DSA Insider: Contracts Tips, Events and Fresh Reads
Design Contract Tip From Attorney Wendy Estela:
Tip No. 4: Safeguard Your Creative Work
"Protect your intellectual property by including language about ownership of designs, mood boards, and other deliverables in your contracts. Make sure that you have the legal right to what your employees and contractors create in the course of their work for your business. You can't always protect the look of the final design, but there are creative ways to safeguard your creativity."
Your designs, mood boards, and other creative deliverables are valuable—make sure your contract says who owns them. It’s also important to spell out that anything your team or contractors create for your business belongs to you. You might not be able to protect the finished look of a space, but there are smart ways to protect your ideas and original work. A little legal clarity goes a long way in safeguarding your creativity.
Stay tuned for next month's tip, and learn more about Attorney Wendy Estela!
Upcoming Events:
Décor Tours:
2025 Travel Lineup; DSA Member Discounts
Décor Tours, a travel experience company created by interior designers for interior designers, has announced its fall 2025 lineup of international design tours AND DSA members are eligible for exclusive discounts.
These curated trips offer participants the opportunity to explore celebrated and emerging design destinations through a professional lens, combining education, cultural immersion and elevated travel experiences.
2025 tour highlights include:
- Paris (September): A longtime favorite, the Paris tour includes access to lesser-known ateliers, flea markets and design landmarks.
- Provence (September): Explore charming towns, regional markets and authentic French countryside design, all set against a scenic backdrop.
- New York City (November): Discover some of the best design resourcing, inspiration and build-your-business information the city has to offer.
Décor Tours is extending a 10% discount on any 2025 tour package to current DSA members. To redeem the offer, members can use the code DSA25 during registration.
Founded over a decade ago by designers Deb Barrett and Susan Schultz, Décor Tours was established with the goal of “showing, not telling” fellow professionals the depth and breadth of design inspiration available beyond traditional showrooms and sample books. Since then, the company has led small-group tours to Paris, London, Venice, Provence, and Portugal, consistently prioritizing meaningful connections, hands-on exploration, and unexpected inspiration. Learn more.
High Point Market:
Fall High Point Market is just around the corner! From live music by The Coral Reefer Band to artisan pop-ups and a behind-the-scenes documentary project, this year’s Market promises unforgettable experiences—register now and start planning your trip.
Fresh Reads:
The World of Peter Dunham: Global Style from Paris to Hollywood
In his debut book, The World of Peter Dunham: Global Style from Paris to Hollywood, acclaimed designer Peter Dunham showcases a dozen richly layered, never-before-seen interiors. Known for his bold use of color, pattern, and relaxed sophistication, Dunham’s work spans New York penthouses, California retreats, and his own Paris pied-à-terre. Each chapter explores a pillar of his design ethos—Color, Rhythm, Togetherness, and Nature—brought to life through stunning photography. A must-read for anyone who loves timeless style with a worldly point of view.