Business of design — Dept. of Interior — Madespace

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Editorial-modern dining room with a walnut credenza and soft linen drape — the caliber of finished space a solo interior designer can specify once trade accounts are live.

Business of designLatest

How do I set up trade accounts as a solo interior designer?

The five documents, the fast-approval vendors, and the markup norms nobody publishes for solo designers.

Christina ValenciaCo-founder, Colossus Mfg. & Madespace / HGTV host16 Sept 2026 · 14 min read

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Editorial-modern living room with a rust velvet sofa and jute rug — the kind of finished $60K room this piece runs through three fee models.

Business of design

Should I mark up furniture or charge a design fee only? A solo interior designer's guide to fee models

Cost-plus, flat fee, or retainer? Run the same $60K living room through all three P&Ls and pick the model that fits.

Christina Valencia16 SEPT14 min read

Create something beautiful.