Finding the stone company, millworker or tile installer that checks all your boxes can be a long process. This week, we asked nine designers—Ahmad AbouZanat, Jennifer Ami Kole, Brittany Cooper, Antonio DeLoatch, April Gandy, Grace Lee-Lim, Gideon Mendelson, Lori Morris and Katie Schroder—how they source and screen new vendors, whether for products or services.
A Thorough Check
“At this stage of my career, I tend to work with people I’ve known for years. However, periodically, I’m presented with someone new, and I look at it as an opportunity. I start by doing some basic research on any new company I’d like to work with. Next, I’ll reach out to my network of designer friends to see if anyone else has worked with them in the past or has any information about their reputation. I usually invite new vendors into my office to meet my team—it’s good to get multiple opinions, and my colleagues are great judges of character. Last, when I have the opportunity, I like to see vendors in action; if I can go visit them in their studio or on a job site or their place of work, I think it’s a good idea.” —Gideon Mendelson, Mendelson Group, New York
Getting to Know You
“Vetting new vendors is a bit like speed dating—quickly assessing compatibility while keeping things engaging. I approach this process with a keen eye on their core values, how satisfied their employees seem, and where they choose to allocate their marketing efforts. These factors offer a glimpse into their client base and who they aim to attract, helping me understand if we share similar priorities. One of my preferred methods for vetting new vendors is attending product launch parties, mixers and store openings. These events provide an opportunity to interact with colleagues in the industry and observe the vendor in a more informal setting. It’s a great way to see how they present themselves and who they align with.” —Antonio DeLoatch, Antonio DeLoatch Designs, New York and Los Angeles
Up-Close Look
“We require seeing their workmanship in real life, not just visuals. We go to their workshop to understand their fabrication process. We see how big it is, what type of machinery they use, how many people work there, and the state of their workshop. If we can get any [references] from a finished project, that’s always a bonus.” —Lori Morris, Lori Morris Design, Toronto
Context (and Email) Is Key
“I usually vet vendors through acquaintances or referrals first, as other designers and people in the industry are the best resource for realistic experiences and expectations. I also like to vet vendors on Instagram, where I’m looking at their body of work and how they present themselves. I’ll also look them up online to see if they have customer reviews. This industry has really high highs and low lows, so sometimes a one-off bad review doesn’t always paint the full picture, but if I see repeated reviews about unprofessionalism or ones stating that the vendor doesn’t show up or is never punctual, then I know there are red flags. Once I feel good about reaching out, I’ll call them for an introductory conversation to gauge whether or not we’d be a good fit. You’d be surprised at how many vendors tell me to ‘just text’ them, without trying to have an actual phone or in-person conversation about the project scope. A lot of those vendors also like to text estimates instead of emailing them—and I never work with a vendor who doesn’t email!” —Grace Lee-Lim, Grace Lee-Lim Interiors & Design, Los Angeles
Trade Show Connection
“I love going to High Point Market to connect with vendors. It gives me the opportunity to see the pieces in the showrooms and get a feel for quality and comfort. This is key in making recommendations for my clients that I can confidently stand behind.” —April Gandy, Alluring Designs, Chicago
It Takes Time
“Over the years, I’ve developed a thorough process that helps ensure each vendor aligns with our aesthetics and values. The process often begins with researching their portfolio to see if their style and quality match what we’re looking for. I also like to request samples to get a firsthand look at the materials and craftsmanship. Communication is key, so I always have detailed discussions with potential vendors to ensure they’re not only capable of meeting our standards but are also aligned with our approach to design. Experience has taught me that finding the right vendor sometimes involves a bit of trial and error, but it’s worth the effort to create spaces that truly resonate with our clients.” —Brittany Cooper, Rathell Designs, Cary, North Carolina
Use the Algorithm
“Instagram has been doing an amazing job keeping me in the know about new vendors and artists. Whether it’s an ad or another designer tagging some of their most recent work, I find it to be a treasure chest of information.” —Jennifer Ami Kole, Jenami Designs, Chicago
Tap Your Network
“First and most importantly, word-of-mouth: I reach out to other colleagues in the industry that I know may have worked with the vendor. Reviews, be it on web search platforms or social media, can be insightful too. Lastly, if I have access, I ask to visit the studio or the production facility to meet with the team and get a better understanding of their knowledge to produce what we’re sourcing.” —Ahmad AbouZanat, Ahmad AbouZanat Studio, Austin and New York
Start Small
“We always ask other designers if they’ve worked with a particular vendor to get firsthand information. Most of the time we work through showrooms since we trust their judgment and value their services. With new vendors, we start with smaller orders and see how it goes. If they have a great product and the customer service is good, we keep the relationship going!” —Katie Schroder, Atelier Interior Design, Denver
