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It seemed a pretty normal day when Mrs. Arnold phoned Art from the Start inquiring whether someone could help her with the design of her new bedroom.

But then again everything seems perfectly normal when a Customer from Hell first calls. If only there was a reliable means of screening out this sort of customer, they would quickly find themselves put on long term hold on the phone! But no such luck.

Interior Designer as Marriage Counsellor

After initial conversations and the usual site visit with Mrs. Arnold (name changed) it became clear that something was odd. She instructed us not to speak to her husband about the interior design of their bedroom and dressing room. Nevertheless we followed instructions, produced mood boards and quotation for the customer, however we started to get a bit suspicious when she arranged our appointments for days when Mr Arnold was out of town.

After Mrs. Arnold sent us a cheque by way of deposit payment we ordered in materials but a few days later an irate Mr Arnold called telling us to stop work. It then transpired that he knew nothing of his wife’s plans and they were clearly not going to be a birthday surprise for him. He was furious that his wife was spending “his money” and it was clear that a marital row (probably not the first) was brewing.

To cut a long story short we’d been caught in the middle of a disintegrating marriage. The wife eventually moved out, the husband did not want any interior design work & cancelled the deposit cheque. We ended up wasting a lot of time with the Arnold’s but luckily we did not end up too badly out of pocket!

Interior Design Thief

Every interior designer has probably experienced the potential customer who wants to borrow fabric sample books or catalogues. Sadly a percentage will use a designer like public lending library, borrow books and then purchase goods elsewhere. Sometimes books never come back but one can ask the borrower for a financial deposit to make sure they do.

However the worst case we came across was a customer who borrowed three books on a Friday and left a cheque by way of deposit. The customer returned, as she said she would, three days later and we then shredded the deposit cheque rather than bank it.

Unfortunately two weeks later, with the customer long gone we noticed that one book was missing two fabric samples, neatly cut out. We then checked the other books and they had been treated with the same disrespect.

If only the lady had asked for fabric samples – they would have been free of charge!

Catalogue Junkie

One job we quite like is recreating a “show home” for a customer because they usually have a good idea of what they want their new home to look like.

One day Freddie came calling. He had just bought a three floor town house on a large housing estate still being built near York, and he was only a few doors away from the show home. The brief was simple. “I want my home to look like the show home” and potentially the job should have been straightforward.

Unfortunately, Freddie had already visited a well known high-street household catalogue shop and had started buying furniture & accessories that looked nothing like the look he wanted. We had several visits to his new home & each time there was more “stuff” from this same catalogue. We tried to stop him wasting his money, but everything we suggested would cause him to look in the catalogue to find a cheap equivalent or alternative.

Our comments fell on deaf ears. In the end it was a case of “interior designer or bargain basement catalogue”. Unfortunately Freddie’s love affair with his 300 page glossy catalogue won and we had wasted all our time & effort, and he ended up with an uncoordinated and ridiculous looking home and furniture that would not even fit the available space.

With three real examples of Customers from Hell, you may well ask “What does a good customer look like?”

We like customers who:

want us to work with them in a partnership

are receptive to our design ideas

are honest about their tastes and budget

value the knowledge, experience and skill of a professional interior designer.

Stephane Boudin, a Parisian interior designer is well-known as the President of what is considered by many to be the world’s leading interior decorating firm in the 20th century – Maison Jansen. One of Boudin’s greatest projects as an interior designer was the restoration and renovation of the White House in the early 1960s.

Stephane Boudin was born in 1880. His father – Alexandre Boudin was a manufacturer of passementerie and trimming. It was while Stphane was working at his father’s textile trimming business in the 1920s, that he was approached by Jean-Henri Jansen, the founder of Maison Jansen. In 1925, Boudin got an assistant by the name of Monsieur Henry Samuel. Following Jansen’s death in 1928, Stphane Boudin along with Gaston Schwartz, took control over all Maison Jansen’s interior design and decoration projects. While Schwartz contributed aspects of modernism, Boudin was the traditionalist.

Boudin helped the firm win several new interior design projects by giving importance to historical accuracy and detail, and through his adeptness at creating spaces that were both dramatic and unforgettable. He efficiently schooled the firm’s young protgs, reviewed their work on a regular basis, and arranged trips for them to Europe.

The most significant order which Boudin received was most probably the one he got prior to his retirement – the order from Jacqueline Kennedy to work on the interiors of the White House (1961-63). Jayne Wrightsman – the woman who introduced Boudin to Jackie – was personally tutored by Boudin in French decorative arts.

Jacqueline wanted a touch of the international to be added to the American look of the White House, and Boudin was entrusted with the task of making this desire a reality. In addition, Boudin and Henry du Pont were enlisted with the duty of getting antiques, and of lending sophistication and thoroughness to the dcor.

Boudin mainly focused on the American Empire style when furnishing the Red Room of the White House. He included pieces made by Charles-Honor Lannuier, a cabinetmaker. In the case of the Blue Room, Boudin laid emphasis on furnishing it with furniture of the French empire style. The style for the Green Room, namely the Federal Style, was chosen by Henry du Pont, influenced by Boudin. Boudin also introduced changes in the dcor of the Oval Office and the Cabinet Room.

Another important interior design project which Boudin was entrusted with in his lifetime was to completely change the famous Leeds castle into a stylish country residence. It was the last private owner of the castle – Lady Baillie who entrusted him with this task.

Stephane Boudin retired in his seventies and passed away in 1967 – his successor was Pierre Delbe.

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.

In the past interior designers were considered to be a rather pretentious and very unnecessary luxury. This view, however, is beginning to change. The recent recession rocked the property market, leaving people in negative equity and unable to move home, however much they wanted to. This led to a huge increase in people extending and redecorating their homes rather than moving and they are doing it properly, not with cheap materials bought from their local DIY store. In short, more and more people are turning to interior designers for help and advice.

So what can designers do for your home that you can’t? The answer relates to confidence and being daring. Interior designers are gifted in that they have the vision to see how a room will look when all the ingredients- furniture, flooring, lighting and wall coverings- are put together. For many of us it can be difficult to visualise the end result and this can put us off buying a wallpaper which looks perhaps garish in the store, but would look fantastic once on the wall.

Many people feel that interior designers make the process of decorating unduly expensive. There can be no denying that they will charge a fee for their consultancy services. However, buying designer furniture, lighting and wall coverings through your design consultant can be more affordable than if you were to try to source such items yourself.

In times like this, where moving home is more difficult, redecoration and renovation become realistic options and the services of a design consultant can help give a bit of individuality and personalisation to your home.

It is difficult to really pin down what man decor is. Guys are a diverse bunch with a wide range of traits and attributes. Labeling an entire gender with a certain personality is a dangerous habit.

However there are certain things which in our society are stylistically male. Not a firm scientific decoration, these are more a philosophy, a set of intrinsic notions which give us a common artistic playground upon which to work. Some things just seem girly, and some things seem male. It is as obvious as the difference between pink and blue.

Defining male decorating preferences is really a matter of understanding the psychology that we expect from this gender. Male décor is, by its very definition, not female décor, and therefore its essence is going to be comprised of the difference between the minds of the two.

One of the things society thinks of men, is that they are more functional than women. While females appreciate beauty, guys like things that work. In fact common conceptions state that men are actually annoyed by useless decorative touches.

This means that one of the key elements of guy decorating would be to choose function over form. A delicate coffee tables made from flowing strips of stainless steal will lose out to a sturdy work table made of oak.

Another manifestation of this trait is the male trend to decorate using their hobbies and interests. Sports accessories, toys, models, these are the favorite accessories of a manly room. Meanwhile flowers and incense stands, candles and lace, objects which create atmosphere and little else, those are generally considered more feminine in their nature.

Another aspect of male décor is that guys are generally larger than women. This means they need more room to be comfortable. They need to be able to stretch out, and feel like the world around them is proportionate to their size.

One of the most stereotypical pieces of guy décor is the recliner. Often this is the only furnishing which is big enough to fit a man’s body comfortably. Able to lean back and stretch out, they can generally support the majority of a tall guy’s size, in a comfortable and relaxing way.

Size and function trends collide in other aspects of guy decorating. Men tend to like big dressers, big beds, big shelves, and big drawers. This is both because the imposing size matches them, and because these objects tend to do their jobs better. Bigger containers hold more. Bigger beds comfort more. Bigger dressers are generally stronger and more durable.

Men also tend to like different colors than women. Guys tend to be drawn to darker and more earthen colors. Red, brown, black, and green are traditionally masculine, and in some shades have a distinctly male feel.

While these trends may hold true for some males, every guy is different. What is important when creating a space is that you take the desires and preferences of everyone that inhabits it, male and female, and find out where your tastes overlap. Compromise in decorating is the art of creating a symphony from many different visions.

A career field that is becoming increasingly popular is the field of interior design. Many busy people realize how important it is to have a home or office that is professionally decorated, and therefore many new jobs in interior design are being created.

Another important aspect of the field is that interior designers are located in every city, all over the world, so jobs are available just about everywhere. If a young person is creative and has an artistic flair, a career in interior design may be perfect and will provide a long lasting and satisfying job choice.

The first thing one has to know in order to obtain a job in interior design is what kind of education is required. Different areas may require different levels of education, and a job in a design house in a major firm in Manhattan, for instance, may require a four year degree, while working for a small company in the Midwest may only require two years college. Many schools offer degrees in interior design as part of their fine arts department, and a specialized degree such as this would definitely be an advantage.

Starting out, a new graduate would normally work for another person or for an interior design company. A great deal of experience and contacts can be gained in this kind of environment. Working for an experienced interior designer can give a young person invaluable experience in every aspect of this business, and he can learn many things it took the seasoned professional years to learn. Working side by side with an experienced interior designer, the novice will handle mundane tasks such as ordering swatches and following up delivery schedules, but these are important skills to develop.

After working hand in hand with a senior professional, a new interior designer will then be handed an assignment of his own. Having a a company behind him while he hones his own design skills on a customer is a major advantage to a designer just starting out.

The main (and some say only) focus of interior design is customer satisfaction. The client is the be-all and en-all of the field, so the ability to work with people, who sometimes can be very testy, is crucial.Once a designer has paid his dues, so to speak, at a company or two, he will want to branch out on his own. Besides being more profitable, owning his own interior design firm allows a decorator to put his own creative stamp on the work he is commissioned to do.

If decorating a room or a home is something you have enjoyed doing, consider a career in interior design. It is very rewarding to be able to bring an artistic vision to fruition, and it can be a very financially successful career as well.

Interior Design Schools teach students how to create beautiful and functional designs for building interiors. They produce professional interior designers who fashion interiors for public buildings, private homes and businesses, and institutional facilities, such as restaurants, theaters, offices, stores, hospitals, and hotels.

Interior Design students learn how to assess their clients’ taste, needs, budget, and priorities, and how to incorporate the elements and principles of color, texture and design to achieve the desired effect. They learn about floor treatments, wall finishes, window coverings, furnishings, lighting, and room details. They learn to design safe and functional interior spaces that conform to Federal, State, and local laws, including building codes and accessibility standards for the disabled. Interior Design Schools also teach the skills needed to start and operate an interior design business.

The field of Interior Design offers unlimited earning potential. Interior Designers can typically earn up to $66,000 or more annually. Upon graduation, many interior designers begin their career as an apprentice for an established firm, gaining the practical experience needed before opening a business of their own.

Many Interior Design Schools offer college diplomas in Interior Design, including Associate and Bachelor degrees. There are also vocational schools that produce certified professional interior designers.

If you would like to learn more about Interior Design Schools, feel free to search the many options found at http://www.schoolsgalore.com.

DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERAL OVERVIEW and may or may not reflect specific practices, courses and/or services associated with ANY ONE particular school(s) that is or is not advertised on SchoolsGalore.com.

Copyright 2006 – All rights reserved by Media Positive Communications, Inc., Managing Organization for SchoolsGalore.com.

Notice: Publishers are free to use this article on an ezine or website, provided the article is reprinted in its entirety, including copyright and disclaimer, and ALL links remain intact and active.

As an interior designer in Sarasota, Florida, I often write about interior design from a Sarasota perspective.

Let’s talk about the issue of providing a darkened room for better sleeping. One of the ways of providing this is to install “blackout lining” on the draperies. This is quite common and is quite effective in darkening a room. But there will still be light leaks at the bottom and sides of most drapery installations, since the fabric hangs loose and is not tightly sealed to the edges of the opening.

We have taken to calling this treatment “room darkening” since the term blackout was taken literally by a client. She would not be appeased until the room was pitch black – an almost impossible expectation here where the sun is so vigorous.

One of the tools we have to assist with room darkening are solar shades. These are roller shades and may be either manual or electronically controlled. With our large projects and houses with many windows in many rooms, it becomes very attractive to have a motorized system installed so that when one departs for a period of time or returns from an absence the house can be closed or opened with the touch of a single button.

These systems are both remarkable and complicated – but provide the possibility of almost infinite controls that can answer some challenging requests. Different times of day require differing positions of open or shaded windows, which vary as the sun moves around a house. They can provide automatic controls which are based on the time of day and the exposure of the house. They also take a great deal of planning and design, but in the end provide a wonderfully responsive and controlled interior environment.

Back to the shades themselves. It is possible to have shades that are room darkening or ones that are woven or perforated to allow some or very little vision to the outside. They come in a variety of tones to blend with any decor. The are not as decorative as sheers, but often can provide a more tailored look to suit contemporary interiors and in combination with decorative draperies.

Other elements in our palette are venetian blinds. This technology is over 200 years old – it was prevalent in Europe and America even during our revolution! And in the right places, we still think blinds look impressive and fresh. They are also adept at being easily controllable, can allow breezes to pass through the semi-open vanes and still allow a certain degree of privacy. They come in many colors and finishes to blend with many design schemes. We are less fond of the slimline blinds for most applications – they just look too commercial.

Another solar device is the plantation shutter – well named for its ubiquitous use in the tropics. These interior shutters provide a substantial look for some interiors. Their scale, and the size of the blades provides a nicely strong element to a more fixed window treatment. Although they are variable, they are more time-consuming to adjust, and so we often use them in places were the decorative element is a more permanent effect, and is used to screen an unwanted view. They are very useful as window treatments in powder rooms and other places where privacy is an issue.

We all have a dream space that we would wish to relax in, one that can speak for itself, and can speak for us as well. On the other hand, getting involved with home interior design may seem like an intimidating task to a number of people. The idea is merely to set your creativity free and permit all the intellectual blocks to melt away so that you can come up with a plan which you are most at ease with. Whether you are seeking for plain old relaxation, or out to create a bold statement, permit your space to bring out your attitude by planning its layout in a related manner.

The first thing you need to do is to measure your space and graph out the basic plan of the space on a graphing paper, supposing each graphing square is equivalent to a foot. Include all the openings in the space such as the windows and doors, and note down the measurements beside every opening and wall on the diagram. Make sure that the diagram which you have made is orderly. Make a lot of copies of your blank layout. You can also try to design a space online with the various home interior design websites available these days for this function.

While deciding your home interior design space layout, consider all the fixtures you wish to put in it. Nightstands and beds are fundamental to a master bedroom. You can also place a TV with a closet at a viewing range from your bed. A love seat could perhaps be accommodated in the space. It all relies on your personal necessities. If it is a teen’s space, perhaps one nightstand and a single bed would be fundamental. And, a computer desk may be needed. If the teen plays an instrument such as the piano, you may require space to include it. If the teen is a keen reader, a fixture to store all his books may require some space in the room. The important thing to remember is to first make way for the basic necessities. List down these necessities before you begin putting the fixtures in the plan.

Measure all the items which you want to put in the space. Then, begin putting the fixtures in various positions in the blank layout. This is why you need a lot of copies of your blank layout, in order for you to make various placement alternatives which can help you settle on one that is most preferable for you. On the other hand, when you make a home interior design layout, you have to bear in mind the following:

* Leave at least 30″ surrounding any fixture item for clear passageway.* Do not put any fixture item too near to any doorway because this may block the opening and passage of the door.* Make sure that there is enough lighting in each part of the space. There must not be any dark and dim corners anywhere.

While Yieldstar may be good for the apartment owners and management companies who use the system, many apartment locators and future residents believe that it may be more of a hassle than it is worth.

In short, Yieldstar is a software management tool that many apartment communities are purchasing today. The selling point for the software is that it analyzes many different forms of data to come up with the best pricing for apartment units. Yieldstar takes into account factors including projected demand, recently achieved rental rates, least terms, move in dates, and other market dynamics that will help apartment communities gain the most amount of revenue for the apartment owners.

While this may seem like a great idea there are some negatives that mostly affect renters and the apartment locators that send their customers to the apartment communities that use the Yieldstar software. And this usually affects the customer if he/she is unaware of the pricing at the community.

Pricing will change daily and hourly at apartment communities that use Yieldstar. We have contacted many communities in the early morning hours for pricing and then relayed that information to our customers, who decided they were going to tour the properties in the afternoon. What we found out later that afternoon was the pricing we quoted our customers had changed by the time they visited the property. And the way of the change was upward in pricing.

When we contacted the apartment community that used Yieldstar, they stated that pricing can go up or down. In our experience pricing usually seems to go up. However, we also realize that our customers would not be so quick to contact us back if the pricing decreased.

What we can tell our customers moving forward is that pricing for the unit and square footage at the time we quote the amount may change in an hour or the next day if they choose to visit the property.

Many locators feel that the pricing should stay static for at least they day they were quoted the price. It is not good business for locators or leasing agents to quote a price to a customer who visits the community that same day and is told the price has changed.