2007-08-21 00:15:13 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Decorating & Remodeling
Unlike some of your answers, it is not just semantics, it's the difference in the degree and scope of education. An Interior Designer in Canada, will have a University Degree, either a Bachelor of Interior Design or a Masters. A Bachelor's degree took 4 years, full time, through the Faculty of Archetecture. We are licensed professionals through a provincial Interior Designer's Institute, and Canadian and International Institutes if we choose. There are exams in most cases to gain memberships in these groups. Professional standards are adhered to, and continuing education is a vital componant to maintain high standards of practise in our profession. We are fully trained in constuction and the technical aspects of design and building. An Interior Designer can produce drawings for permits and and construction and will be knowledgable in building code issues pertaining to electrical, mechanical and structural details. Furniture and cabinetry design, material, finish, and color selection also is part of the designers scope of expertise.
An Interior Decorator, if they have had any formal training, will have completed an abreviated, less intensive, certificate course ( usually 2 years, and sometimes a part time, night school course) Their technical knowledge is usually limited, with their emphasis being the selection of colours, finishes, furnishings and accessories for the space. Unfortunately, anyone can use the name "Interior Decorator" without any formal training, as you will find a lot of painting contractors for example, using the name.
I, by no means, am saying Decorators are inferior. There are many talented and dedicated Decorators with high levels of experience who excell at what they have been trained in. A lot of design projects don't require the technical knowledge that a Designer also has, and a Decorator can perform well, relying a little more on their trades for construction details if any.
If you are thinking of hiring one or the other your best safeguard is to ask about their education, what jobs they have done, and even for past clients for references or to view their work. The size and scope of your job may call for a Designer or a Decorator may be qualified to do it also.
2007-08-21 04:28:30 · answer #1 · answered by lveno4 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An interior decorator goes to school for 2 years and gets an associate degree, if that. A decorator can not be licensed.
An interior designer goes to shcool for 2-4 years and can earn a bachelors and even a masters degree in interior design. An interior designer, after they have passed the NCIDQ (an interior design bar) and have had a few years experience can become licensed.
Basically, if you pick a licensed interior designer and you do not like the work they do, you can contact the state board, file a compliant and they will help you get your money back. If you pick an interior decorator you can not do the above with out taking this person to court.
2007-08-21 03:19:05 · answer #2 · answered by twokayakers 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Interior Decorator has a certificate and an Interior Designer has a degree.
2007-08-21 01:26:33 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A decorator makes it look nice using furniture, curtains, flooring, etc. A designer is qualified to do that plus more architectural changes. They have more knowledge regarding the actual structure they are decorating/designing and may be called upon to help design interiors before they are built.
2007-08-21 00:21:09 · answer #4 · answered by MJ3000 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
the interior designer is the person who will decorate your house
2007-08-21 00:24:33 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
An interior decorater can help with fabrics, furniture, pictures, carpeting, etc. A designer designs the space for you, such as in remodeling or building a new building. Where to put walls, electrical outlets, architectural features (celing molding, windows, etc).
2007-08-21 02:45:13 · answer #6 · answered by red 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Interior decorators fight with the client's wife about curtains and chaises longues...interior designers fight with the architect and contractor about lighting in the library and whether to have a sliding door onto the breakfast patio.
Decorators pick out furniture...designers pick on architects.
2007-08-21 00:29:20 · answer #7 · answered by constantreader 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Only semantics. They are one and the same.
2007-08-21 01:01:23 · answer #8 · answered by dawnb 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
more anti decombed than the other
2007-08-21 00:24:21 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋