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3 Things You’ve Never Heard a Designer Say

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, on purchases made after following an affiliate link. See my full disclosure here.

October 6, 2014 By Jackie

Because I never went to design school, I am certain I missed a very important class on what not to say about design.  But I don’t care.  After decorating three homes of my own and helping hundreds with their rooms and decorating styles, I am comfortable saying things like this:

  1. “I don’t believe in trends.”
  2. “Decorating rules are really formulas with different variables you have to plug in.”
  3. “I just belched in my mouth.” (That one made the blooper reel.)

Interview with School of Decorating founder, Jackie Hernandez | www.schoolofdecorating.com

I don’t believe what most interior designers believe, that decorating is an art.  It’s a science, too.

I don’t use intimidating interior design jargon. (Instead I make up my own, like “triangulation” as an easy way to remember to stagger similar elements.)

I think hands-down how your home works for you is more important than how it looks.

When I started conducting interviews for Décorography over the summer, I discovered how much I love coming up with interview questions.  I definitely enjoy being the interviewer more than the interviewee, but I also thought it would be fun to let my audience interview me.

Am I the right teacher for you?

I wanted to create a getting-to-know-you type interview for Décorography, appropriately named “Meet Your Teacher”.  If you’re wondering if a decorator that dismisses trends, talks about formulas instead of rules, and politely burps under her breath can teach you to decorate your home, then this interview will clear that right up.

Over the summer, the members of my Décorography Facebook Study Group submitted their questions for this interview. I enlisted my sister’s help to choose the best questions and conduct the interview. I didn’t prepare any answers in advance, so you’re getting my real, honest, raw perspective on decorating and creating a home.

In this special Décorography interview I share:

  • How to make sure your decor is “timeless” and won’t “go out of style”
  • How I handle work/life balance
  • What I really think about home design and real estate TV shows

And more!

Watch it now:

If you love my perspective on decorating (reminder: I think it’s both an art and a science) and want to learn more about decorating for yourself, I have a library of decorating classes waiting for you.  Hop over to the Décorography admissions office to learn more.

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Comments

  1. Wallis says

    October 6, 2014 at 8:24 am

    Jackie,
    I have enjoyed your content and was seriously considering signing up. But today changed my mind. I imagine your hope was that by saying you belch in your mouth you have enhanced your appeal to a wider audience of people “other” than those who might typically hire a decorator or designer. What you have done in my opinion is demonstrated reverse snobbery. Perhaps this will appeal to some. You have lost me though. and anyone I might recommend will be referred to someone else. Please remove me from your emailing list.

    • Amanda says

      October 6, 2014 at 9:44 am

      I know most bloggers appreciate feedback, both positive and negative. However, with this sort of reply, I think you are broadcasting what you want others to do. Why wouldn’t you send her a personal email or take yourself off the mailing list? Whether or not you like the content of the video does not give you the license to be rude. Bloggers put their heart and soul into the posts the provide, and bringing someone down like this should not have been done publicly. Jackie, please do not let this person shake your confidence:)

      • Jackie says

        October 7, 2014 at 5:15 pm

        Thanks Amanda!

  2. Constance Reed says

    October 6, 2014 at 10:43 am

    Good morning Jackie,

    I very much enjoyed your interview. I appreciate your design philosophy and agree that decorating shouldn’t follow strict rules. Doing what works for you, what makes you happy, and what makes your home a comfortable place to live is the best way to design your home. It bothers me when designers make choices that don’t work for the people living in the home, such as removing the ceiling fans in Florida. There has got to be a balance between aesthetics and practicality.

    I’m sorry that Wallis felt offended by your decision to show a ‘human’ foible in your bloopers. I like people who are genuine and who can laugh even when they’re embarrassed, so your little burp just made me like you even more as a person and your decorating philosophy made me like you even more as a designer.

    Have a wonderful day and keep being true to yourself.

    Constance

    • Jackie says

      October 7, 2014 at 5:15 pm

      Thanks Constance! We live in Minnesota and refuse to get rid of our ceiling fans…thankfully they are starting to make more attractive fans :)

      Thanks for your sweet support!

  3. Dee says

    October 6, 2014 at 12:21 pm

    I always enjoy your blog!

    • Jackie says

      October 7, 2014 at 5:13 pm

      Thanks Dee!

  4. CONNIE bradshawshouse.com says

    October 6, 2014 at 1:14 pm

    I FIND MYSELF ANSWERING THESE QUESTION CLOSELY (NOT WORD FOR WORD) BUT VERY CLOSELY TO YOUR ANSWERS. IF YOU HAVE A NEED TO WORK WITH OR EXPAND IN SOMEWAY I’D LOVE THE OPPORTUNITY.

  5. Deb says

    October 6, 2014 at 1:31 pm

    I understand that you are working to attract people to your school of decorating and I respect that you are trying to help them to not be intimidated by styling their home. However, as an Interior Designer, I’m a little ‘put-off’ by this post.

    To me, it implies that Designers are trendyand not at all interested in the client’s ability to understand their space. I don’t think these are fair statements when the core of what we do is to identify/create a space solution that reflects our clients. And to be honest, I come to your blog because you have some cute and trendy ideas.

    But most importantly, I have never met a Designer who doesn’t understand Design to be a science as well as art. After considering the science of light, the psychology of color, ergonomics and code regulations – at the end of the day, art is only 50% of what we do. Understanding the science, helps to magnify the art and beauty of the space.

    I don’t think that your intention was to imply these things because I whole heartedly believe that you want to help your bloggers. It just felt anti-design when a large portion of people don’t truly know that there is even a difference between a Designer and a Decorator.

  6. Diana says

    October 9, 2014 at 10:34 pm

    I thought it was a great post and love all your insights and guidance. Love your blog!!:)

Hi, I'm Jackie. I believe you are the best person to decorate your home and I'm here to help.

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I believe you are the best person to decorate your home. You just need a dash of courage and a dose of decorating know-how. That's why I created School of Decorating.

I know how frustrating it is to feel like failure at home. I also know how amazing it feels when decorating finally makes sense and your home reflects you. I want to share what I've learned so you can create a home you love without years of trial and error.

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