The Journal

Insights for modern design studios.

What we're learning about running design studios, building software for them, and the industry around both.

Modern interior design studio workspace with multiple software tools on screen

The Interior Design Studio Tech Stack in 2026

Most studios run on WhatsApp, Excel, and 4 other disconnected apps. We looked at what actually works in 2026, from standalone tools to all-in-one platforms.

23 Mar 2026Read

Interior design studio workspace with digital tools, material samples, and 3D renders on screen

Thought Leadership9 min read

Why Interior Design Is the Next Vertical AI Will Transform

Most AI adoption in design is still about visualisation. The bigger opportunity is operational: the 12-15 hours per week studios burn on admin, follow-ups, and spreadsheet gymnastics.

23 Mar 2026Read

Close-up of a designer's desk with a quotation document, calculator, laptop spreadsheet, and architectural drawings

How-To10 min read

How to Price Interior Design Services Without Undercharging

Three pricing models, when to use each, and how to calculate the minimum rate your studio needs to stay profitable. With context for Singapore and Dubai markets.

23 Mar 2026Read

Half-renovated HDB kitchen with a spreadsheet and calculator on the marble countertop

How-To9 min read

Variation orders are killing your margins (here's the maths)

A single untracked variation order can wipe 5-10% off your project margin. We run the numbers on a real S$80K HDB renovation and show exactly where the money goes.

23 Mar 2026Read

Interior design consultation table with floor plans, fabric swatches, and sticky notes in natural daylight

How-To9 min read

How to handle scope creep in renovation projects

Every renovation project gets the 'can you also...' conversation. Here are the scripts, frameworks, and contract clauses that help designers manage change requests without damaging the client relationship.

23 Mar 2026Read

Empty desk in a busy interior design studio waiting for a new hire

Guide9 min read

7 signals your studio is ready to hire

Hiring too early burns cash. Hiring too late burns clients. Here are seven concrete signals that tell you it's time, plus the financial maths behind making the decision.

23 Mar 2026Read

Flat lay of a design studio desk with calculator, invoices, and material samples

Guide9 min read

The real cost of running a design studio (overhead breakdown)

Nobody publishes these numbers. Here's what a 3-5 person interior design studio actually spends every month in Singapore and Dubai, from rent to insurance to the expenses nobody warns you about.

23 Mar 2026Read

Overhead view of an interior design proposal document on a white desk with fabric swatches and a pen

How-To9 min read

How to write a design proposal that actually closes

Most design proposals are too long, too vague, and bury the price on page 12. Here is a structure that wins projects, based on what actually works in Singapore and Dubai studios.

23 Mar 2026Read

Consultation table with scattered Pinterest printouts of wildly different styles and two coffee cups

Guide9 min read

Client red flags every designer should know

Every experienced designer has a horror story. Most of those stories started with a warning sign that got ignored. Here are eight red flags, what they actually mean, and when to walk away.

23 Mar 2026Read

Two laptops on a designer's desk showing different studio management platforms

Comparison9 min read

OpenMaison vs Houzz Pro compared

An honest comparison of two interior design studio platforms. One is the incumbent with deep US roots. The other is the newcomer built for Asia-Pacific with AI at its core. We build one of them, and we'll tell you upfront where the other one wins.

23 Mar 2026Read

Designer and client at a consultation table with a tablet showing data visualisations

Product8 min read

The AI meeting co-pilot: a new category for design sales

What happens when an AI listens to your client consultation and feeds you coaching prompts, deal signals, and a live cost estimate, all invisible to the client? We built one. Here's what it does and where it still falls short.

23 Mar 2026Read

More articles coming soon. Follow us on LinkedIn for updates.