How to Collaborate Effectively with Your Workroom

An interior designer and workroom owner share the best practices they’ve developed for successful projects

BY LINDSEY PUTZIER AND CHRISTINNA O’BRIEN

The designer/workroom relationship is a crucial part of your interior design business. Learning how to collaborate with your workroom not only makes both of your jobs much easier, it improves the final outcome for your clients, which, in turn, increases client satisfaction. It’s a true win-win!

Over our many years in our respective businesses, we’ve found several things that work and don’t work when it comes to establishing and maintaining the designer/ workroom partnership. We’ve broken our specific tips down into three broad categories. We hope these will help you create better relationships and happier clients.

COMMUNICATION IS KEY

If your workroom has window treatment design templates, use them. These templates aren’t there to complicate your life—they’re how your workroom keeps their orders straight. If your workroom does not have templates, make your own and share them. Write out all of the important measurements and other information you always provide the workroom in a spreadsheet or document, then save it as a template. Save as a new version every time you need to use it.

Be specific about what fabric you plan to use for your window treatments. Send a photo of the fabric you’re using to the workroom with your request for an estimate. Also include the fabric repeat and fabric content, which is a vital part of your workroom’s pricing structure. Certain fabrics will not work on certain treatments. There may be an additional charge for specific fabrics if they require hand-sewing. Some fabrics also require different linings, which the workroom can recommend. If you’re unsure of whether a fabric is appropriate for a window treatment, send a sample to your workroom so they can provide their feedback. If you make changes to your designs, communicate those changes in writing via email. Do not text change requests. Remember how irritating it is when your clients send 200 texts? It’s just as irritating for your workroom.

Invest in a window treatment rendering program or learn how to hand-sketch your designs for your workroom. You may have a vision in your head of where you want those pleats in a contrast pleat valance to go, but your workroom can’t read your mind. A visual can really clear up any ambiguity in your design.

Ask your workroom for a timeline, then double it for your clients. Most workrooms are small operations, just like your interior design business. When you get sick, things get delayed. If your computer breaks, you can’t send out orders. It’s no different for a small workroom. Always under-promise and over-deliver, and your clients will be thrilled.

Trust your workroom. If they tell you a fabric is too thick for drapery or will sag on a valance, believe them. They’re the experts. They’ve dealt with thousands of fabrics over the years and have the horror stories to back up their knowledge.

Similarly, if your workroom provides a timeline for completion, there is no need to call or text them daily to find out about progress. They likely have a queue and will get to your window treatment when they’re done with the work that’s before yours in line.

It’s important to realize that just like designers, workrooms have multiple clients and projects going on at one time. Do not expect your workroom to put your project ahead of other paying designers’ work; it’s not fair to other designers.

Just like any other business, workrooms have business hours. Your workroom enjoys 10 p.m. texts on a Saturday as much as you do.

Mistakes happen. Whoever is responsible needs to cover the rework costs. Do not expect your workroom to hem panels for you for free if you are the one who measured incorrectly. Alternately, if your workroom messes up, realize that they are human, and luckily these talented humans can rework most mistakes. There’s no need to badmouth the workroom to your client.

Pay your workroom as soon as the window treatment is finished.

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

Learn how to accurately measure. There is a technique to this, and most workrooms can lend a hand when you’re starting out. If you feel unsure, request that your workroom or installer come to the client’s site and take their own measurements. Being off by even ⅛ of an inch can be disastrous for certain treatments, like interior-mount roman shades.

If you don’t know something, ask your workroom. A good workroom will share their knowledge with you because it makes both of you better. A knowledgeable designer who puts together a clear, complete request for an estimate makes the workroom’s life so much easier.

Educate yourself on the various kinds of window treatments, fabric contents and hardware that you sell. Reading Window Fashion VISION is a great start! V

Lindsey Putzier is the owner and award-winning principal designer of Eclectic Interiors in Hudson, OH. She specializes in eclectic, colorful designs and is always encouraging her clients to push their color boundaries. Her timeless, layered aesthetic freely mixes vintage and contemporary styles.

eclecticinteriors.biz Facebook: lindseyputzier Instagram: lindseyputzier

Christinna O’Brien founded Laurel Brook Designs, a custom to-the-trade drapery workroom, in 2004 after stepping away from a successful career as a marketing manager for a Fortune 100 company. She has a passion for fabric, color, decorating, sewing and helping others. She loves collaborating with interior designers to make their visions reality for their clients. Laurel Brook Designs provides measuring, fabrication, hard treatments and installation.