Grateful for such a thoughtful and inspiring conversation. Thank you, Feizy Rugs for hosting, ML Interiors Group/The Design Bakehouse for moderating, and Ryann Swan & The Dove Agency for sharing your insights and perspectives.
At Alisha Taylor Interiors, procurement is a critical part of how we deliver a high-touch client experience. Every item we specify, every order we place, and every delivery we coordinate is directly tied to the trust our clients place in us.
As I joined the panel discussion “White-Glove or Bottleneck? How Procurement Shapes the Client Experience” at High Point Market, I shared why we’ve chosen to keep procurement in-house, allowing us to maintain full oversight of every item and ensure each detail meets our standards.
Our Procurement Model
Our firm operates with a fully integrated procurement team. This means that from the moment a piece is specified to the day it is installed, our team is managing every step of the process internally.
We made this decision early on because we believe that the design vision should be carried through without compromise. Alisha adds, “Procurement is where that vision becomes reality, and maintaining control over that process allows us to uphold the level of quality and precision our clients expect.”
Creating the Client Experience
As our firm has grown, we have been intentional about building a team structure that supports that growth. Procurement is managed by our Operations Director, Rebecca Phillips, whose focus is on tracking, coordination, and execution.
This allows our designers to stay focused on the creative process while our procurement team ensures that every detail is moving forward as planned. We also rely on clear systems and workflows that keep projects organized. This structure is what allows us to scale without compromising the client experience.
Handling Challenges and Accountability
Procurement involves many moving parts, and challenges do arise. Delays, damages, and vendor issues are part of the reality of working with custom furnishings and multiple suppliers.
What matters is how those situations are handled.
Because our procurement is in-house, accountability remains with us. Our clients are not navigating multiple vendors or trying to resolve issues on their own. Our team steps in, addresses the problem, and works toward a solution quickly and efficiently.
The Realities of In-House Procurement
Managing procurement internally requires a high level of organization, attention to detail, and ongoing communication. It is a significant operational commitment, and it is often more complex than designers anticipate.
Over time, we have refined our processes to better support both our team and our clients. One of the most important lessons has been the value of strong systems and clear communication.
Every project benefits from defined processes, consistent tracking, and proactive updates. These are the elements that prevent issues and create confidence throughout the project. At our firm, procurement is not separate from the design experience. It is an extension of it.
