Interior design

Lore & Background

In ancient India, architects such as Vishwakarma also functioned as interior designers, with sculptures and wall art in palaces and havelis. In ancient Egypt, 'soul houses' placed in tombs reveal details about interior design across dynasties. Painting interior walls dates back at least 5,000 years, with examples at Ness of Brodgar and Skara Brae. The Greeks and later Romans added coordinated mosaic floors and templated interiors for bath houses, shops, and temples, following forms defined by Roman architects like Vitruvius.

Throughout the 17th to early 19th centuries, interior decoration was handled by homemakers, upholsterers, or craftsmen. In the mid-to-late 19th century, as the middle class grew, large furniture firms like Waring & Gillow and Herter Brothers expanded into full interior design and management. By the turn of the 20th century, amateur advisors like Mary Haweis challenged retail monopolies, advocating individual taste.

Reader's Guide

Interior design's significance lies in its evolution from instinctive building practices to a recognized profession that integrates art, science, and management. The field emerged as industrial processes and complex architecture demanded specialized coordination of space, user well-being, and functional design. The rise of large furniture firms in the 19th century, such as Herter Brothers and Waring & Gillow, professionalized interior furnishing, while later critics like Mary Haweis pushed for individual expression over retail templates. Today, interior design remains unregulated in the UK, but its legacy includes a focus on healthier, aesthetically pleasing environments through research, planning, and stakeholder communication.