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Introduction to Interior Design and Decorating Finishes with interiordezine.com

Here you will find every aspect of interior design and decorating finishes. Below is an introduction to get you thinking about interior finishes.

What they are? Where they go and why we select them? Additional pages will feature the different types of finishes available, ranging from floor finishes, wall finishes and decorative paint finishes, fabrics and metals. You name it we cover it here at interiordezine.com.

Introduction to interior decorating finishes for the home

Here we will cover the majority of finishes and products that you will come across in the world of design. It is important to have an understanding of what they are, what they are used for, when and where to use them and why.

The why is important, as you must always be able to justify WHY you have selected a finish or a product to use.

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Because "I like the look of it" is not enough. This is the part of Interior Decoration that we get assessed on, as it is what the public "sees". It is a complex process of continual questions that we need to ask to ensure that the product will do what we expect of it.

We will talk in generic terms, no brand names will be mentioned but obviously the best way to gain knowledge of these products is by assessing supplier and manufacturers information and specifications. They freely distribute these and some are happy to provide samples, so that you can physically compare different products.

Be careful when checking for flame resistance. I once naively put a match to a small swatch of fabric to see if it could withstand flame. A split second later I had a hot black gooey melted fabric over my finger. It hurt and I came to the conclusion that the fabric was not what I was looking for and it wasn’t specified for the project. It pays to read the back of the label for the properties and used their tried and tested information.

We will go over as many interior finishes as possible, but there are always new products being released.

Interior Finishes includes floor, walls, ceilings, internal joinery and soft furnishings.

multiple interior finishes used in this kitchen

multiple interior finishes used in this kitchen

Selecting product, as discussed requires accessing the products performance capabilities. The following items should be considered:

  • Economic and budgetary issues. Does the budget allow for the initial purchase cost of the material as well as the installation? Does the product require long-term maintenance, which may impact on the weekly household budget?
  • Durability considerations. Will the product withstand daily wear and tear –water spillage, foot traffic, pets, and children with artistic flair, furniture movement? Is the product able to be easily maintained? Is it easily broken, or scratched, prone to changing temperatures?
  • Safety issues. Is it slippery when wet (flooring)? Is it a fire hazard? Does it have hard or sharp edges? Does it provide a surface for glare? I.e. is it highly polished and reflective. Is the product dull and dark and impede vision without the lights on?
  • Comfort and Aesthetic considerations. Does it look great? Does it fit in with your scheme, texturally, colour wise, patterned items? Does it meet the acoustic and thermal insulation requirements of the local building authority? Do the tactile properties live up to the look? I.e. is it soft to touch, silky to run your fingers over, or cool underfoot?

Keeping all these items in mind, read on to have your interior finishes knowledge increased, and a way to remember the product and its properties and functions is to consider where you would put each and why as you read along.

We have written an ebook that provides knowledge of interior materials and finishes. Ttake a look, we strongly advise doing this.

Enjoy increasing you interior design and decorating knowledge.

To find what you want to learn about search through the finishes contents pages or look right for an itemised list or below for a grouped menu breakdown..

More Interior Decorating Finishes - Menu

Carpet, what ist is made of and how it is constructed, it's appearance pitfalls, types of carpet, underlay, installation types.

Paint, how it is made, what are it's uses, oil based, enamel, acrylic, PVC paint, which paint to use.

Paint manufacture, recognising painting defects, specialist paints

Wallpaper, wallpaper defects, types of wallhangings, adhesives, stone flooring, timber flooring, hard flooring, vinyl flooring

Types of timber, countries of origin - South America,Canada / Usa, Europe, Africa, Pakistan / India / Burma / Sri Lanka / Malaysia / Indonesia, Australia / New Zealand / Pacific Island

Introduction to metals, types of metals, ferrous metals, non ferrous metals

Timber / Wood - What it is and how it is used in interior design, Trees and how we get timber, Properties of Timber - flexibility, colur, strength and more. Timber Deviations - grain and figure, Timber Based Boards - different types of boards made from timber. Uses for Timber - flooring, panelling, veneer, Timber Moldings- different types made from timber.

Decorative Painting, Faux Finishes, Decorative Finishes

Different types of fabrics, their definitions, the fibers used in making fabrics

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In this Section:
Interior Design Finishes - Carpet Contents | Home Paint Information | More Paint Information | Wall Hangings and Flooring | Types of Timber | Metals | Timber Uses | Decorative Painting | Types of Fabric | Introduction to Interior Finishes | Carpet | Paint | Wall Hangings | Timber Flooring | Hard Flooring | Clay Based Flooring | Stone Flooring | Semi Hard Flooring | Types of Timber and Wood | Metals | Timber and Wood | Decorative Painting | Fabric Types |

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