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As demand grew to create co-ordinated spaces so did the demand for individuals who could offer this service.

By the 1900’s the term Interior Decorator was coined, especially in the American colonies, where professionals were hired to create a cohesive look for the interior of the space.

By the 1900’s the term Interior Decorator was coined, especially in the American colonies, where professionals were hired to create a cohesive look for the interior of the space.

cohesive consistent coherent

This service was not only limited to private homes but quickly crossed over to public buildings including inns and hotels.

Elsie de Wolfe, an American actress, decorator and author, received the first formal commission to decorate The Colony Club in 1905.

She is widely regarded as the mother of interior decoration. It is reported that she actually coined the term.

She became an overnight success and the preferred interior decorator to the rich and famous

The magazines showcased prominent projects and offered helpful advice to people who could not afford to hire a professional.

One such magazine ‘Interior Design and Decoration’ is reputed to have coined the new term Interior Design, encouraging professionals to drop the term decorator.

As more people began to study decorating and design new governing bodies were established to maintain industry standards

Creating a client brief

A comprehensive client brief must cover all aspects of the project which includes the budget, the timeframe, the client’s lifestyle and desires as well as all the physical aspects of the space you are going to work in.

The main purpose of this meeting is to fully understand who you will be working for (client’s personality and needs) and what the actual space entails.

You will need to use this opportunity to start you investigation and obtain as much information from your client as possible.

In order to establish a comprehensive client brief you should focus your questions on the following;...

Remember to take all the horizontal and vertical measurements of the space when you are establishing the physical characteristics of a space, it will be impossible for you to do your job without all the relevant measurements.

Photographs are useful when you are back at your office because it is a way to remember the finer details such as the style of cornices and skirting boards.

cornice - The molding at the top of the walls of a room, between the walls and ceiling.

What lighting and wiring is currently installed?

Are there any structural problems such as large cracks or damp?

Are there toilet facilities for the contractors?

. It is vitally important that you understand how much money your client has to spend on the project.

Once you have completed a few projects you will start to gain a feel as to what items and labour will cost and what realistic outcomes are based on the project budget.

It is very important to be upfront with your client as to what your fees for the project are.

Do not delay discussing this with your client in fear of losing the project, you are guaranteed to have an argument if your fee is not established up front with your client.

Another very important point is to establish a contingency fund for the project

Prices are always increasing and if this happens in the middle of a project it will affect your initial budget.

Price increases are due to many factors that are out of your supplier’s control, such as a dramatic change in the exchange rate.

All of this will contribute to costs.

If your client has R100 000, 00 to spend you must allocate between R10 000, 00 and R20 000, 00 towards the contingency fund.

It is important to combine the practical requirements of a space and the aesthetics of the design.

The space must work for the client and must cater for all the needs of the client as well as look fantastic.

You must develop the ability to listen carefully and determine exactly what the client has in mind.

As part of this discussion you need to probe the client with certain questions to get the information you need to fully understand what exactly the client’s expectations are.