Illustration by Istockphoto.com/Freelancebloke

More and more I see and hear by good intentioned designers comments like… “We have a big lifestyle change coming down the American Road, and I for one am happy about it.” 

This thinking scares the hell out of me; and before you get your jabots in a knot, let me explain why this dream of utopia has the makings of a nightmare for the interior design industry and everyone who has an interest in it (even the passive consumer).

My guess is that most people who are making public statements about looking forward to change are for the most part jumping on the politically correct bandwagon to say “Look at me, I am not like those other greedy American designers and consumers, don’t you think I’m wonderful?”. I know they have this romantic vision of “living like the French or the Italian” and being a “global citizen”, but this isn’t Europe, and it never will be! The fact is that those visions of utopia are not the same vision that the government has in mind for all of us, and the utopian bubble will eventually burst, leaving a lot of people wondering “what happened?”

First of all, to the interior designers and decorators out there that have adapted this politically correct mindset, thinking that the government has the answers and should take control of the market; what you are wishing on you (and everyone else) is the death of the consumer market and the entrepreneurial spirit. Have you given serious thought as to what will really happen to the market? Do you not realize that the direction we are going in will create a market that cannot afford consumer goods (never mind our services!). So much for the career and lifestyle that you enjoy then. 

Right now the buzz word “eco-luxury” is being used to appeal to the consumer that does still have buying power, but does not want to feel the guilt. Consumers are being brainwashed into believing that if you buy things that you want, and not just need, that makes you are an evil consumer who doesn't care about the planet. This thinking is not only the fastest way to killing the economy, but to destroying jobs. 

Note: I love eco-friendly products and how far they have come in quality and choice! This isn’t an argument about green products, environmentally sensitive design, or living within our means. I, for one, am a huge proponent of green design and the benefits we derive. The green market is one of the fastest growing industries, and it is still only in it's infancy. It has grown because of consumer demand, as it should, since it is market driven. However, what the person behind the curtain doesn’t want you to know is that the class warfare card is being played by the government and is creating an environment that will destroy the market that is driven by consumer demand and entrepreneurial ingenuity. “Change” is not a bad word, but it is always for the best when it is driven by the market and the private sector, not by the government. 

A lot of people have bought into the idea that the government’s plan of “creating” green jobs will put more people into the work force. The truth is, for every green job that is created by the government (as opposed to the private sector creating these jobs) there will be over 2 jobs lost, due to the forced failure of companies. Most jobs created by the government under the umbrella of “green industry” will be government controlled; and we all know what a great job the government does in running a business (yeah right)!  

Our government is holding up Spain as a model for developing our green industries. The truth is that Spain’s government has created an unemployment rate of over 17%. Their government is also “part owner” of most industries and utilities (sound familiar?). Taxes in Spain are through the roof, and prices are government regulated. Is this model really what we want for ourselves?

The “level playing field” that the government wants to create is again, nothing more than the use of class warfare, as a means to gain power. Going back to the statements by designers and others of “looking forward to change”; let’s not let our hearts and romantic fantasies get in the way of our heads. Do we really want to live with the government control, high taxes (over 50% of your income), and lack of entrepreneurial incentive that these countries represent? Take a close look at the following chart of the 2009 Index of Economic Freedom: http://www.heritage.org/index/Ranking.aspx . Be sure to read the details and criteria of how the countries receive their ranking. I don’t know about you, but being number 6 on the list looks a whole lot better than being numbers 64 and 76; places that are held respectively on this list by France and Italy.

Creativity and innovation have never been the strong suit of the state. To the degree that we become more and more a Socialist government (no other word for it), we divert resources from the most creative sector of the economy. Starting a company in France or Spain means opening a café or butcher shop. In America, Hong Kong, Switzerland, and England, and to growing extent countries like Poland and Eastern Europe, it means opening real manufacturing industries. Now it looks as though England may return to her pre-Thatcher doldrums with the comeback of the Socialists. Design companies flourish in the U.S., and while they exist in France, they are far fewer in number and tend to provide services only to the super rich. In France people do not have the money to buy the things we do.

Quite frankly, the government’s main goal is with gaining power and control; and it is being packaged and sold as “utopia for all”. It is a sugar coated pill diverting from the reality of the situation and is the biggest green-wash of all.

Yes, we do have a big lifestyle change coming down the road here in America, and it won’t be what you thought you were submitting into. It is time that the design community gets a grip on reality, and to define and clarify the changes that we are actually advocating. Make sure that the “feel good” comments are not serving to empower the government even further, but rather what we want as a free and conscientious society. 

If we want to remain a viable industry, and have a customer-based market that can actually afford our products and services, then we need to be proactive in voicing our support of preference for the private sector’s dominance in making the changes that we want. As a respected and revered industry, we have the ability to influence and educate the public for the good of the industry and the country. Let’s not allow the false fears of doom and gloom to give us cause to relinquish what we have worked so hard to achieve as a free market society, and the changes that we, as a society with conscience, choose to make for ourselves, rather than it being imposed by the government. Are we going to protect not only our livelihoods, but also our children and grandchildren’s futures, or will we someday be telling stories about the good ‘ol days when people could control their own opportunities and destinies, and when there was real hope and exciting possibilities?

Written by Terri Symington, ASID

Terri Symington, ASID is a Texas State Registered Interior Designer. Her design projects support an eclectic mix of styles and periods to create atmospheres that are original, inviting, and comfortable and do not look “decorated” or trendy; but rather seek a timeless style, which will maintain their appeal.  

“I don’t have a signature “style” that defines my projects, but I do prefer to keep my designs clean and sophisticated… you won't find “cute” in my vocabulary, unless it is in a baby's nursery. It doesn't matter if a project is predominately traditional or warm contemporary, I like to eliminate as much of the unnecessary “stuff” that gets in the way of the lines of the design. Additionally, I think most people can use less visual clutter in their spaces to simplify their lives. What ultimately makes each project successful is the application and attention to the details.”

Her designs are an interpretation of the clients' visions into uniquely individual spaces; integrating architectural and interior design solutions while remaining environmentally conscience in the design choices. Environmentally conscience design does not sacrifice style or quality, and is an essential principle used in creating eco-luxury spaces that fill the functional needs and desires of the client.  

T. Symington & Co. Interiors is centrally located in the rolling hills of Washington County and serving the Houston, Austin, Brazos Valley and surrounding areas.  

To contact Terri Symington:
E-mail: info@symingtoninteriors.com
Website: http://www.symingtoninteriors.com/
Blog: http://thecountrypolitan.blogspot.com/