I am wanting to learn more about design in depth. If I could start life over again, I would have gone to an actual school for interior design, however at this point, I am just wanting to learn for myself. I know that you can only call yourself an interior decorator not designer by graduating from these schools. I'm fine with that. I've been analyzing spaces since I was about 6 or 7! It's about time I learn the how's and the why's.

I'd like to know what people think of these two programs? I thought I read somewhere that Sheffield's materials are very outdated. That's one of the things that is keeping me from taking the plunge. I've checked Sheffield's online forums for more info from actual students, but they don't seem very active at all. Does anyone have any lesson samples they could share, feedback, etc..?

Thank you!

I would go to a local community college to get courses for Art History. That will give you an idea for what influenced time periods and where trends came from, how the people of the time were feeling.

I can't say much for Sheffield since I did not take that course.

I would go to the library and get books on interior design, how to's. Some designers have books out there of their work, but I am talking about books on how to do lighting, floor plans, kitchens, baths etc. You will learn a lot just by doing that which a lot of the smaller online or mail in courses do not have. Read, read, read.
Great topics include:
History of furniture
History of Art
Design periods in history
Design periods in America
Color, and how to use a color wheel
Fabrics, what they are called and what uses they have.
I have seen a few good books out there that help you through the steps on creating projects.

I could go on and on, but basically you need to know what goes on when doing a room and a house. If you have a friend that can let you do a plan up for her/him and practice.

I even took a night course in decorating before going to college, I wanted to see what the 'gist' of the field was like. I asked a lot of questions and learned a lot, I learned I really wanted to know more.

Good luck and let us know what you choose!

Thanks for taking the time to respond Mary Ruth!

I'm 31 and have 6 children, so a community college course is out for me for the time being

I've been mentally tearing down walls and re-painting and re-accessorizing homes since I was a very little girl! I should have just gone into design, but did not really know I could have a career in it at the time.

Because of my situation, I'd like to take one of the distance training courses I mentioned and am hoping someone has some input on them.

Thanks!

One of the most interesting classes I took had to do with the effect of space, lighting, temperature, everyday objects (like office chairs,etc), and interactions between people of various types in public spaces and how people respond to those conditions. It also addressed ergonomics and the reason for heights and clearances of things most people don't really think about. Being a technical person rather than a creative person, I found the class fascinating. It was kind of a combination of psychology and simple engineering, with the end goal of creating on something like a subconscious level, a functional, comfortable environment. It was my favorite class and not something they begin to address on TV.

Unfortunately, our instructor only used certain parts of the book and photocopied them into handouts so there was no textbook to purchase. It was 20 years ago and I don't remember the name of the book, but it is a category of study that I would highly recommend even if you're just interested in decorating and not necessarily a design degree. Look for books that deal with human factors and interiors. The title of this book sounds familiar, but I can't see enough of the inside of it to tell if it was the one we were using. Human Dimension and Interior Space: A Source Book of Design Reference Standards

In my opinion, knowing how we react to conditions is more valuable than knowing what period a chair came from-that you can look up in a reference book. Of course those classes are necessary and while I enjoyed looking at the art and furniture, they were the classes I sometimes caught my eyelids drooping in.

One more thing, the principles of good design-which you will apply to all your projects, large and small, personal or for friends or profession, are pretty much constant. I don't have any experience with either school. Check the reviews, complaints, and the course outlines and that may help you determine which on is better for you. Good luck!

Christie,
Thank you so much for your input! I'm writing this in the ER as since my first post, I managed to cut my leg on the corner of my oven door while trying to close it for dinner tonight!

Anyway, your class sounds like something I would love to learn! I think that I like certain aspects of Feng Shui because they seem to take care of some of those issues. I personally feel tense when rooms are not well put together, especially growing up and now in
My own home. Wall colors, tight spaces, jumbled up traffic patterns, and furniture placement in the home really affects me to the point of physically and mentally stressing me out. I am to realizing that there is definitely something to a well thought out and decorated space to sooth the senses.

I'll look into that book, and please do feel free to suggest any others!
Thank You!

I have this book Christie and am looking at it right now.
I had this class in college where we discussed the Anthropometric human dimensions from this book, the reason it was not a text book for most is that the cost was over $100, steep for college students many years ago. All my books cost that for each semester. I was able to get mine through The Architectural Book Club for a greatly reduced price.

This chair was new and Ergonomically made for human scale, the local Design Center (DCOTA in Dania Beach, Fl)introduced this chair back around 1990 and I got the opportunity to create the window display for it. I made all the components of the window (except for another student's graphic art work displayed) and created the look from the book mentioned above. The book is actually on the seat of the chair to show inspirational source that was sited.

I also have books on business contracts, networking (so important).

The main thing is to read, and get involved in any local interest groups you can that are into some sort of decorating. Design is not easily learned in an arm chair. But reading is, if you are well read by the time you get 'out of the house' meaning the children are all occupied at school for certain hours, then you can be ahead of the game. You can look for a part time job with a local business to gain experience.

The MAIN experience we were told by visiting designers who spoke at the DCOTA was to first (I am not kidding! we were told this) Get a job as a waitress or waiter. And second, to work in a store as a salesperson.

The reason is the waitress job, and since I had not ever done that type of job, I got a similar job working a few nights at a hotel restaurant. I was the hostess. When the waiters didn't show I was the 'fill in' this gave me some experience, I did this while taking classes so it was rough. From this I learned what the speaker was referring to. That is trying to please 3-10 customers at a time. Then you hear the complaints, this is not right, I ordered this but don't like it, could I have a refill on my drink, etc. Point being is that you learn to divide your time and update many areas at one time frame. Like keeping the plates spinning on many poles (we see that in carnival type shows).

Of course you being a mother of 6 (and counting?) is EXPERIENCE in this area!

The sales experience on a sales floor is similar, many people just looking take up your time and different levels of customers come to you, some needing more intense attention and buying more. You learn to juggle and keep the attention on the $5 customer as much as the $500 customer, both important but using different parts of your experiences and time.
Well you get the idea.

The photo is old and has some scratches on it which came through on the scan.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Mary Ruth,

As I was sitting here at my computer viewing my favorite Blogs, I realized how you can get started from home! Blogs are FREE. Libraries are FREE (unless you are habitually late with returning books! lol)

Start A BLOG! You can decorate virtually! If you have a scanner, you can upload photos and comment on them (from books). Or you can find photos online and start saving them (I would recommend a memory flash drive to store the photos on so they do not eat up so much memory.

With this medium you can research decorating subjects and post your impression or interpretation of them. You will eventually get a following that can add to your experience and you will feel like you are 'in' the world of decorating even though you are not in a position to actually change your own home.
Iron sharpens iron (sharp sharpens sharp) with sharing and learning as you go. AND there are a lot of other bloggers out there doing just this! And most of the time there is no actual home project going on in their own home. This will help you refine your own style as well without leaving home or any cost to you (when you already have internet connections).

This Blog can be something to show a prospective job interviewer someday. These days, networking and learning how to reach prospective clients is so important. Sometimes you are hired because of your following.
Look for local groups that might have started a networking club already in this interest. Post a note (leave email address, get free one on Yahoo with a screen name so you can filter emails). Lots of ways to get in touch outside of your home. The best part is that with emails and a blog, you can do this when children are taken care of for the day (alone time).

I have met a few lasting friends by checking out Craigslist items, in doctor's offices and online that were local to me now. Once you get a network of like-minds, you can find it can be fun to share your experiences and new things learned.

Coming to this board is like that, where we look forward to sharing. I belong to a few private boards that talk decorating and their home projects. There is so much out there, depends on how much you want to jump into and how much our current schedule will allow.

You can start today by checking out Pinterest, and get the idea for saving photos of what you like.

You may PM me if you need any further info on Blogs or Pinterest board ideas. All seems like a slow pace when one is starting a Quest. But in time it will fill more and more of your life and imagination. All up to you!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Mary Ruth,

Here is a portion of a page I scanned from my book for you to see (took me a while, sorry). Then you can understand what Christie was talking about, how technical details are so important in any project.
This is from that

quote:

Human Dimension & Interior SpaceSpace A source Book of Design Reference Standards book (link to Amazon.com where they have some used ones for under $15

http://www.k-state.edu/udlearnsite/Lesson4.htm
One area I worked in was Universal Design here is a site to check out awareness in this field.

here is one diagram of the human body I found this photo online.

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Hi Mune

I attended a part-time program for Interior Decorating while I had a friend that was a student of Sheffield. I know that she missed the interaction and exchange of ideas with her peers but did have a good mentor assigned to her. With 6 kids underfoot a good distance program is a great start though I had 4 kids and some days I couldn't get out the door fast enough to head down to the city for class.

I think that one of the important things to consider is which of the programs is recognized
by any associations you might want to join in the future. It's for you today but you might get bitten by the bug and want to open your own business. I don't know where you are located but CDECA - The Canadian Decorators Association recognizes both Sheffield and QC. I'm on the board and can tell you that this year all institutions were re-qualified so I doubt that either of them are out of date with their material.

Good luck!!

Cheers
Mary

Mary Ruth,
Thank you for taking the time to upload all those great scans and for all your encouragement! I wrote a blog on homeschooling from 2008 up until this fall when my domain name got sold from under me! Blogs can be such a wonderful tool like you stated! I've actually been planning a design blog out for a while now, and am waiting to buy a nice template to set it up (I think I'm done with free Blogger after what happened to me!) I have to say that your positive words have touched me and I can't wait to move ahead in my journey!

Mary,
That's great that you're on the CDECA! I would like to eventually join an organization, thank you for bringing that up!

I am thinking that if I get started now, by the time the children are old enough for me to get out on my own a bit more, I'll have a head start! My husband and I are due to pay off the house in our mid to late 40's as well, so if I still want to go to school by then, I'll still be a youngin' (say's me!). How I would love to go to an actual school for the interaction like you said, and even for studio, etc.. but since I can't, I will try to make the best of my home experience and practice here and with my friends!

As is, I feel guilty because I was supposed to be praying at a Christmas gathering the other night (Posadas) and I couldn't get my mind off of what I would do to change my friends living room light paint and bulky furniture arrangement! I almost can't help it, but luckily I keep my thoughts to myself, unless asked for my opinion!

Hi Mune. . . it sounds to me that you have received a wealth of information from Mary Ruth with Bella's help!

Just a word of caution, when you write about the prayer meeting and mentally re-decorating your friends space. . . well that is something I have done all of my life (I am 77) but it still does not mean I want to (or have the talent) to be an interior decorator.

While all that has been said here is truly informative and necessary and would lead to a thoroughly intellectually knowledgeable person, no mention has been made of the psychology of dealing with clients.

I had a friend (true she was untrained by the standards Mary Ruth speaks of) but still a woman who earned her living as an interior decorator and had some of the highest profile people in our area as clients. She found the work a misery because of the many things that can go awry that really have nothing to do with design or knowledge. . . at least not in design. Things like late deliveries, out of stock choices, damaged pieces of furniture etc.

Do not be discouraged though by your age when you finally get launched. My Mom had six kids and in her late '40's got her coveted nursing degree. I myself started college at age 47.

You have been given wonderful advice so far, I would add to this. . . trying to get a job (no matter how humble) in something to do with furniture or home furnishings as soon as your home responsibilites allow that as part of your life.

There are many more designers on this board I hope join in. Charles D., Sharon W., Cavin and Magnaverde to mention a few.

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Mune,

Once you sign up for a recognized institution most associations, like CDECA, offer student memberships. CDECA gives you access to all that it offers to accredited with the exception of being able advertise that you are a member of CDECA. Volunteering in the many committees that most organizations have is a great way to network and learn and grow as well.

I just wanted to add that I started my first class at 23 yrs old, at Chamberblain Jr College in Boston, my daughter was 4 mos old and a 2 1/2 yr old hyperactive son. I took History of Art and Furniture and ID studio, Color Theory I & II as an elective and Architectural drafting as my first courses (what was the choice from available for that semester). I had to drive 20 min to the bus that took me to the T (public subway) and into the Back Bay, Prudential Center part of town. Had never been there, but my love for design made me want to go.
For my first class I crawled up the stairs to the 3rd floor (I never knew there would not be an elevator in that old building!) and then pulled myself into the classroom and sat against the wall with tears running down my face for the first class! NOTHING was going to keep me from doing this. I had been in a car accident (where a car rammed into mine) and sprained my upper/middle/lower back and was not recovered, BUT had pre registered and paid for the class (over $200 at the time of the first course and $468 by the last) I paid as I went. I was not going to miss the opportunity. The teacher and students understood and let me be. By the end of the class (semester) I was better and could walk and do all I needed to do to finish.

We moved further away from the city and the school, so I lost the ability to go back for other courses, but continued to read and learn about furniture, etc.
I was 42 when I finally graduated with a BS in Interior Design. It was a long trail, but I never thought of doing anything else. I am glad I stuck with it. I worked at all sorts of jobs where they let me go to do home consultations, and believe it or not I sold Fuller brush (to get the door to door experience) and actually became a recruiter for them, then Avon, I moved up in that and worked with District Manager. I think you can do whatever helps you gain sales and people experience. My job at a place that sold wallpaper/paint/rugs was my favorite job, I got to reorganize their 8 regional stores and set up home consultation. I saw the inside of many homes, and the company allowed me to take a fee as long as I did it after work. So, a few evenings a week I went to do those appointments. This was in the high end areas of the city and I got to see lots of decor.

I knew ladies in different colleges I went to that graduated at 50 with law degree, or 60 with nursing degrees, life goes on and so does the true love of what you want to do. Follow your heart. The road may not be clear now, but it will lead you to more and more fulfillment of what you love to do!

I am glad you are going to Blog, post your address here when you do! I would love to see how you are doing and what you like to post!

Check out Adobe Illustrator too for a drawing program.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Mary Ruth,

quote:

Originally posted by munequita4:
I almost can't help it, but luckily I keep my thoughts to myself, unless asked for my opinion!

lol mune one of the most desirable qualities of a decorator or designer is being able to keep one's thoughts to themselves unless asked. If you got that one mastered already you're well on your way. Not to say, however, that you will never make a suggestion that wasn't asked for but when you do I'm sure you'll do it in such a way as to not embarrass them or make them feel bad about their idea of design and decorating. What ever floats their boat.

mdancy,
I guess I failed in that aspect because I just wrote a whole lot of what are answers to what she didn't ask! LOL

This topic has always caused controversy on this board because we all come from a different background and different schools of thought. Point being there never is ONLY ONE way to get somewhere!

lol that's not what I meant Mary Ruth! She opened the door and we walked through I'm talking more about those in the industry that like to spout about everything and anything they see just to hear their own voice and often end up hurting someone in the process.

mdancey,
YES I know what you mean. I was always reminded that the client is not there for you to sell on 'your taste' but to direct them into achieving what they want and are PAYING for. One teacher I had used to say to us, 'no matter how friendly the client is, and no matter how much they love you and you are invited over, you are still 'a paid employee' till the job is complete, and not to forget that.

Unless someone says to me "I want my house to look just like yours"--and I'm still waiting for that to happen--I don't ever impose my own personal tastes on a client.

Explain why window treatment B is better (or a better value) than Window Treatment A, yes; steer them around the hidden pitfalls that inexperienced amateurs never think about till it's too late, definitely; but tell them that THIS is how we're going to do it, never. If someone's preferred style is absolutely repellent to me, I won't accept the job (although I doubt they would have asked me in the first place if we're that far apart) but in general, I look at a client's request for a rustic camp-style room or a 1970s room or a monochromatic Modern room as a design challenge, not a cry for help. I'll do just about anything as long as it doesn't involve Patrick Nagel prints or Gigantor furniture upholstered in old feed bags or copies thereof. Mario Buatta is the king of traditional decorating and I really like Thomas O'Brien's work, but the guy who really sticks out for his versatility--at least until his untimely death--was Jed Johnson, whose projects were all over the place, and every one a winner.

Munequita, here in Illinois, you can't call yourself an Interior Designer unless you've got a degree (or were grandfathered in) but there are no comparable rules for Interior Decorators--which old school name is what I call myself. But totally apart from title, there's also the matter of taste, which isn't something you can just go out and buy anyway, no matter what you decide to call yourself. In school, one of our instructors said "There are two paths to success in the world of design. You can be a good designer or you can be a good-looking designer." If you've ever been in a room full of ugly-but-expensive furniture or that had a bad layout or clumsy architectural detailing, now you know how the designer got the job. That designer was probably a hunk or a babe.

The sad part about modern Interior Design schools is that because of their focus on things like Space Planning, Sustainability, Life Safety--all of which are, obviously, important--there's no time left for anything as trivial as mere decorating. And I say that as a decorator. I learned a ton of stuff in design school, but almost nothing about what would have consituted a decorator's education fifty years ago. And not because I was a bad student, but because they didn't teach that stuff. Fortunately, I've been reading [old] decorating books since I was in seventh grade, so I already knew that stuff, but for kids coming out of high school and going straight into my school, it's no wonder they graduate without a clue about some things. A while back I was talking with a well-publicized Chicago designer, and she didn't recognize the name Syrie Maugham. That's the sign of a thin education. Don't get me wrong: I'm not even saying a designer should like Maugham's work. But here name ought to mean something to someone who spent four years of her life and a bundle of money on learning about design, and who's been working in the filed for a half-dozen years. But no. Not a flicker of recognition.

Anyway, like Bella, I'm a totally left-brained decorator, so to me, a broad background in the historic styles is a good thing, although more creative people may find all that stuff a big honking bore. But when you know history--even something as frivolous as decorating history--you're able to look at current developments with a little more perspective. Things like Tango Orange--Pantone's new 'Color of the Year'--and the raw-looking upholstery at one big-name chain retailer may have the h*ll marketed out of them as the latest trends but they're merely tweaks of old ideas. Tango was the bee's knees when Calvin Coolidge was in office, and when the decorator John Fowler first used plain canvas upholstery & exposed nailheads to cover a chair, Richard Nix*n was Pres*dent. Like the Proverb says "There is nothing new under the sun."

Anyway, that's what books do for you: give you that long perspective to know what works & what doesn't--and why. Let's face it, mistakes are expensive & it's cheaper to let someone else make them--especially if they made them half a century ago. So hit the library and start checking out every decorating book you can find--starting with the oldest ones, not the new ones. Here's why: when it's new, anything can look good, but as ideas & fads age, they reveal their true nature. Meaning there are some rooms in books published sixty years ago that are absolutely gorgeous, that you'd be ready to move into tomorrow, and there are others that there's no way in the world that you'd take--even if they gave them to you for free. Anybody can see that.

But when that book was new, that difference in essential design quality between the two kinds of rooms hadn't yet revealed itself. The deceptive sheen of Newness was hiding one room's essential ugliness, but now, all these years later, its tawdry nature is exposed for everyone to see. And the same thing happens with new books. Newness itself can fool people into thinking that something's good when, in fact, the only thing it's got going for it is that it's new. And when that wears off, it's got nothing.

That's why another of our instructors in design school used to say "You can learn just as much from an ugly room as you can from a good-looking room. Sometimes, more."

Regards,
Magnaverde.

Magnaverde Rules No 16: A degree is expensive, but expertise is available for free to anyone willing to study.

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MAGNAVERDE,
Great advice and so true. I didn't learn anything about decorating in college. I learned all the technical stuff and the way to survive by not over stating what I could do. I learned how to specify with knowledge.

I am equally Left and Right brain for some reason, I love the Left and math side, the orderly and technical side of design. And then I love the intuition and the sheer feel of the artistic side and color. But color is more technical than I thought.

Well, you are making me get back on track to go back to the library and continue on reading about decorating and more about Syrie Maugham and her white rooms. I love Buatta, and a well done room does evolve as he said.

Every profession requires networking and connections with other people in your profession, that is so important. Well read, informed on the subject you call your 'life's work' and well connected helps you to get further in your dream career.

I love studying pictures on Houzz.com It's fun to look for pictures of spaces I would not decorate the same way in my home, but that I can appreciate the beauty and aesthetic of anyway. What I want to know are the principles that can be applied to achieve a great space, no matter what the style.

I've been looking over this Interior Design textbook website over the last few weeks: http://fairchildbooks.com/page.cms?id=330

Aside from taking a distance training course, I would love to get some of these books! Looks like there are some great titles!

munequita,
What a nice selection of books to start with! In college they always specified certain books as text books so I ended up with a small library to start with, I have resold some text books and thinned down my collection (so they would fit in my house, they can add up!). I also had a subscription to Architectural Digest because I belonged to ASID (first student membership, then Allied) and they gave me a low cost subscription. That was the only magazine I got for years, but I kept up with a lot of the other magazines through friends and the library. Utilize as much as you can at the Library and other online sources.

I love Houzz too.

Have you a ever used a drawing program on your computer? This would save you a lot of time (hand drawing) in setting up how a project will look.

I have always used the Industry specific software with whatever job I had (they provided including. Since I was working with built-ins, molding and remodeling the software had to be specific for that industry and draw up with library back up for the shop and manufacturing.
You presentation will be more professional with computer drawing of floor plan with the ability to change and redraw quickly and save to client file.

How exciting for you to follow your dream and to continue on your journey towards what you want to do.

Hi Mary Ruth,
I've been using Icovia for floor plans for myself because it's pretty easy and I think someone on these forums had recommended it. Learning something like 3D Max would be pretty neat to though!

I used AutoCad, then AutoCAD Lt when it came to perspectives because our high end clients needed to 'see' the space and the shop needed to know how it all fit together. I used Cabnetware and CabnetVision for years for kitchens, and a little bit of 3030 at one place.
Here is an example of a wall I had drawn for my own house, we never built it up that much because of the 'over the top for that neighborhood costwise' but we built with something simpler. This program was Cabnetware. I had not finished drawing in the hardwood flooring so it looks plain. With that program you chose a position on the floor plan and click on 'perspective' and the direction of the cone of vision. This was the dining room looking into the living room. We ended up not doing that layout, we switched the cabinets to the left side of dining room in the drawing. The squares in the floor were the bands put in the hardwood flooring (proposed).

What was good about this software is that for each cabinet picked (I saved it ahead of time with all parts and components with dimension for each). So, I could print out a parts list and cut sheet from this drawing. I loved doing that so I ended up having a job for a few years being the engineer of a high end built-in and closet company in Boca Raton, Fl. So, I did the drawings, specified materials, and provided the shop with production schedule and daily work orders. (My favorite job!)

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Mary Ruth,

I used to do a hand sketch while talking to the shop person who would do hand work (not just put together in the field). This case was my husband, and when I decided to do the cabinets on the window wall I showed him what I meant, words do not convey correctly when speaking design, a sketch must spell out what you want. The shop drawing and measurements came after this initial idea.

I made a few drawings and according to what my husband and I agreed on, this was the final result. A few cost cutting changes, such as no seed glass and no mirrors on the back panel, but mostly the rest is the same as we planned.

My husband built the cabinets and then I took the measurements into work and had the doors made. My husband made all the drawer fronts. We kept the edge profile the same on all. We chose painted cabinets because the walls were paneled and I wanted them to fit into the wall decor and have the table be the focal point.

In this photo there is no glass in the doors yet. There are pull out trays behind the doors. We made the style of door and drawer to be inset (the door does not sit in front of the cabinet, but is same depth when closed. MY husband also made the counters and the legs. He surprised me with rope lighting under the cabinets so at night we could flip a switch and the lights came on and shined on the floor.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Mary Ruth,

If we had not been able to envision and see what we wanted there would have been more trial and error and it is too late to decide whether you like something after it is made or material is purchased.

We planned it all from the hardwood we laid on the floors to the panels on the walls and the cabinetry had to look integrated, not an after thought. That dining room had a window or door on every wall, so if we did the 'china cabinet' thing, that would mean I would get a lopsided room, or I get two? That is why I came up with this idea. Then, I had larger plates, so I did the outside cabinets at 14" depth to accommodate those plates and it held more glasses. Then I didn't want something in the center because a chair could be pushed back when getting up from that side of the room. Drawers have dividers with felt lining.

This was the same dining room on move-in day when we bought the house. All the character had to be added, applied to the walls.

And we had to not over remodel (cost wise) and I had to consider the skill level at my disposal (free labor DH!). In Yorktown Virginia, Colonial is so popular (they used to say that a modern house there won't sell, not true anymore) so I stuck with an Adams rule for molding idea. I planned out the measurements so that they would be consistent through out. Sort of deciding on the rules to follow so we would not let our Artistic temperament get the best of us.

Wow! What an amazing transformation! I really enjoyed these posts! So you have a blog? I'd love to learn more from you! What a wonderful feature your husband added with the lights! Seems ber talented from what I see here. You two make a great team.

Your sketches are really beautiful too. We just had our tiny master bath redone (it was hideous and creepy from the previous owners). We had to get it done in 2 weeks because we're in the process of refinancing. Well, the contractor was great about getting work done on schedule (hubby had already done demolition beforehand), but the one thing still bugging me is that the board and batten was not done like I asked. I emailed him a Houzz photo, but he still didn't get it right. I rely did not think it was that complicated to do it and get the materials, but I don't think he was familiar with that style (I'm in the SW but don't personally care for SW decor in my home!).
He ended up putting a sheet of mdf up with a nice chair rail and baseboards, but then just stuck up some thin measly nieces of trim vertically. This was after he brought over a more cottage wainscot which I would have preferred more in my daughters room. I wanted a more elegant feel with the thick board and batten, but I should have just drawn him an example to begin with, like you did above!

We were in a hurry to get it done and appraised, so I just let it be. Lesson learned! Especially that many contractors just cannot think outside what they know (at least the one's I've dealt with!)

I'll try and post a pic of the bathroom when I get a chance. We got carrera marble subway tiles (staggered) for the floor and went with a lightened shade of behr platinum paint above the white paneling including the ceiling. I'm in bed rest from my cut on my leg when I started this whole post! I ended up getting 25 stitches!

Ok Mary Ruth, I just have to say it again, that transformation... GORGEOUS! You are very talented!!! Would love to admire more of your work!

Hi you look up at the top header of this board and you should see a flashing PM sign, click on that and there is a private message waiting for you from me.

Good night I am tuckered out and will check in tomorrow!

I am going to admit that I am pretty against online programs to learn design. They are absolutely not respected by design professionals, and they are not accepted as an education if you ever want to become an accredited designer. To me that makes them a waste of money.

If you want to start learning more about design, just for yourself, as you said, I would start with a basic interior design text book. One that I liked and used when I was in design school was, "Interior Design, an Introduction" by Nielson and Taylor. You can learn a lot through reading.

Honestly, if you ever get serious about really getting a design education, there is no substitute for being in class. As with many creative fields there is a lot of verbal critique, and you must learn to describe and defend your work verbally in front of groups of people. To be a professional you will also need the technical skills in drafting and illustrating, space planning, etc. that are pretty difficult to learn out of a studio setting. Design is a creative, but also very technical field.

Anyway, I guess my point is that my advice is to do a lot of reading and experimenting now, and save your money for an accredited program in a few years when your kids are older, or grown and gone. My honest opinion is that it would be a better use of your money and time.

cocok,
These two ladies (Layla & Lisa) are part of the reason I decided to look further into Sheffield:
Layla at http://www.Theletteredcottage.net and Lisa at http://www.purestylehome.blogspot.com

As well as this blog post: http://cotedetexas.blogspot.co...-out-of-control.html

I would love to go into a classroom now and was actually wondering last nigh if I could just finish school over time, little by little? Do you know if you have to complete your degree over a certain period of time? I.guess I could find out locally, but I be quite honest, there is only one place locally that is offering interior design and they seem a bit sketchy, (they are an art school: SUVA) at least for some of the past reviews ( they just recently changed their name).

I've also been talking to someone from here: http://www.academyart.edu/
and am going to look into financial aid. It would all be online with them too though, however they are recognized by ASID, if that really does matter.

I know interior design is more than just decorating, and that with Sheffield, I probably will only get decorating and some space planning concepts. I think I'm ok with that, as long as I can get my hands on some good interior design textbooks to supplement as well. Maybe even working to help install for a designer eventually? I used to work at C&B in downtown Chicago in HS in College and my favorite part was working with designers and learning to see with their eye for design and why, etc.. They were always very nice!

At least go to ASID.org and look in the student/education section. They list the accredited design schools in the USA. Pick one of those schools!

If you want to know a little bit about design then online programs are fine. If you are serious about design, and hope to work as a designer someday, then get serious about your education. As I said, online programs are not recognized as a legit education, but they are considered an introduction to the topic of design. They absolutely do not provide enough training to be a serious professional.

And I have read Layla's blog, and Lisa's and Cote de Texas. I consider those women to be decorators. They pretty up spaces. That is fine, but design is much more than that. Much more. It it like that old saying, "you don't know what you don't know".

Oh, and I know people who worked through design school a little at a time, over a long period of time, because they had children or other life situations. It is possible.

It took me over 20 yrs to finish for my degree. If I had gone to non-accredited schools, my credits would not have transferred and I would have had to take some classes over again, so money wasted. You want to move forward, not redo your education. A lot of classes have prerequisiets before you can take a class, such as Drawing I before Drawing II. And some do not let you take studio classes until your second yr.
Check with ASID site as cocok mentioned.

Now if you just want to Blog like the gals you mentioned, you just jump right in and your following will show if you have something other people who like blogging want. Could be fun for you and help you use up some of that 'can't wait to get started' energy!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Mary Ruth,

Layla and Kevin seem to be doing pretty darn good for themselves! If Sheffield did that for her, then I couldn't be too bad off

I am definitely not interested in in designing hospitals or other commercial spaces, so maybe the interior design degree wouldn't be for me after all.

If I eventually have the time, I would be interested in helping people make their spaces feel better through furniture choices and placement, lighting, selecting colors and accessories, etc... I was just worried that maybe Sheffield would not go into as much detail as I would like, however, I think supplementing with some of those interior design textbooks might be the way to go.

Thank you everyone for your input!

Hi Mune,

I just went looking for decorator associations in the US but there doesn't seem any other than CID and it looks like they don't accept student memberships. Regardless I think you mentioned Chicago in one of your posts so if you're from Chicago or the area hopefully there will be some sort of networking available for you. If not you can always come to Toronto!

muneqita,

I am glad you are customizing your needs to fit the goals you have set for yourself! Mapping out what you want to do and finding a way to get there.

If it is a successful Blog something that you like start now, use a screen name and play with your ideas and test the market out there for what you like and see if there is any interest. Post motivational photos. Or put rooms together with pictures. And, please do not take this as something offensive to the Blog ladies, they are talented, but a lot of what money they make is from the actual BLOG! Yes, if you advertise and plug products and let them put ads on your Blog, they will pay you.

One time I found this awesome cherry reproduction chair online, I posted the photo on my Blog...I won't go into anymore details, but I was paid for that post and they asked me to write it in my own words. They contacted me about it when they found my blog through a search and had their company name show up. I had credited the photo to them and looked them up, provided link. They liked that. Just wanted to show you what you can do with a Blog. All the ads on those Blogs you mentioned pay money for them to be there.

I know another blogger who takes photos locally in the Antique shops and specialty shops in her area. They give her dishes and items to create vignettes and she says 'where she bought them'! I had an offer to do the same with a shop near my house (set up high-tea settings with their dishes on their tables). That would have been a lot of fun but I could not do anything with that at that time.

So, re-examine Blogging and see if it is for you or if you can customize your blog to fit your plans to reach your goals.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Mary Ruth,

quote:

Layla and Kevin seem to be doing pretty darn good for themselves! If Sheffield did that for her, then I couldn't be too bad off

They do have a terrific blog, and Layla is great at styling a room. She is obviously not a designer though.

You seem really set on Sheffield, munequita4. Maybe it will be right for you. Maybe you should investigate the difference between a decorator and a designer. It seems to me that maybe you are really wanting to do decorating, more than actual design. If that is the case, then something online might help you.

It really means so much to me that many of you have chimed in to offer options, ideas, and things to consider!

It feels great to begin my journey, a journey that I wish I had taken long ago! What 7 year old tries to convince their parents to choose a certain carpeting and changes their parents furniture arrangement? Maybe many of you, but I know that sure was me!

My parents were immigrants and my father especially wanted his children to become doctors or lawyers. A career in design or decor was seen as something ridiculous. I don't blame them, I think they wanted what they thought would be the best of the best career choice for us, but I now see that it has always been in me, and I'm excited to finally come out in the open with it! (Cue Diana Ross, I'm coming out!)

I think I will go ahead and go for Sheffield or possibly QC, and if I'm left "hungry" and wanting more, I am very encouraged that yes, it is possible to get your degree, even if it takes years and years. I see the distance courses as maybe getting my feet wet and testing the waters.

All my life, I have been very sensitive to my surroundings. I believe that good design and decor can just change the way people feel and interact with others on a daily basis. For my 15th birthday, my parents thought they'd be throwing me the typical Mexican Quinceanera party, and were very surprised when I turned it down. Instead, I chose to redecorate and rearrange my room. It was the first room I ever got to do, and afterwards, I was so happy with it! I've got my own home now, and little by little, I'm making it a place that feels comforting and welcoming. It is also so nice when people come over and automatically complement not only the looks, but the feel! It just makes my day. When I look at design and decor books, websites, etc... I analyze and dissect them. I can't wait to find out more and know the concepts behind what makes these spaces work.

Thank you all again, from the bottom of my heart. I'll let you know once I get a design blog up and running! I'm saving my graphic design and product writing pennies for a nice one! (I'm done with blogger since I had my long time blog domain name taken from under me!)

This message has been edited. Last edited by: munequita4,

Wonderful you know what you want.

And why not show us photos of your home? We have shared ours here and gotten great feedback from the members here.

Would love to see your 'jumping off' point. You should take photos of every wall and all the decor you have done so far. You will need to see the changes you make after you learn more and become more aware of what your style is and where you take it.

Good luck in your endeavors!

quote:

I believe that good design and decor can just change the way people feel and interact with others on a daily basis.

I agree. Many years ago someone had taken me to visit the children's mental health ward at famous Bellevue hospital in NYC. The surroundings were so drab and depressing that I wondered how whoever was responsible would not recognize how important surroundings are in one's well being.

I want to second Mary Ruth's request for pictures of your present home. If you upload them to a photo sharing site, it will be easy and informative and helpful to all of us (you and we other members who want to help) to share ideas back and forth.

LOS, there are still organizations--even mental-health organizations for at-risk teens, which supposedly have kids' best interets in mind--that don't seem to understand the powerful connection between external surroundings & internal emotional states. It boggles my mind to see the wrong-headed designs that exist.

Here's a picture of a former kids' psychiatric facility only a few blocks from my place. Neo-Brutalism was a popular architectural fad in the 1970s, but can you imagine a less-appropriate place for it than a kids' psyciatric facility? Who the h*ll was in charge of this awful design and what were they thinking? Were they on dr*gs themselves? Can you imagine a crying, suicidal twelve-year old being delivered up to this grim fortress to get "help"? They might as well have a directional signs to the Electro-Shock Room & the Torture Chamber.

MAGNAVERDE!
What a great example of bad design for its purpose! In Florida when I worked for a designer who did Accessible or Universal design, I had to go visit Nursing homes and Assisted living facilities.

Now what is the first thing you think they need, a way to find their rooms easily, right? There was (in most of the buildings I visited) where the lobby and elevator landings were the SAME on each floor! I got confused myself, the door would open on each floor with the same mauve wall, the same console table, and the same floral arrangement! The only way to tell what floor you were on was the tiny number on the panel on the wall. If the elevator had a few people in it (you can't see through them) you could not tell what floor you were on till the door opened and you saw the small number on the outer trim of the elevator. I thought that was insane!

Also, daycare centers with NO color!
Well you get the idea!

Thanks everyone! I'll try and post pictures soon. I'm off of bed rest now and not having as much time to be on the forums. I appreciate everyone taking the time to post!

munequita,
Are you OK? I sure hope you feel better soon!
Sorry to hear you had to have bed rest.

Munequita4 - if you're still on the boards, I have the entire Sheffield course (books, workshops, assignments etc.) that I haven't used. I got it about two years ago and I doubt much has changed. It's yours if you want it. PM me if you'd like.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by smilesforfree:
Munequita4 - if you're still on the boards, I have the entire Sheffield course (books, workshops, assignments etc.) that I haven't used. I got it about two years ago and I doubt much has changed. It's yours if you want it. PM me if you'd like.[/QUOTE

Thank You!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just pm'd you!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: munequita4,

Hey-
Yes, just confirming that Sheffields course material is extremely outdated. Having almost completed the course & looking for jobs, there's a HUGE gap between what the course covers and the skills required by employers.