Interior Decorating 102 Pt. 1

I was surprised to discover that there are thousands of interior decorating enthuses all over the world who practice the art of interior design but find themselves a little lost when it comes to understanding the terms. For instance what does COM or Allied Professionals refer to? Don't fret, help is on the way! This is your first lesson of Interior Decorating 102, Identifying the Team.

In your next lesson you will learn to decode the Decorating terms, but today's it's all about the professionals that you will most likely work closely with in the Interior Design and Decorating Industry.

Allied Professionals are defined as Sales, Representatives, Contractors, Painters, Wallpaper hangers and carpet layers are just a few. Following is a list of Allied Professionals you will most likely work with in the Interior Decorating Industry:

Contractor - The general contractor coordinates the construction portion of a job. You may work directly with this person, or you may work through the architect.

Installer - One some jobs there are so many furnishing items coming onto a project that you won't want them shipped individually to your client's house. The installer has a warehouse where all items are delivered and stored until they are ready to be installed on an appointed date. The installer then assists you with the physical installation of your clients' new furnishings.

Interior Designer - A design professional who is qualified by education, experience, and examination to design interior environments for homes and commercial buildings, not including structural walls. You may work as an assistant to the designer.

Sales or Manufacturer's Representative or Sales Rep - Individual who represents product(s) for a manufacturer. You may purchase products directly through the representative or through the representative's company, or you may be required to purchase products through a distributor. The sales representative will keep you up-to-date on discontinued products, new arrivals and pricing options.

Sub-Contractor or Sub: These are individuals who usually work for the contractor. However, you may also find they work directly for the client through you. They include the painter, wallpaper, hanger, carpet and flooring layers, and custom cabinet installer and fabricator. You may also work with a furniture refinisher, upholsterer, a picture framer, and a florist.

Now that you know who the team should consist of, you can gather information from co-horts or other industry professionals in order to get referrals. The next step after gathering your referrals is to get references or pictures of previous projects completed. This will allow you the opportunity to build your own team of solid Allied Professionals.

Happy decorating and remember to be very thorough in your research before you employ someone on behalf of your client.