curiositech/interior-design-expert

Interior Design Expert

Expert interior designer combining classical training with computational design tools and AI-assisted visualization.

DECISION POINTS

Style Selection Decision Tree

INPUT: Room dimensions, natural light, budget, lifestyle
├── Small room (<15m²) + Limited natural light
│   └── Scandinavian: White walls, light wood, maximize reflection
├── Large room (>30m²) + High budget
│   ├── Traditional decor style → Mid-Century Modern: Statement pieces, rich materials
│   └── Minimal lifestyle → Japandi: Low furniture, earth tones, negative space
├── Medium room + Family with children
│   └── Transitional: Durable fabrics, rounded corners, washable surfaces
└── Any size + Bold personality
    └── Maximalist: Curated collections, pattern mixing, rich color layers

Lighting Layer Priority Matrix

ROOM TYPE → PRIORITY ORDER
Living Room: Ambient (recessed) → Accent (table lamps) → Task (reading light)
Kitchen: Task (under-cabinet) → Ambient (pendant) → Accent (art lighting)
Bedroom: Ambient (soft ceiling) → Task (bedside) → Accent (mood lighting)
Home Office: Task (desk lamp) → Ambient (overhead) → Accent (wall wash)

BUDGET CONSTRAINTS:
High budget: All three layers + smart controls
Medium budget: Ambient + Task, manual controls  
Low budget: Focus on Task lighting, supplement with floor lamps

Color Palette Decision Flow

1. Assess natural light:
   ├── North-facing → Warm undertones (avoid cool grays)
   ├── South-facing → Can handle cool tones
   └── East/West → Test at different times

2. Room function priority:
   ├── Sleep/relax → Low chroma, warm colors (Munsell value 6-8)
   ├── Work/focus → Mid-chroma, balanced temperature (value 5-7)
   └── Entertain → Higher chroma acceptable (value 4-9)

3. Size perception needs:
   ├── Make larger → Light values (7-9), cool hues
   └── Make cozier → Mid values (4-6), warm hues

FAILURE MODES

Rubber Stamp Trendy: Following Pinterest Without Context

Detection Rule: If all furniture matches a single trending aesthetic without considering room constraints Symptoms: Mid-Century pieces crammed in Victorian house, Scandinavian all-white in dark north-facing room Fix: Analyze actual conditions first: room proportions, light quality, architectural style, lifestyle needs

Lighting Desert: Single Overhead Syndrome

Detection Rule: If room has only one central light source Symptoms: Harsh shadows on faces, can't read comfortably, no ambiance control Fix: Layer lighting - add table lamps for ambient, task lighting for activities, dimmers for flexibility

Scale Blindness: Furniture Size Mismatch

Detection Rule: If furniture clearances are <450mm or sectional blocks 50%+ of room circulation Symptoms: Can't walk around furniture, room feels cramped despite adequate square footage Fix: Map circulation paths first (900-1200mm primary), then size furniture to remaining space

Paint Roulette: Color Selection Without Testing

Detection Rule: If paint colors chosen from tiny swatches or computer screens only Symptoms: Color looks completely different once painted, clashes with lighting, regret and repainting costs Fix: Test large samples (60x60cm minimum) in YOUR lighting conditions for 48+ hours

The Matchy Trap: Everything from Same Collection

Detection Rule: If all major furniture pieces share identical finish/style/era Symptoms: Room feels like showroom floor, lacks personality and visual interest Fix: Follow 60-30-10 rule - 60% neutral base, 30% coordinating elements, 10% accent colors/styles

WORKED EXAMPLES

Example 1: Small Studio Apartment Transformation

Context: 25m² studio, north-facing window, €3000 budget, young professional

Step 1 - Space Analysis: North light = warm color bias needed, single room = zones required Decision Point Applied: Small room + limited light → Scandinavian approach with strategic zoning

Step 2 - Layout Strategy:

• Circulation path mapped: entrance → kitchen → sleeping area (900mm width maintained)
• Zones defined: Sleep (corner), work (window), relax (center), cook (galley)

Step 3 - Color Selection:

• Base: White walls (Munsell N9) to maximize light reflection
• Accent: Warm oak wood (10YR 7/6) to counter cool north light
• Pop: Soft blue textiles (5B 6/4) for calming contrast

Step 4 - Lighting Layers:

• Ambient: Track lighting with warm LED (2700K)
• Task: Desk lamp for work zone, pendant over dining
• Accent: String lights for ambiance (budget constraint)

Trade-off Analysis: Chose multipurpose furniture over separate pieces (ottoman storage vs separate ottoman + storage cabinet) - less visual clutter but reduced specialized function.

Example 2: Family Living Room with Lighting Challenges

Context: 40m² living room, low ceilings (2.4m), active family with toddler

Step 1 - Constraint Analysis: Low ceiling = no chandeliers, toddler = no sharp edges/fragile items Decision Point Applied: Medium room + family → Transitional style with safety priorities

Step 2 - Lighting Challenge: Single central fixture created harsh shadows, couldn't read on sofa Failure Mode Avoided: Lighting Desert - added three layers instead of upgrading single fixture

Step 3 - Layer Implementation:

• Ambient: Recessed LED (3000K, dimmer) replacing central fixture
• Task: Floor lamps beside reading chairs (swing-arm for flexibility)
• Accent: LED strip behind TV, table lamps on consoles

Step 4 - Safety Integration: Rounded coffee table, wall-mounted TV, covered outlets, no floor lamps in toddler paths

Trade-off Analysis: Higher-quality fewer pieces vs more budget options - chose durable sofa in performance fabric over multiple cheaper furniture pieces.

QUALITY GATES

• [ ] Circulation verified: All primary paths ≥900mm, secondary ≥600mm, no dead-end furniture arrangements
• [ ] Lighting layered: Minimum 2 layers present (ambient + task), all controlled independently
• [ ] Color tested: Paint/major fabric samples tested in actual room lighting for 48+ hours minimum
• [ ] Scale proportions approved: Coffee table 40-50% of sofa length, rug extends under front furniture legs
• [ ] Visual weight balanced: No single quadrant contains >60% of visual mass (dark colors, large furniture)
• [ ] Function zones defined: Each activity has dedicated space and appropriate lighting/storage
• [ ] Electrical plan confirms: Sufficient outlets for lamps, no extension cords crossing walkways
• [ ] Budget allocation verified: 60% furniture, 25% lighting, 15% accessories/art maintained
• [ ] Style consistency: 60-30-10 rule applied (dominant style, secondary elements, accent pieces)
• [ ] Client sign-off: All major decisions (color, layout, key furniture) approved before implementation

NOT-FOR BOUNDARIES

Do NOT use interior-design-expert for:

• Exterior/landscape design → Use fancy-yard-landscaper for outdoor spaces, garden design, hardscaping
• Architectural structure changes → Consult licensed architect for load-bearing walls, additions, major renovations
• Web/UI color schemes → Use web-design-expert for digital interfaces, screen color theory
• Brand/marketing color theory → Use color-theory-palette-harmony-expert for logos, brand identity
• Building codes/permits → Consult local building department for electrical, plumbing, structural requirements
• Detailed kitchen/bath cabinetry → Use specialized kitchen designer for cabinet layouts, appliance integration
• 3D modeling implementation → Use SketchUp directly for technical drawings, construction documents

Delegate to other skills when:

• Color questions involve brand identity → color-theory-palette-harmony-expert
• Outdoor space integration needed → fancy-yard-landscaper
• Web interface color decisions → web-design-expert