Welcome to Kitchen Design Notes. Whether in the middle of a kitchen or bath remodel, planning one or just dreaming, stop in and browse. Follow one Kitchen Designer's journey though trends, hot topics and remodeling advice. This blog is your remodeling source for the latest news in cabinetry, kitchen and bath fixtures, appliances, tile, lighting and more.
I am not a betting person but sometimes I wonder if I should take up poker since some client's like to play it with me. Poker it seems is a game of not revealing your cards and is a game of chance, skill and never revealing your moves.
The problem with playing poker in remodeling is that it just doesn't work this way if you want me to plan an estimate for you. "How much is it gonna cost me?" "How much do you want to spend?" I could bluff but that just wastes both your time and mine, doesn't it? You can't build your budget on a game of Texas Hold-em and I can't plan a design for you unless I know your budget, pardner. Case in point: You want to buy cabinets from me and you want to know how much it's gonna cost. You look at my corner 10 x 10 display and you ask how much would something like this cost in my kitchen? Well that's like asking how much is a bag of groceries!
Estimating is time intensive and if you really want to know the truth, if you think you are getting a deal with getting someone to come out and give you a "free estimate" you just lost the game. Anytime someone says it's a "free estimate" is playing poker with you. Chances are he is factoring his time into the cost of the project without revealing to you that the time to estimate, the drive time, the payroll expense to pay someone to layout the plans for your "free design" just upped the ante for him. He has to factor his time and labor into your cost. But not just your estimate, you are also paying for everyone else who asked for a free estimate with over all higher prices. Time is money, my friend, and no one is driving around town, spending time with each customer that calls for a free estimate and not building his costs into your estimate. If he isn't, he won't be in business for long.
Do I want to play poker with clients? Nope, I am a straight shooter. I don't like gambling with my customer's time or money. I can provide you the option of a free estimate if you bring me your measurements and I can do a take off with preliminary numbers to get you in the ball park of price ranges. A free estimate won't be accurate to the penny because I have not verified the dimensions my self. It will remain a ballpark range within 10-15% until the dimensions can be verified and the details of your "wish list" versus "must have" list" clarified by you.
If you are not comfortable with measuring your own kitchen, I can do that for you but I charge a measure fee for my time to come out to your house and take accurate measurements of the space and you will get accurate pricing. This is rebated back to you when you purchase my cabinets, which is a fair deal. If you don't want to buy from me, you get a few rendered concept views and those are for you to keep.
All this makes sense until the customer who wants to have a Mexican Stand Off enters the picture. She wants a price, but won't bring in dimensions of the kitchen and she won't pay a measure fee for preliminary plans. She won't pay the fee because she doesn't know if she will like what she gets. It does not pay to play poker with a client because I cannot guess how much your kitchen is going to cost until we discuss what it is exactly you want in your kitchen and until I price it out. I cannot presume to know your taste and style without at least having a conversation with you. I have to see it or at the very least be provided pictures of kitchens you like and dimensions to estimate from.
Come on folks, this is like going to see your Cosmetic Surgeon and telling her you want your face to look younger but you are not willing to reveal what part of the face you want worked on and how much you want to spend. A brow lift, a facial peel, a face lift, remove the bags under your eyes, remove the jowels, it all adds up. What do you want to do?
Likewise you can't go to a Realtor and say "I want to buy a house" and escorted to several homes for sale without knowing what your price range is. Kitchens, like houses, like cars, like anything you want to buy are available in several different prices ranges. If you cannot reveal honestly what your investment can be, your service provider will not be able to provide you the best service or the best value for the money without these basic facts to work from. Mostly, I want to provide my clients a project and a product they are satisfied with. To do this well, communication is essential and this is no place for a game of poker with your wants and needs.
Also, if a client tells me she doesn't need a design, she just needs to order cabinets, you can't place an order for cabinets without a plan. A plan involves a design, a design involves exact dimensions, dimensions require accuracy and if I am responsible for your order, I need to be the one measuring for those cabinets. I suppose you can simply go to your local big box store and place your order with the order takers, but then you are responsible for your dimensions. I prefer not to be an order taker.
Getting an accurate design and paying a Professional Kitchen Designer will save you money in the long run. You can retain a Kitchen Designer to provide you a space plan so that you can get competitive bids from contractors or you may get a great price from that Kitchen Designer and buy from her. Whichever the case may be for you, working with a Kitchen Designer will add value to your project. Contractors will thank you for having detailed plans to bid from, as this saves them time knowing what the details are for your project in advance. There are too many details in cabinet design for a contractor to keep up with or even care about. Most contractors will advise clients to get their cabinets planned out and provide them a copy of the plans. A kitchen designer will be able to best advise on cabinetry, counter tops, lighting, flooring, best use of space layout, seating arrangements, appliances, storage solutions and so much more. Furthermore, an experienced designer that specializes in Kitchen Design will save you from the headaches of not pre-planning the details and not having the materials on the job when the contractor needs them. You can find a Professional Kitchen Designer by searching the National Kitchen and Bath Association website, NKBA.org.
How much is it going to cost? Moreover, how much will you save by retaining expert advice?
Ventura County, CA (October 18, 2009)- While the weather is "hot, hot, hot" in September, mark your calendars in October when balmy temperatures return that make living here in Southern California so desirable. A perfect time to attend the 4th Annual Tour of Kitchens to be held on Sunday, October 18, 2009- 10 am to 5 pm, organized by the local chapter of the National Kitchen and Bath Association. The Tour of Kitchens will be twice as fun in 2009 because we're going to double our territory. This year will be TWO tours- One in Santa Clarita Valley and the other in Ventura County.
So how does one experience a home tour? Ronni Fryman, Chairperson of this year’s tour advises, “I always like to gather my favorite pals into a carpool to make a day of it. We start at one house and work our way through each and every one – stopping for a nice lunch in the middle. We always have a vote at the end of the day for which home was our favorite, which one we could move right into and which had the most innovative features.” Other people may enjoy meeting the designers, artists and contractors who planned and built the projects. “I guarantee everyone will walk away with several new ideas that they will want to incorporate into their own homes.” Unlike reading a magazine for ideas, the best part about attending our tour is you will see architectural styles that are likely to be similar to your home.
The Tour of Kitchens’ projects may be reviewed on the NKBA-ccv website and tickets for the event may also be ordered online. Tickets are $20 for advance sales and $25 on the day of the tour. For more information, please go to www.NKBAccv.org.
About the National Kitchen & Bath Association The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) is a non-profit trade association that has educated and led the kitchen and bath industry for more than 45 years. With over 40,000 members and growing, the NKBA owns the Kitchen/Bath Industry Show & Conference (K/BIS®). The mission of the NKBA is to enhance member success and excellence, promote professionalism and ethical business practices, and provide leadership and direction for the kitchen and bath industry. For more information, visit www.NKBA.org
What's been on everyone's mind this week in design? Below are slices of conversation from my blog favorites from the past week as well as my own commentary on an unusual experience that prompted me to get on top of my Sunday soap box for a good old fashioned rant. One thing you will notice about these fine people and fellow bloggers is their passion for their profession. No matter what you want to call us, your designer, your decorator, that kitchen lady, that cabinet guy, whatever, it doesn't really matter to us, as long as you call us and hire us.
What does matter, and what you should know is that we are very dedicated to our profession. Some of us who have blogs have made them an extension of our daily work. (I mean, you have to be a little bit obsessed to spend your off hours to blog about, what else, work!) I know there are others, regardless of having a blog or not, that are just as obsessed as me, that bring spec books home, attend seminars or research new materials at home as an extension of our work life. It's a 24/7 profession. The spec sheets and nitty-gritty research we pore over will never really make it as a blog item because you would be bored to tears. So blog fodder is limited to fun stories, factoids and cool new items we find. Interested in hiring a designer, decorator, whatever you want to call us? Ask us what else we do to further our professional goals. What seminars we took in the last 6 months, what books we read, what professional organizations we belong to, and how we are active in our community. It will be evident when you talk to us. We care about what we do and have a passion for sharing our observations and knowledge with you.
Kitchen and Residential Design. Paul Anater is spreading the word about The 3/50 Project. A nationwide, grass-roots effort to save independent businesses that were already reeling from the incursions of the Wall Marts and the Home Depots of the world before the bottom fell out of the economy. This is an effort we can all get behind and support.
Kitchen Sync Kelly Morriseauhas posted a hilarious but sadly familiar spoof on bargaining. Click here to watch it there.
KitchAnn Style Ann Porter had Jaime Goldberg, from Gold Notes, drop in as guest blogger, providing great coverage on 2009 KBIS Product Showcase. Toto introductions knocked my socks off. Unbelievably cool new products for Toto.
And you must check out the island design made out of one massive chunk of Carrara Marble designed by Patrick Jouin and partner Sanjit Manku, a Kenyan-born Canadian architect.
The Kitchen Designer Susan Serra, always one to show new ways of thinking about kitchen design, discusses alternate options for the backsplash, thinking beyond tile in her post, Creative Backsplash Inspiration.
I caught a glimpse of a similar idea using alternate backsplash materials in my own post earlier this week when I introduced Teo Jasmin to my readers.
Peggy Deras has posted a safety recall notice “GE Recalls Ranges Due to Fire and Burn Hazards”. And over at her other Blog, Kitchen Exchange, she has profiled a new product. Scotch Brite Slashes Paper Towel Use.
I would love it if I could cut back on my paper towel use. I may have to give Scotch Brite's new absorbent cloth a try.
Retro Renovation Pam has posted a great item coming from Woman's Day, Life In the 50's through Today Did you know that the average house size in the 50s was 983 s.f. — and that today, it’s 2,349 s.f.?
Wendy Hoechstetter puts forth an exemplary essay critiqing ASID's hypocrisy in their report: Consumers Very Satisfied Working with Interior Designers. Which is it ASID? Sounds like more double talk. Is the public satisfied with Interior Designers or does the public need more regulation to protect them from unlicensed designers.
Patricia Gray| Interior Design Patricia has a beautiful pictorial posting entitled, Passion- That is the Key. This is an excerpt taken from the book: INEX by Wolterinck, featuring the interiors of homes and shows how the surrounding gardens have been designed to complement the interiors, creating a total lifestyle concept. Just beautiful!
What's in a title really? A TALE of FLUTES and RIDGES; or the response to the Inquiring Professor. I had a disappointing experience with one "professional" designer this past week solidifying my position that a title after your name is not worth the paper upon which it is printed if you cannot live up to the standards upon which the credentials are based. Maybe she has a "flair" for design, I don't know, but competency and preparedness was surely lacking. This designer is in need of a refresher course on the three E's.
Meanwhile this week the "professor" at Kansas State with a lot of time on his hands sends me an email wanting to know if I consider myself a professional interior designer. Er, let's put it this way, apparently he is on a one man mission to, em, here is how he puts it: "...as long as you and your decorator cronies continue to include the education, experience and examination model for professional development in your deprofessionalization effort I will continue to call you on your collective fallacious propaganda." Excuse me while I stop to laugh a little here. ....;-)
HELP ME HELP YOU Back to my story trying to help the "professional interior designer" looking for her vessel sink. ME: "You say you recall the vessel has flutes?" (I pull open my Kohler catalog the size of two Bibles and one Koran stacked on top). THUD. Is the design located inside the bowl or on the outside?
PID: No, the design is on the outside. It's white and it has this vertical fluting on it.
ME: Is it this one?
PID: No. I'll know it when I see it.
ME: Do you remember the manufacturer or the name of the sink? (More catalogs opened, flipping pages in search for fluting. Fluting. Fluting? I started to question what I was doing looking for fluting? A fluted sink? Does this even exist?)
ME: Can you call your client to see if he has a copy of the spec sheet you gave him?
PID: No, I gave him the print out and he lost it. That was my only copy. ME: Oh, I see. And you say you need to order it right away? (A sea of catalogs between us in search of fluting on a vessel sink.)
How about this one? Or that one?
PID: No. No. It's the vertical fluting that wraps around the bowl.
(She holds her hand horizontally as the word comes out of her mouth: "fluting".)
ME: Oh, I see! You need a ridged detail. (Hand gestures are the international language of common sense.)
PID: Yes, that is what I have been telling you! Didn't I say ridged? You know, I am in a hurry; I have to go, if you can just call be with the information that would be great.
Having never worked with this designer before, I saw that the title after her name on her business card reads ASID Interior Designer. I was anticipating a pleasant exchange with a "design professional". After all, ASID is the sign that a professional interior designer is qualified by:
"Education, experience and examination to enhance the function, safety and quality of interior spaces to the benefit of the occupants of such spaces." Source: ASID's Position Statement. www.asid.org/events/CLC/clc07/interiordesignregistration.htm
Further, ASID's position statement pulled from their website says:
"ASID advocates that the interior design profession is a single profession, regardless of specialty, and that the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination (including all its parts) is the basis for testing minimum competency for interior designers."
Based on my short exchange with a "professional interior designer" who sent me on a wild goose chase looking for a fluted vessel sink, when she really meant a ridged design on the vessel sink. Of course, she was on a time crunch too and flounced off. Meanwhile, I have this professor emailing me wanting to know if I think I am entitled by birthright to call myself an interior designer. I have been holding back a belly laugh all week! Oh gee, thanks, this is comic relief. I have to scratch my head and wonder aloud the following:
Regardless of your specialty, shouldn't a qualified "professional interior designer" know the difference between a flute and a ridge?
ASID beats their drum about "education, experience and examination". Who cares if you passed the examination but cannot practice it in everyday practical exams when your clients order is on the line?
In case you were wondering: The definition of a flute: Fluting in architecture refers to the shallow grooves running vertically along a surface. source: wordnet.princeton.edu
The definition of a ridge: a long narrow natural elevation or striation. Any long raised strip. source: wordnet.princeton.edu
Why would you hand off a tear sheet to your customer and not keep a copy for yourself?
If your clients are entrusting their design details to you for purchasing, wouldn't it make sense to keep a record of all specifications in a project binder or file or on your computer?
Why wait till the last minute to source out your products on a job?
ASID would like to have the public believe that the only ones who are qualified to design interior spaces are registered interior designers, and represent themselves as having the qualifications to do so.
Oh really? Being ill prepared to order a sink, not knowing the manufacture name of the sink, or even able to describe key features has me wondering what else can go wrong for that unsuspecting client if we are already having problems with just a sink? So what's the point of differentiating a "professional" from a "non-professional" with an arbitrary NCIDQ exam that is supposed to prove competency? Don't start writing to me, I am certain there are competent licensed designers, so do not accuse me of painting all licensed designers with the same broad brush stroke. I have nothing but admiration and respect for those who pursue their accreditation, if that is their goal.
What I am protesting is the broad brush stroke used to portray non-licensed designers, (me included), as nothing more than those with a flair for decorating and get our decorating advise from HGTV. Drawing assumptions or forming stereotypes related to a designer not pursuing a license, or that it means lack of professionalism about his or her career is no better than assigning other equally offensive stereotypes to various groups. Ageism, sexism, racism, decorator-ism. It is discriminatory and divisive.
It would be pretty silly for me to tell my clients I am a kitchen and bath decorator. I am not against education, I am against useless legislation. Although the Professor at Kansas State, who continues to pester me with his rude, patronizing emails would rather I put decorator on my business card than describe what I really do, is really huffing and puffing a lot of hot air at best. I do not decorate kitchens. I design them. And I certainly do not need to pass the NCIDQ exam to prove I know the difference between a flute and a ridge. This is about the ASID thirty year battle forcing others out of the business that will not play along with their rules. The lack of acceptance of other forms of professional achievement, education and experience is elitist. Fix the one-size fits-all requirement to pass the NCIDQ exam and then you will gain my interest. I would rather not have anything to do with the ASID and would rather spend my hard earned money and precious time becoming certified in everything else offered, and perhaps pursue a license that has more teeth to it such as a contractor’s license or an architect’s license. To pay dues and belong to the ridiculous ASID organization and waste my money on the arbitrary NCIDQ testing, I think I would rather live in Europe and do better things with my time.
Set aside the commercial interior design work for a moment. The reality is that people do not really care one way or the other about your credentials as a designer or decorator. Most people use the term interchangeably anyhow. The public will determine who is good enough to work on their project. And in this economy, homeowners are doing it alone or using their contractor to "design" the project while the design community continues to argue over what they can call themselves.
As long as the ASID Coalition continues to push our legislators to pass new laws that prevent people from earning a living in the occupation of their choice, the majority of opposed groups, furniture dealers, lighting designers, restaurant equipment designers, and the majority voice coming from interior designers/decorators will continue to push back this unconstitutional legislation on all fronts. Look at Florida's witch hunt. It is discriminatory, it restricts the public freedom to choose competent design services from interior designers of their choice and it is bad for the economy. “This law is absolutely riddled with constitutional problems that prevent people from earning a living in the occupation of their choice and we’re going to get rid of that law by challenging in court,” said Clark Neily, Senior Attorney for the Institute for Justice, referring to the lawsuit filed Tuesday, May 26, 2009 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida in Tallahassee, challenging Florida’s interior design law. The following statement comes from their own website: source:
"ASID believes that, in the interest of the public good, the professional responsibilities of interior designers warrant state regulation."
ASID will continue to waste our legislator’s time with new attempts to pass unnecessary legislation. And who pays the millions of dollars spent to push for this legislation? Membership dues paid by students, other allied members and professional members. In the long run, ASID stands to hurt the public more protect than protect the public by imposing new legislative "practice act" barriers preventing the public access to professional design help, licensed or not. If it is good enough for the White House, it is good enough for the rest of us.
No longer illegal to use title "Interior Designer!"
Members of the Oklahoma design community:
On May 12th, Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry signed SB 592 into law.This bill amends the current title act which previously restricted the use of the title "interior designer."
This is great news and another victory in erasing the damage done to free enterprise and the public's right to choose who they hire as a designer. The problem with design legislation is that a small segment of the Interior Design community would rather maintain a single point of entry, passing the NCIDQ Exam, to allow one the privilege to call oneself an interior designer.
With respect to the two most technical challenging rooms in the home, kitchens and bathrooms, the National Kitchen and Bath Association, NKBA, has function and safety guidelines that NKBA trained kitchen and bath designers follow. No legislation needed! ASID and IIDA's argument for limiting who can call themselves an Interior Designer stems from their principal argument in concern for the public health and safety. Not a shred of evidence has ever been presented which would warrant a conclusion that the unregulated practice of interior design places the public in any form of jeopardy. As it is, in residential design, some homeowners will put themselves in jeopardy to save a buck by taking on home improvement projects without consulting with an NKBA trained designer, without pulling permits and without licensed contractors. This is precisely where professional design skills, made accessable for the working class, are needed the most. Professional design services should be more accessible to the public, and yet the very groups, ASID and IIDA, who strive to impose regulation on an entire profession in the name of protecting the health, safety and welfare of the public stand to do more harm to the public than good. Restrictive licensing laws will limit the right of the public to retain the services of a designer of their choosing and restricting NKBA members from practicing their profession. The pro legislation group will continue to bombard our legislators with arguments about their importance in protecting the public's health and safety, (proven immaterial) and the importance of education, (they do not recognize other educational tracks), and disparage unlicensed designers as not taking their career seriously, (who has the right to make that assumption that because one does not hold a license means he or she is not as equally impassioned, experienced, or educated?) Nonetheless, every year we see this small segment of the Interior Design community continue it's efforts, state by state, spreading disparaging claims about their non-licensed design associates, bombarding our legislators with arguments in favor of changing legislation to prevent designers to use this title without a license. Their arguments continue to have flaws. The problem is that there can be no single point of entry into the profession. One size does not fit all by passing the NCIDQ exam. The educational requirements for licensed commercial interior designers is immaterial to the educational requirements for a residential kitchen and bath designer or to that of a restaurant/commercial kitchen designer. Least of all, the NCIDQ is not a measure of proving professionalism, nor talent. The most famous designers did not need an arbitrary test to prove their competency in the profession. If the First Family can choose an unlicensed designer, it should be good enough for the rest of America. A growing number of professional and business organizations oppose design legislation. The whole idea to add another layer of government bureaucracy to protect the public is duplicitous to codes already in place. ASID and IIDA are the only groups imposing their legislative force to limit other educated and experienced designers from practicing. The NKBA is not seeking legislative action to restrict licensed interior designers from designing kitchen and bath interiors before proving their competency by passing the CKD/CBD examinations. Although maybe they should as I have come across plenty of dumb designs from ASID licensed designers. The NCIDQ examination is flawed! It does not adequately test competency to become a kitchen and bath designer. To pass the NCIDQ exam costs thousands of dollars and several more years in education and intership under a lisenced interior designer. My efforts and clients would be better served by taking educational courses that would directly benefit my career, such as Certified Aging in Place certification made available by the National Association of the Remodeling Industry or becoming a LEED Certified Designer.
The push for Interior design licensing has become a very devisive topic within the design community. It is anti-competitive and anti-consumer and an absolute waste of taxpayers money to impose licensing laws. Let the public choose who they want to hire.
Here is the NKBA Position statement:
Approved February 29, 2008 Position Statement National Kitchen & Bath Association The National Kitchen & Bath Association (“NKBA”), as the leading trade and professional organization in the kitchen and bathroom industry, takes seriously its role in educating our members and the public at large of the importance of retaining the services of a professional designer when contemplating new or remodeled kitchen and bath projects. It is only through education of the public that they become familiar with the services that a trained kitchen and bath professional can offer, and determine for themselves the level of skill and expertise that is required to meet their needs and budget. Because of this, the NKBA is justly concerned about the efforts of a small segment of the interior design community, primarily those belonging to the American Society of Interior Designers (“ASID”), to limit the right of the public to retain the services of a designer of their choosing and restrict our members from practicing their profession, a profession in which we have been engaged in for many years without complaint or concern by the public. As a result of the limited success that those interior designers have had across the nation, and our belief that their anti competitive efforts will continue in the future, the National Kitchen & Bath Association has developed this Position Statement to make clear where we stand on interior design licensing and how this organization will react to any further attempts to restrict the profession. ASID has for over 30 years, conducted a campaign through local coalitions to convince a small but vocal part of its membership along with various state legislators that there is a desperate need for interior design licensing to “protect the public” from those designers who they have decided are unqualified and who do not meet the self-imposed standards which they have arbitrarily set. They have had some qualified success in obtaining licensing laws, primarily due to the fact that such efforts went largely unnoticed by the design community at large. Members of the National Kitchen & Bath Association generally historically were not concerned about “titling” laws – regulations that merely restricted the ability to use a term such as “Certified Interior Designer” or “Registered Interior Designer” – since our members did not consider themselves “interior designers” and had no desire to use the regulated term. In fact, under the broad definition of interior design which these bills regulate, our members do provide interior design services and would come well within the proscriptions of the law.
687 Willow Grove Street Hackettstown, NJ 07840 Phone: 908-852-0033 Fax: 908-852-1695 www.nkba.org
A small group of pro-legislation designers in Florida are resorting to mudslinging tactics and name calling on their new blog. In a desperate attempt to gain support it looks like they will alienate more members. Whining about outside interference from other states objecting to Florida’s anti-competitive and unconstitutional law, in an illiterate rant the authors of this anonymous blog have resorted to defamation and character assassination against Patti Morrow, the Executive Director of the Interior Design Protection Council. The IDPC is the only national association of interior designers exclusively dedicated to the task of protecting the livelihoods and rights to practice interior design.
You can read a copy of their unprofessional attack and a response from Patti Morrow at Interior Design Protection Council Blog. Please post your comments there. If one cannot defend his position intelligently and finds his only recourse in name calling and character assassination, proves his argument has no weight and has nothing left to offer in his defense but to throw personal attacks at his opponents. Further, the "writer", (cough), coward of the attack chooses to remain anonymous.
If this is an example of the leadership within the ASID, it is no wonder why more and more interior designers are disgusted with ASID and resigning as members The resignation of allied partners, vendors and even former ASID chapter officers proves ASID is losing support over useless legislation that negatively impacts the industry at large and places the burden on the American taxpayer.
Why is this important?
While Florida is one of only three states with a practice act , a minority of ASID designers have a personal stake in limiting competition under “consumer safety” in all states and are continuing to lobby for government intervention though practice acts and title acts asking that individual States give a select few a competitive and economic advantage over others, including kitchen and bath designers.
What is their evidence?
Not a shred of evidence has ever been presented to warrant a conclusion that the unregulated practice of interior design places the public in any form of jeopardy.
Further, interior design title and practice act legislation is not being advocated by the public through consumer advocacy groups, attorneys general offices or divisions of consumer affairs.
In fact, 12 government agencies have looked into this issue and concluded that interior design licensing does nothing to protect the public beyond the processes already in place. Click herefor a list and access to all 12 government reports, including the 1999 Florida report recommending that the profession of interior design be deregulated.
Proving they have no evidence, even the leadership within ASID publicly admits that there are no known cases where an unlicensed interior designer created a safety hazard. Interior Designers Rallying for Rights.
With building codes in place for all local jurisdictions and building inspectors to verify that specific standards and materials are used in accordance to the local building and safety codes, the public’s health, safety and welfare is protected.
All states have very strict building codes in effect. In addition, there are codes that individual counties might impose above and beyond the state codes. Anyone practicing interior design (licensed or not) must adhere to these codes. Commercial buildings must be inspected and pass inspection by law on a regular basis. If a designer (licensed or not) specifies furniture, fabric, finishes, equipment or installations that aren’t up to code, the inspection will discover it. Any designer (licensed or not) that continually makes mistakes in this area will soon find themselves not getting work.
Alabama previously had a practice act. In 2007, the Supreme Court of the state of Alabama struck down their Interior Design Practice Act. In his opinion, Justice Parker stated: “Nor should this Court embrace the paternalistic notion that the average citizen is incapable of choosing a competent interior designer without the State’s help. The economic liberty of contract remains a protected right in Alabama, especially in a field like interior design that involves expressive activity.”
Take control your future... Amended HB 1168 will still put you OUT OF BUSINESS!
Attend Hearing on March 17th
Dear Maryland design community and supporters of the Freedom Movement:
IDPC has received word that the sponsor of practice act HB 1168 will announce the following amendments AT THE MARCH 17TH HEARING:
On page 5, in line 11, strike "OR"; in line 13, after "SELECTION" insert ", MOVEMENT, OR ARRANGEMENT"; and in line 15, strike the period and substitute ";
(5) A CERTIFIED KITCHEN OR BATHROOM DESIGNER; OR
(6) A LICENSED CONTRACTOR LICENCENSED [sic] UNDER TITLE 8 OF THE BUSINESS REGULATION ARTICLE.".
In addition, on March 11th, Deanna Waldron, ASID stated "because HB 1168 does restrict the use of the term "interior designer," it does not align with ASID policy," so it is very likely that this bill will also be amended to restrict the practice of interior to "licensed interior designers," in order to maintain support from ASID.
Please note that these amendments would do ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to change our position!
There is no need, nor has any evidence been presented, that the UNregulated practice of interior places the public in any form of jeopardy.
If this bill passes, in order to continue practicing the FULL SCOPE of interior design -- as you have the freedom to do now -- you will have to be NCIDQ certified. That means you may have to close down your business and go back to school, or go to work under another licensed designer (if you can even find one willing to hire you) at little or no pay in order to qualify to sit for the NCIDQ exam.
We simply cannot stand by and allow the interior design cartel to monopolize all the business in Maryland and dictate to consumers who they may hire. We need YOUR help to stop it.
Please please plan to attend the hearing: March 17th 1:00 p.m. Room 230 of the House Office Bldg 6 Bladen St, Annapolis MD 21401.
This law would put many thousands of Maryland designers, decorators, contractors and retailers out of business without any demonstrable showing of harm to the public from the failure to license the interior design profession. If passed, Maryland would go against the vast majority of states which found such legislation to be anti-competitive and unnecessary.
If this law is passed, only 325 designers will have the freedom to practice as they like. Thousands will lose their ability to earn a living and contribute to the growth of Maryland's economy.
There are only three states in the entire country that have interior design practice laws, and none were passed since the 1990s. Most recently, the Supreme Court of Alabama struck down and declared unconstitutional that state's interior design practice law which was less restrictive than the one being proposed here.
At least twelve state agencies reports have examined the need for titling and/or licensing laws for interior designers and all found no benefit to the public, concluding that consumers already possessed the means to make informed decisions about interior designers. Click here to access all twelve reports.
In 2002, the Maryland Department of Legislative Services conducted a Sunset review of Maryland's existing interior design title act and recommended a repeal of that law, stating that the regulation of Interior designers was not needed to assure the protection of the public as the interior design services offered by certified interior designers present no risk of serious injury or financial harm to the public. Nothing has changed since the date of that report.
Please note that under this bill, interior design is defined to include:
Preparing and administering interior design documents, including drawings, schedules, and specifications, in the planning and design of interior spaces involving: furnishings layouts fixtures cabinetry lighting fixtures finishes materials interior construction There is NO grandfathering for those who are not already certified. You will NOT be able to continue practicing.
Click here to read the entire bill.
DC, DE and VA
Help your colleagues in the State of Maryland defeat restrictive design licensing in their state. If you do or plan to do business in Maryland you should take this threat to the design community seriously. If the most restrictive, anti-competitive law in the country is passed in Maryland, how long do you think it will be before the interior design cartel enacts or expands a similar law in your state?
TAKE ACTION
Action must be taken now to let the members of the House Economic Matters Committee know about the widespread effect that such disastrous legislation would have, not only on your right to continue in business but on the rights of many thousands of employers and employees in the State of Maryland who will be negatively affected by this restrictive and unnecessary legislation.
In today's difficult economic climate, the state should not pass legislation which would make it more difficult for its citizens to compete in the free and open market, unless there is compelling evidence that the public is being harmed by the failure to regulate. Clearly, no such evidence exists.
Click here for contact information for Economic Matters Committee
DON'T THINK THAT OTHERS WILL DO THIS FOR YOU -- Everyone needs to be involved to defeat this bill!
YOUR FUTURE IS IN YOUR HANDS.
If you are planning to: Attend the hearing Attend and testify at the hearing please contact pmorrow@IDPCinfo.org on Monday, March 16th.
IDPC is the only national organization solely dedicated to protecting your livelihood and right to practice.
Please join our crusade and become a member.
Patti Morrow Executive Director Interior Design Protection Council
How many times have I heard that? When you read the news about Design Practice Acts and think that it does not impact you, think again.
We simply cannot stand by and allow the interior design cartel to monopolize all the business in any state and dictate to consumers who they may hire.
At Issue: Help your colleagues in the State of Maryland defeat restrictive design licensing in their state. If you do or plan to do business in Maryland you should take this threat to the design community seriously. If the most restrictive, anti-competitive law in the country is passed in Maryland, how long do you think it will be before the interior design cartel enacts or expands a similar law in your state?
Click here for contact information for Economic Matters Committee for Maryland Economic Matters Committee. Email your protest letter today.
HAPPENING NOW Interior Design Protection Council
Take control your future... HB 1168 will put you OUT OF BUSINESS!
Attend Hearing on March 17th
Dear Maryland design community and supporters of the Freedom Movement:
On February 13, the Maryland State Legislature introduced an Interior Designers Licensing Act which, if adopted, will be the most restrictive interior design law in the country.
If this bill passes, in order to continue practicing interior design, you will have to be NCIDQ certified. That means you may have to close down your business and go back to school, or go to work under another licensed designer (if you can even find one willing to hire you) at little or no pay in order to qualify to sit for the NCIDQ exam.
We simply cannot stand by and allow the interior design cartel to monopolize all the business in Maryland and dictate to consumers who they may hire. We need your help to stop it.
Please please plan to attend the hearing:
March 17th
1:00 p.m.
Room 230 of the House Office Bldg
6 Bladen St, Annapolis MD 21401.
This law would put many thousands of Maryland designers, decorators, contractors and retailers out of business without any demonstrable showing of harm to the public from the failure to license the interior design profession. If passed, Maryland would go against the vast majority of states which found such legislation to be anti-competitive and unnecessary.
If this law is passed, only 325 designers will be allowed to practice. Thousands will lose their ability to earn a living and contribute to the growth of Maryland's economy.
There are only three states in the entire country that have interior design practice laws, and none were passed since the 1990s. Most recently, the Supreme Court of Alabama struck down and declared unconstitutional that state's interior design practice law which was less restrictive than the one being proposed here.
At least twelve state agencies reports have examined the need for titling and/or licensing laws for interior designers and all found no benefit to the public, concluding that consumers already possessed the means to make informed decisions about interior designers. Click here to access all twelve reports.
In 2002, the Maryland Department of Legislative Services conducted a Sunset review of Maryland's existing interior design title act and recommended a repeal of that law, stating that the regulation of Interior designers was not needed to assure the protection of the public as the interior design services offered by certified interior designers present no risk of serious injury or financial harm to the public. Nothing has changed since the date of that report.
Please note that under this bill, interior design is defined to include:
Preparing and administering interior design documents, including drawings, schedules, and specifications, in the planning and design of interior spaces involving:
furnishings
layouts
fixtures
cabinetry
lighting fixtures
finishes
materials
interior construction
There is NO grandfathering for those who are not already certified. You will NOT be able to continue practicing.
Help your colleagues in the State of Maryland defeat restrictive design licensing in their state. If you do or plan to do business in Maryland you should take this threat to the design community seriously. If the most restrictive, anti-competitive law in the country is passed in Maryland, how long do you think it will be before the interior design cartel enacts or expands a similar law in your state?
TAKE ACTION
Action must be taken now to let the members of the House Economic Matters Committee know about the widespread effect that such disastrous legislation would have, not only on your right to continue in business but on the rights of many thousands of employers and employees in the State of Maryland who will be negatively affected by this restrictive and unnecessary legislation.
In today's difficult economic climate, the state should not pass legislation which would make it more difficult for its citizens to compete in the free and open market, unless there is compelling evidence that the public is being harmed by the failure to regulate. Clearly, no such evidence exists.
Click here for contact information for Economic Matters Committee
DON'T THINK THAT OTHERS WILL DO THIS FOR YOU --
Everyone needs to be involved to defeat this bill!
YOUR FUTURE IS IN YOUR HANDS.
IDPC is the only national organization solely dedicated to protecting your livelihood and right to practice.
Posts
All this makes sense until the customer who wants to have a Mexican Stand Off enters the picture. She wants a price, but won't bring in dimensions of the kitchen and she won't pay a measure fee for preliminary plans. She won't pay the fee because she doesn't know if she will like what she gets. It does not pay to play poker with a client because I cannot guess how much your kitchen is going to cost until we discuss what it is exactly you want in your kitchen and until I price it out. I cannot presume to know your taste and style without at least having a conversation with you. I have to see it or at the very least be provided pictures of kitchens you like and dimensions to estimate from. 
