Only Girl On The Jobsite

Today, we're going to talk about the hard truth: that many of the challenges that we face on construction projects aren't just coming from contractors, architects, or the clients. A lot of them are coming from us, from the way we've been taught to see ourselves, from the way we approach our work, and from the stories we've quietly absorbed about what it means to be an interior designer managing construction. The good news is also the bad news, because if we're the ones doing it to ourselves, we're also the ones who can stop it. Mentioned in this episode: Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance  Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/designers-jobsite-mistakes-mindset-shift 

Last week, I talked all about proposals and how designers often present themselves in ways that just don't stack up next to the concise professional proposals from architects and contractors, also known as our colleagues. And I said something then that I want to build on today, that the way we present ourselves to our clients matters. Because it's not just in proposals, it's also in how we charge. And the truth is, a lot of designers are unintentionally making themselves look expendable as well as different from our colleagues, architects, and contractors. And all in the wrong way when it comes to fees. So today, I want to talk about whether you feel stuck charging small consult fees when you could be landing six-figure projects.  Mentioned in this episode: Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance  Find the full shownotes at:  https://devignierdesign.com/interior-design-pricing-flat-fee-vs-hourly

Are your proposals costing you projects and profit? In this episode, I break down the common mistakes designers make in their scopes of work, why vague language leads to scope creep, and how to write proposals that protect your bottom line and earn respect on the job site. Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/proposal-mistake-costing-interior-designers-projects-profit 

Today’s episode is a little different than normal—and it all started when I scheduled a Lunch & Learn at Steele Appliance in Delaware.  This is a conversation that every interior designer needs to be part of! In this episode, I share how I sat down with appliance expert Elana Steele to cover everything from common design pitfalls and emerging trends to how to find the right local partners. Whether you’re a new or seasoned designer, this conversation will help you guide clients with confidence and elevate your kitchen projects.  Mentioned in this episode:   Access the full video interview here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance  Upcoming Designer-Only Lunch & Learn on appliance specification - Wilmington, DE area: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/offers/H2FSxLJb/checkout Find the full shownotes at:  https://devignierdesign.com/the-appliance-conversation-every-designer-needs-to-hear 

Today I’m sharing two recent wins that build on what we discussed in Ep241: What Do Interior Designers Really Do on Construction Projects? These real-life stories show how valuable designers are on job sites—and I hope they inspire you to create similar experiences in your own projects.  Mentioned in this episode: * Upcoming Designer-Only Lunch & Learn on appliance specification - Wilmington, DE area: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/offers/H2FSxLJb/checkout    Listen to Ep241 here:  https://devignierdesign.com/what-interior-designers-really-do-on-construction-projects/ Sign up for my weekly newsletter here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/from-the-jobsite Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/interior-designers-invaluable-on-job-sites 

I know it probably feels a little crazy to be talking about the holidays right now. But here’s the truth: before we know it, holiday parties, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hannukkah, and New Year's will be front and center, and for all of us in construction and design, that means deadlines, delays, and client expectations that will collide all at once.  Add in the unpredictable fall and winter weather for some of us who have different weather throughout the year, and suddenly, you may have a perfect storm of challenges that will absolutely derail even the best planned projects. Today, we are talking about how to handle holiday deadlines, vacation slowdowns, and other delays. Not just to save our sanity, but to set realistic expectations with clients Join the waitlist for my course here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers Sign up for my weekly newsletter here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/from-the-jobsite  Follow me on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/devignierdesign/  Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/holiday-design-planning-for-interior-designers  

Have you ever been asked, “So… what do you do here?” If you’re an interior designer, chances are you’ve heard this question more than once—from contractors, trades, or even clients. The truth is, many people don’t fully understand the value designers bring to a construction project. And if they don’t know what you do, they can’t value it—or hire you for it. In this episode, we dive into why it’s critical to define your role with clarity and confidence. You’ll hear how one greenhouse project revealed the gap in understanding, and how showing up as a decision-maker, problem-solver, and translator between client and contractor changes everything. You’ll leave with the exact language to position yourself as essential, not optional, so you can gain respect, influence, and bigger opportunities. Join the waitlist for my course here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers  Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/devignierdesign/  Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/what-interior-designers-really-do-on-construction-projects 

Mistakes happen on every design and construction project—because we’re human. But how you handle them can make or break your client relationships. In this episode, I share real stories from designers (and my own experiences) about the inevitable missteps that happen, and the exact steps you can take to resolve them with professionalism and confidence. From talking to clients about the problem to navigating tricky contractor conversations, you’ll learn how to stay calm, find solutions, and keep projects moving forward—without losing sleep or credibility. Sign up for my weekly newsletter here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/from-the-jobsite  Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/how-to-handle-mistakes 

I am frequently asked what it’s really like to be inside The Designer’s Edge program, and especially what these new features are inside The Studio portion of the program. Today, I’m excited to pull the curtain back and share one of The Studio’s newest features: module-specific live Q&As.  The insight that I’m sharing today, which came out of that live call, applies to each and every one of you and your current and future projects. You will feel like you were a part of that call, with actionable takeaways, just like the members did. Join the waitlist for my course here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers  Find the full shownotes at:  https://devignierdesign.com/conversations-for-designers   

When a client hires an interior designer, especially for a construction project, they are not just looking for us to help with picking paint color and finishes; they’re hiring us for our eye, our foresight, our expertise, and our ability to bring it all together in a way they couldn’t do it on their own. Because let’s be real, projects get built every day without an interior designer, so those that choose to invest in our service want that elevated experience. So today, we’re going to talk about what we think of as “little things” and how they are incredibly impactful in the end, with how your client lives, moves, and experiences their home, and why we shouldn’t be taking for granted the amount of value we’re bringing to each and every project. Join the waitlist for my course here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers  Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/design-the-experience 

Allowances. This is what we are covering in today’s episode: why they matter so much more than designers realize, and how ignoring them can absolutely blow up your hours, your relationship with the client, and their entire budget. This might not sound sexy, but I promise you it is mission critical.  Join the waitlist for my course here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/allowances 

How much is this going to cost? This is a question every designer will get, especially newer designers to construction struggle with this question and will hear from every single one of their clients.  In this episode, we’re diving into the uncomfortable but crucial budget conversation. From the fear of losing a job by being too honest, to the risk of saying too little and creating unrealistic expectations—you’ll hear exactly how to navigate this with clarity, confidence, and leadership. Whether you’re a new designer unsure how to talk numbers or a seasoned pro who still finds budget talks tricky, this episode gives you the mindset, tools, and language to guide your clients through empowered decisions—not watered-down compromises. Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/budget-talk 

Today, we are going to talk about a question I know you’ve silently asked yourself: “Who’s really in charge here?” And more importantly, “How do I stay in charge of the part I am leading without turning every job site project into a tug of war?”  Learn how clarity, confidence, and consistent communication will help you take the lead — even when no one hands it to you. Join the waitlist for my course here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers  Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/in-charge 

If you've been wanting to break into the luxury market, or even if you already are there, today's episode is for you! Today, I am sharing a conversation with my friend, Vitalia (Vita) Vygovska. Vita grew her business from grass-roots marketing strategies that all of us can employ immediately in our business, and no one knows the luxury market like Vita. Vitalia (Vita) Vygovska is the founder and CEO of Vitalia Inc., a distinguished custom luxury window treatment atelier serving AD-featured designers, renowned architects, and leading hospitality groups. Through meticulous attention to detail and signature turnkey approach, Vitalia Inc consistently delivers magazine-worthy results, while helping clients realize 20% margin gains.  Vitalia Inc.'s skills have been deployed on award winning projects, including Palm Beach estates, Philadelphia & NYC Penthouses, ocean-front villas, and boutique hospitality gems. Today, you will learn:  Why relationship marketing is essential to attracting and keeping high-end clients How to approach networking to trades that position you as a valued collaborator How to clarify your values and align your marketing to attract your ideal clients Find out more about Vita and connect with her here:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vitalia_inc/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vitaliainc/   Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/luxury-marketing 

I tell people all the time that no answer is an answer. No boundaries allow a free for all. No structure allows someone else to create it for you. All of this can be prevented by being clear on what you want, the values you bring, and the relationship you want to establish. Today we’re going to talk about how we train people in our lives, whether it’s clients, contractors, or architects, and how we are accidentally training them to undervalue us. The good news is that this can be stopped by you, because it’s completely under your control. Join the waitlist for my course here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers  Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/cost-of-being-too-nice 

If your schedule is feeling tight, or your fall is filling up way faster than you’d like or feeling pressure to take on just one more project, then today’s episode is for you!  Scheduling can have an impact on the success of your projects, the health of your business, as well as your sanity. It’s all about scheduling, no matter how experienced you are or how many systems you have in place. And how you handle it and lead your clients through it, how you protect your calendar, that is where the real skills lie.  Find the full shownotes at:  https://devignierdesign.com/busy-booked-burned-out 

There is a powerful, yet overlooked question that you should ask yourself every time you start developing a proposal for your client: “So what?” Whether you’re listing deliverables, defining construction roles, or setting your fees, this question forces you to clarify the purpose, value, and outcome of every line in your scope. If you've ever had a client question why you’re needed on site—or why your fee is what it is—this episode is for you. Learn how to build trust, eliminate confusion, and finally land the jobs you want. Join the waitlist for my course here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers  Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/one-question-to-transform-proposals 

I often talk about the importance of industry partnerships for growing your business and keeping your project pipeline full. But today, I want to take that conversation deeper. In this episode, I’m sharing how truly powerful these relationships can be — not just for business development, but for your own growth as a designer and leader. From managing construction with confidence to navigating complex projects, the right partnerships—built on respect, clear communication, and transparency—can completely elevate your experience and outcomes. I'll also share a personal story about a contractor who became one of the most trusted collaborators of my career — and why partnerships like his are rare but absolutely worth seeking. Join the waitlist for my course here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers  Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/collaborators-you-dont-forget    

Today’s topic hits home for so many designers. It honestly doesn’t matter if you’re new to construction or you’ve been around for years. Today, we’re talking all about confidence, and specifically that gap between experience and confidence. This seems to trip up so many designers, and the two don’t always go hand in hand. Confidence is not performative; it is built. And you absolutely have the ability to build that confidence to create more profitable projects that bring you joy.   Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/confidence-and-experience 

Today’s topic is another one that I don’t think gets enough coverage or attention, and that’s what happens after you get your contract signed.  We focus a lot on getting the signed contract, which makes sense because without it, you wouldn’t be getting to this step. But I want to cover what you do after the client hires you. Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/you-got-the-job-now-lead-it