EP 455 | Solutions, Not Options: How Interior Designers Lead with Confidence with Laura Stein

November 18, 2025

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Great clients don’t want endless options—they want a confident expert who can guide them to the right solution. In this episode, Kimberley Seldon sits down with celebrated designer Laura Stein to explore why offering too many choices dilutes your authority, slows down projects, and leaves clients feeling overwhelmed.

Laura shares how narrowing your focus, standing firmly behind your design decisions, and aligning your brand voice with the clients you want to attract can completely transform your client experience. From asking smarter questions to understanding true motivations, this conversation shows you how to lead with clarity, conviction, and professionalism.

If you’ve ever struggled with clients second-guessing you, requesting endless revisions, or treating you like a decorator instead of a strategic partner, this episode will give you the tools to step into your authority—without sacrificing warmth, creativity, or collaboration.

In this episode you will learn:

  • Why clients want solutions, not a buffet of options
  • How to stand confidently behind your design choices
  • How to align your brand voice with your ideal client
  • The questions that reveal a client’s true motivations
  • How to build systems and hire to complement your weaknesses
  • Why guiding—not overwhelming—your clients leads to smoother projects and stronger relationships

 

DESIGN INTERVENTION

20 years ago, when I was just starting out, I was in one of Kimberley’s first BOD™ seminars. A gentleman at the front stood up and told a story about having a celebrity client. He was so nervous about making sure his client liked the design that he brought multiple options to show for each selection. He laid everything out on the table, but rather than being happy with all the work he had done, his client reprimanded him and said, “I’m not paying you for options. I’m paying you for solutions.”

 

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About Laura Stein

Laura started her design firm 20 years ago from a spare bedroom in her parents’ house and grew into an internationally recognized, award-winning firm. With a background in branding and marketing communications, and two decades leading her namesake firm, Laura brings a rare blend of creative expertise and strategic insight. In 2025, she launched LSI Workshop with a redirected focus toward giving back to the design community and helping other designers create meaningful impact through their work.

www.laurasteininteriors.com

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Thank you to our sponsor, Renewal By Andersen!

Renewal by Andersen LLC is the start-to-finish window and door replacement division of Andersen Corporation. Renewal by Andersen offers a replacement process that includes an in-home consultation, custom manufacturing, and installation through one of the largest nationwide networks of window and door replacement specialists.

For a complimentary in-home consultation, or to learn more, visit www.renewalbyandersen.com.

Apply for Renewal by Andersen’s Interior Designer Loyalty Program today at www.renewalbyandersendesigners.com.

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Legal Disclosure | This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be used for any legal decisions. Kimberley Seldon Design Group, Kimberley Seldon Productions Inc., Kimberley Seldon Design and Media, Inc., Business of Design™, or any of its affiliated companies or staff is not responsible for any errors or omissions effecting accuracy in any content, and they will not be held liable for the use or misuse of information, facts, details or any other aspects should there arise any defects, errors, omissions or perhaps inaccuracies. Extensive research has been conducted to put this podcast together for the purpose of educating our industry in order to better serve the public. Care has been taken to acknowledge ownership of copyrighted material. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for every situation. This work is offered with the understanding that we do not render any legal, accounting or other professional advice. Seek the advice of a lawyer and/or other competent professional person in all matters of law. Further, listeners should be aware that internet websites mentioned may change or disappear between when this was recorded and when it was listened to.

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