Designing Women Get Lawyers

Katherine Mangu-Ward | September 9, 2008

Messing with interior designers is a bad idea. The reason people pay them is to be opinionated and decisive. But what happens when interior designers go up against other interior designers? And what if the American judicial system gets involved? Well, sometimes this:

But in a more modern case: Up-and-coming, non-fictional interior designers are taking on old entrenched interior designers with the help of the economic liberty litigation superheroes at the Institute for Justice.

The Institute for Justice filed a lawsuit today on behalf of three Connecticut women who would like to advertise their services as interior designers, but fear the $500 fine or one year in jail that state law calls for. In order to be qualified in the eyes of the state, the women would have to pass the exam of the National Council for Interior Design Qualification. To be eligible to sit for the  exam, an applicant must have six years of higher education and “interior design experience."

That's a bunch of hooey, of course. Under Connecticut law, women (and men) banned from using the words "interior designer" can still perform all of the same functions as certified designers. Which means the licensing gambit isn't about safety. It's pure cartelism.

The lobbying wing of the interior design cartel is has pushed 70 bills in 20 states over the last few years, for a total of about 6 million dollars, with mercifully limited success, mostly because IJ has been roughing people up and leaving (figurative) horse heads on their Laura Ashley sheets.

Best of luck to the designing women and the lawyers in shining lawsuits. Stay tuned for updates on IJ's Design Freedom Month, even if there probably won't be a guest appearance by big-haired beauties Mary Jo, Charlene, Suzanne, or Julia.

Comments

|9.9.08 @ 1:44PM|#

The 6 years of higher education thing doesn't make any sense. Interior designers get masters?

|9.9.08 @ 1:48PM|#

Toxic,
It doesn't have anything to do with education. It's the establishment circling the wagons to keep the unestablished from threatening their rents.

|9.9.08 @ 1:48PM|#

I see there's a lawsuit waiting to happen on the right side of my screen in that HGTV "Home Design Software" ad. Careful - has that software beem to 6 years of schooling? It might be illegal in Connecticut.

|9.9.08 @ 1:51PM|#

Also note that it is illegal to be poor in CT, but a lot of people flout that law. Most of them live in Eastford and Willington.

Neu Mejican|9.9.08 @ 1:55PM|#

The 6 years of higher education thing doesn't make any sense. Interior designers get masters?

Some do. They are qualified, essentially, to do interior architecture...things that require knowledge of arcane regulations, basic structural integrity, etc...

You wouldn't want to hire "Judy/Trevor who has good taste" to do some kinds of work that fall under the term "interior design."

People confuse interior decorators with interior designers.

|9.9.08 @ 1:57PM|#

Barbers are licensed in all 50 states I believe. From a puiblic safety perspective, what does a barber really need to know? Wash your tools and hands, put the comb in the blus crap whn not in use.

I think it's a one week school in the navy.

|9.9.08 @ 1:59PM|#

Some do. They are qualified, essentially, to do interior architecture...things that require knowledge of arcane regulations, basic structural integrity, etc...

Allowing you to bypass the licensed architects and builders? I don't think so.

Concerened Citizen|9.9.08 @ 2:04PM|#

"Designing Women Get Lawyers"

You know who needs a lawyer? Matt Welch, that's who. He needs to sue John McCain.

Did you know that McCain had sex with Matt's mom and wouldn't let Matt watch? A proven claim of emotional cruelty can ultimately mean a big payout. I bet Matt could wind up with at least two or three of McCain's houses.

Source:
http://www.reason.com/blog/show/128661.html

Dagny T.|9.9.08 @ 2:07PM|#

Interior designers get masters?

The only thing more important to the career of a Designing Woman is remembering to never cross a Sugarbaker woman!

"You will nevah altah drapes in Atlanta again!"

|9.9.08 @ 2:10PM|#

Without a board certified interior decorator, you might end up with one of those exploding ottomans like they showed on Dateline! Then where would you be, smart guy? Oh, that's right! Dead at the hands of an defective ottoman!

|9.9.08 @ 2:18PM|#

This is what happens when you use an unlicensed interior decorator.

Neu Mejican|9.9.08 @ 2:19PM|#

Some do. They are qualified, essentially, to do interior architecture...things that require knowledge of arcane regulations, basic structural integrity, etc...

Allowing you to bypass the licensed architects and builders? I don't think so.

Most projects built do not have a licensed architect involved.

Neu Mejican|9.9.08 @ 2:20PM|#

JsubD,

As for licensed builders...designers do not build things. They design the thing the builder builds. No by-passing involved.

|9.9.08 @ 2:26PM|#

"Long live the NEW FLESH!"

|9.9.08 @ 2:35PM|#

So what "expertise" does an "interior designer" need to say a chandalier here and a column there? Then Fred, the home improvement guy, comes in and says, the ceiling will not support that chandelier without additional framework, $600. The column is fine but we'll have to reroute the gas line to the faux fireplace, $350.

Are you saying that "interior designers" know about this stuff and consider it in their design process? Again, I don't think so.

|9.9.08 @ 2:35PM|#

"I live in a highly excited state of overstimulation."

Dagny T.|9.9.08 @ 2:42PM|#

"Long live the NEW FLESH!"

OK, that is the umpteenth reference to that movie that I've missed. I'm freakin' Netflix-ing it, already.

|9.9.08 @ 2:49PM|#

Dag,

Throw Scanners on there too, if you've never seen it. The rest of early Cronenburg is good, but they are most dry-runs for Scanners and Videodrome. Shivers (or alt-titled under They Came From Within) has a sex-parasite "zombie" swimming pool orgy if that appeals.

|9.9.08 @ 2:50PM|#

Some do. They are qualified, essentially, to do interior architecture...things that require knowledge of arcane regulations, basic structural integrity, etc...

In that case, they are an engineer or architect who does interior design, and they fall into a tiny subset of interior designers, most of whom have no particular knowledge or training on structural or legal issues.

|9.9.08 @ 2:52PM|#

The Brood as well, Dagny. How could you miss that, NutraSweet? Epic fail.

Dagny T.|9.9.08 @ 2:57PM|#

The rest of early Cronenburg is good, but they are most dry-runs for Scanners and Videodrome.

He is Canadian, so it's the least I can do.

I just started Dead Ringers, but only got halfway through at the gym. It was probably best I didn't get to the part where he (presumably) starts using all the gynecological tools. The people on treadmills beside me might have found that odd

echo of joe|9.9.08 @ 3:01PM|#

Sure, IJ is helping unlicensed interior designers now ... to further their own nefarious libertarian political ends. But what happens after IJ packs up its carpetbags, and these poor interior designers still have not been empowered to fight the government by themselves?

|9.9.08 @ 3:01PM|#

It doesn't take 6 yrs. Its a minimum of 2 up to 6. Tell the whole story! (here is a link to the requirements http://ncidq.org/exam/examreq.htm) As a student I don't know why you would not want me to learn to design safely. Anyone could make a pretty room but is it safe? Plus if you get certified you are a professional and can do government projects.

|9.9.08 @ 3:02PM|#

I said "the rest." The Brood was always a fascinating mis-fire to me. The concept is awesome, but he never developed it enough for me. Rabid's the same way. Although it does get high marks for the plastic surgery disaster vampire-penis-armpit plot.

|9.9.08 @ 3:06PM|#

From their FAQ:
"What's the difference between interior design and decoration?
Interior design is the art and science of understanding people's behavior to create functional spaces within a structure. Decoration is the furnishing or adorning of a space with fashionable or beautiful things. Decoration, although a valuable and important element of an interior, is not solely concerned with human interaction or behavior, whereas interior design is all about human behavior. Interior designers may provide interior decorating services, but decorators are not qualified to provide interior design services.

One primary difference between the two professions is that interior designers are responsible for the elements that affect the public's health, safety and welfare. For example, an interior designer might evaluate wall finishes for appropriateness of type based on durability, acoustic properties, cleanability, flame retardancy, allergens, toxicity and off-gassing properties. An interior decorator would only select color, style and textures of finishes."

|9.9.08 @ 3:09PM|#

The Brood was always a fascinating mis-fire to me

The opening scene with Oliver Reed is fucking awesome.

Fun story: I was at HBO Studios watching a special screening of Gladiator with Ridley Scott and Russel Crowe. After the screening we were doing a Q&A session, and Ridley tells us all the story of how Reed died, which is now on IMDB but I didn't believe him at the time:

"He died of a heart attack in a bar after downing three bottles of Captain Morgan's Jamaica rum, eight bottles of German beer, numerous doubles of Famous Grouse whiskey, and beating five much younger Royal Navy sailors at arm-wrestling. His bar bill for that final lunch time totaled 270 Maltese lira, almost £450."

Reed also said "My only regret is that I didn't drink every pub dry and sleep with every woman on the planet."

The guy was great.

|9.9.08 @ 3:17PM|#

As a student I don't know why you would not want me to learn to design safely.

Probably because your industry has (conveniently) lobbied for and/or written the "safety" regulations to facilitate industry protection.

Dagny T.|9.9.08 @ 3:21PM|#

I was at HBO Studios watching a special screening of Gladiator with Ridley Scott and Russel Crowe.

How the hell did you scam that one? I have much to learn.

|9.9.08 @ 3:37PM|#

How the hell did you scam that one? I have much to learn.

I'm scam-tastic! Plus I know people. Ridley also slammed someone for bringing up Blade Runner, saying "I don't know why people like that movie so much." It was hilarious. He was half in the bag.

|9.9.08 @ 4:09PM|#

"I don't know why people like that movie so much."

I'm going to go with: "Because you haven't done anything half as good since."

|9.9.08 @ 4:22PM|#

"Because you haven't done anything half as good since."

White Squall is very good, as was Blackhawk Down. He's a talented director, but it's hit and miss with him. Now, his brother--that's your serious dick move right there.

|9.9.08 @ 4:24PM|#

Yeah, I think Dad only had a little decent DNA in the old baby-bag.

Neu Mejican|9.9.08 @ 5:58PM|#

I'm going to go with: "Because you haven't done anything half as good since."

Seconded, unless you count the other two versions (Director's Cut and Final Cut) of Blade Runner, which are better than the original theatrical release.

johnl|9.9.08 @ 8:36PM|#

It would be better if interior designers had no training on safety. As it is, they are really good at putting electrical outlets just where they are most likely to get cables tripped over, tangled, or smashed.