According to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, a feeling of security and comfort is an innate need for every individual in the planet. This need is satisfied through a proper shelter which gives every one a sense that he is away from danger. Even the earlier people needs to have a home in the form of caves and other primitive form of shelter. However, our society today are far more sophisticated and living in caves is no longer considered as a "decent" shelter, unless you are part of an indigenous tribe or you personally prefer to live inside a rock in the most literal sense.
"Pillows. I need soft and fluffy pillows."
This need to have a proper shelter is what makes every person (including but not limited to all the Mom's out there), to try and make our house a home (or at least wish to make it as close to being a home). When the most effective way to do this is through interior design, the question is why isn't all of us getting an interior design service from professionals? We can only blame it to these myths that creates fear and doubt for us to trust a professional interior designer to create a more comfortable and efficient home for our convenience:
Myth #1: There is NO WAY on earth I can afford an interior design service. Really.
Fact:
Interior designers are living in a principle that they must always conform to the budget of the client. They are all trained to do that. Working with how much the customer has is a pretty tough challenge but they have ways to make the most out of your allocated amount of money. The secret is that designers have a wide range of connections including suppliers and contractors which give them special rates - rates that you will not get if you go directly to them. The result: cheaper costs of supplies.
A bigger budget will, of course, give you more options but you will be amazed what designers can do to stretch every single dollar.
Myth #2: I can decorate my house on my own. I don't need an interior designer to do that for me.
Fact:
Unless you are superman, then that statement is a complete disillusionment. There is a wrong perception that interior designers and interior decorators are one and the same. They are not. Interior designer are not just a bunch of people who goes to the department store and pick the best curtain for your window or choose the best wall colour to compliment your unique antique jars from Africa. Interior designing has some technicalities to consider such as how you can breathe well while inside your room through proper ventilation or how to make sure your child won't be able to stick his hands in a power outlet through child-proofing techniques.
"We are superman."
Designers are also trained to do other things such plumbing, mill-work, and room acoustics. And they also have a proper knowledge if your kitchen will smell like food all through out the day, if your floor lamination will warp in just 5 days, or if your the tiles that you bought will not have the same colour after a couple of months. They are also aware of the safety codes that must be implemented on your home so that people from SCDF won't knock outside your door. So basically yes, interior designers are like superman in their own ways.
Myth #3: Interior designers are self-centered and will only implement their own style for the design of my home.
Fact:
If you will make an appointment to an interior designer and you'll meet for the first time, one of the first questions that he/she will ask you is, "What would you like?". As interior designing is a service oriented profession, everything is all about how to satisfy the client. Designers have educated recommendations that are worthy of your attention but they will always conform to what you want to do. Most of the times clients have a concept on their mind on how they want their rooms to look like and so it is the job of the designer to materialize that concept.
Customers who are very keen in details and are specific on what they want to do are appreciated by the designer. After all, you are the boss and you will always be in the loop in every step of the way so you know everything that are happening before, during and after the project.
Credits:
Story based on "Three Myths About Interior Design", Designers of Choice Magazine, Nippon Paint
Photos from:
www.allphilippines.com
www.networksboise.com
No comments:
Post a Comment