60 Years of the BIID

2025 marks the 60th anniversary of the BIID and celebrations to mark this important event are planned. The organisation was founded in 1965 as the Interior Decorators and Designers Association (IDDA), and was amalgamated with the globally recognised International Interior Design Association UK Chapter (IIDA) to form the British Interior Design Association (BIDA) in 2001. On the granting of institute status in 2009, it became the British Institute of Interior Design (BIID).

In this anniversary year we spoke to two past presidents about their long involvement in the institute, and the way in which the profession of interior design has changed over its history. Gordon Lindsay was president between 1998 and 2000 and Christopher Vane Percy was president from 2003 to 2004.

What have been the most important changes as the institute evolved in your view?

Christopher was at the inaugural meeting 60 years ago and observed ‘huge changes’ through the late 60s, 70s and 80s. At first, ‘decorating’ was the focus, he says, and he observes that rather than the title interior designer, in 1962 when he began his career, the role was that of interior decorator. ‘It was with people like David Hicks putting us on the map that we discovered we were designers,’ he says. 

He looks back at the 90s as a period of increasing professionalisation with fee structures and guidelines established. ‘The 90s paved the way for where we are now,’ he says.

The profession of interior design has also evolved during these years. What are the most striking differences you see today from when you became a member?

Christopher observes that he is ‘of the generation that discovered people would pay you to do their houses up. Now it is more like America with a decorator or designer for every strata of society,’ he says. The profession is now about more than decorating, and standards are higher, he notes. 

Both Christopher and Gordon observe the difference in the training of designers. ‘Education is better now and has created a new breed of decorator-designer,’ says Christopher. ‘There are now design schools, courses online and specialist courses,’ Gordon agrees. ‘These were not available then.’

Interior designers work more closely with other professions than they used to, Gordon also notes. ‘Now architects, artisans and collaborative relationships between designer, builder and supplier are commonplace. In the 70s it was less prevalent,’ he explains.

There’s also a greater awareness of colours and finishes, bathrooms and kitchens, Gordon observes. ‘There is more choice of products that are easily available,’ he explains. ‘There are many suppliers of wall finishes, paints, flooring, bathrooms, kitchens etc. This is all common knowledge now. When I first started to practise, there were only British Standard colours in paints,’ he notes. And he adds, ‘One of the biggest changes is the use of lighting as a vital part of interior design.’

Technology has also changed the profession, including computer aided design (CAD), Gordon adds. ‘All drawings before CAD were drawn by hand,’ he says. The internet has also made its mark. ‘The internet allows easy access to ideas, products etc,’ he says. ‘My practice had a physical library with a part-time librarian keeping abreast of new products and suppliers.’

The emergence of PR is also a notable difference from the early years, according to Gordon. ‘Features in magazines are now commonplace,’ he says. ‘When I first started my business there were few publications looking at interiors.’ And he also notes new product information through advertising making accessibility easier as a change.

There are also ‘better and more diverse exhibitions,’ Gordon says. ‘In the 70s it was just the Ideal Home Exhibition.’ And Christopher notes how the Design Centre Chelsea Harbour, built in 1987, made a huge difference to the profession.

Relationships with property companies have also come about. ‘Show homes now promote interior designers,’ says Gordon.

But in contrast to the positive changes, Christopher notes that when he opened his shop, CVP Designs, which was located between Oxford Circus and Grosvenor Square, in 1972 he was able to do so with his savings.

How do you look back on your presidency and the issues facing the profession then?

‘These were pioneering days, pushing boundaries, educating the public, gaining the trust of manufacturers and suppliers,’ says Gordon. He notes also the importance of ‘persuading architects that interior designers were serious and had a role to play’. ‘Nowadays, most architects have an interior designer on board or a good relationship with design practices,’ he says. ‘Suppliers regard interior designers as key to their success too,’ he notes.

For Christopher ‘working towards institute status wasn’t plain sailing’ but a time of growing membership as well as the professionalisation of design.

With thanks to Past Presidents Gordon Lindsay and Christopher Vane Percy for their contributions to this article.

Invites to the BIID 60th Celebrations will be sent later in the year. We hope to celebrate with as many members as possible.