We welcome additional questions from our clients and site visitors and will provide answers that are relevant to a broad range of circumstances. For specific situations please CONTACT us directly via email or phone. Scroll down to view the answers.
What is the difference between an interior designer and an interior decorator?
A professional interior designer is qualified by their academic education, certification, experience and own artistic abilities to enhance the function and quality of interior spaces. In general, the goals of such activity include improving quality of life, increasing productivity in the work place, and protecting the health, safety and welfare of the public.
Qualifications to address these goals or tasks are granted only from an accredited four-year school of higher learning and include a wide range of technical skills aimed at providing a full range of Interior Design services. Formal education include manual and CAD drafting, space planning, formulation of appropriate, functional, and aesthetic design concepts, knowledge of furniture history, furniture design, lighting calculations, ergonomics and business practices to name a few.
By contrast, persons holding titles such as a “home decorator”, lack the professional knowledge, expertise and accreditation, necessary to address design tasks in either residential or commercial spaces, therefore, are limited in the services they can offer using their “natural talent” only.
What does this mean to you? INVISION DESIGN PARTNERS pledges to adhere to a strict code of ethics and to the highest standards in all engagements with our clients. When you hire us, you become the beneficiary of a wealth of knowledge, years of practical experience and innovative ideas that only a professional interior designer can offer.
What are the NCIDQ and the NCIDQ Certificate?
The core purpose of the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) is to protect the health, life safety and welfare of the public by setting standards of competence in the practice of Interior Design.
The NCIDQ administers a professional competency exam for Interior Designers. All U.S. states and Canadian provinces that regulate the profession recognize this exam. Exam candidates who meet NCIDQ's eligibility requirements and pass all exam sections are awarded the NCIDQ Certificate. This certification is accepted by states and provinces requiring licensing as proof of competency in the field of Interior Design. The NCIDQ eligibility requirements include a Bachelor's degree in Interior Design from an accredited school of higher education, and years of professional experience.
Naomi Harel, principal at INVISION DESIGN PARTNERS, LLC holds the NCIDQ Certificate # 4954.
What is the difference between the NCIDQ Certification and the other "certified" qualifications on designers cards or websites?
The NCIDQ is the only regulated certification for Interior Designers in North America. All the other initials claiming “certification” or “accreditation” that designers and home stagers advertise are awarded by companies who provide 2-3 day “training” sessions, and have no methods for measuring the competencies of their “graduates”.
How do I know if I need an interior designer?
If you have a specific aesthetic taste, desired interior style or a vision for your home or work environment, but lack the skills or the time to design and implement it into reality, look for professional help. If you need an objective eye or are simply overwhelmed by the number of choices for furniture, accessories, even colors and materials available in the marketplace, an experienced interior designer can help.
INVISION DESIGN PARTNERS specializes in interior design for residential and commercial applications in a broad range of aesthetics and sensitivities. We are certain you’d be delighted with our expertise in enhancing both the aesthetics and efficiency of your property whether a small apartment, a spacious home or a busy workspace.
I am embarrassed to use design professionals for the possibility I will be judged for my personal aesthetic taste
We aim to create interiors you love to live in and spaces that reflect your distinctive taste, not ours! Understanding your aesthetic taste with regard to objects, furniture and space is a necessary and critical part of our design process. We aim to enhance the living or working environments of all our clients, and we take pride in our ability to create solutions that are tailored to your liking and budget. Furthermore, our design solutions focus not only on functional enhancement of your space, but on its aesthetic and emotional appeal as well; together, these attention areas add real value to you and your lifestyle, and result in a place you love to live in.
We are on a budget and I have always thought that interior designers were expensive and that only wealthy people use them
Everyone sets their own budget suitable for their needs and desires. INVISION DESIGN PARTNERS works within the limits of your budget and with respect to your needs. Our capabilities, skills and experience can address variety of issues from simple layout of furniture in a space to make it more efficient and pleasing, to color coordination of spatial elements to more complex issues such as custom designed items to augment existing furnishing and aesthetic taste.
The simplest and most affordable method for enhancing the living spaces of your home, for example, is Interior Re-design. It involves our expertise in space arrangement and color coordination to make dramatic changes to your space, using your own furniture and accessories with minimal purchase of additional new items. Typical work includes rearranging placement of furniture, changing paint color, replacing window treatments or switching out artwork or accessories (but only if necessary for achieving the desired look & feel of the space). Whether we re-design one room, multiple rooms, apartment or an entire house, we always consider your views and feelings for the new space and work with you on preferred solutions.
Interior Re-design is the preferred method for creating a new look while using the most cost effective means.
I have never worked with an interior designer before. How does your firm work?
INVISION DESIGN PARTNERS, LLC provides interior design, product and furniture design and art consultation services for residential or business applications in a broad range of aesthetics and sensitivities.
Our commitment emphasizes impeccable style and exceptional experience in using the products or environments we design. We believe that not only does good design have the ability to enhance your life, but it is also a wise investment. Therefore, the design approach and solutions we offer are always sensitive to the needs and desires of the customers we serve and in context with the environment they live in. These solutions are created to maximize the return on investment in a short time and to benefit everyone involved.
We are flexible and happy to help with a one time consultation, or extensive, complex interior project of a large space. Our expertise can be used to enhance your existing work environment, or to create a new, more efficient and attractive one.
Our first step is to listen to your needs and vision for the space in mind. Listening will not stop at the end of our introductory meeting and will last for the duration of our engagement with your project. We will do our best to first understand your perspective of design, style and personal taste, then, consider them during our design process. Before we begin your project, we will discuss a plan that suites your needs, budget and time frame for completion. Furthermore, we will always welcome your involvement in the design process.
We take great pride in our work and always hold to open communication, trust and mutual respect as key values that guide our relationships with you, our client.
