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GREAT MOMENTS IN REGULATION

March 29, 2006

This came in today's mail:

Click for larger view.

The Licensing Division Newsletter publishes summaries of disciplinary actions. Maybe we'll see things like this come through:

Case 08-02 Giles S. Finlayson Mechanicsville, Iowa
This matter concerns charges filed against respondent Giles S. Finlayson . The Interior Design Examining Board held a contested case hearing on May 23, 2008.

The board charged Respondent with acts discreditable to the practice of interior design as follows:

Count 1. Garish placement of an art-deco table, clearly suitable only for a room with moderne sensibilities, in a room with dark wood paneling and a painting of Elvis.

In the hearing respondent said that the art-deco table was "fabulous" in its context and that the Board "has no sense of the ironic." The board finds Respondent in violation of Count 1.

2. Reckless and negligent use of '70s motifs.

Respondent said that he was inspired by a book "Interior Decorations" by one James Lileks in decorating the house at issue. The board explained that the book is really titled "Interior Desecrations" and is in fact a mockery of '70s design. After discussion, the board ruled the results "fabulous" and cleared respondent of the charges.

SANCTION.

The legislature has granted the board a wide array of disciplinary sanctions. The board may revoke, suspend, or refuse to renew a license, or any combination.

The board considers its role to be educational as well as disciplinary. We order Respondent to take 8 hours of continuing education, as approved in advance by the board, and to consent to having any use of art-deco items cleared in advance by an outside designer as designated by the board.