Interior Design 101
What is interior design?
You may think that you need to be like Picasso or de Vinci to be an Interior designer. While most are in fact creative, there are several different types of Interior Designer personalities. Not all designers are creatives, and not all are artists. Some designers are planners and some are very technical. Interior design is about taking a space and transforming it into another, all while giving it style, function and personality!
Interior design is building an environment that makes people happy and may improve their state of well being. If you aren’t happy in your space, then your space isn’t working for you! Tag along as we dive into design history, purpose, communication and the basic principles of design.
Design History
The act of interior design can date back as far as ancient Egypt with the additives of furs, gold, textiles, murals and sculptures to their native mud homes. While the act has been going on for centuries, the profession was not invented until the 1900’s by New Yorker Elsie de Wolfe. Although the name wasn't in use, by receiving the first commission to decorate a home, she was considered the first Interior Decorator. De Wolfe was known for her light rooms, soft colours and delicate antiques. These became her signature style, and something completely different than the dark wood and cluttered spaces of that time. She often embroidered and was known for her famous quote, “Never Complain, Never Explain” which she embroidered onto cushions.
Design Personalities
Most designers have their own styles, as De Wolfe created her own, each and every architect and Interior designer has theirs too! The personalities of designers become their way of communicating and enhancing a space. The creative Designer loves artistry, mood boards and colour coordination. Their layouts and designs have no limits when it comes to creativity. The planner is just that! Someone to ensure each and every corner gets thought out to reach optimal functionality. The Technical Buff is your designer who will plan out and draw for many hours ensuring no detail was missed! This person is a great coordinator who you’ll love to build your next masterpiece. Lastly, the communicator. Meetings after meetings, they plan the project to ensure you feel like you know what's being created even before it has begun. The communicator’s creativity lies in their words.
Planning and Drawing
So you met your match. You picked the right designer and the right personality for you! What’s next? Planning and Drawing are the next phases of communicating the process. In order to understand the planning and drawing methods we will need to look at tools used to communicate and how they are used.
First we’ll start with the plan, then the elevation and selection, 2D & 3D drawings and sketches. The plan is the most important element. It outlines the flow and functionality of the space and is usually a 2D drawing looking down (birds eye view) of the space. Elevation and selection are next. These indicate height and vertical elements.
The selection is similar but is drawn to only show half and at different levels through the space. A 2D drawing is a 2-dimensional drawing which is flat, where as a 3D drawing shows depth. These are used to convey intention, depth, space, and movement. Most often they will be given to team members on a project as well.
Technical tools and software such as AutoCAD or sketchup can become your most powerful ally when it comes to designing and sketching. Sketching allows for the mind to fill in the gaps of a basic elemental drawing.
Once you have gone through these steps, you should have a full understanding of how and what your space is going to be transformed into. Now the fun begins! Let the contractors and designer get to work and watch the magic unfold as your space turns into the wonderland you had planned and hoped for!
For any interior design questions or to speak to our Decorator, Agnes follow along on social media at @ammoderninteriors or email directly agnes@ammoderninteriors.com.