Decorator position?

Question

Can anyone tell me what is the best way to acquire a position as an interior decorator without having to go to school? I think i was born to be a decorator but dont want to go to school, unless I get to be in the business and get inspired to do it, and dont have the money to do it. Please help...thank you..

Answer 1

I started with a supply company, worked my way up the ranks (about 8 years). During that time I became a consultant and received a couple of certifications. I later decided I wanted to lean toward the building aspect of the industry, so I took another path.

You have to network and meet a lot of people, which is when I came across a gentleman who owned a design firm and he took me under his wing. He decided to train me on cad, with no previous experience, with one drawback. He would pay me about 15k less a year. You're talking about 12 years of my life I have been spinning wheels to realize that I wanted to design on cad.

If I had just gone to school and taken out financial aid in the first place I would've gone a lot farther. Now there are young women walking out of school and into positions over me, but I realize I'm just like everyone else: paying my dues.

The way I see it, you have one of two options:
1) Go to school and see if they can place you in a work/train job where you can work with a decorator interning while doing school. Decorators LOVE that situation - they don't have to pay as much on the upfront and you get real-life training in very little time.

2) If you don't want to pay for school, you will have to pay your dues. Find an interior design company or kitchen / bath / lighting design firm and start as their receptionist. Let them know, up front, that this is a career your interested in and be very eager every day on the job. Learn everything you can and shake all the hands you can. Make yourself an asset and they'll hang onto you.

Answer 2

No matter how talented you are at decorating, you should have the credentials to be an "Interior Decorator" if you plan to pursue it as a career.

You might try working as an apprentice (with little or no pay) to a decorator. This would help you learn what it's all about - and that includes a lot more than just being able to make a room look pretty.

Another avenue you might consider is working with a partner or on your own as a consultant or one who works with a client to utilize what she already owns to best advantage. I'm sure you've seen the "re-do" shows on HGTV.

If someone is planning to pay you for your "professional" services, I would think they would want you to be educated in your field. Otherwise, you'd have to charge less for what you do. That could work out if you are excellent and exceptional and can build up a client base and get word of mouth referrals.

If you're that good, though, just think of the money you could make if you had the degree to go with your talent!!!

Answer 3

I agree w/ M&M and Joyce. You need to go to school to receive formal training. There is so much more that you need to know besides putting some colors and fabrics together.

You need to learn things like proper furniture/accessory arrangements, how to measure for carpets/wallcoverings, the history of fabrics/furnishing and how they are made and what they are used for, learning about different vendors and how to price them out. You need to learn about about marketing, networking, how to deal with different personalities, financial strategies. Don't forget the computer age. There are programs that you need to learn about to keep up with your competitors.

For now, work as an apprentice as Joyce said. See if this is something you really want to go into. Save up your money, and go to school.

Answer 4

Theres prob courses you can take, but if you find a local one, they may help and offer an apprentiship? Google it, Elegant Decorating are close to me