Design Curious | Interior Design Career and Business Podcast

Rebecca Ward, CID | Interior Design Mentor and Coach
  • 5.0 (32)
  • DESIGN
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

A show for the curious creatives who want to learn what it takes to become an interior designer. Welcome to the Design Curious podcast! Each week, you'll learn practical skills every designer needs to develop regardless of whether you want to work for yourself or someone else. You'll learn secrets from professional interior designers to help you avoid costly mistakes & regrets. You'll be encouraged & empowered to overcome your fears of change, failure & money. With my 20 yrs of experience, I'll help you on the RIGHT WAY to get started. Discover if interior design is the career for you!

  1. 178 | 5 Lessons on Building an International Interior Design Career With Elliot James

    1D AGO

    178 | 5 Lessons on Building an International Interior Design Career With Elliot James

    What if the fear holding you back isn’t failure—but the thought of never trying at all? In this episode, I sit down with Elliot James, founder of a multi–award-winning international interior architecture studio, to talk honestly about what it takes to build a creative career that spans countries, cultures, and markets. Elliot didn’t follow a traditional path. He didn’t wait until everything felt “safe.” Instead, he followed his curiosity, his ambition, and his passion for design—sometimes with nothing more than a laptop, a website, and a willingness to knock on doors. If you’re an interior designer (or aspiring designer) who dreams of bigger projects, international opportunities, or breaking into luxury residential, hospitality design, wellness-focused environments, or commercial projects—but you’re afraid of getting it wrong—this conversation is for you. We talk about persistence, risk-taking, networking, word-of-mouth referrals, and how adapting to different cultures can open doors you never knew existed. This episode is a reminder that creative careers aren’t built by waiting. They’re built by moving forward—one bold decision at a time. Featured Guest Elliot James is the founder of Elliott James Interiors, a multi–award-winning international interior architecture studio specializing in luxury residential projects, hospitality design, and wellness-focused environments. With studios in Singapore, Dubai, and London, Elliot’s work blends bespoke furniture design, thoughtful client experience, and cultural adaptability to create spaces that function as true sanctuaries. What You’ll Learn in This Episode ✳️ How to follow passion without fearing creative failure ✳️ Building an international interior design career strategically ✳️ Networking strategies that lead to word-of-mouth referrals ✳️ Taking smart risks to grow your design business ✳️ Adapting to cultures in luxury and hospitality markets Read the Blog >>> 5 Lessons on Building an International Design Career NEXT STEPS: 🎯 Join My Design Mentor and start building a design career with clarity, confidence, and support, 👉https://rwarddesign.com/my-design-mentor⁠  Check out our Designer's Playlist! *️ Start Your Interior Design Journey *️ From Newbie to Confident Designer *️ Switching Gears to Interior Design Grab your freebies: 📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design 🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my Career Connect With Me: 📧 Email: podcast@rwarddesign.com 🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign 🌎 Website at rwarddesign.com Thanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week... Timestamps 0:00 Introduction and Guest Bio 2:05 Elliot’s Creative Background and Early Influences 4:44 Transitioning From Furniture Design to Interior Architecture 6:30 Building the Design Business in Singapore 11:33 Expansion to Dubai and International Markets 13:09 Adapting to Different Cultures and Business Styles 14:18 Wellness, Luxury, and the Future of Residential Design 20:28 Advice for Aspiring Designers

    25 min
  2. 177 | Design Skills Series: 5 Practical Design Skills You’ll Use on Every Client Project

    FEB 9

    177 | Design Skills Series: 5 Practical Design Skills You’ll Use on Every Client Project

    Have you ever been standing in front of a client, mid-conversation, and suddenly realized you should know the answer—but you don’t feel confident saying it out loud yet? Maybe it’s a color choice, a furniture size, or how to fix an awkward layout. These moments can shake your confidence as an interior designer, especially when you know you have the creative instinct but haven’t fully honed the practical skills yet. In this episode, I’m continuing our design skills series by focusing on the practical skills that actually make your work smoother, your designs stronger, and your client relationships more trusting. These are the skills that allow you to think on your feet, explain your decisions clearly, and create designs that not only look beautiful, but function beautifully too. I’m walking you through the core skills every residential interior designer needs to master, including color theory, space planning, furniture selection, traffic flow, composition, proportion and balance, and lighting plans. More importantly, I’m sharing how to practice these skills intentionally, so they become second nature. When these foundations are solid, you stop second-guessing yourself—and your clients start trusting you more deeply. What You’ll Learn in This Episode ✔️ How to practice practical design skills daily ✔️ Why color undertones affect client satisfaction ✔️ How space planning improves traffic flow ✔️ Furniture selection using proportion and balance ✔️ Building client trust through confident design decisions Read the Blog >>> 5 Practical Interior Design Skills for Every Client Project NEXT STEPS: 🎯 Join My Design Mentor and start building a design career with clarity, confidence, and support, 👉https://rwarddesign.com/my-design-mentor⁠  Check out our Designer's Playlist! *️ Start Your Interior Design Journey *️ From Newbie to Confident Designer *️ Switching Gears to Interior Design Grab your freebies: 📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design 🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my Career Connect With Me: 📧 Email: podcast@rwarddesign.com 🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign 🌎 Website at rwarddesign.com Thanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week... Timestamps 0:00 Introduction: Why Practical Skills Matter After Design School 2:41 Color Theory and Understanding Undertones 6:20 Building a Designer's Eye 9:20 Space Planning and Traffic Flow 12:01 Focal Points, Composition, and Lighting Plans 15:00 How to Practice and Sharpen Practical Skills

    18 min
  3. 176 | A Modern Approach to Feng Shui for Interior Designers With Amanda Gibby Peters

    FEB 2

    176 | A Modern Approach to Feng Shui for Interior Designers With Amanda Gibby Peters

    As interior designers, we spend so much time thinking about how a home looks, but what if the real question we should be asking is how a home feels? If you’ve ever walked into a space that was beautiful on paper but somehow felt off, heavy, or uninspiring, this episode is for you. I sit down with feng shui expert Amanda Gibby Peters to explore how interior designers can intentionally work with energy, layout, and environmental cues to create homes that genuinely support their clients’ lives. We talk about why clutter isn’t just visual noise, how bedrooms quietly reveal how someone values themselves, and why the front door might be the most overlooked design opportunity in a home. If you’ve been curious about incorporating feng shui into your interior design process, but worried it would feel too “woo,” too rigid, or too disconnected from modern design, Amanda breaks it down in a way that feels practical, intuitive, and deeply aligned with how designers already think. This episode will help you design spaces that don’t just function well, but feel grounded, supportive, and truly reflective of the people who live there. Featured Guest: Amanda Gibby Peters is the founder of Simply Shui, a modern, mission-driven approach to feng shui that helps people design spaces that support their highest potential. With a master’s degree in professional communication and over two decades of experience, Amanda is known for making feng shui practical, intuitive, and accessible. She is the author of Simply Shui for Every Day and the host of the top-ranked podcast House Therapy. What You’ll Learn in This Episode ✳️ Why feng shui is not about rules, superstition, or “fixing” bad energy ✳️ How interior designers can use feng shui as a filter for prioritizing design decisions ✳️ The three most influential spaces designers should focus on first ✳️ How bedroom design reveals self-worth and impacts daily energy ✳️ Why furniture placement, light, and flow matter more than décor trends ✳️ How to collaborate with clients’ goals using environmental metaphors ✳️ Simple feng shui principles designers can apply immediately in client projects Read the Blog >>> Modern Feng Shui for Interior Designers NEXT STEPS: 🎯 Join My Design Mentor and start building a design career with clarity, confidence, and support, 👉https://rwarddesign.com/my-design-mentor⁠  Check out our Designer's Playlist! *️ Start Your Interior Design Journey *️ From Newbie to Confident Designer *️ Switching Gears to Interior Design Grab your freebies: 📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design 🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my Career Connect With Me: 📧 Email: podcast@rwarddesign.com 🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign 🌎 Website at rwarddesign.com Thanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week... Timestamps 0:00 Introduction and Guest Bio 2:50 Amanda’s Skeptical Path Into Feng Shui 8:36 Feng Shui in Design Projects 11:47 Practical Feng Shui Tips for Designers 21:03 Balancing Energy in Client Spaces 26:39 Common Feng Shui Misconceptions 29:48 The Role of Feng Shui in Modern Design 32:24 Amanda's Resources and Offerings

    37 min
  4. 175 | Design Skills Series: 6 Skills Interior Designers Need (That Aren’t Taught in Design School)

    JAN 26

    175 | Design Skills Series: 6 Skills Interior Designers Need (That Aren’t Taught in Design School)

    If you’ve ever wondered why design school didn’t quite prepare you for the real world of interior design, you’re not imagining it. I hear this all the time—from designers who invested years (and money) into a degree, and from those who skipped school altogether and worry they’re already behind. The truth is, many of the skills required to run a successful interior design business are not taught in the classroom. In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on what actually matters once you leave school and step into real client work. These are the foundational skills that determine whether your business thrives or struggles. And no, they’re not about picking the perfect sofa or designing custom furniture—although those matter too. My promise is simple: I want to help you identify the other skills you need to develop—skills that design school often overlooks—so you can create a strong foundation, run a profitable interior design business, and enjoy a sustainable, fulfilling career doing what you love. What You’ll Learn in This Episode ✔️ Why business skills are non-negotiable for residential interior designers ✔️ How understanding pricing, margins, and markup protects your profitability ✔️ What it really means to create a luxury client experience ✔️ How technology, AI, and systems can support (not replace) your creativity ✔️ Why branding and storytelling matter more than graphic design alone ✔️ How leadership and decision-making shape client trust and confidence ✔️ The personal skills that help designers manage time, overwhelm, and growth Read the Blog >>> 6 Skills Interior Designers Need That Design School Doesn’t Teach NEXT STEPS: 🎯 Join My Design Mentor and start developing the skills that truly set you apart. 👉https://rwarddesign.com/my-design-mentor⁠  Check out our Designer's Playlist! *️ Start Your Interior Design Journey *️ From Newbie to Confident Designer *️ Switching Gears to Interior Design Grab your freebies: 📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design 🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my Career Connect With Me: 📧 Email: podcast@rwarddesign.com 🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign 🌎 Website at rwarddesign.com Thanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week... Timestamps 0:00 – Introduction 2:54 – Skill #1: Business Skills for Interior Designers 5:10 – Skill #2: Client Experience and Service 6:45 – Skill #3: Technology, AI Literacy, and Systems 9:24 – Skill #4: Marketing, Branding, and Visibility 11:38 – Skill #5: Leadership and Decision Making 13:20 – Skill #6: Personal Skills for Success

    16 min
  5. 174 | Core Elements Every High-Converting Interior Design Website Needs With Elle Kwan

    JAN 19

    174 | Core Elements Every High-Converting Interior Design Website Needs With Elle Kwan

    “A good website really should be qualifying your inquiries and increasing them as well.” Does your website actually do that? Or does it simply exist as a gallery of pretty images while you continue to explain yourself over and over again in emails, DMs, and discovery calls? If you’ve ever hesitated before sending someone your website link, or felt a little cringe when a potential client says they want to “check out your site,” this episode is for you. Today, I’m sitting down with Elle Kwan to unpack what separates a beautiful website from a high-converting interior design website — one that supports your business, filters your inquiries, and reflects the true level of your work. She shares about what should actually be on your website, the most common mistakes designers make with their online presence, and how to know when it’s time for a website redesign. If you want your website to feel like a confident extension of your brand — and a tool you’re proud to share — you’ll want to listen closely. Featured Guest: Elle Kwan is a website designer and copywriter who works with interior designers whose work deserves the spotlight but whose websites aren’t fully reflecting their expertise. With a background in journalism and luxury publishing, Elle brings together strategy, storytelling, and design to create elevated online presences that attract dream clients, larger budgets, and meaningful opportunities. What You’ll Learn in This Episode ✳️ Why most interior design websites fail to convert visitors into inquiries ✳️ The essential criteria of a high-converting website for interior designers ✳️ How storytelling, case studies, and testimonials build trust and authority ✳️ The difference between Instagram marketing and website strategy ✳️ Common website mistakes that create confusion and low-quality leads ✳️ When it’s time for a website redesign and how to recognize the signs ✳️ What questions to ask before hiring a website designer Read the Blog >>> Core Elements Every High-Converting Interior Design Website Needs NEXT STEPS: 🎯 Join the My Design Mentor to kickstart a successful career in interior design! Check out our Designer's Playlist! *️ Start Your Interior Design Journey *️ From Newbie to Confident Designer *️ Switching Gears to Interior Design Grab your freebies: 📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design 🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my Career Connect With Me: 📧 Email: podcast@rwarddesign.com 🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign 🌎 Website at rwarddesign.com Thanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week... Timestamps 0:00 Introduction and Guest Bio 2:30 Elle Kwan’s Background 8:01 What Should Be In an Interior Design Website 10:51 How Can Your Website Help You Stand Out as a Designer 16:12 Common Website Mistakes Designers Make 18:39 Signs It’s Time for a Website Redesign 20:33 What to Ask Before Hiring a Website Designer 24:28 Elle’s 3S Framework for Website Consultations

    29 min
  6. 173 | Design Skills Series: The Soft Skills That Set Successful Interior Designers Apart

    JAN 12

    173 | Design Skills Series: The Soft Skills That Set Successful Interior Designers Apart

    Many interior designers spend years honing hard skills like CAD drafting, space planning, and material selection—yet still feel stuck when it comes to client relationships, confidence, or stepping into leadership. I see this all the time, and it can be incredibly frustrating when you know you’re talented, but something still feels like it’s holding you back. The truth is, talent alone rarely sets designers apart anymore. What creates real career longevity and opportunity in interior design is how you show up as a professional—how you communicate, how you handle challenges, and how you lead both clients and projects. That’s where soft skills come in. In this episode, I dive into the soft skills that make the biggest difference in real-world design work, including emotional intelligence, communication techniques, boundary setting, leadership skills, and professionalism. These are often the invisible skills that separate designers who are just getting by from those who are trusted, respected, and thriving in their careers. If you’ve ever felt technically capable but still struggled with difficult clients, miscommunication, burnout, or feeling overlooked in the workplace, this conversation is for you. What You’ll Learn in This Episode ✔️ Why soft skills matter just as much as technical design skills in interior design careers ✔️ How emotional intelligence impacts client trust, presentations, and decision-making ✔️ Communication techniques that improve client relationships and prevent costly mistakes ✔️ How boundary setting protects your time, profitability, and mental well-being ✔️ The role of leadership skills in managing projects, trades, and client expectations ✔️ Why professionalism, enthusiasm, and teamwork set designers apart in the workplace ✔️ How holding space for client transformation leads to deeper trust and better outcomes Read the Blog >>> Design Skills Series: Soft Skills for Interior Designers NEXT STEPS: 🎯 Join the My Design Mentor to kickstart a successful career in interior design! Check out our Designer's Playlist! *️ Start Your Interior Design Journey *️ From Newbie to Confident Designer *️ Switching Gears to Interior Design Grab your freebies: 📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design 🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my Career Connect With Me: 📧 Email: podcast@rwarddesign.com 🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign 🌎 Website at rwarddesign.com Thanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week... Timestamps 0:00 – Introduction and New Series 3:47 – What Soft Skills Are and Why They Matter in Interior Design 8:18 – Emotional Intelligence as a Designer’s Superpower 10:30 – Improving Self-Awareness, Empathy, and Self-Regulation 11:32 – Communication Techniques That Build Trust 15:24 – Boundary Setting, Professional Poise, and Saying No Gracefully 19:03 – Leadership Skills in Interior Design Projects 20:27 – Holding Space for Client Transformation 25:50 – Why Soft Skill Development Makes You More Marketable

    28 min
  7. 172 | How Designers Build Profitable Design Businesses With Donna Hoffman

    JAN 5

    172 | How Designers Build Profitable Design Businesses With Donna Hoffman

    If you’re an interior designer who feels deeply creative but secretly anxious about sales, pricing, or talking about your value, this episode is for you. Too many designers believe that great work should “sell itself,” only to find themselves undercharging, overdelivering, and wondering why their business still feels financially fragile. If you’ve ever felt uncomfortable talking about money, struggled to raise your design fees, or worried that niching down will limit your opportunities, you are not alone. In this episode, I sit down with interior design business coach Donna Hoffman for a powerful, honest conversation about what it really takes to monetize creativity. We talk about sales strategy for creative brains, why marketing clarity matters more than talent, and how designers can confidently communicate their value without feeling salesy or inauthentic. Donna shares real-world examples from her own seven-figure luxury design firm and explains why selling design is just as important as designing itself. If your goal is to run your design business like a confident CEO while still honoring your creative sensitivity, this conversation will help you take that next step. Featured Guest: Donna Hoffman is a seasoned interior design business coach and the founder of a seven-figure luxury interior design firm launched during the 2008 Great Recession. Known as the “master of words,” Donna specializes in branding, sales strategy, marketing strategy, and mindset support for creative entrepreneurs. Her work helps designers clarify their niche, confidently communicate value, and build profitable, resilient businesses that honor both creativity and well-being. What You’ll Learn in This Episode ✳️ Why interior designers don’t design for a living ✳️ How to niche your interior design business without closing yourself off to opportunities ✳️ The difference between being a generalist and having a compelling point of difference ✳️ How to use a pitch deck to educate clients and increase project scope naturally ✳️ Why creative sensitivity affects pricing confidence and sales conversations ✳️ How to raise your design fees strategically without sabotaging your mindset ✳️ The importance of selling furnishings and products as part of a profitable design business Read the Blog >>> How Designers Build Profitable Design Businesses NEXT STEPS: 🎯 Join the My Design Mentor to kickstart a successful career in interior design! Check out our Designer's Playlist! *️ Start Your Interior Design Journey *️ From Newbie to Confident Designer *️ Switching Gears to Interior Design Grab your freebies: 📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design 🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my Career Connect With Me: 📧 Email: podcast@rwarddesign.com 🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign 🌎 Website at rwarddesign.com Thanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week... Timestamps 0:00 – Introduction and Guest Bio 3:55 – Donna’s Story: Launching a Design Business During the 2008 Recession 5:51 – How Sales and Marketing Experience Shaped Donna’s Early Success 7:21 – Why Investing in Business Coaching Matters 9:06 – The Truth About Sales, Niching, and Being a Design CEO 14:24 – How to Sell Your Design Service 15:56 – What a Pitch Deck Is and When to Use It 21:05 – Selling Design Fees and Furnishings With Confidence 26:54 – The Creative Brain, Sensitivity, and Mindset Support 30:54 – Donna's Coaching Program

    37 min
  8. 171 | How I Reflect, Set Goals, and Choose My Word of the Year for 2026

    12/29/2025

    171 | How I Reflect, Set Goals, and Choose My Word of the Year for 2026

    Every December, I sit down with a cup of coffee, my Full Focus Planner, and a quiet moment to breathe. Because if there’s anything I’ve learned in my 20+ years in interior design, it’s that the goals we don’t set end up shaping our lives just as much as the ones we do. And when you’re building a design business—or simply trying to thrive as a creative human—intentionality matters more than anything. Without direction, it’s easy to slip into survival mode. But when you pause long enough to reflect, plan, and recalibrate, everything begins to feel lighter, clearer, and more aligned. In this episode, I’m walking you through my personal reflection of 2025: what worked, what shifted, the word that guided me through a year of centering and grounding, and how that shaped my business and personal life. I’m also sharing how I’m approaching 2026 with my new Word of the Year—radiant—and how you can choose your own word to anchor your purpose, energy, and growth. If you’ve been feeling scattered, overwhelmed, or unsure of what you want 2026 to look like, this episode will help you slow down, listen inward, and craft a vision that supports both your life and your interior design business. It’s your invitation to step into the year with clarity, confidence, and a sense of grounded intentionality—so you can finally thrive, not just hustle. What You’ll Learn in This Episode ✔️ How to conduct an honest reflection of your year—what worked, what didn’t, and what still needs nurturing. ✔️ Why choosing a Word of the Year is a powerful anchor for personal clarity and business direction. ✔️ How my 2025 word, centered, shaped everything from my finances to my creative energy. ✔️ The key elements of creating a meaningful vision board (and how mine helped me manifest my goals). ✔️ Practical steps for planning your 2026 goals in a way that feels grounded and achievable. ✔️ How personal retreat days can transform your focus, productivity, and creativity. ✔️ The mindset shift designers need to embrace to build resilience and financial security in uncertain times. Read the Blog >>> How to Reflect on 2025 and Create Your Vision for 2026 NEXT STEPS: 🎯 Join the Launch Your Business Bootcamp and start your 2026 with clarity, confidence, and direction. Check out our Designer's Playlist! *️ Start Your Interior Design Journey *️ From Newbie to Confident Designer *️ Switching Gears to Interior Design Grab your freebies: 📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design 🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my Career Connect With Me: 📧 Email: podcast@rwarddesign.com 🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign 🌎 Website at rwarddesign.com Thanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week... Timestamps 0:00 — Introduction and Bootcamp Announcement 1:56 — Why I Reflect and Create a Vision Every Year 4:07 — Achievements and Personal Growth in 2025 9:22 — AI Integration and Staying Relevant as a Designer 11:56 — My 2026 Word of the Year: Radiant 13:01 — How I Choose My Word of the Year 13:46 — Encouragement for Your 2026 Goals

    16 min
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About

A show for the curious creatives who want to learn what it takes to become an interior designer. Welcome to the Design Curious podcast! Each week, you'll learn practical skills every designer needs to develop regardless of whether you want to work for yourself or someone else. You'll learn secrets from professional interior designers to help you avoid costly mistakes & regrets. You'll be encouraged & empowered to overcome your fears of change, failure & money. With my 20 yrs of experience, I'll help you on the RIGHT WAY to get started. Discover if interior design is the career for you!

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