The Necessity Of Decoration
Sheffield Admin Friday, November 30, 2007 at 10:32AM Decoration has gotten a bad rap, and so has the appellation “decorator” as opposed to “designer.” There is a very real distinction between the two terms, mostly in that some states license designers, but let decorators go willy-nilly into that great world of paint color and fabric swatches without state approval. This distinction has led to some ugly (yet beautifully mocha-toned, with a cream trim) mud-slinging between the two camps.
Often, there is a bit of an assumption that decorators aren’t quite as serious, or as well-trained, as designers, with everyone wanting to insist that they do more than just decorate.
And this raises the question: what’s wrong with decoration? Snubbing decoration is, in my mind, a bit like snubbing reading fiction, or looking at art, or enjoying rap music. Isn’t life to be enjoyed, in all the wild and wacky variety we humans have evolved to keep ourselves entertained?
Sure. At least, Steven Heller agrees with me. Or, to be more accurate, I agree with him.
On a less contentious matter, Patti writes in about the mattress question, with a link to a source for mattress information and a question: “I was thinking I’d test-drive the mattresses and then order the one I liked online or from one of those discount phone places (1-800-mattress or whatever). Any thoughts on that plan? I’ve heard mixed things about discount places.”
Well, as a matter of fact, I do have some thoughts there. First of all, I do not like the check-it-out-in-the-real-store-then-buy-online method if you’re talking about a small, Mom and Pop store. But there are so few of these left that chances are you’re not. The Internet, after all, and the advent of online shopping, was certainly the cause of the sudden demise of so many of our beloved little shops in
America.
But, assuming we’re talking about just another mega-store, I vote yes. In fact, I use this method often myself, and got a great deal on some Wegner dining chairs by going online, but, smart shopper that I am, first I tested them out in the store.But the whole mattress-buying venture has proven so confusing, so intimidating, and so discouraging that I advice you to just stay with your futon on the floor and find a good chiropractor.
Patti also says: “Oh, and did you know the etymology/history of “mattress”?
Pretty neat.
Reader Comments (3)
I WAS AN OWNER OF A MA &PA SHOP . AS YOU REPEATEDLY SAID HOW YOU TRIED THINGS OUT IN THOSE SHOPS BEFORE YOU WENT TO THE INTERNET TO BUY YOUR PRODUCTS . DID YOU GET A PERSONAL CONTACT ON THE INTERNET? WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU WILL TRY OUT OR SEE CERTAIN ITEMS YOU USE IN YOUR DECORATING IN CERTAIN SETTINGS THAT YOU DID NOT THINK IT COULD WORK TIL YOU SAW IT WITH US FIRST ? HOW ABOUT OUR PRICES; THAT ARE USELY CHEAPER THAN BIG ST0RES. MY WHOLE FAMILY WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL OF THE PEOPLE WHO ENJOYED OUR SPECIAL SERVICES, LIKE 6 MONTH LAYAWAYS THAT SOMETIMES TURNED INTO 1 YR. LAYAWAYS WHEN THEY HAD HARD TIMES ,BUT THEY STILL HAD THEIR FURNITURE IN MY STORE. OR ALL THE GOVERNMENT VOUCHERS WE ACCEPT SO KIDS AND FAMILIES HAVE BEDS AND FURNITURE . SO NEXT TIME YOU USE ONE OF US FOR YOUR TRYOUTS OR IDEAS WHY NOT BUY FROM THEM? I F YOU FOUND IT THERE YOU KNOW YOU CAN GET IT THERE. YOU DON'THAVE TO LEAVE AND TAKE MORE TIME OUT OF YOUR SCHEDULE TO GO ON THE INTERNET. I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT MY TIME IS VALUABLE .
Yes, decoration certainly has gotten a bad rep. However, the beauty of decoration is that it allows us to share our differences as you stated. My office has been in the process of redecorating with contemporary office furniture and we have been having a great deal of fun doing so.