Learning About Holistic Design with Aimee Lopez
Lock In Your DSA Professional Membership Before Prices Increase
We’re extending our holiday offer — and this is your last chance to lock in your Professional Membership rate before pricing increases in 2026.
With the launch of our DSA Pro+ Hub and Connect+ app this year, Professional Membership pricing will increase to $495. Join now (or renew in time) to secure $200+ in savings and full access to Pro+ at no additional cost.
New Members: Join by January 31, 2026 to lock in the $295 rate before prices increase.
Current Members: Keep your membership active and your current rate stays locked — no action needed beyond renewing on time.
This extension won’t last forever. Lock in your rate now and enjoy everything we’re building for 2026 — without the price increase.
Offer ends January 31, 2026.
Holistic Design Is Here to Stay!
“A designer must strive to create timeless design. Design that is not subject to trends.” – Alberto Alessi, World-Famous Designer and Owner of ALESSI
Imagine walking into a space and not just seeing the incredible care taken to create a home, office, living room or lobby, but also feeling the incredible care taken to design a space.
Interior designers have seen several trends come and go throughout the years (and decades) when it comes to our industry, but Aimee Lopez, founder of the Holistic Interiors Design Community, believes her desire to create holistically designed spaces is a “trend” that’s here to stay.
The mission of the Holistic Interiors Design Community is to raise awareness of the influence and role of interior spaces in enhancing our well-being. Lopez says places where clients live, work and learn should be designed with more focus on a healthy lifestyle, meaningful experiences and a personal-centric view.
“If we are connected with ourselves and with the environment, then we can become more conscious about it,” she says. “The more we have all of this research available to us, then we can design homes or workspaces where people will people are happier.
We had the pleasure of interviewing Lopez recently, learning more about her 20-year career in the interior design business, as well as her passion to educate others about holistic interior design and it’s benefits for clients and designers themselves.
Content without context is just noise.
By Ericka Saurit
How to align your content to a larger strategy so every post pulls its weight.
Last month, we talked about transformation…why clients aren’t buying design, they’re buying the life they believe your work will help them create.
This month, we’re bringing that idea into your marketing.
Because if your content doesn’t clearly connect back to who you are, what you believe, and how you help people… it’s just noise.
Pretty noise. Well-designed noise.
But noise nonetheless.
And this is where so many designers get stuck! Posting more and more, hoping something will stick (like spaghetti thrown at the wall in frustration or overwhelm!).
The problem isn’t that you’re not creating enough content.It’s that your content isn’t working together.
Interior Designers: Protect Your Business Before Things Go Wrong
Interior design is creative, rewarding work—but it comes with risks. From going over budget to personal injury, property damage, or client disputes, even small mistakes can turn into costly claims. That’s why interior designer insurance is essential: it helps you handle risks so you can focus on designing without distractions.
- General Liability: Covers injuries or property damage at a client’s home or office, including furniture, fixtures, and medical bills.
- Property: Protects your tools, designs, computers, office furniture, and other business assets.
- Professional Liability / E&O: Covers errors, omissions, budget overruns, installation mistakes, or disputes when the client is unhappy with the result.
- Commercial Auto: Covers accidents involving business vehicles, including damages, injuries, and legal fees.
- Workers Compensation: Covers employee and contractor injuries, everything from slips and falls to carpal tunnel, even in an office setting.
Don’t wait until something goes wrong—explore Penex’s interior designer insurance options and protect your business today.
DSA Insider: Contract Tips, Events and Fresh Reads
Design Contract Tip From Attorney Wendy Estela:
Tip No. 9: Document Everything—Especially Approvals
Document all client communications and keep organized records of approvals, especially for material selections and major design decisions. Make sure clients know that once they have approved something they cannot move backwards (without incurring costs).
As attorney Wendy Estela often reminds designers, clear documentation is one of your strongest protections. Every client communication—emails, texts, meeting notes, and especially approvals—should be recorded and organized. This is critical for material selections and major design decisions, where changes can quickly impact timelines and budgets. Just as important: make sure your client understands that once an item or direction is approved, moving backward isn’t a simple “undo”—it comes with real costs.
Upcoming Events:
Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS)
Mark your calendar for KBIS 2026, North America’s premier Kitchen & Bath Industry Show, happening February 17–19, 2026, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. This high-energy trade event brings together designers, architects, builders, and industry pros to explore the latest products, trends, and innovations shaping kitchen and bath spaces today. From immersive exhibitor showcases and networking opportunities to thought-leader panels and curated education sessions, KBIS offers inspiration and insight for every stage of the design process. Whether you’re sourcing new materials or connecting with peers, it’s a can’t-miss moment on the design calendar.
Fresh Reads:
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Alfredo Paredes at Home
Alfredo Paredes at Home offers an intimate look at the signature style of Alfredo Paredes, the former chief creative officer behind some of Ralph Lauren’s most iconic interiors. Touring four of his own homes, Paredes shares how meaningful details—like a striped shirt or worn leather—can inspire an entire space. The result is a guide to creating rooms that feel masculine yet warm, modern yet rooted in history. Co-written with Brad Goldfarb, the book is both aspirational and refreshingly livable.
