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A great deal of the fun of working in the interior fashion industry is meeting and getting to know a little something about very talented and highly creative people. They come from all types of backgrounds. Some are self-taught, others trained through school; some work in large companies in fast-paced metropolitan areas, others in family owned and operated businesses in smaller cities and neighborhoods; some operate workrooms, some work in specialty retailing and design, and some work in manufacturing and supply. Yet, they also have a few qualities in common. They are enthusiastic about their jobs, work hard and when presented with a problem or challenge they start by thinking, "Now, what can I do with this?"
The creative endeavors of several talented people are featured in this month's issue. Each was recognized through his or her recent selection as a winner in a design contest. In our cover story (page 24) we visit with Natia Dyer of Spectrum Decorating in Tulsa, OK. Dyer was selected winner of a contest challenging dealers to use a new cornice product. Looking beyond the immediate challenge, Dyer went to work adding leaves and decorative edging that she hand-cut from a wallpaper border. She didn't stop there. She added pleated fabric in a coordinating color then furnishings, accessories and artwork. Not bad, perhaps even expected, if done for a favorite, good-paying client. But Dyer's efforts went into creating an outstanding vignette display for a showroom or home show.
One of the most exciting ways to showcase creativity is through work done for a designer Showhouse or for a model home in a builder's Parade of Homes. Our Special Report this month (page 44) features several decorators and designers who created rooms—and in some cases, whole houses—featuring one of the most popular window treatments of the past year. First place winner Steve Rile of Ida & Norma's Draperies, Spokane, WA, faced the challenge of decorating a home in a Far Eastern, Zen-like style. His master bedroom with a shoji screen-like cornice is particularly noteworthy.
As thrilling as it may be, winning a contest is not the only validation of creativity. Nor is it the most important one. The admiration of peers is a very strong incentive to do your best work, but best of all is the look on a customer's face when he or she sees what you have created and says, "I love it!" |
