Architect, Interior Designer, Homer and Decorator... What are the differences ?

This is where it all starts. He designs and builds the overall structure of a house or building according to the space and the client's expectations, taking into account structural calculations as well as the urban planning standards in force in the area concerned. He must also take into account current environmental concerns and create the "extraordinary" without harming the planet. 

He may also be called upon to renovate existing buildings by proposing structural modifications or extensions. He can also be called upon to restore historic buildings. 

In short, the architect is responsible for designing and building a space: 

• He develops a concept taking into account the needs of the client. 
• He advises the client on the viability of his project. 
• He is responsible for managing the work from an administrative point of view and may manage the building permits and other documents necessary for the execution of the work. 
• He provides solutions to unforeseen problems and inconveniences that may arise during construction. 

The interior architect works, as the name suggests, "inside". It is only once the "exterior envelope" (or in other words the building has been constructed) has been created that he can intervene in the layout and arrangement of the interior spaces imagined by the architect. 

The interior architect can, however, call on the services of an architect's office to work together and develop the existing structure according to their proposals and the wishes of the client. 

While the architect has learned to design and delimit interior spaces according to standard rules (a room must be at least 9 m², etc.), the interior architect will actually arrange and manage the spaces and volumes according to the practicality, needs and desires of his client, keeping in mind the circulation and daily life. 

He takes care of your interior fittings, even the most complicated ones such as the bathroom or a cellar (often quite narrow spaces and therefore more difficult to make use of or to modify). 

It helps to choose the furniture and materials to enhance and valorise the rooms in your home in the best possible way. 

Interior design, because of its specificity, is upstream of decoration, in the sense that it offers a more durable, timeless layout and aims to give birth to the client's project. 

The interior architect works with individuals in flats and houses, but also with professionals. He rearranges offices, doctors' surgeries, restaurants, bars and shops.... 

Collective intelligence, personalisation and the ergonomics of spaces are at the heart of HOMER's values.  

The Homer is an interior architect who thinks differently about space (in an ergonomic way), and places the client and his needs at the centre of the creative process (in a personalised way).  

His aim is to develop the home around its co-inhabitants to create synergy and not the other way around. He has a keen sense of space optimisation and a detailed knowledge of technical constraints. 

The Homer is much more involved in the social aspects of his job. He listens actively and seeks to understand the personality of his clients. In fact, he thinks in terms of the habits and customs of the inhabitants and the different spaces that will be designed to anticipate each of the daily gestures.  

He responds to the present needs of his clients and anticipates future ones, thanks to very detailed and exhaustive specifications, allowing the client to project himself in the long term and to answer questions that he had not thought of. 

Finally, the Homer demonstrates particular human qualities that engage him with his client. He shares his practice and communicates with a network of professionals, which ensures a refined expertise, a better collegiality and solidity with regard to your project. 

The interior decorator dresses the interior by playing with colours, textures and materials. He is able to sublimate a space by choosing the appropriate furniture, the different lights and the decorative objects that contribute to the personalization of the place. 

The interior architect and the Homer are generally aware of this practice and also have this skill. 

There are interactions between these different trades and complementary skills between each of these experts.  

It is always fortunate when these three trades create a cohesion around your project that can be aligned and achieved harmoniously. 

As an interior designer and decorator, I am convinced that we are always smarter when we work together! 

Let's not forget that the ideas of some enrich those of others