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Be Careful What You Call Yourself!

stamp Home Stagers are not alone in the struggle for regulation/non-regulation in their industry as witnessed by RESA and all professional stagers; the interior design industry is fighting to maintain its reputation also. There has been a surge of self proclaimed designers in recent years and consumers have no way of knowing what they are really getting. Seems anyone can call themselves Interior Designers.

The subject has been brought up here in Active Rain as well, expecially in the Stage it Forward group and I am not going to go into that right now but I do suggest that if you are intersted in knowing more about the struggle going on for interior designers and other formal interior design groups, click here; Interior Design Protection Council

Posted by Sheron Cardin - how2homestage.com on 10/17/2008 04:01 PM

Comments (14)

resa, isid idpc

Originally posted at: Sheron Cardin's Input...: Be Careful What You Call Yourself!

This post has been included in California Information
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14 Comments on Be Careful What You Call Yourself!

OCT

2008

Great information to share! I receive e-newsletters.

Signing up for their e-newsletter. Good to follow, thank you.

Hi Sheron, Here in Canada there are laws that prohibit anyone who is not an accredited Interior Designer from calling themself such. Still, many people don't know the difference between an interior designer and an interior decorator (or home stager). I have so much respect for interior designers. After completing a bachelor's degree they have to work for 4 years in the industry before gaining this coveted designation.

OCT

2008

It really is a fine line between decorator and designer and knowing the difference is important for all of us in the field. Be informed.

In our area, if you advertise with media such as Yellow Pages and Dex it is really difficult to be a stager. When online, if you type stager, it takes you to the interior designers category. I continue to go round and round with them but haven't made headway!

I too have struggled with "what to call myself." Some advertisers put us in the Real Estate services section; others under Interior Design. Sometimes people ask me if I'm an interior designer, and I have to stop and think - decorator or designer? Oh yeah - decorator. I do ReDesign as well, so it goes beyond Home Staging.

I wasn't aware of this legislation. Anyone know the status in California?

I'm constantly asking for a Home Staging category when I sign up on new directories, what other choices do we have sometimes??? Maybe we should let the IDPC know we could use some help in getting our own category with on-line directories so we don't step on there turf

OCT

2008

Thanks Sheron, you are always on top of things. Thanks for being our watchdog. And for sharing.

DEC

If someone calls me an interior designer, I always correct them and explain the difference. Good info.

DEC

Hi all, appreciate your comments and for stopping by.

JAN

In Ontario Canada we can now be listed in the yellow pages and other directories under Home Staging. Finally.

I also correct people when they call me a designer or interior decorator. I explain that I prepare properties for sale and market them to appeal to the widest range of buyers for their listing. A designer has spent many years in school and apprenticed to be able to call themselves a designer.Thanks for the eletter info.

MAY

Hi Sheron,

It seems in today's world everyone wants to be everything to everybody. It's a battle that every profession has to fight sooner or later. With people like you the battle will be won and then you will have your National designation. Good post and good luck.

MAY

Hi Sheron..funny you should mention this as I clearly define myself as a HOME STAGER and NOT AN INTERIOR DECORATOR. I will use what the clients owns to enhance their property and in a vacant home we will bring in furniture and accessories to create warmth and show buyers how to use the space.

An interior decorator does so much more than that and OFTENTIMES a Home Stager will have to UNDO what the interior decorator did because the space was designed to suit the homeowner.

TWO TOTALLY DIFFERENT FIELDS and I am proud to call myself a HOME STAGING EXPERT

Happy Staging

Phyllis Pafumi

JUN

Asleep at the wheel here...sorry about that.

We are all right. Our experiences dictate how we see ourselves and with so many creative people stirring the pot, we need to make sure we don't claim to be something that we are not. We are just as guilty if we do not speak up and clarify any misperseptions by our clients.

Thank you for all your comments.

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