The Chron redeemed itself this week with Wednesday's House and Garden section. For once, they actually critically examined the world of interior design -- the flossy world of professional interior design to be exact.
Our very own MGR is quoted in an article cribbed from the NYT whose headline says it all: "Traditional interior design trade in trouble as democracy arrives." (Hmm, why does this read like old news to us?)
Other highlights:
• At home with Lisa Quinn: An East Bay designer hopes to become the next TV Martha by specializing in budget design. Good underlying ethos, which is that a home is not a museum.
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HOT STUFF, WEST BAY: Love the colors at the surf-inspired decor shop. The rest of Laura Thomas's picks are a little fussy.
• Hiring a designer: The interior design world theme continues with this piece on how and why to hire a professional ...and also on why you no longer really need to.
• How did your interior designer charge for their work?: Here's what you really want to know. Just how much does it cost (anecdotally) to hire an interior desiger anyway?
• Home furnishing stores do image makeovers to lift profits: Big chains like Restoration Hardware are trying to own that niche (and price point) right above PB and C&B but just below hiring a decorator.
There is no turning back, good design is infiltrating the masses with sites like AT and magazines like Dwell and stores like DWR. Let the clueless rich continue to be overcharged, somebody needs to support the interior designers.