“Do you make Curtains and Cushions?” As a professional interior designer, that’s the phone call we’re afraid to receive!
It happens more than you think; Then I have to continue explaining (without sounding condescending) what this person really needs is an interior decorator, this will certainly continue with me having to explain in more detail what the differences are between the two disciplines and try to address them. in an appropriate direction.
I don’t blame these people for confusing the two; the general public has been fed hours and hours of “instant” makeover TV shows and continuous glossy magazine features, all under the misleading label of Interior Design. This too has led those in the Interior Decoration and Soft Furniture business to elevate their tiles to Interior Designers; Again, I don’t blame them for doing this, it makes business sense to sell more. But the lines have become blurred as to what these two very different services offer – there is a market for both approaches, but when the confusion resides with the customer, this has to be a bad thing!
So here with this series of articles Home Interiors – Client’s Guide – I will address the key aspects for clients who have a Interior design project in mind as to how a Designer should look, what to look for, how they work and get paid, how to get the best out of them and how a project takes off to become a finished built reality.
ABOUT THE INTERIOR DESIGN OF THE HOME
Home interior design should not be confused with home interior decoration, as it tends to be just a surface treatment to give a property a makeover or “remodel”. Home / residential / household interior design (whatever you call it) is a much more fundamental approach to the way you live in a property and how a building can be made to work for the needs of individual owners. This will not just be a coat of paint (some new curtains and cushions), it will likely start with an in-depth rethinking of how the property is planned and may involve some considerable changes before one thinks about the décor.
Interior designers who specialize in home design can be considered interior architects, and their skills should cover all aspects of construction and architectural work on a property, including minor / major structural alterations and building extensions, etc. They will go on to cover all the “decor” elements such as colors, finishes, and furnishings, but this is not necessarily the starting point for a project. Kitchens, bathrooms, stairs, etc. are some of the central planning elements that can structurally and technically change the design of a building; the flow and shape of a property can change dramatically as you approach these areas.
All the technical services that make up an Interior Design project will be carried out by the Designer; Electricity, lighting, plumbing, heating and ventilation, etc., are critical and should be designed in the early stages of a scheme, even if they are just the beginnings of how they can work. It is becoming even more important these days with the opportunity for the customer to add energy efficiency solutions for the entire building to their project.
Many Clients only have a very basic idea or framework of what they want from a project; However, it is the role of the Designers to obtain that information and bring out the full details of their requirements from the Client, which then forms the project brief. This can be a very personal experience with the Designer asking questions about how you live now and the changes you want to make in your lifestyle. Be as open as you can, as this forms an important foundation for any new design, remember that the Designer is designing for you and not for them, so they need to know how YOU work.
For most Clients, they really enjoy this consultation as it may be the first time that they have really thought about their lifestyle and what they really need from the project, in addition to a floor, walls and ceiling. A good Designer will have the talent of a “pickpocket”, you will not know that so much information has been taken away from you until you see the first design concept, and then you will realize that the smallest details that reflect you and your style have been included of life.
HOW DO YOU FIND A GOOD DESIGNER?
Personal recommendations are always good, but remember, the Designer has designed for the person who gave you the recommendation, so even if your project is not to your liking, this does not necessarily mean that the Designer cannot design to your liking. If you were satisfied that the Designer produced a solid creative solution that matched your instructions, then this Designer could probably meet your project requirements.
Websites are a good way to view a designer’s portfolio without making direct contact. Use search engines and directories to keep track of designers who are within the wide area as far as where you live. It’s no good having a Designer from Scotland if you live in London, and vice versa, so aim for a relatively local area of around a 50 mile search radius! Also be aware of companies that call themselves Interior Designers, but are actually home furnishing companies and are only really interested in selling from your store or showroom. The “free design service” offers will always have a sales agenda behind them. A true design consultant will be totally independent from any affiliated retail business and will use the global market to get what is right for your project, with no commission or incentive.
Professional bodies like The Chartered Society of Designers have registries of designers in your area and can be contacted for a list. They also have a website that you can visit. The Chartered Society of Designers is a body that vets individual designers to ensure they meet a professional standard, starting with a student quantification “Diploma Member” and then “Member” (MCSD), and the highest level is “Fellow” (FCSD). ) and you should look for these or similar qualifications in your Designer.
I hope this has given you a taste of the world of home interior design and if you are considering hiring a designer, knowing how to start making a selection will help. Part of that selection process will be that first meeting (without obligation) with them; What can you expect from this? Look for the next article in this series by Chris Page.