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Have you ever checked into a seemingly nice hotel, and when you got to your room you found the electrical sockets all located in inconvenient places?

Or have you ever been in a house, or worse, bought a house, and wondered why the glass shower door only opens one way, and on opening it either hits the lovely rain shower head, or it hits the towel rail on the wall?

Quite often, these niggling little annoyances are the result of rushed or not very well thought-through interior design. As well as creating something that looks fabulous, great design is about optimising the layout and functionality of spaces. Giving careful thought and planning to the functionality of all fixtures and fittings within the space. Yet, this a part of the whole design process that is often overlooked - by developers, by owners, and by the Architects themselves - who, after all, may be more focused on the building envelope, the façade, and the technicalities of the building’s construction.

As an industry, Interior Design often gets a bad rap! For many reasons. For instance, unlike an Architect, being an Interior Designer rarely requires a license or qualification to be able to go about one’s business. Many people looking to engage an Interior Designer may not understand that formal study and qualification in interior design does exist.

A combination of unqualified ‘practitioners’, together with views held by large numbers of the public, often based on past experiences, that anyone holding the title “Interior Designer” will be able to give input on no more than wall colours; sofas; other loose furniture; cushion fabrics; lighting; and drapery, have unfortunately reinforced this bad rap.

A properly qualified Interior Designer may help you overcome the design shortcomings described in the first paragraph. And several hundred others that are also common. Provided, of course, that such a professional is engaged in the building’s design process from the beginning, working in tandem with the Architect and other design disciplines.

MSQUARED INTERIOR DESIGN

A good Interior Designer will take an architectural as well as an artistic design approach to the creation of great interior spaces. Blurring the lines in terms of what’s normally perceived as ‘external’ and what is perceived as ‘internal’. However this is a challenge to do effectively if the ID team is engaged as the project is nearing completion. Or even worse, after it has been built!

Of course, some people simply need help with furnishings and finishings for their interior space. If that’s the only need, then the ‘Interior Designer’ may not need to be professionally qualified. What may suffice is simply an interior decorator, and there are many imminently capable people and companies out there who can do this.

However, if you’re aiming to create something complete, something very personal and very special, from scratch, you’d probably want as much care and attention invested in the interior spaces as you’d expect will be given to the design and construction of the building itself. To achieve this, it’s worth engaging qualified and experienced professional help.

It should never be forgotten that the interior spaces within every building are the spaces where people will spend most

time. They won’t be standing around looking at the building’s exterior for too long! And building exteriors, no matter how beautiful, are seldom useable space.Great interior design begins with the creation of an over-arching concept for the look and feel of the building interiors. This first step along the design process is where creative design ideas are formed between Designer and client. A blueprint for how the final look of the interiors will create visual and aesthetic impact.

The second step in the process Designers call “Schematic Design”. Taking the initial concept to greater depth and establishing solid ideas on how spaces will function individually, and together, how they will look and feel, and what materials options may be used, in both construction and finishing.

The third step – “Design Development” – provides the client with more detaileddrawings and often rendered images of all spaces being designed. Through this stage of the process, the short-list of items such as lighting, fittings, and loose furniture are specified.

The final step involves the creation of the required construction drawings – the design work that ensures that the initial ideas becoming a completed reality. Through this stage the Designer also finalises all materials to be used in the completion of the build, as well as all furniture, fittings, and electrical equipment. This would include conclusion on the sources and costs of all materials and products.

Great interior architecture and design is about finding ways to make the ordinary extraordinary. Make sure that you select an interior design partner that can work with you through the whole process, to help make your design dreams for your building come true!

MSquared Interior Design20/112, 114 Park Plaza E, Moo 2, Boat Lagoon Soi 4, Thepkrasattri Road, PhuketTel. +66 (0) 76238289Web: www.msquared-design.asia

Pakamard (Mary) MacDonald BD (Interior Design); BA (Fine Art)

MSquared – Director & Principal Designer