Yesterday's article, "The Dos and Don'ts of Professional Collaboration," provided tips for working successfully with other professionals on projects. The same topic has also engendered much discussion among K+BB's LinkedIn group, K+BB Designers Network, and began with an interior designer asking: "What is the most effective way for an interior designer to collaborate with a kitchen and bath designer?" Following are some responses.


• "The most important aspect of this type of collaboration is R-E-S-P-E-C-T, as Aretha would say...Anyway, the best experiences I've had working with interior designers were when we both acknowledged the other's abilities—without being condescending—and clearly established the responsibilities for each of us on that project. Communication, up front, is essential. This applies to project partnerships with architects, general contractors and installers as well. It's a win-win situation for everyone—especially the client.

The quickest, most simple response to your question is to pick up the phone and give the kitchen designer a call...or email, if you must. Assuming that you've researched the designer's work history, you could mention this in a positive way and that you could use their assistance on your project(s). Be prepared to talk about compensation (especially these days) and your usual procedures. As a kitchen designer, I would be thrilled to receive this kind of call. And I personally like having a conversation—voice to voice—in lieu of email. You can return to email once you've established a working relationship. But that's just my personal opinion. I'd be interested in your response to the same question in reverse: What's the best way for a kitchen and bath designer to collaborate with an interior designer?"


• "I think it makes sense to collaborate in areas where we (kitchen and bath designers) are lacking. For me, that's the interior design part of things. I can always do fine when we are dealing with neutrals, but strong colors and textures throw me for a loop. It's best to bring on an interior designer for the clients who say, 'I want to see my kitchen (bath, etc.) on the cover of X magazine.' I like to work with interior designers who have no idea as to how to design a kitchen but have a great sense of style and color. That way there won't be the competition that can happen when we step on each other's toes."


• "As a certified kitchen and bath designer, I have created many beautiful kitchens and left the final touches up to the homeowner. When I've gone back to photograph the kitchen, I find the same old canister set and toaster on the counters. Even worse, the color of the walls is horrid, and the drapes and cushions lack style. This year, I have contacted a leading designer in my area. Our deal is that whoever secures the job first is the lead designer. If I am the lead designer, as a CKD, I build into my price a consultation for the interior designer at her regular price. If she makes further sales (furniture, drapery, etc.) she gives me back a small percentage as a commission for leading her to the job. On the other hand, if the interior designer is the lead designer and pulls me into the job for the cabinetry, I give her a small percentage of the sold price of the cabinetry. There are few loyalties without compensation. However, by sharing our clients we are doubling our business."


• "Beware of collaborations before developing a working relationship. I now charge a retainer fee, regardless of the client, to ensure I'm compensated. I expect the same from the interior designer. There is no substitute for personally getting to know whom you're dealing with—in person! Seems to me like more people rely on telephones and computers rather than face-to-face communication; I'm just as guilty, and now I know what I'll work on for 2010."


• "Last year I vetted several interior designers/decorators for collaboration (via LinkedIn, actually) and made several great connections. For me, the collaboration is most comfortable when the lines are—as several people have said—very clearly drawn, both between us and with the client. For instance, even if the person hired to handle an upholstered banquette also designs kitchens, I need to know that the person is not going to cross boundaries and try to grab the client's business. Clients themselves don't always know where the boundaries are. They can innocently just be 'thinking out loud' about a space and suddenly the other designer is offering to design their bathroom! If two designers are on a project together—whether self-chosen or client-chosen—they need to have boundaries defined, such as one handles fabrics and soft goods, the other handles tiles and permanently installed fixtures, or whatever their deal is."


• "Discussing the boundaries up front is definitely the key to a successful project. I think it is important to note who leads the job with the customer—this may be decided based on experience, or on who brought the client to the table."


• "As a professional kitchen designer working directly with the residential design community for nearly 25 years, most (if not all) of my jobs have been with interior designers. The key to creating a successful relationship with the interior design community is to create procedures and protocols up front and on the first meeting. I have the designer register with us their entire business ID listing: trade membership, resale number and social security numbers. We are clear up front on the commission structure and how it will be paid out and what their responsibility is in the process with the client."


• "I am an interior designer as well as a kitchen/bath designer and dealer. I love working with designers and their clients and I think we always come up with a far superior design together. They know their clients better, but few designers know that much about cabinets or kitchen design. After I propose the plan and we come to a conclusion, the designers work with me to do all of the specifications for products and finishes. I know these products and can make suggestions on the right products for specific applications, design and function. Because I am an RN (16 years before I went back to school to study interior design), I stress to clients how good ergonomic design will aid in the longevity of their independence and reduce fatigue.

My compensation package for designers is a percentage of the products and cabinet sales and can range anywhere from 5 to 15 percent, depending on the overall project budget, the time I have to spend with their client and the number of change orders. I am very transparent with pricing—the client gets the same bill as the designer. If the designer wants the compensation, they have to bill their client through their business and if they want to pass on the reduced price to their client, that's fine, too.

I really prefer to work with designers, architects and high-end builders; they tend to make decisions more rapidly."

To read all of the comments in response to this question, visit the K+BB Designers Network discussion. Not a member of LinkedIn? Sign up here.