Hi Kayxx,
I'm not an interior designer, I'm an artist and a graphic designer and my husband is a photographer. We both took very different roots to get into the line of work we do.
I went to university, it was very difficult 4 years, but I learned a lot. Then I found a job, working for a bad design company, did that for a few years, found another Job, in a slightly better place, and worked there for a few years. Now I work freelance having an online shop to sell my art and a couple of clients I do graphics for.
My husband did one year in collage and hated it, he dropped out and start assisting other photographer, he worked with some big industry names. Then through their connections and other people he knew, he started getting commercial projects.
We are both really good at what we do, we both still struggle to get paying projects done.
Creative jobs, especially the type that get you to do just what you want and feel like are pretty hard to pull off no matter how you built your career.
I think the difference between school or no school is very individual - are you the type of person who is very good in learning things on your own or do you learn better from a teacher in a group.
Most potential clients would not want to look at your degree and pick you by your portfolio and a recommendation from a friend. If you think you can make a good portfolio without having to go to school then go for it. Design your house and do a couple of projects for free, have them shot professionally (yes, this is very important!) make yourself a website and business cards and start promoting yourself as a designer.
Over all, it's a very difficult career choice. There are a lot of designer out there and most people don't heir designers. Projects are not just far apart and between, but non existing if you don't constantly work to promote and market yourself.
