Turnkey Design Talk

Hosted by Adam Scougall

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Aug 2026

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EN-AU

About the show

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 the first client yes through to the final reveal. If you care about delivering beautifully finished homes, creating genuine wow moments for your clients, and building a business that works on your terms, you’re in the right place. https://www.instagram.com/adamscougall | |

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51 recent

August 10, 2026Episode 219 min

Beyond Instagram: Finding Better Design Clients

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 right people matters more than simply being visible to more people, and how you can start creating opportunities for potential clients to discover what you do.If you’re spending hours creating content and wondering where the actual clients are, this episode is for you.Because ultimately, we’re not trying to become content creators. We’re trying to build successful design businesses.Wondering if you're charging enough?Download my free Solo Designer Profit Guide™ and discover what interior designers are charging in 2026 based on 50+ research interviews across Australia, Canada and the USA. You'll also learn how to calculate the hourly rate YOU need to charge based on your own business, projects and financial goals—not someone else's.Download your free copy:turnkeydesignsuccess.com/profitguide If this episode raised questions for you, or you’re feeling stuck in your solo design business, you don’t have to figure it out on your own.I offer a 30-minute clarity session where we can talk through where you’re at, what’s getting in the way, and whether I can help.Email me at askadam@turnkeydesignsuccess.com

August 3, 2026Episode 116 min

Markup vs Trade Pricing: How Should Interior Designers Price Products?

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 between trade pricing and markup, why there is no magic percentage every designer should be charging, and why your own profitability should ultimately determine your pricing strategy.I’ll also introduce you to Stressed Sally and Calm Claire—two equally talented fictional designers with very different approaches to pricing. Sally changes her markup whenever an expensive item makes her nervous, while Claire establishes a pricing philosophy, applies it consistently and reviews it against the actual profitability of her projects.We cover:Trade pricing vs markup and how they differWhy copying another designer’s markup percentage can be a mistakeThe danger of changing your markup based on the price of individual productsWhy consistency can make quoting simpler and increase your confidenceHow your overall project profit margin should inform your pricing decisionsMy own approach to markup and why I currently use a consistent 30% markup on trade pricingThe goal isn’t to find the “perfect” markup percentage. It’s to create a pricing structure that covers your costs, supports your service and helps you build a profitable, sustainable design business.Download the free Solo Designer Profit Guide:https://www.turnkeydesignsuccess.com/profitguideWelcome back to Season 6 of Turnkey Design Talk.Wondering if you're charging enough?Download my free Solo Designer Profit Guide™ and discover what interior designers are charging in 2026 based on 50+ research interviews across Australia, Canada and the USA. You'll also learn how to calculate the hourly rate YOU need to charge based on your own business, projects and financial goals—not someone else's.Download your free copy:turnkeydesignsuccess.com/profitguide If this episode raised questions for you, or you’re feeling stuck in your solo design business, you don’t have to figure it out on your own.I offer a 30-minute clarity session where we can talk through where you’re at, what’s getting in the way, and whether I can help.Email me at askadam@turnkeydesignsuccess.com

June 29, 2026Episode 1022 min

Confessions of a Part-Time Interior Designer

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 desperation from your business• The freedom to say no to the wrong clients• Why fewer, better projects can be more profitable• The importance of systems, boundaries and profitability• The real reason many designers struggle to grow (and it isn't always time)After speaking with more than fifty independent designers, I've realised there isn't one correct path to success. Some designers want a large full-time practice. Others want a smaller, profitable business that fits around their life.If you've ever felt embarrassed about still having another job, this episode is for you.Because perhaps you're not behind at all.Perhaps you're simply building your business your way.Download the free Solo Designer Profit Guide at:turnkeydesignsuccess.com/profitguideWondering if you're charging enough?Download my free Solo Designer Profit Guide™ and discover what interior designers are charging in 2026 based on 50+ research interviews across Australia, Canada and the USA. You'll also learn how to calculate the hourly rate YOU need to charge based on your own business, projects and financial goals—not someone else's.Download your free copy:turnkeydesignsuccess.com/profitguide If this episode raised questions for you, or you’re feeling stuck in your solo design business, you don’t have to figure it out on your own.I offer a 30-minute clarity session where we can talk through where you’re at, what’s getting in the way, and whether I can help.Email me at askadam@turnkeydesignsuccess.com

June 22, 2026Episode 920 min

What I Learned From 50 Conversations With Interior Designers

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-service projects, how clients often end up being asked to make decisions they were never equipped to make, and why some of the happiest designers have become crystal clear about the experience they want to deliver.Most importantly, we'll explore why so many talented designers are making life harder than it needs to be, and what the designers creating the strongest results seem to understand.In this episode:• The Hybrid Design Phenomenon• Why allowing clients to become the expert often backfires• How successful designers choose a lane and stick to it• Why good projects often fail to reach their full potential• The confronting truth behind designer burnoutIf you've ever wondered whether there might be a simpler, more profitable and more enjoyable way to run your design business, I think you'll enjoy this conversation.🎁 Download the free Solo Designer Profit Guide:turnkeydesignsuccess.com/profitguideConnect with Adam:turnkeydesignsuccess.comWondering if you're charging enough?Download my free Solo Designer Profit Guide™ and discover what interior designers are charging in 2026 based on 50+ research interviews across Australia, Canada and the USA. You'll also learn how to calculate the hourly rate YOU need to charge based on your own business, projects and financial goals—not someone else's.Download your free copy:turnkeydesignsuccess.com/profitguide If this episode raised questions for you, or you’re feeling stuck in your solo design business, you don’t have to figure it out on your own.I offer a 30-minute clarity session where we can talk through where you’re at, what’s getting in the way, and whether I can help.Email me at askadam@turnkeydesignsuccess.com

June 15, 2026Episode 814 min

How To Get Paid For Project Coordination As A Designer

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 for that work?In this episode, I share the approach I've used in my own business and why separating my design fee from my project coordination fee helped improve my cash flow, reduce stress and increase my profit margins from around 20% to more than 30%.You'll discover:• Why design and project coordination are two different services• The most common ways designers charge for project coordination• Why I eventually moved to a percentage-based model• Why charging upfront can simplify your business• How to determine whether your current pricing is actually workingIf you've ever wondered whether you're being properly compensated for procurement, supplier management, deliveries, storage, installations and all the moving parts that happen after the design is approved, this episode is for you.🎁 Download the FREE Solo Designer Profit Guide:turnkeydesignsuccess.com/profitguideBased on more than 50 research conversations with designers across Australia, Canada and the United States, this guide will show you what designers are charging in 2026 and, more importantly, how to calculate the hourly rate your business actually needs.Email: askadam@turnkeydesignsuccess.comAnd remember, you're not behind, my friend.You're building.Wondering if you're charging enough?Download my free Solo Designer Profit Guide™ and discover what interior designers are charging in 2026 based on 50+ research interviews across Australia, Canada and the USA. You'll also learn how to calculate the hourly rate YOU need to charge based on your own business, projects and financial goals—not someone else's.Download your free copy:turnkeydesignsuccess.com/profitguide If this episode raised questions for you, or you’re feeling stuck in your solo design business, you don’t have to figure it out on your own.I offer a 30-minute clarity session where we can talk through where you’re at, what’s getting in the way, and whether I can help.Email me at askadam@turnkeydesignsuccess.com

June 8, 2026Episode 714 min

How to Discover Your Authentic Hourly Rate

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 confidently increase your fees, this episode will give you a fresh perspective. You'll learn why profit margin matters, how to review a project after completion, and what successful designers often look at when evaluating their pricing.Whether you're an interior decorator, interior designer, or freelance creative, this conversation will help you think differently about hourly rates, profitability, and building a more sustainable design business.🎁 Download your free Profit Guide:https://www.turnkeydesignsuccess.com/profitguideIf you enjoyed this episode, subscribe on YouTube, follow the podcast, and leave a comment: Do you know the profit margin on your last completed project?Wondering if you're charging enough?Download my free Solo Designer Profit Guide™ and discover what interior designers are charging in 2026 based on 50+ research interviews across Australia, Canada and the USA. You'll also learn how to calculate the hourly rate YOU need to charge based on your own business, projects and financial goals—not someone else's.Download your free copy:turnkeydesignsuccess.com/profitguide If this episode raised questions for you, or you’re feeling stuck in your solo design business, you don’t have to figure it out on your own.I offer a 30-minute clarity session where we can talk through where you’re at, what’s getting in the way, and whether I can help.Email me at askadam@turnkeydesignsuccess.com

June 1, 2026Episode 619 min

Renderings: Are They Worth It?

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 project work, he explores how renderings can sometimes create unexpected challenges for designers, clients and project profitability.If you've ever wondered whether all that time, effort and expense is actually improving the client experience—or simply adding complexity—this episode is for you.Whether you're an interior designer, decorator or design student, this conversation may change the way you think about presentations, client expectations and the magic of a finished reveal.Wondering if you're charging enough?Download my free Solo Designer Profit Guide™ and discover what interior designers are charging in 2026 based on 50+ research interviews across Australia, Canada and the USA. You'll also learn how to calculate the hourly rate YOU need to charge based on your own business, projects and financial goals—not someone else's.Download your free copy:turnkeydesignsuccess.com/profitguide If this episode raised questions for you, or you’re feeling stuck in your solo design business, you don’t have to figure it out on your own.I offer a 30-minute clarity session where we can talk through where you’re at, what’s getting in the way, and whether I can help.Email me at askadam@turnkeydesignsuccess.com

May 25, 2026Episode 527 min

The Hidden Cost Of Free Design Work

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.I also talk about:• Why implementation is a completely separate paid service• How clients subconsciously devalue what isn’t properly structured• The moment I realised everybody else on the project was getting paid… except me• Why designers often overgive emotionally• And how clear fees actually create cleaner, healthier client relationshipsIf you’re an interior designer, decorator, or solo creative trying to build a more profitable and professional business — this episode will probably hit home.Because structure doesn’t just protect your profit…It protects your confidence.Email: askadam@turnkeydesignsuccess.com“You’re not behind… you’re building.”Wondering if you're charging enough?Download my free Solo Designer Profit Guide™ and discover what interior designers are charging in 2026 based on 50+ research interviews across Australia, Canada and the USA. You'll also learn how to calculate the hourly rate YOU need to charge based on your own business, projects and financial goals—not someone else's.Download your free copy:turnkeydesignsuccess.com/profitguide If this episode raised questions for you, or you’re feeling stuck in your solo design business, you don’t have to figure it out on your own.I offer a 30-minute clarity session where we can talk through where you’re at, what’s getting in the way, and whether I can help.Email me at askadam@turnkeydesignsuccess.com

May 18, 2026Episode 427 min

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

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 red flags he ignoredWhy talented trades can still become operational problemsThe dangers of emotionally volatile communicationHow fragmented trade relationships can destabilise a projectWhy designers need stronger boundaries and structureThe lessons he now applies when assessing trades for future projectsIf you’ve ever dealt with tension, instability or difficult personalities during a project, this episode offers practical insight into protecting both your client experience and your own peace of mind as a designer.Wondering if you're charging enough?Download my free Solo Designer Profit Guide™ and discover what interior designers are charging in 2026 based on 50+ research interviews across Australia, Canada and the USA. You'll also learn how to calculate the hourly rate YOU need to charge based on your own business, projects and financial goals—not someone else's.Download your free copy:turnkeydesignsuccess.com/profitguide If this episode raised questions for you, or you’re feeling stuck in your solo design business, you don’t have to figure it out on your own.I offer a 30-minute clarity session where we can talk through where you’re at, what’s getting in the way, and whether I can help.Email me at askadam@turnkeydesignsuccess.com

May 11, 2026Episode 323 min

Why I Don’t Give Repeat Clients Old Pricing

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 and decorators wanting to build a more profitable, refined and sustainable business. Wondering if you're charging enough?Download my free Solo Designer Profit Guide™ and discover what interior designers are charging in 2026 based on 50+ research interviews across Australia, Canada and the USA. You'll also learn how to calculate the hourly rate YOU need to charge based on your own business, projects and financial goals—not someone else's.Download your free copy:turnkeydesignsuccess.com/profitguide If this episode raised questions for you, or you’re feeling stuck in your solo design business, you don’t have to figure it out on your own.I offer a 30-minute clarity session where we can talk through where you’re at, what’s getting in the way, and whether I can help.Email me at askadam@turnkeydesignsuccess.com

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Listen to episodes

Beyond Instagram: Finding Better Design Clients

Markup vs Trade Pricing: How Should Interior Designers Price Products?

Confessions of a Part-Time Interior Designer

What I Learned From 50 Conversations With Interior Designers

How To Get Paid For Project Coordination As A Designer

How to Discover Your Authentic Hourly Rate

Renderings: Are They Worth It?

The Hidden Cost Of Free Design Work

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

Why I Don’t Give Repeat Clients Old Pricing

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