Interior Design 30
Introduction
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Interior Design 30
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Introduction
Interior Design 30
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Introduction
Welcome to Interior Design 30
Have you ever
wondered if our
living spaces have
an effect on how
we experience
the day?
Where are
you sitting
right now?
Take a look around
you at the furnishings,
the lighting, the
colours, and the
organization of space.
Someone has chosen
these items and
arranged them with
great care.
The lessons and assignments in Interior Design 30 are intended to assist you in
becoming aware of the interior design process. You will learn about the use of the
elements of design and the application of the principles of design. Hands-on
activities and projects completed throughout the course invite you to develop both
skills and knowledge about designing living spaces. You will also learn about the
many careers related to working in interior design. The lessons explore many
topics, such as window treatments, furniture styles and arrangements, floor and wall
coverings, lighting, and the importance of accessories. Finally, you gain the
experience of being an interior designer as you complete a major interior design
project based on the needs of a particular client.
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Introduction
Interior design is an art, not a science; however, by
knowing the concepts, terms, and various
techniques used in practicing interior design, you will
be able to enrich your environment. Our living
spaces are an expression of who we are, what we
enjoy, and how we invite others into our spaces.
Interior design is fun!
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Introduction
Interior Design 30 Outline
The following outline gives you a snapshot of the lessons in the course. You must
work through the lessons in order.
Module One
Module Two
Lesson One:
Defining Interior Design
Lesson Two:
The Elements of Interior
Design
Lesson Seven: Windows, Window
Treatments, and Doors
Lesson Eight:
Wall Coverings, Floor
Coverings, and Ceilings
Lesson Nine:
Furniture Styles,
Arranging Furniture,
and Appliances
Lesson Ten:
Lighting, Accessories, and
Fireplaces
Lesson Three: Colour Theory
Lesson Four:
The Principles of Interior
Design
Lesson Five:
Designing a Floor Plan
Lesson Six:
Creating a Design
Module Three
Lesson Eleven:
Major Interior Design Project
Lesson Twelve:
Trends in Interior Design, Study Skills, Prototype Examination
Organization of the Lessons
The material for each lesson is organized in the following manner.

Each lesson begins with a list of objectives followed by a general
introduction to the concepts that are explained in the lesson and
activities.

Activities throughout the lesson help to apply learning and expand your
understanding of the concepts.

A summary at the end of each lesson, along with a list of key words
and phrases, is intended to help review the concepts presented in the
lesson.

Each lesson contains an assignment where you submit your activities
and extend your learning through a variety of questions, small projects,
and self-reflections.
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Introduction
Required Materials
If you are reading this introduction you have
already received the print package of the course.
You also should have ordered and received a
Resource Kit containing various publications and
brochures, a colour wheel, and a furniture
template.
Throughout the course you will be asked to select
and submit pictures of interiors; samples, such as paint colour, or drapery patterns;
and examples of various styles of furniture, or some visual aspect of interior design.
Having a range of magazines devoted to homes and interior designs will help you.
You may also find pictures on the Internet. Sometimes catalogue pictures or
pictures found in furniture store fliers can be used as examples.
Pencil crayons are sometimes needed to colour examples. A ruler and eraser are
useful for drawing and measuring.
Notice that the furniture template that is included in the Resource Kit uses a scale
of ¼ inch = 1 foot. Inches and feet refer to the Imperial measurement used in
Britain and in the United States. Canada uses the Metric system; however, for the
purposes of this course, we will be using Imperial measurement. Home building,
architecture, building supplies, and home furnishings generally use the Imperial
standard of measurement.
You will need access to a tape measure that shows
inches and feet (Imperial measurement) in order to use
the scale of ¼ inch = 1 foot in your floor plan drawings.
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Introduction
Icons
Icons throughout the course will guide you to perform certain activities. The
meaning of each icon is explained below.
This icon directs you to complete an activity that is to be submitted
along with the assignment for the lesson.
The mouse icon suggests Internet sites that may tell you
more about a particular topic in the lesson.
The Resource Kit icon will direct you to various brochures and
publications. A colour wheel and a furniture template are also
included in your kit.
In Lesson Six you are introduced to the major interior design
project icon.
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Introduction
You select your client in Lesson Six. Throughout Lessons Seven to Ten you learn
about all aspects of interior design related to wall and floor coverings; windows,
window treatments, and doors; furniture styles, furniture arranging, and appliances;
and lighting, accessories, and fireplaces. In Lessons Seven to Ten you will see the
major interior design project icon. It is to remind you to consider how you will apply
your learning to and select samples for your choices in your major interior design
project. In Lesson Eleven you are required to complete and submit your major
interior design project.
Final Marks
Your work in all twelve lessons and assignments is considered your term work. Your
term work comprises fifty percent of the final mark. You are required to write a final
examination in Interior Design 30. You will work through a sample (prototype)
examination in the assignment for Lesson Twelve to help prepare you for the final
examination.
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Introduction
Interior Design 30
Table of Contents
Page
Module One
Lesson One
Objectives
....................................................................................................... 3
Introduction ........................................................................................................ 4
Design and Interior Design .................................................................................... 5
Goals of Interior Design ......................................................................................... 6
Beauty and Taste ................................................................................................... 6
Activity A: Beauty and Room Design .................................................................... 9
Harmony
...................................................................................................... 13
Activity B: Harmony............................................................................................. 15
Lifestyle and Interior Design ................................................................................ 17
Activity C: Lifestyle, Values, and Interior Design ................................................. 19
Trends in Lifestyle ................................................................................................ 21
Culture and Housing Design ................................................................................ 23
Benefits of Interior Design .................................................................................... 27
Summary
...................................................................................................... 29
Key Words and Phrases ...................................................................................... 30
Assignment One .................................................................................................. 31
Lesson Two
Objectives
...................................................................................................... 43
Introduction ...................................................................................................... 44
Elements of Design .............................................................................................. 45
Line
...................................................................................................... 46
Activity A: Line and Interior Design ..................................................................... 49
Shape and Form .................................................................................................. 54
Form and Function ............................................................................................... 57
Activity B: Form and Shape ................................................................................ 59
Space
...................................................................................................... 61
Texture and Pattern ............................................................................................. 62
Activity C: Lifestyle, Values, and Interior Design ................................................. 69
Colour
...................................................................................................... 71
Summary
...................................................................................................... 73
Key Words and Phrases ...................................................................................... 74
Assignment Two .................................................................................................. 79
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Introduction
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Lesson Three
Objectives
...................................................................................................... 89
Introduction ...................................................................................................... 91
Perception of Colour............................................................................................ 93
Activity A: Your Colourful Personality ................................................................. 97
Colour Spectrum ............................................................................................... 101
Colour Wheel .................................................................................................... 102
Hue
.................................................................................................... 104
Warm Colours ................................................................................................... 107
Cool Colours .................................................................................................... 108
Value
.................................................................................................... 109
Intensity
.................................................................................................... 110
Activity B: Value and Intensity .......................................................................... 111
Colour Schemes ................................................................................................ 113
Activity C: Colour Harmonies ........................................................................... 119
Choosing a Colour Scheme .............................................................................. 121
Factors to Consider ........................................................................................... 122
Activity D: Selecting Suitable Colours .............................................................. 125
Decorating Strategy........................................................................................... 129
Basic Guidelines ............................................................................................... 130
Summary
.................................................................................................... 133
Key Words and Phrases.................................................................................... 134
Assignment Three ............................................................................................. 139
Lesson Four
Objectives
.................................................................................................... 145
Introduction .................................................................................................... 147
Principles of Design........................................................................................... 149
Balance
.................................................................................................... 150
Rhythm
.................................................................................................... 153
Activity A: Balance and Rhythm ....................................................................... 155
Emphasis
.................................................................................................... 157
Activity B: Emphasis ......................................................................................... 159
Scale and Proportion ......................................................................................... 161
Activity C: Proportion and Scale ....................................................................... 165
Harmony
.................................................................................................... 167
Summary
.................................................................................................... 169
Key Words and Phrases.................................................................................... 170
Assignment Four ............................................................................................... 175
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Introduction
Page
Lesson Five
Objectives
.................................................................................................... 185
Introduction .................................................................................................... 187
Housing
.................................................................................................... 189
Activity A: Being an Architect ..................................................................................
Housing Options ................................................................................................ 195
Activity B: Lifestyle and Housing ....................................................................... 197
Evaluating Living Space ..................................................................................... 201
Activity C: Evaluating Floor Plans ..................................................................... 205
Floor Plan and Blueprint .................................................................................... 209
Activity D: Being an Architect Technologist ....................................................... 213
Summary
.................................................................................................... 217
Key Words and Phrases .................................................................................... 218
Assignment Five ................................................................................................ 223
Lesson Six
Objectives
.................................................................................................... 231
Introduction .................................................................................................... 233
Benefits of Interior Design .................................................................................. 235
Interior Designers............................................................................................... 236
Activity A: Being an Interior Decorator .............................................................. 239
Education Programs .......................................................................................... 243
Activity B: Career Interest Inventory.................................................................. 245
History of Interior Design ................................................................................... 251
Activity C: Careers in Interior Design ................................................................ 253
Major Interior Design Project ............................................................................. 255
Summary
.................................................................................................... 261
Key Words and Phrases .................................................................................... 262
Assignment Six .................................................................................................. 267
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Page
Module Two
Lesson Seven
Objectives
....................................................................................................... 3
Introduction ........................................................................................................ 5
Windows
........................................................................................................ 7
Activity A: Windows ............................................................................................ 11
Windows and Energy Conservation .................................................................... 15
Window Treatments ............................................................................................ 16
Hard Window Treatments .................................................................................... 17
Soft Window Treatments ..................................................................................... 19
Factors to Consider ............................................................................................. 22
Fabric
...................................................................................................... 24
Decorative Effects ............................................................................................... 25
Types of Windows ............................................................................................... 27
Activity B: Window Treatments ........................................................................... 35
Doors
...................................................................................................... 40
Activity C: Doors ................................................................................................. 43
Openings
...................................................................................................... 49
Home Security ..................................................................................................... 50
Summary
...................................................................................................... 51
Key Words and Phrases...................................................................................... 53
Assignment Seven .............................................................................................. 59
Lesson Eight
Objectives
...................................................................................................... 69
Introduction ...................................................................................................... 71
Functions of Walls ............................................................................................... 73
Types of Walls ..................................................................................................... 75
Wall Treatments .................................................................................................. 78
Wall Finishes ...................................................................................................... 84
Activity A: Wall Treatments ................................................................................ 91
Ceilings
...................................................................................................... 95
Activity B: Ceilings .............................................................................................. 97
Floor Coverings ................................................................................................... 99
Activity C: Floor Coverings ............................................................................... 105
Summary
.................................................................................................... 109
Key Words and Phrases.................................................................................... 110
Assignment Eight .............................................................................................. 130
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Page
Lesson Nine
Objectives
.................................................................................................... 123
Introduction .................................................................................................... 125
Purposes of Furniture ........................................................................................ 127
Decisions
.................................................................................................... 129
Furniture Placement........................................................................................... 130
Activity A: Furniture and Interior Design ............................................................ 133
Furniture Arrangement ....................................................................................... 135
Activity B: Floor Plan and Furniture Arrangement ............................................. 137
Types of Furniture .............................................................................................. 145
Furniture Styles .................................................................................................. 146
Activity C: Furniture Types and Styles .............................................................. 155
Materials
.................................................................................................... 159
Furniture Construction ....................................................................................... 163
Care of Furniture ................................................................................................ 171
Appliances
.................................................................................................... 173
Activity D: Appliances and Energy Consumption .............................................. 175
Summary
.................................................................................................... 177
Key Words and Phrases .................................................................................... 179
Assignment Nine ................................................................................................ 181
Lesson Ten
Objectives
.................................................................................................... 189
Introduction .................................................................................................... 191
Lighting
.................................................................................................... 193
Light Measurement ............................................................................................ 196
Textures and Colours......................................................................................... 197
Types of Light Fixtures ....................................................................................... 198
Lighting and Mood ............................................................................................. 202
Energy Conservation ......................................................................................... 204
Activity A: Lighting............................................................................................. 205
Accessories .................................................................................................... 211
Activity B: Interior Design and Accessories ....................................................... 215
Fireplaces
.................................................................................................... 219
Summary
.................................................................................................... 223
Key Words and Phrases .................................................................................... 224
Assignment Ten ................................................................................................. 225
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Introduction
Module Three
Lesson Eleven
Objectives
....................................................................................................... 3
Introduction ........................................................................................................ 5
The Interior Design Process .................................................................................. 7
Activity A: Melinda’s Dream Home ....................................................................... 9
Experiencing Interior Designing .......................................................................... 11
Major Interior Design Project ............................................................................... 12
Step One
...................................................................................................... 13
Activity B: Your Client ......................................................................................... 17
Step Two
...................................................................................................... 19
Activity C: Floor Plan .......................................................................................... 21
Step Three ...................................................................................................... 23
Activity D: Floor Plan and Furniture Arrangement .............................................. 25
Step Four
...................................................................................................... 31
Activity E: Windows and Window Treatments .................................................... 33
Step Five
...................................................................................................... 37
Activity F: Wall Treatments and Floor Coverings ............................................... 39
Submitting the Major Interior Design Project ....................................................... 43
Summary
...................................................................................................... 45
Key Words and Phrases...................................................................................... 46
Assignment Eleven.............................................................................................. 51
Lesson Twelve
Objectives
...................................................................................................... 57
Introduction ...................................................................................................... 59
Importance of Interior Design .............................................................................. 61
An Interest in Interior Design ............................................................................... 61
Trends in Interior Design ..................................................................................... 62
Review of Interior Design 30 ............................................................................... 64
Final Examination ................................................................................................ 64
Examination Writing Tips ..................................................................................... 65
Assignment Twelve: Sample Examination ......................................................... 71
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