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THE INTERIOR DESIGNER II

In the previous issue I started discussing the dazzling world of the Interior Designer, as you have seen it is a rich topic , I have partially covered it and will continue it in this article .So let’s recap what was formerly mentioned .

The definition of interior design was clarified as “The protocol that looks after designing all of the interiors of any given space “.Also the fact that interior design is not exclusively implemented on residential projects, as a matter of fact all types of building benefit extensively from the significant touch of interior design, whether in beautifying the space, enhancing affecting mode, increasing market value, raising productivity and upturning profit.

I elaborated on the definition of the Interior designer, “She/he the professional concerned with the look and design of the interiors of spaces. Their goal is to make a space visually appealing while reflecting the space owner’s preferences and functional needs”. In this context interior designers are mainly concerned with how to make several factors work coherently together such as colors, lighting, materials, textures, furnishings and that all these aspects

complement each other to end up in a lucid collage.” I also explained the categorizing of the types of Interior Designers whether by sectors, styles, spaces or elements.

I highlighted as well the reasons for hiring an Interior designer such as the fact that home owners have intense life schedules that would not commonly stretch to withstand such a rigorous job. As well as the privileges of accessing materials, styles and trends database that only a professional could. Another advantage for hiring a pro is mediating her/him as an acting liaison between designated needed technical engineers.

Sometimes the decision to invest in hiring a professional to interior design a project could seem as an extra, unneeded, lavish expense, since some people have the impression that interior designers are only relevant to those who are wealthy and pretentious; however, this is far from the

truth. Interior designers are professionals in the art of creating the look that you are seeking, via combining several factors. This vibe specially, comes to some clients who have some knowledge of the procedures, but look at it in this light; do you feel uncomfortable describing your vision to a painting contractor? You most likely do not, so why should you feel that way about a professional that combines paint ,wall coverings with fabrics and furniture with lighting and all other vital factors to create the unique vision that you have for the inside of your home? Again I would refer to my motto “Hire Pro to do pro jobs “

What is the difference between Interior Designer and Decorator?There is a big difference between an interior designer and an interior decorator. Legally, in some countries abroad it is illegal to call yourself an interior designer if you are not certified. Interior decorators are concerned with and change the aesthetics of a space. They mainly work with surface decorations( known as surface design) as they can change the walls, floors and add decorative elements to the room, but they can’t do is alter or change the structure.

He or she will most likely be involved in a more temporary type of interior design that is only seen for a few days and possibly then photographed for marketing and publicity purposes. A common misconception here in Egypt us that Interior Designers only work with furniture, fabrics and accessories (i.e. the soft interior) that would be the job of a decorator. In fact it is the interior designer’s job to help you with all aspects related to selecting the hard and soft interior, select sub-contractors, prepare sets of drawings and eventually supervise implementation of the work. In a nutshell an interior designer can do interior decorating job, but a interior decorator can’t do an interior design job.

Dalia Sadany Ask Magazine's design consultant, Chief Designer & Founder of Dezines Architecture & Interiors, Managing Director & Partner of Divine Contracting as well as the creator of the new furniture brand GUSH is dwelling into the world of Architecture, Interior Design and Contracting.

Picture credit John Morad & Ahmed Mleeg

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What is the difference between Interior Designer and Architect?Traditionally the architect use to interior design their project, for example the master architect Frank Lloyd Wright , exerted equal effort and creativity into the interiors as in the exteriors, he generated a building that is captivating and mesmerizing both to look it and inhabit. But the tremendous development in interiors in modern times demanded a new set of skills and paved the way to the creation of interior design as an area of study and a discipline in its own right. Interior designers have a wide range of technical and analytical skills spanning various disciplines.

While it’s the architect’s job to imagine the larger structure, it’s the interior designer’s job to imagine the way the interior of that structure

3. He would then take inventory of old furniture and other items that the client would reuse if any, to incorporate them in the design, so they would blend-in with the new design and its elements.

4. At this stage, the designer needs to determine whether building permits are required for work involved.

5. After collecting this data and integrating findings with knowledge of interior design, economic trends, legal and regulatory requirements, the designer formulates preliminary design conceptual plan that is functional, fiscally appropriate, and aesthetically pleasing and estimates costs. Today, designs often are created with the use of computer-aided design (CAD) software, which provides more detail and

will interact with the people inside it. This means everything from the placement of lighting fixtures to the style of handle that opens the door. It is these elements that we interact with every day, making them at least as important as the structure itself.

Most of the good interior designers here in Egypt are architects with professional experience in interior design while some like myself, have also studied interior design, as a distinctive broad field by itself .

easier corrections than sketches made by hand. Upon completing the design plan, the designer will present it to the client and make revisions based on the client's input.

6. When the design concept is finalized, and approved by the client, the designer will begin preparing working drawings and specifications for interior construction, space planning, materials, finishes, furnishings, fixtures and furnishings required, such as furniture, lighting, flooring, wall covering, and artwork.

7. Depending on the complexity of the project, the designer also might submit drawings for approval by a permits committee to ensure that the design meets building codes.

What are the types of services Interior Designers provide?Beside is a diagram listing the various services an Interior Designer can provide, I have chosen to divide them into three categories, the technical services, The hard interior services which is the scope of work that requires contracting, and the soft interior services is the department of installation.

What will the Interior designer do?Interior design services may vary with each project, so whatever space they are working on, almost all designers follow the same process:

1. The first step, known as programming, is to determine and analyze the client's needs, preferences and wishes. The designer usually meets face-to-face with the client to find out how the space will be used and to get an idea of the client's preferences and budget.

2. She/he will also visit the space to be designed in order identify positive attributes of the space and potential problems.

8. Collaborate with other practitioners who offer professional services in the technical areas of mechanical, electrical and Heating/air-conditioning engineers, and if a project requires structural work, the designer works with civil engineer for that part of the project.

9. Prepare contract documents and administer bids as the client's agent, after cooperating with the client in choosing the appropriate needed contractors to execute the required jobs.

10. Finally, the designer develops a timeline for the project, coordinates contractor work schedules. The designer oversees the installation of the design elements as well as, reviewing and evaluating construction during implementation and coordinate completion of project with consultant team. Basically, act as Project Manager on behalf of the client to manage the project teams through all phases of the project.

P.S. The key word to each step is highlighted in bold.Below is a diagram to clarify the design process in its order of execution.

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HOW TO CHOOSE AN INTERIOR DESIGNER?Part of your costs for your project will be the design fees and naturally you would be worried about the designer you end up working with. That actually is a key point to consider, the "working relationship" you develop with your designer not only for design purposes, but also because he or she will be your representative throughout the project.

You will be working with them for a good deal of time so having rapport and good communication is a vital key point.

Talking to your architect enables you to verbalize your needs and desires for your project. It helps him/her understand where you are coming from and to respond appropriately. Your home is a very personal and private part of your life, bringing in a professional to become part of this process requires a relationship built on trust. Remember that when you work with the right designer, it's a home you are designing and not just a house

Therefore it's advisable to make a short list of Interior designer via the following channels;

1. Ask friends, neighbors, and co-workers about their architects.

2. Also check with contractors you might know about the best designers they have worked with to find the who designed projects similar to the one you plan.

3. Check out online directories, for the websites of Interior designers.

4. Check out specialized magazines for information’s about interior design.

5. Check out a literature as in a portfolio that describes the firm's qualifications and experience.

After you have prepared your short list of possible designers, you need to follow these procedures.1. Call prospective designers. Find out

whether they would be interested in your project.

2. Meet with several prospects.3. Confirm that the designer you are

meeting is the person who will actually work on your project.

4. Question his or hers’ design philosophy.5. Ask how long the project will take.

6. Discuss fees, payment methods and anticipated construction cost and duration.

7. Ask for references from past clients. Find out how past clients feel about their new home.

8. Visit at least one project by your prospective designer. Ask the owners about any problems that may have been encountered during the design and construction of the project.

9. Interview prospective designers at their offices, if possible.

10. Plan to spend at least one hour on your first meeting with a prospective architect.

HOW TO WORK WITH AN INTERIOR DESIGNER?You've decided to work with an interior designer. This is an exciting time as you prepare to create the space of your dreams. However, you probably have a lot of questions, including "How will I get the look I want?" and "Am I going to get my money's worth?" This month, I'm going to give you some pointers on how to get the most from a relationship with an interior designer.

Before You Begin: You will save a lot of time and frustration if you know what you hope to accomplish. Try to come up with an idea of the size of the project. Do you want to knock down a wall or simply rearrange some furniture? What colors do you like and what colors do you want to avoid? How would you describe your style? What activities will take place in the space? It is okay if you don't know the answers to these questions. Your interior designer will be able to give you some guidance. However, the more you know now, the easier it will be for your designer to create your perfect space. It's also a good idea to accumulate photos of rooms, furniture, and accessories you like. Don't worry if you like many different styles. Your interior designer will help you figure out what will ultimately work in your room.

During the Project: Once your project is underway, make communication a priority. Listen with an open mind to your interior designer's ideas. At the same time, express your true feelings about your desires. Don't be afraid to speak up about your likes and dislikes. After all, you will be the one who lives with the final outcome.

Sticking to Your Budget: Make sure your interior designer understands your budget restrictions. Don't be shy about voicing your limit or overestimate what you can spend. A good interior designer will give you a project budget and series of timeframes for the project and will always be up front and clear with our clients on how much they will be billed and what services they will receive in return. He / she should excel at coming up with creative solutions that allow you to maximize your budget while still achieving a space that meets your needs.

HOW TO PAY AN INTERIOR DESIGNER?Abroad there are several methods to calculate the fees of an interior designer , as a fixed fee, hourly fee, percentage fee, cost plus, retail charge and by square meter. While in Egypt it is usually split into two components by phase; preparing the project design documents during the design phase and site inspections during the construction phase.

The fee structures are typically based on a percentage of construction value, a visit rate or a fixed lump sum fee. Combinations of these structures are also common. Generally, designers use a fixed fee for The first component ;the phase of the work that they have the most control over, such as the preparation of design, and use a fixed rate per visit for the second component which is the phases that are less predictable, like site supervision. Generally the designer or their representative makes one visit per week unless there is a problem and their presence is requested on site. .

To give you an approximate margin for calculating The Interior Designer’s fees, here is a simple rule;

A- Fixed fees are usually based on an a project's allocated construction cost and can range between 10 to 15 % of the construction cost depending on the size and complexity of the project. The portfolio of the designer, whether he /she is a reputable, well known designer or a relatively young aspiring is also a vital factor in the evaluation of the fees.

B-As for the fixed rate per visit, this is usually calculated as in the range of 1 to 2% per visit of his fixed fees for the design phase.

Tips;1- Make sure you question about the designer’s fees when you meet him /her

2- Make sure all means of payments are clarified in your contract with the designer whether the installments are date of work delivery or phase related.

3- Question your designer about any extra fees for any alterations you request due to your change of mind in any aspect.

4- As for inevitable alterations during the execution phase due to mistakes in design or lack of necessary data in his drawings that are not a contractor’s fault in construction and were not obvious to the contractor to question before the start of work are all alterations free of charge.

5- In case you want a preliminary presentation from your short listed designer before deciding to sign up with him, there is a retainer to be paid at first as fees for the work he/she will perform on this presentation that if you decide on signing up with will be inclusive in his fees.

And now as we have clarified all need to know information about the Interior Designers, who are they, what do they do, how to choose them, deal with them and pay them ,in the next issue we will extend our protocol on how to build your own project by highlighting the new worldwide spread method of design and build versus old traditional method, in order to turn your dream project whatever it is residential or commercial into a reality.

You can reach me at my emailaskdalia@ask.com

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