Red River College

Residential Decorating
Overview

Acquire the skills to successfully manage decorating projects to improve home spaces.  Learn to apply design principles to enhance the function and quality of both interior and exterior living environments. Gain the skills to analyze your clients' decorating needs for development of furniture floor plans, product purchases and installation arrangements.

> This program will provide you with key decorating competencies in this dynamic residential decorating industry. Customize your learning and gain additional skills and knowledge in areas such as sales and marketing, small business management, drafting, graphic design, and/or interior design.

> This program is available via classroom delivery.

> Six courses plus 80 hours of electives are required to earn a certificate.

Career Options:
Graduates will have the training to be employed as a Residential Decorators in a variety of organizations such as sales consultants in home improvement retail stores or as decorating consultants

New This Summer: Check out our new Residential Decorating short courses to help you stage homes and apply window treatments.

 

 

Recent Changes

We are pleased to announce that as of May 2009, the new Residential Decorating Program is now offered as a certificate.  This new program was based on Home Decorating and Residential Decorating courses which have been offered successfully for many years. 

 

Entrance Requirements
Regular Admission Requirements

Manitoba Grade 12

Special Admission Requirements
Applicants who are 19 years of age or older on or before September 30 in their year of registration, and who have been out of high school for a minimum of one year who do not meet the regular admission requirements may apply under the special admission requirements.
Objectives/Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the certificate program will be able to:

1. Design space plans for clients’ home decorating projects;
2. Apply decorating principles to create home decorating projects; 
3. Apply decorating elements by selecting appropriate furniture, floor coverings, window coverings and wall coverings; 
4. Promote and sell decorating services to potential clients;
5. Communicate with clients, suppliers and contractors; 
6. Manage decorating projects to completion and client satisfaction;
7. Adapt to innovation and change;
8. Demonstrate professionalism by meeting the decorating industry standards of conduct.

Program Outline

> Six courses, plus 80 hours of electives are required to earn a certificate.

Please note: Students who have previously completed Home Decorating courses will be provided with bridging opportunities to the new program. 

Core Courses: All Required:

Residential Decorating 1A - C
Residential Decorating 1B - C
Residential Decorating 2A - C
Residential Decorating 2B - C
Residential Decorating 3A - C
Residential Decorating 3B - C

Elective Courses: (80 hours required): 

Bookkeeping and Accounting for Small Business - C
Business Communication 1- C/D OR Basic Business Communications - C
Customer Service Relations - C
Computers - Intro - C/D
Graphic Design 1 - C/D
Management Principles 1 - C/D
Marketing 1 - C/D
Photoshop 1 (Mac or PC)  C/D
Project Management Fundamentals - C/D
Staging Your Home (20 hours) - C
Starting a Small Business - C
Success and Professionalism - C
Web Site Development – Intro - C/D
Window Treatments (20 hours) - C

Legend: C/D - Classroom or Distance Delivery | C - Classroom Delivery
D - Distance Delivery
Other Information
The Residential Decorator is committed to professional development and keeping abreast of current industry trends, standards, ethics and regulations. The related industry association is the Canadian Decorators’ Association (CDECA) which has a local Manitoba Chapter (Appendix A).
Graduation Requirements

When you have completed all the required courses in this program, be sure to apply for your certificate. Call 204.694.1789 or 1.866.242.7073. When you receive your certificate, you will be invited to participate in one of the College's semi-annual convocation ceremonies.

Students who obtain a grade point average (GPA) of 3.8 or better will graduate with honours. Students will not be granted more than 75% of credit requirements for graduation through transfer of credit. Students with any course failures within their program of study will not be eligible for the honours designation.

Employment Potential

Graduates may begin working at an entry-level with retailers and distributors of paint, wall coverings, flooring, fabric, window coverings, cabinetry, furnishings, lighting fixtures, and kitchen and bathroom fixtures.  With additional business skills, students may be able to build a consulting business with homeowners and/or homebuilders, or work with other companies specializing in residential decorating services. 

Human Resource Services Development Canada (HRSDC) currently classifies interior decorators in the National Occupational Codes under Retail Salespersons and Sales Clerks (NOC 6421). 


Program Content
  COURSE NAME COURSE HOURS
PDEV-1024 Residential Decorating 1A 40
PDEV-1025 Residential Decorating 1B 40
PDEV-2010 Residential Decorating 2A 40
PDEV-2011 Residential Decorating 2B 40
PDEV-3001 Residential Decorating 3A 40
PDEV-3002 Residential Decorating 3B 40
Electives  
COMM-1023 Basic Business Communications 40
BUSA-1026 Bookkeeping & Acctg/Sml Bus 36
CONS-1009 Building Materials 40
COMM-1000 Business Communication 1 64
COMP-1081 Computers - Intro 40
MRKT-1031 Customer Service Relations 30
MUME-1003 Graphic Design 1 36
MGMT-1161 Management Principles 1 40
MRKT-1061 Marketing 1 64
MUME-1112 PhotoShop (Mac) 1 40
PROJ-1030 Project Mgmt Fundamentals 44
PDEV-1030 Staging Your Home 20
BUSA-1027 Starting a Small Business 40
MUME-1633 Web Site Development - Intro 40
PDEV-1031 Window Treatments 20
 
Course Descriptions
COMM-1023 Basic Business Communications
Course Description

Develop the basic principles of business writing and discuss topics such as: standard business formats; the ability to write clear, readable letters and memos; and the importance of sound study habits and library skills. Also review correct grammar and usage and how to improve effectiveness as a speaker.

 
BUSA-1026 Bookkeeping & Acctg/Sml Bus
Course Description
Study the practical side of bookkeeping and accounting, and learn to identify basic internal control procedures. Become familiar with the recording process, ledgers and trial balance, financial statements and closing entries, cash and how to control it, accounts receivable, inventory and salaries.
 
CONS-1009 Building Materials
Course Description
Learn, through practical demonstrations, how to explain the function and performance of a variety of building materials. Explore both residential and commercial construction. Examine the following materials: wood, concrete, masonry materials, insulation and moisture barriers, structural steel, window materials and exterior finishes. Study the following methods: steel and wood framing and finishing, concrete forming, masonry, structural steel erection and connection, site preparation, curtain wall construction, basic electrical and plumbing, insulation and moisture barrier application.
 
COMM-1000 Business Communication 1
Course Description
Students will learn the techniques and processes involved in writing and speaking effectively for business. They will learn to apply the direct pattern to business correspondence. They will also develop report presentation skills by writing reports and then adapting them for oral presentation. Finally, they will learn to conduct and participate in meetings. Competent language usage will be emphasized throughout the course, as will individual and group work.
 
COMP-1081 Computers - Intro
Course Description
Increase your knowledge of computer fundamentals using a current Windows operating system. Content includes an introduction to common Microsoft Applications including Word, Excel, and time permitting Internet and PowerPoint.
 
MRKT-1031 Customer Service Relations
Course Description
Discover the skills necessary to deliver outstanding customer service. Students will develop knowledge and skills related to listening, empathy, body language, customer motivation and diversity, communication, self assessment, PMA (positive mental attitude), and conflict resolution. Since customer service consists primarily of interaction with others in various situations, students will enhance their interpersonal communication skills.
 
MUME-1003 Graphic Design 1
Course Description
Graphic Design 1 is the first of three courses that compose a study of basic design elements, principles and visual relationships. An exploration of creative thinking and problem solving will challenge you to produce innovative design solutions. Topics covered will include basic elements and design relationships; manipulation of two-dimensional space; graphic elements; type as a design element; analytical drawing and graphic simplification. Graphic Design 1 covers Part A of the first term course, Basics of Form, offered through daytime programming.
 
MGMT-1161 Management Principles 1
Course Description
Acquire the knowledge necessary to identify management functions and set out major principles, problems and objectives. Know the meaning of decision-making and learn how to stress the use of creative thinking in management. Discuss the fundamentals of organization and departmentalization, and learn the value of motivating people in management positions through communications, leadership and supervision. Study the methods used to control budgets, costs, quality, production and sales.
 
MRKT-1061 Marketing 1
Course Description
This course is designed to introduce students to basic marketing concepts and to encourage an analytical study of the marketing strategy process. This study will be supported by an exposure to target markets and marketing mix elements.
 
MUME-1112 PhotoShop (Mac) 1
Course Description
Professional digital image editing and image manipulation at its finest.  Learn the comprehensive basic program functions of PhotoShop including the use of painting and editing tools, making selections, colour correcting images, working with channels, preparing images for print. Learn many of the shortcuts and tips used by more experienced PhotoShop users.
 
PROJ-1030 Project Mgmt Fundamentals
Course Description

Study the fundamental aspects and principles of project management including life cycle, integration, planning, organization and communication. Learn about work breakdown structures, diagramming, cost management and resource allocation.

Examine todays issues affecting project management including risk management, quality, conflict, and team building.


 
PDEV-1024 Residential Decorating 1A
Course Description

Learn to decorate homes tastefully!  Gain skills to improve home decor with a design awareness that will enable you to analyze a space using the elements and principles of design, develop furniture floor plans and elevations. Prepare a furniture/accessory collage, and create a materials/colour scheme. Topics covered will include: elements principles of design, colour theory and schemes, paint and wall coverings, furniture, window coverings, sourcing and pricing of décor items, scope of the occupation, and professional expectations.  
Tours and guest speakers may be included. 
Note: This course was formerly Home Decorating 1 (60 hrs)

 

 

 

 
PDEV-1025 Residential Decorating 1B
Course Description

Learn to decorate homes tastefully!.  Gain skills to improve home decor with a design awareness that will enable you to analyze a space using the elements and principles of design, develop furniture floor plans and elevations. Topics will include: space planning theory, assessment of spaces for clients, space elevations and floor coverings.  A final project which encompasses Level 1A and B competencies will be included in this course
Note:This course was formerly the course Home Decorating 1 (60 hours). 

 

 

 

Prerequisites: 
   Residential Decorating 1A   PDEV-1024
 
PDEV-2010 Residential Decorating 2A
Course Description

Continue to explore the character of home décor in level 2 (Part A & B).  Learn  to utilize colour and fabric to decorate spaces, select appropriate furniture, alter the exterior look of your home, draft floor plans and elevations for basement rooms and  utility spaces (kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms), and arrange accessories.  Topics covered in Level 2A will include: colour psychology, fabric selection, furniture history and style, home exteriors, basement floor plans and elevations, and basement colour and furniture collages.  Tours of suppliers and galleries may be included.
Note: This course was formerly the Home Decorating 2 (60 hrs)

 

Prerequisites: 
   Residential Decorating 1B   PDEV-1025
 
PDEV-2011 Residential Decorating 2B
Course Description

Continue to explore the character of home décor in Residential Decorating 2A and 2B.  Learn  to utilize colour and fabric to decorate spaces, select appropriate furniture, alter the exterior look of your home, draft floor plans and elevations for basement rooms and  utility spaces (kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms), and arrange accessories.  Tours of suppliers and galleries may be included.

Topics covered in Level 2B will include lighting placement and plans, paint selection, accessory arrangement, utility space floor plans and elevations (kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms), and colour and furniture collages for utility spaces. 


Residential Decorating - Level 2 (80 hours)  was formerly the course Home Decorating 2 (60 hours).  The new RD - Level 2 will be split into two 40 hour courses, with Part A offered in the Fall term, and Part B offered in the Winter term. 

 

Prerequisites: 
   Residential Decorating 2A   PDEV-2010
 
PDEV-3001 Residential Decorating 3A
Course Description

Employ your decorating skills gained in earlier courses (Level 1 & 2), as you design your final project in Level 3.  Learn to present specifications and cost estimates to clients, develop a resume and portfolio applicable to the industry, and apply related building codes. 
Topics include: drafting basic space plans; construction and interior clearance codes; project management and communications, working with clients, vendors, contractors, and tradespeople; paperwork requirements for projects; writing up of specs for cost estimates.
Tours of homes and décor suppliers, and guest speakers may be included.
Note: This course was formerly Home Decorating 3 (60 hours). The new RD - Level 3 will be split into two 40 hour courses

 

 

Prerequisites: 
   Residential Decorating 2B   PDEV-2011
 
PDEV-3002 Residential Decorating 3B
Course Description

Employ your decorating skills gained in  Level 1 & 2 courses, as you design your final project in Level 3.  Learn to present specifications and cost estimates to clients, develop a resume and portfolio applicable to the industry, and apply related building codes.  Topics covered include: career information and promotion, and a final project based on the cumulative skills gained in Levels 1 to 3.  Throughout most of this course, students will develop a final program residential decorating project which will be presented to the class and other professionals. 
Note: This formerly the course Home Decorating 3 (60 hours).  The new RD - Level 3 will be split into two 40 hour courses.

Tours of homes and décor suppliers, and guest speakers may be included.


 

Prerequisites: 
   Residential Decorating 3A   PDEV-3001
 
PDEV-1030 Staging Your Home
Course Description

Learn to transform your home into a welcoming, appealing and attractive property.  Before you sell your residence, use staging skills to increase its impact in the real estate marketplace.  Gain the skills to stage a home for results, enhance appeal, minimize flaws, depersonalize and de-clutter, and lay out “inviting” furniture and accessories.

>The workshop will be held in 5 consecutive  sessions.

Topics:
• Staging for Results (4 hours)
• Enhancing A Home’s Appeal(4 hours)
• Minimizing A Home’s Flaws (4 hours)
• Depersonalizing and De-cluttering(4 hours)
• “Inviting” Furniture/Accessories (4 hours)

 

 
BUSA-1027 Starting a Small Business
Course Description
Explore almost every aspect of starting a small business, with this practical course that is designed to serve as a basic reference guide. Learn to develop a business plan and a result-oriented marketing plan. Familiarize yourself with financing, financial statements, financial analysis and planning, staffing needs and staff management, role of government, purchasing and control.
 
MUME-1633 Web Site Development - Intro
Course Description
Explore the fundamentals of web site development, the origins of the Internet, the latest web technologies, communication theory, hypertext markup language (HTML) and project management. Apply the theory and concepts as you learn to build a personal web site proposal in a team environment.
 
PDEV-1031 Window Treatments
Course Description

Enhance your home’s window appeal using professional decorating skills in this 20-hour workshop.  Learn how to select blinds, shades, shutters and drapes; choose window treatment hardware and “soft”ware; measure and estimate; select appropriate treatments; and check out window décor trends.

Topics:
• Blinds/Shades, Shutters and Drapes (4 hours)
• Window Treatment Hardware/“Soft”ware (4 hours)
• Measuring and Estimating (4 hours)
• Choosing The Right Treatment (4 hours)
• Window Treatment Trends (4 hours)

 

 



Contact Information

If you require further information contact:

School of Continuing and Distance Education
C116-2055 Notre Dame Ave
Winnipeg, MB R3H 0J9
Phone: 204.694.1789 or 1.866.242.7073
Fax: 204.633.6489
E-mail: cde@rrc.mb.ca