OK sit back people, I feel a rant coming on!
More and more I am finding the need to “Explain” my profession. As soon as I tell someone I’m an Interior Designer, I usually get the response of, “Cool job” or “I’ve could do that, I’ve always had a knack for decorating” or “It must be great to have such a fun job”.
In a way they’re right. It is fun. But the “fun part” that most people refer to is choosing colour schemes and selecting pretty fabrics.
But there’s a bit more to it than that. Yes I get to choose the paint colour and fabrics, but I also need to specify the fixtures and furnishings; meet with architects, builders and tradesmen; design the window treatments; select the flooring; evaluate the lighting requirements and quite often act as a marriage guidance counsellor! 🙂
And before I can do any of that there’s space planning; floor plans; elevations; detailed specifications and schedules. Then if like me you run your own business there’s also the admin and accounting side of the business.
So why do it if it’s that hard, I hear you ask. Why …….. Because I love it. I eat, sleep and breathe design. Nothing gives me more pleasure than transforming a space from the ordinary to the extraordinary. The look of excitement on a clients face when they first see the transformation still makes my heart skip a beat.
Interior Design is an art form. While it is our creativity that makes us Designers, it is our technical, financial and organisational skills which is our business. It is our Intellectual Property which merits our worth and like any other professional service adds value to the client.
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I know exactly what you mean Karen and I have to admit that my marriage guidance counselling skills aren't the best which is why I have decided to concentrate on the online side of the business!! My top tip to all women is to leave the husband out of it totally when they are in discussions with the interior designer 😉
Great blog post, we really must get together for that coffee in March!!
Definitely Lorna, we cannot let another month go by. I'll send you an email later.
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Hi Karen,
Great post – I couldn't agree more. Some people just think you go around from house to house drinking coffee and having chats! They don't realise how much organisation and project management is required. It's a real multi-tasking job but yeah that's why I love it too – everyday is completely different and you meet some great people. It is a pain though when you have to spend some hours doing admin or the books when you would much rather be working on a project.
Cheers, Julianne
Yes Julianne it is the variety that makes it all worthwhile. But I must admit…. I DO drink a lot of coffee 🙂
Greetings from Austin, Texas. Great article in explaining how our profession works. I’ve always struggled in explaining to folks what it is we do. Maybe I’ll just print off this article and leave it with my clients lol.
We agree that designing is more than picking colours and fabrics. We are always looking for clever designers that truly understand the complete picture and from reading your blog it seems you get it. We may have something we can offer you. Please check us out at http://www.hotelieronline.com and choose the designers link to see if we could offer you an opportunity that would be too good to waste!
Will do 🙂
Oh its so true!
I love it when someone says "well I mean its not that hard really is it, just pick a colour and throw in some cushions – job done"
I wish marriage guidance counselling had been one of the classes – that has been some crazy on the job training! haha
hi,
this article is so useful to know more information and ideas…..