Help Me Name My Business

disneyjoe7

Polkies within a 200 mile radius?

shack

wingnut4772 wrote:

That is a good point. You do have to be licensed in Florida to be a 'designer'. Even though I would do almost the same things with the help of my subs I am not sure where that leaves me....

Guess I will have to look into that.

Unless your subs are architect or interior designers...you probably wouldn't be doing the same things.

Interior Designer or Decorator: What's the Difference?

The terms "interior designer" and "interior decorator" are often used interchangeably, as if they were identical professions. And while both may have the ability and talent to create beautiful rooms -- as well as roles that often overlap -- the two are not synonymous.

Okay, then what's the difference between interior design and decoration? Webster's defines interior design as "the art or practice of planning and supervising the design and execution of architectural interiors and their furnishings." But, under interior decoration it states, "See interior design." No wonder so many people are confused. Let's take a brief look at both and then try to clarify the differences between interior designers and interior decorators.

Interior Designers

The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) defines an interior designer as one who "is professionally trained to create a functional and quality interior environment. Qualified through education, experience and examination, a professional designer can identify, research and creatively resolve issues and lead to a healthy, safe and comfortable physical environment." At it's heart, interior design is the art and science of understanding people's behavior in order to create functional spaces within the structures that architects design.

Interior designers are responsible for a wide variety of tasks including: organizing a space to suit its function, making sure that designs match are in compliance with building and safety codes, managing the construction and installation of a design, and even designing for appropriate acoustics and sound transmission. An interior designer is also responsible selecting and specifying fixtures, furnishings, products, materials and colors -- but note that is just one of many responsibilities.

Interior designers are also -- in some, but not all states -- required to have a license (usually acquired by completing the NCIDQ exam). This licensing certifies that the designer is a qualified professional who has the background and schooling required to make complex decisions about interior spaces.

Interior Decorators

Interior decorators, on the other hand, are primarily concerned with surface decoration -- paint, fabric, furnishings, lighting and other materials. Decoration is often characterized as the furnishing or adorning of a space with appropriate (often fashionable or attractive) things.

"But wait," you say. "Don't interior designers do that too?" The answer is often yes, but the biggest difference is that the interior designer typically has a number of other issues on his or her mind. For instance, when it comes to floor coverings, an interior decorator will probably be responsible for choosing the type, color, texture, and pattern. The interior designer, on the other hand, will make the selection based on those criteria, with an additional eye towards the appropriateness of type, usage, sound transference, acoustic properties, flammability, off-gassing properties, static electricity requirements and flammability.

Separating the Two

Decoration, although an undoubtedly key element of an interior, is not solely concerned with human interaction or human behavior. That is primarily the realm of the interior designer. And while both an interior designer and interior decorator provide input on aesthetics, the interior designer typically goes beyond that to provide further input on the functionality, efficiency, and safety of a space.

Interior designers and interior decorators both perform important jobs -- but it's important that we don't continue to confuse the two. To do so is a disservice to both of professions. So next time you see your local interior designer or decorator -- make sure you call them by the right title!

wingnut4772

OK Great thanks to Shack I guess I will just not do it at all.




Ok. Sorry frustrated. Guess I better rethink my education.

shack

wingnut4772 wrote:

OK Great thanks to Shack I guess I will just not do it at all.

Yeah...blame it on me.

Decorate all you want...design the decorations...just be aware of what an "interior designer" does.

wingnut4772

shack wrote: »

Yeah...blame it on me.

Decorate all you want...design the decorations...just be aware of what an "interior designer" does.

I know. Just frustrated by the truth I guess. Thanks

shadowofnight

I am sure you ( Or the forum ) will come up with a great classy but catchy name for your new business. But most of the nicer business cards also have a small picture and a catchy phrase for the middle part of the card...this would work great.....


First a picture of YOUR dogs with the Petey eye circle photoshopped in ( Everybody knows Petey from Our Gang/The Little Rascals....well if you are old enough I guess ) Also photoshopping them pretending to be working on remodeling the room with tools





I am sure you could come up with a killer phrase to match that photoshopped pic of your dogs " Working" for your business card







As a JOKE only for close friends....have some cards made up with this phrase....you would have to know REO Speedwagons Tough Guys song to get the connection with Petey ....the Little Rascals....and ...well you know




Alfalfa, will you swing me before we have lunch?
Sure, Darla.
Say, Romeo. What about your promise to the He-Man-Woman-Haters-Club?
It's Ok Spanky...she plays for the same team as we do .

disneyjoe7

Darla,

If you never stepped forward would you ever go forward?

Sometimes the best you can do is move forward and see where it takes you.

Steve

wingnut4772

shadowofnight wrote: »

I am sure you ( Or the forum ) will come up with a great classy but catchy name for your new business. But most of the nicer business cards also have a small picture and a catchy phrase for the middle part of the card...this would work great.....


First a picture of YOUR dogs with the Petey eye circle photoshopped in ( Everybody knows Petey from Our Gang/The Little Rascals....well if you are old enough I guess ) Also photoshopping them pretending to be working on remodeling the room with tools





I am sure you could come up with a killer phrase to match that photoshopped pic of your dogs " Working" for your business card







As a JOKE only for close friends....have some cards made up with this phrase....you would have to know REO Speedwagons Tough Guys song to get the connection with Petey ....the Little Rascals....and ...well you know




Alfalfa, will you swing me before we have lunch?
Sure, Darla.
Say, Romeo. What about your promise to the He-Man-Woman-Haters-Club?
It's Ok Spanky...she plays for the same team as we do .

Very cute.

brettw22

How about Darla's Design's, or Double D's for short?

BAD ASP

DARLA'S INSIDE JOB

interior consulting and installations

Shizelbs

Compuglobalhypermeganet?

McLoki

Decore by Darla
with the tagline "Where style is a matter of taste, not budget"

George Grand

Darla's "Use My Service and FREELY Navigate the Florida Roadways" Design

with the tagline "I'll see you one way or the other!"

sda2mike

Interiorcourse Design Consortium

kingtut

Best Interior Decorator, BID in big block letters (as in a prescrition, take med with meal, interior decorations that goes with food -- a necessity of life).

schwarcw

"Darling Interior Designs and Decorating" by Darla

shack

Even though I have dashed your visions of a career...

I think that the "catchy" or "gimicky" name doesn't really help a small business. IMO what you want is a simple card that states something like...

Darla's Interior Decorating or Interior Decorating by Darla with your contact information. It should be phone, fax, email and maybe a website. It should be simple but "classy".

People will not choose you for their job because of your name or card. They will choose you because of referals and reputation. The chances of someone seeing your business in the yellow pages is slight. Word of mouth by satisfied clients and vendors is how you will get business. THEN a business card becomes important so they can contact you.

obieone

NOT, repeat, NOT trying to pee in your cornflakes, but let's worry about building a portfolio of work completed, w/ before & after photos. And let's give each job a name/ theme.
I WISH you the best of luck, but let's try to stay grounded.
Sorry if this advice hurt. Was NOT intended to.

dorokusai

Soylent Bush.

SKsolutions

F.B.I.

For Better Interiors

amulford

Ditto what Shack said. Get a few more projects done and gather up some good referrals. You can make your own cards easy enough, you don't have to go hog wild just yet. Catchy phrases don't do it, but glowing praises will...

janmike

Darla,

I agree that the name should be simple. Flashy names can sometimes bring more harm than good. Do something like Interior Decorating Ideas or put your name at the front or at the end of a couple of words like other have suggested.
What is far more important is getting your name out through references. Have you done this before? If so, offer references to potential clients. I have worked with people that offer to give you a list of happy clients. "If you would like to see a sample of my word here is my album. Show pictures, dates, before and after shots. ….. Get permission from previous clients to show your work. The word of mouth advertisement is still one of the most cost effective and often the most successful. Good luck.

George Grand

Is there a niche market you're shooting for? Might prove helpful to know what it is in order to provide more specialized ideas for you.

cmy330go

Sound Designs


Get it?

exalted512

McLoki wrote: »

Decore by Darla
with the tagline "Where style is a matter of taste, not budget"

I like this the best.
-Cody

LessisNevermore

Wind Beneath My Wingnut:p


Darla's Decor

madmax

"Inceptions" ??

Jstas

dorokusai wrote: »

Soylent Bush.

DING!

WINNER!

disneyjoe7

Interior's by Darla

mrbigbluelight

McLoki wrote: »

Decore by Darla
with the tagline "Where style is a matter of taste, not budget"

That's it !

Simple, straightforward, conveys a casual, yet professional image.



Keep in the memory files, though, Shadowofnights suggestions. There's something there that can be developed and fleshed out in the future. Straight up.

Word of mouth will definitely be the way to go for now, from ground zero. As mentioned, get permission from your clients to use before/after pictures.

You'll do well.

And if you need suggestions on interior designs in the "Caveman" style or "Early Bohemian Slob" motif, well ..... I'm .... errr ..... we're always available for consultation.