Interior Design Homes Tour by ASID

The first ever Interior Design Homes Tour by ASID is quickly approaching!  The designers and homeowners are excited to open their homes to you this Saturday from 10-6pm.

For all the event details including rules, maps and adresses visit www.asidtx.or/austinhometour.

Overview

ASID is a community of people driven by a common love for design and committed to the belief that interior design, as a service to people, is a powerful, multi-faceted profession that can positively change people’s lives. Through education, knowledge, sharing, advocacy, community building and outreach, the Society strives to advancethe interior design profession and, in the process, to demonstrate and celebrate the power of design to positively change people’s lives. Its more than 36,000 members engage in a variety of professional programs and activities through a network of 48 chapters throughout the United States and Canada.

Founded in 1975, the American Society of Interior Designers is the oldest, largest andleading professional organization for interior designers. The Society celebrates its 35thanniversary in 2010, but the rich, vibrant history of the organization goes back further–much further–to the founding of its predecessor organizations, the American Institute of

Definition of Interior Design

Interior design is a multi-faceted profession in which creative and technical solutions areapplied within a structure to achieve a built interior environment. These solutions arefunctional, enhance the quality of life and culture of the occupants and are aesthetically attractive. Designs are created in response to and coordinated with the building shell and acknowledge the physical location an d social context of the project.  Designs must adhere to code and regulatory requirements, and encourage the principles of enviornmental sustainability.  The interior design process follows a systematic and coordinated methodology, including research, analysis and integration of knowledge into the creative process, whereby the needs and resources of the client are satisfied to produce an interior space that fulfills the project goals.

Interior design includes a scope of services performed by a professional design practitioner, qualified by means of education, experience and examination, to protect and enhance the health, life safety and welfare of the public. These services may include any or all of the following tasks:

• Research and analysis of the client’s goals and requirements; and development of documents, drawings and diagrams that outline those needs

• Formulation of preliminary space plans and two and three dimensional design concept studies and sketches that integrate the client’s program needs and are based on knowledge of the principles of interior design and theories of human behavior

Confirmation that preliminary space plans and design concepts are safe, functional, aesthetically appropriate, and meet all public health, safety and welfare requirements, including code, accessibility, enviornmental, and sustainability guidelines

• Selection of colors, materials and finishes to appropriately convey the design concept and to meet socio-psychological, functional, maintenance, lifecycle performance, enviornmental, and safety requirements

• Selection and specification of furniture, fixtures, equipment and millwork, including layout drawings and detailed product description; and provision of contract documentation to facilitate pricing, procurement and installation of furniture

• Provision of project management services, including preparation of project budgets and schedules

• Preparation of construction documents to adhere to reginal building and fire codes, municpal codes, and any other jurisdictional statutes, regulations and guidelines applicable to the interior space

• Coordination and callaboration with other allied design professionals who may be retained to provide consulting services, including but not limited to architects; structural, mechanical and electrical engineers, and various specialty consultants

• Confirmation that construction documents for non-structural and/or non-seismic construction are signed and sealed by the responsible interior designer, as applicable to jurisdictional requirements for filing with code enforcement officials

• Administration of contract documents, bids and negotiations as the client’s agent

• Observation and reporting on the implementation of projects while in progress and upon completion, as a representative of and on behalf of the client; and conducting post-occupancy evaluation reports.

The ASID Credential

ASID membership eligibility requires that Allied and Professional members complete an established minimum of interior design education. The ASID professional track provides apathway for Allied Members to advance to Professional membership and each level ofmembership is a progressive step towards professionalism. Once achieving specific yearsof work experience, Allied Members can take the NCIDQ Examination and upon passage, can advance to ASID Professional Member status. As of January 2008, members are also required to take a minimum of 0.6 CEU’s to maintain their membership.

In addition, many states (and the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico) have helped totake the guess work out of finding a qualified designer by requiring a certain amount ofeducation and experience and passage of the NCIDQ exam before a designer can become certified, registered or licensed in that state.

There is an added confidence in working with an ASID member. All members must agree to abide by the Society’s Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct. To maintain their membership, they are required to conduct themselves and their businesses ethically, always respectful of their clients, suppliers, the profession and their colleagues. At all times, members must keep the health, safety and welfare of the public in mind when designing a space. You can read or download the ASID Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct here.

Hire a Designer

When you hire an interior designer, you get the benefit of an experienced professionalwho can solve problems, help you avoid costly mistakes and, most importantly, create aspace designed specifically to meet your needs.

Whether new construction or remodeling, a design project involves numerous choicesand decisions. You want someone knowledgeable and experienced to advise you andmake everything come out just right. Someone you can trust to listen to your ideas, understand your needs and help realize your vision. You want a professional.  Among the many areas of expertise a professional designer commands are

• Space planning and utilization, including organizational and storage needs

• Long-term project and lifecycle planning

• National, state and local building codes

• Safety and accessibility

• Ergonomics

• Design for people with special needs

• Conservation and “green” design

• Historic restoration and preservation

• Interior detailing of background elements, such as wall and ceiling designs

• Custom design of furniture, millwork, window coverings and accents

• Selection of appliances, plumbing fixtures and flooring materials

• Lighting and daylighting

• Acoustics and sound transmission

• Audiovisual and communication technology

• Construction documents and specifications

In addition to their in-depth knowledge of products, materials and finishes, professional designers have the training and expertise to plan, schedule, execute and manage your project from start to finish. They know and work closely with many vendors, contractors and other service providers, coordinating and orchestrating the entire design team.

Designers also provide specification and purchasing services to procure materials, furniture, accessories and art, some of which you might not be able to find on your own.

For more information, see the definition of interior design developed by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification, as well as an explanation of the differences between interior design and decorating.

Getting Value from Your Designer

One of the most common myths about working with an interior designer is that it will cost too much. While it is true that some designers command high fees, many charge rates that are quite reasonable and affordable. An interior designer can even save you money by helping you avoid costly mistakes, referring reliable contractors, and selecting products and materials that meet your budget and design requirements.

An interior designer provides real value by

Saving you time. They know the process, the people and the products.

Sharing sources and resources.  They  have access to thousands of products, materioal and finishes–some of which are only available to the trade.

Answering your questions.  They have the training and experience–the know-what and the know-how–to provide the best solution for your project.

A designer is familiar with the thousands of details that make the difference between a good project and a great project. In addition to advising on color, fabric, furniture and furnishings, professional interior designers have an in-depth knowledge of flooring, wall coverings, windows, finishes and sealants, hardware, flooring, lighting, acoustics and many other elements involved in completing a room.

It’s not necessary to buy a lot to work with a designer. In most cases, the designer can work with what you have, finding creative ways to refresh, reuse and recycle existing furniture, accessories and materials.

Just ask someone who’s worked with a designer. In an ASID survey of homeowners, nearly nine out of 10 who had worked with an interior designer on a home design or remodeling project said their experience was highly satisfactory, and more than half said it was “Extremely Satisfactory.” Almost all said they would work with an interior designer again. What’s more, 8 in 10 said they thought the designer’s fee was fair for the work done.

Whether you choose to consult with the designer and do the work yourself or engage the designer to manage the project from start to finish, you’ll find the designer will offer many practical suggestions you may not have thought about. When you meet with the designer, be frank about your budget and what your priorities are. The designer will work with you to help you get the most for your designing dollar. Like many other clients, you may find that the price of doing your project without a designer just isn’t worth it.

Designing for the Home

Whether you are building a new home or remodeling a single room, you want the finished space to be attractive, comfortable and functional. It needs to fit the way you live, as well as reflect your personal style and taste.

Interior design addresses all these concerns and more. Images of beautifully appointed and arranged rooms are usually what first come to mind when one thinks of interior design. Color, fabric, furniture, art and ornamentation are indeed important elements in the overall design. How the environments we inhabit look and feel greatly affect our mood and sense of well-being.

But interior design also involves many practical and technical considerations that affect comfort, function and safety. Among these are lighting, acoustics, space planning, organization and storage, scale, accommodation of special needs, fire safety and compliance with local building codes.

Interior projects include new construction, renovation, historic restoration and model homes. Specialty areas within the home include the kitchen, bath, home theater, home office, and home health care and fitness areas.

Information in the email obtained from ASID and NCIDQ.

 

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