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Interior Designer

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AVG. SALARY

$56,560

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EDUCATION

Bachelor's degree

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JOB OUTLOOK

Stable

Interviews

Insider Info

Judith Greenwood loves interior design -- she's worked in it for more than two decades! She thoroughly enjoys designing, restoring and renovating, whether it be a Maryland mansion, an Ontario carriage house or a New York apartment.

But Greenwood doesn't like the stereotype that she thinks most people have of an interior designer. "People want to think, or to believe, that designers are flighty creative types without a business bone in their heads. Some may actually be that way, but if they don't quickly get a business manager they don't survive.

"Designers, when successful, get to manage client budgets in the hundreds of thousands, and in the case of commercial work in particular, millions. I don't have one project with a budget under $100,000. If you don't have your head screwed on correctly when it comes to figures, it would be impossible to properly manage that budget in a way that would satisfy clients and tax authorities."

Cost estimating and budgeting skills are very important, says the West Virginia-based designer.

"If I don't leave adequate budget space for shipping and taxes, I'll go over budget by as much as 15 percent. In a place like New York City, where sales taxes are especially high, it could be an even bigger margin. If I get carried away with fancy fittings and finishes in a commercial job, I may not have enough money left to provide the amount of filing required."

Greenwood has been astute and organized enough to practice interior designing for many years after earning her bachelor's degree in the field. She's also studied architecture. Several years ago she decided to cut back her practice, and now enjoys a rare two-hour commute to the Washington area from her farm in the country to do business.

"I'm much happier and less stressed now. Some things are more important than money and anonymous recognition. I still practice internationally, and clients have to appreciate that I need the stimulation of those trips to do really creative work for them. I chose interior design because it was a way to spend my life with beautiful things while interacting with people."

One of Greenwood's favorite projects is a restored mansion. "It's full of furniture that I designed and [the pieces] are one-of-a-kind works of art," says Greenwood. Another favorite is a converted carriage house, "because it's a silk purse created from a sow's ear and one of the homiest, most beautiful places I've ever stayed in. The owners have become intimate friends. The way I feel about a project has as much to do with the client as it does with the work. My commercial design feels just like that -- clever design for money."

Much more than art goes into designing those special projects for Greenwood. A strong knowledge of math and science support her decisions.

"When I design a table or chair, I need to understand enough about engineering to be able to design the weight to fall gracefully....I have to design a dining table or a desk so that, although artful and beautiful, it won't topple if someone leans heavily on one side when it's loaded with heavy objects.

"I have to understand...fibers so that I won't buy a pretty carpet that will not serve a site over the expected life term. Similarly, I must understand the physical qualities of weaves so that carpets and fabrics can do what I tell the end user they will do. Without the math and science behind the art training, I'd make mistakes that would quickly damage my reputation."

Charles Daly enjoys the unusual. "My most unusual jobs have been three yachts, mainly because of the unique aspects of the project.

"I saw my first home show when I was quite young and was greatly impressed with the model rooms. I also spoke with the duty designer at the show. Then I went to New York City and went to school to become [a designer]."

Daly graduated from the New York City School of Interior Design. He's a member of the American Society of Interior Designers and a board member of its Upper New York-Canada East chapter. Most of his work is residential. It has taken him to Europe and the Caribbean, as well as Canada and the U.S.

A world-famous interviewer is designer Patty Hinshaw's most notable client.

"I had to completely remodel Larry King's kitchen, bath, foyer, and repaint, carpet and drape in the three weeks he was away in China," says the Virginia-based designer. "He was easy to work with as he let me do what I wanted. He constantly told me, 'I don't have any taste; that's why I hired you.'"

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