ARE INTERIOR DESIGNERS OVERHYPED, part II
In an earlier post, I talked about some things a licensed interior designer can do for you. Well, there's actually more!
Decide on your material specifications.
What exactly does this entail? It means suggesting the most appropriate pattern, style, color and type of fabric that is suitable for you. It also touches on types of metal, wood, tile, wallpaper, paint, glass, flooring and any other material related to building your space.
Why is it important? For example, do you know that stainless steel has many grades? Yes, I found this out the hard way (before I was an interior designer) when I bought my shower caddy from a local department store. No wonder it was cheap, it was the wrong type and thus, after a few months, you guessed it, it rusted and broke off! Yes, not all stainless steel is equal!
Talk to all those involved in the building of your space.
We talk to architects, engineers, suppliers, contractors, carpenters, painters, electrician, plumbers... ok, all sorts of people. We do this to ensure that everything in your approved design is thoroughly understood and implemented correctly. Different things happen in a job site. No matter how specific we are with our drawings, there are times that clarifications are needed and construction problems need to be solved.
Ergonomics
What is ergonomics and why should we even care? Ergonomics, or human factor engineering, optimizes a human's well-being through proper design. That is why when we talk about ergonomic chairs, it means that the chair was specifically designed for your comfort--less strain, less back problems with the proper lumbar support. We as interior designers are trained to design the proper sizes of furniture and how it affects the user. That is why there are chairs that you can't figure out why they are uncomfortable and there are those that are simply right! I've seen this on many restaurants. You know how the booth seating is one of the most occupied (at least locally here in Manila)? There are some that make you sit awkwardly or simply isn't right.
Light your space!
Light can do so much for you. Whether you want a romantic evening or a casual dinner with the family, the right lighting design helps you achieve that. Lighting can also highlight your book collection or a certain artwork. Even for mundane tasks, we need the right light.
Look for suppliers!
I don't know if this is normal but I love hunting for suppliers. You know that perfect moment when you finally found the perfect piece! Whatever it may be, I like going to home depots, furniture stores, thrift stores, art galleries, other obscure places... Yes, I guess I love shopping! hahahaha! It's fun to look for elusive things. Although it surely isn't fun when you still can't find it. Anyway, part of my job is to search for items (whether decorative or non-decorative) that you need for your home. It's not just the pretty pieces but also even hardware that makes your life easier--hardware that enables you to just push on the drawer for it to open smoothly... things like that. I guess I'm weird in the sense that I like hardware stores!
Style and beautify.
With all the processes and details involved in interior design and construction, normally what you see is the result of all that work. Of course, we want your space to look gorgeous! Who doesn't? We studied history of art and architecture and we constantly update ourselves to ensure that we know the rules. When you know the rules, then you'll know how to break them, right?!
One of the best things that make me happy is after all the hard work, when I see the delight and happiness in my client's eyes, I truly know that I had done my job well!
In case you missed my earlier post, check HERE!