What is an Interior Designer and what do we do?
“Design won’t save the world.” That’s true. “But it damn sure makes it look good.” That too is true.
Great Designs makes the world LOOK better, FEEL better, SOUND better, TASTE better and SMELL better!
Great design enhances our senses! Great design creates enjoyable experiences!
Designers, in all areas, strive for this…
What is an Interior Designer and what do we do?
“I wear black, because my life is colourful!” (1rst Post also on Instagram)
Have you ever asked this question, wondered what’s the differenced between an Interior designer & an Interior decorator, and why are we so often seen in black?
Wikipedia States~
“Interior design is the art & science of understanding people's behaviour to create functional spaces within a building.
Decoration is the furnishing or adorning of a space with decorative elements, sometimes complemented by advice and practical assistance.
In short, interior designers may decorate, but decorators do not design.”
So which one of the two should you hire for a project?
The best person to hire for your project depends largely on what your project involves.
Much of the two professions overlap, both require artistic ability, skills in details, interpersonal skills, problem solving and visualization skills.
I am both, an interior designer & an interior decorator.
I’ll first tell you about Interior Designers.
Interior design follows a systematic methodology, research & analysis & an integration of knowledge into the creative process to meet a client’s needs.
Designers will often draw up the initial floor plans, enhancing the look and function.
Interior designers may decorate, but are expected to achieve a higher level of education, usually a minimum of 2 to 4 years of specialized skills.
Interior Designers will study colour, fabric, space planning, and structural execution, furniture design and design history, cad training and some architecture.
They work with architects and contractors, reading blue prints, finalizing design plans, adhere to local building codes and safety, do cad drawings, consider space and human factors, barrier free considerations, material & specifications lighting and textile selections.
When hiring always do your research & remember ALWAYS, like anything, check with more than one credible source for references, always check at least THREE!
Remember there are lots of professionals out there, but that doesn’t not always mean they are the right fit for you & your project!
Nor does it mean they are good, honest, or fair.
“Interior design is the business of trust” quote V.Williams ~
I love this quote, so true in the design world!
You need to trust the person you are going to work with.
One of the most important ingredients in any relationship is trust!
When there is trust between a client and an interior designer a successful working relationship develops, putting both a client & the designer at ease in a comfort zone of honesty.
A client needs to be able to trust enough in their chosen designer to communicate their authentic self & have faith in the designers’ guidance, advice, input and direction.
A designer needs to trust the client.
Any successful, professional working relationship is always a two-way street.
When this happens, magic happens, a beautiful space to have and be in!
“I wear black, why my life is colourful” (2nd Post)
What is an Interior Decorator and what do we do?
Still wondering about that difference between an Interior designer & an Interior decorator?
As mentioned both professions overlap interior decorators, however, are not required to have formal training, although some & many do. They cannot move walls, they are not involved in the structural execution.
Their focus is only on the aesthetics. They can take the bare bones of a room or an out of date space and transform it!
That’s where colour comes in!
Designers’ ideas are often in colour, continuously researching & selecting the perfect colours for clients through out a project; in paints, fabrics, wallpapers, tiles, stones, floorings, draperies, area rugs.
We also analyze elements such as scale, proportions, textures, patterns, volume, and shapes.
New design items are selected, arranging furniture layouts, hanging wall art; all bringing a new look to a space.
Even when I am not working on a project, as an interior designer & interior decorator, I analyze colour it’s second nature.
The interior decorator/ing is all about the love of details, it’s helping a client unite their individual expression with the details in their home, it’s a part I most love in a project.
“Why wear black, if life is Colourful” (3rd post)
Designers are often seen wearing black, we seem to have a love affair with it, and are often asked why.
As an interior designer & interior decorator, I love black.
I am often working with colour, wearing black keeps every thing neutral, simple, uncomplicated.
It’s still about elements in design, the cut, shape, structure and texture, but without a focus on any colour, instead the focus is all about client and their choices in colours.
Plus, for me, who happens to also adore fashion, it reminds me of Paris! :)
Always sophisticated! Always professional!
It is Chic, Timeless, Elegant w/a Silent Self-Assurance and Mystery!
And,
a space/home should always have a touch of black, no matter how much colour, always a touch of black, keeping it grounded,
and add a touch of mystery!
PS. LOVE for humanity, that is what will save this world!:)!
Design quote: credit Mary Crawford.
“Underneath all our layers there is beauty, love brings it forth” -Helen.
