Interior Decoration

Interior decoration is the art of  transforming interiors to create a beautiful interior views. Interior decoration  is done  in homes, institutions and commercial spaces as well.

The History of Interior Decoration

Early Egypt

Interior decoration  dates back to ancient times, as people have decorated as early  as they had houses. The first signs of purposeful interior decoration  were evidenced in the lavishly decorated Egyptian tombs. Romans also carefully arranged their rooms based on the function of the room and the time of year. In the summer they used rooms that took advantage of breezes, and different rooms in the winter that gave extra protection from the cold.

Renaissance Period

During the Italian Renaissance, wealthy people became interested in the arts and began to commission artists to work in their homes. Function, form and decadence were the major themes in the palaces of the wealthy. Interior decoration along with designing reached its heights during this period.

Early American

Early American decorating was mostly homemade as people were inspired by the homes of the wealthy. Artisanship and function were the mainstays of this design period.

Industrial Revolution

The dawn of industry made interior decorating available to the many. Cheaper home goods and decorating items such as wallpaper, household paints  and fabrics caused middle-income families to be more interested in interior design and decoration.

Modern Times

Interior decoration  today is available to people of every income group  and level of skill. Interior decoration  has become so popular that  shows are shown even on television to  teach people how to decorate on their own,  and the interior decorators are catering  to the middle income  groups as well as the  rich. Modern decorating styles encompass styles  of all of the previous  periods of interior decoration and designing.

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The Cost and Craft of Interiors

Everyone dreams of owning a beautiful  house.  For the middle class this dream appears to be more distant.  To realise this dream they save throughout their life and put their  hard earned  money in constructing their own house. While construction of the house is one part,  designing  and decorating the interiors is another part. Designing the interiors tastefully is very important for those who desire to live in style.  However, we need an experienced  interior designer to give  real value to the money we spend on the interiors,  otherwise we may end up  losing the hard earned money.

Interior designing was talked about by only the upper sections of the society in the past.  However, nowadays  even the middle classes are showing equal interest in having interiors of their choice. Right from the colour schemes to the  upholstery and the curtains, they are very particular and choosy.  This has given new opportunities to the interior designers to think and work differently and on a larger scale.

Interior designing is not confined only to a  single aspect,  but encompasses furniture design, electrical layout, false ceiling, doors and windows, kitchen design, flooring, internal partitions, wall colours, selection of paintings and artefacts, ward robe design, bed design, child room design, bathroom design etc. Interior designers work according to the taste and budget of their  clients.  Many themes and designs are available to choose from,   depending on the personal interest and the amount one can spend.

However, the cost estimation, quality of the materials used in the interiors  and the durability- mean a lot to the customers.  After spending lakhs of rupees, if  the desired quality is not achieved,  it will be very disappointing.  In-built warranty and assurance of free maintenance for three to five  years will create confidence among the clients.

One may go wrong if he thinks that good and rich looking  interiors can be achieved only by spending more money. More than the money, it is creative and innovative mind of the interior designers which results in beautiful interiors.  Within a reasonable budget also, one can create good looking interiors,   by adopting a crafty and creative thinking and planning.

Interior Design

Achieving Positive Energy through Vastu

Vastu comprises  a set of scientific  principles  which are believed  to bring in peace and prosperity to the followers of  those principles.  It is the general tendency of the Vastu believers that by applying the Vastu guidelines, the inmates of a house can lead a happy and  peaceful life.  Vastu principles are believed to  provide scientific explanations and reasons to all the   Vastu applications  prescribed  while designing  the living space in order to  bring positive energy. While buying a house it is always better to look  out for an ideal house or apartment which is built as per  Vastu  principles.

The following guidelines may be applied to increase the positive energy  from Vastu.

The most important part of a house is the main entrance, as the main entrance is known as the mouth of the house which brings energy inside the house.  According to Vastu guidelines, it is always better to avoid buying property which has a door facing south-west direction, as  negative energy enters the house from south-west direction and also brings in struggle and misfortune for the people who live in.
The ideal place for kitchen is the south-east direction. Avoid placing kitchen in north or north-east direction, as kitchen is treated  as the symbol of prosperity and  placing it  in the wrong direction may bring financial losses as well as health problems.
The main source of  strength and stability is the master bedroom. According to Vastu rules, master bedroom must be in the south-west direction and it is advised  to  sleep with your head placed towards the south or west direction.
According to Vastu, toilets and bathrooms should be in south-west corner or in south-west direction of the apartment. Since, the wind flows from north-east to south-west direction and if a toilet is placed in the north-east direction,  the wind will enter the room flowing through the toilet, which will contaminate the air flowing  in the rooms.
The centre of the apartment (known as Brahmasthan)should be spacious and clean, and this area should  receive good amount of natural light. Blockage of the centre is not ideal as per  Vastu. So,  rooms, kitchen or toilets should not be placed in the centre of the house. Interestingly, keeping the living room is ideal for the centre from where you can access every room.

The following are a strict no,  as per Vastu Shastra, as they bring negative energy.

It is better to avoid using  bright colours  like red and purple in abundance, as they may create negative energy in the  house. In the  bedroom, red and black colours should be avoided.
Pictures/paintings showing water  should be avoided, especially  in the bedroom, as keeping these kind of pictures might affect you negatively.
Puja  mandir/ temple should not be placed under a  beam or  in a  cupboard; it may put you under stress. The idols or pictures of God  should be placed in  the prayer room only and  should be avoided keeping them  in the  bedroom.
Heavy items  should not be placed  in north-east side of the house as it may block your financial progress.
The mirror should not be placed in front of the beds and it is always better to cover the mirrors during the night.

Extra Space

Designing a space to make it look elegant, airy, sunny and spacious is the art and craft an Interior  Designer ought to learn.  The spaces  flooded with natural light look pleasant and refreshing and help in creating  a happy mood.  Plenty of sunshine in the early hours  gives a bright beginning to the day.  Meticulously merging the inside and outside spaces to the extent possible to create vistas will give the feeling of living in natural surroundings.  Lack of walls and partitions wherever possible can make the spaces look larger.  The arrangements such as no barriers between the living room and the kitchen,  using transparent partitions and glass panelling  will again make the interior spaces appear more spacious.  Predominant use of white colour also gives a touch of minimalism and spaciousness.  However the Interior Designer has to keep in mind the safety and security  of the inmates while suggesting various measures to make the spaces look extra-spacious.

About the Blog

This Blog is dedicated to Interior Designing.  Various pages include- Interior Design, Landscape Design, Kitchen Design  and  Vastu. The contact information is given under the head Contact. The visitors and followers are requested to post  their views and comments on the  information posted in this Blog. Suggestions to improve the Blog are welcome. 

Interior Designing

What is interior designing?

Interior designing  is often understood as interior decoration. However, interior designing  actually concerned about giving functional and aesthetic  appearance to the  interior spaces, be they are individual houses, public buildings and commercial properties such as shops, restaurants,  offices and malls.  Interior designing is relevant in case of temporary establishments also, whether they are shops  or exhibitions, which exist only for a few days. The set designing also involves a good amount of interior designing.  Interior designing can be applied to fresh and newly created spaces or those  spaces which are existing and  need redesigning and modification.

Human sensations are the result of senses perceiving and experiencing  sound, smell and touch. Interior designing  produces a feeling which is both intellectually fulfilling and  humanistically satisfying.  Interior designing respects the enclosed  structure and its context, employs sensory stimuli, manipulates the three dimensional space, recognises the importance of light for designing a space and deploys materials and light as integral components of designed environments.

The imaginative  and  intelligent use of light,  colour, texture,  pattern and space is fundamental to interior designing.  Most interior designers concern themselves with all aspects of   space planning and  designing and work  right  from choosing different colour schemes and  selecting interior finishes such as wall panelling, flooring,  furniture and furnishings.  Interior  architects  step  into architect's domain, shaping the structure of the space itself as well as decorating it, and thus overcoming the uncertainties of  interior design and interior decoration.

Why is interior designing important?

Interior designing aims at achieving appropriate spatial and functional experience.  It  will not only make a space look and function better, it can have a significant impact on the lifestyle of  the people living in that space.  The application of refreshing and energizing colour schemes, beautifully designed furniture,  appropriate furnishings, and the imaginative use  of light and space,  make a real difference to how we live and feel in  designed interior environment.

The more dull spaces such as shops, banks, showrooms, malls, restaurants,  schools, hospitals, factories displaying  brand values are benefited from creative interior designing,  as healthy and delighting workplaces improve the productivity of the  workforce. Light, acoustics and ventilation are important for creating a healthy environment, which is profitable for the businesses. 

In all spaces, whether  they are public or private,  residential or commercial, living or working -  interior design can be applied  to reflect the status, ambition and taste of the inmates, and to engage the attention of the visitors.  At the end of everything , the interior designing  will and should enhance the value of the property also.