WHO IS THE DESIGN INSIDER MEMBER?

  • We have built this platform for designers of all levels, including the everyday designer. We believe any person with an interest in or talent for design should have access to the resources to make beautiful spaces — for themselves, their friends, family, or clients, without feeling like they need to “earn” their place in the industry. Our goal is to make it easy and inspiring for anyone to design beautiful spaces.

    Here are some examples of people who would benefit from a Design Insider membership:

    • The person who wants to buy furniture at a trade discount (don’t we all?!).

    • The person who is building or remodeling without an interior designer.

    • The person who has a budding interior design biz or side hustle.

    • A current interior design student or new grad who wants to kill it from day one.

    • A seasoned designer who wants better business support.

    If you are joining Design Insider primarily to purchase with trade discounts, then either having or incorporating a design-oriented business will be an essential first step for you. Many vendors require your tax ID number prior to approving your account.

    If you do not have a business, nor do you want one, we recommend filtering by our “everyday designer” tag to find those vendors who are offering great products through retail websites. Even if you don’t have a trade account set up, you can often still find seasonal sales through these vendors, offering periodic opportunities for better pricing. Many vendors also offer discount codes for first time buyers or in exchange for signing up for an email or a text message campaign. There are still lots of ways for everyday designers to save money even if it’s not through a trade account.

  • There are no qualifications (experience, degrees, credentials, certifications, etc.) required to sign up for membership or to start designing. If you love being in and creating beautiful environments, we support and encourage you!

    That being said, many vendors do require business qualifications in order to establish trade accounts with you. A portion of our vendors only transact B2B (business to business), which often means you cannot see inventory or make a purchase until your account is set up and approved. On the other hand, the majority of our vendors transact both B2B (business to business) and B2C (business to consumer). This means that even without owning a business or setting up a trade account, you can still shop their inventory at retail prices.

    For those of you looking to quickly shop vendors at retail prices without needing to set up a trade account, we have created a filter titled “everyday designer.” There are well over 100 vendors who fit the everyday designer criteria. When labeling a vendor with an everyday designer tag, we needed to be able to answer “yes” to the following question:

    “If a person wanted a staple piece for their home, could he or she come to this vendor website and order an item for themselves in under 10 minutes with no business credentials?”

  • We find and share sources for beautiful design items in order to make it easier for designers of all levels and interests to bring their own spin into their projects – no matter how big or how small. This means we can help if you are designing a room or designing an entire house.

    If you are signing up for Design Insider ONLY to purchase using trade discounts, then you will first need to establish a design business in order to gain access to those trade discount prices from our vendors.

    If you are happy to shop vendors at retail prices without needing to set up a trade account, we have created a filter titled “everyday designer” that will be useful to anyone with a personal project. There are well over 100 vendors who fit the everyday designer criteria. When labeling a vendor with an everyday designer tag, we needed to be able to answer “yes” to the following question:

    “If a person wanted a staple piece for their home, could he or she come to this vendor website and order an item for themselves in under 10 minutes with no business credentials?”

  • We know that getting started in the interior design space can feel a little intimidating. That’s why we encourage and embrace student memberships at Design Insider. Here’s how we think you’ll benefit:

    • Source furniture, furnishings, and artwork for class projects using our vetted vendor rolodex and artist archive.

    • Build your own personal go-to vendor rolodex and relationships for post-graduation client work.

    • Cultivate your personal style using our ready-to-implement Journal page design trends.

    • Leverage the private designer community to ask questions, get feedback on designs, and find mentorship with other experienced designers.

    We know being a student often means juggling a lot of expenses, and so we offer a reduced rate with proof of student status. All you need to do is send us an email at hi@design-insider.com from an active .edu account with the subject line "student discount membership" and we will reply with a code that allows you to sign up with your student discount!

TELL ME MORE ABOUT MEMBERSHIP.

  • Right now, we offer two subscription options - month to month for a base rate of $25/ month, or you can sign up annually for 20% savings which will come out to $20/ month. Stay tuned for different membership tiers in the future.

    We also offer a student discount membership for a discounted rate of $18/month or $175 annually. All you need to do is send us an email at hi@design-insider.com from an active .edu account with the subject line "student discount membership" and we will reply with a code that allows you to sign up with your student discount!

  • Yes - we have intentionally built this platform to offer a community aspect in order to connect with other Design Insider members. Once you become a member, you will gain access to our private community via Slack. Once there, you will be able to chat with Design Insiders at any time and support and encourage one another. Have a question on the best white paint to use? How to install pendant lighting? We want this to be a resource in which you are supported and encouraged in all things design.

  • No – by signing up you will automatically get information on how to apply to each vendor trade program, but you will have to be the one to physically sign up. This is because each vendor is different and will require personal information for you to apply and access their trade program. We have done the research to simplify this process and take out all the guesswork in order to give you clear steps on signing up for each and every vendor in our rolodex.

  • Yes - within each vendor card you will see there is a place for user reviews. We have built this option as we feel user feedback is the most valuable resource. If you have a wonderful experience with a vendor, we want to hear about it! Please share anything from trade program accessibility, to customer service experiences to shipping lead times. The more information we can provide on each vendor, the more value to each of our users.

  • You may cancel your membership at any time. We do not currently offer freezing of memberships, but you can join again at any time.

  • Yes, your membership will automatically renew each year from the date of purchase.

  • We know that getting started in the interior design space can feel a little intimidating. That’s why we encourage and embrace student memberships at Design Insider. Here’s how we think you’ll benefit:

    • Source furniture, furnishings, and artwork for class projects using our vetted vendor rolodex and artist archive.

    • Build your own personal go-to vendor rolodex and relationships for post-graduation client work.

    • Cultivate your personal style using our ready-to-implement Journal page design trends.

    • Leverage the private designer community to ask questions, get feedback on designs, and find mentorship with other experienced designers.

    We know being a student often means juggling a lot of expenses, and so we offer a reduced rate with proof of student status. All you need to do is send us an email at hi@design-insider.com with the subject line “Student Discount Membership” from an active .edu account and we will reply with a code that allows you to sign up with a student discount!

WHAT ABOUT THE VENDORS?

  • We have worked hard to vet all of our vendors to make sure they offer quality products in all price ranges. While you will find high end vendors within our rolodex, you will also find budget friendly options. We have built Design Insider to be representative of all budgets in design. You can sort through the vendors by price range in order to easily filter and shop.

  • Yes – you can sort through the vendors by price range in order to easily filter and shop.

  • We have over 400+ vendors in the following categories: Lighting, Tile, Plumbing Fixtures, Wood Flooring, Furniture, Accessories & Bedding and Outdoor. We have created the rolodex to be able to filter by category, style and price range.

  • We believe some of the best design is international so you will find vendors from all over. If a designer is based outside of the U.S., we make sure to note that in the description.

  • We currently have over 300+ vendor cards in our rolodex and we are constantly shopping and adding in new vendors. We feature vendors in the following categories: Lighting, Tile, Plumbing Fixtures, Wood Flooring, Furniture, Accessories & Bedding and Outdoor.

  • We are continuously working to find new vendors to feature on Design Insider. We will be sure to make note of new vendor additions in our monthly newsletter to all members.

  • Yes – we always encourage new vendor submissions. Please head to our ‘vendor form’ on our website to apply or refer a vendor that you think would be a great fit to our design rolodex.

WHAT EXACTLY IS TRADE PRICING?

  • A retailer or wholesaler will sometimes offer their items “To the Trade,” meaning they sell their furniture, fabrics and materials to customers by means of an interior designer. The designer receives a discount on the items, in exchange for the designer taking on the role of “retailer” and handling the responsibility for ordering, delivery, warranty service and more.

  • Trade discounts vary by vendor, but it is typically savings of anywhere from 15% to 50% off the MSRP. Typically, the discount scored through a single purchase with trade pricing will more than cover the cost of signing up for our membership.

  • Unfortunately, there is no standardized process to sign up for a trade account. Eligibility really depends on each individual vendor’s requirements. The requirements are typically less to sign up for a Trade Account with a retailer (someone selling online with an open website) than they are for a wholesaler. And there are LOTS of great interior design vendors out there selling retail! The most common trade discount you will see from an online retailer is 20%. You can design a lot of great spaces just from these vendors alone!

    Oftentimes what a retail vendor is looking for is proof that you are actively designing spaces. That proof can be as simple as a business card or a basic website (does not require incorporation). In some cases, it might also be a Tax ID number (does require incorporation).

    It is typically a wholesaler who is asking for additional paperwork, such as a Resale Certificate and/or a Sales & Use Tax number. Wholesale vendors can be selling online, through password protected websites, or through sales reps. One of the benefits to purchasing from a wholesaler is better pricing. You may find an item on a website for a retail vendor at one price, but then also track down the wholesaler who originally provided the product and can then procure the item at an even lower price. It all just depends on how much work you want to do in setting up and maintaining your account relationships!

HELP BREAK DOWN SOME OF THESE INDUSTRY-SPECIFIC TERMS.

  • Customer’s Own Material. Manufacturers use the term COM to let designers and customers know that they will accept fabric sent to the manufacturer and will apply it to the furniture. This ensures that a designer isn’t limited to only fabric provided by the manufacturer and can supply a fabric of their own preference instead.

  • Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price. This is essentially the list price you would see as a public consumer of merchandise.

  • A resale certificate is the form you fill out if you intend to buy goods (like furniture) from a vendor and then resell them to a client. Resale certificates are usually provided in a “blanket” form, which means that the resale certificate applies to all items purchased from the vendor. First you will need a resale license (see below, also goes by other names), so you can use that license number as part of filling out your resale certificate.

    The reason a vendor is asking you for a resale certificate is all about taxes. They will not charge you tax when they sell you the items because they don’t have to — you are not the “end user”. This releases the vendor of responsibility to collect and pay tax and puts that responsibility on you.

    Most states require certain elements in order for the resale certificate to be valid. These elements are:

    • Name and address of purchaser

    • Name and address of seller

    • Resale license number (can also go by other names below) of purchaser

    • Description of property purchased for resale

    • Reason for exemption

    • Statement that you agree to pay taxes if you resell the goods

    • Date, signature, and title of the person authorized to make these purchased

    Note that some resale certificates expire. It is important to update certificates on a regular basis. However, it is recommended to retain the prior certificate until the period it covers has been closed for audit purposes.

    DISCLAIMER: The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. Information on this website may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information. No reader, user, or browser of this site should act or refrain from acting on the basis of information on this site without first seeking legal advice from counsel in the relevant jurisdiction. Only your individual attorney can provide assurances that the information contained herein – and your interpretation of it – is applicable or appropriate to your particular situation.

  • It is also important to realize the difference between a resale certificate and a resale license. A resale license allows you to purchase items without paying sales tax because you intend to resell them to an end user. When your license is approved, you will be assigned a number. That resale license number (can go by other names, see below) will be used to fill out the resale certificate you give to a vendor.

    A resale license also usually authorizes you, and requires you, to collect sales taxes from your customers and then forward those taxes to the government. Wholesalers will usually require you to show a resale license before they will sell to you, and sometimes you can't get into a trade show without one. Resale licenses go by different names in different places. In Texas, for example, the license is called a "Sales and Use Tax Permit." Other names include "Seller's Permit," "Certificate of Authority" or "Authorization to Collect/Report Tax."

    DISCLAIMER: The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. Information on this website may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information. No reader, user, or browser of this site should act or refrain from acting on the basis of information on this site without first seeking legal advice from counsel in the relevant jurisdiction. Only your individual attorney can provide assurances that the information contained herein – and your interpretation of it – is applicable or appropriate to your particular situation.

  • A retail license specifically authorizes your business to sell items to the public. Not all places require a retail license, so check with your local government's business development office. In many cases, your resale license doubles as authorization to sell items at retail -- and, of course, to collect the tax. In Texas, for example, you need only a Sales and Use Tax Permit to operate a general retail business, whereas in South Carolina, every retailer needs a retail license.

    DISCLAIMER:

    The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. Information on this website may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information. No reader, user, or browser of this site should act or refrain from acting on the basis of information on this site without first seeking legal advice from counsel in the relevant jurisdiction. Only your individual attorney can provide assurances that the information contained herein – and your interpretation of it – is applicable or appropriate to your particular situation.

I SEE YOU OFFER SERVICES, CAN YOU TELL ME MORE ABOUT ACCOUNTING SUPPORT?

  • Yes, our support services are only available to members.

  • Our support service partner is a registered accounting and bookkeeping business with several office locations in North Carolina and Georgia. This firm also has a special focus on working with interior design clients, which makes them particularly well suited to support our members.

  • Filling out our intake form in as many details as possible before your appointment will allow you to make the best use of your time.

  • Yes, you are charged immediately when booking a session.

  • Once booked, we do not offer a cancellation option. You have the opportunity to reschedule inside of the 90-day use period associated with your purchase.

  • We do not offer refunds.

WHAT ABOUT BOOKKEEPING SUPPORT?

  • Yes, our support services are only available to members.

  • Our support service partner is a registered accounting and bookkeeping business with several office locations in North Carolina and Georgia. This firm also has a special focus on working with interior design clients, which makes them particularly well suited to support our members.

  • Filling out our intake form in as many details as possible before your appointment will allow you to make the best use of your time.

  • Yes, you are charged immediately when booking a session.

  • Once booked, we do not offer a cancellation option. You have the opportunity to reschedule inside of the 90-day use period associated with your purchase.

  • We do not offer refunds.

TELL ME MORE ABOUT DESIGN COACHING.

  • Yes, our support services are only available to members.

  • In a design coaching session, we will not have time to design an entire room from scratch. Coaching is meant to help you narrow down your style, get suggestions on vendors that may work best for you, prioritize a budget, or any number of design-related topics where you may be stuck. You should come to a design coaching session with a project that is already in process or a list of specific questions about the business of interior design that we can cover in an hour.

  • Yes, that is a perfect example of what a coaching session is good for!

  • Your design coaching session will be with Amanda Wyatt. Amanda is a working homebuilder, interior designer, and the founder of Design Insider.

    • Furniture selection (can also include accessories and styling items)

    • Floor plan layout review

    • Vendors that might work for your project

    • Paint or plaster selections

    • Millwork and wall treatments (wallpaper, wall paneling, trim)

    • Drapery and window treatments

    • Cabinetry and hardware

    • Remodel approaches

    • Exterior design ideas

    • Color palette and material reviews

    • Questions about starting or growing an interior design business

    • Questions about working with clients (including pricing and billing)

    • Technical building terminology that might be confusing you

  • Filling out our intake form in as many details as possible before your appointment will allow you to make the best use of your time.

  • Yes, please see our gift card options here.

  • Once booked, we do not offer a cancellation option. You have the opportunity to reschedule inside of the 90-day use period associated with your purchase.

  • We do not offer refunds.

  • Yes, you are charged immediately when booking a session.

DISCLAIMER

The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only.  Information on this website may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information. No reader, user, or browser of this site should act or refrain from acting on the basis of information on this site without first seeking legal advice from counsel in the relevant jurisdiction. Only your individual attorney can provide assurances that the information contained herein – and your interpretation of it – is applicable or appropriate to your particular situation.