Free to Design: Florida Entrepreneurs Take On the Interior Design Cartel
Florida is ground zero in the nationwide battle to cartelize the interior design industry. www.ij.org A small group of well-funded industry insiders led by the American Society of Interior Designers has been relentless in its pursuit of ever more restrictive laws. Studies have shown that interior design regulations result in higher prices, less variety, and fewer employment opportunities, especially for minorities and older mid-career switchers. On May 26, 2009, the Institute for Justice joined with three interior designers—Eva Locke, Pat Levenson and Barbara Gardner—and the National Federation of Independent Business to file a lawsuit in federal court in Tallahassee challenging Floridas interior design law. The Institute for Justice is the nations leading legal advocacy group for economic liberty—the right to earn an honest living free from excessive and arbitrary regulation. IJ has successfully challenged anti-competitive interior design laws across the country. Floridas suit promises to be the largest fight yet in the battle against the interior design cartel, and may finally place an end to restrictive interior design laws nationwide. More on IJ’s interior design cases: www.ij.org
May 3rd, 2010 at 10:40 am
this the best happened to florida i hope the same will happened to the practice act of architecture all over the US .
FREE ARCHITECTURAL PRACTICE NO MORE RULES.
May 3rd, 2010 at 11:16 am
Why can’t these people bake goods for the poor instead of spending our taxes on frivolous? you should not call yourself an Interior Designer. I have a degree in Interior Architecture from a prestigious University, yet I cannot call myself an architect because I am not license. It is that siple. Is this honest? YES it is. I respect all architects who have had the education and pass the NCARD and have fullfill the experience needed to be licensed. why can I do the same as an Interior Designer?
May 3rd, 2010 at 11:23 am
Admit it, you’re just a glorified decorator and about as “professionally qualified” as a graphic designer or web designer. About the only harm you could do is to give your client a headache with your color scheme. Stop trying to be so elitist and obviously frightened of the competition. If you were a professional designer, your portfolio speaks to your skill not a sheep skin.
I’m a naturally skilled artist and I don’t need someone to teach me how to be creative, i was born this way.
May 3rd, 2010 at 11:52 am
Playing the race card is really pretty desperate dont you reckon Clark (Rhetorical question- cuz I know you dont care as long as you have clients with deep pockets)?
Your mastery of the obfuscation of interior decoration and interior design is admirableNOT!
Where do you find these people?
May 3rd, 2010 at 11:59 am
The next time you lay your head down in a hotel room somewhere question yourself a few questions. Are these curtains flame retardant ? What is the flame spread on this carpet? Do these swags and jabots meet ASTM standards? Was this room done by a decorator with a business card and a small flair or by a degreed, certified, licensed professional interior designer? An interior designer has the ability to cause a lot of harm to a lot of people. I place in my time and effort why can’t you do the same?
May 3rd, 2010 at 12:02 pm
I agree with shimmers773. The fields of work are entirely different. Designers work closely with architects and are required to know codes, flammability requirements, durability, etc.. Decorators decorate – designers design. It’s simple.
May 3rd, 2010 at 12:37 pm
Why can’t we call it what it is. If you have not gone to school to get the proper education to be an Interior Designer, then you should call yourself an Interior Decorator. These are two completely different fields of work. This is not about excluding people of different financial or ethnic backgrounds; this is about having the proper education and certification to call your self an Interior Designer. I don’t know why we can’t call a decorator a decorator and a deisgner a designer.
May 3rd, 2010 at 1:24 pm
I really agree. Right Interior design comes from creativity, experience and passion; neither of which can be taught in a class or received by obtaining a degree, license, or apprenticeship.
May 3rd, 2010 at 1:40 pm
watch?v=x_9DMu2piAE
May 3rd, 2010 at 2:18 pm
All of florida is this corrupt.
May 3rd, 2010 at 2:41 pm
LOL! 4 year apprenticeship to design people’s wallpaper? Sounds like the guilds of ancient.
May 3rd, 2010 at 3:34 pm
Outstanding video! Be sure to pass on this video!
May 3rd, 2010 at 4:18 pm
I hope the Institute for Justice wins this case.
In school, I was taught so much propaganda about how antitrust laws protect the public from “anti-competitive” monopolies and cartels. In fact, it is the federal government’s regulations that prop up cartels and impedes upon competition through tariffs and occupational licensing.