A complaint or two…
I am finishing an interior design degree. I am back in undergrad (after graduating with a Bachelors of Art in 2004) at 27 with 19-20 year olds, returning students much older than me and in the middle of what, I’m sad to say, is not a booming metropolis of wonderful interior design.
This morning in class a man my father’s age began talking about the current designer showhouse here. He was horrified and disgusted that this 19th-century mansion had, in some rooms, been decorated somewhat contemporary (and just as ugly as the vintage-inspired rooms!). This man, mind you, is taking the class with his wife after working in a completely unrelated industry for forever, doesn’t allow his wife to speak for herself (at first day introductions he introduced the both of them, not letting her say a word!), is the first to admit he doesn’t understand anything to do with art or design, and only took this class to see if he and his wife could make a career change! The nerve, right?! He has no passion or real concern for interior design, yet feels it necessary to be annoyed when what he perceives are rules of design are being broken.
Much to my surprise, everyone in the room was in full agreement, including my teacher! They all fully believed that an old mansion HAD to be decorated old. Really? So, since my house was built a hundred years ago, I have to decorate in only antiques and make it look dated and like something my grandmother would love? To hell with that! You people piss me off and I’m so glad that I don’t want to work for any of your firms!
Mister in my class, you suck. You have no style and I resent you telling me I need to do something because you think so.
This is why HGTV is the death of good design.
Jessica-you tell them- I’m with you-that is seriously lame- stick to your ideas, I really think YOU will be the one to get more clients! Way to keep it real:)
Design is like art…subject to anything that people want to throw at it. But, I think you have the right attitude. Hang in there and good luck!
That’s depressing. I love that house (and used to live in the apt bldg one block south of it) and to imagine it fully kitted-out in “olde thyme antiques” without any semblance of a nod to the MODERN TIMES WE LIVE IN is ridiculous. That house could be BANGIN’ with some contemporary design!
It really is a beautiful house and I would love to get my grubby little mitts on it. We should somehow steal it away from these tunnel vision designers and decorate to our hearts content.
Let’s make a plan!
Oh my God, Jess, it would have been hard for me to keep my big mouth shut!
I went back to school at about your age (after I already had my graduate degree) because I wanted to make a career change. That lasted a whole year! Good for you for sticking with it, especially when you have to put up with such clueless classmates.
I am back in school too, at 27, trying to get an education that I gave up on years ago. I find myself peeking in and taking design courses. Unlike the older gentleman in your classes, I am the older kid w/ all the crazy ideas. I enjoy changing things and rethinking old ideas. I totally agree with your passion and resentment of the misguided mister, as well as the rest of your class.
He does sound like a jackass. I’m just amazed your instructor agreed with him.
Trackback Created…
Printed at this specific web page…