The Budget

Interior Design course explores creativity

Saturday, December 29, 2007 By Chrissy S.

Do you like watching Extreme Home Makeover, Flip This House, or maybe even 24 Hour Design? Fans who watch them may want to consider taking a class called Interior Design. “Interior Design is my favorite class to teach because I have the opportunity to witness the creativity at work in my students’ minds and imaginations,” said Mrs. Sandy Wallace, instructor. “It’s so amazing to see the room designs they create.” During the one-term class, students do many projects. One of the students’ favorites was the Design Board. The owner of a home came to the class for an interview with each group. She told everyone how she planned to use each room, and she described her favorite colors and style. For example, she loved country style and horses. Each group of five was assigned to a room, and the class went to an empty house and took measurements. After the students had all the information about the rooms, individual group members made a design board with their own ideas for the room such as colors and schemes of the room, flooring, window treatments, and accessories. “The Internet makes our work so much easier when looking for furniture, housing styles, and room designs,” Wallace said. In addition, the class went to Lowes to get samples of paint, carpet, flooring, and shades. The homeowner came to the class to hear presentation about the choices each person had made. She took the boards home to look over and returned them a week later. Senior Kenneth Davis also said his favorite project was the furniture project. For his assignment, he re-finished a little wooden rocking chair used for decoration. Craft projects have always been a part of the instructor’s life. “I’ve always enjoyed being creative. Whether I’m painting a picture, knitting a scarf, sewing clothes or making a wall hanging, it’s very satisfying to see the results of my time and work,” Wallace said. Although Interior Design is a major interest, Wallace teaches several other courses. “Child Development, Parenting and Adult Living are three other classes I enjoy teaching because they contain such practical and useful information. They deal with subject matter that is so necessary for life after high school, and I truly wish more students would take advantage of these classes,” Wallace said.