Why it is important to hire a Certified Interior Designer?
Most people think that an Interior Designer and Interior Decorator is the same thing. Although the two professions have many similarities, they also have many important differences.
The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) defines an interior designer as one who "is professionally trained to create a functional and quality interior environment. Qualified through education, experience and examination, a professional designer can identify, research and creatively resolve issues and lead to a healthy, safe and comfortable physical environment."
Interior Decorators are primarily concerned about the aesthetics of a space. Paint colors, wallpaper, fabrics, drapery, etc. are the main focus of decorating. Interior designers are also concerned with these elements, but we also take into consideration the safety, functionality and efficiency of the product we are specifying for a space. For example, we will specify a certain type of flooring that is aesthetically pleasing but will also take into account the acoustic quality of the material or the slip resistance, etc.
One of the most critical differences between interior designers and interior decorators is education. Interior Designers have a degree from a 4 year program in Interior Design. Interior design education involves extensive study of building codes, space planning, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), emergency egress, fire safety, acoustics, etc. There are no formal educational requirements to call yourself an interior decorator. Also, in order to be a Certified Interior Designer, a designer must pass the NCIDQ exam (National Council for Interior Design Qualification).This licensing certifies that the designer is a qualified professional who has the background and schooling required to make complex decisions about interior spaces. In several states interior designers are required to have a license. In Pennsylvania, interior designers are not required to have a license. Decorators can call themselves designers in Pennsylvania, which is why it is so important to know the difference between the two!
Our clients at Semerjian Interiors are confident that they are working with a Certified Interior Designer that has the highest level of education and experience. Whether your project is a simple “decorating” project or a complete interior renovation, you can be assured that Semerjian Interiors will provide the highest level of quality and aesthetics in designing your dream space.
image courtesy of benjamin moore
One of the easiest and most budget friendly ways to transform your space is to paint your walls. I always say that colored paint on walls is like makeup on your face. You always look better with it! Same goes for a room. Nothing can transform a drab space better than a couple coats of well chosen colored paint. Once you have sorted through all the paint chips and think you have found the perfect color I suggest you follow these tips so your room can look perfect.
For starters, I always paint a patch on each wall of the room and wait for it to fully dry. Keep in mind that wet paint looks completely different than dry paint. Paint turns darker when its dry. However if you find the paint is drying lighter that means its cheap paint. (Cheap paint is clay based and that is why you might get water spots or permanent discoloration when it gets wet or you try to clean them). In other words, always make sure you buy good quality paint. I always use Benjamin Moore. Their Aura line has some great colors and its environmentally friendly.
Painting a patch on EVERY wall in the room is extremely important because the outside lighting or the positioning of windows will greatly impact the color. Also, check what the color looks like with artificial lighting. The color can look completely different depending on the time of day and type of light. Also, the paint color one wall may look completely different than the other wall. So if you don’t like the color on the wall that will be the focal point, you may have to reconsider that color. Light colors are usualy most pleasing for a ceiling, because ceilings are seen in shadow. If you'd like the ceiling to match the wall color, buy ceiling paint one or two shades lighter than the wall color (on its color chip). Or, dilute your wall color with white paint in a ratio of 25% color to 75% white.
Choose the right finish. Paint is available in the following finishes – flat, low luster, semi-gloss, gloss and high-gloss. Just keep in mind that the glossier it is, the more imperfections will show. Generally walls are painted with either flat or low-luster paint and the trim is done in one of the gloss paints. Sometimes its useful to paint a kitchen or a bathroom in a gloss finish as it is easier to wash.
Don’t copy paint colors from a magazine! The photographs in publications are almost always altered so that particular paint color will NEVER look the same in your house.
And lastly, have fun with it and enjoy your new look.
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