Have you ever felt overwhelmed by project details, decision-making, or budget constraints threatening your design vision? I’ve been there. After decades in the design industry—especially in the complex world of kitchen and bath renovations—I’ve learned what works and what doesn’t. Now, I want to help you avoid costly mistakes.
With years of experience designing kitchens and baths featured in national publications, I’ve faced every challenge imaginable—tight budgets, impossible timelines, and last minute changes. But through it all, I’ve developed a set of proven strategies that make projects run smoother, more profitable, and, ultimately, more rewarding. And now, I’ve compiled these insights into my exclusive design guides—so you don’t have to learn the hard way.
My guides give you practical tools to apply immediately in your business. From communication scripts to budgeting worksheets and design checklists, these aren’t just ‘nice-to-have’ resources—they’re game-changers. Imagine confidently walking into every meeting, knowing you have a roadmap for success at your fingertips.
For those of you who do not know me, I’m Sharon L. Sherman, founder of Thyme & Place Design, and I’m excited to share my Kitchen & Bath Design Toolkit and the Ultimate Guide to Kitchen & Bath Business Success with you.
Why I’m Sharing My Hard-Earned Wisdom
You might wonder why I’m eager to share my insights after building a successful design firm. The answer is simple: I love this industry and believe in paying it forward.
One valuable lesson from my early career stands out clearly. A client had selected beautiful custom cabinetry for their luxury kitchen, but I hadn’t created a thorough documentation system for final design approval. When the cabinets arrived, there was confusion about some design elements, and without a clear paper trail, resolving the situation became challenging and costly. That experience taught me the importance of comprehensive documentation and client sign-offs – systems I’ve since refined and included in these guides to help other designers avoid similar situations.
Over the years, I’ve seen too many talented designers struggle with the business side of kitchen and bath design. That’s why I’ve created two resources to help:
- The Free Kitchen & Bath Design Toolkit – This comprehensive resource covers everything from technical skills to material selection. It’s perfect for anyone wanting to understand the fundamentals of kitchen and bath design.
- The Ultimate Guide to Kitchen & Bath Business Success – A detailed three-guide paid download that dives deep into the business aspects, complete with templates, contracts and systems I’ve refined over decades.
And here’s some exciting news: I’m offering a special 20% launch discount on all guides through May 1, 2025.
The Free Toolkit: Your Foundation for Success
When I was starting, I spent countless hours creating specifications from scratch for each project. If I had standardized templates like the ones in my toolkit, I could have saved hundreds of hours and avoided costly specification errors. Working with templates like these can help you avoid costly mistakes and save your credibility with your contractor and team. These are precisely the kinds of pitfalls my toolkit helps you avoid. I’ve structured this free resource to give you a solid kitchen and bath design foundation.
The Kitchen & Bath Design Toolkit, which includes essential information about:
- Technical skills for kitchen and bath design
- Material selection guides
- Project management basics
- Client communication strategies
- Technology integration tips
- And more!
Taking Your Interior Design Business to the Next Level
For those ready to take the next step, I’ve created a comprehensive three-guide series that shares the exact systems that built my successful design firm. One of my favorite parts of the guides addresses how to avoid decision paralysis. I once had a project delayed by six weeks because of an open selection for the hardware. I now use a structured timeline for decisions that I share in my guides – a system that has saved countless projects from costly delays.
The guide series includes:
- Design Phase: Foundation for Success
- Procurement Phase: Systems That Scale
- Job Completion Phase: Creating Lifelong Clients
And dozens of downloadable templates and checklists!
Leslie DePalma of Oakleigh Interiors recently shared: “Sharon was instrumental in guiding me to executing a multi-faceted project out of state… She was right on target with her insights, her expertise was invaluable.”
Why Two Different Resources?
I’ll let you in on a little secret – after kissing quite a few frogs to find my “World’s Greatest Contractor” (yes, that’s what I call him!), I learned that success in this industry comes in stages. The free toolkit gives you the fundamental knowledge to create beautiful, functional spaces and find the right team to bring those spaces to life. The paid guides provide the business systems and templates that took me years to develop.
Early in my career, I dedicated a lot of time to managing projects, which, in hindsight, impacted my profitability. Today, my refined systems flag potential issues before they arise, streamlining workflow and ensuring seamless execution. For instance, my project checklist would have prevented the time a plumber arrived ready to install fixtures that hadn’t yet been delivered. What was once an embarrassing and costly mistake is now a non-issue, thanks to the efficiency and foresight built into my current processes.
Ready to Transform Your Interior Design Business?
You know what makes me smile these days? Seeing designers I’ve mentored succeed.
Whether you’re just starting or looking to scale your established business, I’m here to help. I may have spent four decades perfecting these systems, but who’s counting? (Okay, I am, but only because each year taught me something valuable to share!)
Start with the free Kitchen & Bath Design Toolkit on my website. When you’re ready to implement the exact systems that have generated millions in successful projects, check out The Ultimate Guide to Kitchen & Bath Business Success – now available at 20% off through May 1, 2025.
Remember, as I often tell my mentees: in kitchen and bath design, you’re not just creating spaces; you’re crafting experiences. Let me help you make those experiences exceptional – for both you and your clients.
Ready to take your kitchen and bath design business to the next level? Grab my exclusive design guides today and start implementing the strategies that have helped me build a successful, stress-free design practice. Click below to get instant access!
