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This book was conceived as a resource for a wide readership, whether in answer-
ing specic questions for established interior designers or providing an overview of
the design process for the layperson. It is compact and easy to slip into a shoulder
bag, but precisely because of its handy size, it cannot address every issue related
to interior design. Instead, we believe that by distilling the essential principles of
interior design and clarifying steps and goals of the design process itself, higher
quality design will reach the broadest possible audience.
Guides to interior design generally fall into two categories. The rst type is the beau-
tiful coffee table book by style mavens. These books are full of personality and style,
but lack an overall structure that describes the fundamental principles for making
design decisions. The second type is the design manual. These volumes are full of
useful information, but eschew a specic attitude about design strategies. Our goal
is to create the classic textbook for interior design, yet with more inspiring design
theory and better visual taste. We hope this book presents a fresher approach that
represents the cultural preoccupations of a younger generation of designers.
The book has been organized thematically into six sections:
Section 1, “Fundamentals,” provides a step-by-step examination of an interior
project. It describes the scope of professional services, the project schedule, and
drawing and presentation techniques.
Section 2, “Space,” offers an overview of the design of rooms and larger sequences
of spaces, while addressing functional and life-safety issues.
Section 3, “Surface,” details specic tactics for designing with color, materials,
textures, and patterns. It also considers performance and maintenance issues.
Section 4, “Environments,” looks at aspects of interior design that help to create a
specic mood or character, such as natural and articial lighting, and the invisible
systems that impact the comforts of a space.
Section 5, “Elements,” identies useful details for a range of interior applications.
It also includes a chart of canonical twentieth-century furniture—pieces every inte-
rior designer should know. In addition, it outlines ideas for the display of artwork,
collectibles, and accessories.
Section 6, “Resources,” provides a wealth of useful information, from a summary of
sustainable design strategies to lists of recommended books, blogs, and websites.
Finally, we have interspersed throughout the book interviews with our favorite prac-
titioners to demonstrate how the topics covered in each section can be creatively
interpreted in practice.
INTRODUCTIO N
i.
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#175 Dtp:216 Page:6
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Job:02-30056 Title: RP-Interior Design Reference and Specification
#175 Dtp:216 Page:6
Job:02-30056 Title: RP-Interior Design Reference and Specification
#175 Dtp:216 Page:7
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ing specic questions for established interior designers or providing an overview of
the design process for the layperson. It is compact and easy to slip into a shoulder
bag, but precisely because of its handy size, it cannot address every issue related
Guides to interior design generally fall into two categories. The rst type is the beau
-
tiful coffee table book by style mavens. These books are full of personality and style,
useful information, but eschew a specic attitude about design strategies. Our goal
theory and better visual taste. We hope this book presents a fresher approach that
project. It describes the scope of professional services, the project schedule, and
Section 2, “Space,” offers an overview of the design of rooms and larger sequences
of spaces, while addressing functional and life-safety issues.
Section 3, “Surface,” details specic tactics for designing with color, materials,
textures, and patterns. It also considers performance and maintenance issues.
Section 4, “Environments,” looks at aspects of interior design that help to create a
specic mood or character, such as natural and articial lighting, and the invisible
systems that impact the comforts of a space.
Section 5, “Elements,” identies useful details for a range of interior applications.
It also includes a chart of canonical twentieth-century furniture—pieces every inte-
rior designer should know. In addition, it outlines ideas for the display of artwork,
collectibles, and accessories.
Section 6, “Resources,” provides a wealth of useful information, from a summary of
sustainable design strategies to lists of recommended books, blogs, and websites.
Finally, we have interspersed throughout the book interviews with our favorite prac-
titioners to demonstrate how the topics covered in each section can be creatively
interpreted in practice.
7
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Job:02-30056 Title: RP-Interior Design Reference and Specification
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Job:02-30056 Title: RP-Interior Design Reference and Specification
#175 Dtp:216 Page:7
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