The Design Society
knowledge. support. community
Live a creative life, create a business you love and make some serious money.
Seeing designers succeed in running a business that they love, truly lights me up. I’ve run my interior design business sisalla for 11 years and worked as an interior designer for 10 years before that. I’ve become a bit of an over-sharer when it comes to shining a light on what is a closed industry.
I have created a business that is centred around my family and lifestyle but when it comes to business, I ain’t playing.
I’m here to help you step by step by step how to overcome the barriers. Confidence and how to price your projects (these are kind of connected) and the roadmap for your projects. Learn how to attract your favourite clients, work on dream projects and figure it out.
The Design Society
Welcome! Here we learn about all of the things you didn’t learn at design school. This is The Design Society, a place where you can hang with me and learn how to run a profitable, creative interior design business.
The Design Society
Let's turn those interior design dreams into a reality – together!
I'm Lauren, a fully-qualified interior designer, and over the years I've gathered together a group of incredible interior designers to create a community that's all about support, inspiration, and, let's be real, a safe space to swap ideas or just let off some steam!
We're diving deep into the nitty-gritty – the design process, fees, contracts, marketing, finances – you name it! And there’s no shortage of inspiration too with the likes of Paul Hecker, Amber Lewis, Colin King, Karen McCartney dropping in. Whether you're a rising star or a seasoned pro, we're all navigating this winding journey of learning, creating, and making some serious money.
Every month, we're unwrapping a new topic, and guess what? We're not just chatting once in a blue moon. Nope! We're meeting up every week for some live online magic. Because, I'm here for you every step of the way!
So, grab your favorite sketchpad, a cup of coffee (or tea, I don't discriminate), and let's turn those dreams into blueprints. Your profitable dream design business is just around the corner, and I'm so stoked to be part of your journey!
The Design Process & Fees
Ready to attract better clients, price projects the right way and build a solid design process for your business?
I’m here to guide you with a small group of like-minded designers by your side.
The Design Process & Fees is an eleven week coaching program designed to help you work with better clients by giving you the confidence and know-how.
You need one hour per week to meet live online or catch the recorded session whenever suits you. Use workbooks, see actual examples of live projects and accountability to stay on track.
You’ll be sending fee proposals with clarity and feeling really good about charging your clients more. When you unlock the true value for the client, it’s a win-win!
Software Courses
“These courses are … really thorough, intuitive workflows, and all from an experienced interior designer. Learn design software the right way from the start.” Kelly Giddings
Get ready because this isn’t like other SketchUp, Autocad or Indesign courses. You’re learning from me, a fully qualified, practicing interior designer. So that you actually learn the things that really matter to us. Autocad, SketchUp and Indesign are essential to know for every interior designer weather you run your own business or work in a practice.
I teach you in engaging online courses that you can do at your own pace.
When you join The Design Society you get 20% off all of our courses.
“It was so lovely to spend time with fellow designers and share in such an open environment. I’ve learnt so much that I can take to my business. Thank you for being so generous with your time.”
Amy, Young & Ryan
Fees & Process In-Person Training
There is something magic about being in a room together with other designers that ‘get it’.
I’m delivering an intense training on how to arrange your fees, an in turn the design process.
Let’s be frank. I’m talking numbers, procurement, when to send an invoice and how to talk to your clients about your contract.
Also, we’re doing this training in the comfort of my mid-century home in Ivanhoe East, Melbourne.
Did someone say coffee AND wine?!?
“Who knew learning could be so much fun! Thank you for so generously sharing your knowledge with us Lauren! I have no doubt the learnings I’m taking away will have a huge impact on my business” Alessandra Smith Design
AI for Interior Design
As creatives, we need to find more time to CREATE.
AI technology can save us some serious time.
This technology is nothing to be afraid of, in fact we are already using it seamlessly in our lives everyday.
Generating images and text using AI will be just as normal.
So do you want to jump on in?
Use AI technology in a way that is still ‘you.’
Learn how to harness this technology in your interior design business.
Create imagery that is in line with your design aesthetic.
Software Courses
“These courses are … really thorough, intuitive workflows, and all from an experienced interior designer. Learn design software the right way from the start.” Kelly Giddings
Get ready because this isn’t like other SketchUp, Autocad or Indesign courses. You’re learning from me, a fully qualified, practicing interior designer. So that you actually learn the things that really matter to us. Autocad, SketchUp and Indesign are essential to know for every interior designer weather you run your own business or work in a practice.
I teach you in engaging online courses that you can do at your own pace.
When you join The Design Society you get 20% off all of our courses.
The Design Society Suite
The Design Society is a space specifically for interior designers to learn together. We offer insight, empowerment and inspiration.
Basically you’re in a place where we all ‘get it’.
I’m here to help you live a creative life and learn in a way that is enjoyable, supportive and inclusive no matter what stage in business you’re at.
We’re here for the creative types, the do-ers, dreamers and good vibe bring-ers.
The Design Society Membership
Build your interior design business to be the very best it can be.
The design process, fees, contracts, marketing, finances and mixed together with some inspiration from world renowned designers. Learn alongside other interior designers just like you. We are emerging designers, established designers and we’re all on this windy path of learning together.
We cover a topic each month and meet for a live online session. I’m here for you!
Software Courses
When you join The Design Society you get 20% off all of our courses.
Learn from me, a fully qualified, practicing interior designer so that you learn the things that really matter to us. Autocad, SketchUp and Indesign are essential to know for every interior designer weather you run your own business or work in a practice.
I teach you in engaging online courses that you can do at your own pace.
Interior Design Business Courses
When you join The Design Society you get 20% off all of our business courses too.
Our most popular courses; The Design Process, Run The Business and Marketing for Interior Designers are intensive courses so that you take immediate ACTION. We meet each week online with a lovely group of interior designers where we learn, discuss the topic and sometimes go off topic.
Use workbooks, useful examples and accountability to stay on track.
IS IT TIME YOU TRANSFORMED YOUR BUSINESS?
Let’s unpack what’s included in The Design Society membership
Your people are here. Interior designers, interior architects, stylists, property stylists, magazine editorial stylists and soft furnishings experts. We see a board range of experience from 1 year to 20 years. We’re here for the life-long learners - we can always learn and refine.
I’m here for you. Ask me questions, bounce ideas. Talk to me about what’s happening!
Each month we cover a new topic; fee structures, value based pricing, onboarding, process, marketing, getting published, photography etc!
We meet each month for a live online training on the months topic.
Latest trends, softwares, suppliers etc. Say hello to Midjourney, software hacks and tips.
Access a library of past trainings to tap into.
Get 20% off all of our courses, SketchUp, AI for Interior Designers, How to Get Published, Indesign for Interior Designers etc.
THE DETAILS:
This is a 12 month membership commitment.
All payment options require a 12 month commitment because we know that running a business means that it takes TIME to see real progress.
THE INVESTMENT:
The Design Society is $97 per month when you join in the month of September. The next time we open the doors, it will be $137 per month to join. When you join in September you are grandfathered in at the $97 price.
Get the facts
Q. Is this a course, I’m a bit confused. What is The Design Society membership?
A. No, this is not a course, it’s a place to get support. Ask questions, find information and connect with other designers. It’s a community of legendary designers.
Q. What happens if I miss the live online training?
A. No worries, each session is recorded. You can tune in when suits and ask me any questions later.
Q. When are the live trainings?
A. These online trainings happen on Mondays and Fridays, you have plenty of notice.
Q. What if I haven’t started my business yet?
A.I’ve found that The Design Society is best suited to designers that have been in business for at least a year. Or are serious about starting and taking action.
Q. Is The Design Society a facebook group?
A.Nope we are on a totally separate platform. It’s designed especially for memberships. No nosy clients, no algorithms, no ads. We can speak frankly here, and we do!
BEFORE WE GO FURTHER I WANT YOU TO KNOW
Here’s why: we want to work with designers who are READY to supercharge their business and fast-forward their growth! If this sounds like you, then we’ll fit perfectly!
But we won’t be a good fit if…
interior design is a hobby for you
your design business is less than one year old
you aren’t dedicated to running a professional design practice
you’re looking for a quick solution to solve your business problems
you’re not an ‘action taker’, this does require you to be ready to get going.
If you’re looking for something entry level, we can point you in the right direction! Click below to check out our beginner friendly courses.
Oh and if you’ve been a member previously, get in touch if you want to jump back in and I’ll honour the same rate you joined at.
“It's honest and ever so relevant support and learning.”
Lauren has a wonderful, warm way of teaching and guiding us through the challenges of running our own business. Her creative content and guest visitors have been fabulous. If you're looking to grow and improve in a fun, supportive group, I highly recommend you jump on board!
- Carlie Fraser of Hygge Design -
“I’m feeling more confident to charge my clients for the value I add to the projects, instead of charging hourly rates.”
Lauren's insight and mentorship, the contacts and speaker series...it has been incredible. I now have a better understanding of methods to implement in my design process. Thank you Lauren.
- Ruth of Kaamer Design -
“The Design Society provides helpful and actionable guidance.”
Even as someone who has been in the interior industry for many years, there are always things you can improve in your business from process to strategy. The Design Society provides helpful and actionable guidance to do just this with the support of other designers with their own wealth of knowledge and expertise to offer.
- Bree Leech -
Lauren Li, Founder of Sisällä Interior Design, The Design Society & The Apartment
Want to know what lights me up? Helping other women live a creative life, win great projects, get published and charge more for sharing their design talents with their clients.
I created The Design Society so that we can pass on knowledge. I’m your mentor if you want to learn from someone that has actually done it and still doing it. Because we never stop learning.
I’ve been around the block a few times. I have more than 20 years of experience as an interior designer working across the residential, retail, and commercial sectors. I’ve worked in leading architecture practices in Melbourne and London.
I’m fully qualified and hold a Bachelor of Design, Interior Design (Honors) from Swinburne, and a Diploma of Arts, Interior Design & Decoration from RMIT. I also hold the Training and Assessment Cert IV, which means that I am qualified to teach.
Sisalla is our family business. I design and my husband works as the CEO, CFO and procurement manager (we wear many hats). And yes, we are one of those weird couples that actually LOVES working together. We can’t believe how lucky we are to work on gorgeous projects for great clients in between school drop-offs and holding the baby.
Sisällä’s projects have been recognised by several awards programs, including the Australian Interior Design Awards, and as a five-time finalist of House & Garden's Top 50 Rooms. I’m published in Vogue Living, Belle, Real Living, Elle Decoration UK etc. I write the interior design column for The Design Files.
I can also add author as I’m releasing two books in 2023, which are published by Thames & Hudson.
Always one to share my passions in the hope that we can elevate the interior design industry and go GREAT work for our clients.
If you’re read this far, then THANK YOU!
Lauren
As Seen In
