Professional Documents
Culture Documents
The application of line in this office designed by One Plus Partnership has a lot of impact. Lines are applied
diagonally and vertically to create a very dynamic interior.
Dan Brunn Architecture was successful in accentuating length with the horizontal wall slats and rectangular
floor tile in this showroom design for Ceasarstone.
Horizontal Line
Lines applied horizontally often evoke feelings of stability,
grounding, emphasis and direction. So, although horizontal
lines tend create length and lower the ceiling of a space
The gold panels applied vertically and upwards onto the ceiling create a strong line that really adds to the
feeling of height in Le Theatre Saint-Nazaire designed by K-architectures.
Vertical Line
Vertical lines are often associated with strength (think pillar
of strength), stability, balance, and elevation. It has been
hypothesized that viewing vertical lines is unnatural
compared to viewing horizontal lines. Additionally, vertical
lines extend away from our visual plane. For these reasons,
If the goal was to create a dynamic and fun space, Dialogue 38 hit the nail on the head with this design for
Guu Izakaya.
Diagonal Line
Diagonal lines typically connote a sense of dynamic
movement, transformation, and freedom. Diagonal lines can
really bring life to a space, direct the eye upwards or
downwards, and add volume to a space, making it feel
larger than it is. That being said if applied incorrectly,
diagonal lines can conjure a sense of confusion and
imbalance.
This undulating seating element designed by Cappellini really creates a playful environment in this interior
space.
Curved Line
Curving lines whether freeform, arcing, circular, or elliptical
often feel natural, organic, playful, and soothing. If you are
looking to make a space flow curving lines are a great way
to do it. They are also very voluminous taking up space
within an interior.
By applying lines in a way that relates to your brand
message, you can create a space that appeals to your
customers and highlights the product you sell.
Colour can be applied to surfaces or as light to create interested and dynamic spaces.
Google knows how to apply colour in a way that not only enforces their brand, but also to create a fun and
interesting working environment that benefits their employees.
Colour Basics
Colour both affects and is affected by its surroundings and
the colours in it, and is also affected by the colour of light
Jerilyn Wright and Associates are not afraid to apply colour, even to a corporate office setting. This carpet
adds a pop a colour and also provides a sense of direction within the space.
The Red Prime Steak restaurant by Fitzsimmons Architects takes advantage of colour psychology by using
the colour red to increase appetites.
The offices of Octavian Advisors by Adjaye Associates utilizes a monochromatic colour scheme, except for
the bright green elevator entrances. This is an effective way of using colour for way finding.
Cabinet Braun-Bran created a warm and intimate restaurant environment by applying texture using a brick
wall finish.
Texture reigns in this project for Lampe Gras fitting by Raw for the Fuorisalone 2014,. I bet you wouldnt
have guessed that a lot of this texture was created using the In Mind wallcovering from Wall and Deco!
See how this colourful pattern really adds interest to this boardroom designed by Emmanuelle Moureaux
Architecture and Design?
This shabby chic tea company designed by Christine Rossi exhibits great lighting at the sales counter.
Differing light levels create shadows and interest, and makes the product behind the counter the focus.
Jerilyn Wright & Associates did a good job creating some task lighting over the tables while providing a
decent amount of ambient light down the corridor. This image is also displaying great examples
of line and colour; two previously discussed elements of design.
Quantity
Too little and it becomes difficult to perform necessary
tasks. Too much and it causes glare. Both scenarios can
cause eye discomfort which lead to health issues, both
physical and emotial. TheCanadian Centre for Occupational
Health and Safety describes good lighting as providing
enough illumination so that people can see printed,
handwritten or displayed documents clearly but are not
blinded by excessively high light levels (a cause of glare).
The three main types of lighting that designers are
concerned with are ambient, task and accent.
Task light is that which illuminates a small, specific area. A good example of
this is a desk lamp which allows one to add more light to complete a working task.
Accent light is used to add highlight, drama and focus to interior spaces.
This includes directional lighting placed on artwork, or recessed floor lighting to
graze the surface of a textured material.
This corridor, in the Puro hotel by Blacksheep, uses light as an element of design in way that highlights
room entrances and provides a soft, welcoming ambient light. Love how they also
incorporated colour and pattern here to emphasize the entry doors.
Glare can be either direct, coming straight from a light source, or reflected,
shows up on a surface like your computer screen. Neither is good and lighting
should be designed to reduce glare.
Uniformity refers to the overall space, and affects how comfortable one is
within the space. Too uniformity is not usually desirable; this can create a bland
space without interest and highlight. Have you ever been in a commercial space
with fluorescent lighting where some bulbs are warm and some are cool? This
makes the space uncomfortable to be in.
Colour in lighting describes how the colour of a light source affects the
colour of surrounding objects. This is a huge topic in the design world with the main
factors being colour temperature and colour rendering. For a little more information
on these check out our previous post on the subject.
Mood and Atmosphere
Talk about mood lighting! The Shiro in New Dehli goes from dinner to night club with a fantastic lighting
design.
Sustainability
The Plumen bulb is a designer low energy light bulb that is a great alternative to the spiral CFL bulbs.
Although another element of design, colour, is applied, proportion is also a key contributor in making this
lounge space atCreston (designed by The Interiors Group) really stand out.
For our final post in our blog series, we are going to focus
on the elements of design, scale and proportion.
In commercial Interior Design, the most important objective
for a project is to enhance our everyday experiences within
The classic Barcelona chair is an icon, but because its so low it often appears as though it is not sized
appropriately for our modern human scale. In the room pictured above by Design Partners International for
Kuper, vertical line has been applied to the ceiling and wall to draw the eye down and add a sense of
proportion to the space. Without this consideration for scale and proportion, this room may not be so well
balanced simply due to the low horizontal nature of the seating.
Scale
The application of contrasting colour and texture on the ceiling, walls, and floor, as well as the incorporation
of low horizontal furniture could lead to this room feeling out of scale; however, DAP Studio masterfully
counterbalanced this effect by repeating and lowing the horizontal light fixtures.
Proportion
Often interior designers will apply proportion in contrasting ways to emphasize a particular area. This
design byLemayMichaud Architecture Design is a great example of this; note how the oversized fixtures
really call attention to the bar.
Balance is everything in design. Everything just feels right when a space is as well-balanced as the
one above designed byBBG-BBGM.
You wouldnt guess that the above photo of Microsofts new office, designed by Studio O+A, is
balanced, but it is. This is because its balanced in an asymmetrical way using variety in the visual
weight of objects. Feels a bit informal and thats probably exactly what the designer was aiming for.
Symmetrical Balance
Symmetrical balance is achieved when items are actually
repeated or mirrored along a central axis. This type of
balance is frequently seen in nature, our own bodies
included. Symmetry is common in interior design and can
portray a feeling of stability, calmness and dignity; however,
can also be seen as static, dull and unimaginative.
Symmetry can be achieved through the use of pattern,
arrangement of furniture, fixtures and millwork, and through
the application of colour.
A great example of symmetrical design, Lah! by Ilmiodesign mirrors the banquettes back-to-back
to create order in a space that has a random, eclectic feel.
Asymmetrical Balance
shapes often feel heavier and for that reason are commonly
used to achieve asymmetrical balance. Asymmetrical
interiors tend to feel more dynamic and less rigid because in
these spaces a variety of objects types are working together
to create balance. This form of balance can be more difficult
to achieve it often requires an eye for design.
Radial Balance
Just as it sounds radial balance is almost circular
distributed arrangement of items around a central point
either extending outward or inward. Common examples of
radial balance translated to the interior environment include
chairs centered around a table, the structure of a circular
rotunda, or even a circular lighting fixture. If you wish to
create focus on a central item, applying radial balance (so
that the your attention is directed inward) is a great way to
achieve this.
The boardroom designed by BAKOKO Architects in the image above is an excellent example of
radial symmetry. Notice how the focus is on the centre of the table? We also get a real sense of
vitality, but in a really organized way.
Kjellgren Kaminsky Architecture created rhythm in this dance hall by repeating a pattern of mirrors.
The repeating wood slats on the wall of this pizza shop by Baynes & Co Designers creates a playful rhythm
and draws your eye through the space.
Alternation
This restaurant by Soma Architects displays both repetitive rhythm, in the booths and chairs, as well as
alternation which can be seen in the pendant lights that hang in groupings with an ABAAAABA rhythm.
Progression
The Barajas Airport by Richard Rogers and Estudio Lamela is an excellent example of rhythm achieved
through repetition and progression of colour.
Here is a less obvious example of emphasis in design. Interior design firm Geremia used really heavy, dark
stools contrasting with a lighter surrounding to make the counter a focal point in Citizens B Restaurant.
If you read our blog you know that we have already touched
on all the elements of design (line,colour, texture &
pattern, light, and scale & proportion) as well as two of the
principals of design (balance and rhythm). This week were
moving on to emphasis, probably one of the most well-used
design principals.
Two of the questions we always ask our clients during
the programming phase include: 1) What do you want to
highlight in your space, and 2) What do you want to hide in
your space? These questions form a foundation for
our interior designers to create and/or distract focus from an
Its pretty obvious that Pinkeye Crossover Design Studio wanted the yellow desk to be the focal point in
their design for Oz Flagship, but they also applied texture to create a screen partition with secondary
emphasis.
The way you place your intended focal point within a space
is one very important consideration. For example, in a linear
room such as a hallway the wall space at the very end of
the hall or a feature area in the centre would have the most
impact. If you read our last blog post and intend to create
rhythm by repeating elements in your design, you could
create a focal point by interrupting that regularity right down
the centre to bring attention to the one-thing-thats-not-likethe-others.
The most commonly used way to create focus is to use colour just like Wingardh Architects did in this law
office design for Vinge. That staircase sure pops with that deep teal hue.
395 Page Mill First Floor by Studio O+A serves as AOLs headquarters. The variety of form in this atrium
space creates interest without using bright colours, textures or patterns.
We love how simply Geremia incorporated variety in this space for Asana by changing the angle of paint
applied to the chairs.
fischerAppelts Hamburg office exhibits variety by placing this pattern rich seating area amongst a sea of
monolithic tile and concrete structure.
The office of Aeria Games by Lindemann Projektnet exhibits ultimate harmony and unity; probably a
refreshing and welcomed environment for employees of a colourful and interactive online game site.
BEHF Architecktens design for this BIPA office uses colour, pattern and shape as harmonious elements in
at least a couple of floors of open workstations.
Unity
The Bankers Hill Bar and Restaurant in San Diegos rustic finishes, exposed structure, eclectic collection
of chairs and deer mount all work together to create a cosy, unified space.
You can see how these two principles of design go hand-inhand. Harmony and unity are two words that designers
often use to describe the feeling of a space. We will also
use these terms in relation to your project and the finishes,
fixtures and furniture we are proposing. They can provide a
sense of calmness, or at least play a role in limiting chaos in
our workplaces, and can also add to the comfort level of a
room; especially when balance is also considered and
effectively realized.
If you read last weeks post on variety you may be saying to
yourself, Hey, didnt they just tell us that the world becomes
a boring place when everything is all matchy-matchy? Isnt
We are constantly seeing new and very cool projects by Nendo. This Camper shoe store illustrates how a
little variety in an otherwise unified space can help to make merchandise the focus of a retail space.
For anyone who reads our blog regularly, you have probably
noticed that we often remark that interior design can enforce
and strengthen your company brand. Since we are currently
completing a new office space design for our favorite brand
This Apple store by Bohlin Cywinski Jackson Architecture exemplifies how your commercial interior spaces
can communicate and strengthen your brand.
100% Chocolate Cafe knew that the interior of their store needed to express their boutique image and
sweet product. Japanese firm Wonder-Wall did an awesome job translating this brand into a built form
makes me want chocolate. Yummmm.
For our office design we implemented elements from our brand to create a commercial space that is
uniquely Hatch Interior Design.
Camper knows how to find designers who can really make their brand shine. A-ceros design in Granada
certainly highlights the strong brand.
McDonalds demonstrates perfectly the new commercial design trend of brand diversity with this French
location designed by Patrick Norguet. This restaurant design is unique and specifically geared to appeal to
a local market.
Aesop has taken a step towards design diversity with their collection of stores in Adelaide, Boston, and
Stockholm designed respectively by Genesin Studio, William OBrien Jr., and In the Praise of Shadows.
Camper has a slightly different approach. Although each store is designed specifically based on its
geographic location, each one has an entirely unique brand perspective. See how (respectively above) the
Shanghai store by Neri and Hu varies from the New York store by Nendo and even the Palma de Mallorca
store by Fernando Amat?
Starbucks has been a major leader in the design diversity trend. An internal branding overhaul sparked the
development of unique locations including (respectively above) New Orleans designed by Starbucks in
collaboration with local artisans, Fukuoka designed by Kengo Kuma, and Amsterdam designed with local
artisans under the direction of Liz Muller.
You might feel like planning isnt fun, but you know what is? Having a space that looks like this
because you did plan. Kudos to Grosu Art Studio for their trailblazing design concept pictured
above; we know pulling this off takes planning.
Pre-Project
There is a lot that happens on our end even before we know
that the project is ours. For the large majority we provide
you, our potential client, with a fixed fee proposal. In order
to do so there are a few things that need to happen first.
An initial meeting to talk to familiarize ourselves with the
specifics of the project. This includes:
learning about the space that is either being updated or moved into, we want
to know the size, have a look at the existing plan (which often can be supplied by
the landlord) and often times conduct a site visit to fully understand the scope;
discussing options for the construction of your project, either hiring a general
contractor or tendering.
Does your space look like this, but your brand indicates it should really look like that? Then youre
probably thinking I need a professional interior designer. Pulp Design Studios lead the
transformation of Howard Wangs Southlake as pictured above.
Programming
So weve decided to work together! Now its time to get
moving on the Programming phase of your project. This is a
short, but very necessary phase where we get into the
smaller functional and technical details of the information
you provided in our initial Pre-Project meeting. Although
restraint can be difficult in the midst of new-projectexcitement, we need to shelf ideas of what the space will
look like and what materials are going to be used for a later
date.
Yes, boardrooms are still used for things likeyour visioning session during the interior design
programming phase, (or playing cards). This creative boardroom was designed by industrygiant Studio O+A for Zazzle.
Schematic Design
We love this phase of the project; its where we get to start
figuring out how to lay out your space, kind of like a puzzle.
This is a space planning exercise that our Registered
Interior Designers excel at. Its rare that we sit down and
everything falls together. A lot of thought, organizing and
reorganizing is involved to settle on a plan that meets your
functional requirements. In some cases there are obviously
more than one way to plan the space, in others it becomes
clear that because of the shape and size of the space there
are not many options. We ensure that we look at your space
from all angles and show you the options that you have.
Heres a dance studio designed by Tsutsumi and Associates that, even in the built form, feels
conceptual. Dont be fooled however, a lot of planning surely lead to this achievement.
Ronen Levin design studio must have followed the typical interior design process to achieve this
outstanding and beautifully detailed project for LovEat coffee shop.
Heres a look at the design progression for Ania Kruk Jewelry Boutique by Mode:lina from design
development to the final product. These sketches were a necessary part of the interior design
process and that time spent was definitely worthwhile.
Design Development
To be concise, design development, as it relates to interior
design, is how we transform our vision for the space into a
unique design plan. In reality, however, the design
development stage is everything but concise as it involves a
myriad of activities including:
Communicating with the client and other consultants via meetings, minutes,
email and phone;
Heres a project, Pixar by Evoke International Design, with a strong design concept. The designers
must have had fun meshing characters from Pixar movies, with the name Pixar. We approve and
obviously, so did the client.
Another example, except this time showing the conceptual design for the firearms area at
our Grouse River project, and then another of the final product. Our client can attest that the time
we invested in properly detailing this area via the sequential interior design process, was valuable
to his project.
Contract Documents
So, by now our clients and our design team are feeling
pretty excited about things. We have a killer design plan and
its full steam ahead to get this thing built. Whoa, hold your
horses! We still have to put together the drawing set so that
building permits can be acquired, pricing determined, and a
General Contractor obtained. In this crucial phase we:
Integrate a package that consists of drawings (demolition plans, partition
plans, reflected ceiling plans, basic electrical and communication plans, finish
plans, furniture plans, elevations, details, door schedules), specifications, code
studies, and an instruction to bidders document;
Coordinate with project consultants via meetings, emails, and drawing
permit.
You know that saying, its all in the detail? Well, it is. Your professional Interior Designer
develops those details throughout a formulated interior design process. This component of the
platte tables was conjured by Alice Tacheny.
wait for our next blog entry; check back soon and well fill
you in on these final stages.
There are a tonne of intricate details in this design for Zizzi by Scardigno Design. Coordinating all
these details to produce the restaurant you see above would have required great teamwork
between the General Contractor and Interior Designer during construction.
Were sure that Note Design Studio was involved to the very end of this project to help in
supporting both the GC and their client, Finefood, to achieve a project everyone was proud of.
This takes more time than you might think! GCs tend to be
very detailed in the information they request so that they
can be confident that the bid they are submitting has
covered everything in the Contract Documents.
Project Administration
When your GC informs you that the really cool light fixtures
your Interior Designer spent hours sourcing have been
delayed and will compromise your opening date, do you feel
confident enough to source a new option that will meet the
aesthetic and functional requirements, all the while being
suitable for a commercial application? When the millwork
subcontractor submits shop drawings to illustrate their
interpretation of the detailed custom retail fixture designed
specifically to display your products, could you determine
with certainty that what they understand matches the
design, or provide comments and requested revisions
required to do so? We dont expect you to answer yes to
either of these not-so-hypothetical questions, that is part of
our job! These are just two examples of the sometimes
hundreds of responsibilities we take on in this phase of the
interior design process.
The custom designed sleeping bag displays for our Grouse River retail project were highly detailed
and specific to the product and goals of our client.
This is an example of just one page of the shop drawing set for the sleeping bag display. The
submission was from the millworker and the red mark-ups are our comments for revisions required
so that it could be built as intended. This project had 17 sets of shop drawings for the millwork
alone; this does not include review of hardware, light fixtures, security gates, finishes and other
items (the list goes on and on).
Troubleshoot and provide solutions for issues that may come up due to
existing site conditions, delayed materials, etc.;
The Funny or Die offices may look like a simple space, but its the details that create this
illusion. Clive Wilkinson Architectswould have made sure they were spot on when it came to
Project Administration so that the project was realized as intended.
LIGHTING HOW TO
Lighting design is perhaps one of the most important, but
often overlooked, steps in planning a commercial or
residential interior. Here are a few tips that will help you
make the right decisions when it comes to lighting.
Layered Lighting
Layers
Lighting is best when its layered as was done in the above
kitchen by XTC Design Inc. Lighting layers are created
when different types of lighting as well as different lighting
levels are introduced into a room. Consider using a mixture
of fixture types including recessed, sconce, pendant, and
even floor lamps to create visual interest. Dimmers are ideal
for energy savings and for creating different moods in the
room, but work best when different fixture types are placed
on separate dimmers. This way, different types of lighting
can be raised or lowered depending on the task at hand.
The best way to set up a variety of pre-set lighting levels is
to install a scene control switch.
LED facts
Although LED technology is improving almost daily, there
are what is provacyl still some drawbacks to this lamp type.
Think LEDs are low heat? Surprisingly, 75-85% of their
energy goes to heat and because of this, LEDs do not last
very long in warm places. LEDs degrade over time,
meaning that their light output decreases. Check the
manufacturers stats for light degradation and compare. An
LED lamp should be replaced once its degraded by 70% for
task lights and 50% for decorative. LEDs have lower light
Color Rendering
Excellent lighting design by Tripped on Light Design Inc. for Yew Restaurant
Even with all these tips, sometimes you need a little help
when it comes to lighting. Either contact your qualified
Interior Design Professional or turn to an accredited lighting
Kristin Wong
2/24/15 10:00am
Filed to: DECORATING
187.2K
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Some people are born with a great eye for decorating or design. Others
learn the skill and are able to apply it successfully. And then there are the
rest of us. If you don't have much of a knack for design, a few basic
techniques can go a long way.
These decorating rules and principles are simple enough that most
anyone can apply them. Your home might not look like a West Elm
catalogue, but it'll look presentable.
You might already be familiar with the rule of thirds for photography.
Designing with odd numbers as a foundation can create harmony and
visual interest, explains designer Cecilia Walker:
The basic idea of the rule is that details and objects that are arranged or
grouped in odd numbers are more appealing, memorable, and effective
than even-numbered pairings.
It helps to have groupings of objects in varying heights, shapes and
textures. At the same time, there should be something similar about them.
This advice seems to contradict itself, but the point is, there should be
something that groups your items together, but also something about
each of them that is slightly different.
Look at the image above as an example. Three vases, all different heights.
The main materials are similarwicker and glass. But there are subtle
differences in elementssand, water, and the texture of the limes.
Walker points out that this is just a basic rule, and it might not work in
every instance. But if this grouping doesn't look right to you, go with your
gut. The goal here is to make sure everything isn't uniform, and by
extension, boring.
Find Your Room's Focal Point
A room's focal point is its most emphasized feature. It's the thing your
eyes are naturally drawn to when you walk into the room. And everything
around the focal point compliments it.
If you're lost with how to start decorating a room, finding its focal point is
a good start. Many rooms have built-in focal points: a large window with a
view, for example, or a fireplace. If your room doesn't have a built-in focal
point, here are some tips and options for creating one:
Paint one wall a different color, then accessorize with artwork or
shelves, says interior designer Coral Nafie.
Decide what you want to use the room for, then create a focal point
around that, says The Inspired Room. For example, if you want to
use a room for reading, you'd make a bookshelf your focal point.
Nafie also suggests simply using a large piece of furniture as a focal
point.
You could use a large piece of artwork as a focal point. A large
mirror also works well.
Once you find the focal point, decorate around it. Use its main color in
elements throughout the rest of the room. In the above example, the focal
pointthe fireplaceis white. The red walls make its color stand out, and
the white candles, orchid and vases all around the room compliment the
fireplace.
You can also frame it. In the photo, the vases, windows and sofas serve
this purpose. A fireplace is easy to frame, as it usually comes with a
mantle. You can add decor on or above the mantle. If your focal point is a
large window with a view, you might arrange your furniture to frame it. If
234
Once you have a focal point, a center point helps balance the
room.Apartment Therapy explains:
The center point is the core of your room's layout. It doesn't have to be the
exact middle of the room, although that's the case in many homes. The
center point of a living room is where the coffee table or center table will
sit, with seating arranged around it.
Think of it as the room's anchor.
Know Basic Measurement Rules
When hanging art above your sofa, make sure it's no more than 2/3
the width of the sofa. You'll also want to leave 5-9" of space between
the art and the furniture, Driven By Decor adds.
Hanging curtains: Crate and Barrel says it's typical to have 1-3"
of overlap on either side of your window. For height, they say you
should mount curtain rods 4" from the top of the window. But
maybe you want your windows to look wider or taller. To create the
illusion of height, Real Simple says you can go beyond the 4"
standard, but don't exceed 8", or it'll look awkward. To create the
illusion of width, feel free to break the 1-3" standard, too. You might
want to go as far as 12" on either side.
TV distance: How far your TV should be from your sofa will
depend on its size. We've talked about viewing distance before. The
easiest rule of thumb: multiply the diagonal size of your TV by two.
That's about how many inches your tv should be from your seating
area.
For rugs, there are three basic rules you can follow.
All on: If a rug is big enough, you can put all legs of your furniture on top
of it. But you should leave 12-18" of floor surface on all four sides of the
rug, says decorating site Houzz.
All off: If you have a smaller space, you might choose a smaller rug, and
then you'd leave all four feet of your furniture off of it. Houzz adds, "You
don't want to pick too small a rug, though, or it may look insignificant,
like an afterthought."
Front on: Many designers choose to just put the two front feet on the
rug. This can tie everything together and create a feeling of openness.
Again, most all of these sources add one big caveat: don't be afraid to
break these rules. They don't always work, but they're good guidelines to
follow.
Consider Your Negative Space
Sometimes, less is more. In design, the negative space is the area that's
not taken up by any subject. Most commonly, this is the white area on
your walls. Its tempting to fill every space with a subject, but sometimes,
the negative space speaks for itself. Apartment Therapy explains:
In writing, sentences often contain extra words that without, the sentence
would sound just fine. Train yourself to look for those moments in your
own home. Is there a narrow wall with a small blot of art that when taken
down, would still look like a fine wall? Is there a tabletop with a fledgling
vignette that would look just as spectacular if cleared off?
Decorating with negative space can be a bit complicated, but there are a
few ways anyone can do it:
Avoid clutter. This is probably the best and most common way to
make the most of negative space. A bunch of stuff might fit perfectly
on your table, but that doesn't mean it all needs to go there. Leave
some roomsome negative space.
Be intentional. Make sure the negative space serves a purpose.
You might leave a space empty to highlight a decorated area nearby.
Or maybe the negative space creates an interesting design.
Look at shapes. SF Gate's Home Guides explains that two
contrasting shapes can create an oddor interestingnegative
space. "a curved coffee table can soften the harsh negative space
lines created by angular sofas and chairs in a square room. But this
space plan may not work in smaller rooms, which would force edge
of the round table too close to the sofa for comfortable sitting."
To clarify, it's not just about looking for places where you can remove
things. It's about looking for spots that look great even when they're
empty. It's also about considering the function of the empty spaces
between subjects.
Layer Your Lighting
Lighting could be a whole post in itself, but here's what you should
consider when you don't know much about it. First, learn the three basic
types of lighting:
Ambient: Its also called general lighting, and its the overhead
lighting meant to evenly illuminate a room.
Task: As its name suggests, task lighting is meant to light a specific
task. A lamp in the living room might light a reading area. Undercabinet lights in a kitchen serve as task lights for countertops.
Accent: Accent lights are meant to highlight a particular object.
You might see them on painting, for example.
Adding different types lighting can give your room dimension. Start with
ambient lighting in each room, then consider how you can use task and
accent lighting. Real Simple has some specific tips on how to do this in
each room.
Beyond these basics, you'll probably also want to make your home look
like your own. We've got some tips on how to do that, too. These
guidelines help you get started, but you should adjust your decorating
according to your own tastes and preferences. Use these rules to get
started, but don't be afraid to break them and go with your instincts if
something feels right to you.
Psychology of Design
Heres an example. Newlywed clients of mine first hired another interior
designer when they moved into their new house together. When the work was
done, they found themselves unhappy with the results. The design just didnt
reflect how they saw themselves. They had signed off on the design because
they felt comfortable with it. After it was done, they didnt feel comfortable at
all. They felt stifled.
They called me in. After getting to know them I realized where the misstep had
been: the original design was too familiar. The style was overly traditional
because thats what the husband had grown up with. The palette was drab
because thats what the wife had grown up with. Yet in the present, these were
two highly successful, dynamic people, full of life and looking forward to their
future together.
We worked closely together until wed identified elements from the couples
past that they found truly comforting, and I found ways to incorporate those
elements into a new interior design that served their specific needs and desires.
And they loved it.
Bringing the past into a design can be a very subtle, private process.
Something that represents comfort from your past may be captured through a
piece of art or a texture or even a visual rhythm in your home. How your past
is reflected is something that need only suit you and the other people living in
the home with you.
The psychology of design is very simple. It is based solely on the psychological
make-up and welfare of the people living in the home; who the design is for.
Where you came from, who you are now, where you see yourself in the future.
The bottom line: exceptional interior design must be, by definition, intensely
personal and specific to you. After all, its your life and your home. Shouldnt it
be your design?
textures, and patterns can be true or altered primarily dependant upon your artificial
lighting.
Color is the most personal and evocative element in design. We all have our
favored and least favored color(s) and many people have associations to
particular ones. Colors are considered warm (reds, yellows, and oranges), cool
(blues, greens, and purples), or neutral (beiges, browns, black, grays, and
whites).
Scale, the first principle defined, was the one that went out the window when overstuffed,
large scale furniture was all the rage. Folks went out and bought truck loads seriously it
took several trucks to move it all. Purchases were made without considering the actual
scale / dimensions of the room where the furniture would live.
A caveat as you visit my blog you will come to know I often do caveats here is
my first I stand in awe or marketing sometimes. I am an interior designer
and sometimes I see an ad for something I would usually find distasteful. But
add a spin on it that I can relate to, and Im half way to buying it. I sometimes
have to shake my head to bring myself back to reality it is some what like a deer
and headlights I think. That is how I believe much of the overstuffed furniture ended up in
places it shouldnt have.
Can you use large pieces in small rooms of course! As we go through some pictures, well
see how principles and elements made it not only work but be entirely pleasing to the
eye.Lets take a look at my family room. The footprint and dimensions are below. As you
can see, it is not a very large room and it has quirks. One of the focal points is the fireplace.
A second focal point is a media center we already had and did not want to replace. My goal
was to comfortably seat as many folks as possible. It needed to be kid friendly, store
blankets, pillows and magazines, manage drinks, and of course, be beautiful. I liked the
idea of ottomans for comfort and storage but not so much for drink management. Trays on
ottomans are good for food but drinks with young kids not so much.
Here is what I came up with I positioned the large media cabinet first and
balanced it with a large L-shaped sectional such that both focal points (emphasis) can
be seen (media and fireplace). I added two storage ottomans, a magazine holder, and an
end table with task lighting. What about the drinks? I also built a 5 shelf just below the top
of the entire sectional back so drinks may be placed behind the sectional. The shelf is out
of sight from view. How did I come up with the depth of the shelf? I took several items and
measured them (cereal bowl, coffee cup, and of course, the largest martini glass we own).
Five inches could hold all of these items well without subtracting too much space from the
room. I have software to aid all my planning it is imperative to my work. I know most dont
have this readily available but there are free products you can use such
as Smartdraw andSketchup.
There is also graph paper, a ruler, and a pencil. Please, before you do any purchasing, take
the time to draw it out. This will save costly mistakes.
Here is the family room
realized. Our family photo hangs over the fireplace. We all wore chocolate brown for the
thats a little grandiose but you get what I mean). Lighting is that critical and
often overlooked. In this room, I have four recessed lights (general lighting),
two pin lights over art on top of the media cabinet flanking the pictures (accent
lighting), three tilted pin lights on the large family photo (accent lighting) and
one portable lamp on the end table (task lighting). Layers. Layers of lighting to
illuminate, to enhance, to focus, to sparkle.
Quick example of light
Here is glass art I have on top of the media cabinet accent light off pretty:
Accent light on oo la la no camera tricks here just me with my little Canon no
flash either time:
Does that help with understanding the principles and elements? Ok, maybe a little
drawn out. My hope is that you now have some understanding of these factors and will
recognize the language I will use from time to time when we talk about design.
Where did my pieces come from? Both the sectional and ottomans are
from Zagaroli a favorite vendor of mine. Ultrasuede covers the sectional
cushions with the frame in chocolate leather. The ottomans are in chocolate
leather with an Ultrasuede welt to marry the seating arrangement. Both
materials are kid friendly and durable. I do not recall the brand of the media
center we bought it so long ago. Other pieces I used in the room for interest
the end table is from Worlds Away. I love the shape and form of this table. Mine
is nickel plated (it comes in different finishes) with mirrored top and shelf; it is
very versatile. The magazine holder and the climbing men are from Global
Views. The throw pillows and drape fabric is from Robert Allen/Beacon Hill. The
area rug is fromFiezy. The fireplace surround is done polished glass subway tile
from Reflections at Dal Tile. The portable lamp is from Arteriors and the large
floor vase is from Palecek.
A short story early on I worked briefly with a head-strong client (I can relate to
being head-strong to a certain point). My client built a beautiful townhome and
was very excited to furnish it. My client began this process by working with a
designer in a very nice store. Then I was brought into the mix. A sectional and
ottoman for the main seating area was already selected. I went to the store to
look at them. They were enormous! ENORMOUS! I asked if the room had been
drawn to scale with the sectional positioned. My client said, The store designer
did that. Great! May I see it? What she showed me was a doodle really, a doodle
not a scaled room drawing. I have never seen a store designer do that before or
since. Usually they are very professional and wonderful to work with.
Fortunately, I had measured the room. I stated for the record that the room and
sectional were not drawn to scale and needed to be because I was grossly
concerned that the very expensive sectional my client was determined to buy
would simply not fit. My client looked perplexed. I asked to please, please let me
draw it to scale for before ordering this custom piece. I bolded custom you
know why. one cannot return a custom piece. I drew the room and sectional to
scale. It did fit. However, there would not be any traffic path or ability to put
anything else in the room what so ever as the sectional would consume the
entire room. I drew several alternatives using the same line of furniture but with
traffic paths, casegoods, lighting, etc. When I showed them to my client, I was
fired. Oh dear. Did I mention my former client was head strong?? I do not know
if the sectional was purchased. I truly hope it was not. That would have been a
significantly costly mistake. This was years ago but I still think of that every
time a see an overstuffed sectional.