What type of Interior Designer to Avoid


It has been nearly half a year since we met Interior Designer R** from the Carpenters. Well, in short, it was an incredibly eye-opening experience. Nevertheless, we decided to meet up a few more Interior Designers over the next few months so that we can reassess and review our experience more objectively.

The main intention of this blog post is to list down the main characteristics that you should watch for when shortlisting an Interior Designer. The secondary intent is to let our readers know the Interior Designer to avoid if you intend to work with  the Carpenters so that you can save some head and heartaches. This is because he made it to the top of our personal list of C.M.I Interior Designers.

Background


The renovation project at hand is a simple 2 bedder condo. The main challenge of a unit of such a punitive size was a distinct lack of storage. In fact, the proposed space planning by the Developer is not functional, sub-optimal and definitely ill suited for our lifestyle! Thus, we decided that it is time to pay the Interior Designers a visit.

Roles & Responsibilities of an Interior Designer

"Interior designers make interior spaces functional, safe, and beautiful by determining space requirements and selecting decorative items, such as colors, lighting, and materials. They read blueprints and must be aware of building codes and inspection regulations."
From truity

Mistake #1 Neglect the Demographics and Needs of ALL Occupants

The first mistake which R** made was a classic one; he did not find out the demographics and needs of all occupants of the unit and has falsely assumed that both of us are the only occupants. In fact, we have also encountered the same from some of the Interior Designers.


Mistake #2 Demonstrate Lack of Space Planning Skills

The second mistake made was a pretty major one. R**  made it extremely clear to us that he will follow exactly what the Developer laid down in the floorplan because that is what the Developer has proposed. In short, the position of the electrical appliances, sofa, TV console cannot be changed even after we voiced our concerns about the lack of counter-top space in the kitchen and storage in the living room. R** went to the extent of saying that we have to "live with it". 

If an "Interior Designer" insists that you should "live with it" due to his or her inability to space plan, then perhaps that "Interior Designer" is actually a Contractor in disguise.

To be fair, the rest of the Interior Designers fared reasonably well in this department since they were able to propose different locations of the electrical appliances,  sofa, TV console in order to cater our needs. Hence, the manner in which R** emphasized the following words "will follow exactly" and "cannot" clearly shows his lack of ability to space plan.  


Mistake #3  Inflexible and Closed to Ideas

The last mistake which R** made absolutely takes the cake.

His lack of ability to be flexible and uncomfortable to new ideas was clear when he was uneasy with our idea of having storage platforms in the bedrooms to address the storage challenge. After much probing, it seems that he had misunderstood that we will be using the bed frame on top of the storage platform. Nevertheless, after explaining to him that we are exploring the idea of having a sunken storage platform bed, he blistered at our suggestion and exclaimed that "no one has ever done that!"

Hummm....did you said no one? And what was that momentary loss of temper about?!

 Image from homedit

Image from pinterest

Conclusion.

Shortlisting a reliable Interior Designer can be a head and heartache experience. Some of them are clearly inexperienced contractors trying to pass off as an Interior Designer - we might have encountered one here but we are unsure since we were too disappointed to carry on the discussion.
Perhaps R** is only good at only packaging the home interiors?
"Interior designers make interior spaces functional, safe, and beautiful by determining space requirements and selecting decorative items, such as colors, lighting, and materials. ONLY."

Unfortunately, the term 'INTERIOR DESIGNER' is profusely abused in Singapore and Singapore is still a decade late in getting an accreditation scheme in place.
Yes, just a decade ago I have raised concerns over how the Interior Design Companies and Designers are loosely regulated, when compared to other countries.  
"Professional standards among interior designers here vary and untrained individuals can call themselves interior designers. The term is being abused."
MR KEAT ONG, president of the Society of Interior Designers Singapore, which is launching an accreditation scheme for the industry

Do share with us with your experience too! :)


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