Pretty Products Don’t Excuse Sloppy Process

In the world of interior design, it’s not just about what you create, it’s about who helps bring it to life. Every beautifully executed room is a team effort shaped by vendors, suppliers and contractors who transform vision into reality. From the custom banquette that hugs the wall just right to that perfect pendant light sourced from halfway across the globe, nothing comes together without teamwork.

As a design studio, we’re constantly working hand in hand with vendors to purchase furniture, fixtures and equipment, or to custom-create built-ins and case goods that make our projects truly one-of-a-kind. These partnerships aren’t optional, they’re essential. And when they work well? That’s where the magic happens.

But let’s be real: not every collaboration is a match made in design heaven. We build these vendor relationships over time, with a healthy mix of trust, trial, and yes, occasional error. We pick the people we work with very carefully, because each design studio has its own workflow and process. There’s no “one size fits all” in this business. A craftsman who works flawlessly with us might not suit another studio’s timeline or method, and that’s fine. But when you find the right fit, you hold on tight.

What truly sets vendors apart is first class service, because it’s the secret sauce in all of this. And no, we’re not talking about luxury white gloves and inflated price tags. First-class service, to us, means being passionate, reliable, communicative and solution-oriented. It’s about being present and invested in making the final result shine. You can’t fake that kind

of energy. The kind of service where someone acts like the project is their own.

We recently worked on a project that brought this all into sharp focus. Most of the vendors we collaborated with were dream partners. They visited site, measured precisely, offered creative solutions on the spot and communicated clearly throughout. Their engagement elevated the project in ways we couldn’t achieve alone. Their enthusiasm matched ours, and their dedication showed in every corner of the home. Their responsiveness, attention to detail and flexibility elevated the project in ways we couldn’t have done alone.

And then… there was that one.

The clients insisted. They’d seen their work and loved it. Their product? Genuinely beautiful. But the service? Oh honey, the service was not giving what it needed to give. Since everything they do is custom and dimension-specific, we naturally assumed they’d want to visit the site, take their own measurements, and walk through any tricky details with us to ensure a perfect fit. You know… collaboration. But when it came to logistics? Radio silence. No site visit. No real-time troubleshooting. Not even after we signed off and paid the deposit. Instead, they told us to send the measurements ourselves, and made us fully liable if anything didn’t fit. Absolutely unacceptable!

Let’s be clear: we’re not experts on every bespoke product, finding the fallibility in that wall is both our jobs. To refuse collaboration? To outright not care if the end result works in the space? That’s not design, it’s just careless and lazy. And it discourages any meaningful partnership.

Thankfully, the end result turned out well and the clients were thrilled, that's what mattered most. But the experience drove home a crucial point: vendors and designers are on the same team. When vendors choose to show up and genuinely care about how their work lives in a space, that’s memorable service. That’s how partnerships and projects flourish.

It was disappointing but not exactly shocking. In any collaborative process, success hinges on strong relationships built on trust and shared goals. Just like the synergy between a designer and a contractor, the designer–vendor dynamic works best when it’s rooted in true partnership. Vendors aren’t just order-takers, they’re an extension of the design team. When they’re invested and collaborative, that’s when great design really comes to life, and costly mistakes get left at the door.

Meanwhile, industry experts in this AD Pro article agree: pulling back, withholding key information or shying away from hands-on collaboration are toxic traits in any vendor relationship. Instead, professionals who lead with respect, clarity and empathy earn respect in return.

So, when we all collaborate, clients feel it. Projects run smoother. Design stays accurate. And everybody wins. To the professionals who show up and truly want to see their work thrive in our designs: thank you. That’s the kind of service that makes this wonderful, messy industry a little more brilliant every day.