Everything I Have Learned

Here it is This Summer has been very beneficial for me. Everyday was an enjoyment and I always looked forward to coming in each morning and the days were over before I even had time to look at the clock. I have learned so much more in these past eight weeks then i thought possible.

• I have a better knowledge of how a business such as this one works and functions.
• I have gotten more familiar with using different computer programs and other computer software.
• Getting more familiar with different materials and their applications
• Getting to know the sales representatives
• One of the big things that i feel I have learned this summer is how to work as part of a team on projects and how working as a team gets things done more efficiently. 

I am walking away from this internship with the satisfying feeling of accomplishment and a lot of new aspects of this profession to think about during my last year of school. I love this profession and everything that comes with it even the "stressful" moments are fun because they have satisfying results in the end. 

The Shortened Tale of My Summer Internship

The end of the summer is here and I feel that I have learned more then I could have thought possible in 8 weeks. As the summer progressed I had a week by week page (EIGHT TO FIVE) that goes into detail about everything that I was able to be a part of this summer.

Here is an overview of everything that has happened since day 1:

One the first day I came in I was put to the task of getting the material boards and rendered elevations ready for a client meeting at the beginning of the following week. (It was slightly on the overwhelming side, but I had a lot of fun with it) This took a lot of time and involved ordering many samples. That part of the project alone took every available hour of the first week.

It never slowed after that. Once that step was finished the pace kept going into the second week were I got to help with another project. This project was a restaurant renovation as corrections came up on the documents of things that needed to be added or removed I was tasked with fixing those documents. I also did the same for the construction sheets for the project that I had made the material boards for. Both of these projects took up all the time at the beginning half of the summer.

As the restaurant renovation project came to an end other little projects started to pop up that I was able to help with. One was the floor plan and rendered perspective view for a project proposal. Another project was for a VCT floor pattern for the entrance lobby of a school. And another was adding notes to the progress set of a project that involved multiple buildings.

Other things would come up throughout the summer from researching information and making phone calls to just helping with other needs around the office such as printing, coping or bringing mail and packages to be shipped and keeping the materials library nice and organized.  And it seems like every week there was one or two different sales representatives that would come in with lots of information on all kinds of products. Through doing all of these different tasks I got to work with a group of really amazing people and the amount of work and different people that is all involved in the completion of these projects.



The Material Library that I spent a lot of time organizing, cleaning and searching through:

The containers on the top shelf are filled with fabrics that where once all in a pile. I spent an afternoon sorting through them and putting them together by colors. It made things so much easier to find when searching for fabrics to match a certain scheme.

We started the summer with one table in the middle, but things got so busy we had to put in a second one.



                 The material boards that I started the Summer off with:

The first day I walked in and this table was covered in materials, samples, pictures and sticky notes. (there was no table to be seen underneath the samples) By the end of the week all those samples where organized onto four boards to be sent shipped to a meeting with a client. These boards survived two airplane trips ( there and back again).

The Great Outdoors

It seems like people are now trying to spend more time outside of the home. Of course, though, it has to be in style (no longer just a barbecue pit surrounded by folding chairs)which has caused a trend of outdoor living spaces that are good for people of all ages with fireplaces, pools, kitchens, bars, soft seating areas under shaded canopies, and even technology can be brought outside with sound systems and televisions. These areas can be as simple or elaborate as you want. 

They range from a simple fire pit and comfortable furniture to lounge seating around a swimming pool. Or an outdoor barbecuing area or add an entire second kitchen to your home by making an outdoor cooking area. They can look anyway you want to they are made to fit your unique style and add a totally new unique feel to your home.

Here is the newest supplies of 2013 that can be added to an outdoor kitchen area:

1. Countertops that surprise. It looks just like wood or even high-end stone, but wait until you touch it -- it's actually concrete or ceramic that mimics the look of wood so closely that it fools even the most discerning eye. Now you can have the look of wood without the maintenance hassle.
2. Weatherproof cabinetry. All-weather cabinets have exceptional durability and the style and quality you'd expect indoors. Outdoor cabinetry can be made from materials like natural teak and All Element Polymer Board, as well as stainless steel.
3. Glass makes a splash. On the backsplash, that is. Or the countertop. Stronger than it looks and pretty enough to make a statement, glass is a hot trend for 2013.
4. New technology. For most homeowners, the bottom line of a kitchen must be ease of use. Just a few of the hot options: faucets that turn on with a touch; outside LED and new, brighter solar lighting; and hybrid grills.
5. The kitchen as a living space. By extending a roof over the kitchen area and bookending the room with an outdoor fireplace, not only is the outdoor kitchen now good for all seasons but looks and feels more like a room. You can even include a flat screen TV under a protected area.
6. Universal design. With more families living in multi-generational households, making certain the house is accessible to those with mobility issues has become important. Ramps can provide easier access than stairs and lowered countertops allow young and old alike to participate in the good times.
7. Color galore. Gone are the days of monotonic silver, black or all white. Color that pops is what makes today's outdoor kitchens feel even more like an extension of the home. In fact, the Weber Grill Watch Survey found that the top finish preferred by grill connoisseurs is now color -- any color.

(The above list came from http://www.improvementcenter.com/advice/cool-outdoor-kitchens-6-hot-trends.html and is not my own)

             

    

References:
http://www.fornobravo.com/pompeii_oven/pompeii_oven.html
http://lifehacker.com/5286115/build-a-backyard-wood+fired-pompeii-oven/
http://home.howstuffworks.com/5-ideas-for-outdoor-living-space.htm

The Job Outlook

“Employment of interior designers is expected to grow by 19 percent from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Designers will be needed to respond to consumer expectations that the interiors of homes and offices meet certain conditions, such as being environmentally friendly or more easily accessible.” (Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Like most jobs things come and go no profession really truly promises that there will be an abundance of jobs available. But in resent years the world of interior design has been looked to more and more for remodeling jobs, design ideas in green design and in  making the home and office more relaxing, friendly environments that are safe for everyone. 

References:

http://www.allthingspolitical.org/careers/interior_designer_job_outlook.htm

http://www.interiordesign.net/article/557472-Industry_Outlook_for_2013_Design_Graduates.php

http://www.collegegrad.com/careers/proft111.shtml

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition, Interior Designers,
on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/arts-and-design/interior-designers.htm (visited July 08, 2013).

A Growing Education

Design education today has a good focus on getting the students ready for life beyond the walls of a classroom. Design Students cannot possibly learn everything before they graduate, but they can definitely get as much as possible to make them valuable to employers who are looking for people who can supply them with as much information as possible. There are many ways of doing this through many forms of technology, collaborative learning environments and work experience.

With all the different programs that are coming that allow for designers to put their design together so show prospective clients what their product will look like; with walk-through videos, rendered images and multiple views. Students are learning to use multiple programs collaboratively to be able to accomplish this task. With the amount of information that can be found on the internet today students are also learning good researching skills that are helping them to put more detail and care into their projects, find solutions to design problems and more.

When in the classrooms it is really easy for a student to get lost in the focus that they alone have a project to do and it is going to be done in a way that they see fit. The job world is not like that instead it is relaying your ideas to others for help in a solution or working with others designs to make the best functional designs. Teachers are helping students to be able to work with design teams by having them work collaboratively in a project setting,

"Any time you give students an opportunity to work collaboratively ultimately readies them for project management in the real world. Doing this effectively, Silverman says, involves “working in a more interdisciplinary approach within their curricula—not only interior design and architecture, but also construction management and partnering with other disciplines.”( http://www.interiorsandsources.com/article-details/articleid/15792/title/head%20of%20the%20class/viewall/true.aspx)

Most design programs are aware that the only way to get even more experience that will help students find jobs and get them the knowledge to do their jobs the best is to have an internship. This is included  as part of the curriculum and students are able to actually gain on the job experience that is one of the best learning environments a student can have.  

Refrences:

http://www.interiorsandsources.com/article-details/articleid/15792/title/head%20of%20the%20class/viewall/true.aspx

Design Trends of 2013

Trends come and go the change yearly, monthly, and weekly at times. Some people love to follow the trends and others shy away from them and do their own thing. Trends come in as people start exploring more ideas to build off of what they already have, because they want to make them even better. At the moment the design trends of 2013 are as follows:

Nowadays people are getting more and more into the trend of going green not just with their designs, but in their ways of living. It is just something that starts with the design of an individual’s home and businesses. People are more and more trying to incorporate solar panels and energy star appliances in to their spaces. They are also trying to use recycled and more durable materials such as bamboo and cork. This is something that has been around for a while, but people are trying to use it more and more as time goes on.

A design trend in color is to mostly use neutrals such as beige or creme and then add some hints of accent colors. Pantone was named emerald as the color of the year. There is also a trend in embellishing walls to give a texture to the room.

"For 2013, we are working towards capturing a happy and meaningful life at home," says Sue Kim, Valspar Color Strategist, who considers the newest influences in clothes, food, and interiors when creating color palettes. "People want to mold their home into a space that reflects ingenious ways to face the realities of the moment." (http://www.interiordesign.net)

        

Refrences: 

http://www.interiordesign.net/article/559345-Trend_Forecast_2013_Color.php

http://www.elledecor.com/design-decorate/trends/2013-design-trends#slide-2

http://www.adesignerspot.com/decorating-styles/2011-2012-trends-in-interior-design.html

Innovation Just Keeps On Coming

Kitchen appliances:

Electrolux:

• Refrigerators-
• have drawers with temperature controls to preserve certain items
• air filtration system to prevent odors
• slide out freezer drawers
• LED lighting
• Alarms that tell you if the door has been left ajar and if the temperature in the refrigerator has risen too high for too long.
• Induction Cook tops
• Generates heat for rapid boil
• Settings to make a controlled lockout
• Heat is transferred to the cookware so that the cook top stays cooler
• Range of heat adjusts to the size of the pot

Smart Home Technology and Security Systems: 

Technology nowadays has become very advanced especially when it comes to safety and comfort in the home. People can now install entire systems that control almost every aspect of the home by one device ( their phones, tablets, ect.). These systems can be wireless, which offers the flexibility of installing them into any home. With the push of a button home owners can: 

• turn of lights and set them to whatever they choose
• monitor whoever walks up to their front door 
• turn on or off their alarm system
• control the air temperature
• control the blinds to close or open at a certain time
• listen to a playlist or turn on a movie in a different room

This is a system that can be used for both residential and commercial applications. Follow this link to the control 4 website to find out more about how this system works (and check out some of the really cool projects it has already been used for):
                                                 http://www.control4.com/

References: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdF58iulSqw

            http://www.electroluxappliances.com/

            http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ip9RWOVyg_I

            http://www.control4.com/basics#know-about-automation

  

Sitting in Style

They have furniture that provides:

When it comes to classrooms and offices now a days the goal seems to all be the same. Modular furniture so that the space can be transformed for whatever the needs of the day or the people using the space is. One furniture company that really focuses on this is Victorian Educational Furniture.

          

• Soft movable seating for classrooms, libraries, lobbies, and offices
•           Tables that can stand alone as individual desks or come together for students to work collaboratively.
•           Storage units and book racks that can stand alone or come together to form larger units. 

            Follow the link below to watch a video demonstration about the modular soft seating: 

                       http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egswj08VoXo

       Another innovative furniture design is by Innovation furniture collection. They have sofa bed design that can be changed to any style whether a sofa a lounge, or a bed. 

      

   

       

        

              Below is an example of modular office furniture:

                References:

http://www.vef.com.au/index.php

http://www.innovation-usa.com/istyle/inspiration/cubed-deluxe-sofa

Who Would've Guessed!

Lighting:

So far through my internship I have had the chance to sit in on a few meetings with some lighting reps and they have talked about some innovative products that are available on the market.

One of the products is by Vibia and it is called Origami. The fixture has a façade that comes in three different colors and can be used for both indoors and outdoors. The light comes from behind the fixture which gives it a glowing effect and can be arranged in any formation. You can connect one or two fixtures or connect up to 30 on one strand and arrange it in any formation. This fixture gives a lot of room for creativity.

Another fixture from Vibia that caught my attention. When I first saw this product it was turned off and sitting on the table, it did not look like very much. It looked flat and I could not figure out how it worked until it was plugged in and held against the wall.  Then it blew my mind, when turned on the fixture gave the illusion of a 3-D box with light coming from both the top and bottom of the fixture. The product is called fold and comes with multiple color option for the fixture. It is also another fixture that can be used in different configurations with multiple units or stand alone.

Another lighting rep that came in was from Visa lighting. Visa is a company that will do costume fixture for their clients. One of their products that are designed for healthcare applications is called Unity. This fixture can be made with multiple light settings. The different settings help with what is going on in the room at the time. Blue light makes an individual more awake and alert and use an amber color will help to relax and calmed down. When using these two different settings in a hospital room the nurses and doctors can keep the patients awake and alert when they need to be and they can use they warmer colors to not disturb someone if they are sleeping.

There is also another setting that is available for this fixture and it is color pattern of 4 different colors that change intermittently and give a lava lamp effect. This is good for emergency waiting rooms to be of a distraction.

This fixture was made for healthcare applications, but has also been used in a school. Specifically for the use of the changing colors feature, it was found that when the kids would start to act up and the teachers where able to switch the light fixture to this setting they kids calmed down and where able to pay attention after that.

 

                                                  

 Flooring:

Another rep that came in was from Centiva flooring. She talked about the centiva snaplock portable flooring. It is a flooring system that is customized with whatever the client wants the top finish to be. They come in 12’x12’ or 18’x18’ and can be easily installed in any application whether it is a dance floor, showroom, special occasions and more. It is easy to put together and to disassemble the flooring just snaps together and requires no adhesives it can also easily be put right on top of an existing floor there is also a transition piece that snaps to the edges. Other features of this flooring are:

•           High stain resistance
•          Commercial rated for heavy traffic
•           Withstands heavy loads
•           Slip resistant and ADA compliant
•           Easy to clean, maintain, and repair

References:

http://www.vibia.com/us/lamps/show/id/42071/wall_fixtures_fold_4207_design_by_arik_levy.html

http://www.visalighting.com/healthcare

https://vl10.visalighting.com/catalog/i/CM1900

http://centiva.com/centiva-on-snaplock/

http://www.google.com/imghp?hl=en&tab=wi

The Other Side

Opposition Views to Interior Design Legislation:

The last post talked about interior design legislation and the reasons behind it. Why shouldn’t interior designers be licensed? The 6 year education and experience allows them to be aware of safety measures of public spaces.

These legislation rulings give a very broad definition of “interior design” so many different professions fall underneath it.

The National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) has many members, who by the standards of the practice act need to be licensed because the work they do falls under the broad topic of “interior design”. Many members would not be able to continue their practice unless they get licensed. The interior designers for this law say that the reasons behind the education and practice is because of the health, safety and welfare that is learned through these experiences and it is what is needed in using proper applications and layouts of a space and if this is done by someone without this knowledge then there is a possibility of harm to the occupants. NKBA and other people in the profession of “interior design” argue that there is no evidence that can prove that unlicensed designers have in anyway caused harm to the occupants of the spaces they have worked on.

An Issue That Has Arisen:

There are only three states that have the Practice Act in place Louisiana, Florida, and Nevada. In early 1990s Florida put its practice act for “interior design” in place. Underneath this act the subject of interior design covered a very large general topic. It forbid anyone without a licenses from doing anything that fell under “interior design” in a nonresidential space whether it was for hanging a picture or making a room layout. There were many that were upset by this because they were now out of a job and could not continue their practice without a license. The law was challenged in 2009:

Through all my research on this topic there seems to be the same argument for many years, those who do not go through the 6 year process to get a license feel that they are being wronged because all they are is just honest competition that the other half wants out of the way, because they see it as we are all just doing the same thing. Not to say that one is any better than the other, but where interior design focuses on the health, safety, and welfare of the individuals in a space interior decorating has a focus only on the aesthetic aspects of a space. Interior Designers need to continue to focus on educating others about what the profession is all about.

Refrences:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703551304576260742209315376.html

http://www.interiordesignsociety.org/content.asp?pl=16&sl=69&contentid=69

http://asidtx.org/files/2011/09/ID_Victorious_in_Florida-100215.pdf

http://www.carolinainteriordesignlegislation.org/where.html

Not So Simple

There are lots of things that most people do not realize about interior design (I never even realized all of this when i first got started with my schooling). One thing is all that is necessary to learn to become one and another one is that legislation is now forming in certain states for the right to claim oneself as a licensed interior designer. While in school and interning at an architecture firm for the summer I have come to realize one really important thing:

Interior Design is not what you see on TV. To really know what this practice is all about one needs an education and experience. Interior Design consists of much thorough decision making that covers the health, safety, and welfare of all occupants in a space. Through education interior designers learn about safety codes, means of egress, reasons behind material selections and more. Until one gets out in the working world and uses this information they have learned one cannot really understand all of it.

In the world of Interior Design there are types of different legislation that cover different types of Certifications. (every state is different, some do not even have any legislation about interior design):

·         Title Act
Regulates the use of a title, such as “registered interior designer” and is enacted in order to raise public awareness of the qualifications of professional interior designers in that particular state. Several U.S. states use the title “certified interior designer” in place of “registered interior designer” and four states and Ontario use the title “interior designer.” Title acts do not require individuals to become licensed in order to practice interior design, nor do they restrict an individual from providing the service of interior design. A person cannot, however, advertise or represent themselves as a “registered” interior designer unless he or she meets the minimum education, experience and examination requirements established in that state/province, and he or she fully applies for use of the state-regulated title with the proper state board or provincial association. 

·         Practice Act
A type of law that requires an individual to have a license in order to practice a profession. Practice acts prohibit the performance of professional services by anyone not licensed by the state agency charged with the duty of regulating that profession. Practice Acts also regulate a designated title (e.g., “registered interior designer,” “licensed interior designer,” “interior designer”) and often regulate other terminology as well (e.g., “interior design” and “interior design services.”)

·         Self-Certification 
Self-certification is like a title act because it regulates the use of a title. The difference between a title act and self-certification is the entity in control of the title. In title acts, the state controls the use of the title through a state board typically appointed by the governor. In self-certification, however, the title is controlled by an independent professional organization whose board members are appointed by interior design professionals. The state has very little oversight over self-certification. California is the only jurisdiction with a self-certification law.

·         Permitting Statute
Colorado’s interior design law is classified as a permitting statute. There is no state board and there is no title that is regulated. The law is an amendment to the architectural statute, adding an exemption for interior designers who have met the education, experience and examination requirements to submit plans for building permits.

(the above bullets are from the following website: http://www.careersininteriordesign.com/licensing.html) 

make sure to check my page titled eight to five for weekly updates! :)

 

On a Global Scale



    Most people will think that the profession of interior design will start and stop with the a project for a client, somebody wants something to look a certain way and the interior designer does it. But the creation of the concept does not start or end with that one project. Sometimes it is hard to see things on a bigger scale but design trends are affected globally by everyone on the world.

 

One definition of globalization says that it is the influence of increasing the exchange of thoughts and ideas across the world. Another says that globalization is the increasing of importation of products from abroad. A third definition says that it is the growth to a global or worldwide scale.

 

The more I learn about the profession of Interior Design I can see that all of the above apply. The first definition about the exchanging of thoughts and ideas is the biggest in my opinion. It is the way that design trends start with one person, but then are spread around the world. When people travel or move to different parts of the world they bring the things they like and enjoy with them. If others in the area like their idea they will start build off of it to create there own. These ideas don't just have to be spread out by happenstance they can also be spread by people wanting to share their ideas with others. Last week I sat in on a meeting with a lighting rep whose products where from Barcelona. That also goes under the second definition of the increasing of products from abroad. When ordering large amounts of furniture for certain project they are shipped from over seas.

 

Nothing that goes on in society now a days stays within just one region it travels around to other cultures. The video below is one of my favorites. It perfectly explains what interior design is and the role it plays in the everybody's life. This information is not just relevant for those of us in one region of America or even just one country, but this information holds true for everyone around the world.

 

 

 

Why Interior Design Matters

 

And How Does That Make You Feel....

Continuing the topic from the beginning of the week Evidence Based Design involves lots of research.  This research will take the designer through different fields. One of those fields is psychology, which gives an insight on how people react to certain environments.   These reactions could be for the best interest of the person or be harmful to someone. While doing some more research into EBD I found some cool facts about ho interior environments affect the behavior of people in them:

•  Food shoppers spend more money when circulation is clockwise
•  Mall Pedestrians tend to walk on the right side
• The close seats at sporting events create a  friendship with strangers
• Colors create the mood of the space (bright warm colors give excitement, whereas cooler colors give more of a soothing and calming effect)
• Dim lighting evokes a relaxed feeling
• Furniture allows for a division of rank among employees
• Less furniture allows for a feeling of openness (a therapist office does not have a big desk in the middle of the room so that the client will be more willing to relax and open-up)
• Natural lighting also a gives a more relaxed feeling

(note that the above facts were found on the following web pages and not part of my own research: http://ezinearticles.com/?Interior-Design-Psychology&id=993205, http://designbuildsource.com.au/psychology-interior-design, http://www.iida.org/resources/category/1/1/1/6/documents/sp10-ebd.pdf)

Having better understanding of how an individual uses a space and their reactions to certain types of situations helps the designer make their decisions about the outcome of the project to better serve the people that will be utilizing the space.

Interior Design is all about the health, safety and welfare of everyone individual  in a space. The research will never just stop on what is the style trend of today, but goes beyond that and continues until every aspect of a space is aesthetically pleasing while  keeping stress levels down, keeping the environment hygienic, and making layouts such as office buildings, hospitals, grocery stores, and schools easy for people to navigate. Next time you walk into a space and think that something is conveniently located or you leave with a smile on your face just remember that the designer of that space did their research to make things better for you.

More Than Meets the Eye

Evidence Based Design is a process of basing decisions about the built environment on credible research to achieve the best possible outcome. – (oxford English dictionary, 2000)

This means that by having better knowledge of how an individual uses a space helps designers to make their decisions about the outcome of their projects to better serve the people using the space. The idea for Evidence Based Design (EBD) started with healthcare. Designing a space that a person can heal in is so much more involved than a four sided box with a bed in the center. It is about making a person better mentally before they can get better physically. See the image below for some specific examples on how interior design helps with healing:

EBD does not stop there it is used with many interior spaces such as:

•  Offices
• Schools
•  Restaurants
• Shops
•  Even residences

Before design decisions are made about the space research is done do figure out how an individually can get the most out of a space. For example in a school:  

•   colors affect  child behavior;
• classroom layouts with effective teaching
• seating, furniture and operable windows actually heightened the learning experience

(the above was taken from the iida website article: The Future of Evidence-Based Design: By David Whitemyer) 

I hope no one is still thinking that interior design is all about the looks.

Universal Design

Universal Design has the same features as Aging in Place, but it covers every age range and ability. It also covers more than just residential houses, but the buildings that are accessed by the public, whether it is a shopping mall, restaurant, business, school or university.  

An interesting fact about Universal Design that I have found out about is that the idea for this concept started in the when soldiers came back from WWII and their lives where different. Many soldiers now had disabilities that they had not left home with and having a functional space that they could comfortably use became important.

Both links below go have a more in-depth history about how universal design got started:  

http://adaptyourspace.com/accessible-homes.php

http://universaldesign.ie/exploreampdiscover/historyofud

 

The Disability Act 2005 defines Universal Design, or UD, as:

1.the design and composition of an environment so that it may be accessed, understood and used

i.to the greatest possible extent,

 ii.in the most independent and natural manner possible,

iii.in the widest possible range of situations, and

iv. without the need for adaptation, modification, assistive devices or specialised solutions, by any persons of any age or size or having any particular physical, sensory, mental health or intellectual ability or disability, and

2.means, in relation to electronic systems, any electronics-based process of creating products, services or systems so that they may be used by any person. 

“An important component of Universal Design is the maintenance of aesthetics. In other words, to create something that is still visually pleasing to others despite being accessible to everyone. Function does NOT have to sacrifice beauty, and universally designed homes and public buildings can be just as beautiful and welcoming as any other design approach. Increasingly, experts are referring to the concept of Universal Design as the “wave of the future”. It is the hope of Universal Design advocates that eventually all buildings, homes, and products will be designed to meet the needs of everyone.” - http://adaptyourspace.com/accessible-homes.php

............

Continuing with yesterdays blog about Aging in place I found a site that has shows a section of a house that has aging in place design features. It covers everything that can be built in or added later.

http://adaptyourspace.com/plan.php

Aging in Place

One of the topics that I have come to know a lot about is Universal Design. A category that falls under Universal Design is Aging in Place. Aging in Place is the idea that someone can live in there house as they grow older and have the security of feeling safe and comfortable. There are many features that can be built into a house and some things that can added to an already existing house. Many people as they get older are wanting to stay in their own home and be able to be independent. There is always a sense of security that comes with familiar surroundings which can happen when someone is able to stay in their own home and Aging in Place design features allow for comfort in safety in these situations.

Aging in Place Design Features:

• Open floor plan
• Front louder appliances
• Knee space under counter tops
• Curb less showers
• Removable shower heads
• Grab bars
• Handles and faucets with lever knobs
• Having houses that have ramps or low slopes to get into them

Video showing aging in place design features in a home:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8CaQ1417JI

link to internet page that goes into explanation of some aging in place design features that are becoming a trend to home owners:

http://aginginplace.com/home-modification/test-page/

I always find it interesting how simple designs can have such big effects on an individual in a space. I feel that topics such as these will always be expanding and growing and there will always be more to learn.

 

What Interior Design is NOT

When most people hear the words interior design they think fun. They do not think beyond what they see in front of them. They can see a carpeted floor and think the only reason it was put there was because it looks good. As everyone knows, though, looks can be deceiving, because an interior designer will see that flooring material for its real use. When an interior Designer walks into a space they will see a non-slip flooring tile in an entry way or carpeting that is being used to muffle sounds of footsteps in an open plan. Since Interior Designers see into so many of these little details it becomes really frustrating to hear peopole say that all interior design is about is decorating a space with colors that are in and light fixtures that are fancy.

What is Interior Design Really

When I hear the words interior design the first thing that comes to my mind is creativity. Interior Design is about being able to take a blank sheet and make a safe and healthy interior enviroment that is pleasing to everyone that will be utilizing the space. Most people just see the aesthetics in a room and have no understanding of the thought process that went above and beyond simple decoration. There is always a reason to why office, school buildings, houses, restaurants and any other interior space is laid out a certain way and why certain materials are used in those spaces. Those reasons are usually for safety and consideration of people both young and old.