Interior Decorating Courses

[silkinteriors]

Has anyone done an interior decorating course for fun, not the kind you do for a formal qualification?

I'm in Melbourne (live in the western suburbs/work in the CBD) and I think it would be great to learn more about different styles, colour coordination, etc.

I don't want to commit to a 2 year part time course - I'm just after something that will take up a few weekends or evenings for a short period of time. But I don't know where to begin to look for such a course - maybe the CAE?

If you have any recommendations, please let me know :)

Thanks!
Sandra

[Julie-Ann]

Hi Sandra
When we bought our first home (a life time ago) I did a short course in decorating. From memory it was 6 evenings at the local TAFE centre. It was brilliant:D. I learned so much. Decorating principles that I still use everyday when working with clients.
I would highly recommend doing such a short course.
I see our TAFE still offers these courses as do a company called Homebase here in Perth. Homebase is a place where lots of companies related to building or renovating have permanent displays of their products. So you can go this one building and get a lot of ideas for your home. But they also run several short courses which they advertise in the New Homes section of our weekend papers.
Let us know if you find a course.:)

[silkinteriors]

That sounds great! I hope I can find something like that. My husband is great at colour matching and meeting someone and thinking of a design that suits their personality and their home. I'd like to learn some good skills that he is naturally adept at.

[Julie-Ann]

You will be amazed at what you will learn. I am sure you will pick it up in no time. Have you ever tried our favourite Decorating Quiz (http://www.decoratingforum.com.au/showthread.php/decorating-style-friday-33.html?t=33&highlight=quiz)?
Try it out not just on yourself but others and you will see how all the little things they like can go into creating a style.

[Elements]

I haven't looked into properly Silk Interiors as they do not offer the shop in WA but I think Coco Republic to short courses through their stores....
Do you have one near you....check their website I think its written in their catalogue aswell.:)

[Milena]

Hi Sandra

I am going to be doing a 2 year full time course in the CBD with CATC Design School starting in June but that's for an Advanced Diploma in Interior Design. When I was researching where I can do a course I came across a brochure in my letter box. I live in eastern suburbs so the brochure was for various short courses in Chisholm Institute of TAFE. They offer a short course to learn about colours in Interior design for 1 term 8 x 3hrs sessions in the evenings. So maybe you can find a local TAFE institute in western suburbs that offers something similar.

I also found this pdf link http://www.shortcourses.rmit.edu.au/brochure/100/2009/2010-Short-Course-Guide.pdf for short course guide in Interior Design in the CBD with RMIT University. Maybe this is something you can look into as well.

Hope this helps you and good luck :)

[tracyel]

Hi Sandra,

I was looking for something to stimulate my mind and bring out my creative side when I came across Cengage. It's a distance education institute. I decided to do my Statement of Attainment (SOA) in Interior Design. I was able to do it by correspondence. I had up to 18 months to complete the course, but I was so interested in it, that I completed it in 3 months. They offer you the choice of paying the course fee upfront or over a 12 month period.
After completing the course, I was so into interior decorating/design that I commenced my Diploma in Interior Design/Decorating. It is with a different institute, but again, it gives you the option of paying the course upfront or over 32 weeks. The also have the certificate level at a cheaper cost. The name of this one is International Career Institute.
Good luck on whatever you decide and I hope you have as much fun as I did.

[silkinteriors]

Thanks for the link to the quiz, Julie-Ann. I am:

43% Modern Elegance
43% Contemporary
14% Zen Style

I like it!

I'll have a hunt around for some courses not far from home or work.

Milena - you must be so excited about your course starting in July. Can't wait to hear more about it :)

Coco Republic's courses are pretty expensive - $2750. I was hoping for something under $500 :(

I'll let you know what I come up with...

[Milena]

Hi Sandra, I think I am more nervous then excited at this point in time starting the course. But I am sure once I start and get into the course I should be fine. They need a portfolio so I still need to finish that hopefully very soon :)

[with2ns]

Hi,
I know that Chisholm has one in the eastern Suburbs, but for you maybe look at this one at NMIT http://www.nmit.edu.au/shortcourses/folio_preparation_interior_decoration_and_design or at RMIT which has a few to choose from.

The CAE is also a great place to try something new, check out this link for all of their interior design courses: http://www.cae.edu.au/web/default.aspx?category=34
(the courses are around $200-$250 I believe)

I hope I was of some use and I hope you enjoy whatever course you choose to do!

[Elements]

OMG Sandra, $2750 for a design course is outrageous. I would hope you got a gold lined diamond encrusted certificate for that amount.
Sorry I didn't realise they charged so much.........

[Milena]

My course costs $26,000 and that's for 2 years full time. But it's funded by the government which I will pay back if I earn enough money out of my tax. It is a bit much but that's how it is.

[Elements]

Milena I completely understand that for a full time course....its the short day courses I would not expect to be in the thousands. My course was a few thousand but it was a 1 year part time course......

[Louifly]

Hi Sandra

It is a pity that you don't have the Home Base Expo in Melb like we do in Perth as it is excellent.

Check out:

http://www.shortcourses.vic.gov.au

and

http://www.shortcourse.swinburne.edu.au - the course is only $350 and there is one starting in May so you wouldn't have to wait too long but not sure if it is a convenient location for you.

Anyway hope you and your hubby enjoy!

Louise

[Julie-Ann]

Hi Louifly
Thanks for the great information for Silkinteriors.
So you are a fellow Perth girl:D. There are a few of us here. Are you a south of the river or north girl? I love asking that because only Perth people know what a common question this is lol.

[silkinteriors]

Lots of great info, thanks everyone - I appreciate your input :)

I am leaning towards the intensive one at the CAE. It's $200 for two Sundays and they have lots of dates coming up through April to July.

The course description is:

Develop your own style. Learn about design history, design principles, space planning, basic colour, lighting principles and soft furnishings.

Sounds like fun :)

[Julie-Ann]

That sounds like a great course Silkinteriors. It covers a broad spectrum of topics. And if you want to do something more detailed you can always look at that later.:) Let us know how it goes.

[jenniferm]

Thanks Sandra for sharing your help. I am thinking for joining this type of short course for interior design. Your exp. will help me.



(http://www.jmyersandassociates.com/portland-oregon-interior-design.html)

[Justin Bishop]

Hi,

You may be interested in my Style & Design workshops I'm running this year.... Informal and entertaining, they will be held in my home/studio in Sassafras, in Melbournes Dandenong Ranges.

See www.justinbishop.com.au and follow the link to my blog for further information.

Hope to hear from you.

[designergirl]

I invested over 2K five years ago in my design studies (which was more than I could afford at the time!!)....it was the best thing I ever did....for me design is not "work"...i have never looked back!....its a small investment for such a huge opportunity. ....and I guess Coco Republic are amazing at what they do so their courses would be well worth it...

[Julie-Ann]

That is wonderful that you got so much out of your course Designergirl. Just think of the money you have saved on decorating mistakes that so many people commonly make. Welcome to the forum. It will be great to hear your ideas:)

[lydiakuru]

Hey all,

My mum and I have enrolled to do a short
interior decorating course at Box Hill Tafe. They need a minimum of 6 people to do the course, at the moment they have 4 people registered. I thought I'd post on here as there was number of interests to take a short course. The link below as the details:
http://www.bhtafe.edu.au/courses/shortcourses/Pages/MDA02.aspx

the course is for 7 weeks. We are doing the Tuesday night class which starts 5th October.

See what u think

Lydia