1075: What Would Lu Do?: The Ultimate Guide to Mounting a Designer Show House
A Well-Designed Business® | Interior Design Business Podcast
Shownotes Transcript
Today With LuAnn Nigara:
Are you thinking about saying yes to a designer show house? Before you commit, listen to this episode.
A show house can be an incredible opportunity—but only if you approach it the right way. Too many designers assume that just participating will bring them business. It won’t.
Today, I’m sharing the smartest, most strategic insights from three powerhouse designers at different stages in their careers:
🎨 Barbara Ostrom – The "Queen of Show Houses" explains why some rooms bring in clients while others don’t.
🏡 Laura Hodges – Managed an entire Southern Living Idea House and reveals how to juggle a massive project while keeping your business on track.
🛁 Naika Andre – A first-timer who learned, the hard way, what works, what doesn’t, and what she’ll do differently next time.
We’ll cover:
✅ The real costs (hint: it’s not just the furniture)
✅ How to make sure a show house actually leads to press and clients
✅ Why marketing yourself is non-negotiable—no one will do it for you
✅ The tight deadlines and fast decision-making required to pull it off
If you’re serious about making a show house work for your business, this is the episode for you.
And if you want more details, listen to the full interviews with Barbara, Laura, and Naika—links are in the show notes.
PLUS: If you’re in NJ, PA, or NY, check out the Mansion in May and Bucks County Designer House, where Hannah Goldberg and Lori Bruno will be showcasing their work. Window Works is honored to be providing the window treatments for both!
What’s new with LuAnn Nigara
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Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action)
Audiobook*: *The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action)
Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts)
Book 3:* *A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2)
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Other Resources:
This podcast supports the Savvy Giving Design Coalition). Learn more about it here)!
AWDB #717 Susan Wintersteen: Interior design firm standards in a nonprofit passion project)
AWDB #164: Susan Wintersteen- Savvy Giving by Design)
Exciting Windows! 21st Annual Conference) - April 16th-18th in West Palm Beach, Florida!
Bucks County Designer House & Gardens)
Other Shows:
AWDB #08: Barbara Ostrom: Curtain Up! Thirty Years of Spectacular Showhouse Rooms)
AWDB #960: Laura Hodges: The Behind the Scenes of the Southern Living Showhouse)
AWDB #1055: Naïka André: Do It Scared – A Designer’s Journey Through Her First Show House)