INTERIOR DESIGN
between perspective and perception
Beyond the Surface of Interior Design
Most of the information available about interior design today is written by journalists, copywriters, and affiliate marketers—professionals skilled in communication, but often disconnected from the deeper truths of the field. As a result, much of what we consume about design lacks authentic perspective. And this isn’t entirely their fault—it reflects a widespread consumer disinterest in anything beyond the aesthetic surface.
This article is not meant to teach, instruct, or dictate. Rather, it aims to expose a few blind spots—overlooked truths that get buried beneath the fascination and glamour that interior design is wrapped in.
Perception
Too often, we fail to realize how our perception is shaped—constructed for us by culture, media, and society. We absorb it at every level of our lives, forgetting to first filter it through our own awareness. In doing so, we allow trends and novelty to infiltrate our reality, influencing our desires, needs, and decisions without conscious examination.
You might wonder: what does this have to do with interior design?
Everything.
Interior design is, first and foremost, a psychological process. Every object we bring into our space is a reflection of our emotional states, mental landscapes, and inner desires. The decisions we believe are rational are often guided by hidden parts of ourselves—unconscious drives quietly choosing for us what we think we need, like, or want.
Decades of research across sociology and psychology confirm how powerfully our environment and upbringing shape what we perceive as personal choice. Knowing yourself—truly understanding your inner layers—is the only way to make choices that align with your authentic self.
Even though we love to adorn the world of design with an endless vocabulary of beauty, at the core, it all revolves around the individual: how they use it and why they use it.
A Brief History of Design
The word design originated in the early 1500s, initially tied to the concept of a sign, a drawing, or a mark often associated with exclusivity and high-society projects. From its earliest uses, design has been linked with novelty, beauty, and status.
Today, however, design has become less synonymous with beauty and more aligned with consumerism.
But the essence of design transcends the word itself. It was born in nature, in the innate human tendency to organize, shape, and find meaning. While the language around it may evolve, its deeper meaning—its purpose—remains timeless.
Design as Self-Realization or Social Performance?
In today’s world, interior design is often marketed as a form of self-realization. The message is clear: owning high-end furniture curated by elite professionals signals that you’ve “made it.” It conveys status, accomplishment, and an aspiration to even greater heights.
But this way of thinking fuels a cycle of social fragmentation, hierarchy, and unconscious decision-making. It pushes us further away from authenticity and closer toward external validation.
True Perspective
Whether you live in a luxurious penthouse or a cozy one-bedroom apartment, what matters is how you choose, why you choose, and who is doing the choosing. Is it really you—or the layers of influence you’ve unknowingly absorbed?
I invite you, the reader, to explore your inner world. To uncover the expectations, beliefs, and desires that quietly steer your preferences. When you do, your design choices become less about appearances and more about truth. The long-term result is clarity, ease, and often, unexpected harmony.
Awareness Brings Transformation
Once inauthentic perceptions are stripped away, a new kind of clarity arises. You’ll be surprised by how aware you become—of your need for natural light, the importance of texture in your furniture, the warmth of color, or even the joy of technology integrated into your living space. Things that once seemed trivial become essential.
You’ll also notice a shift in how you approach spending. Suddenly, price and value become two distinct things. This kind of clarity transforms the acquisition process into something fluid, free of resistance—often marked by synchronicity and surprising ease.
How Do You Get There?
It’s actually simple. But not necessarily easy.
This journey requires honesty, integrity, and discipline.
Honesty and integrity to face your true self, beyond influence or aspiration. Discipline to stay anchored in your truth—especially when external triggers tempt you to revert to old patterns.
And it begins with the basics: ask the right questions. Dig beneath the surface. That’s the path to bringing your authentic self to light—and, from there, building spaces that truly support who you are.
A gift for clarity, intention, and authenticity in your space.
Most of what’s said about interior design focuses on trends, aesthetics, or luxury. But your space is not just a visual project—it’s an emotional one. True interior design starts within, as a psychological and personal process that reflects who you are and who you are becoming.
This is not a questionnaire to complete and forget. It’s a mirror.
A tool to help you align your inner truth with the space you live in.Take your time. Be honest. Be curious. Each answer is an invitation to discover your deeper preferences, habits, and values. After each answer, pause and ask yourself:
- Why?
- How come I did this?
- What or who influenced this?
- When did I start believing or doing this?
You might surprise yourself.
5 Foundational Questions
Each with three follow-ups to unlock depth and insight.
1. What is your personal purpose for this project?
- On a scale from 1 to 5, how much do other people’s opinions about your space matter to you?
- After the project is complete, who will be your first guest? Will you host a celebration?
- How much time (weekly) do you expect to spend in this space?
2. What are the top three emotions you want to feel in your space every day?
- Do you prefer more or less natural light in your space?
- What color tones bring you ease or energy? Is there a dominant color that defines your sense of comfort?
- In which space do you feel most creative—your office, kitchen, bedroom, outdoors, or somewhere else?
3. Do you consider yourself an organized person?
- When a space is chaotic, can you still find what you’re looking for?
- Do plants survive and thrive in your home?
- What items are currently on your nightstand?
4. Look around your current space and choose one item (furniture or decor) that you know the story behind. Why did you choose it?
- How important was price in your decision at the time?
- Had you seen it—or something similar—in someone else’s space before?
- How many options did you consider before settling on this one?
5. How much influence do you believe money has on the outcome of a design project?
- If you truly love a product, are you willing to go over budget?
- Are you easily influenced or triggered by others’ opinions or decisions?
- Are you a “second chance” person, or do you have low tolerance for mistakes?
Your space becomes an extension of your inner truth—when that truth is seen, honored, and heard.
The more honest and aware you are during this process, the more harmonious your design experience will be. You’ll find that once clarity sets in, decisions flow with ease, money feels better spent, and even the smallest details hold joy.
As you work through the questions, journal your thoughts using these deeper prompts:
- Why did I choose this?
- What emotion does this bring out in me?
- How has my upbringing shaped this choice?
- What would I choose if no one else had an opinion?
- What does comfort really mean to me?
This guide is an invitation to release the external noise and reconnect with your authentic preferences, needs, and self-expression.
written by Amalia Predescu
copyright@DekoreStudio