Workspace feature, Trade requests and brand chat

Talk to the brand
without leaving the project.

Request trade access, samples, lead times, product details, quotes and ordering support directly from brands registered on The Design Index. The conversation stays inside Workspace, while email notifications make sure neither side misses a reply.

Ask the brand.
Keep the reply.
Move the project forward.
Rue de Varenne · Brand conversations
The Design Index brand network
Trade requests & brand chat
Active conversations04
Awaiting brand reply02
Trade requests approved07
Open quotes03
Flos 1

We can confirm an estimated 4–5 week lead time...

B&B Italia

Attached is the project pricing for the selected sofa...

Antolini

Yes, we can arrange an Arabescato Viola sample...

Kave Home

Your trade request has been approved for this project.

Direct brand conversation

Flos

Lighting · Trade & lead time

Hi, we’re specifying two pendant lights for our Rue de Varenne Apartment project. Could you please confirm trade pricing and current lead time for the selected finish?
You · 09:18
Hi, thanks for reaching out. Your designer trade account is eligible for project pricing. We can confirm an estimated 4–5 week lead time for the finish you selected.
Flos · 10:42
Would you also like us to prepare a formal quote for two units including delivery to Paris?
Flos · 10:43
Yes please, that would be perfect. Could you also confirm whether a finish sample is available?
You · 10:45
Trade request attached
Request typeQuote + sample
ProjectRue de Varenne
Quantity2 units
StatusAwaiting brand
Why it matters

Stop hunting for the right sales rep every time you specify something.

If the brand is already part of The Design Index, the studio can start the conversation from the same project where the product is being specified.

01

Request trade support directly.

Ask about designer pricing, trade-account access, MOQs, stock, product details and availability from the brand itself.

02

Request samples and quotes.

Keep sample requests, project quantities and formal quote discussions attached to the project instead of scattered between inboxes.

03

Never miss the reply.

Workspace keeps the chat history, while both sides also receive email notifications when a new message arrives.

Two-way communication

The conversation works for the designer and the brand.

The designer sends the request from Workspace. The brand sees it in its own brand account, can reply in the same conversation, and both sides receive email notifications when they are away.

Designer side

Ask without leaving the project.

Start from the product or brand, include the project context and request exactly what you need.

Trade pricingRequest
SampleRequest
Lead timeAsk
Quote / order helpAsk
Brand side

Reply from the same thread.

The brand receives the message in its Design Index account and by email, then can respond with pricing, availability, quotes, samples or next steps.

Workspace notificationYes
Email notificationYes
Project contextIncluded
Conversation historySaved
Everything connects

A brand reply can immediately move the project forward.

Because the conversation is attached to the project, useful information from the brand can feed straight into specification, budgeting and procurement decisions.

FF&E

Ask from the product you already specified.

Product details and project context are already there when the studio starts a conversation.

Budget

Quotes can inform project cost.

Once the brand confirms pricing, the designer can use the real amount in the live project budget.

Procurement

Lead time informs ordering.

Availability and estimated delivery dates help the studio decide when an item needs to be ordered.

Brand relationships

Keep the relationship, not just the message.

Every new project becomes another point of direct contact between the studio and brands on The Design Index.

The network inside the workflow

Specification becomes a direct line to the brand.

Instead of sourcing through a directory and then starting over in email, Workspace keeps the brand relationship connected to the work already happening inside the project.

Trade requests and brand chat inside Workspace

Specify it.
Ask the brand.
Keep moving.

Direct conversations with brands, project-specific trade requests and email notifications, all from the same Workspace.

THE DESIGN INDEX · WORKSPACE