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Most of us accept the fact we are not licensed architects or experienced contractors. But many people believe there is an interior designer inside them just waiting to get out. Perhaps it’s the large number of “do-it-yourself” shows on TV, or maybe a secret longing to feed our creative side. Watch those shows closely, however, and you’ll notice there usually is a professional designer involved. Even if you have a knack for design or enjoy the decorating process, the task can become daunting and frustrating without the right resources. When it comes to full-blown construction and large renovation projects, it takes a professional touch to get it right.
Coordinated Teams of Professionals Give Best Results.
New construction projects and extensive renovations require the expertise of three distinct groups: architects and engineers to tell what needs to be done structurally; contractors to decide how to meet those needs with the available materials; and interior designers or decorators to create a beautiful, functional space.
And, there is a lot of overlap. For while architects, builders, and designers are artists within their own domain, they also work best as a team. And, as you might suspect, it is not always easy to add yourself to the roster!
What Is A Design Anyway?
Interior design is like 3D art that also functions as your living space. Like any type of art, it’s difficult to define exactly what interior design is, and why it works. In 2004, Don Norman released a book called Emotional Design that examined how the design of products impacts how we use them. He suggested that design works on three levels: visceral (or the first impression), behavioral (how useful the item is to us), and reflective (how we identify with the product)
To illustrate this, think of a “favorite” item you use everyday, like a coffee mug. Initially, you liked the look of that mug (the visceral). Once you picked it up, you found it was exactly the right size and shape for your hand (the behavioral). And now, it’s your favorite because of the memories it triggers or the way it makes you feel (the reflective).
Interior design works in a similar way. The designer creates a certain look initially through drawings, using color, fabric, lighting, furnishings, and other elements that will make a great impression on both the homeowner and visitors. But that look also needs to be practical, taking into account how the family will live within the space, and what specific needs have to be accommodated. For example, a kitchen will need a fridge, stove, and dishwasher, as well as possibly a microwave, trash compactor, recycling center, eating area, etc. arranged in such a way that it fits in with the family’s “workflow.”
Emotional response is key when it comes to interior design. It is that special thing that makes a house feel like a home. It is also the most difficult goal to achieve, since it is trying to predict how you will feel about the space in the future. But a great designer will hit upon it through conversations with you, adding your personality into the design so it reflects who you are.
An Interior Designer Can Help You Avoid Costly Changes Down the Road.
Interior designers need to know the basics in both architecture and construction to determine what is possible. Some key elements require specific knowledge. Planning a new lighting scheme, for example, involves a basic knowledge of wiring and how to draw up plans for builders and electricians. (It is important to note here, too, that most builders are not designers. They can install to spec, but that doesn’t mean they can effectively plan the lighting scheme for you, or know about all fixture options.)
Most importantly, an interior designer can envision a whole room at once and efficiently bring it together. If you are the type that likes to move a couch around a room to “see how it looks over there,” then designing your own renovation project is definitely not for you! Any contractor will tell you that nothing runs up your construction bill like changes halfway through a project. Deciding you don’t like a certain element, like a new wall, will mean you have to live with it for now, or absorb the cost of moving or removing it. This may have other implications down the road, like rebooking the electrician, plumber, or other trade professionals, and can further increase your costs.
In this case, not only does hiring a professional interior designer or decorator save you money, it also eliminates a lot of hassle.
It’s All About You.
The most compelling reason to hire a professional designer is to ensure you end up with a space you love. If you have read about renovation projects, you have surely come across at least one or two happy homeowners who have said their designer gave them a living space that was “better than we could have imagined!” That says a lot about the power of a designer to bring a concept to life.
And after spending tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars on a renovation, isn’t that a feeling you would like to experience, too?
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Kathie Chrisicos - president of Chrisicos Interiors - was named one of the 10 Best Architects/Interior Designers in New England by Women’s Business, and served as president of the New England chapter of the prestigious International Furnishings and Design Association (IFDA) in 2006. Kathie is known for her impeccable sense of style, her professionalism, and her boundless creativity in designing “A Look You’ll Love Coming Home To.”