The Interior Design Directory is a comprehensive guide to the very latest in materials technology, which has entered a whole new dimension in the last few years. Alongside tried-and-tested surfaces and finishes that have graced our interiors for centuries - fine hardwoods, polished stone, carpets and rugs - are exciting innovations that stretch our understanding of what a material can be. Concrete that is light and translucent, fabric that responds to its environment by lighting up, tiles that can be moved from place to place at will: what it is, where to get it, what to do with it - each material has its own comprehensive entry enabling you to fill your home with the very best of what is on offer.The book is divided into four parts, opening with a section on classic natural and composite materials including wood and stone, brick, ceramic, and carpet. The next two sections deal with crossovers from industrial to domestic - building materials that have been refined and updated for home use from glass, concrete and metal to rubber and tiles. The final section is devoted to sustainable materials, as we are all increasingly aware of the environmental impact of our choices, and looks at wood alternatives, eco glass, recycled fabric and natural textiles. Throughout the book, smart design, photographs of contemporary interiors and detailed close-ups of each material make this as visually inspiring as it is unfailingly practical.

A complete compendium of materials for home design—from the familiar to the cutting edge.

DIV In the world of interior design, thousands of bits of crucial information are scattered across a wide array of sources. The Interior Design Reference & Specification Book collects the information essential to planning and executing interior projects of all shapes and sizes, and distills it in a format that is as easy to use as it is to carry. You’ll also find interviews with top practitioners drawn across the field of interior design. —Fundamentals provides a step-by-step overview of an interiors project, describing the scope of professional services, the project schedule, and the design and presentation tools used by designers. —Space examines ways of composing rooms as spatial environments while speaking to functional and life-safety concerns. —Surface identifies options in color, material, texture, and pattern, while addressing maintenance and performance issues. —Environments looks at aspects of interior design that help create a specific mood or character, such as natural and artificial lighting, sound and smell. —Elements describes the selection and specification of furniture and fixtures, as well as other components essential to an interior environment, such as artwork and accessories. —Resources gathers a wealth of useful data, from sustainability guidelines to online sources for interiors-related research. /div

The second edition of The Fundamentals of Interior Design provides a thorough introduction to the key elements of interior design and the ideas that underpin them. The book describes the entirety of the creative process, from researching initial ideas to realizing them in three-dimensional form. Throughout the text, guidelines are given to provide structure to the interior design process and the reader is encouraged to adapt and initiate methodologies to suit individual project needs. This approach is intended to give designers a belief in their own abilities, and the confidence to tackle different projects with the unique challenges that each one brings. The book features a variety of diagrams and talking points to encourage students and practitioners to think about key issues such as understanding spatial relationships and the use of sustainable materials. This second edition includes new case studies focusing on well-known international interior design studios, such as Conran and Partners, UK, Slade Architecture, US, Gensler, US and award winning architects Chae-Pereira in South Korea. The introduction of interviews with contemporary interior designers allows readers an insight in to the working world of interior design. The new projects allow students to explore what they have learned in each chapter through experimentation and these activities encourage creativity and further learning.

Thousands of interior design professionals have come to rely on The Interior Design Business Handbook for comprehensive, accessible coverage of the essential procedures, tools, and techniques necessary to manage a successful interior design business. The Fifth Edition of this essential resource has been revised to address the latest trends and changes in the field, with new and updated material on business size and structure, building a brand, client development, social networking and Internet marketing, finances, purchasing, technology and software programs, and other key areas. Complete with more than 75 sample forms and letters, this Fifth Edition is a one-stop resource for all aspects of establishing and running an interior design business from choosing a location and managing day-to-day operations to growing a business and putting it up for sale. All of the techniques and procedures in the book are rooted in real-world experience and are used daily in successful design firms throughout the United States. Filled with valuable information for solo practices and small firms as well as larger businesses, this book is an indispensable resource for seasoned professionals as well as interior designers who are at the start of their career.

The new comprehensive bible of interior design, from a home styling guru who has coached an entire Scandinavian generation in the art of creating a harmonious home. Frida Ramstedt believes in thinking about how we decorate, rather than focusing on what we decorate with. We know more today than ever before about design trends, furniture, and knickknacks, and now Frida familiarizes readers with the basic principles behind interior and styling—what looks good and, most of all, why it looks good. The Interior Design Handbook teaches you general rules of thumb—like what the golden ratio and the golden spiral are, the proper size for a coffee table in relation to your sofa, the optimal height to hang lighting fixtures, and the best ways to use a mood board—complete with helpful illustrations. Use The Interior Design Handbook to achieve a balanced, beautiful home no matter where you live or what your style is.