The Proven Model: How Red Pen Procurement Was Built from the Inside Out
An FF&E purchasing agency created to protect design and deliver it on spec, on schedule, and under one roof.
Most designers know the frustration. You write specs. You get client approval. Then somewhere between purchase order and install day, the process fractures. A warehouse company handles receiving. A separate crew handles installation. So on and so forth. Nobody's coordinating. And your specs? Half of them have been swapped for alternative products.
Red Pen Procurement was built because Melissa Banko lived that cycle as a working designer and refused to accept it as normal.
This case study traces how Red Pen went from an internal procurement arm supporting BD Studio Collection projects to a full-service FF&E purchasing agency partnering with designers, architects, and developers across the country. You'll see the specific problems Red Pen was built to solve, how the model works from estimate through final walkthrough, and why designers who use it get their time back without losing control of their specs.
Have questions about how Red Pen works with your team?
Red Pen manages the full FF&E procurement lifecycle: pricing, purchasing, warehousing, inventory management, assembly, installation of furniture, art, and drapery, trash removal from the site, and post-install punch items and damage claims. Full-service or à la carte. One team from start to finish.
Industries served: Multifamily, Senior Living, Hospitality, Private Clubs, Restaurants, Commercial & Mixed-Use.
OUR SERVICES
Finalize Pricing
Our team works tirelessly to leverage our buying power and provide you with the best prices on your specified items.
Place Orders
Rather than picking apart your specs, our agents will order exactly what you’ve chosen as soon as we receive the order.
Track Orders
Communication is our middle name. Once ordered, we will keep you in the loop as your order makes its way to our warehouse.
Inventory Management
Typically, orders don’t all arrive at once, so we have an internal tracking system that ensures that all items are accounted for.
Receive & Warehouse
Our warehouse is connected to our office, so our team can receive and store all orders, while providing ample oversight.
Inspect Product
Once received, our warehouse team will unbox and inspect each item, ensuring all items are undamaged.
Furniture Assembly
Before the date of your installation, our warehouse team will assemble all your product, as needed.
Install Projects
We have an expert install team AND a procurement agent sent to each of our installs to manage the process from start to finish.
Trash Removal
After the successful installation, our team will remove all trash from your property.