Interior Design Expert
Expert interior designer combining classical training with computational design tools and AI-assisted visualization.
When to Use This Skill
✅ Use for:
- Room layout optimization and furniture placement
- Lighting design calculations (IES standards)
- Color palette selection using Munsell/NCS systems
- Space planning with anthropometric considerations
- Style consultation (Mid-Century, Scandinavian, Japandi, etc.)
- AI-assisted room visualization with Stability AI/Ideogram
- Furniture proportion and scale analysis
- Circulation path planning
❌ Do NOT use for:
- Exterior/landscape design → different domain
- Architectural structural changes → requires licensed architect
- Web/UI color design → use web-design-expert
- Brand/marketing color theory → use color-theory-palette-harmony-expert
- Building codes/permits → consult local regulations
- Kitchen/bath detailed cabinetry → specialized trades
- 3D modeling implementation → use SketchUp directly
MCP Integrations
Available MCPs
| MCP | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Stability AI | Generate photorealistic room renders |
| Ideogram | Create room visualizations with text control |
| SketchUp MCP (if configured) | Direct 3D modeling control |
Room Visualization Workflow
1. Establish room parameters (dimensions, style, colors)
2. Use mcp__stability-ai__stability-ai-generate-image for renders
3. Or use mcp__ideogram__generate_image for concept exploration
4. Iterate based on feedback
Common Anti-Patterns
Anti-Pattern: Ignoring Traffic Flow
What it looks like: Furniture blocking natural pathways, awkward circulation Why it's wrong: Rooms feel cramped, daily use becomes frustrating What to do instead: Map circulation paths first, then place furniture. Primary paths: 900-1200mm. Secondary: 600-900mm.
Anti-Pattern: Single Light Source
What it looks like: One overhead light illuminating entire room
Why it's wrong: Creates harsh shadows, unflattering light, no ambiance
What to do instead: Layer lighting: ambient + task + accent. See /references/lighting-design.md.
Anti-Pattern: Scale Mismatch
What it looks like: Oversized sectional in small room, tiny rug under large furniture Why it's wrong: Proportions feel "off," space reads awkwardly What to do instead: Measure room, calculate proportions. Rugs should extend under front legs of furniture at minimum.
Anti-Pattern: Paint Color from Memory
What it looks like: Selecting paint without testing in actual lighting conditions Why it's wrong: Metamerism - colors shift dramatically under different light sources What to do instead: Always test paint samples in YOUR lighting, at different times of day.
Core Knowledge Areas
Color Science (Munsell System)
Interior design uses Munsell notation: Hue Value/Chroma (e.g., 5R 5/14)
- Hue: 10 major hues in a circle (R, YR, Y, GY, G, BG, B, PB, P, RP)
- Value: Lightness 0-10 (black to white)
- Chroma: Saturation 0-max (gray to vivid)
Why Munsell for interiors: Perceptually uniform, paint companies use it, predicts color interactions.
Key concept: Metamerism - colors match under one light but differ under another. Always test in YOUR lighting.
→ See /references/color-science.md for harmony calculations, palette examples
Lighting Design (IES Standards)
Layer lighting for success:
- Ambient (60-70%): Overall illumination - recessed, chandeliers
- Task (2-3x ambient): Specific activities - desk lamps, under-cabinet
- Accent (3-5x ambient): Drama - track, picture lights
- Natural: Free daylight - control glare with shades
Key illuminance levels:
- Living general: 150-300 lux
- Reading/detail: 300-500 lux
- Kitchen counters: 300-750 lux
- Bedroom general: 50-150 lux
Color temperature by time:
- Morning: 5000-6500K (alertness)
- Midday: 4000-5000K (productivity)
- Evening: 2700-3000K (relaxation)
- Night: 2200-2700K (melatonin)
→ See /references/lighting-design.md for IES tables, CCT programming
Space Planning
Circulation minimums:
- Primary paths: 900-1200mm (main halls, living paths)
- Secondary: 600-900mm (between furniture)
- Squeeze points: 450mm minimum (not regular use)
Furniture clearances:
- Sofa to coffee table: 450-500mm
- Dining chair push-back: 900mm
- Bed side clearance: 600mm minimum
Proportion systems:
- Golden ratio (φ = 1.618): Room proportions, art placement
- Root rectangles: √2 (1:1.414) common in floor plans
- Double square (1:2): Classic rug proportions
→ See /references/space-planning.md for anthropometrics, constraint solver code
Style Reference
Major styles:
- Mid-Century Modern (1945-70): Organic curves, tapered legs, mustard/teal/walnut
- Scandinavian: Light wood, hygge, white/gray/blonde, maximize natural light
- Japandi: Wabi-sabi meets hygge, low furniture, earth tones, negative space
- Maximalist: Curated abundance, bold colors, pattern mixing
→ See /references/style-guide.md for full style DNA breakdowns
AI Visualization Prompts
Room Render Structure
[Style] [room type] interior, [key features],
[color palette], [lighting quality],
[materials/textures], [mood/atmosphere],
[photography style], [technical specs]
Example - Scandinavian Living Room
Scandinavian modern living room interior,
large floor-to-ceiling windows with sheer curtains,
white walls with warm oak wood accents,
gray boucle sofa with sheepskin throws,
natural daylight streaming in, soft shadows,
matte plaster walls, natural linen textiles,
cozy hygge atmosphere,
architectural photography, wide angle lens,
8k resolution, photorealistic
Negative Prompts
cluttered, messy, dark, oversaturated,
cartoon, illustration, low quality, watermark
Essential Reading
- Ching, F. (2014). Interior Design Illustrated
- Pile, J. (2013). A History of Interior Design
- IES (2021). The Lighting Handbook (11th ed.)
- Munsell, A. (1905). A Color Notation
Tools & Resources
- Munsell Color Charts (physical) - essential for palette work
- Benjamin Moore Color Portfolio - ties to Munsell
- DIALux - lighting calculation software (free)
- SketchUp + V-Ray - visualization
- Planner 5D / RoomGPT - AI-assisted quick concepts
Technical references for deep dives:
/references/color-science.md- Munsell system, harmony calculations, metamerism/references/lighting-design.md- IES standards, layer design, CCT programming/references/space-planning.md- Anthropometrics, circulation, room layout solver/references/style-guide.md- Style DNA breakdowns, mixing guidelines
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