Interior designers from the San Francisco area convened at The Shade Store’s Fillmore Street showroom on May 15 to embark on a morning of inspiring conversation and networking. Business of Home editor in chief Kaitlin Petersen led an illuminating panel discussion featuring local designers Alicia Cheung of Studio Heimat, Michael Hilal of Studio Michael Hilal, and Katie Monkhouse of Katie Monkhouse Interiors. The conversation delved into the intricacies of business development, offering valuable insights into each designer’s operational strategies and how they communicate their value to their clients.

Energized by the exchange of ideas, guests explored the showroom following the panel, immersing themselves in the displays of custom window treatments offered by The Shade Store and perusing samples from the brand’s extensive selection of more than 1,200 in-stock materials. Attendees also mingled and savored light refreshments while gaining deeper insights into how The Shade Store can be their go-to resource for projects nationwide.

“While Michael, Alicia and Katie each have a distinctive approach to their work, they all place so much value on helping their clients understand the design process,” said Petersen. “I’m so grateful to the three of them for breaking down the how’s and why’s of finding a process that worked for their firms—and there was a lot of laughter as they shared the ideas that didn’t work for them, too! That willingness to share best practices and past pitfalls is how we all grow, and I’m so appreciative of The Shade Store for fostering community conversations like this one to move the industry forward.” 

“I appreciated the opportunity to be a part of Business of Home’s and The Shade Store’s event,” said Hilal. “We had a great crowd, insightful, lively conversation, and Kaitlin is a pro moderator. I’ve been a long-time client of The Shade Store. Their San Francisco team is amazing, so it was a treat to partner with them.”

“The best part of the whole panel was connecting with the other panelists and the folks who came out,” said Cheung. “When we are able to share candidly, it helps each of us! I certainly took away some gems, like talking about art early in the process with our clients.”

“The Shade Store has been part of the San Francisco design community since 2009, when Fillmore Street was the first showroom we opened outside of New York,” said Kara Marmion, senior vice president of marketing and communications at the company. “We love coming back to the Bay Area to meet new designers and reengage with old friends of the brand. Hosting these events with Business of Home allows us to open our doors and give designers an opportunity to learn from one another, while also learning about all the ways The Shade Store can be a true partner to their businesses.”