Friday, February 20, 2009

Catching Up

It's been a busy week, so I've neglected all of my blog friends. Sorry. So I'll catch you up on a few of the doings.


First, there's been a lot of talk about a bill being introduced in the Texas legislature. As I understand it they are trying to tighten the restrictions for designers working on commercial projects by allowing only licensed interior designers for a commercial project. For a long time there has been a bit of friction between interior designers and decorators. In order to call oneself an interior designer, one must have a degree and state license which is renewed each year. They are qualified to work on projects that include changing walls, electrical, etc. A decorator is not licensed and can work on space planning, color ways, furniture placement etc. Typically an interior designer charges slightly more than a decorator because of the higher level of education. But a license does not necessarily make one a good designer when it comes to the aesthetics of a room. The emotional feel of a room is often from the color palette, type and style of furniture and its placement, the judicious use of accessories, window treatments and floor coverings.


Locally there has always been a peace between the two camps. We are careful not to refer to Pamela as an interior designer. She is a decorator with 14 years of experience. She is quite happy to leave any structural changes that a client wants in the hands of an architect and she has worked with many of the local builders and architects to incorporate her client's needs and wants. Her forte is in listening to a client and helping them get the home that function well for them and be aesthetically pleasing. She wants a client to enjoy going into the spaces they have worked on together. She is good at this and has many satisfied customers.


To change the law may be fixing a problem which is not there. (And we all know that can just create a whole bunch of new problems.) Keep the distinction between interior designers and decorators as it is now. Punish anyone who claims to be an interior designer but is not licensed. But allow a decorator to work with architects as a consultant for chosing fixtures, flooring, colors, placement of electrical outlets etc. Don't stand in the way of a decorator from working with the aesthetics of homes. There is a need for both of them in the world of design.


On a final note, at Annarella Home we encourage potential clients to ask for references and talk to people who have used Pamela for their design projects. We are proud of her talents and think she is special. She doesn't want to have to go through the licensing process because she doesn't want to know how to move walls. She would rather leave that to the architect. Her passion lies with the furniture, colors and textures of fabrics, the challenge of space planning, and accessorizing to create a mood.
See picture below for an example of what she can do.


If I have mispoke about the intent of the bill, it is my fault and lack of understanding, not Pamela's or anyone else. Feel free to set me straight.

Ellie

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