How We Vet Our Trades and Why It Matters to Clients

All interior designers know that a concept is only as strong as the people who can deliver it, on brief, on time, and on budget. No matter how thoughtful the design, how strong the rapport with the client is, or how meticulously prepared the drawings, the quality of execution can make or break a project. Behind every calm, polished, turnkey reveal sits an ecosystem of trades, suppliers, makers and specialists whose work forms the backbone of the client (and designer!) experience. Despite this, vetting those people is seen to be one of the least glamorous parts of running a studio, even though it’s up there with the most essential elements.

Stefanie Gayle, Founder of Indie Interiors

For Stefanie Gayle of Indie Interiors, the stakes couldn’t be clearer when she weighs the risk of instructing a new tradesperson or supplier. “When I recommend a supplier, my name and reputation sit alongside theirs,” she says. “If they fall short, it reflects on us.”

“Their workmanship must be exceptional, but equally important is how they operate,” says Gayle. She offers a series of questions to ask yourself before signing any contracts: “Do they problem-solve? Do they respect the client’s home and the wider team? Do they communicate clearly and honour timelines? What is their snagging procedure?”

For Gayle, the red flags are now obvious, but it is only through experience that her team knows what to look for. “Common red flags include poor organisation or a dismissive attitude toward design details and reluctance to work as a team on site,” she says. “By contrast, we nurture long-standing relationships with trades who treat our projects as their own and the right team upholds the integrity of the entire experience.”

Alexandra Keith, Co-founder of Otta Design

At Otta Design, the team has their trade recommendations down. “We regularly collaborate with two building companies whose workmanship is consistently excellent,” says co-founder, Alexandra Keith. “They communicate clearly, maintain tidy sites, and are highly client-focused. When builders are involved, their reliability, client management, adherence to timelines, and, most importantly, how efficiently they resolve snagging make a significant difference. A smooth project can unravel quickly if snagging isn’t handled well.”

However, every designer has a horror story, where a rosy collaboration turned into a disaster. For Keith, the dawn of the Christmas period was mired by such an event. The builder looked polished on paper, and they had an impressive portfolio, but the company had overcommitted, fell behind schedule, and began cutting corners. “Despite our efforts to keep the project on track, the situation ultimately affected our relationship with the client, as we had recommended them,” says Keith.

But the sheer thrill of working with a great collaborator is second to none. “We have worked with our curtain maker, KLS Interiors, for over eight years,” says Keith. “On the rare occasions issues have arisen, they have responded quickly, revisited the site promptly, and resolved everything efficiently.” For sofas and chairs, Otta relies on the work of David Seyfried, based in Chelsea Harbour. “At one of our Hampshire projects, we encountered a tight access point with a sloping ceiling, leaving us just 1.5 cm short of fitting a sofa through,” says Keith, but thanks to her long-standing relationship with the firm, “they kindly collected the piece and remade it at no additional charge, with a very quick turnaround.”

Maria Capussela, Founder of Inkfield

On the power of the relationship between the designer and the tradesperson, Maria Capussela, founder of Inkfield believes, “my work is only ever as strong as the trades and suppliers who bring it to life.” For Capussela, finding the right partners is an ongoing and essential part of her practice. “Every recommendation I make puts my reputation (and that of the studio), and the success of the project, on the line,” she says. For substantial projects, Capussela will only nominate people she’s already worked with successfully, while new collaborators are tested first on smaller endeavours, and always through a trusted recommendation.

Despite this level of caution, Capussela does acknowledge that expanding your network and meeting brilliant, skilled people is part of the magic and the joy of the job. “This almost magical synergy emerges only when you find like-minded people and build a history of working together across multiple projects,” she says. “But even the strongest partnerships begin with that first leap of faith, collaborating with someone you don’t yet know.”