It is instinctive to identify with the place in which we live. Our home is a vehicle for self-expression. When we consider the time we spend at home and the money we invest, it's only natural to furnish our home in a manner that means something to us.

The magnitude of choices in home furnishings can confuse more than inspire; understandably most people still approach decorating in a disorganized and piecemeal approach. They buy a sofa here, a table there, without any idea of how the final composition will look.

Decorators and designers formulate the total composition and then purchase the furnishings.

We begin with a "design plan." Planning avoids costly decorating mistakes. The planning starts with the design concept, color scheme and style. From there we move forward in an organized manner to achieve the client's desired outcome.

At Heritage we learn the step-by-step process. There are guidelines. The student learns how to utilize space and combine line, form, texture, color, scale, emphasis, unity, style and balance on class projects. Design is interpretation. Style is expression. Each client has their vision for their home. The decorator produces the visual form.

There are no objective standards in design and decoration. What is airy and uplifting to one person is spartan to another; one person's cozy clutter may be someone else's visual nightmare.

Style isn't irrelevant…far from it…and our lives would be much less fun without it. But no style works unless you pay attention to the elements and principles of design. In other words, the layers below the surface (the why and why not).

Each of us has worked hard at pleasing our "eye".  To please the client's "eye" requires a greater understanding of design.

The foundation of Heritage School's training is to instill the necessary guidelines, procedures and skills to enable our students to pursue an active role in the design industry, either through employment or self-employment. Our goal is to create a fun, stimulating work environment to promote each student's success. This is accomplished through personal attention and an excellent and thorough curriculum (refer to Course Outline).

Most important is the instructor's ability to impart their knowledge (refer to Our Instructors).