This remodel project, designed by Amy Coslet, ASID/NCIDQ and Sherri DuPont, ASID was a complete 180 of its former self. This home was a typical Mediterranean style single family home in Bonita Bay, and was turned into a timeless contemporary oasis for the clients. The great use of space and open floor plan changes the feel of this home, and makes it something that is “Florida Living” through and through. Click the photo above or tab below to see some amazing Before & After photos of this renovated private residence! Enjoy!

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By Maggie Sosna, ASID

I tend to consider myself a factual person, I live by the rules, do things by the book and appreciate procedure and consistency. When I decided to become an Interior Designer, I researched for years prior to committing to my plan of action. There are some major differences in the paths you can take in this industry that could lead to completely different outcomes.

Interior Design is the art and science of understanding people’s behaviors to create functional spaces within a building. Decoration is the furnishing or adorning a space with fashionable or beautiful things.

“Interior designers may decorate but decorators do not design” (Source: “Differences Between Interior Design& Decorating, www.ncidqexam.org)

Interior Decorator: An interior decorator holds no formal training (education, certification, etc.) and can legally only practice residential design. In the State of Florida, they only need an occupational license to practice as an “Interior Decorator”. They typically don’t become involved with the design of the building or the interior layout and is only concerned with the visual impression of the space (paint color, draperies, bedding, art/accessories, etc.).

Interior Designer: In the state of Florida, you used to only be able to call yourself an “Interior Designer” if you were licensed. When this law was revoked a few years ago, it allowed individuals without a state license to utilize this title. The state still requires an occupational license to practice but they are restricted only to residential design. One who refers to themselves as an “Interior Designer” can be either formally trained and chose not to take the step to become licensed OR they have no formal training.

Licensed or Registered Interior Designer: To become a “Licensed or Registered Interior Designer” there is a very extensive path that one must follow.

First, you must obtain one of the following:

1. 1. CIDA Degree: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from a CIDA (Council for Interior Design Accreditation) interior design program and 3,520 hours of work experience after all education is completed.

   2. Interior Design Degree – Non-CIDA: Bachelor’s degree (minimum) in a Non-CIDA interior design program and 3,520 hours of work experience after all education is completed.

   3. Other Degree + Interior Design Degree: Bachelor’s degree (minimum) in an other major and no less than 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits of interior design course work that culminates in a certificate, degree or diploma. In addition: 3,520 hours of qualified interior design experience.

Once you have completed one of the three paths above, you then qualify to apply for the NCIDQ Examination (National Council for Interior Design Qualification). Per the NCIDQ, this examination help CIDA “protect public health, safety and welfare by identifying interior designers who have the knowledge and experience to create interior spaces that are not just aesthetically pleasing but also functional and safe.”

When an individual passes the NCIDQ, they are able to apply for a state license (if their state issues liscensing for the design field) and call themselves a Registered or Licensed Interior Designer and practice residential or commercial interior design. These designers are then required to to complete 20 credit hours of Continuing Education Units each year in order to maintain their licensed status. At Collins & DuPont our team is comprised of many talented individuals in various stages of their design careers, from student interns through liscensed designers and everywhere in between.

If you are interested in more information regarding the different option described above, please see the list of resources below.

What are the requirements of Florida Interior Design Licensure?

http://myfloridalicense.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1335/related/1

Definition of Interior Design

http://www.ncidqexam.org/about-interior-design/definition-of-interior-design/

NCIDQ

http://www.ncidqexam.org/

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Gold, gold and more gold!

Top Trends at High Point Market: October 2014

By Jody Keene

This High Point Market carried a main theme from previous seasons: metallic finishes. What is so different about this trend this market? Instead of mixing metals, the finish of choice is gold – not shiny, brassy gold, but more of a satin, aged gold. We saw this in wood finishes, fabrics, lighting, accessories and artwork. Most interestingly, many vendors paired the gold with lucite accents, creating drama between the new and the old.

Blending gold and clear lucite or glass for a dramatic effect

There were lucite and golden accents to be seen in every showroom. The decadence of this precious metal seemed to reflect the recovering design market as it seemed to be a successful and busy market for all.

Attendance was high and the showrooms were bustling. Gold was present in hardware, inlays and furniture legs, it was added to a piece as a subtle piece of hardware and it was also showcased as an entire facade of an armoire. Many of these items had clear accents bringing to mind a glamorous Hollywood.

Gold was all over accessories – including rhino wall sculptures, which obviously required a selfie!

There were consoles with guilded interiors, mirrors with clear lucite spikes protruding from a simple golden frame and light fixtures gleaming with a golden sparkle.

If you’d like to incorporate some of these trends into your design scheme, call the design experts at Collins & DuPont to guide you through the process!

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by Jessica Bradford

With so many design magazines out there, how do you choose which ones to pick-up and which ones to pitch? Knowing what magazines your designer looks to for inspiration may help influence your decision. Here are my top five must read design magazines:

Elle Décor: “Elle Décor is where style lives”

Focusing on the culture of design, Elle Décor appeals to the home owner, as well as their designer. A flip through the pages will introduce you to new products for the home, a list of “must stop” shops, as well as a plan for your next vacation. With its wide range of coverage, Elle Décor is a must have for your design library.

Interior Design: “Interior Design is the magazine for the interior design professional marketplace”

With special semi-monthly editions focusing on design trends and market introductions, Interior Design Magazine is geared towards design professionals, but it also has many ideas for the home owner. Featured projects showcase homes from around the world in a wide array of design styles.

Architectural Digest: “Architectural Digest is the international authority on design and architecture”

The name Architectural Digest can be misleading – many think this magazine isn’t for the average home owner, but it is! Architectural Digest focuses on a complete home – architecture and design – and how the two interact. Many issues feature international projects which, in an increasingly eclectic world, can help a home owner define their personal style.

Luxe: “Luxe Interiors and Design Magazine is the uncompromised source for those with a passion for creating beautiful surroundings and living well”

With headquarters in Boca Raton, Luxe is a Florida favorite. By blending the flavor of local design with national trends, Luxe appeals to both design professionals and home owners. Geared towards the “sophisticated” home owner, Luxe features luxury homes that showcase unique aspects of design.

Veranda: “Veranda is both an ideas showcase and a deeply pleasurable escape, a place where homes feel as good as they look”

Veranda is a true “lifestyle” magazine – it focuses not only on the design, but also how spaces are lived in and used. Glamour and high fashion are at the forefront of Veranda’s design focus. Opulent homes with luxurious features are often high-lighted. Rarely diving into architecture or speaking in designer tongue, Veranda is an excellent magazine for the home owner.

It is worth noting that there are plenty of other design magazines, including regional publications, which may suit your needs. As this industry is constantly changing, our favorite inspiration sources change with the trends – a favorite pick today may not be a favorite pick tomorrow.

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By Sarah Gerrero

As technology continues to advance at a rapid pace, it is not surprising that we all have become a bit more tech savvy in both our personal and professional lives. However, would you have thought that your house, your clothes, or your favorite artist could incorporate these emerging technologies? You may be surprised at the practical applications of technology and how it can influence the design of your project.

In 2014, we are all constantly connected

Instant Contact

Millenials (those born roughly between 1980-2000) and Gen-Exers, as well as older generations, have become accustomed to living in a world full of tweets, texting and emails; all of which are an instant exchange of information. Living and working in a world where information travels at lighting speeds has a profound impact on the design process – we are now able to design a project half-way across the world, with minimal lag. This helps alleviate a lot of stress related to the design process, especially in our area, where most projects are a seasonal residence.

A digital rendering created in Lumion

Design Tools

The tedious, time consuming process of manual sketching has become replaced by the ease of digital drawings. Designers are now able to relay their ideas faster and with greater precision, even early on in the design process. Digital design allows both designers and customers to see the results of their ideas sooner, see the spaces differently, and work in three dimensions. Lumion, a real-time 3-D visualization tool for architects, urban planners and designers, is one such product that allows the client to see the finished product before the ground is even broken.

Advanced Art

Advances in art range from digital graphic design to social media to 3-D printing. Both art historians and artists alike are aware of the changes in technology and while some fear it, there are those who embrace it to create a brand new era in the art world. Among art aficionados there is a concern that digitally created art may be viewed as an inauthentic medium that lacks the passion and depth of a piece made “by hand” in the traditional sense. On the contrary, mediums such as cinematography (moving images), are being embraced as a way to capture a moment – if a picture is worth a thousand words, how many words is a moving picture worth? Whether you see these advances as positive or negative, you cannot deny the fact that technology has made art more accessible to a vast audience.

A 3-D printed architectural model

LED light bulbs bring new technology to existing fixtures

LED Lighting

Lighting has become more advanced than just simply being turned on and turned off and LED (light emitting diode) lighting is a prime example. On the practical side, LED’s are available in multiple colors, generate less heat and use a fraction of the energy of older bulbs. Many LED bulbs emit a cooler color temperature (more blue light), which stimulates the photo-receptors in your eyes that reduces melatonin, helping you stay awake. A leader in the industry, Light Science, is also releasing a light called ‘Rhythm Downlight’ which can be controlled by a smart phone app that adjusts the light depending on the persons sleep cycle (side-note: your smart phone emits a blue light and should be avoided when trying to sleep). On the aesthetic side, there are other advantages, one being the ability to control the color temperature in a space, specifically when lighting art – we can now dim from bright to dark, as well as from warm to cool.

Fabrics of the Future

In a world where everything is moving forward and becoming tech savvy, who would have thought that fabric could join in? Judit Eszter Karpati thought it was possible, and for her master’s project she teamed up with a London based company, Cute Circuit, and created a line called Chromosonic. This fabric line reacts to touch, as well as sound. But how? These fabrics have been dyed with thermo-chromatic ink, which changes color when its temperature increases or decreases. For the fabric to react to audio the designer inter-weaved nichrome wires into the fabric; the energy from the sound causes the wires to heat, which in turn, changes the temperature of the ink and changes the color. Oh, and that invisible cloak isn’t too far away either!

A fabric from the Chromosonic line from Judit Eszter Karpati

At Collins & DuPont we embrace these emerging technologies to help make the design process as seamless as possible and provide the client with the most beautiful, comfortable and convenient design they could have ever imagined.

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