Inspirations blog
Interior decorator?
or interior designer?
Designer or decorator?
That is the question. And it is a particularly good question since many people do not understand that there is a difference. The answer depends on what services your project requires. Are you changing the curtains and paint colors? Or do you want to alter the interior layout (people in the trade call this the footprint) of your home?
If it is just decorating that you want, then find an interior decorator who can show you professional photography of distinctive styles of their work. The photos should demonstrate experience selecting colors, furnishings, and accessories. The decorator will show you various products and advise you on selections, and help you arrange everything too! To be fair, an experienced decorator who has worked for more than a few years will be able to find contractors to do more extensive work for which they are not licensed or qualified. And they will know what companies stand by their products.
If you want to move walls and doors or figure out how to create better traffic flow, then your clearest path is to obtain the services of a luxury interior design company like Perla Lichi Design.
An interior designer understands permitting regulations for interior renovations in your county and state. Moving walls or changing the location of doors and windows—and any changes that involve rerouting plumbing or electric wiring—these projects call for an experienced turnkey interior designer like Perla Lichi.
When you interview candidates, ask if they have the licenses that some states require Interior Designers to have. Another good question is to ask if they are a member in good standing of ASID. The American Society of Interior Designers has forty-eight chapters throughout the United States and more than 450 international members. ASID was founded in 1975 with the consolidation of the American Institute of Decorators (AID) and the National Society of Interior Designers (NSID).
Professional members of ASID must pass rigorous acceptance standards which include a combination of accredited design education and/or full-time work experience. And they must pass a two-day accreditation examination. Members of the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) consist of regulatory boards from across the US and Canada. ASID Membership and NCIDQ Certification provide a measure of the candidate’s mastery of their professional skills and knowledge.
The products and services of interior design are constantly changing. Active professionals take courses and develop close connections with their vendors to keep up to date with high-end materials. This is a sign that they are on top of their game.
