Decorators

/ˈdɛkəreɪtərz/ noun

Definition

Plural of decorator; people who professionally design and arrange interior spaces or apply decorative finishes to buildings.

Etymology

From Latin decorātor meaning 'one who adorns', from decorāre 'to adorn' or 'to beautify', derived from decus 'ornament' or 'honor'. The modern professional sense developed in the 19th century with the rise of interior design as a specialized field.

Kelly Says

The profession of decorating evolved from medieval guild painters and plasterers into today's interior designers, reflecting changing ideas about domestic comfort and aesthetic expression. Interestingly, the term 'decorator' can refer to both house painters and interior designers, showing how manual craft and artistic vision remain connected in this field.

Ethical Language Guidance

Gender History

Interior decoration historically feminized as 'women's work' in 19th-20th centuries, creating gendered wage gaps and professional prestige divides from architecture.

Inclusive Usage

Use without gender stereotyping; recognize decorators across all genders contribute to spatial design innovation.

Inclusive Alternatives

["interior designers","spatial designers"]

Empowerment Note

Women pioneers like Elsie de Wolfe professionalized interior design and secured it as a respected field; their legacy should be credited when discussing design history.

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