FRUSTRATED FLORIDA DESIGNERS RESORT TO DEFAMATION
Douglas Feldman, ASID, IDAF board member representing South Florida, recently spoke at a meeting in Ft. Myers in an effort to protect the Florida licensing cartel. In bleak contrast to the two vibrant February town hall meetings conducted jointly by Patti Morrow of IDPC and Clark Neily of IJ – which were packed to standing room only – the interest generated for what is being called the “Save the Monopoly” meeting through multiple emails only managed to draw a meager dozen or so designers, some of whom attended because they actually support IDPC’s mission to deregulate Florida’s interior design law – the most restrictive in the country – spearheaded by Patti Morrow.
Perhaps you’ll remember Douglas… his uninformed ranting was unsuccessful in derailing the IDPC/IJ town hall meeting in Dania. It is noteworthy to report that his boorish behavior actually brought some designers who were on the fence over to the pro-freedom movement.
According to an eye-witness account, no factual information was delivered at the Save the Monopoly meeting (Feldman had “deer in the headlights” reactions to unanticipated comments and/or questions) and no new call to action was given. It appears the only purpose for the meeting was for Douglas Feldman to announce and endorse their new website and blog.
Feeling a little heat in Florida, licensed designers? Read their [barely literate] blog posting (below). Douglas – did you write this? It’s hilarious! Is that the best you can do? MY BABYSISTTER HITS HARDERTHAN THAT! Did you think this would hurt my feelings and make me go away? Guess again, little man.
Excerpts from attack blog:
Patti Morrow with the IDPC is a very desperate but you have to admit a creative individual. She had no decorating work. Therefore she did have time on her hands. And by getting $285,000 in upfront funding from the Institute for Justice,….one big fat check…. she got a reason to get up in the morning.
If you have seen her in person, you begin to realize how pathetic. . .please Patti…..Take a class and learn how to speak professionally. Then Patti,….get your facts straight and stop with the out and out lies.
The way she is telling it now, ASID might has [sic] well close up shop and sell the building in DC. She really should be a fiction writer.
If I were Clark Nelly[sic], the ultra conservative, very straight-laced litigator with the Institute for Justice…. I’d be just a little bit embarrassed to be on the same stage repeatedly with such an unprofessional appearance and demeanor. Maybe there is something going on between them that is more than “justice.”
From what anyone can tell, she works out of her home basement and occasionally comes up for air from that dark hole in the ground. This blonde airhead with pink boxing gloves DOES NOT represent anyone except herself. . . dresses straight out of J.C. Penny… And where did she get that bleach blonde locks? Must be Airhead Blonde from Clairol.”
Note that the blog does not dispute even ONE word uttered by Patti at the town hall meetings. That’s because you can’t disprove the TRUTH! Patti’s presentation was based solely on facts, and they cannot invalidate a single one.
“If you can’t answer a man’s arguments, all is not lost; you can still call him vile names.”
(Elbert Hubbard)
The negative publicity IDPC has created surrounding Florida’s anti-competitive, anti-consumer monopoly is obviously the catalyst for this pure, unadulterated act of frustration and desperation. This tirade so full of lies, and so mindlessly venomous that any remotely decent person would be mortified to be associated with it in any way. Oh, and did I mention… their website is anonymously registered and blog post unsigned. It appears that no one but Feldman is willing to go out on a limb to be linked with it. Who can blame them?
I’ll leave you with two last thoughts:
1. Being licensed obviously does not make you a professional. Thanks so much for proving our point.
2. “It is better to keep your mouth [computer] closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.” (Twain)
To Douglas and Florida licensed designers: anytime you’d like to have a public debate over the issue of Florida’s anti-competitive and unconstitutional law, my colleague (giggle, giggle), Clark Neily and I would be happy to participate.
But do try to bring more intellect to the table. Thus far, it’s been like having a duel of wits with an unarmed opponent.
The NKBA and all of the other building trade organizations that you claim as allies in your effort to deprofessionalize interior design see this as nothing but a good ole fashioned turf war. It has nothing to do with the distinction of professional skills and knowledge and it has everything to do with profit…..even though those fears are unfounded.
Kitchen and Bath designers (NKBA certified or not) are not interior designers. Call yourself a Kitchen and Bath designer -no harm no foul. Residential re-designers are not interior designers. Call yourself a residential re-designer, or better yet redecorator-no harm no foul. Decorating den franchisees are not interior designers. Call yourself a decorator-no harm no foul. 95% of the fools parading as interior designers on HGTV are not interior designers. Call yourselves interior decorators-I still won’t watch!
The bottom line for the anti-legislative interior designer wanna-be’s is that the rules of the game have changed and they are not happy. I understand….no really I do. The profession of interior design is upping the ante and lots of decorators have made a conscious decision to not hold themselves to a higher professional standard (education, experience and examination). This is a free country. You can choose to help us advance the profession or you are also free to start your own damn profession…I DON’T CARE! Just stop degrading mine!
I DEFY YOU TO PUBLISH THIS!
Comment by Mike Dudek — April 22, 2009 @ 3:51 pm |
“If the pro-regulation designers want to practice interior architecture, then the onus is on them to complete the education, experience and examination required to be licensed as an architect, and STOP trying to morph interior design into a profession it was never intended to be, and is neither wanted nor provides a benefit to designers or consumers.”
Interior Design is a profession. You obviously missed the bus.
I suspect you chose to ignore the alarm clock.
Comment by Mike Dudek — April 22, 2009 @ 4:45 pm |
Mike, nothing personal, but I think you were hit by the bus and knocked senseless. Even an elementary student would understand the statement above. Interior design is a very worthwhile profession unto itself. Interior designers do not need or want to become interior architects. If you still don’t understand, let me know and I’ll see if I can write it in crayon.
Comment by idpcinfo — June 10, 2009 @ 3:25 pm |
I am a credited Interior Designer with thre licenses in the Washington, Maryland and Virginia areas. I did pass the NCIDQ and currently an ASID member. I have been in this profession for 37 years and will not be licensed in Florida because I did not attend school according to the boards in Talhassee.
Recently, I went through the curricullum of any school and it seems that all the itmes they teach I have done and experience for the time I have worked for the Marriott International group.
It seems that some people in the board are not aware that anyone tha do come out fresh out of school does not have any experience and in the paset I had to train many of them doing what they were not able to do properly for lack of experience.
Thanks for listening
Comment by ANTONIO DEL MORAL — May 22, 2009 @ 11:09 am |
You’d expect that a spokesperson would present a frame of reference to address the allegations. Not one was mentioned. The reply was a spiteful, i.e., “my folks have more money than yours”. I live on Nob hill and you live in the ghetto. Design is for us elitists who’ve ruled and held the power, and, we’re supposed to look down on and keep those we’ve deemed not acceptable”under our feet. This is what I’m aware of as common, every day discrimination.
It is immediately obvious that when one can only resort to tearing another down with innane comparisons outside of the subject at hand, they have no clear argument. This was pathetic.
Their position was clear: “There’s no room for us to share our ego to make you equal with us. As history has shown – this type of thinking must fall, as we all recognize that everyone who satisfies the requirements is as qualified as the next one.
Comment by Lucille Anderson — May 22, 2009 @ 4:24 pm |
I had the pleasure of meeting Patti and Clark @ the Orlando meeting. Their professionalism is just what we need to help us in Florida to fight the so-called professionals. I have had to turn work away for fear of being “tattle taled” to the Florida Dept. of business. In this economy that was very hard for me as residental work is at a stand still. I have lost some of my so-called friends in the design world because of my belief, but now I know who to trust. Let’s go get them Patti with your pink gloves and all. Denise Bressler IDPC proud member.
Comment by Denise Bressler — May 22, 2009 @ 9:58 pm |
I am 25 years in the biz of design, founded three firms, Tennessee, Colorado and now Florida. In Florida I am no longer an Interior Designer…What?!
I have a friend who is in her 80’s and practised for years in Texas where she was an accomplished interior designer. When she moved to Florida her press releases mentioned her “interior design” work in Texas. She received a letter from lawyers to cease and desist! She had no idea what she had done wrong… What?!
I know a young designer who recently passed the NCIDQ. She is a great girl, but I have worked with her and have to say she has years in the industry to learn what I know, YEARS! She has no idea about the basics of space planning, YIKES!, but she can tell you how far from the plumbing stack your water must be in a high rise, maybe… (it’s 15 feet).
We are not engineers, architects or contractors, we are interior designers, please let us do what we do best and we will leave the other work to the appropriate professionals. If I had wanted to be a plumber…well, you know what I mean.
I have felt victimized since relocating here 5 years ago and I am VERY excited about this new action. BRAVA! How can I help!?
Comment by Connie L Hill — May 23, 2009 @ 12:05 pm |
I think it is just so very unprofessional that Patti was attacked personally but I would like to suggest that J.C. Penney employs many designers and I think the company in general might like to know of the “slam” made during this attack on Patti. Perhaps they will even make a donation to Patti’s cause.
Comment by belinda Hensley — May 24, 2009 @ 1:14 pm |
I have a BA in Interior Design and a Professional Member of
ASID of which I have been practicing in the field for 35 years. I have been the Director of Design for several large design companies including Hospitality, Contract, Hospital Planning. Model Merchandising and Residential in NYC, Chicago, Denver Co.and throughout the USA. In addition I was the feature writer for the Denver Post in Interior Design. I also hold a license from the Rules and Regulating Department in Illinois however, even though the application is exactly the same in Florida the R&R Florida Licensing will not allow me to have a license because I did not take the NCIDQ test. I have mentored young designers over the past 25 years teaching electrical, plumbing, renovation and design of multi-million dollar projects but still cannot received a license from Florida. I believe there needs to be some consideration to professional designers who hold a license from another state or a BA or BS in design from an out of state University. It is an insult from the state of Florida to not be allowed to use the title. I don’t believe the NCIDQ test has shown me anything from the young designer whether they know or do not know all of the consequences of the occupation. I have been a member of ASID from the time they were AID and I believe they need to acknowledge the people who have supported the organization or they will not be recognized for who they think they represent. Any “Professional Design” organization member should have the right to be called an “Interior Designer” if you have a degree in the field. I hope there will be some changes made to encourage all of the people who have given their entire life-time career to design.
Comment by Merrlis Weed — June 6, 2009 @ 1:03 pm |
sooooo,….what are the non licensed allowed to do? We can’t earn a living, for, space planning???? Then what scope of work can we do? I’m an allied asid member and have been for many years, practiced as an “Interior Designer” in NY since 1987, moved to wonderful Florida and now I’m prevented from earning a living in the field I’ve been in for more than 20 years? What are we permitted to do?
Comment by Madeline — July 10, 2009 @ 1:19 pm |
Madeline,
You are permitted to change the licensure process. Don’t work to eliminate it like your IDPC cronies. There is no question that the licensure process can be improved. But to make it your life’s work to eliminate it because it does not accommodate your self ordained professional status is doing the entire professional society a serious diservice. Interior Design, like any other technical occupation has undergone a transformation to seek legitimate professional status via formation of professional societies, ethical standards, setting minimum standards for education, forming a practical mentoring process and confirming minimal professional competencies via an examination. Is the process perfect? NO. Can it be improved? YES Is participation optional? YES. It is a free country after all.
Comment by Mike Dudek — July 23, 2009 @ 7:49 pm |
Hey Mike:
Looks like the Judge in Florida disagrees with you.
Florida’s Practice Act will soon be history.
How do you plan on “spinning” this to your students in September at K-State.
Comment by Designer 7 — August 13, 2009 @ 1:28 am |
What makes you think the Judge in Florida disagrees with me? I never said I support licensing or title acts. I know that is hard for you to get your brain around but let me repeat it once more I DO NOT SUPPORT INTERIOR DESIGN LEGISLATION. I do not “spin” this issue to my students. The first day of class each fall I explain the differences between interior decoration, Interior Design and interior architecture. They get it. I then give them the facts about NCIDQ, CIDA, IDEC, ASID, IIDA, IDC,
AIA,etc. I then provide a factual explaination of Interior Design legislation and the pros and cons of licensure. I then (brace yourself here) tell them they are free to choose their career path and they are free to choose to become a professional member of whatever occupational society they choose -or not.
I am confident that if they choose interior decoration as a career path that they will not feign status as a professional interior designer. Conversely if they choose to pursue a higher standard of interior design via experience and examination and collaboration with other building design professionals that they can not call themselves interior architects unless they have passed the ARE. They understand what the value of their education and I am confident they will go forth in the world and make it a better place regardless of their career choices.
It is pretty simple really.
Comment by Mike Dudek — August 16, 2009 @ 7:17 pm |
Mike:
As long as you continue to try to convince yourself (and your students) that “Interior Decoration” is somehow an “unprofessional” subset of “Interior Design” you are doomed to frustration.
There is no difference between Interior Design and Interior Decoration. They are the same profession and it looks like the courts and the state legislatures now agree.
You and your students will forever be frustrated by all of the unprofessional “interior decorators” who build great “interior design” practices, get hired by famous clients, win awards and get published. Maybe your students will be lucky enough to get hired by one of these “interior decorators” but not if they show up for the interview with a chip on their shoulders about what constitutes a professional interior designer.
It’s the so called interior design colleges that are destroying the profession not the “decorators”.
Comment by Designer 7 — September 7, 2009 @ 4:01 am |
Please continue to delude yourself. Much like there is no difference between a make-up artist and a plastic surgeon hey what?
Comment by Mike Dudek — September 7, 2009 @ 5:56 pm |