Student Interior Designers Often Learn About The History of Their Profession

In their training, student interior designers often learn about the history of their profession. This can be a really important way to give context to their subsequent careers. In this article, I will draw on my experience as an interior designer and educator to discuss the history of this exciting field.

The earliest professional interior designers were based in London – the British had become intrigued by Egyptian techniques of decorating household objects and wanted the same for themselves. London families became desperate to employ an interior designer to create magical spaces and accessorise their interiors. As interior designers came to be recognised as professionals, they increasingly found a need to draw on history to create fabulous results. This was particularly true when creating designs for historic London mansions or listed buildings – they saw historical reflections as a way of preserving the past while also looking to the future.

THE ANCIENT ROMANS

In Ancient Rome, citizens demanded comfort, luxury and wealth. These elements are still important in the work of interior designers across the world today. The lavish decorations, tapestries and iconic stonework today remain as timeless and popular in London as in Tokyo or Sydney. The Ancient Romans adored bespoke furniture and loved quality textiles and expensive fabrics.

MONASTIC TIMES

After the collapse of Roman rule, the church assumed power and largely discouraged the most creative interior designers. Opulent interiors were taken out and interior designers were instructed to install quiet and simple oak panels with dark lines and sharp edges. This influence was felt throughout Europe – from London all the way to Florence.

RENAISSANCE AND REVIVAL

The Renaissance saw the emergence of professional French or French-inspired interior designers. It was a new age of elegance and sophistication, which saw the rebuilding of the London Interior Designer community and a fresh take on creative and beautiful living spaces. A “palatial” feel was rediscovered, and interior designers began to take advantage of new transport axes going through London to the continent and to the Americas in order to rediscover their profession and herald the next generation of design.

This brings to an end my article on how the work of interior designers has changed over the ages. In my next article, I’ll reflect on how interior designers use interior fashions for great effect.

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FRENCH INTERIOR DESIGN 17th 18th century book on CD new US $.99

1922 Architecture Interior Design Arts Crafts Era book US $2.50

BOOK OF SOFT CRAFTS191 PAGESS OF HOME INTERIOR HOW TO AND DESIGN US $5.99

Stunning MOTHER OF PEARL Dragonfly Floral Design BOX Abalone Shell Interior US $42.45

HOME INTERIOR DESIGNS LOVE IS KINDBEAUTIFUL FRAMED PRINT GR8 WEDDING GIFT WOW US $8.00

LARGE ANTIQUE PAIR SILVER ON COPPER CANDLESTICKS SHABBY CHIC INTERIOR DESIGN US $29.66

FOX HUNTING 24 X 24 FELT INTERIOR DESIGN FRENCH HORN EQUESTRIAN ENGLISH HORSE US $295.00

1953 Vintage Home Decorating Book Interior Decoration Design DECO Style 1950s US $.99

Mexico Style Mexican Interior Design Taschen Icons Art Book US $4.99

Showcase of Interior Design Midwest Edition II HBDJ Filled w Fab Interiors Pix US $4.99

The ABCs of Architectural Interior Design Drafting US $9.00

ANTIQUE BLACK LAQUERED PAPIER MACHE BOX FITTED INTERIOR SIGNED ORIENTAL DESIGN US $47.38

Mexx Hand Bag with Bow and polka dot interior design US $13.50

How to Start Interior Design Business ALL MY EBOOKS CD US $1.01

A LARGE VINTAGE BRASS SHIP DESIGN TEA CADDY WITH LINED INTERIOR LOVELY US $15.78

19th Century English Majolica Pitcher w Raised Floral Design Pink Interior US $99.99

DIY Wall Clock Modern Interior Design Deco Decal US $1.99

24 RARE LIMITED ED INTERIOR DESIGN RALPH LAUREN POLO HOME PAINT CATALOG BOOKS US $39.95

VINTAGE ARCHITECTURAL FORUM BOOK NOV 1935 MID CENTURY MODERN INTERIOR DESIGN US $15.99

INTERIOR DESIGN CREATING REDESGNING THE ELEGANT BATHROOM POWDER ROOM US $6.95

The career of an interior designer combines creativity with business expertise and people skills. The traits of successful designers are varied and include:
·Attentive to colors, textures, materials, lighting and layouts in various settings.
·Enjoy designing or remodeling their own and other's environments.
·Are creative and artistic.
·Have the ability to sell.
·Can organize details.
·Communicate and work well with clients and other design professionals.
·Create spaces that are functional, visually appealing, safe and meet all the desired requirements.
·Can clearly identify the purpose and functions of various spaces.
·Understand the client's vision for esthetic qualities, the look and feel, of projects.
·Do research and keep current on latest trends, materials and products.
·Are problem solvers.
·Have ability to analyze designs and plan spaces.
·Possess expertise in interior construction, materials, furniture, equipment and local building codes to help coordinate projects.
·Can read architectural blueprints and create their own drawings.
·Fit together artistic, functional and technical requirements.

Some specific tasks designers become involved with are choosing, negotiating with, scheduling and overseeing installers, invoicing clients, paying for necessary materials and furnishings and making sure codes are met. If you are thinking that being a designer involves more business than artistry, you are right.

The Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA), formerly known as FIDER, oversees programs at colleges and universities and certifies that certain principles and practices are taught. A bachelor's degree from a CIDA school is highly recommended and is the minimum for doing commercial work. Masters and doctorate degrees are offered at many universities. Some of the classes you can expect to take are computer aided drafting, business/marketing, art, drawing, and art, furniture and antique history. You can also expect to spend many hours on design projects.

It is imperative that designers understand not only aesthetics, but also the safety aspects of interiors. Because of this, interior designers are now licensed professionals, much like architects and nurses. The National Council for Interior Design Qualification offers an examination to certify interior designers who have met the minimum standards for professional practice. This exam is the standard to measure the competency of designers.
Before you can take the NCIDQ exam and earn your license to practice, you must have at least six years of working experience, two years of schooling plus four years of work experience or four years in a CIDA college or university plus two years of work experience. You cannot advertise or represent yourself as a registered interior designer unless you meet the minimum education, experience and examination requirements established in your state/province, and apply for use of the state-regulated title with the proper state board.
There are many career paths to take within the realm of interior design. There are residential and commercial design jobs. Within commercial business, you could specialize in schools, hospitals, banks, malls, hotels or restaurants. In larger commercial projects, your job could be project manager, draftsperson or specifier of products. Some professionals go on to be sales representatives for interior products, business owners of design firms, drapery manufacturers or even specialized installers. There are many possibilities for advancement. As our economy grows, so will the need for qualified designers. As people become busier with their personal and professional lives, they have less time to think about decorating and creating environments that reflect themselves. As long as there are homes and businesses, there will be a need for interior designers.

FRENCH INTERIOR DESIGN 17th 18th century book on CD new US $.99

1922 Architecture Interior Design Arts Crafts Era book US $2.50

BOOK OF SOFT CRAFTS191 PAGESS OF HOME INTERIOR HOW TO AND DESIGN US $5.99

Stunning MOTHER OF PEARL Dragonfly Floral Design BOX Abalone Shell Interior US $42.45

HOME INTERIOR DESIGNS LOVE IS KINDBEAUTIFUL FRAMED PRINT GR8 WEDDING GIFT WOW US $8.00

LARGE ANTIQUE PAIR SILVER ON COPPER CANDLESTICKS SHABBY CHIC INTERIOR DESIGN US $29.66

FOX HUNTING 24 X 24 FELT INTERIOR DESIGN FRENCH HORN EQUESTRIAN ENGLISH HORSE US $295.00

1953 Vintage Home Decorating Book Interior Decoration Design DECO Style 1950s US $.99

Mexico Style Mexican Interior Design Taschen Icons Art Book US $4.99

Showcase of Interior Design Midwest Edition II HBDJ Filled w Fab Interiors Pix US $4.99

The ABCs of Architectural Interior Design Drafting US $9.00

ANTIQUE BLACK LAQUERED PAPIER MACHE BOX FITTED INTERIOR SIGNED ORIENTAL DESIGN US $47.38

Mexx Hand Bag with Bow and polka dot interior design US $13.50

How to Start Interior Design Business ALL MY EBOOKS CD US $1.01

A LARGE VINTAGE BRASS SHIP DESIGN TEA CADDY WITH LINED INTERIOR LOVELY US $15.78

19th Century English Majolica Pitcher w Raised Floral Design Pink Interior US $99.99

DIY Wall Clock Modern Interior Design Deco Decal US $1.99

24 RARE LIMITED ED INTERIOR DESIGN RALPH LAUREN POLO HOME PAINT CATALOG BOOKS US $39.95

VINTAGE ARCHITECTURAL FORUM BOOK NOV 1935 MID CENTURY MODERN INTERIOR DESIGN US $15.99

INTERIOR DESIGN CREATING REDESGNING THE ELEGANT BATHROOM POWDER ROOM US $6.95

Interior designers often enter a home armed with a veritable arsenal of creativity and subcontracted resources. In many cases, the secondary services a decorator brings in under his or her invoice adds a certain specialized expertise to robust décor. Professional lighting equipment and lighting design services are crucial to this mix. With the right levels of light, both glare and shadow are dispelled, and the texture and color of artwork springs to light.

Phantom Lighting Representatives, located throughout North America, Central America, and South America, are available to help the interior designer utilize some of the world's most unique and aesthetically superb lighting equipment on the market.

If you are currently working with an interior decorator or interior design firm, we recommend you point them in our direction if they encounter any of the following scenarios relative to fine art and display lighting systems. While a great many interior designers are already working with Phantom Lighting products, many are still discovering us for the first time.

Your interior designer will most likely recommend new artwork as part of his or her overall plan for creating a new look within your home.

Private art collections can transform an interior into a realm of sophistication with very little physical change to the room. The trick is to find equipment from a lighting fixture manufacturer that will maximize the impact of your new collection without damaging the artwork itself or interfering with general room lighting. Any interior designer will tell you that the two biggest aesthetic obstacles to overcome when lighting art are shadows and glare. Any curator or experienced collector will also add that the greatest technological threat to art lighting is ultraviolet radiation and infrared heat-both of which can literally destroy priceless works of creativity and many hours of hard work on the part of your designers.

Retail grade art lights are never recommended because of this. Instead, specialized equipment is needed to maximize the presentation of your pieces and prolong the life of the pieces themselves. Phantom Contour Projectors offer your interior design specialist(s) a sophisticated, low profile light source that will both protect and magnify the handwork of its specialists. Consisting of a low profile fixture that hugs the ceiling unobtrusively out of the viewer's line of site, the Contour picture lights directs a focused beam of light from a halogen lamp whose luminance has been filtered and stripped of UV an IR radiation. This light remains hidden from view until it strikes the object to which it is directed, causing it to glow with an aura of soft, ambient light.

You interior designer can install one or more Contour Projector models (we have six different lines to choose from) to illuminate oils, acrylics, lithographs, prints, professional photography, and 3-dimensional artwork and statuary.

Your interior designer may also install one or more displays in your home.

These display cases can contain anything from antiques to curious to collectibles, and many homes feature highly ornate pieces of furniture in their own right, regardless of contents. Puck lights and standard linear strip lights often do not work well in these cases because they are too difficult to conceal. They are also hard to control, and will often unevenly distribute illumination, creative unattractive combinations of light and shadows in the process.

If your interior designer is facing such a challenge, he or she can contact our Houston headquarters and speak with one of our linear display lighting experts about custom lighting strips.

Phantom LED strip lights are made with a patented glare shielding that prevents excessive spill light into surrounding shelving and cabinets. Festoon lamps that house incandescent, xenon, or led lamps create an ambient glow within displays that enshrouds contents in a radiant luminance. Wine bottles in racks can be silhouetted from behind with our 2800K Festoon lamps that mimic the lighting qualities of white incandescent. Under cabinet lighting can be installed whose luminance matches the color scheme of the kitchen, and Phantom cove lights can be bent to fit any radius or serpentine surface. In private libraries, the shelving within the book cases looks like is producing the light, when in reality it is coming from hidden Phantom strips Because a Phantom linear low voltage lighting strip is custom fitted to a specific set of dimensions in a shelf, case, valance, or cove, many areas in your home where your interior designer will be working can be showcased magnificently with our linear strips. Their inherently smaller design, combined with our custom manufacturing process and LED lamps, make Phantom display, cabinet, and cove lighting strips virtually undetectable to the naked eye.

FRENCH INTERIOR DESIGN 17th 18th century book on CD new US $.99

1922 Architecture Interior Design Arts Crafts Era book US $2.50

BOOK OF SOFT CRAFTS191 PAGESS OF HOME INTERIOR HOW TO AND DESIGN US $5.99

Stunning MOTHER OF PEARL Dragonfly Floral Design BOX Abalone Shell Interior US $42.45

HOME INTERIOR DESIGNS LOVE IS KINDBEAUTIFUL FRAMED PRINT GR8 WEDDING GIFT WOW US $8.00

LARGE ANTIQUE PAIR SILVER ON COPPER CANDLESTICKS SHABBY CHIC INTERIOR DESIGN US $29.66

FOX HUNTING 24 X 24 FELT INTERIOR DESIGN FRENCH HORN EQUESTRIAN ENGLISH HORSE US $295.00

1953 Vintage Home Decorating Book Interior Decoration Design DECO Style 1950s US $.99

Mexico Style Mexican Interior Design Taschen Icons Art Book US $4.99

Showcase of Interior Design Midwest Edition II HBDJ Filled w Fab Interiors Pix US $4.99

The ABCs of Architectural Interior Design Drafting US $9.00

ANTIQUE BLACK LAQUERED PAPIER MACHE BOX FITTED INTERIOR SIGNED ORIENTAL DESIGN US $47.38

Mexx Hand Bag with Bow and polka dot interior design US $13.50

How to Start Interior Design Business ALL MY EBOOKS CD US $1.01

A LARGE VINTAGE BRASS SHIP DESIGN TEA CADDY WITH LINED INTERIOR LOVELY US $15.78

19th Century English Majolica Pitcher w Raised Floral Design Pink Interior US $99.99

DIY Wall Clock Modern Interior Design Deco Decal US $1.99

24 RARE LIMITED ED INTERIOR DESIGN RALPH LAUREN POLO HOME PAINT CATALOG BOOKS US $39.95

VINTAGE ARCHITECTURAL FORUM BOOK NOV 1935 MID CENTURY MODERN INTERIOR DESIGN US $15.99

INTERIOR DESIGN CREATING REDESGNING THE ELEGANT BATHROOM POWDER ROOM US $6.95

Despite what you may think famous interior designers are not thin on the ground, and there are a great many of them gracing the halls of celebrity today. Another words, there are plenty of them who are making an excellent living at designing. We just haven't heard of them and may never hear of them. They might not be as well known or as prolific as some artists and fashion designers are, but they do exist nevertheless. The reason for this almost unheard of fame can be solely attributed to the fact that interior design didn't truly take off until the latter half of the 20th century.

In fact until the 20th century there weren't necessarily any famous interior designers per se. Yes, there were famous interior designers for dissimilar era's but fame as we infer it didn't come until very newly when there was a flock of interest in all things DIY. And for those of us to don't know what DIY is - it is short for Do It Yourself. And specifically refers to the TV Network. Hence, since interior decorating and some of its off shoots, can be reasoned to DIY that's when the world really became aware of interior decorating. And it wasn't until a few years after that that dissimilar interior designers started to make a name for themselves amongst the ecumenical public. Just like many things in our society it takes a while before it hits main stream. Things of this nature usually start with the rich and wealthy and then move on from there.

For the most part these famous interior designers gained their fame through the usual means of achieving fame, through the TV. They appeared in numerous Television home improvement programs, and they held numerous, televised DIY (Do It Yourself) programs and fundamentally got their face well recognized to the public. And that's how famous interior designers of the last decade of the twentieth c achieved more than a meek fame.

There are of course more famous interior designers than the ones you see on TV. Others who might be television camera timid. And could very often be just as good as or even better at what they do than the more media savvy interior decorators. As I said earlier, there are sure to be a bundle in this category and we will never know about them. Ones who decorate the famous, such as George Clooney, Jerry Rice and the like.

Then there are the famous interior designers who have been about for what seems like forever and a day and who have made a family name for themselves through their relentless efforts. Yes, it isn't all play, many times it is long hours to get to that place of fame.These interior decorators are much lauded in their world and are the pundits from whom the new generation of interior decorators learn their craft. Many of these "Old School" decorators if you will are now teaching their trade.

So as you look for the names of famous interior designers you need to understand and accept that you won't be able to find all of them just because you look through interior magazines. Sometimes these famous interior designers like to keep their celebrity under raps. Working behind the scenes, so to speak, and enjoying life without all the paparazzi.

Famous interior designers aren't host, but there are a sizable number of them, and they all have gifts of talent and one thing in common. They have a good eye for design and decorating and they can put together a room to make the very best out of all its features. Ok, so that was two things they all have in common! Just remember, you could one day walk right past a famous interior designer and not even know it.

FRENCH INTERIOR DESIGN 17th 18th century book on CD new US $.99

1922 Architecture Interior Design Arts Crafts Era book US $2.50

BOOK OF SOFT CRAFTS191 PAGESS OF HOME INTERIOR HOW TO AND DESIGN US $5.99

Stunning MOTHER OF PEARL Dragonfly Floral Design BOX Abalone Shell Interior US $42.45

HOME INTERIOR DESIGNS LOVE IS KINDBEAUTIFUL FRAMED PRINT GR8 WEDDING GIFT WOW US $8.00

LARGE ANTIQUE PAIR SILVER ON COPPER CANDLESTICKS SHABBY CHIC INTERIOR DESIGN US $29.66

FOX HUNTING 24 X 24 FELT INTERIOR DESIGN FRENCH HORN EQUESTRIAN ENGLISH HORSE US $295.00

1953 Vintage Home Decorating Book Interior Decoration Design DECO Style 1950s US $.99

Mexico Style Mexican Interior Design Taschen Icons Art Book US $4.99

Showcase of Interior Design Midwest Edition II HBDJ Filled w Fab Interiors Pix US $4.99

The ABCs of Architectural Interior Design Drafting US $9.00

ANTIQUE BLACK LAQUERED PAPIER MACHE BOX FITTED INTERIOR SIGNED ORIENTAL DESIGN US $47.38

Mexx Hand Bag with Bow and polka dot interior design US $13.50

How to Start Interior Design Business ALL MY EBOOKS CD US $1.01

A LARGE VINTAGE BRASS SHIP DESIGN TEA CADDY WITH LINED INTERIOR LOVELY US $15.78

19th Century English Majolica Pitcher w Raised Floral Design Pink Interior US $99.99

DIY Wall Clock Modern Interior Design Deco Decal US $1.99

24 RARE LIMITED ED INTERIOR DESIGN RALPH LAUREN POLO HOME PAINT CATALOG BOOKS US $39.95

VINTAGE ARCHITECTURAL FORUM BOOK NOV 1935 MID CENTURY MODERN INTERIOR DESIGN US $15.99

INTERIOR DESIGN CREATING REDESGNING THE ELEGANT BATHROOM POWDER ROOM US $6.95

One of the most effective ways for an interior designer to sell his or her services is through the use of a portfolio. An interior designer portfolio showcases a designer's best work in a way that appeals to the client. It puts together some of the finest designs and solutions that a designer has come up with during the process of his or her career and for this reason, almost works like a self-portrait.

Interior designer portfolios used to be portable cases or files holding samples of the designer's work. In other words, they were essentially paper products. Now however, interior designers increasingly use a combination of paper folders or portable cases and the internet to display their portfolios.

A good interior designer portfolio typically has a series of samples of the designer's work in a logical sequence beginning from a simple design and then moving on to more complex designs. Some interior designer portfolios also display â??before' and â??after' pictures enabling the client to see firsthand the kind of work that the designer is capable of. Quite a few interior designer portfolios also include detailed descriptions of the design elements used in the room as displayed on the portfolio. Some portfolios are arranged in terms of styles, e.g., â??modern contemporary', â??traditional country', â??relaxed sophistication', â??romantic' and so on whilst others are arranged in terms of utility like bedrooms, living rooms, bathrooms, and kitchens.

Another interesting way by which interior designer portfolios are arranged is in terms of preferences for certain country or regional living styles, such as; Italian, French, Asian, Colonial, and Mediterranean. It is also seen that some portfolios mix and match such arrangements to provide a brief but comprehensive overview.  A few portfolios add brief descriptions of the design and the overall look and feel of the rooms and the house after the design.

The entire review of the portfolio as presented by the designer to the client generally takes about 10 minutes. The layout and presentation is planned in such a way that the client takes an immediate interest in the skills of the designer. Many portfolios have been reproduced in a different format from the original work for portability. These may include photographs and electronic images.

Interior designer portfolios may also have information about the company or the individual together with contact information including telephone numbers, addresses, email and website information.

Since the space restrictions on the internet are much less, there is far more scope for displaying the designer's creativity on the web. A larger number of photographic samples of the designer or firm can be included. A number of websites also list client testimonials to lend credibility to the website.

Some of the best interior design specialists in South Wales specialize in Interior Architectural Design and Home Remodeling.

FRENCH INTERIOR DESIGN 17th 18th century book on CD new US $.99

1922 Architecture Interior Design Arts Crafts Era book US $2.50

BOOK OF SOFT CRAFTS191 PAGESS OF HOME INTERIOR HOW TO AND DESIGN US $5.99

Stunning MOTHER OF PEARL Dragonfly Floral Design BOX Abalone Shell Interior US $42.45

HOME INTERIOR DESIGNS LOVE IS KINDBEAUTIFUL FRAMED PRINT GR8 WEDDING GIFT WOW US $8.00

LARGE ANTIQUE PAIR SILVER ON COPPER CANDLESTICKS SHABBY CHIC INTERIOR DESIGN US $29.66

FOX HUNTING 24 X 24 FELT INTERIOR DESIGN FRENCH HORN EQUESTRIAN ENGLISH HORSE US $295.00

1953 Vintage Home Decorating Book Interior Decoration Design DECO Style 1950s US $.99

Mexico Style Mexican Interior Design Taschen Icons Art Book US $4.99

Showcase of Interior Design Midwest Edition II HBDJ Filled w Fab Interiors Pix US $4.99

The ABCs of Architectural Interior Design Drafting US $9.00

ANTIQUE BLACK LAQUERED PAPIER MACHE BOX FITTED INTERIOR SIGNED ORIENTAL DESIGN US $47.38

Mexx Hand Bag with Bow and polka dot interior design US $13.50

How to Start Interior Design Business ALL MY EBOOKS CD US $1.01

A LARGE VINTAGE BRASS SHIP DESIGN TEA CADDY WITH LINED INTERIOR LOVELY US $15.78

19th Century English Majolica Pitcher w Raised Floral Design Pink Interior US $99.99

DIY Wall Clock Modern Interior Design Deco Decal US $1.99

24 RARE LIMITED ED INTERIOR DESIGN RALPH LAUREN POLO HOME PAINT CATALOG BOOKS US $39.95

VINTAGE ARCHITECTURAL FORUM BOOK NOV 1935 MID CENTURY MODERN INTERIOR DESIGN US $15.99

INTERIOR DESIGN CREATING REDESGNING THE ELEGANT BATHROOM POWDER ROOM US $6.95