Customer Reviews

How to Start a Home Based Interior Design Business

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

The title is truly misleading. The authors "Interior Design" Business is a window covering business. She sells window coverings, flooring and wallcoverings but is apparantly not a designer. Don't expect any in depth advice on working with clients creating integrated room plans, using trade-only showrooms etc. If you want to focus on one aspect of the business, simply selling floor or window coverings, great. But, I feel cheated even though this book was inexpensive

i definitely agree with the other comment that it's all about window coverings. interior design is not all about window treatments and trying to sell products to your clients. interior design is about designing the homes of your clients. definitely a misleading book.

This is exactly the book I've been looking for. I completed my degree, but still felt
that I needed some "real world" guidance. This book did that. The author explained
the how to things that I couldn't figure out, like where to find the business, how to
estimate jobs, where to buy the stuff, etc. I love this book!

I intend to become an interior designer, and someday I would like to own my own business. This book gave me a true picture of what it will really be like. I understand more about the "business" aspects of the business; it isn't all about matching color swatches and choosing carpet. She gives simple, practical advice that is easy for a beginner to understand.

I just started a home-based interior design business, and this book helped me enormously. I highly recommend it to anyone who is just beginning or expanding an existing business.

As a professional interior designer who is now ready to start my own business, I found this book of little use. The author seems to think anyone can become an interior designer just by reading this one book. I strongly disagree.

Great insite to the business of Interior Decorating for the beginner. The book helped me decide if I wanted to go into this business or not. But USA is correct in noting that this is an industry which is better with more than one person sharing ideas. I wouldn't start out on my own. I would be much more creative sharing ideas with experienced Designers.

Suzanne DeWalt really hits some key elements regarding running a home-based design business. For example, her advice regarding setting up an agreement before giving the client all your ideas is very good advice. True, she does emphasize window treatments as being your entrance into the clients home and that may not apply to every designer. So I took off one star. But the honest and practical advice she gives is well worth the price of the book. You can't just be "creative" you have to run a professional firm. As I am the owner of a seven-year old design firm, I say she is accurate on her advice.

I thought this book was excellent! I read it completely in 2 days! I am just considering starting my own business and I appreciated Suzanne sharing such valuable infomation. I don't think a designer "in the business" would share any of this information with you. I would recommend it to anyone just starting out in the business.