Do you know that if you call an Interior Designer a Decorator, they most likely flinch inside? Let me tell you why. A Decorator does not require any formal training or education. They have an “eye” for what looks well coordinated. They can match your drapes to your pillows and even suggest a new paint color. Basically, Decorators address the finishes (ceiling, wall and floor treatments) and furnishings of your home. Now let me share with you what an Interior Designer is.
An Interior Designer is someone who is educated in the many areas such as: Principles and Elements of Design, color theory, Architectural History, building and ADA codes, building systems, space planning, Computer Aided Drafting (CAD), many hours of studio and presentations, just to name a few.
In fact, in some states, you can not legally call yourself and Interior Designer without taking the National Council for Interior Design Qualification exam (NCIDQ). This exam requires six years of combined education and experience under an licensed Architect or Interior Designer before you are even eligible to take the exam. The exam is a extensive test that is given over two days. I studied intensively for six months for this exam. It is not common to pass all sections in once sitting, but I managed to. (Thank you, God!!!) So, personally, I take great pride in being able to call myself an Interior Designer.
Sometimes, I try to enlighten people about the difference. Other times I just let it slide off. I am getting mellow as I age, as it bothers me less and less. I know that most people do not know that there IS a difference between the professions.
Now you get a little idea why calling an Interior Designer a Decorator hurts. It discounts our education, which we spent a lot of time on money on. Hopefully, you will now know what to call your Interior Designer…unless, you secretly want to tick them off.
Have you worked with an Interior Designer before? Did you have a good experience? Did you ask what their education and background was?
In academia, we hold the same distinctions based on degree level. Anyone can decorate. But interior design is a technical skill and more valuable in many ways.
Lynda, I try to be aware of people’s titles because of my experience. I others appreciate when you acknowledge all of the work that comes with the title. 🙂
This is useful to know and to share!
I’ve always called interior designers ‘my designer’ – never decorator but that’s because I understand the concept of design in most areas.
Most people though don’t mean it as an insult at all, especially if they’ve never worked with an ID before. They just don’t know the lingo. Maybe using the correct terms with a slight stress on the words may help to educate. People start doing it properly once they know. IE ‘
‘Suzie, we’re going to get the decorators in here on Wednesday’
‘But Wendy I thought you were doing the decorating’
‘Well Suzie, I’m an interior designer which means x y z. A decorator does a b c. …’
And eventually it sinks in 🙂
Good luck with your biz!
Christina, You are absolutely right. That is why it bothers me less and less. I am always open to having the ID vs Decorator discussion if the time is right. 😉
Hi my only experience of an interior designer was a very unpleasant one. She forced her ideas on us and didn’t listen, she wanted something we both loathed and refused to us have any input. Result? we fired her and did our own thing. I appreciate that this is obviously an isolated case.
Anita, That sounds like an awful experience! Good for you for firing her. I hope she didn’t scare you away from using another designer.