redding, California. With over 30 years of experience in cabinetry and furniture design, he specializes in creating heirloom-quality, one-of-a-kind pieces that blend timeless design with modern functionality. His work is celebrated nationwide for its craftsmanship, innovation, and ability to bring designers’ and clients’ visions to life.What You’ll Learn in This Episode✔️ How partnering with a custom furniture builder can help you deliver one-of-a-kind solutions for your clients.✔️ The process of transforming client ideas into functional, beautifully engineered custom pieces.✔️ Why communication and collaboration between designers and builders are key to a successful project.✔️ Real examples of standout custom furniture projects.✔️ Tips on sourcing materials locally and navigating budget-conscious options without sacrificing style.✔️ How custom furniture can help you differentiate your design business in a competitive market.✔️ Why investing in custom furniture is a long-term value for clients, offering heirloom-quality pieces.Read the Blog >>> ⁠The Impact of Custom Furniture in Your Interior Design Projects ⁠NEXT STEPS:🎯 Connect with Michael Brinkley and start offering custom furniture solutions that set you apart.🎯 Join The Sacramento Design Business Collective Thrive Retreat to surround yourself with like-minded designers and learn strategies for growing your interior design business.Grab your freebies:📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my CareerConnect With Me:📧 Email: [email protected]🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign 🌎 Website at rwarddesign.comThanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week...Timestamps0:00 Introduction2:19 How Michael Discovered His Passion for Woodworking3:47 Transitioning From Cabinetry to Custom Furniture6:15 Designing and Prototyping Unique Furniture Pieces8:56 Working With Interior Designers vs. Direct Clients10:01 The Process of Creating a Custom Furniture Piece for Designers12:16 The Story Behind the Wine Crate Dining Table17:52 Building a Barn Door With a Built-in TV for a Smart Home20:56 How to Connect With Brinkley Furniture21:28 Why Custom Furniture Is an Investment, Not an Expense

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• 155 | 3 Proven Keys to Your Designer Business Breakthrough

  Is your interior design business stuck in the weeds or stagnant? You're not alone! Many interior designers get caught up in client work and admin tasks, leaving little time to grow or dream bigger.Breakthroughs don’t usually happen when you’re stuck in your to-do list or working late at the office. They come when you intentionally step back, shift your perspective, and surround yourself with the right people who can inspire and challenge you.In this episode, I’m sharing how designers can find clarity, creativity, and confidence to grow their business without sacrificing their health or burning out.If you want more freedom, profit, and joy in your design career, this episode offers both inspiration and practical tips to help you get there.What You’ll Learn in This Episode✔️ Why stepping away from your daily routine is essential for a designer's business breakthrough✔️ The science behind how travel and new environments boost creativity by up to 50%✔️ The power of proximity: how surrounding yourself with the right peers elevates your results✔️ Why networking and mastermind groups are critical for business growth✔️ How to work on your interior design business, not just in it✔️ Why the most successful design firms don’t work more hours—they work smarter✔️ How attending an interior design business retreat like The Sacramento Design Business Collective Thrive Retreat can spark lasting changeRead the Blog >>> 3 Proven Keys to Your Designer Business BreakthroughRelated Episodes:✨ Episode 147: Mindset Shift Series: Design a Career That Supports Your Life✨Episode 153: Mindset Shift Series #4: Normalizing Imposter Syndrome in Interior Design NEXT STEPS:🎯 Join The Sacramento Design Business Collective Thrive Retreat to unlock your next designer business breakthroughGrab your freebies:📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my CareerConnect With Me:📧 Email: [email protected]🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign 🌎 Website at rwarddesign.comThanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week...Timestamps01:25 Why You Need to Step Out of Your Daily Routine for Breakthroughs03:38 The Power of New Environments and Nature07:49 The Power of Proximity and Who You Spend Time With08:50 Networking and Building Connections11:43 The Value of Retreats and Working on Your Business16:55 How the Design Business Collective Thrive Retreat Can Help You Grow Your Design Business

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• 154 | Mistakes, Difficult Clients & Lessons Learned in Running a Design Biz With Bre Hance

  What if a side project could turn into a full-blown design career?In this episode, I chat with Bre Hance, founder and principal designer of InHance, who shares how she went from helping her husband with a few design projects to running her thriving interior design and build firm in Los Angeles. She opens up about the early days of her business—starting without a portfolio or website—and how she found her first clients by showing up, being creative, and believing in her skills.Bre also talks about what it takes to grow a design business, from hiring a team to learning the hard lessons through expensive mistakes. You’ll hear how she discovered her signature style, Elevated Everyday Living, and how social media, especially Instagram, helped her grow her brand and attract ideal clients. She shares her secrets to avoiding stress and building trust.If you're an aspiring or new interior designer, Bre’s honest insights and practical advice will leave you inspired, wiser, and ready to take action. 🎧 Tune in now!Featured Guest:Bre Hance is the founder and principal designer of ⁠InHance⁠, a high-end residential design-build firm based in Los Angeles. With over a decade of experience, Bre has designed more than 200 homes across the U.S. Known for her bold use of color, eclectic luxury style, and her trademarked philosophy, Elevated Everyday Living, she helps clients create beautiful, practical spaces from concept to completion.Why you’ve got to check out today’s episode:📌 Learn how to create authentic content for Instagram to attract your clients and grow your design brand📌 Get honest advice on scaling smart and staying true to your values📌 Avoid mistakes that cost thousands and other common pitfallsCheck out the show notes >>> Mistakes, Difficult Clients & Lessons Learned in Running a Design BizNEXT STEPS:🎯 Join the My Design Mentor to kickstart a successful career in interior design!Grab your freebies:📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my CareerConnect With Me:📧 Email: [email protected]🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign 🌎 Website at rwarddesign.comThanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week...Timestamps:0:00 Introduction02:04 Bre's Early Beginnings & How She Got Into Design06:09 Scaling and Shaping the Business09:49 Defining Her Signature Style12:58 Future Dreams: Lifestyle Brand Possibilities14:09 Impact of the LA Fires and Community Involvement17:28 Using Social Media to Grow a Design Business21:58 Mistakes, Difficult Clients & Lessons Learned31:16 Advice for Aspiring Interior Designers

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• 153 | Mindset Shift Series #4: Normalizing Imposter Syndrome in Interior Design

  Do you ever feel like you’re not good enough to be a designer? Have you ever thought, “What if my clients discover that I’m not as skilled as they believe I am?”In this final episode of the Mindset Shift Series, I discuss the real struggles that new designers face, such as feelings of insecurity and imposter syndrome.These feelings are completely normal, and even experienced designers go through them.So, I share simple yet powerful strategies to uplift you when you're feeling down, help shift your mindset, and boost your confidence. Plus, I also share real stories from my own journey.If you’ve ever felt like you don’t know enough, don’t have a signature style, or wonder why anyone would pay you for your design work, this episode will help you feel seen and supported.This is also your reminder that you can do hard things, and you don’t have to do them alone. 🎧 Listen now and share it with a designer friend who could use a little encouragement, too!Why you’ve got to check out today’s episode:📌 Learn how to reframe negative thoughts so you can feel more confident📌 Leverage community and connection to help you beat burnout and self-doubt📌 Start seeing your progress even when it doesn’t feel like a straight lineCheck out the show notes >>> Normalizing Imposter Syndrome in Interior Design NEXT STEPS:🎯 Join the My Design Mentor to kickstart a successful career in interior design!Grab your freebies:📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my CareerConnect With Me:📧 Email: [email protected]🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign 🌎 Website at rwarddesign.comThanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week...Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction02:13 Common Thoughts and Limiting Beliefs in New Designers6:49 Age, Comparison, and the Myth of Being "Behind"08:29 Understanding Imposter Syndrome11:00 Building Community and Support Network as a Solution15:19 Tools for Combatting Imposter Syndrome16:45 Navigating Nonlinear Progress19:45 Action Steps for Overcoming Imposter Syndrome21:44 Wrap-Up and Invitation to a Designer Retreat

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• 152 | Build a Thriving Interior Design Business Without a Design Degree: Insights From Michelle Lynne

  Have you always loved furniture, picking out paint colors, making spaces feel beautiful, or helping friends with their homes, but never thought you could actually get paid for it? That’s exactly how Michelle Lynne felt.In this episode, she shares how she followed a corporate path, managing restaurants and a recruiting firm, until a turning point pushed her to pursue what she truly loved: interior design. Then she built a 7-figure design business without a degree.Her story proves that your creative passion isn’t just a hobby. It can become a thriving business with the right mindset and support.If you’re starting out without formal training, Michelle explains why investing in a coach or mentor is the smartest move you can make. It saves you from years of trial-and-error and gives you the clarity and confidence to run your business like a pro.Michelle also talks about her signature program which offers step-by-step systems designed to help you grow a design business with confidence and profit. Plus, she introduces Sidemark, a powerful tool that saves you time and money by replacing multiple apps with one easy-to-use platform made just for designers.Ready to stop guessing and start growing? Tune in now and take your next step today.Featured Guest:⁠Michelle Lynne⁠ is the owner of ML Interiors Group, a successful interior design firm based in Dallas–Fort Worth, Texas. She is also the founder of ⁠The Design Bakehouse⁠, formerly known as Designed for the Creative Mind, where she teaches interior designers and decorators how to run a profitable and systemized design business.Her signature program, The Interior Design Business Bakery, has helped hundreds of designers scale to multiple six figures with confidence and clarity.She also hosts the ⁠Designed For The Creative Mind⁠ podcast and organizes the annual Interior Design Business Success Summit. Through all her ventures, Michelle is passionate about helping other designers skip the trial-and-error and grow businesses they love—while staying true to themselves.Why you’ve got to check out today’s episode:📌 Discover the benefits of investing in a coach or mentor to fast-track your growth and avoid common mistakes in the interior design industry📌 Find out how using the right tools, like Sidemark, can simplify your business, save you time, and help you stay organized as you grow📌 Overcome your self-doubt and gain confidence and clarityCheck out the show notes >>> Build a Thriving Interior Design Business Without a Design DegreeRelated Episode:✨ Episode 132: Stress-Free Framework to Attract Clients to Your Design Business With Ben RutledgeNEXT STEPS:🎯 Join the My Design Mentor to kickstart a successful career in interior design!Grab your freebies:📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my CareerConnect With Me:📧 Email: [email protected]🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign 🌎 Website at rwarddesign.comThanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week...Timestamps:0:00 Introduction & Michelle Lynne's Bio01:44 Michelle’s Unconventional Journey into Design05:07 Transition From Home Staging to Interior Design07:05 The Struggles of Building a Design Business08:56 Introduction to the Design Business Bakery14:17 The Story Behind the “Bakery” Branding16:19 Authentic Branding and Lessons Learned20:16 Inside ML Interiors Group & Studio Works Co-Op26:22 Sidemark: Software for Designers29:29 Advice for Aspiring Designers

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