Designer vs. Decorator?

Today these terms are often used interchangeably, but don’t be confused because there are differences. A decorator typically lives in the "Color Me Beautiful World" of paint, wallpaper, furniture and color; many were born with great taste but have not been professionally trained. An Interior Designer knows color, but has learned to digs deeper into the space and apply the concept of form follows function. To determine which is better for you, determine what you want from the professional. Do you just want to freshen up the look of your home or office? If this is the case you can call either one, but get references. I’m a strong believer in references because this is where you find out if the professional is trustworthy. Interview them and ask around town to find out what people are saying about the professional you are planning to hire before you sign a contact. Be comfortable that they can offer you what you need. If you are looking to do a more drastic renovation of space along with you face lift, this is a time to look for an Interior Designer. The reason for this is simple. They having been trained in space planning, they understand state and local codes which could effect your project and they understand the health safety and welfare issues and know how bad design can affect the well being of those using the space. Don’t assume that because a professional calls themself an Interior Designer that they have this more in-depth training. Many decorators like the term designer, but don’t have the training or the background to do these larger projects. The other term you may also run into is "Interior Architect". This is a term created by today’s higher educational system to make a distinction between the terms interior designer and interior decorator. An Interior Architect, after completing college, will typically have the same certification as an interior designer. That being said, check to see if your state certifies Interior Designers. If not check to see if the interior designer you’re planning to hire is a certificate holder of the "National Council of Interior Design Qualification" (NCIDQ). This will be a good indication you’ve found a qualified designer. But don’t stop here. It is still recommended to review portfolio’s and get references. None of us want to create a room for an aging relative and find out the beautiful drapes that were specified don’t meet flammability codes and have gone up in flames when a friend who smokes came to visit! Check out the following websites for more information on designer qualifications.
http://www.ncidq.org/
http://www.asid.org/
www.iida.org/
Check out my website for additional links to the State of Maine and their certification of Interior Designers in the State of Maine.
http://www.inexinteriordesign.com/Website/web-content/Pages/Links.html