http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2010/jan/14/creative-interiors-take-deep-breath-then-design-it/

Is there a difference? Why do I care? Why should you care?

This Naples News story is a prime example of the public’s inability to differentiate between decoration and interior design.  Unfortunately I can’t fault them. We (the certified/credentialed interior designers) have failed at any effort to properly define our true role in the building design professions.

Well if all you want is somebody to pick some paint colors and arrange your furniture (maybe even turn your headboard into a frilly hassock) then please by all means call your local interior decorator. If however you are looking for a design professional that is qualified to do this;

http://www.ncidq.org/AboutUs/AboutInteriorDesign/DefinitionofInteriorDesign.aspx

then you need to call a certified interior designer.

But how is the general public to know the difference? That will be the point of several upcoming posts on this blog.  Unfortunately the decorators are afraid to admit that they are in fact interior decorators.  You see there is a stigma associated with being an interior decorator. Unfortunately it is the decorators themselves that created the negative stereotypes. So most interior decorators would rather present themselves as interior designers….it just sounds more professional. Well dammit that is because a lot of qualified well-intentioned interior designers and architects have invested an inordinate amount of time and energy to advance the status of the profession (see definition above).  So the decorators want to ride our coattails to professional legitimacy. 

Well the free ride is over.

PS. I could not let this statement go;

“The good thing about interior design is that there is no right or wrong, just degrees of appropriateness”

All I can say to that is….

“Do you really believe that you can do no wrong?” Wow.