If we compare the roles of an architect, contractor, interior designer, and interior decorator to the four main ingredients of a sandwich, then you will need to gather the two slices of bread, the main ingredient, and the spread/secondary ingredient to complete the interior designer sandwich masterpiece.
Why can’t we get all the professionals looking at the same shopping list? An efficient plan that coordinates each layer to form the best interior designer sandwich ever being the number one priority. How about it? Two perfect slices of bread (architect and contractor), functional layers of mouth-watering spatial arrangements and finishes (interior designer), topped with decorative furniture and colours (interior decorator) makes us drool in anticipation of the final reveal — I mean meal.
Are there any DIY enthusiast out there who thought they could complete a project simply by collecting a few photos, buying the products on a list, and finding that making their sandwich was harder than it looks? You betcha!
I might be inflating my role as the main ingredient with a complimentary second ingredient and spread (i.e., decorating) within my interior designer sandwich, but I must say we kinda’ play the mediator between the architect and the contractor — who, by the way, are wonderful slices of bread. The homeowner may decide what type of lettuce and spread they would like to have that inspires their club, sub, wrap, or open face sandwich (or traditional, transitional, modern, and/or contemporary style), but the interior designer selects the elements that will bring it all together to create the inspiration. And, yes, I will admit a bit of cross-over or dual hats between the professions may apply (e.g. architect/interior design, interior designer/decorator, contractor/design), but overall they work together to complete the vision.
Coordinating with the trained architect to select the right type of bread i.e. building shell to satisfy your hunger by providing substance for the foundation, an interior designer’s training and creative processes adds the right type of components to enhance the taste buds by coordinating the layering and finishing details. Think about it like this, if you have the architect and the contractor but neither one knows how you will be functioning inside the walls, how can they enhance the interiors to fit the overall aesthetics if they don’t coordinate the interior designer’s functional selections and ideas into the processes of building your sandwich?
My part of the interior designer sandwich requires that I specify products that are grown locally for my clients, grown in organic conditions that will sustain the family, and easily enjoyed by all the members living in their home. Yup, that’s right, it is a healthy sandwich that not only looks and tastes good… it’s good for you! It is a green friendly meal that offers sustainable products that are environmentally sound and accessible to all family members… plus, my interior designer sandwich presentation enhances the families palette preferences plated to coordinate with the ambiance inside the residential shell.
The next time you go shopping for your home design project, think about all the people who can supply their best ingredients. Planning it right from the beginning and gathering your list of experts leads to a beautiful meal that tastes delicious with an extra side of delightful memories yet to come.
Bon Appetit!
Tina Harvey approaches every design project with a calm but knowledgeable approach that makes the processes of design as enjoyable as the final transformation of any size residential or small office design.
