“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.”
This is a very valid point made and not entirely understood by everyone.
Firstly, let’s look at the difference between the design of a space and the decoration of a space?
Design is the process of planning the form and structure of a functional space. Designers are interested in psychology, communication, interactive processes, visual awareness, sense, social trends, past arrangements and aesthetics.
Designers mostly partner with architects and contractors from the inception of a project.
Decoration is the process of equipping or beautifying a space with ornamental trimmings. Decorators are interested in dressing things up for aesthetic purposes. Most decorators are individuals who have an interest or talent for choosing colors, patterns, furnishings and materials. They are highly familiar with the latest styles and trends in pop culture. Decorators mostly partner with furniture and fabric houses and usually enter a project after construction was completed.
Now, Deborah always indicates that she does not do or follow trend. She acknowledges that a space might carry a certain style.
So what is the difference between trend and style?
Trend can be defined a general direction in which something is developing or changing.
Style is a distinctive appearance, typically determined by the principles according to which something is designed.
Designers for that reason, are qualified to design a space as well as decorate it (since they are on the project) but a decorator may not be licensed to design walls and floors and therefore only engage in the decoration of spaces.
If structural deviations are needed (such as removing a wall, moving plumbing or wiring around, or adding new windows or doors), then generally an interior designer is the better choice. Designers can help design for significant structural changes and help make them happen by working directly with architects and builders.
If there are no structural variations needed but you need aesthetic help — deciding on a style; choosing wallpaper, paint, and furnishings; picking window treatments, and choosing lighting and accessories — an interior decorator will probably do the trick.
Deborah specializes in space design including renovations and new projects. She also offers the client the opportunity to make use of her excellent skills to decorate the spaces.
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