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.'"