What skills are needed for a career in interior design?
You often see interior designers portrayed in films – swanning into rooms, colour swatches in hand, lowly assistant in tow, swooning over ‘the endless possibilities darhling’. Trust me, (and caricatures aside) – there is much more to having a career in interior design.
Creativity and having artistic skills are important but equally is the ability to listen carefully and to have an open mind. A client may decide on a modern, contemporary or classic interior – so by suggesting a direction to go in, is usually the first step. An interior designer works in close collaboration with their clients and so building a good relationship, and therefore their trust is key.
In order to craft spaces that anticipate clients needs, a broad range of skills and technical knowledge is required. We work alongside architects, contractors, engineers, craftsmen, furniture suppliers and home furnishing suppliers. A clear understanding of the process and work involved in all these trades enable us to communicate clearly what is required for our clients.
I hope you enjoyed last months ‘A day in the life of an interior architect’. This month we share with you a typical day in the life of an interior designer which we hope will provide a good understanding of the work involved. No swanning! – But there might be a colour swatch or two…
Creativity and having artistic skills are important but equally is the ability to listen carefully and to have an open mind
8.00 am – Arrive at office
After a quick coffee, our interior design team gather in the meeting room for a morning update on current projects & new leads.
9.45 am – 12 pm Client appointment – in our office
I have a follow-up meeting with a new client. Our last meeting was at their property in Valbonne, a newly built home with magnificent hillside views. I was on site to oversee minor electrical and plumbing work which the client wanted updating. Today, I am helping them decide on a style of interior they would like for their home. I enjoy these early sessions with my clients as I get to find out more about them and how they live. Such important factors to consider when designing someone’s home. 16 fabric swatches, 9 sofas, 3 chairs and 1 table lamp later an overall classic style direction is agreed. They would also like suggestions for more contemporary lighting. A productive meeting all round.
12 – 1 pm – Lunch meeting at office with Christophe our site manager
I pop out of the office for 10 to our local bakery who make delicious sandwiches and take two salmon baguettes to go. Christophe, one of our site managers is meeting me at the office for a progress update on some urgent safety approvals for two other projects we are working on.
As an interior designer, I have to coordinate different stages of building work and keeping on schedule is crucial. Safety standards are drastic and constantly evolving so we must know and apply them perfectly. This can be incredibly challenging when you need to balance the aesthetics along with the technical constraints.
What skills are needed for a career in interior design?
You often see interior designers portrayed in films – swanning into rooms, colour swatches in hand, lowly assistant in tow, swooning over ‘the endless possibilities darhling’. Trust me, (and caricatures aside) – there is much more to having a career in interior design.
Creativity and having artistic skills are important but equally is the ability to listen carefully and to have an open mind. A client may decide on a modern, contemporary or classic interior – so by suggesting a direction to go in, is usually the first step. An interior designer works in close collaboration with their clients and so building a good relationship, and therefore their trust is key.
In order to craft spaces that anticipate clients needs, a broad range of skills and technical knowledge is required. We work alongside architects, contractors, engineers, craftsmen, furniture suppliers and home furnishing suppliers. A clear understanding of the process and work involved in all these trades enable us to communicate clearly what is required for our clients.
I hope you enjoyed last months ‘A day in the life of an interior architect’. This month we share with you a typical day in the life of an interior designer which we hope will provide a good understanding of the work involved. No swanning! – But there might be a colour swatch or two…
Creativity and having artistic skills are important but equally is the ability to listen carefully and to have an open mind
8.00 am – Arrive at office
After a quick coffee, our interior design team gather in the meeting room for a morning update on current projects & new leads.
9.45 am – 12 pm Client appointment – in our office
I have a follow-up meeting with a new client. Our last meeting was at their property in Valbonne, a newly built home with magnificent hillside views. I was on site to oversee minor electrical and plumbing work which the client wanted updating. Today, I am helping them decide on a style of interior they would like for their home. I enjoy these early sessions with my clients as I get to find out more about them and how they live. Such important factors to consider when designing someone’s home. 16 fabric swatches, 9 sofas, 3 chairs and 1 table lamp later an overall classic style direction is agreed. They would also like suggestions for more contemporary lighting. A productive meeting all round.
12 – 1 pm – Lunch meeting at office with Christophe our site manager
I pop out of the office for 10 to our local bakery who make delicious sandwiches and take two salmon baguettes to go. Christophe, one of our site managers is meeting me at the office for a progress update on some urgent safety approvals for two other projects we are working on.
As an interior designer, I have to coordinate different stages of building work and keeping on schedule is crucial. Safety standards are drastic and constantly evolving so we must know and apply them perfectly. This can be incredibly challenging when you need to balance the aesthetics along with the technical constraints.
What skills are needed for a career in interior design?
You often see interior designers portrayed in films – swanning into rooms, colour swatches in hand, lowly assistant in tow, swooning over ‘the endless possibilities darhling’. Trust me, (and caricatures aside) – there is much more to having a career in interior design.
Creativity and having artistic skills are important but equally is the ability to listen carefully and to have an open mind. A client may decide on a modern, contemporary or classic interior – so by suggesting a direction to go in, is usually the first step. An interior designer works in close collaboration with their clients and so building a good relationship, and therefore their trust is key.
In order to craft spaces that anticipate clients needs, a broad range of skills and technical knowledge is required. We work alongside architects, contractors, engineers, craftsmen, furniture suppliers and home furnishing suppliers. A clear understanding of the process and work involved in all these trades enable us to communicate clearly what is required for our clients.
I hope you enjoyed last months ‘A day in the life of an interior architect’. This month we share with you a typical day in the life of an interior designer which we hope will provide a good understanding of the work involved. No swanning! – But there might be a colour swatch or two…
Creativity and having artistic skills are important but equally is the ability to listen carefully and to have an open mind
8.00 am – Arrive at office
After a quick coffee, our interior design team gather in the meeting room for a morning update on current projects & new leads.
9.45 am – 12 pm Client appointment – in our office
I have a follow-up meeting with a new client. Our last meeting was at their property in Valbonne, a newly built home with magnificent hillside views. I was on site to oversee minor electrical and plumbing work which the client wanted updating. Today, I am helping them decide on a style of interior they would like for their home. I enjoy these early sessions with my clients as I get to find out more about them and how they live. Such important factors to consider when designing someone’s home. 16 fabric swatches, 9 sofas, 3 chairs and 1 table lamp later an overall classic style direction is agreed. They would also like suggestions for more contemporary lighting. A productive meeting all round.
12 – 1 pm – Lunch meeting at office with Christophe our site manager
I pop out of the office for 10 to our local bakery who make delicious sandwiches and take two salmon baguettes to go. Christophe, one of our site managers is meeting me at the office for a progress update on some urgent safety approvals for two other projects we are working on.
As an interior designer, I have to coordinate different stages of building work and keeping on schedule is crucial. Safety standards are drastic and constantly evolving so we must know and apply them perfectly. This can be incredibly challenging when you need to balance the aesthetics along with the technical constraints.
1 pm – 2.15 pm – Catch up in the office
Catch up with emails and a quick catch up with my assistant to go over urgent tasks for the afternoon.
2.15 pm – 3.15 pm – Travel to Beaulieu
3 pm – 7.15 pm – Site meeting for final delivery (apartment in Beaulieu)
The last delivery of some furniture, artwork and decorative vases arrived earlier in the day so I’m excited to unpack them and see them in the newly designed space. I’m happy to see that the colour of the paintwork in the kitchen has been redone, as I wasn’t happy with how it looked a few days ago. Today is also an ideal opportunity to get a photographer in to get some images for our portfolio (be sure to check this project out next week!).
1 pm – 2.15 pm – Catch up in the office
Catch up with emails and a quick catch up with my assistant to go over urgent tasks for the afternoon.
2.15 pm – 3.15 pm – Travel to Beaulieu
3 pm – 7.15 pm – Site meeting for final delivery (apartment in Beaulieu)
The last delivery of some furniture, artwork and decorative vases arrived earlier in the day so I’m excited to unpack them and see them in the newly designed space. I’m happy to see that the colour of the paintwork in the kitchen has been redone, as I wasn’t happy with how it looked a few days ago. Today is also an ideal opportunity to get a photographer in to get some images for our portfolio (be sure to check this project out next week!).
1 pm – 2.15 pm – Catch up in the office
Catch up with emails and a quick catch up with my assistant to go over urgent tasks for the afternoon.
2.15 pm – 3.15 pm – Travel to Beaulieu
3 pm – 7.15 pm – Site meeting for final delivery (apartment in Beaulieu)
The last delivery of some furniture, artwork and decorative vases arrived earlier in the day so I’m excited to unpack them and see them in the newly designed space. I’m happy to see that the colour of the paintwork in the kitchen has been redone, as I wasn’t happy with how it looked a few days ago. Today is also an ideal opportunity to get a photographer in to get some images for our portfolio (be sure to check this project out next week!).
My work as an interior designer involves drawing sketches, layouts, elevations and section plans. I produce 3D visuals (when necessary), devise colour schemes and research materials. Having good drawing skills is helpful but it is not everything. Solving technical issues that are thrown up unexpectedly on a building site can be equally as important.
Creative imagination and inventive thinking are key when things don’t always go to plan (and it happens!) but most important of all is maintaining good communication with your clients and keeping as close as you can to their original vision. After all, it will be their ‘Home Sweet Home’
Till the next time…
Pia & Geraldine xx
My work as an interior designer involves drawing sketches, layouts, elevations and section plans. I produce 3D visuals (when necessary), devise colour schemes and research materials. Having good drawing skills is helpful but it is not everything. Solving technical issues that are thrown up unexpectedly on a building site can be equally as important.
Creative imagination and inventive thinking are key when things don’t always go to plan (and it happens!) but most important of all is maintaining good communication with your clients and keeping as close as you can to their original vision. After all, it will be their ‘Home Sweet Home’
Till the next time…
Pia & Geraldine xx
My work as an interior designer involves drawing sketches, layouts, elevations and section plans. I produce 3D visuals (when necessary), devise colour schemes and research materials. Having good drawing skills is helpful but it is not everything. Solving technical issues that are thrown up unexpectedly on a building site can be equally as important.
Creative imagination and inventive thinking are key when things don’t always go to plan (and it happens!) but most important of all is maintaining good communication with your clients and keeping as close as you can to their original vision. After all, it will be their ‘Home Sweet Home’
Till the next time…
Pia & Geraldine xx
