Active client projects with vendor coordination, in-flight installations, FF&E delivery windows — solo interior designers face vacation logistics most clients never see. Here's how to take time off cleanly.
Quick answer
Solo interior designers vacation with (1) vendor coordination handed off to a covering designer or project manager, (2) installation dates scheduled around the vacation window, (3) clear client communication about any delivery / vendor questions during the trip, (4) inquiry routing for new-business leads.
→ The mechanical fix
Project routing during vacation.
Vendor questions route to covering PM or designer.
List active projects and their installation/delivery windows.
Anything scheduled to deliver during trip: confirm or reschedule.
Anything scheduled to install during trip: hand off to covering designer or shift the trip.
Vendor POs in flight: confirm receipt and brief covering PM on payment thresholds.
Covering designer / PM arrangement
Two options:
Covering designer. A peer designer who can answer vendor calls, approve substitutions, and manage installation issues. Compensated per-hour or per-project flat.
Project manager (fractional). A PM who handles vendor coordination but escalates design decisions to you (or defers them).
Client communication
2 weeks before trip: email each active client with dates and covering designer/PM info.
'I'll be out [dates]. [Covering designer/PM] is handling vendor coordination during this window. They have full context on your project. Direct contact: [phone/email]. I'll be back in touch when I return.'
// Project routing
Vendor and installation questions route to covering PM.
Active projects don't stall during your trip. 14 days free.