What is the difference between Interior Design and Interior Decorating?

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What is the difference between Interior Design and Interior Decorating?

What is the difference between Interior Design and Interior Decorating? Many people use the term “interior decorator” and “interior designer” interchangeably. They are however very different roles each of which requires different skill sets.

Interior design is the art and science of understanding people’s behavior to create functional and attractive spaces within a building to suit a client’s lifestyle. An interior designer is someone who plans, researches, coordinates, and manages projects. Designs must adhere to code and regulatory requirements and encourage the principles of environmental sustainability.

Decoration is the furnishing or adorning of a space with fashionable or beautiful things. An interior decorator is someone who plans how the inside of a house or space will look. They create floor plans, create color schemes, select paint, furniture, lighting, window treatments, broadloom/rugs, accessories, art etc.

At Peacock & Owl, our team is comprised of certified interior decorators who are specialists in their field. Our decorators are do everything from decorating a whole home or cottage to decorating spaces like kitchens, bathrooms, basements etc.

Kitchen Designed by Interior Designer. Window Treatments Designed by Interior Decorator.

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Carol Ann Horvat

Carol Ann Horvat is a leading expert in Modern Classic Interior Design and the founder of Peacock & Owl, a full-service interior design firm. With over 15 years of experience, Carol Ann believes that great design isn’t just about how a home looks—it’s about how it makes you feel every time you walk through the door. Her blog shares design tips, advice, inspiration, and more to help people create a home they love living in.

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About

Carol Ann Horvat

Carol Ann, the owner of Peacock & Owl, has been transforming homes for over 10 years

PORTFOLIO

SERVICES

elegant wall art

Our goal is to help you fall in love with where you live! As a full-service design firm

PROCESS

modern bed design

Once we’ve agreed on scope of work, design fee’s and signed an agreement, we have our first meeting in your home

HOUZZ AWARDS

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TESTIMONIALS

We recently had the pleasure of working with Carol Ann from Peacock and Owl for the redecorating and interior renovation of our home, and the experience was overwhelmingly positive. From our initial consultation to the final touches, Carol Ann demonstrated exceptional professionalism, creativity, and attention to detail. She took the time to understand our vision and lifestyle, offering thoughtful design solutions that beautifully balanced functionality with aesthetics. The contractors she brought on board were equally impressive—attentive, skilled, and an absolute joy to work with. Their workmanship and respect for our home made the entire process smooth and enjoyable. We are absolutely thrilled with the transformation of our space and would not hesitate to use Carol Ann’s services again. We highly encourage other homeowners to do the same—you’ll be in excellent hands.

The Leaside Project

Working with Carol has been a great experience! She's professional, helpful, and has fantastic taste. Her designs are not only stylish but also practical, especially for families with young kids. I love how she finds beautiful, budget-friendly materials and décor. Plus, she's always quick to respond to any questions. The project is still in progress, and I can't wait to see it finished and share the photos. Highly recommend her!

Modern Classic Transformation

It was a delight collaborating with Carol from Peacock & Owl, and we couldn't be happier with the outcome! From the first meeting to the finishing touches, the entire experience was exceptional. Carol took the time to understand our ideas and vision, and her meticulous attention to detail transformed our space into a stunning, practical, and stylish home. We were particularly impressed with Carol's ability to seamlessly integrate our personal style with her expertise. Throughout the process, she remained approachable and receptive to our input, making the journey truly enjoyable. Additionally, Carol provides us with options that offered excellent value for money. While the project did exceed our initial timeline and budget, we anticipated these adjustments, and the end result made it all worthwhile. We are deeply grateful for Carol's talent, professionalism, and dedication to our project.

Modern Classic Bath Remodel

We hired Carol Ann and her team at Peacock & Owl to re-design and renovate our home and would highly recommend them. Loved the design and our project was well managed and executed within the timeframe we agreed to.

Condo Living Reimagined

Working with Carol Ann was a wonderful experience! Her recommendations for furniture, colours and accessories achieved the beautiful, classic home we hoped to have. She listened to our concerns and with her creativity was able to incorporate some of our existing pieces into the project. Her enthusiasm made her a joy to work with. We are thrilled with our new space!

90’s Décor Transformation

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