Reviewing the Latest Interior Design News

Whether you are looking for contemporary designs, commercial interior design ideas, modern furniture or historic relics for your home, design news can offer practical ideas. Many people like to know what they are looking for prior to calling the professional interior designer, so they won't get talked into anything they may not want. Generally, the interior designer will be a good listener and communicator, knowledgeable in everything from interior design furniture and lighting to building regulations and kitchen storage space. So what does the moment hold for interior design?

Green building materials, furniture and interior design services are making design headlines all around the world, but particularly in America, in places like Seattle, Portland, New York and Austin. Last year, green building technology found a friend in the money-conscious consumer who was looking to save on his or her energy costs. Traditionally, sustainable design had been seen as "pricey" and "hardly worth it," but now prices have dropped and consumers are beginning to see where pennies can be pinched.

The LEED standard became the predominant licensing agency and Energy Star appliances became mandatory for government buildings in many states. More than 14% of all US cities have some kind of "green real estate" program in place and insurers agree to protect sustainable houses. These breakthroughs are clearing the way for a more responsible and environmentally-friendly society.

While it may sound incredulous, the latest interior design news is that music has been added to the interior design services repertoire. Music/architecture specialists from New York and London to Aspen and Belize are creating customized play lists that are synchronized with their clients' decor. "Hearing the wrong music in the wrong space can be very disorienting," explains DJ Coleman Feltes, who has created mixes for Versace, Gucci and Dolce & Gabbana fashion shows. Stylists charge between $50 and $250 an hour, he says, which is downloaded onto iPods or sent as CDs by mail. For the discerning, high-end clients, atmosphere is everything and the perfect music fits into that paradigm.

Young interior decorators bring their own distinctive visions to the table, according to the latest Baltimore interior design news. For instance, 30-year-old Annie Zemarel Werden, who comes from a background in Italian fashion and landscaping, adores historic items in her professional interior design. "I like to use things that have a sense of history [like an antique mirror], things you find when traveling or antiquing.

I like the charm of an old house," she explains. Ex-history teacher Charlene Lester says that her style isn't flashy but is rather practical in her home designs. She adds, "Given the choice of getting something green that costs a couple of hundred dollars more, most of our clients go green." Italian Expat Fabrizio Fiorini uses "transitional" designs that aren't exactly contemporary but aren't traditional either. He goes for "refreshing, upgrading and renovating," using bold colors and contrasting cold and warm shades.

Interior Design and Interior Decorating - Some Definitions

Interior Decoration and Interior Design, although related disciplines, are different in terms of their application. Interior Decoration is the process of decorating a house with regards to finishes (for example wallpaper and paint, choice of furniture and fittings as well as adding finishing touches and decorations such as paintings and objets d'art. All of this provide a certain "feel" to a house but essentially the underlying structure of the house is not changed.

Interior decoration is normally professionally done by Interior Decorators although recently the trend has been for people to learn about Interior Decorating through various courses or books and then apply the techniques themselves-usually on a shoestring budget. The whole objective of Interior Decorating is to make a house aesthetically pleasing and at the same time, unique, since it should reflect the owner's specific personality and tastes.

Interior design on the other hand is more integrated with the architecture of a building and a professional Interior Designer will work closely with architects and builders to make choices regarding the integral design of the whole house or building. This includes looking at choices with regards to room layout, choice of cabinets and tiles and lots of other design factors. While the Interior Design budget for new developments used to be minimal, it is recognized these days that incorporating Interior Design into the project means the difference between a run-of-the-mill development and one that contributes to the branding and life-style image of the project. The money spent on Interior Design is therefore seen as a worthwhile investment in the whole property development process.

Homeowners are spending more and more to improve their homes. Since it is relatively easy to change the appearance of a house by changing the finishings and fittings a large portion of this money goes into Interior Decorating. The growing popularity in do-it-yourself Interior Decorating has meant that a whole industry around Interior Decorating courses, books and TV Shows have also sprung up, and it has become a popular hobby for married couples. Innovative Interior Decoration ideas, which cost less but at the same time giving the impression of style and class, are in vogue.

Young entrepreneurs have also seen the gap and there is a growing demand for information and courses on how to break into the Interior Design and Interior Decoration Industry. This has also given the home {interior decoration industry a boost.

Although the trend recently is for people to tackle the exciting task of transforming a house themselves, it has to be recognized that this falls more in the area of Interior Decorating. Interior Design still requires study of the context of Interior Design, the theory of good design, knowledge of the technical advances in the engineering industry for both residential as well as commercial buildings and knowledge of the latest trends and advances in the Interior Design industry.

In short, an Interior Design project in which all the elements of design are pulled together is still the ambit of the professional designer who should be able to deliver on projects that extend beyond the boundaries of a hobby pastime.

Interior Design-Budget Kitchen Remodeling Ideas

The past century witnessed the evolution of the function and interior design of the traditional kitchen. It has magically transformed from being a mere service area into a multi-functional room which is central to the family's activities.

Updating the interior design of a kitchen requires a considerably huge budget. Would you believe that five years ago, remodeling an average kitchen can go as high as $26,000? No wonder the National Kitchen and Bath Association consider it to be one of the most expensive remodeling projects undertaken by American homeowners!

Don't despair even if you among the thousands (and perhaps even tens or hundreds of thousands!) of people inspired by the pictures of ideal kitchens featured in glossy magazines but don't have enough funds to undertake a remodeling project. There are several ways to furnish your kitchens with that modern interior design without going broke!

Truth is, updating the interior design and improving the functionality and value of the kitchen do not always need to be expensive. You will be pleasantly surprised at the number ways in which you can cut costs!

Practical Fix-It-Up Ideas

If you are currently financially strapped in, you may consider updating your kitchen's look rather than undertaking a major remodeling project. You may want to consider these low-cost fix-ups in updating the interior design of your kitchen.

Update your lighting. Installing modern lighting fixtures are one of the surest, fastest and most economical ways to boost a kitchen's look and value.

. Halogen lights directed towards the ceiling bounce off to provide indirect working light. They also come with a dimmer so you can adjust the lighting intensity to fit your needs. Brighten it up or tone it down, how you set it is completely up to you!

. Consider installing task lighting. Task lighting mounted to provide efficient lighting in the countertop, the sink and near the cooking area makes preparing dinners a breeze!

. Provide accent lighting. If you want to highlight unique architectural designs, your antique china collection or any items of interest, you may do so by installing accent lighting. This will surely bring the interior design of your kitchen into focus!

Play with paints! Another surefire hit in cutting kitchen remodeling costs is by modernizing its look by splurging on a fresh coat of paint.

. Hesitant to paint stained wooden cabinets? There is absolutely nothing to be afraid of! Painted wooden cabinets are just as good and as efficient as stained ones. Plus, painting them up allows you to get the color and finish that you want for a fraction of the cost!

. Old kitchen appliances can also be given a smarter look. Appliance refinishing companies and automobile repainting shops can indeed give your range, your dishwasher and your refrigerator a brand new appeal!

. Get artistic with your walls! You can get creative and spend your energy in painting your walls for that updated look. Special painting techniques such as sponging, mottling and rag-rolling can definitely work wonders!

Install new moldings. Installing moldings can transform an otherwise unappealing kitchen into a visual delight. What a great and economical way to improve the interior design of your kitchen!

Put sparkle into your kitchen! Heightened visual interest can be achieved by simply installing new knobs and pulls on your cabinets. You may pick anything from the wide choices available since they come in almost all materials and styles imaginable. Cabinet knobs and pulls are available in glass, resin, metal, rubber, stone and wood.

There you have it, some of the most affordable ways to enhance your kitchen's visual appeal and functionality! Now, do you agree with me that updating the interior design of your kitchen does not necessarily have to be such an expensive project after all?

Three Reasons Why Hiring an Interior Designer Might Actually Save You Money

An interior designer or decorator is a professional consultant who can help you make design and space-planning decisions for your home, purchase furniture, manage large-scale renovation projects, or work with you and your architect from the earliest planning stages. The best firms have access to unlimited resources worldwide and offer extensive services that include interior architectural design, lighting design, light fixture selections, plumbing fixture selections, custom millwork design, space planning, materials selections, paint color selections, furniture selections, and window treatment design. The best interior designers spend thousands of hours of research, education and practice to be experts in their field.

There are several important ways working with an interior designer can save you money.

Avoid Costly Mistakes

One of the first ways working with an interior designer can save you money is that you avoid costly mistakes. Most often, the process begins at the start of the overall project - even as the architect is working on the preliminary plans - assisting with space planning and developing preliminary budgets. This is the most effective way a designer can assist a client. In addition to the myriad of details to be considered and all the decisions that must be made, interior decorators know how to organize the project and edit the process. Working on your own without an interior decorator, costly mistakes can be made in the preliminary planning by selecting inappropriate materials, lighting, finishes and furnishings.

Luxury Furniture at Trade Prices

Secondly, many resources are only available to the trade and interior designers purchase from them at wholesale prices. Designers charge a service fee, but the end result is much less than the retail cost.

Eliminate Stress

Let's face it. Designing a home is a stressful process. There are many things to worry about. You can worry about timing, cost, details, the finished product, etc. By managing the entire process for you, interior decorators try to eliminate or minimize the stress, making the whole process easier and more enjoyable for the client.

To speak with one of the best interior designers directly, please visit Hughes Design Associates or call 703-442-3200.

How To Choose An Interior Designer Or Redecorator

What types of professional interior designers are available?

Have you heard of Interior redecorators? These professional interior decorators transform your home using things you have accumulated over the years. The end result is a balanced, harmonious space that reflects the personality of the people who use it. Many interior designers have added this service to their repertoire. Alternate terms for professional interior designers specializing in interior redecorating are interior redesigners, interior arrangers, interior stylists, one day decorators, visual coordinators or interior refiners.

What is a Certified Interior Designer? (from B&P Code Section 5800,5538)

A Certified interior designer is a competent design professional who is qualified to design, prepare, and submit any type of nonstructural, non-seismic interior construction plans and specifications to local building departments. Certified interior designers have demonstrated through education, experience, and examination their knowledge of the Uniform Building Code as it relates to space planning, life safety, flammability, and disabled access code issues. Most interior designers have a minimum four-year education. Many have Master of Interior Design degrees or other additional education in architecture or interior design. Interior designers who have many years experience may not have a Bachelors in Interior Design, but usually are well educated and have many years of qualified experience. All qualified interior designers will indicate that they have passed the NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Design Certification) examination and/or are registered/ certified/ licensed in their state.

How do Interior Decorators charge for their services?

Flat Design Fee: The client pays a flat fee for the professional interior designer's services based on the design plan, time required, and scope of services.

Hourly Rate: The interior decorator bills a negotiated rate per hour.

Cost Plus Method: Professional interior designers charge a set percentage on all merchandise purchased and tradesmen's services rendered.

Mixed Method: The client pays both a set percentage on purchases and a base design fee for hourly rate.

Per square foot: This method is used especially in new construction.

What to ask at the first meeting:

o Ask to see the interior designer's portfolio, but remember that the designs reflect other people's tastes,¬ not necessarily the interior decorator's, and possibly not your own.

o Ask what size projects the interior designer has worked on, where, and what was the budget range.

o Ask how the established budget will be handled, and the kind of payment schedules the interior decorator requires.

o Ask about the types of services the designer can provide.

o Ask for a list of references.

What you may be asked at the first meeting:

It is a good idea to prepare for your first meeting with a professional interior designer by creating your own folder of clippings from magazines, catalogs, and books of design ideas that appeal to you.

You may also be asked some or all of the following questions:

o For whom is the space being designed?

o What activities will take place in the space?

o How long do you plan to occupy the space?

o What is your time frame for completing the project?

o What is your budget?

o Are you relocating or remodeling?

o What image do you want to project?

o What colors, style, and effects do you like?

o What are your objective and lifestyle needs?

o What is the approximate square footage to be designed?

If a professional interior designer, or anyone, for that matter, tells you the process is easy, stress-free, and will be complete in two weeks, they're either lying or stupid. Don't hire that person.

What You Should Known About Interior Design Schools

Getting degrees in interior design is becoming one of the more popular degree options available today and constantly being offered by different colleges and universities. Interior design is regulated in almost 24 states of the United States and anybody who is intent on studying for a degree in interior design course should pick up a Bachelors degree in Interior Design first before they opt for an interior designers license.

Interior design degrees are extremely important and so is the knowledge of CAD software which is all about Computer Aided Design. Both are equally necessary for the new interior designers. People hiring interior designers prefer to opt for people who have graduated and people who can handle modern technological requirements such as CAD because not only are they cost effective but they save people a lot of time too.

At this time the online interior design degree is the most popular learning option for people who want to get the degree, it is especially more popular with the use of CAD software. Because of the benefits that the internet affords you can get across to a wider student population across the entire world.

Interior designers must be smart and imaginative at the same time in order to use the small amount of interior space that is available in most large cities of the world. What an interior design degree provides is that it gives the student the knowledge and the practical experience to cope with the different demands and requirements that a busy interior designer constantly has to cope with.

An interior design degree is the primary step in establishing a career in the field of interior design. The development of your natural talent and creativity means getting the right training as well as the necessary education. In order to become a force in the field of global interior design it is always essential that you have the requisite formal degrees from a college that offers interior design degrees and qualifications.

Successful graduates in the field of interior design will employ their creativity and imagination in order to design homes for people as well as corporate establishments and order institutes of commerce. Designers will make use of the knowledge of different types of color as well as basic studies in the fields of architecture and creative design in order that they create beautiful interiors and work areas at the same time.

Interior design degree programs focus on sharing and teaching skills in various areas of graphic drawing, construction technology, color theory and space planning. Students will focus on learning the different aspects of design from the technical and the creative as well. Certain other important aspects including the elements that concern human beings and aspects of interior decorating, other aspects of building safety and information about the different necessary requirements for design. You can visit http://www.interior-design-school.com to find out more information on interior design education.

Whenever you're looking for an interior design degree program to study, try to find out if the institution has lecturers and academic staff who are quite knowledgeable in the industry. Anyone studying in the field of interior design should try to get the best world class training available.

Interior Design Degree

Earning an Interior design degree is becoming one of the more popular degrees offered by accredited colleges and universities. At this time, Interior design is regulated in 24 states. Thus if you are interested in entering the world of interior design it is highly recommended that you earn a bachelors degree in Interior Design before applying for your interior designers license.

Not only is an interior design degree extremely important, knowledge of CAD software (computer-aided design) is equally important for the new interior designer. Employers prefer the graduate who can navigate the modern technologies because it is time saving and highly cost effective.

Earning an online interior design degree is very much in vogue, thus the emphasis on the CAD software. Due to the advent of the internet, more and more schools are reaching out to students from around the world.

Interior designers must be intelligent and creative in order to economize the limited amount of space available in some of the world's larger cities. An interior design degree will provide the student with the knowledge and practicality in order to meet the ever-changing demands placed on the busy interior designer.

Clearly, an interior design degree is the first step in building your career in interior design. To develop your natural talent and creativity you need the proper training and education. To become established in the interior design world you must have a formal college interior design degree.

The successful interior design degree graduate will use their creativity to design private homes, corporate offices, retail stores and restaurants. The designer will use their knowledge of color, architecture and creative design to create beautiful living and work spaces.

Interior design degree programs teach skills in graphic drawing, color theory, interior finishing, and space planning and construction technology. Students will learn all aspects of the technical, creative and even the human element factors in interior decorating and design. Building codes and safety factors are also covered in depth.

When researching an interior design degree program find out whether the school offers knowledgeable industry professionals as instructors. You want to learn from the best! Another important factor in choosing a school is whether or not the school offers online training as well as in class training. That way you may be able to study on your own time, which many of today's students require.

Interior design degree programs teach the student the historical perspectives of human environment, interior design practices and the techniques of working with interior design professionals along with the responsibilities and ethics that go along with the profession.

Great Free Online Resources For Interior Designers

Who doesn't love free design information? Recently in one of the groups we belong to in LinkedIn, the CEO of Mudpie Design (a trend forecasting company) posted a great discussion. "Great resources for designers - Free!" This inspired us to take some websites from this discussion and add some of our own favorites to help designers and furniture manufacturers looking for freebies. This first list of a 2-part series is websites. Next month we will feature the top home furnishing blogs.

1stDibs

Why not look at the past to predict the future! 1stDibs is an antique website, focusing on high-end antique furniture, home decor, lighting, and has now added fashion and jewelry. We're constantly amazed by this website, and there is no harm in getting inspiration from 70 year-old designs that are surprisingly on trend for 2010! Also, we recommend subscribing to their newsletters. The writers at 1stDibs have fantastically interesting comments on different styles and how interior designers should use them today.

2modern

The name pretty much says it all. This website has some of the best looking modern furniture, lighting, and home decor, on the web. The site's design and feel are fun, and the editors are constantly adding new modern products. Also be sure to visit their Design Blog, which is also a fantastic source for wildly creative ideas in home furnishings. They have "Eco Friendly" and "Made in the USA" product sections, and a newsletter + RSS Feeds.

HomePortfolio

Home Portfolio is the largest database for home furnishing suppliers in the USA. This site is simple to navigate, featuring all types and styles of home furnishings to help interior designers find the right furniture for their products ( customers?). It works like an online catalog and is really simple to use.

Trendir

Trendir is a Home Decorating Trends Magazine. The Trendir Interiors website has fantastic posts; and although they call themselves "modern" interiors, they also feature some beautiful traditional home furnishings. They cover all items for the home, from bathroom hardware to outdoor living, and also cover architecture and appliances.

ElleDecor

The popular fashion magazine has made it easy for web users to dig through their past stories and images of products. The PointClickHome.com website features images from both Elle Decor and Metropolitan Home. Users can view great designs in the "Room Finder" and select the type and style of home. Home Furnishings can be found in the "Decorate" tab, and housewares are in the "Entertain" tab. Also, the blogs on this site are good: Savvy/Chic, Design Daily, Word on Modern Style, I on Design, Stylemonger, and Deal of the Day.

Thecoolhunter

This website focuses on ground-breaking design. Probably more for interior designers and architects, we think that everybody will enjoy the products, buildings, and fashion concepts these guys bring to a fun-to-use website. The most relevant area is the "Design" section, which can be found on their navigation menu. This site tends to feature the bright and exotic and is really fun.

Inmod.com

Another modern design focused retail website is Inmod. The coolest feature here is the "Design Your Own". You can design your own pillows and bedding! Overall, this site very is similar to 2modern, and they have a blog, newsletter, and RSS feed. If you like modern, this site is a must see...

TODL.COM (Trade Only Design Library)

The Trade Only Design Library is another large database of products for home decor, furniture, and housewares. This site is operated by the same company that sets up the HD Expo in Las Vegas, for hospitality and commercial furnishings. While you cannot normally view this website if you enter directly, if you click this link to Hopitality Design, I have found a secret way to access the website!

Dwell.com

Dwell is a modern home magazine (print) but they also have a great website. It has a dedicated product section, which allows users to select what to view by product category, ranging from clocks to wall coverings.

ArchitectualDigest.com

Long one of the most prestigious architecture and home design inspiration magazines (print), Architectual Digest now has a decent website that allows free access to the design features and beautiful images that have kept this magazine on the shelves for almost 90 years! It is not as easy to navigate products on this site, as it shows the latest stories as features, but if you type in the name of the room or type of furniture into the search box, you should come up with some nice design concepts.

Interior Design's History

The Egyptian and Roman Era

There is plenty of evidence that interior design was of great importance to the Egyptians and Romans. Obviously, at this point in the history of interior design, it was limited only to the wealthy. The proof of this period in the history of interior design is in the architecture and in the various records that have been uncovered. The Egyptians, for instance, left us lavishly decorated tombs of the pharaohs, which were intended both as a final resting place and as a way to supply the comforts needed by the pharaoh in the next life.

The Romans left us evidence that their rooms were carefully planned around the way that each room was to be used. This is a key part of modern interior design. Wealthy Romans, for instance, created separate living rooms for summer and winter seasons. These were designed for optimal comfort during either the warm and cold months. There are indications that both the Romans and the Egyptians did take some care to partake in interior decorating as well, which is another important feature in interior design.

The Era of the Renaissance

The next major expansion in the history of interior design came in the Italian Renaissance. It's during this era when all arts experienced a surge in popularity, with wealthy patrons readily supporting the arts with their finances. It was especially during this time that interior decorating and interior design began to more closely resemble what we know of it in later years in the history of interior design. Rooms began to be designed with function and form in mind. Some of the most prominent examples were the lavish interior designs of the palace at Versailles, which continues today as an prime example of royal decadence. Still at this time in the history of interior design, such things were completely out of reach of the common people.

Interior Design in the Industrial Revolution

The transformation in the history of Interior Design that opened it up to the common man was the Industrial Revolution. This massive change made cheaper goods possible for home decoration as well as created an economic revolution in the United States. Now middle-class families had expendable income to put toward extra expenditures such as interior design. During this time, interior design magazines came into vogue and the profession of interior designer took hold, and now is its own industry by the start of the 21st century. Essentially, the history of interior design has been shaped through the decades and centuries by artistic, economic, and technological revolutions throughout history.