SPECIFICATION BASICS FOR INTERIOR DESIGNERS: Include this in your specification documents

Summary

In this video, Cynthia from Space for Edit dives into the intricacies of interior design specifications. She explains that specs are primarily for tradespeople and the design team, detailing the importance of specifying everything from wall finishes and furniture to lighting and flooring. Cynthia provides practical tips on gathering and documenting essential information like product codes, finishes, and maintenance instructions. She emphasizes the need for clear communication to avoid costly mistakes and ensures a smooth installation process.

Takeaways

• 📄 Specification sheets are crucial documents in interior design projects, primarily for tradespeople and the design team, not usually for clients.
• 🏠 Everything in an interior space can potentially be specified by a designer, from furniture to wall coverings, lighting, and even artwork.
• 🔍 For wall finishes, it's important to specify the supplier, color code, finish type, and preparation and maintenance instructions.
• 🛋️ Furniture specifications should include product codes, quantities, finishes, and sizes, with details often referenced on technical drawings.
• 💡 Lighting specifications require attention to lamp types, color tones, lumen levels, and whether the fixture is dimmable.
• 🍽️ Equipment, especially in commercial settings, should be specified with details on finishes, sizes, model types, and power requirements.
• 🌿 Flooring specifications need to cover pattern types, sizes, thicknesses, and subfloor preparation methods.
• 🖼️ Breakout items, like artwork and decorative pieces, also require documentation of quantities, product codes, and dimensions.
• 💻 A helpful tip for organizing specification research is to name files with supplier and collection information to streamline the documentation process.
• 🔗 Collaboration with suppliers and reps is key, as they provide valuable information for accurate specifications and can save time in the design process.

Q & A

Who are specification documents primarily for in interior design projects?

Specification documents are primarily for the trade and the design team, including builders, decorators, architects, and the design team. Clients are usually not involved in the proofreading of these documents.

Can specification sheets be part of a technical drawing pack or a separate document?

Specification sheets can either be a separate document or added to a technical drawing pack, depending on the project requirements and the designer's preference.

What is an example of an item that would be specified by an interior designer?

Interior designers would specify items such as sofa finishes, fabrics, artwork, curtains, upholstery, tables, paint samples, wall coverings, lighting, and flooring.

What information is needed for specifying paint finishes in a specification document?

For paint finishes, the specification document should include the supplier, color code, finish type (matte, eggshell, waterproof, etc.), and preparation and maintenance instructions for the surface.

How does the specification process differ for wallpaper compared to paint?

For wallpaper, the specification includes the supplier, collection code, pattern/color spec, installation height, and maintenance instructions. It may also require an elevation drawing to show where the wallpaper starts and ends on the wall.

What additional information is required when specifying bespoke items like murals or vinyls?

Bespoke items like murals or vinyls require color specification, dimensions, and details about surface preparation. It's crucial to specify who is responsible for preparing the surface for installation.

Why is it important to specify the quantity of furniture pieces in a project?

Specifying the quantity of furniture pieces is important because it directly impacts the project budget. Misspecification can lead to significant cost discrepancies, especially for high-value items.

What are some key details to include when specifying lighting in an interior design project?

When specifying lighting, include the product code, finishes, sizes, lamp type, light color tone, Lumen levels, and whether the light is dimmable. This information is crucial for the electrician during installation.

Why might a designer specify equipment details even if it's not their area of expertise?

Designers might specify equipment details to ensure consistency with the overall design and to communicate specific requirements to the professionals responsible for equipment installation, such as finish and height specifications.

What should be considered when specifying flooring in an interior design project?

When specifying flooring, consider the collection, color or pattern, size, thickness, and any specific installation patterns like herringbone or fishtail. Also, include subfloor preparation requirements such as screening or leveling.

How can organizing digital samples during the research phase benefit the specification process?

Organizing digital samples with supplier and collection information in the file name during research can streamline the specification process by readily providing necessary details when compiling information for drawings and documentation.

Outlines

00:00

📘 Introduction to Interior Design Specifications

Cynthia introduces the topic of interior design specifications, explaining that these documents are primarily for the trade and the design team, including builders, decorators, and architects. She clarifies that clients are usually not involved in the intricacies of specifications and technical drawings. Cynthia emphasizes the importance of specifications in interior design projects and gives a brief overview of what can be specified, such as flooring finishes, decorative elements, artwork, fabrics, and lighting. She also mentions that these specifications can be part of a separate document or included in technical drawings.

05:02

🖌️ Specifying Wall Finishes and Paints

The video segment delves into the specifics of specifying wall finishes, particularly paints. Cynthia discusses the need to include supplier information, color codes, and finish types such as matte, shiny, or waterproof. She also highlights the importance of detailing surface preparation, the number of coats required, and post-application care. For wallpapers and murals, additional details like starting points, full height installation, and maintenance are crucial. Cynthia stresses the value of reps (representatives) in providing accurate specifications and ensuring that all information is correctly documented to avoid costly mistakes.

10:04

🪑 Furniture and Lighting Specifications

Cynthia covers the process of specifying furniture and lighting, emphasizing the role of suppliers in providing detailed product information. For furniture, she mentions the necessity of including product codes, quantities, finishes, and sizes. Lighting specifications require attention to lamp types, color temperatures, lumen levels, and dimmability. She also touches on equipment specification, which often involves collaboration with specialized departments, and the importance of detailing quantities, finishes, model types, and power requirements.

15:06

🌿 Breakout Items and Practical Tips for Specification

In the final paragraph, Cynthia discusses 'breakout' or styling items such as artwork and foliage, which also require detailed documentation. She advises on specifying quantities, product codes, and dimensions. Cynthia shares a practical tip for organizing samples and reference materials by including supplier and collection information in file names to streamline the specification process. She concludes by hinting at future videos that will delve deeper into the specification process and an upcoming collaboration with a company called 'foreign box'.

Keywords

💡Specification

Specification in the context of interior design refers to the detailed documentation that outlines the exact materials, finishes, and other requirements for a project. It is a critical component of the design process, ensuring that the vision is accurately executed. In the video, Cynthia discusses how specifications are primarily for tradespeople like builders and decorators, and includes details like paint finishes, wallpaper patterns, and furniture types.

💡Technical Drawing

A technical drawing is a detailed and accurate representation of a design, used to guide construction or manufacturing. In interior design, these drawings often include specifications for materials, dimensions, and installation details. Cynthia mentions that specification information can be added directly to technical drawings, such as indicating the type of flooring or the finish of a mantle piece.

💡Interior Design Project

An interior design project encompasses the planning and execution of design elements within an interior space. This includes selecting colors, materials, furniture, and lighting to create a functional and aesthetically pleasing environment. The video script discusses various aspects of specifying an interior design project, such as wall finishes, furniture, and lighting.

💡Tradespeople

Tradespeople are skilled workers who specialize in various aspects of construction and renovation, such as carpentry, electrical work, and plumbing. In the video, Cynthia explains that specification documents are primarily for these professionals, as they need precise information to execute the design plans accurately.

💡Wall Finishes

Wall finishes refer to the materials and treatments applied to the walls of a space, such as paint, wallpaper, or specialty finishes like murals. The script highlights the importance of specifying wall finishes in detail, including the type of paint, its finish, and application instructions.

💡Furniture Specification

Furniture specification involves detailing the exact requirements for furniture pieces in a design, including materials, dimensions, and upholstery. Cynthia emphasizes the importance of working with suppliers to ensure that all details are accurately specified, such as the product code, quantity, and finishes.

💡Lighting

Lighting in interior design is not just about illumination but also about creating ambiance and highlighting design features. The video script discusses specifying lighting, which includes choosing the right lamp type, color temperature, and lumen levels to achieve the desired effect.

💡Equipment

In the context of commercial interior design, equipment refers to the machinery and appliances used in spaces like kitchens or bars. Cynthia mentions that while designers may not always specify this equipment, they may need to provide certain information like finish or height requirements to the professionals who do.

💡Flooring

Flooring specification involves choosing and detailing the type of flooring material, its pattern, and installation requirements. The script explains the need to specify details like the collection, color, pattern, and size of flooring materials, which are crucial for ensuring the correct product is installed.

💡Breakfront Items

Breakfront items, also known as styling items, are decorative elements that add character and personality to a space. These can include artwork, decorative objects, and foliage. Cynthia notes that these items also need to be specified with details like quantity, product codes, and dimensions to ensure they are incorporated correctly into the design.

Highlights

Introduction to the importance of specifications in interior design projects.

Explanation of who the specification documents are primarily for, including builders, decorators, architects, and the design team.

Clarification that clients are usually not involved in the specification process.

Discussion on the inclusion of specifications as a standard practice in interior design projects.

Overview of what can be specified in an interior design project, highlighting that almost every element can be specified.

Demonstration of specifying various elements in a space, including furniture, fabrics, and artwork.

Emphasis on the importance of specifying wall finishes, such as paint, wallpaper, and murals.

Guidance on gathering information for specification documents, including supplier details and product codes.

Advice on specifying paint finishes, including surface preparation and application instructions.

Details on specifying wallpaper, including starting points and full height installations.

Importance of including maintenance and application instructions in specifications.

Discussion on specifying furniture, including product codes, quantities, and finishes.

Explanation of the process for specifying lighting, with a focus on lamp types and lumen levels.

Mention of specifying equipment, such as kitchen appliances, and the importance of including wattage and model details.

Coverage of flooring specifications, including pattern types, sizes, and subfloor preparation.

Discussion on specifying breakfront items, such as artwork and foliage, and the need for detailed documentation.

Tip for organizing and saving samples and information during the research phase for easy reference later.

Conclusion and a tease for future videos that will delve deeper into the specification process.

Transcripts

hello everyone welcome back to space for

edit my name is Cynthia and on this

channel we talk about all the things

that I don't teach you in design school

but you need to know in the real world

today's video is all about specification

for your interior design project first

of all we need to figure out who these

documents are for so specification

sheets can actually go on a separate

document or can be added to a technical

drawing pack so if we are talking about

flooring finishes it can be a separate

document or that information can go on

an actual drawing itself it will make

sense later on as we talk through the

video and who are these documents for

these documents are mostly for the trade

and the design team so these are

Builders these are decorators these are

Architects and the design team clients

don't usually tend to kind of get

involved in this much specification and

are not that involved in like the

proofreading of the drawings or the spec

Sheets if you're creating something for

your client then it will be more like a

visual presentation or like actual

physical finishes that you will present

to them but it's a general practice that

interior designers do we add the

specification to our projects because

it's a very important part of it there's

a lot of work that we need to put into

okay so what can be specified in an

interior design project well if you just

start to look around then you will see

that basically everything let me

actually quickly take you around and

just point out to all the things that if

this space was designed by an interior

designer well it kind of is but at the

same time this is not an official job

but let me just take you around and show

you what little bits you would specify

I'm gonna use my phone camera so I don't

need to mess about with this hey welcome

to the creative mess so let's say for

example sofa finish fabric specified by

interior designer because you

decorative elements specified by

interior designer

artwork and clearly someone has

forgotten to specify that artwork by

interior designer

um

fabrics and shears curtains upholstery

specified by interior designer

table

specified by interior designer

um hey perfect example finish of the

mantle piece that I have forgotten to uh

I've not forgotten about it it is very

much still

yeah it's very much still happening but

um yeah so paint samples specified by

interior designer

um Furniture interior designer interior

designer decoration wall coverings paint

by interior designer lighting by

interior designer and now I'm actually

looking around as well I can see the

kitchen kitchen unit kitchen appliances

specified by interior designer Doors

door finishes door types

um Iron mongaree so any kind of detail

um what else light switches everything

flooring I forgot to mention flooring

rugs so all the elements basically

that's that surround the person in the

space can be that always is but can be

specified by interior design so we have

a few categories to go through mostly

the same things apply to each category

but there are some specifics that are

maybe only specific for Fabrics in

comparison to wall finishes so I will

take you through category by category

and just point out the things that you

would have to specify on these documents

or on your drawings for your interior

design projects the first one let's

tackle wall finishes so these could be

either paints wallpaper maybe some

bespoke vinyls that are more likely to

happen on Commercial projects or even a

bespoke mural that you would go to an

actual artist to do for you so what

information do you need to gather for

the specification documents so for pain

finishes here I've got a Dulux fan with

me you will obviously have to specify

the supplier so who's supplying the

products the code for the color

which whichever you like to go with

whether you have trade palette or you

have something that you get in the store

everything right down to the tea and

make sure you do not miss out and make

sure you do double check then paint also

have finishes so whether it's matte

whether it's with a Sheen or whether

it's eggshell whether it's a waterproof

or maybe it's exterior all of that

information you can access on the

suppliers website or even speaking to

your reps so don't feel like you kind of

have to magically figure out and know

all of the specifications I will talk

about this in a bit as well reps are the

ones that we rely on and we love them

and we are very grateful for them a

specific note that we often leave on

these documents regarding paints is how

the surface should be prepared for

install and how many codes you should

apply and how it should be looked after

afterwards this is again something that

you are not supposed to magically know

you can find that out in the user

manuals and obviously the number of

codes is usually two sometimes three but

usually it's just two it's more like

common sense and more like covering your

backside and this will pretty much apply

to everything that we talk about today

it's really just cover bring your back

and making sure that it is foolproof for

wallpaper it is a very much similar

story I'm just gonna grab this one

I've got probably an outdated book over

here because I've not really updated my

books in absolute ages so wall coverings

what have we got let's take this one for

example so same goes for wallpapers as

well we need the supplier we need the

collection code and we need maybe the

pattern slash color spec as well and all

of that you can always find on these

cards or on the back of the cards or in

the front of the cards or on the

Internet alongside that information you

also need to specify where does it start

from sometimes wallpapers are installed

oxidado rail height or maybe just start

in a dado and going all the way and if

it's obviously full height then it's

going to be full height install so this

is where drawings come in if we think

that we have some wall paneling up to

date or high and then we have wallpaper

above we will need an elevation of that

an explanation more notes more details

so it makes sense to have all of this

information on an actual drawing with

floor plan with elevations with more

detail with notes and all of that so it

can be a separate document but most

likely it will be on a detailed drawing

and again same applies to maintenance

and application so maybe you want to

specify what kind of glue should be used

if you don't want to go with the

manufacturers or the suppliers

suggestions maybe your project is kind

of environmentally driven so you want to

use products that are more like

eco-friendly but if that's not the case

then obviously you can just say to

install as per manufacturer's guidelines

okay put in this back and then we have

murals and bespoke vinyls left as with

everything that is bespoke you have to

include a lot more information and

specifically it is color specification

so whether you are referring to Ral

colors whether you're referring to a

specific supplier for paint that the

artist might be using this is obviously

always discussed during the design

process rough idea of Dimension so

overall dimensions if it's a wall vinyl

let's say it says something like that

quote that you always see but first

coffee so let's imagine that that's a

vinyl print so where is it going to go

on the wall how big it is overall and

again we are going back to the fact that

something like this should probably be

included in a drawing something that's

worth mentioning regarding vinyl is a

note of who is going to be preparing the

surface and whose responsibility is to

make sure that the team can arrive and

start their work all of this little

information is very very crucial because

all of these costs can really add up and

throw your budget right out of the

window it's happened before off you

don't want it this is not a good

position why did I decide to do this

okay Furniture let's talk about

furniture specification this is where

our suppliers come in personally I Rely

a lot on my furniture suppliers when I'm

specifying anything for a project they

know their stuff they know all the ins

and outs about the product so why

shouldn't I trust them to do that job

and take that responsibility off of

maybe my to-do list so first of all you

will need the product code if you want

to go extra mile you can add the image

of the actual product but usually reps

know what you are talking about then you

will need to know quantity so how many

of each are you looking for and this is

so so so crucial if it's a big project

and you need 15 armchairs and one

armchair costs 500 600 pounds then

there's a big difference in those

numbers if you specify 15 or 17 chairs

then you need to specify the finishes so

anything from the frame from legs

whether it's wood or metal to the

upholstery if it's an upholstered chair

if it's not an upholstered piece of

furniture maybe it's just stained so you

need to specify all of that detail as

well and then if there's different

variations of the product you need to

specify the size of it so for example

for coffee tables this collection could

have a smaller version of it or a higher

version or even a lower version so you

need to make sure that you specify those

details as well Furniture is something

that's very often done on a technical

drawing so you would have your table

with all the information that we just

discussed and you will have the

quantities there and you will have a

specific code let's say if it's a table

then it will be T1 T2 T3 T4 and so on

chair c H1 ch2 and all of these little

codes you will place on the actual

drawing itself so it's easy to reference

it straight away now this can also be

done on a separate document some

designers do that as well but the most

common way is to include all of this on

a drawing sheet next we have lighting

lighting is very similar to Furniture

because it's like this separate piece or

element of interior design of the whole

scheme so all the usual things go with

it product code finishes whether it's

powder coated or not whether it's got

like a brow finish the sizes again you

could have a collection of similar

pendant lights but they come in

different sizes so you need to make sure

that you specify the right size the

specific thing about lighting is making

sure that you specify the right lamp

type so what type of light bulb will you

need is it just going to be something

from standard or maybe you can have

something a bit more design lead like

those Edison bulbs what's the light

color tone is it cold or warm white and

also what's the Lumen levels that you

want it to be and is it dimmable or not

all of this information is quite crucial

for the electrician who's going to be

installing the lights so when they

receive this information they know what

they need to prepare on site or they

know what they are dealing with let's

quickly touch on equipment this is not

something that I'm too familiar with

because there has always been a

department that deals with that so if we

think about let's say restaurant kitchen

or a front of house counter so all of

that equipment that goes in there

cooking equipment

dishwashers fridges and things like that

has always been specified by someone

else because they are pros at it but

there is some information that we as

designers had to pass on to them so it

might be a real finish or specific

height so usually the same things apply

for specifying equipment as well

quantities finishes model type model

code photos of the the equipment if

possible and something quite specific is

also the wattage how much power does

this does this piece of equipment

require and usually the equipment piece

can actually have two documents one will

be like a separate document where it's

just information and then the other will

be a reference on a drawing sheet where

it's got all the codes on it any extra

information so this can actually double

up and then we have flooring I have a

flooring book here from um Tico not

sponsored

um but same really goes to flooring

samples as well you need to know the

collection the specific kind of color

combinations or pattern and for flooring

sometimes you might have like a specific

pattern and I'm just thinking well I

could show you I know if you'll be able

to see but there are specific types of

patterns that you can do whether it's

fishtail herringbone like you can see

there and when it comes to sizes usually

flooring tiles or planks are available

in different sizes so all of that

information you can always find on the

box let's see where it's here so there's

like a you know you probably can't see

but there's like a big table there you

can also always find this information

online or from your ref and add it to

your specification sheet flooring also

usually has different depths sometimes

the collection have different

thicknesses so if that's the case you

would add that information on as well

one little extra note that you might

want to add to your flooring spec is the

prep of the subfloor some floors are

very dodgy most likely all of the floors

are quite dodgy so do you need screening

do you need leveling out do you need

some kind of an underlay so all of that

information needs to be specified along

specifying your flooring this is why

it's a lot more easier to add that on a

whole drawing sheet rather than on a

separate document and the last thing is

break a brag items now you might not

call this breaker black items I think

that is just something that commercial

designers have kind of picked up and we

just use it on day to day but basically

if it's all the little styling items so

anything from artwork on the walls to

shelfy moments whatever you're going to

be decorating them with all of those

little items also need to be looked at

and need to be documented also any

foliage foliage also any foliage that

you are specifying will be included in

this as well whether it's full or real

it needs to be documented so as with

everything else you will need to know

the quantities the product code the

overall Heights of the items if it's

artwork then any specific product codes

or like specific frame finishes and

usually this is put on a separate

document so not on a drawing but if your

project requires that much detail or

maybe you need to go in a lot more

detail explanation then you can put that

on a drawing and refer it to in which

area that will be going again it's just

foolproofing everything and making sure

that you include all of that information

so there's no surprises when it comes to

install day okay guys that is roughly it

so you can by now tell that all of the

information like I mentioned in the

beginning it kind of repeats itself

quantities codes specification rail

finish color code but there are some

specifics to each material each finish

or Furniture piece that is specific just

to that category one little tip that I

can add on to finish up the video when

you are saving for example fabric

samples this is saving it on your

computer when you're doing the research

whether you're saving fabric samples

whether you're saving a photo of a

Furniture piece always in the title of

the actual file name the supplier and

the collection so later down the line

when you are trying to gather all this

information and put it on your drawings

you already have that information and

you don't have to think like oh what was

this and where did I place that sample

and where was that from it's a lot

easier for you later down the line and

you can be a lot more productive okay

guys my

my legs are in pain Needles and Pins

pins and needles what did they say I'm

never picking this angle ever again but

I hope you found this video useful there

will be more future videos talking about

specification and I will be going

through kind of category by category if

you wish and we also have a little

collaboration coming through with

foreign

box if you've not heard about them then

you will in the upcoming weeks as I went

down to London to see them and to learn

more about what the company is about if

there's anything specific that you want

to know about specification process let

me know in the comments I will be doing

a future project where I'm going through

a drawing pack step by step so I will be

including all of this information

talking about the process of specifying

so that is definitely coming up is just

a big project so keep your eyes peeled

and just sit aside for it because it's

quite a big deal to film and create an

interior design project so just bear

with hope you enjoyed today's video make

sure you check out the other videos and

if you want to connect with me on a More

one-to-one Level make sure you follow me

on Instagram but if I don't see you

there then I'll see you in the next

video bye

foreign