Hello!
I am so excited to start my very first blog post for Smith Interior Design. It has been a dream of mine ever since starting this path down interior design road to open my own studio. It just took a little push and hello! here we are :)
For our first post I wanted to start by sharing the difference between an Interior Designer and an Interior Decorator. Unless you know someone who is one or studied the craft, most people are unaware that there is even a difference. Well I am here to share the difference and why it is important to hire the correct one for your project.
I saw it best described by qpractice.com as saying this:
"Interior design is the art and science of understanding people’s behavior to create functional spaces within a building. Decoration is the furnishing or adorning of a space with fashionable or beautiful things. In short, interior designers may decorate, but decorators do not design. Interior designers apply creative and technical solutions within a structure that are functional, attractive and beneficial to the occupants’ quality of life and culture. Designs respond to and coordinate with the building shell and acknowledge the physical location and social context of the project."
Many if not all Interior Designers have gone to school and received their 4-year degree and numerous have gone on to be licensed and accredited by the state. Being licensed means you have taken that extra step and are now certified to sign your name on architectural documents/floor plans and are capable to work on commercial buildings. Residential designers don't necessarily need to be licensed but many like to make that distinction as it is quite prestigious in the design world.
Interior Decorators have a great eye but have many limitations when it comes to the science of design. Selecting paint, decorative pillows, beautiful artwork, etc. are all in their arsenal and sometimes thats all you need! But if you need something a little more in-depth like a remodel, floor plans, or anything of that magnitude...do yourself a favor and hire a designer. You'll be glad you did!
