Common Myths of Decorating - Dispelled

by Lee Mink, ASID

Myths and magic weave themselves through the very fabric of our lives, relieving the cold, hard stress of reality in a material world. We find ourselves caught between Santa Clause and Cupid, wanting our dreams realized, having them wrapped and delivered in the middle of the night, and always having them cost us “nothing.” These myths are delightful and keep us in touch with “our Inner Child.” But some myths can be really harmful – think of diet delusions that actually hurt your health or investment schemes that just don’t work.

For those thinking of an interior redesign, myths that lead to the fear factor of engaging a professional often whirl about interior designers and the decorating process. In my years of experience, I’ve encountered several of these common misconceptions. These run something like this: “They’ll throw out all of my stuff!,” “It won’t be like my home anymore,” “Everything will match too much,” and “It’ll cost a fortune!” Those myths often start with anecdotes from some over-the-top type, similar to the wedding designer’s rants in the Father of the Bride movie.

Let’s dispel these myths and replace them with the realities of interior designers’ work with clients.

Source of Inspiration: Personal or Family Treasures

Dispelling the fear of totally unfamiliar, expensive results, clients are happy to learn that most accredited interior designers value their treasures, such as a family heirloom or painting or a collection of some sort, as an inspirational starting point to include and to feature in the design plans. Designers know that these give a home its “story” – the elements that separate a real home from a model home.

For instance, every October, the ASID Pasadena Chapter holds its Home Tour with the tag line “Real Living” to distinguish the homes on display from a “Showcase” house created for a mythical, idealized client. Real designers work all year to carry out that motto. By carefully listening to their clients’ tastes, preferences, and lifestyles, designers pull from their lexicon of available products, color, textures and materials to create a truly personal space. As an example, the accompanying photo shows a living room that centers on the clients’ old coffee table and features their daughter’s harp. These personally meaningful elements inform and enrich the overall design.

Why Professional Help Matters

This brings us to another myth: “Anyone with good taste can decorate as well as the professional.” Yet, even talented athletes need a coach to make it to the Olympics. A good analogy would be how transformed a woman can be after a day of professionally done hair, make-up and nails. The most photogenic star with natural beauty looks so much more beautiful after a session with the professionals. Similarly, a professionally designed room or home takes its cue from its residents to produce an even better living space!

Professional designers hold a college degree in design followed by two to three years of an internship. An ASID designation after the name means these designers have met national certification standards, indicating a higher degree of practice and ethics - and point the way to client confidence in the designers’ recommendations. In addition, professional designers, already familiar with current fabrics and furnishings, continually research products that are new to the market, saving clients enormous amounts of time and avoiding costly mistakes. These factors add up to valuable assets for the homeowner.

A Lasting Pleasure in Living Spaces

Unlike asking a girlfriend/cousin/neighbor who has cute hair to cut and highlight one’s tresses, asking for a friend’s help in decorating (or doing it yourself) too often leads to choices that can cost thousands of dollars and become a permanent part of a home’s value. The results must be lived with for a very long time. And, unlike a hair style that is temporary and any poor results easily remedied, the same is not true with one’s home and furniture. Well-chosen design, like a diamond, “is forever”, providing a continual source of pleasure in personal living spaces. Shaking off the myths and pre-conceptions about interior designers and their work opens one up to creative - and delightful - opportunities for a new phase of living in comfort and style.

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Lee Mink, ASID, heads Lee Mink & Associates Interiors, Pasadena, California, which provides residential and commercial design, space planning, and custom designed furnishings services. She can be reached at (626) 796-3900 or email: lee@leeminkinteriors.com

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