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PODCAST

Turnkey Design Talk

Hosted by interior designer Adam Scougall, Turnkey Design Talk is a podcast for solo interior designers and decorators who want to run calmer, more controlled businesses — and finish projects properly.The show focuses on what actually makes the difference in a design career:how projects are led, how boundaries are set, how decisions are made, and how work is brought to a confident, photo-worthy close.This isn’t about trends or overnight success.It’s about taking responsibility for the outcome — from

business entrepreneurship

All Episodes

45:26

Getting Clear on the Designer You Want to Be | with...

Turnkey Design Talk ·

2026/10/05

What kind of interior designer do you actually want to be? In this episode of Turnkey Design Talk, I’m joined by Susie Ferreira, Principal Interior Designer at Casa Flair Interiors, for a conversation about getting clearer on what you want to be known for, how you want to work, and how you want your business to evolve. Susie has developed a particular focus on low-tox and wellness interiors, creating homes that consider not only how a space looks, but how the materials, finishes, furnishings,...

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20:08

Question: Would You Hire You?

Turnkey Design Talk ·

2026/09/28

Something happened to me recently that made me stop and think about what it actually feels like to be on the other side of our businesses. In this episode, I’m talking about the difference between intention and experience — and how something as simple as poor communication can make a client feel forgotten, even when you’re working incredibly hard behind the scenes. I share a real experience that triggered the conversation, a designer-client relationship that suddenly blew up, and the simple F...

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57:14

From Undercharging to Full-Service: How Mary Holmes...

Turnkey Design Talk ·

2026/09/21

What happens when you realise you're doing all the work — but your pricing isn't actually allowing you to make money? In this episode of Turnkey Design Talk, I'm joined by Melbourne interior designer Mary Holmes of Proud Mary Stylist for a very open conversation about how her business has evolved over the past year. Mary joined the beta round of my Turnkey Design Success System in 2025 at a point when she wanted to attract better projects, simplify her services and rethink the way she was cha...

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17:59

Are You Offering Too Many Design Services?

Turnkey Design Talk ·

2026/09/14

When your services menu starts looking like a ten-page Italian restaurant menu, you might have a problem. Design consultations, Design SOS, e-design, room refreshes, furniture packages, finishes packages, colour consultations… offering more can feel like you’re giving potential clients plenty of choice. But too many options can actually make it harder for clients to understand what you do, who you help and which service they should choose. In this episode of Turnkey Design Talk, I break down ...

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25:10

The Discovery Call: 5 Things You MUST Know Before...

Turnkey Design Talk ·

2026/09/07

Your discovery call should do a lot more than establish whether you and a potential client “click.” By the end of that call, you should know whether there’s actually a viable project worth pursuing. Are they a DIY client who really wants your advice so they can manage the project themselves — or are they a potential full-service client who wants someone to take control? What’s the real scope? What are they prepared to invest? And does that investment realistically cover both the project and y...

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26:01

What Is Turnkey Interior Design — And Why Should You...

Turnkey Design Talk ·

2026/08/31

What does it actually mean to offer a turnkey interior design service — and what separates it from simply designing a room and ordering the furniture? In this episode of Turnkey Design Talk, Adam breaks down the difference between “help me do it” and “do it for me” clients, and why a genuine turnkey service is about taking responsibility for getting the approved design all the way across the finish line. From professional receiving and storage to a clearly defined programme, coordinated insta...

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20:05

The Legal Side of Coordinating Trades: 5 Must-Haves...

Turnkey Design Talk ·

2026/08/24

If you’re an interior designer or decorator coordinating painters, electricians, cabinetmakers or other trades, do you know what you’re actually taking responsibility for legally — and are you charging properly for it? After getting updated legal advice from Australian legal counsel Sprintlaw, I’m sharing five legal must-haves for coordinating trades, including how my own NSW business can stay closely involved in trade coordination even when the client contracts with and pays those trades dir...

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59:30

From Imposter Syndrome to More Clients — with...

Turnkey Design Talk ·

2026/08/17

In this episode of Turnkey Design Talk, I’m joined by high-ticket sales strategist and business mindset master coach Christine Corcoran, bestselling author of Turn Imposter Syndrome Into Your Superpower and founder of the Unstoppable Women event. Christine has coached interior designers and other creative business owners through the mindset, visibility and sales challenges that can quietly keep talented people playing small. And in this conversation, we get right into them. We talk about why ...

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19:02

Beyond Instagram: Finding Better Design Clients

Turnkey Design Talk ·

2026/08/10

Instagram can be a useful part of your marketing, but it shouldn’t be the only place you’re looking for your next interior design client. In this episode of Turnkey Design Talk, I’m looking at how solo interior designers and decorators can think more broadly about finding clients — particularly when posting consistently on social media isn’t translating into actual enquiries. I share some of my own experiences of where design work has come from over the years, why getting in front of the righ...

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16:18

Markup vs Trade Pricing: How Should Interior...

Turnkey Design Talk ·

2026/08/03

Turnkey Design Talk is back for Season 6! After a short break, I’m kicking off the new season with one of the pricing questions I hear constantly from solo interior designers and decorators: how much should you mark up the products you specify—and should you be passing your trade discount on to your clients? Some designers pass on their entire trade discount. Others retain the retail margin. Others use a standard markup. So which approach is right? In this episode, I break down the difference...

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22:39

Confessions of a Part-Time Interior Designer

Turnkey Design Talk ·

2026/06/29

For years, I [kind of] kept a secret. While building my interior design business, publishing projects and creating beautiful homes for clients, I never actually quit my day job. In this honest episode, I share why keeping another source of income became one of the smartest business decisions I ever made — and why so many designers may be quietly doing exactly the same thing. We'll talk about: • Why financial stability can improve your decision-making • How another income stream removes desper...

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20:22

What I Learned From 50 Conversations With Interior...

Turnkey Design Talk ·

2026/06/22

fter speaking with more than 50 interior designers and decorators across Australia, the United States, Canada and the UK, I expected to hear the usual challenges. "I need more clients." "I need more marketing." "I need to charge more." While those issues certainly came up, what emerged was far more interesting. In this episode, I share five revelations that appeared again and again throughout those conversations. You'll hear why so many designers are unintentionally blending DIY and full-serv...

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14:49

How To Get Paid For Project Coordination As A Designer

Turnkey Design Talk ·

2026/06/15

One of the most overlooked areas of pricing for interior designers and decorators is project coordination. I'm not talking about construction project management. I'm talking about the coordination of the people, products and services required to bring a design to life. That might include furniture, artwork, rugs and window treatments, but it could also include custom joinery, painting, wallpaper, electrical work, deliveries, storage and installations. The question is: How should you charge fo...

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14:37

How to Discover Your Authentic Hourly Rate

Turnkey Design Talk ·

2026/06/08

How do you know if your hourly rate is actually working? In this episode of Turnkey Design Talk, Adam Scougall explores a simple but often overlooked way to determine whether your current design fees are delivering the profit your business needs. Rather than copying what other designers charge, Adam shares why your last completed project may hold the answer. If you've ever wondered how much to charge for interior design services, questioned whether you're undercharging, or struggled to confid...

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19:10

Renderings: Are They Worth It?

Turnkey Design Talk ·

2026/06/01

Interior design renderings are everywhere. From SketchUp models and photorealistic visuals to AI-generated concepts, many designers feel pressure to create increasingly polished presentations for their clients. But are renderings always helping? In this episode, Adam shares a different perspective on the role of renderings in the design process and explains why he has gradually moved away from making them the centrepiece of his presentations. Drawing on real client experiences and years of pr...

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26:59

The Hidden Cost Of Free Design Work

Turnkey Design Talk ·

2026/05/25

In this episode, I’m sharing one of the biggest business mistakes I made as an interior designer… working on part of a project for free. At the time, it felt generous. Helpful. Loyal. But looking back? It completely changed the professional dynamic between myself and the client. In this honest conversation, I unpack the hidden psychological cost of removing proper fees from your projects — and why “helping out” can quietly lead to resentment, blurred boundaries, loss of authority, and burnout...

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27:05

The Trade Was Talented… But I’d Never Hire Him Again

Turnkey Design Talk ·

2026/05/18

In this episode, Adam shares a real behind-the-scenes story about working with one of the most technically talented painters he’s ever hired — and why he ultimately decided he would never work with him again. This honest conversation explores the reality of handling difficult tradespeople inside residential design projects, especially when running higher-touch turnkey installations where communication, momentum and professionalism matter just as much as craftsmanship. Adam unpacks: The early ...

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22:40

Why I Don’t Give Repeat Clients Old Pricing

Turnkey Design Talk ·

2026/05/11

In this episode, Adam unpacks why repeat clients should not automatically expect “old pricing” — and why loyal clients are often the exact people most willing to invest in your current level of service. Drawing on a real long-term client relationship spanning 15 years, Adam shares powerful insights into trust, premium service, turnkey design, implementation, pricing evolution, and the emotional value clients are truly paying for. This episode is essential listening for solo interior designers...

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20:19

6 Realities of Being a Solo Interior Designer (No One...

Turnkey Design Talk ·

2026/05/04

What does it really look like to build a career as a solo interior designer? Because it’s probably not what you expected. In this episode, I’m breaking down six realities that don’t get talked about enough—especially if you’re building your business on your own. This isn’t about discouraging you. It’s about helping you understand what you’re actually stepping into… so you can build something that works for your life, not someone else’s version of success. We cover: Why there’s no ...

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31:18

5 Ways Interior Designers Are Actually Making Money...

Turnkey Design Talk ·

2026/04/27

Episode Overview What do you do when the projects slow down—and the income feels uncertain? In this episode, I’m breaking down five practical, real-world ways interior designers are making money right now in 2026. These aren’t fluffy ideas or “just post more on Instagram” suggestions—these are structured income streams you can actually implement in your business. From high-value consultations like the Two Hour Design Power Plan, to finish selection packages, drawing services, and even the rea...

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59 results

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