Art of Interior Designing Solutions

Interior design is the art of applying the knowledge of interior space, with the manipulation of spatial volume and surface treatment application. Interior space design draws on aspects of environmental psychology, interior architecture design, product design and furniture design in addition to traditional decoration. An interior designer is a person who is an experienced professional in the area of interior design or one who designs interiors as part of their job requirements.

Modern Interior design is a creative practice that analyzes programmatic information, establishes a conceptual direction, refines the design direction, and produces graphic communication and construction documents.

After a design layout has been finalized, the interior designer will start specifying the materials, finishes, and furnishings required, such as furniture, lighting, flooring, wall covering, and artwork. Depending on the complexity of the design project, the designer will need to prepare drawings and submit them for architectural review which later requires approval by a construction inspector to ensure that the design is equivalent with all applicable building codes. If a design needed any structural work, the designer will need to work with an architect or engineer for that part of the project. Most designs also requires hiring of contractors to complete technical task such as lighting, electrical wiring or plumbing,. If required, the designer will select qualified contractors and write up work contracts.

Interior decoration is the art of decorating a rooms of house so that it looks attractive, easy to use, and functional well with the existing design architecture. The aim of interior decoration is to provide a unique "feel" in the room; basically it encompasses applying wallpaper, painting walls and other surfaces, choosing furniture and fittings, such as light fixtures, floorings and providing other decorations such as paintings, sculptures and carpets.

Interior Design Tips for Using Wall Art With Antique Picture Frames

If you find your walls dull and monotonous, it would be a great idea to add hanging art and picture frames to your wall. However, even if these walls had pictures or paintings on it, there are times that these artworks are just not enough. If you have already planned to re-decorate your dull-looking walls but you have no idea how to start, then you might want to acquaint yourself with the process on beautifying your home walls.

Redecorating your interior walls is just like redecorating your home. This might need quite a bit of effort especially if you are inexperienced in interior design. Although interior design can be done by professionals, regular inexperienced individuals, just like you, can also be able to re-decorate walls using a little bit of creativity and imagination. Of course, you might need some expert advice along the way, but you can totally do it on your own.

Plan Ahead

Have you decided to start conceptualizing the design for your interior walls? If you have, then you might need to plan ahead. Considering that you are inexperienced, you will need to set up a plan for the design that you want. You need to consider what you want to change, your budget, the tools you will need, and the time frame for your project.

If you want to retain the original wall design, it would be much nicer to add some items to further enhance the design, such as art and picture frames. If you have already found that right art piece for the wall and the right spot to place it, that would be the time to put it on display for all to view. Things to remember for putting up the pictured or art frame would be a good thing so as to bring out that interior designer within you.

Primarily, we should determine the best place to hang the art piece or pictures. It is better to choose a picture or painting to be the center of attraction. It doesn't need to be on the center, but you can emphasize the frame amongst all the other artworks. Make markings, like using a pencil, to serve as a guide for the exact location to hang it. Choose the right hook, depending upon the weight of the picture and hammer it on the marked spot. Hang the picture and adjust it to make sure it is placed correctly.

There can be a lot of things to consider in hanging pictures. Here are a few of those:

* The pictures would look better if they are hung along the eye-level, which usually starts at 5 feet and 6 inches. For offices or areas where there are chairs, pictures are best hanged at the seated eye level.

*It is better to have a group of pictures rather than a single picture placed on the wall.

*It is better to make a design for it first, on where to place the art pieces.

* Make enough space for pictures to stand out from the group of pictures.

*Make sure to inspect and replace for pictures that fades with time.

Other tips would be to use white or light colored mats for the pictures, as they give emphasis to the art and picture frames. But that would depend upon the picture itself. Contrast is the key to address such an issue. To prevent fading, avoid striking the pictures to the rays of sunshine. Instead of nails, it is best to use hooks to hold the pictures. Try alternating large and small picture frames as it gives a nicer effect. If multiple pictures are to be placed, you could select one to be its center or its main picture.

In this article, you have learned quite a few yet effective tips in decorating that dull wall. But as experts say, be not be afraid to experiment as it unleashes your creative side.

Integrating Wickless Candles Into Interior Design

Interior design converts an interior space into a setting for a specific activity such as dining, relaxing, or working. This multifaceted career involves conceptualization, artistic skills, and interpersonal relations. Interior designers have a multitude of resources and products at their disposal, including home décor items like wickless candles. Small items like these make a big difference when they are included in a design project.

Traditionally, the interior of a structure was developed during the building process. The decorators of the space were upholsterers or craftsmen, who also happened to sell the products used in the decorating process. As society and architecture developed, the interior design profession emerged. Occupants wish to use interior space most effectively and they want the design to be functional and contribute to their well-being. Having a professional design their home allows people to obtain all the benefits without doing the work.

An interior designer focuses on planning, functional design, and the effective use of space. This professional arranges the basic layout of a space and addresses technical issues like lighting, temperature, and acoustics. The result is an area that is comfortable, practical, and appealing to the senses. Aside from sight, smell is one of the most important senses in the world of interior design. If a space does not smell acceptable, it will be unappealing to anyone entering it.

Wickfree candles combine highly fragranced wax with electric warmers. A variety of scents is available, with everything from home baked apple pie to cool ocean breezes. Warmers come in different sizes and styles, including those that can be plugged into the wall. Interior designers select the pairing that delivers the desired effect, whether it be to invigorate the senses or calm the nerves. The versatility of these products allows users to change fragrances and move warmers whenever desired. Since these products are inexpensive to purchase and operate, a separate warmer can be used in each room of the home.

Plug-in warmers are ideal for small spaces like a powder room or laundry area. One can be found in a color and pattern that matches the color scheme of the room. Herbal and citrus scents are perfect for the laundry room, while a fruity or floral scent is ideal for the powder room. In the kitchen, these professionals can use scents with notes of vanilla or cinnamon to create the impression that baked goods just came out of the oven.

Regular warmers come in small, medium, and full size and feature different colors, designs, and patterns. A plain, single color warmer is ideal for an ornately decorated room, while a warmer featuring an eye-catching design is suitable for a more simple space. Scents are designed to lighten the mood, evoke a memory, or create a feeling.

Whether homeowners hire a professional or do the interior design themselves, they can incorporate wickless candles into the décor. With so many wax fragrances and warmer styles, it is easy to find a combination that complements the room. These products appeal to both the eyes and the nose, enhancing any area.

Interior Wall Paint Conceptualizing Ideas

Wall painting is one of the tasks that you can do when you want to upgrade the interior look of your room. Painting your walls can bring new changes and look into the room, giving a fresh and new ambience. You can enjoy experimenting as you try to conceptualize interior wall paint designs to consider for a more creative effect. Painting your walls yourself is a fun and enjoying thing to do. You can have the freedom to make your own paint designs according to any theme you have in mind. You can also exercise options with the kind of wall painting design that will complement your room furniture such as sofa, lamps, and beds.

If you want to re-paint a child's room, you should consider a theme that is child-friendly. Babies will appreciate rooms with cool paint colors and you can even draw some animals or alphabets and numbers on the background to have some educational effect on the child. The kind of paintings in the wall can have learning effect on your child as they grow and learn from their surroundings.

If you are married couples, it is important that both of you come to a common decision on the kind of theme you want to create in your room. The kind of color is essential when you consider wall painting. Pastel colors can bring a cooler ambience to allow couples enjoy a relaxing moment with each other.

There are also some different ways of interior wall paint designing that you can experiment with. Rag painting is one of the most popular ways of painting the room to create the effects of marble wallpaper. Just use a rag and soak it into the paint and rub it on the wall to paint. As the paint runs out, re-apply the paint again using the rag. To create a random and abstract design, you may try sponge painting. You will need many sponges to dip them in various paint colors and dab them on the wall. To make an indiscriminate pattern, dab randomly in various directions.

You can enjoy doing wall painting yourself as you can do your own designs and styles. They are more affordable than hiring professionals to do the interior wall paint job for you. You can always conceptualize your own painting designs and ideas transforming a room with your own unique painting design ideas. You can further optimize the wall decoration by adding some paintings and other wall decorations.

Home Interiors - Clients Guide No2 - That First Contact with an Interior Designer - What to Expect!

A floppy haired extrovert prancing around in some outlandish get-up, gesticulating wildly and being highly opinionated in a loud effeminate voice! Now let's throw all those TV stereotypes of what an Interior Designer is like totally out the window, in all my years in the profession I have never come across any designer that remotely fits this bizarre image... although some may have got pretty close (only joking!). On the whole we are surprising normal.

I am now assuming you have done your research and tracked down some names of Interior Designers or have been given some recommendations by others as who you could contact. It's now time to hit the phone and talk with someone about the project you have in mind. No need to have loads of numbers to call just two or three to start is more than enough. You should go straight to the top and ask for the Design Director or Owner of the practice.

Start with a very brief background about your property; size, age, location, condition etc, and then go on with what you are considering as a project and what the main priorities you wish to gain from it are i.e. more space, an extra room, up-grading and refurbishment of existing etc. Once you have passed on this general information sit back and wait for questions to be fired back to you. These again are going to be fairly general in nature just to get an overall feel for what you have in mind and also the time scale you are also thinking of working to.

A realistic time scale is an important issue for everyone here; you would not believe how many first inquires I get from people thinking that it will only take a matter of a few weeks to design and have built their new extension and kitchen! " I need it for Christmas" but we are already into October and have not even made a start yet... it's not going to happen with all the best will in world! It's worth you talking to a Designer just to get an initial feel as to how long the process from beginning to end is likely to take for your individual project - it's likely to be much longer than you think!

The subject of Project Budget may also come up in the conversation you have with the Designer, but to be frank this means very little at this stage. However, if asked by you the Designer is going to be pretty reserved above giving any kind of budget figures over the phone about a project he knows very little about. On the other hand if the question about budget is asked by the Designer to you he is just fishing and trying to establish if there is any miss match in expectations on your part. Most potential clients do not have any real idea of a budget for their project (and why should they), and those that do usually have totally underestimated the likely cost against their "wish list" of all that they want from it. We have to put this subject on the back burner for the present and come back to it at the appropriate stage of the project, and that will be after some Conceptual Planning & Design work has been carried out. Trying to put figures without some form of reference on paper can be just a complete waste of time and can just produces a logjam in allowing the project to progress.

What the Designer on the other end of the phone will be trying to evaluate from the conversation with you is; are they realistic in their expectations, is this a valid project, is this person a potential client or just a time waster! Sorry to be so blunt about it but what the Designer would like to offer you next is a free no obligation visit; if they think there is not the remotest chance of this project going ahead they will not make the offer. It's not that you have to pass some kind of test to qualify but it all boils down to business at the end of the day and how much bread they cast on the water.

Positively moving on - the Designer suggest to you that they really need to visit the property and see it in the flesh and have a much more in-depth discussion with you about your needs and requirement. It will also give them the opportunity to show you some examples of their work and tell you about exactly how they will carry out a project such as yours. Once they have had this meeting the intention will be to confirm back to you their Scope of Work and Fee Proposal (it is extremely unlikely this will be committed to at this first meeting). This should be a total free of charge visit without any obligation to proceed further. If you get a good vibe about this Designer you are likely to say "Yes" and make an appointment for them to come around and met you at your home.

THE FIRST MEETING

This should be a fairly casual and relaxed affair. The Designer will want to sit down with you and tell you about all what they have done for other clients, show you some examples of work and generally demonstrate their talents and experience. It's all done to put your mind at rest that this person knows what they are talking about, and if you feel this is the case then they have done their job so far. The conversation should now move on to "Your Project", giving you the opportunity to expand fuller your thoughts, needs and requirements from the project you have in mind. Why I say "in mind" is that it may well be that your ideas could be turned completely up-side down once the Designer has accessed the overall situation, but let's face it that's why you are talking to a Designer - fresh ideas and a clean pair of eyes! There have been many times when I have visited clients that think they have a clear idea of what they want and how it is to be done and then I go and throw a curved ball into the conversation. It's not to be controversial for the sake of it but to get them thinking in a new way about their project which ultimately leads on to a better end solution.

The Designer would have no doubt been given the guided tour of the house by you pointing out all the issues as you walk around. Don't expect instant solutions to be given by the Designer while you are on your tour, they will be absorbing everything in at a fast pace of knots and making some mental assessments for themselves - this is information gathering! They may pitch-in with some teasers ideas but will keep most under wraps to be pulled out later (after they have been appointed). What they don't want is you taking all there "free" ideas and then saying "Thank you very much and Good Bye" and never to be heard of again - it happens and Designer are very guarded about this situation. So don't expect any free design work, but what they will give you is some good free advice.

They will then talk about how they would carry this project out for you, explaining all the various stages that need to be gone through; depending on the individual requirements these will be tailored to suite, but usually breakdown into these four main stages:-

1/ Concept Design & Planning

2/ Design Development

3/ Detailed Design & Specification

4/ Implementation.

The aim for the Designer is to produce for you a document (Fee Proposal) that outlines exactly what they will be doing in each of these stages and what the associated fee's will be, also an indication of time scale. Hopefully from this you will be able to decide if you wish to proceed. This document is likely to be sent to you a few days following this first meeting.

In my next article I will be talking more in-depth about this Fee Proposal document and Design Fee's in general; the different kinds of fee structures and how they are arrived at. So look out for the third article in this Home Interior Clients Guide series by Christopher R Page.

The Trajectory of Interior Design Courses

Interior Design is concerned with the décor of specified area of space, including the walls, furniture, light fixtures, windows, doors and everything in-between. Whereas some clients seek out interior designers for workspaces, others employ them for help with their homes. There are many aspects to the art of interior design, after all it is an art form. A qualified designer must take the surrounding architecture, a client's personal tastes, and the client's budget into consideration when conceiving a space.

If Interior Design appeals to your sense of purpose and craftsmanship, you will need to prepare. A number of reputable colleges, universities, and academies sponsor design programs geared towards producing highly qualified graduates. As with any other field, you will need the necessary training and practice before a firm or independent client will hire you. Regardless of where you enroll, you will more than likely begin your course of study with basic design courses. These courses will lay the foundations to advanced, conceptual courses and eventually fieldwork.

Seeking out the right school or university may be time-consuming. Explore the options in your area, but remember where you study will affect where you work. Often graduates are disseminated to companies and clients in the general area of the school. If the notion of living in a new city is appealing, research the available universities and the surrounding neighborhoods. The people living therein are going to be you future clients.

Upon graduation, you will have to refine your career path. Do you want to work as a contractor or with a firm? Some graduates prefer to work with a firm in their first few years, learning the basic guidelines and the requirements of agency life. Other graduates exploit internships and make their ways into diverse companies. Either way, it is essential you get your feet wet. The competition will be fierce.

The annual income of an interior designer can vary. As with most career paths, experience translates into higher fees and greater income. As your contacts and client list grows, so too will your bank account. Trust in your talents and the training you receives in your interior design courses. Although you will not make much money in the first year or two, you will be networking and honing your skills.

Home Interiors - Clients Guide No2 - That First Contact with an Interior Designer - What to Expect!

A floppy haired extrovert prancing around in some outlandish get-up, gesticulating wildly and being highly opinionated in a loud effeminate voice! Now let's throw all those TV stereotypes of what an Interior Designer is like totally out the window, in all my years in the profession I have never come across any designer that remotely fits this bizarre image... although some may have got pretty close (only joking!). On the whole we are surprising normal.

I am now assuming you have done your research and tracked down some names of Interior Designers or have been given some recommendations by others as who you could contact. It's now time to hit the phone and talk with someone about the project you have in mind. No need to have loads of numbers to call just two or three to start is more than enough. You should go straight to the top and ask for the Design Director or Owner of the practice.

Start with a very brief background about your property; size, age, location, condition etc, and then go on with what you are considering as a project and what the main priorities you wish to gain from it are i.e. more space, an extra room, up-grading and refurbishment of existing etc. Once you have passed on this general information sit back and wait for questions to be fired back to you. These again are going to be fairly general in nature just to get an overall feel for what you have in mind and also the time scale you are also thinking of working to.

A realistic time scale is an important issue for everyone here; you would not believe how many first inquires I get from people thinking that it will only take a matter of a few weeks to design and have built their new extension and kitchen! " I need it for Christmas" but we are already into October and have not even made a start yet... it's not going to happen with all the best will in world! It's worth you talking to a Designer just to get an initial feel as to how long the process from beginning to end is likely to take for your individual project - it's likely to be much longer than you think!

The subject of Project Budget may also come up in the conversation you have with the Designer, but to be frank this means very little at this stage. However, if asked by you the Designer is going to be pretty reserved above giving any kind of budget figures over the phone about a project he knows very little about. On the other hand if the question about budget is asked by the Designer to you he is just fishing and trying to establish if there is any miss match in expectations on your part. Most potential clients do not have any real idea of a budget for their project (and why should they), and those that do usually have totally underestimated the likely cost against their "wish list" of all that they want from it. We have to put this subject on the back burner for the present and come back to it at the appropriate stage of the project, and that will be after some Conceptual Planning & Design work has been carried out. Trying to put figures without some form of reference on paper can be just a complete waste of time and can just produces a logjam in allowing the project to progress.

What the Designer on the other end of the phone will be trying to evaluate from the conversation with you is; are they realistic in their expectations, is this a valid project, is this person a potential client or just a time waster! Sorry to be so blunt about it but what the Designer would like to offer you next is a free no obligation visit; if they think there is not the remotest chance of this project going ahead they will not make the offer. It's not that you have to pass some kind of test to qualify but it all boils down to business at the end of the day and how much bread they cast on the water.

Positively moving on - the Designer suggest to you that they really need to visit the property and see it in the flesh and have a much more in-depth discussion with you about your needs and requirement. It will also give them the opportunity to show you some examples of their work and tell you about exactly how they will carry out a project such as yours. Once they have had this meeting the intention will be to confirm back to you their Scope of Work and Fee Proposal (it is extremely unlikely this will be committed to at this first meeting). This should be a total free of charge visit without any obligation to proceed further. If you get a good vibe about this Designer you are likely to say "Yes" and make an appointment for them to come around and met you at your home.

THE FIRST MEETING

This should be a fairly casual and relaxed affair. The Designer will want to sit down with you and tell you about all what they have done for other clients, show you some examples of work and generally demonstrate their talents and experience. It's all done to put your mind at rest that this person knows what they are talking about, and if you feel this is the case then they have done their job so far. The conversation should now move on to "Your Project", giving you the opportunity to expand fuller your thoughts, needs and requirements from the project you have in mind. Why I say "in mind" is that it may well be that your ideas could be turned completely up-side down once the Designer has accessed the overall situation, but let's face it that's why you are talking to a Designer - fresh ideas and a clean pair of eyes! There have been many times when I have visited clients that think they have a clear idea of what they want and how it is to be done and then I go and throw a curved ball into the conversation. It's not to be controversial for the sake of it but to get them thinking in a new way about their project which ultimately leads on to a better end solution.

The Designer would have no doubt been given the guided tour of the house by you pointing out all the issues as you walk around. Don't expect instant solutions to be given by the Designer while you are on your tour, they will be absorbing everything in at a fast pace of knots and making some mental assessments for themselves - this is information gathering! They may pitch-in with some teasers ideas but will keep most under wraps to be pulled out later (after they have been appointed). What they don't want is you taking all there "free" ideas and then saying "Thank you very much and Good Bye" and never to be heard of again - it happens and Designer are very guarded about this situation. So don't expect any free design work, but what they will give you is some good free advice.

They will then talk about how they would carry this project out for you, explaining all the various stages that need to be gone through; depending on the individual requirements these will be tailored to suite, but usually breakdown into these four main stages:-

1/ Concept Design & Planning

2/ Design Development

3/ Detailed Design & Specification

4/ Implementation.

The aim for the Designer is to produce for you a document (Fee Proposal) that outlines exactly what they will be doing in each of these stages and what the associated fee's will be, also an indication of time scale. Hopefully from this you will be able to decide if you wish to proceed. This document is likely to be sent to you a few days following this first meeting.

In my next article I will be talking more in-depth about this Fee Proposal document and Design Fee's in general; the different kinds of fee structures and how they are arrived at. So look out for the third article in this Home Interior Clients Guide series by Christopher R Page.