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Top 10 Living Rooms that will

Inspire you

ORIGINAL MASTERPIECE

MODERN DESIGNS: THE DECORATING ISSUE

D E S I G N S

TOP 10 LIVING ROOMS

INSPIRE YOUTHAT WILL

TOP 10 LIVING ROOMS

INSPIRE YOUTHAT WILL

Written by Jonathan FiascoPhotographed by Karen Jacobs

I nterior design describes a group of various yet related projects that involve turning an interior space into an effective setting for the range of human activities that are to take place there. An interior designer is someone who conducts such projects. Interior design is a mul-tifaceted profession that includes conceptual develop-ment, liaising with the stakeholders of a project and the management and execution of the design.

Interior design as carried out in the US is an almost entirely different practice to that carried out in the UK. What follows relates mainly to the US.

In the past, Interiors were put together instinctively as a part of the process of building. The profession of interior design has been a consequence of the development of society and the complex architecture that has resulted from the development of industrial processes. The pursuit of effective use of space, user well-being and functional design has contributed to the devel-opment of the contemporary interior design profession.In ancient India, architects used to work as interior designers. This can be seen from the references of Vishwakarma the ar-chitect - one of the Gods in Indian mythology. Additionally, the

sculptures depecting ancient texts, events are seen in palaces built in 17th century India.

Throughout the 18th century and into the early 19th Century, interior decoration was the concern of the homemaker or, in well off families an upholsterer or craftsman may influence the style of the interior space. Architects would also employ craftsmen or artisans to complete interior design for their build-ings. Towards the end of the 19th century interior decorating emerged as a profession in the Western world. This was due to various actions, particularly by women, to professionalise the homemaking process. Elsie De Wolfe has been credited with the creation of the interior decorating profession.[2] Hav-ing successfully re-designed her own home, De Wolfe began offering her services to other people within her social circle. As people began offering interior decoration as a service the professionalization of this service gained momentum.This movement towards professionalization was reinforced by the publication of books on the subject. Publications include the book Suggestions for House Decoration in Painting, Wood-work and Furniture (1876) by Anges and Rhoda Garrett, Elsie De Wolfe’s The House in Good Taste (1913) and articles by >>

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“The living room should be a place where we feel totally at ease - temple of the soul.”

a rounded glass coffee table sitting in the center of the room; two couches made out of cotton.

A set of 3 frames hanging on the wall, frame made out of flowered cloth; two lamps make the room brighter together with the white couch.

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Candice Wheeler such as PrincipleWs of Home Decoration with Practical Examples (1903). Most of the books were published by women and clearly suggested the profession was within the women’s domain, E.g. The two-part article Interior Decoration as a Profession for Women (1895), written by Candice Wheeler.

As previously mentioned, before formal interior decorators evolved the job was the concern of craftsmen or upholsterers. This means that many ‘decorators’ at this time were dealers in the elements needed for interiors. This called into question the qualifications of the decorator and their standing as an independent advisor. This gave term interior decorator negative connotations for some, as a painter or curtain sales person can be a self-appointed decorator. Hence, the decorators favoured term Interior Designer. Interior design has now developed past the point of decoration and the terms, although overlapping, are distinct.

The most prominent development of the interior design pro-fession was after World War II. From the 1950s onwards spending on the home increased. Interior design courses were established, requiring the publication of textbooks and refer-

Having big windows in the living room

and glass doors will make the room

brighter. CoucheWs made out of cotton. Green pillows made

out of pure cotton, chairs/sofas made out

of wood, coffee table

“In choosing colors...follow nature’s lead.”

ence sources. Historical accounts of interior designers and firms distinct from the decorative arts specialists were made available. While organisations to regulate education, qualifica-tions, standards and practices, etc. were established for the profession.

Interior design was previously seen as playing a secondary role to architecture. It also has many connections to other design disciplines, involving the work of architects, industrial designers, engineers, builders, craftsmen, etc. For these reasons the government of interior design standards and qualifications was often incorporated into other professional organisations that involved design. Organisations such as the Chartered Society of Designers, established in the UK in 1986, and the American Designers Institute, founded in 1938, were established as organisations that governed various areas of design.

It was not until later that specific representation for the in-terior design profession was developed. The US National Soci-ety of Interior Designers was establis in 1957, while in the UK the Interior Decorators and Designers Association was >>

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established in 1966. Across Europe, other organisations such as The Finnish Association of Interior Architects (1949) were being elished and in 1994 the International Interior Design Association was founded.

Ellen Mazur Thomson, author of Origins of Graphic Design in America (1997), determined that professional status is achieved through education, self-imposed standards and professional gate-keeping organisations. Having achieved this, interior design became an accepted profession.

The profession of interior design is not clearly defined and projects undertaken by an interior designer vary widely. Terms such as decorator and designer are often used in-terchangeably. However, there is a distinction between the terms.

Interior designerInterior Designer implies that there is more of an emphasis on Planning, Functional design and effective use of space involved in this profession, as compared to interior decorat-ing. An interior designer can undertake projects that include arranging the basic layout of spaces within a building as well as projects that require an understanding of technical issues such as acoustics, lighting, temperature, etc. Although an interior designer may create the layout of a space, they may not build the space without having their designs stamped for approval by an architect, which is why many interior design-ers also complete school to become architects as well. An interior designer may wish to specialize in a particular type of interior design in order to develop technical knowledge

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specific to that area. Types of interior design include residen-tial design, commercial design, hospitality design, healthcare design, universal design, exhibition design, spatial branding, etc.

Unique DecoratingMany new subdivision homes all look the same. Sure, your neighbors’ homes may have one bedroom more or less than your home, but they are basically all the same. Everyone has beige walls and carpet. Everyone has basic boring light fix-tures. Why not be unique and show your personality? Here are a few ideas for adding unique elements to your home to make it one of a kind. Vintage and Antique You could shop at your local home improvement store, department store, home decor store, or the craft store down the street for decorative items to go in your home, but that is what all of your neighbors do. Consider shopping for one of a kind vintage or antique items instead for a unique style. A vintage item is typically considered some-thing that is over 40 years old. Once an item is 100 years old, it qualifies as an antique. Vintage items are often less expensive and have loads of character compared to new store bought items. Luckily, there are vintage pieces to go with most all decorating styles. 1960’s items tend to compliment contemporary and modern spaces while 1940’s items tend to compliment more traditional spaces. >>

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Vintage and Antique You could shop at your local home improve-ment store

You can look for vintage and antique pieces at antique stores, flea markets, garage sales, and your parents’ attic. When deco-rating, don’t be discouraged by the current condition >> the vintage piece. Consider its overall shape and whether you could paint it, restain it, reupholster it, or rewire it to give it a new life in your unique home have a unique home. The easiest way to start decorating is to paint the walls.

PaintWhen selecting a paint color, be bold, be unique, and don’t be scared - its just paint. You don’t have to paint your walls a single color. Consider painting them in stripes, plaid, or har-lequin patterns. You can also paint your kitchen or bathroom cabinets. Consider painting them black, dark olive green, or red. Baseboards and door trim do not have to be white - they can be black, tan, dark brown, or any color you select (they often look best when they are the same color throughout your home to create consistency).

Don’t Forget Your CeilingThe ceiling is often the most forgotten place in the home. Let me guess - yours is white? Consider painting it an accent color or decorating it some other way. Architectural Elements Add ar-chitectural elements to your home to make it one of a kind and unique. You can add crown molding, chair rail, stone element, and more. Don’t forget about decorating with vintage.

Original ArtworkAlthough an interior designer may create the layout of a space, they may not build the space without having their designs stamped for approval by an architect, which is why many interior designers also complete school to become architects as well. An interior designer may wish to special-ize in a particular type of interior design in order to develop technical knowledgeDon’t decorate with mass produced artwork from the store down the street. If you can’t afford original unique artwork, make it yourself. Far Away Places The next time you are in a far away place, bring home a unique decorative item to remind you of your trip. The item may become an interest-ing conversation piece in your home. The carpeting in the hallways, designed by Clodagh, is inspired by images of water flowing over stones.The room that houses the building’s pool has been reclad and fitted with wooden window treatments; its fitness center has had walls removed and an airier staircase installed; and its roof deck is being paired with an indoor rooftop lounge, for entertaining, that the developer calls a “cabana.” A new chil-dren’s playroom has durable floors and walls that are safe to write on, and decorative touches around the building include a rug from Tibet and a pair of wooden ladders from Africa.

First ImpressionWhen someone visits your home, their first impression is the exterior of your home. Don’t settle for the 2 trees and 6 bushes that the builder put in your front yard (that are the same trees just like the unique interior. If you can’t afford original unique.

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The interiors were not always so polished. Related built the property in 1985 as a rental and sold it 20 years later to Mr. Levy, who began renovating it as part of a plan to convert it to condos. By 2009, two years after sales started, the sales office was locked and dormant, and work on the pool and lobby had stopped.

Also in 2009, Mr. Levy pleaded guilty to harass-ment after Kent Swig, his partner in another building, the Sheffield on 57th Street, told the police that Mr. Levy had hit him with a metal ice bucket during a 2008 meeting at Mr. Swig’s law-yer’s office. Ms. Tobak says Related believes the building is well positioned to move forward. The interiors were not always so polished. Related built the property in 1985 as a rental and sold it 20 years later to Mr. Levy, who began renovat-ing it as part of a plan to convert it to condos. By 2009, two years after sales started, the sales office was locked and dormant, and work on the pool and lobby had stopped.•

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Related is reintro-ducing the Battery Park City building to the market, list-ing 181 residences later this month.