Have you ever wondered what really goes into purchasing furniture and decor through an interior designer? Or how they are making money from it? At Joanna McLean Designs, we’re committed to transparency, delivering a procurement experience that's seamless, efficient, and genuinely advantageous for you. So, let’s have a look at what’s really going on behind the scenes and why it’s a win-win situation.

Earning Money and Our Commitment

Let’s talk about the main way designers earn money. At Joanna McLean Designs, like many other design firms, we earn money from two major sources: design fees and selling products. Our commitment to transparency extends to outlining our procurement process, pricing, and addressing frequently asked questions. 

Wholesale to Retail Reality

Think of us as your personalized boutique retailer. While we don’t have a storefront like Crate & Barrel or Target, we operate by providing exclusive access to a handpicked network of trade vendors. By purchasing at wholesale prices, we are able to earn a profit and provide high-quality products that suit your unique needs. We are dedicated to keeping up with the latest market trends and carefully vetting suppliers to source products that will create the best possible outcome for your project.

Prefer to procure your own items and are looking for design help only? Please take a look at our Design Day Service. We provide links to select items from the very best retailers accessible to you, and you complete the procurement process and install on your own.

Did you know?

Thanks to the income generated from product sales, our design fees are half of what they would have to be otherwise.

Insider Connections = Unmatched Quality and Value

As interior designers, we offer more than decoration services. As part of our Full Service Design package, we serve as your access point to exclusive, high-quality products not available to the general public. One key to our success is the strong relationships we maintain with our trusted trade partners, ensuring every project runs smoothly—whether it's securing the perfect custom piece or coordinating complex installations. We also dedicate significant resources to attending trade shows and collaborating with industry professionals, all aimed at delivering top-tier results for you. So, our fees also reflect that added value and the unique advantages provided by our behind-the-scenes efforts.

About those “Designer Discounts”

When vendor pricing is favorable, we take pleasure in passing along savings to our clients. Depending on our pricing tier with each vendor, you may pay less than the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) for select items. In most cases, though, prices will be at MSRP or standard retail pricing. This means you’re generally not paying more than what you’d find at retail stores and you could also benefit from extra discounts that we can access through our network!

The Free Shipping Myth

Let’s clear up the misconception of free shipping. Behind every price is a story of careful negotiation, quality assurance, and logistics management—all key to pulling off a successful design project. Shipping, freight, receiving, delivery, and installation all come at a cost, and we want you to be informed about these charges. Freight shipping is actually more cost-effective than standard carriers but requires specialized receiving warehouses with the necessary equipment and personnel. Our dedicated team unloads, inspects, and manages damages, ensuring your items are in top condition before reaching your home. We handle the logistics, so you can focus on enjoying the beautifully finished space.

Client Responsibilities and Restrictions

At Joanna McLean Designs, we tailor our services to match the level of involvement you prefer. With our Design Day package, you are in charge of all aspects related to orders, deliveries, returns and logistics in general, while still benefiting from our expert design guidance. For our Full Service projects, we manage all of it for you, which lets us prevent any potential hiccups and supports the structured service that our clients love.

We prioritize securing the best prices without extensive searching that could inflate design fees, balancing cost-efficiency with quality. While returns are managed according to vendor policies, we strive to secure a full refund whenever possible.

Handling Procurement Hurdles

When orchestrating a design project, we always prepare for the unexpected—be it items on backorder, supply chain delays, or vendor mistakes like incorrect sizes or finishes. Our design fees encompass not just the coordination that goes into tracking deliveries and logistical management, but also the swift resolution of any issues to keep your project on track. We're here to handle these challenges for you, leaving you free to enjoy the results.

Our goal is to provide you with the best possible experience, assisting you in creating a beautiful and functional home you'll love. We're committed to transparency, ensuring you're informed and confident throughout the entire design journey. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out – we're here to help!