Secrets of the Decorators
There’s a quiet revolution apparently going on in the decorating world that some professional decorators aren’t happy about.
Previously exclusive sources of what’s called to-the-trade interior decorating products are opening their doors to the general public. Among these sources are New York’s Decoration & Design Building and the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, California. As long as the “public” can pay for the luxury fabrics, high-end furniture pieces and in-house consultants paid by the hour, interior design licenses aren’t needed to have access to the goods.
The trend is fueled by a growing sophistication in homeowners and the availability of information through magazines, TV programs and the internet.
Everyone is now a self-styled expert, with a sense of entitlement to the resources - Scalamandré silks, Grange furniture, Osborne & Little wallpapers - that were once the sole province of the professional designer.
The phenomenon caters to a whole new group of decorators, unschooled in design but not untalented, people with an innate sense of what works and what doesn’t. It’s that neighbor or fellow mom whose living room is admired by all and whose opinion on paint chips is sought before the first coat is applied. They have the talent, now they can have the vintage pieces too.
I understand why some professional decorators resent this development. It is, in a way, an intrusion into their territory. But I think it’s a good thing. The practice of good interior design shouldn’t be limited only to those who have a degree in the arts. You have the talent, by all means, go ahead and be proud of it, degree or no degree.
Some of the online resources are:
http://decoratorsbest.com/ for fabrics and wallcoverings
http://www.1stdibs.com/ “where you can familiarize yourself with all the great designers”
And, of course, don’t forget the thrift shops and Ebay.
[Source: The New York Times]
Tags: decor, design-sourcesRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Home Decor, Product News and Reviews
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