Journal
Guides, comparisons and reference notes
Working notes from the Faura team for interior designers, architects, developers and contractors specifying Italian furniture, joinery and textiles in London.
Journal · 22 October 2026
Lighting Specification Basics for Interior Designers
Lighting Specification Basics for Interior Designers ! Accent lighting illuminating artwork in a finished interior A lighting specification is the written record of what light a space must deliver and which fittings, sources and controls will deliver it.
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Journal · 21 October 2026
IP Ratings for Bathrooms in the UK: A Specifier's Guide
IP Ratings for Bathrooms in the UK: A Specifier's Guide ! Bathroom shower and lighting layout In a UK bathroom, equipment in Zone 0 (inside the bath or shower tray) needs at least IPX7, and equipment in Zones 1 and 2 needs at least IPX4.
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Journal · 20 October 2026
Requesting Samples: Trade Etiquette for UK Designers
Requesting Samples: Trade Etiquette for UK Designers ! Designer comparing fabric samples in a renovation Good etiquette when requesting samples comes down to four habits: identify the product exactly, say what the sample is for, ask early enough for the supplier to respond properly, and look after what you are lent.
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Journal · 19 October 2026
Trade Account Requirements in the UK: What Designers Need
Trade Account Requirements in the UK: What Designers Need ! Designer assembling trade account verification evidence To open a trade account in the UK, you need to show that you buy for projects as a professional, not as a private consumer.
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Journal · 18 October 2026
Lacquer vs Oil Finish for UK Trade: Repair Locally or Sand the Panel?
Lacquer vs Oil Finish for UK Trade: Repair Locally or Sand the Panel? !
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Journal · 17 October 2026
UK Goods in Transit Insurance: RHA and CMR Checks for London Trade
UK Goods in Transit Insurance: RHA and CMR Checks for London Trade ! Wrapped furniture secured inside a delivery van Goods in transit insurance covers a carrier's legal liability for loss, theft or damage to goods in its custody, including loading, unloading and storage that forms part of the journey.
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Journal · 16 October 2026
Showroom Representation: Six Steps for Design Brands to Pitch Showrooms
Showroom Representation: Six Steps for Design Brands to Pitch Showrooms ! Design brand representative presenting finish samples Showroom representation for brands is a trade-only placement that gives your products a physical presence and direct access to interior-design specifiers.
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Journal · 15 October 2026
UK Interior Designers: Outsource FF&E Through a Trade Showroom
UK Interior Designers: Outsource FF&E Through a Trade Showroom ! Designer selecting finishes in a London trade showroom Yes: interior designers can outsource procurement, handing sourcing, supplier coordination, consolidated ordering and logistics to a specialist partner while retaining design direction and client sign-off.
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Journal · 14 October 2026
UK Interior Designer Markup: Why VAT Can Apply to the Full Order
UK Interior Designer Markup: Why VAT Can Apply to the Full Order ! Designer comparing supplier and client order papers Most UK interior designers mark up the goods they procure, either as a cost-plus percentage on invoice or as a separate procurement fee, and this choice changes how VAT applies to the whole order.
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Journal · 13 October 2026
Studio Membership or Lease? Six Questions for UK Design Practices
Studio Membership or Lease? Six Questions for UK Design Practices !
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Journal · 12 October 2026
Avoid Unexpected Duty: 4 Step Furniture Origin Checklist for UK Trade Buyers
Avoid Unexpected Duty: 4 Step Furniture Origin Checklist for UK Trade Buyers ! Trade buyer checking furniture component origins Yes: rules of origin determine whether a furniture consignment qualifies for reduced or zero customs duty under a UK trade agreement.
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Journal · 12 October 2026
Inspection Day: Close Defects Faster for High End Interior Trade Teams
Inspection Day: Close Defects Faster for High End Interior Trade Teams ! Inspector documenting defect in luxury interior The single most effective action on inspection day is to run a structured snag capture: log each defect with a photograph, a floorplan or room reference, and an assigned trade with a deadline, straight into a live defects register.
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Journal · 12 October 2026
Interior Design Logistics: VAT, Customs and Fire Safety for UK Trade
Interior Design Logistics: VAT, Customs and Fire Safety for UK Trade ! Crated interior goods checked at UK receiving bay Use a specialist interior design logistics partner to manage procurement, storage and installation rather than coordinating couriers, warehouses and trades yourself.
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Journal · 12 October 2026
Procurement Fee Models: Three Choices, One VAT Question for UK Trade
Procurement Fee Models: Three Choices, One VAT Question for UK Trade ! Designer and client compare procurement fee terms Trade procurement typically runs on three fee structures: disclosed commission, a flat procurement fee, or a hybrid of the two.
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Journal · 12 October 2026
UK Trade Procurement Commission Rates: 15% or Resale Risk?
UK Trade Procurement Commission Rates: 15% or Resale Risk? !
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Journal · 12 October 2026
Avoid Planning Delays: Studio vs Home Office Specs for UK Trade
Avoid Planning Delays: Studio vs Home Office Specs for UK Trade ! Home office looking out toward a garden studio A detached or large creative studio suits clients who host visitors, run production work, or need separate servicing and circulation; a dedicated home office suits daily desk-based work with limited visitors and a straightforward building-regulation route.
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Journal · 6 October 2026
Copyable Onboarding for Trade Interior Designers: Briefs & Showroom
Copyable Onboarding for Trade Interior Designers: Briefs & Showroom ! Client and designer approving finish selections The single most important onboarding action is securing a signed client brief and written agreement, together with a cleared deposit, before any creative work begins.
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Journal · 5 October 2026
UK Specifiers: Fix Trade Furniture Warranty Gaps With PO Clauses
UK Specifiers: Fix Trade Furniture Warranty Gaps With PO Clauses ! Specifier reviewing furniture warranty purchase order For trade purchases, statutory implied terms guarantee a legal minimum of satisfactory quality, but they do not tell you how a claim gets handled on site.
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Journal · 4 October 2026
Trade Designers: 48 Hour Showroom Pitch to Win Luxury Clients
Trade Designers: 48 Hour Showroom Pitch to Win Luxury Clients ! Client choosing a finish in Faura showroom The pitch that wins is the one that opens with the client's vision and closes with a signed brief, not the one with the most polished renders.
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Journal · 3 October 2026
Use a Trade Showroom to Cut Late Change Orders for Interior Designers
Use a Trade Showroom to Cut Late Change Orders for Interior Designers ! Designer and client comparing showroom finish samples A change order, or variation, is any instruction to add, omit or alter the agreed design works after a contract or specification has been signed off.
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Journal · 2 October 2026
One-Page Pitch That Wins Showroom Buyers for UK Makers
One-Page Pitch That Wins Showroom Buyers for UK Makers ! Maker presenting samples to showroom buyer The fastest way to get a buyer's attention is a buyer-ready one-page pitch that proves commercial value, supply reliability and clear next steps.
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Journal · 1 October 2026
Protect Install Dates: 5 Steps Designers Must Follow on Trade Returns
Five delivery-to-claim steps for designers to preserve rejection rights, avoid install delays, and build evidence that strengthens trade-order return claims.
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Journal · 30 September 2026
Value Engineering Interiors: A Guide for Developers and PMs
Save close to £1m with value engineering interiors for developers ! Team comparing interior finish alternatives Value engineering interiors means improving the ratio of benefits to cost across a scheme, not trimming the budget by swapping finishes for cheaper alternatives.
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Journal · 29 September 2026
How to get trade showroom representation for your brand
Faura: Showroom representation, furniture & lighting, 2026 compliant ! Trade showroom displaying material samples The fastest route to trade showroom representation is a market-ready technical pack paired with a targeted pitch to showrooms or design residencies that already work with interior designers and architects.
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Journal · 28 September 2026
Purchase Orders for Interior Designers: A Practical PO Checklist
Cut PO Admin with 210+ Brands: Purchase Orders for Interior Designers ! Interior design procurement order review An interior design purchase order is a written commitment to buy specific goods or services from a supplier at an agreed price, on agreed terms.
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Journal · 27 September 2026
FF&E Lead Times: Backward Scheduling from the Install Date
Designers: Trade Showrooms Cut FF&E Lead Time; Order by Install Date ! FF\&E samples arranged inside a trade showroom Treat FF&E lead time as a scheduling discipline, not a supplier quote you file and forget.
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Journal · 26 September 2026
Procurement Support for UK Interior Designers: Models and Costs
Stop Install Delays: Procurement Support for UK Interior Designers ! Coordinator organising showroom delivery parcels Procurement support for designers means outsourcing or delegating the ordering, supplier coordination, delivery tracking, and invoicing that FF&E sourcing demands, so the designer's time stays on design.
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Journal · 25 September 2026
FF&E Logistics London: Contracts First Sourcing Through Trade Residency
FF&E Logistics London: Contracts First Sourcing Through Trade Residency ! Designer selecting samples in London trade showroom FF&E logistics in London means the specification, sourcing and procurement coordination of furniture, fixtures and equipment through trade channels, not haulage or storage.
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Journal · 24 September 2026
Avoid VAT surprises: Trade Commission vs Markup for UK Designers
Avoid VAT surprises: Trade Commission vs Markup for UK Designers ! Designer calculating procurement costs beside material samples If you add any margin to a supplier cost, that charge becomes your own taxable supply, either a markup or a recharge, not a disbursement.
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Journal · 24 September 2026
UK Showroom Commission and Procurement Fees: Agent vs Principal
20–40% Commission? How UK Designers Avoid VAT and Hidden Fees !
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Journal · 24 September 2026
6 Step London Design Week Strategy for UK Designers Using Showrooms
6 Step London Design Week Strategy for UK Designers Using Showrooms ! Designer navigating a refined London showroom The most effective London Design Week strategy is narrow, not broad: pick trade-focused days, book three to five outcome-driven meetings anchored to the Global Design Forum or a district hub such as Shoreditch, then push follow-up specification work into a showroom appointment.
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Journal · 24 September 2026
Trade Discounts for UK Interior Designers: Using Them Ethically
15% Benchmark: How UK Designers Use Trade Discounts Ethically ! Designer checking trade samples at showroom Trade discounts are a legitimate commercial tool for interior designers when the procurement model is declared and written into the client contract.
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Journal · 20 September 2026
Visiting Design Showrooms: A Checklist for Interior Designers
Turn One Visit into Ready Specs at Faura's Showroom for Designers ! Designer entering a refined London trade showroom Visiting design showrooms is the trade-level way to evaluate, specify and procure products, and to host clients, with procurement-ready documentation to follow.
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Journal · 20 September 2026
London sourcing day plan: a guide for interior designers
Faura cuts a London sourcing day to one stop for independent designers ! Designer carrying samples through Westminster The most reliable London sourcing day picks one district, books two or three decision-grade appointments before midday, and leaves genuine buffer time for sample handling and paperwork.
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Journal · 18 September 2026
Entering the UK Design Market: A 6 to 12 Month Roadmap
£100bn UK Design Market: 6 to 12 Month Entry Roadmap for Designers ! Designer reviewing samples in London showroom Entering the UK design market is viable for most independent designers and firms, and the fastest route depends on your model: product brands should pursue a trade showroom presence, manufacturers need B2B distribution, and service studios can move fastest through agency partnerships or hybrid freelance teams.
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Journal · 17 September 2026
London design districts: hubs, neighbourhoods and showrooms
Greenwich Peninsula's 16 buildings anchor London design districts ! Angular Design District buildings at Greenwich Peninsula London's design districts fall into two categories: permanent purpose-built hubs like the Design District on Greenwich Peninsula, and temporary festival districts staged each September by the London Design Festival.
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Journal · 16 September 2026
Phased Architect and Interior Designer Collaboration: A Guide
Cut Sourcing Time: Phased Architect and Interior Designer Collaboration ! Design leads collaborating before hybrid project meeting Architect collaboration in interior design works best when it starts at project inception, not after concept drawings are finalised.
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Journal · 15 September 2026
Quick Wins for Showroom Merchandising: Make a Spec Studio for Designers
Quick Wins for Showroom Merchandising: Make a Spec Studio for Designers ! Curated showroom vignette and comparison zone The most effective merchandising approach for a trade showroom pairs anchor vignettes with distinct demonstration, comparison and consultation zones, backed by a well-organised material library.
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Journal · 14 September 2026
Interior Design Studio Operations: A Playbook for Studio Owners
Stop 16 Week Delays: Interior Design Studio Operations for Owners ! Organized interior design procurement workroom Interior design studio operations are the repeatable systems that turn creative work into predictable, profitable projects: specification management, project visibility, financial tracking and knowledge retention.
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Journal · 13 September 2026
Upholstery Fabric Durability: Rub Tests, Seams and Specification
Upholstery Durability for Homeowners: Seams and Care Beat 100,000 Rubs ! Close-up of stitched upholstery fabric seam Upholstery fabric durability comes down to four things working together: an abrasion rating matched to how the piece will actually be used, the fibre and weave underneath that rating, the strength of the seams holding it together, and how it's cared for afterwards.
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Journal · 12 September 2026
FF&E Procurement Process: A Step-by-Step Guide for Designers
Beat Six Month Delays: FF&E Procurement Process for Designers ! Staged FF\&E components ready for inspection FF&E procurement is the structured process of specifying, sourcing, ordering and installing furniture, fixtures and equipment for a project, run from the brief through to handover.
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Journal · 11 September 2026
Client Presentation Space for Designers: A Practical Guide
52% More Bookings: Client Presentation Space for Designers ! Designer preparing a private client consultation space A client presentation space is a showroom-style decision environment, not a boardroom or a rented meeting room.
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Journal · 10 September 2026
3 Networking Event Types for Interior Designers in London
3 Event Types That Win Commissions for Interior Designers in London ! Designers networking at a London industry event Prioritise curated showroom gatherings and B2B industry days over general meetups; use festival weeks for exposure, not primary relationship-building.
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Journal · 9 September 2026
Product Sourcing for Designers: A 6-Step Workflow
Save Weeks: 6 Step Product Sourcing Workflow for Designers ! Designer arranging interior material specification samples Product sourcing for designers means finding, vetting, and procuring the furniture, finishes, and materials a project specification calls for, on time and within budget.
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Journal · 8 September 2026
Keep 5 Years' Records: UK Fabric Fire Rules for Trade Suppliers and Designers
Keep 5 Years' Records: UK Fabric Fire Rules for Trade Suppliers and Designers ! Composite upholstery specimen during fire safety testing Every supplier, manufacturer and retailer of domestic upholstered furniture in the UK must comply with the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988, as amended in 2025.
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Journal · 7 September 2026
Sustainable Materials Sourcing: Six Steps for Specifiers
Six Steps to Sustainable Materials Sourcing for Procurement Teams ! Hands inspecting sustainable material samples Sustainable materials sourcing means selecting and qualifying material inputs, upstream through tier 2 and tier 3 suppliers, based on verified environmental and social performance rather than price alone.
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Journal · 6 September 2026
Importing Furniture to the UK: 3 Pre-Shipment Checks for Designers
UK Designers: 3 Pre Shipment Checks to Cut Furniture Import Admin ! Hands checking a sealed furniture export crate Yes, you can import furniture into the UK for client projects or showroom stock, but three things need sorting before anything leaves the factory: register for a GB EORI number, agree who is importer of record under your Incoterms, and confirm your supplier has the correct commodity codes and safety documentation ready.
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Journal · 5 September 2026
Designer Brand Collaborations: A Guide for UK Interior Designers
Over 200 Brands to Speed Designer Brand Collaborations for UK Designers ! Designers comparing materials in a London showroom Designer brand collaborations turn a practice's design authority into co-developed products, exclusive ranges and showroom representation, with royalties or commissions replacing one-off fees.
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Journal · 4 September 2026
Finishes and Coatings Guide for Interior Designers
Over 200 Brands Under One Roof: Finishes and Coatings for Designers ! Decorative plaster finish being burnished A finishes and coatings guide is only useful if it produces a working document: a finish schedule with named system build-ups, gloss levels and a sample or mock-up request against every line.
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Journal · 3 September 2026
7 steps to fix sample return logistics for UK studios (hybrid)
7 steps to fix sample return logistics for UK studios (hybrid) ! Hands sorting interior sample returns Adopt a standard intake, catalogue, loan and centralised return workflow, and most sample losses simply stop happening.
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Journal · 2 September 2026
Contract vs Retail Furniture: A Specification Guide for Designers
Stop Specification Risk in Contract vs Retail Furniture for Designers ! Upholstery undergoing commercial performance testing Use contract furniture wherever guests, clients, or the public will sit, and reserve retail furniture for private, low-traffic rooms where the risk of premature wear carries no safety or reputational cost.
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Journal · 1 September 2026
Procurement Fees in UK Interior Design: Models and Audit Trails
Understand procurement fees in UK interior design, why most sit in the 10–20% band, and how to demand audit trails, clear invoices, and fair negotiated terms.
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Journal · 31 August 2026
Pro Forma vs Invoice: A VAT Guide for UK Design Studios
UK focused guide on when a pro forma becomes a tax invoice, HMRC rules, and six steps studios can use to avoid VAT reclaim rejection.
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Journal · 30 August 2026
Pick an Interior Design Residency That Solves Client Facing Needs
A practitioner guide to interior design residencies: compare four models, use a simple decision framework, and learn when a trade showroom like Faura is...
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Journal · 29 August 2026
FF&E Spec Writing: A Practical Guide for Interior Designers
Cut Days to One Visit: FF&E Spec Writing for Interior Designers ! Hands arranging interior design material samples A proper interior specification turns a design decision into a document a vendor, contractor or client can act on without asking a single follow-up question.
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Journal · 28 August 2026
What wholesale terms in furniture contracts actually mean
What wholesale terms in furniture contracts actually mean ! Contract and fabric swatches on showroom table Before ordering a single piece, check five clauses: price and price-change rights, VAT treatment, payment terms, title and risk transfer, and minimum order or return conditions.
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Journal · 27 August 2026
London Design Week 2026 recap: dates, districts and trade notes
London Design Week 2026: dates, districts and a trade guide ! Material samples on table in trade showroom London's design calendar in 2026 hinges on two windows.
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Journal · 26 August 2026
A sample management system that stops swatches going missing
A sample management system that stops swatches going missing ! Hands labeling fabric and tile samples A sample management system is the combination of catalogue, storage and check-in/check-out protocol that lets a design studio find, loan and account for every fabric swatch, tile cutting and finish board it holds.
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Journal · 25 August 2026
What is white glove delivery, and is it worth the cost?
What is white glove delivery, and is it worth the cost? !
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Journal · 24 August 2026
Interior design fees UK: what to ask about trade access costs
Interior design fees UK: what showroom and residency costs cover ! Designer hands choosing fabric and materials Interior design fees in this context mean what independent designers pay to access a London trade showroom and residency, not what designers charge private clients.
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Journal · 23 August 2026
A materials library gives designers faster, better-sourced projects
A materials library gives designers faster, better-sourced projects ! Hands selecting materials in a showroom library A materials library performs three jobs at once: it lets you handle and compare samples physically, it holds the digital specification data your drawings depend on, and it connects you directly to procurement.
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Journal · 22 August 2026
Project kickoff checklist: templates and steps for a strong start
Project kickoff checklist: templates and steps for a strong start ! Hands arranging project kickoff documents on table A proper project kickoff checklist ensures the whole team leaves the first meeting with scope agreed, RACI assigned and the first actions tracked.
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Journal · 21 August 2026
Interior design brief: template and step-by-step guide
Interior design brief: template and step-by-step guide ! Hand holding material samples over design brief An interior design brief is a short, shareable document that sets out your goals, constraints, and deliverables so that every proposal you receive can be judged against the same information.
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Journal · 20 August 2026
Vendor onboarding checklist for brands joining a trade showroom
Vendor onboarding checklist for designers joining Faura ! Hands unpacking and inspecting design samples Send a brand dossier, two showroom-ready samples and a clear trade price list to begin onboarding at Faura.
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Journal · 19 August 2026
Brand activations in London: the showroom-first playbook
Brand activations in London: the showroom-first playbook ! Hand arranging material samples in showroom For a showroom-hosted brand activation in London, book a trade-facing space with proper specification infrastructure and an on-site event manager already assigned.
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Journal · 19 August 2026
Interior design presentation boards: a practical guide
Interior design presentation boards: a practical guide ! Hands assembling interior design presentation board A professional interior design presentation board is a curated, client-facing document that turns concept into a decision.
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Journal · 17 August 2026
Studio Designer vs Design Manager: which studios should pick
Studio Designer vs Design Manager: which studios should pick ! Hands sorting design samples and swatches Studio Designer suits firms that need item-level procurement and integrated accounting under one roof; Design Manager suits mid-size firms wanting pre-loaded vendor catalogues and a standalone general ledger.
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Guide · Client hosting · 29 July 2026 · 8 min read
Where to Present an Interior Design Scheme to a Client in London
Discover how to present an interior design scheme to clients at Faura’s Westminster showroom, with staged materials, private space and expert support.
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Guide · Fit-out sourcing · 27 July 2026 · 10 min read
Interior Fit-Out Sourcing in London: How One Showroom Covers Beyond Furniture
Discover how Faura’s London showroom simplifies full interior fit-outs with furniture, joinery, lighting, bathrooms, stone, paints, hardware and contractors.
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Guide · Surfaces · 25 July 2026 · 9 min read
Stone, Porcelain and Marble Surfaces for London Interiors
Compare marble, natural stone and large-format porcelain for London interiors. Explore Florim, Cosentino and Margraf at Faura's Westminster showroom.
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Guide · Specification · 22 July 2026 · 10 min read
Where to Source Furniture, Lighting and Finishes for a London Project: A Specifier's Guide
A specifier's guide to sourcing furniture, lighting and finishes for a London project — design districts, trade showrooms and sample libraries.
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Guide · Italian brands · 20 July 2026 · 9 min read
Italian Furniture Brands London Designers Should Know in 2026
Explore eight Italian furniture, lighting and textile brands London interior designers should know in 2026, from Laura Meroni to Dedar. Discover them.
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Guide · Trade accounts · 18 July 2026 · 9 min read
How Interior Designers Open a Trade Account for Designer Furniture in London
How London interior designers open a trade account for designer furniture: eligibility, documents required and how to make the most of trade access.
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Guide · London showrooms · 14 July 2026 · 9 min read
The Best Luxury Furniture Showrooms in London (2026 Guide)
A 2026 guide to luxury furniture showrooms in London — including Faura's trade-only Westminster showroom alongside other established names.
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Guide · Trade practice · 10 July 2026 · 9 min read
Trade-Only vs Retail Furniture Showrooms in London: What's the Difference?
Compare trade-only and retail furniture showrooms in London, including access, pricing, samples and specification support. Read the practical guide.
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Visit the showroom
See the full brand roster in person at the Faura Interior Design Residency in Westminster. Trade visits are by confirmed appointment.