Excerpts

While teaching an introductory class in interior design, I noticed that the students usually chose paint or wallpaper for the walls and always used carpet on the floor, as though these were the only suitable treatments for walls and floors. I felt a need to break the cycle by exposing students to the fascinating world of materials-and so this book started to take shape. I was unable to find a book that fully covered the exciting nonstructural materials available to the interior designer. Some authors concentrated on historical aspects of the home, both in architecture and furniture. Some emphasized upholstered furniture, draperies, and carpets; whereas still others stressed the principles and elements of design and color and the aesthetic values that make up a home. No one, however, concentrated on the "nuts and bolts" of interior design. Some books purporting to cover all types of flooring did not even mention wood floors, whereas others had only one or two paragraphs on the subject. In the fourth edition of this book, a chapter on environmental concerns was added, and this sixth edition has increased information on products that are environmentally sustainable. Throughout this edition, for those particularly interested in environmental concerns, products and manufacturers are mentioned that are participating in some way in the recycling processes. (See Chapter 1, "Environmental Concerns.") Chapter 1 should be of prime interest to those designers (most of us) who believe that the environment is precious and worth saving. Environmental responsibility and recycling are also ways to help cope with the growing landfill problem. In researching material for the "Environmental Concerns" chapter, a representative from a very environmentally conscious company said that because she spent all day working on this problem, it has become a habit in her personal life and in the lives of other coworkers. This, of course, is the aim of the chapter. The companies listed at the end of the chapter are some of the companies that are helping our environment, sometimes to their financial betterment but not always. In the past, the interior design profession has dealt mainly with the more decorative aspects of design. Today it has become increasingly necessary for interior designers to be knowledgeable not only about the finishing materials used in the design field, but about some structural materials as well. Many interior designers are working for or with architects, so it is important that they understand the properties and uses of all materials. Thus, theraison d'etreof this textbook. Together with the properties of materials, I also feel that students should have historical background on the materials, as in the case of marble and the construction of wallcoverings. In the latter case, there is a considerable cost difference between various wallcoverings, and much of that difference is due to the methods of printing and the backing used. A knowledge of this will be able to convince clients to use the more expensive product. The section on wallcoverings includes background information on this subject supplied by the Wallcovering Organization. In the case of decorative laminate, I found some interesting historical background and also current uses. The old "Woodie" station wagon used laminate for the imitation wood on the sides, and today most bowling alleys are surfaced with plastic laminate. The interiors of pleasure boats are often manufactured with laminate because of the product's durability, ease of maintenance, and resistance to salt. Also included is some background on the beginnings of Jacuzzi and Moen. Most sales representatives realize that the interior design student of today is the customer of tomorrow, but there are still some who do not understand the scope of the interior design field. Many interior designers are women, and I have found that the ability to talk knowledgeably about materials Excerpted from Materials and Components of Interior Architecture by J. Rosemary Riggs All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.