The Fallacy of ‘Interior Decoration’

On the onset, let me be very clear that I do not have anything against Interior decorators.

 The word ‘Interior decoration’ as it is used today personifies ‘Fashion statements’ derived from secondary or tertiary sources. The ‘visually attractiveness’ factor while making up home spaces , especially usage of materials has become so magnified that finally rooms & houses become a museum of various materials used in their grandeur  form . It is same as using clothing used by models in fashion shows on day to day basis. Or another example is , do we use special clothes worn only during marriage ceremonies on everyday basis ? When we do use our own logic while selecting clothes comfortable to us in our daily lives, why do we shut our minds off when it comes to making our own homes?

People & families who occupy stereotype houses built for them come from different geographical settings, ethnic backgrounds, cultural beliefs, educational status, travel experiences, & lifestyles involving different daily activities.  Hence every house will have to reflect the personality of the ‘Family’ instead of the ‘ego’ of the designer or that of the material manufacturer who want to create a ‘photogenic’ visual image which goes into their portfolio.

 The house where people live is a dynamic space, where they grow in age & beliefs. Thus the house that ‘Is’ different than the house that ‘Was’. Hence the house will be different when it ‘Will be’. The adaptability factor of house & its spaces should be such that the homes should grow along with the people in its appearance & feel.  The finishes, spaces & furniture should reflect the comfort factor of the family including their current & future needs. How do we really derive this wisdom or connect with the common sense especially in today’s marketing world where everyone is trying to sell you something?

One way is to carry out a detail ‘User Needs Analysis’ study of our own family members in their present situation or in future. This analysis should be for various aspects like functional use, visual appearance & sensory perception , current & future needs, cultural requirements etc etc.  The house which you have purchased seldom would be enabled with specific requirements of your family. The environment of the living spaces in our house has a positive or negative impact on the minds of the family members.  Hence it is important to have the proportions, light, colors & materials rightly placed so to have a positive impact on your minds. The design outcome through such an analysis will be certainly different & close to your heart & a skill full designer may be easily able to help you realize these specific aspects in reality.

Spaces have to be lived in , felt, enjoyed  & experienced. They cannot be captured in photographs & put into flashy magazines.

Hrishikesh Ashtekar.