Find Your Interior Design School Today
Now you can get your interior design training online and take classes around your schedule.Turn your passion for home decorating into a career in interior design. A successful interior design career starts with training from a reputable interior design school. Search our school directory for interior design schools in California, New York, or even online. For more tips and advice on interior design schools and careers, check out our interior design articles.
Featured Articles - Interior Design & Decorating
Capturing the Je ne sais quoi of French Country Interior Design
by Caitlin Sanfordcaitlin.sanford@interiordesignschoolreview.com
Interior Design School Review Columnist
French country interior design reflects the blue lilac fields, the yellow sun, and the enthusiasm for living that the Provence region of Southern France is famous for. French country homes are often graced with stone and tile floors and feature dark wood furniture. The homes of Provence are dotted with earthenware and copperware and dappled with art and accessories in primary colors. Learning to capture the relaxed and tasteful approach to good living that is reflected in French country design is a great way to boost your interior design career.
Saying Bonjour to French Country Interior Design
The French country style of interior design is becoming popular around the world as many homeowners and design career professionals try to recreate the comfort and quality of life that characterizes Southern France. French country style is based on antique and old world style furniture and accessories, encouraging a mixing and matching of colors and styles. Interior design found in French country homes can include:- Hung ironware in the form of hooks, racks, or artwork
- Functional, brightly glazed pottery
- Complimentary colors, such as yellows and blues, paired together
- Rooster or other animal motifs
- Olive oil, wine, and spices displayed prominently in artistic bottles in the kitchen
The French country style depicts the relaxed, practical, and indulgent lifestyle, the joie de vivre of the residents of Provence, France.
Refine your Style Skills in Interior Design School
As you embark on your interior design career, being able to design in the French country style can be an asset. Enrolling in a degree program in an interior design school is a great place to start. In interior design school, you will train your eye to match similar and complimentary objects in different themes. In school you will also gain a familiarity with furniture, lighting, and accessories, which will enable you to create coherent decorating styles, including French country, in your design career.Sources: About the Author
Caitlin Sanford is a consultant and freelance writer. She holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science from Stanford University.
Visit the Interior Design School Review News archives »
Suave, Simple, and Sold: Scandinavian Design
by Caitlin Sanfordcaitlin.sanford@interiordesignschoolreview.com
Interior Design School Review Columnist
Ikea, the Swedish furniture company that sells Scandinavian style furniture in flat boxes that people assemble at home, was valued at 14.8 billion euros in 2005, up from 12 billion euros in 2004. If the popularity of Ikea is any indication Scandinavian design styles are in vogue. Learning to create light, sleek, and modern interior decorating arrangements inspired by Scandinavian style can win you major points with interior design clients.
Origins of Scandinavian Design
Scandinavia, the Northern European region including Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, is known as the home of the Vikings, dark winters, and as the site where the Nobel Prize is awarded. But Scandinavia is also the birthplace of a unique, tasteful, and modern interior decorating style.After World War II, a new interior decorating style was born in Northern Europe. Scandinavian designers sought an innovative decorating style that reflected modernity and practicality. Scandinavian design was born. Scandinavian interior design style may include:
- Light colored wood
- Finished edges and curved corners
- Exposed support structure or furniture frame
- Use of geometric shapes
- Use of plastics and bold colors
Scandinavian Design and Your Interior Decorating Career
Many people like the Ikea look but want something of higher quality that doesn't require the do-it-yourself assembly. This is where you, the decorator, come in. With a taste for Scandinavian design, you can choose high-quality items that bring the modern, simple, cozy feel that defines Scandinavian design to your client's home.Attending interior decorating school can teach you the details of maximizing space, matching decorating pieces, and creating a harmonious ensemble in a room or home. Combining the skills you learn in decorating school with knowledge of Scandinavian design pieces will give you the skills to offer something truly special to your clients.
Sources:
- Design Dictionary- Scandinavian Design
- Ikea- Facts and Figures
- Linda Hales, Washington Post. "Artistic Interpretation of Sweden, Inside and Out"
Caitlin Sanford is a consultant and freelance writer. She holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science from Stanford University.
Visit the Interior Design School Review News archives »
D.C. Design: Interior Design School in Our Nation's Capital
by Caitlin Sanfordcaitlin.sanford@interiordesignschoolreview.com
Interior Design School Review Columnist
Did you ever dream of decorating a senator's apartment, or choosing the decorations for the White House Christmas tree? Washington D.C. is the city of power and ambition, and for the many diplomats, politicians, and other professionals who work in the city, having fabulously decorated digs is a necessity. D.C. is a great place to launch an interior design career, but it is also a fun place to be a student.
Design and Style Perks of D.C.
Washington D.C. has a population of about 580,000, but more than 5 million people live in the Washington Metropolitan Area. As a designer in diverse Washington D.C., you are bound to come across all types of homes and interior design styles. There are many offices that need decorating in D.C.- the city is home to five Fortune 1000 companies and many legal, public relations, and architecture firms. In addition, Washington boasts some perks for the interior design career-aspirants:- Free museums: D.C. is home to free museums, including the Smithsonian Institute, the National Building Museum, the Hirshorn Museum, and the Phillips Collection.
- High value real estate: Washington D.C. is the fourth-leading city for real estate investment behind London, New York City, and Paris.
- Architecture: Washington D.C. is home to some of the largest and most famous architecture firms in the U.S. These firms often partner with interior designers.
Interior Design School in D.C.
D.C. is home to some of the best interior design schools in the country. Because it is a large city with opportunities for apprenticeships as you start your career, attending a Washington DC interior design school really pays off.Sources: About the Author
Caitlin Sanford is a consultant and freelance writer. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Stanford University.
Visit the Interior Design School Review News archives »
San Francisco Interior Design Schools: Make a Statement
by Kate McIntyrekate.mcIntyre@interiordesignschoolreview.com
Interior Design School Review Columnist
In his proclamation establishing San Francisco's Design Makes a Difference Week, Gavin Newsom, San Francisco's mayor, stated that "San Francisco is home to many of the nation's most creative and innovative designers, and this design community represents a vital cultural force." It's hard to find more conclusive proof of a city's commitment to excellence in design. At an interior decorating school in San Francisco, you can hone your skills in one of the most design-conscious cities in the country, a place whose residents know and understand good design.
Design Makes a Difference
Special activities during San Francisco's Design Makes a Difference Week include exhibitions, conversations with renowned designers, receptions, and awards ceremonies for local designers. It is a perfect opportunity for young interior designers to network with their more established peers, paving the way for future internships and job opportunities.San Francisco Museums and Interior Decorating Showrooms
San Francisco’s museums are also an invaluable source of design inspiration for young interior designers. Of special interest is the Museum of Modern Art, which features avant-garde exhibits, sculptures, and multimedia works.Another can't-miss spot for any aspiring interior designer is the Design District, anchored by the enormous San Francisco Design Center. With over 100 showrooms and 2,000 manufacturers represented, the Design Center is an education all by itself. Its weekly seminars with interior design professionals can help you to ground your theoretical training in practical experience.
If you attend interior design school in San Francisco, you will graduate with valuable contacts in the local interior design industry who can help to further your career. Even better, the San Francisco area's robust tech-driven economy means that there should be many jobs for aspiring interior designers.
Sources:
- "About SFDC," San Francisco Design Center
- "Proclamation from the City of San Francisco," AIGA San Francisco
- San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
Kate McIntyre is a writer in Portland, Oregon. She holds a B.A. from Harvard University and an M.F.A. in fiction writing from Oregon State University.
Visit the Interior Design School Review News archives »
Classical Home Interior Design Ideas Are Still the Best
by Lance Filbertlance.filbert@interiordesignschoolreview.com
Interior Design School Review Columnist
The word is out. A recent study by the Home Improvement Research Institute, a professional organization, reveals that homeowners want beauty. When they call in a decorator for a home remodeling design, they don't want wild ideas. What they want is home interior design ideas they can live with. That often translates to replacing old, worn-out furnishings in a contemporary but comfortable house design.
Home interior design schools keep up with the trends
Today's interior decorators and designers are all highly trained professionals. In fact, most of the trade organizations and state bodies that certify interior decorators, require that applicants have completed courses in designing home interiors at an accredited home interior design school. These schools do much more than just teach a lot of static rules and outdated information. The teachers at a reputable home interior design school are usually professionals who are currently practitioners of contemporary house design.These professionals keep an eye on the latest trends and home interior design ideas. They stay on top of changing interior fashions and teach you the kind of home decorating and remodelling design ideas that will make you successful with your own customers.
Contemporary house design leans towards an eclectic blend
Familiar classics such as the retro look--usually based one the 1950s--and the vintage look--reaching even further back in time--are all time favorites. Interior decorators have learned that clients don't want to give up those favorites, but they also want to add contemporary and modern touches to their house design. In some cases, they want the elegance of the retro style with the reliable function of the modern.The very good news is that you'll learn how to face these challenges in almost every course you take in home interior design. The best home interior design schools are not only keeping up with the field--they are a few steps ahead of it.
Source:
About the Author
Lance Filbert is known for his witty and innovative design ideas. He has an extensive arts background and has an arts degree from the City University of New York. He lives in San Francisco with his partner, Bertram, and their cairn terriers, Toto and Toklas.
Visit the Interior Design School Review News archives »
