PRACTICING WITH THE ELEMENTS Now that we know the six Elements of Design , how can we better understand

them and how can we make them work for? Go through decorating magazines and find several pictures dealing with each of the Elements we have discussed. That is, find pictures dealing with: Space: Look for pictures of small area rooms and large area rooms, Line: Look for pictures in which "line" is quite noticeable. you should be looking for good examples of vertical, horizontal diagonal and curved lines.

Form: Find pictures of objects of different shapes and sizes in a room such as tables, lamps and sofas. Observe the harmony and balance of line and scale. Texture: Look for pictures where texture is evident, Search out casual settings and formal settings. Are the casual settings more heavily textured than the more formal settings? Pattern: Browse through wallcovering books, upholstery samples or magazine pictures looking for examples of the use and mixing of patterns.

Color: Look for identical spaces using different colors, e.g. the same room painted in different tones will illustrate the effect. Study the pictures that you have chosen relating to the definitions presented above. Start observing these six elements in your everyday travels and begin to understand them better. Then start using them in your decorating schemes,

Interior design "Interior" is used to the inside space of a room or building. Interior design is a more up-to-date term than is interior decoration. It is the art that deals with the organization, selection, and arrangement of the elements of design. By learning about design--by gaining an appreciation of things pleasing, by selecting things of good quality--you can soon see many ways to add beauty.) A successful interior design project does not have to be expensive.

The smallest of rooms or the barest of furniture can be made livable.

But it involves planning, and it involves training our eyes to appreciate things of beauty.

Interior design is a practice concerned with anything that is found inside a space - walls, windows, doors, finishes, textures, light, furnishings and furniture. All of these elements are used by interior designers to develop the most functional space for a building's users interior designers must be attuned to architectural detailing including: floor plans, home renovations, and construction codes. Interior design is a creative practice that analyzes programmatic information, establishes a conceptual direction, refines the design direction, and produces graphic communication and construction documents

Interior design is the process of shaping the experience of interior space, through the manipulation of spatial volume as well as surface treatment. interior design draws on aspects of environmental psychology, architecture, and product design in addition to traditional decoration. When doing interior design it is necessary to think of the house as a totality; a series of spaces linked together by halls and stairways. It is therefore appropriate that a common style and theme runs throughout. This is not to say that all interior design elements should be the same but they should work together and complement each other to strengthen the whole composition.

A way to create this theme or storyline is with the well considered use of color. Color schemes in general are a great way to unify a collection of spaces. For example, we might pick three or four colors and use them in varying shades thoughout the house.

Elements of design

Interior Designers use these elements, almost intuitively in their day to day work.
If we understand these "elements", we can put them to use in our own decorating schemes. The elements of design may vary by individual and category but most often concern the shape, space, line, form, texture, color, pattern, light, direction and value.

They are the most basic visual components of any composition.

Obviously there is a lot to design decisions, but one place to start is understanding design elements. Design elements are the building blocks of a composition.

Elements and principles of design

When used in varying manners and degrees, the elements create the principles of design.
Designers incorporate and manipulate these elements, as well as principles, to create a work of art that is compositionally sound and pleasing to the viewer and artist alike.

Whether you are working with existing furnishings and fabrics or starting from scratch with an empty room, Whether you have just bought your first new home or are planning to redo an old home from scratch, we should always use the elements and principles of design as a guide in choosing everything.
The elements are your tools or raw materials, much like paints are the basics to a painter.

The elements of design include space, line, form, color, and texture. The principles of design relate to how we use these elements and are balance, emphasis, rhythm, proportion and scale, and harmony and unity.

principles of design The principles are used in all design fields. The principles govern the relationships of the elements used and organize the composition as a whole.

Successful design incorporates the use of the principles and elements to serve the designer's purpose and visual goals.
There is no rule for their use, but may be directed by intent. The designer's purpose drives the decisions made to achieve appropriate scale and good proportion, as well as the degree of harmony between all the elements achieved through the sensitive balance of variety.

Line

Too many lines of different nature in a room create an impression of visual chaos like too many beams; paneling on walls etc., lines should be restricted to the minimum. Equal heights in furniture bring in the impression of unity in the space.
In general terms, line establishes shape and form.

It suggests movement and leads or moves the eye around the room.
The lines in a room are second only to color in importance when it comes to setting the overall mood or feeling of a room.

The lines of window fashions should support the dominant line of the room. In most situations, the dominant line is straight (vertical, horizontal or diagonal) rather than curved. we choice of emphasizing the direction of lines will determine the mood we want to create. Objects in a room can be made to look taller or wider with the direction of lines. For example, vertical stripes at a tall window will make it look taller. If the lines go in too many directions, it can be confusing.

Horizontal lines give an impression of stability. Long horizontal lines can make a piece of furniture seem restful.

Similarly horizontal lies are obtained by tables, chairs, book cases etc., Horizontal lines tend to create a restful, informal feeling.
They work well in casual rooms or as relief to the strong verticals of formal rooms.

Vertical lines add height and dignity, creating a more formal atmosphere. Vertical lines also balance the horizontal lines found in most furniture. vertical lines create the impression of height.

Vertical lines suggest formality and dignity.

Vertical lines seem to be more formal. Vertical lines of doorways, draperies ,window ,built in cupboards give strength and height to a room.

Vertical lines produce a feeling of loftiness and formality.

Straight lines move the eye and set the tone; they are considered to be more masculine. DIAGONAL: Diagonal lines create a sense of drama. Diagonal lines suggest movement. Diagonal lines attract attention and lead the eye. They can be disturbing unless supported by verticals or opposing diagonals.

CURVED: Curved lines add interest and relief. Curved lines add a softening effect and keep the room from becoming too stiff.

They reflect the personality and ambience of a room and are considered to be softer and therefore more feminine Use curved lines with some restraint to keep the room from becoming too soft and overly feminine.

color Color and color schemes are fundamental for successful design. The use of color and different color combinations shape the look and feel of the final composition. More than any other element, color can make a room beautiful. Color can set the mood. It can make a room warmer or cooler, larger or smaller. It can hide unsightly features or call attention to the center of interest. Even with the simplest furnishings, the proper use of color can transform a room.

A light, cheerful room can lift your spirits

Color is one of the most powerful tools used in interior design. Color should be studied both psychologically and emotionally to be understood and used correctly. Know how to select colors under different lighting conditions.

The amount of light also affects Color.

Dim lighting reduces a color's value and diminishes its hue. High lighting levels can either intensify the hue or make the color appear washed out.

Whether the light is natural or artificial will have an effect on the final perception of the Color.
Color swatches should be tested in their actual location under the expected lighting conditions before final decisions are made. The amount of area covered affects color. Variations may be negligible in a small color sample, but may be overwhelming in the finished product, color intensifies as the area of color increases.

Use color to advantage in planning a scheme for your room according to one of these blendings:
Monochromatic is when one color is used in shades, tints, and tones. Complementary is using two colors opposite each other on the color wheel, such as red and green. Adjacent is when adjoining or related colors are used, such as yellow and yellow-green.

form Generally speaking, rectangular shapes are more pleasing to the eye than square shapes. The rectangle is the most popular form and is often the dominant shape in a room. A square shape generally suggests a rational, stable form with no directionality. A circle implies unity and completeness. triangle is a stable, but dynamic shape. and curved shapes soften the contours of objects.

Use of form and its attributes affects the inhabitants by reaction. Functionality and every day use can be portrayed with clean linear lines, smooth surfaces and minimalistic geometric intersections. Formal atmospheres tend to have constrained and elaborate shape. A deep, cushy leather sofa will work best in an informal atmoshpere, while a firm, hard-back chair will work will in a living room or dining room.

Coziness and a feeling of security are created using long horizontals with broken verticals and furnishings that are comfortable, yet firm. In any one room, the various forms should be harmonious and composed of similar types of lines. One of the most important tenets of interior design is that comfort and function should not be sacrificed in order to use a certain form. For example, if a chair is pleasing to look at but uncomfortable to sit in, it is not functional, and is not good interior design. Too many different forms can make a room look busy or fussy.

Learning to see the space or object in positive and negative space will bring about rhythm, harmony and balance. Instead of looking at the space, try to see the space. Realize its edges, interplay, and flow between objects. Optical illusion can make a room appear taller by adding shorter objects, and smaller by breaking the space up into smaller spaces.

To make the space seem larger, we should use soft, light, cool colors. Another way to visually expand our customer's space is to keep the eye moving.

This is accomplished by using colors with low contrast.

If we want to make an area, or space appear to be smaller and more confined, we need to use patterns or dark, warm colors or intense contrasting colors that will make walls, etc., seem to advance visually. If the problem is too much space, divide the area into smaller segments through furniture arrangement, the use of screens, area rugs, and furniture groupings. Use warm colors and heavy-scale furniture.

Contrast / Juxtaposition A dynamic space with overall balance can be had by providing contrast between its elements: thick with thin, hard with soft, linear with curvilinear, horizontal with vertical, open with enclosed, and large with small. Engage the occupants with ornate details or create establishment with grids and symmetry.

texture To maintain and enhance a casual feeling, use fabrics that are more heavily textured, nubby or rough visual texture. Smooth, shiny surfaces such as silk, moir, chintz and silk-like looks support a more formal feeling in a room. Using several levels of complementary textures adds variety and maintains interest. However, it is a good idea to avoid dramatic contrasts in texture. Surfaces that have character bring visual interest to the room without sacrificing overall visual harmony.

The attention to detail becomes apparent when the occupant gets closer to the texture. This invites feeling the depth or relief of the surface while interacting with the room. Texture can appear smooth or solid if the scale or appearance of scale is small enough. This is exagerated by foreshortening when the areas of uniqueness or variety in the surface are no longer discernable. Bring the outdoors inward by providing textural transitions like rock and tile entry ways, hard wood flooring and natural fiber wall coverings. Create visual interest without making the room feel enclosed, ornamental or busy, as large patterns tend to do.

Cohesive use of texture creates harmony. Mixing textures without context to one another, challenges tradition and creates a mood of avante garde

Combining patterns with more contrast of scale helps the eye distinguish areas of interest and will prevent visual confusion.
Textures lose their visual variety when the viewer is further away, so small textures capitalize on visual interest without visually cluttering the room.

The use of several complementary textures can add variety and keep interest alive. Be careful to avoid dramatic contrasts between the textures used in a decorating scheme.

For example, it is not a good idea to use casual, rough burlap in the same setting with a soft and formal moir.
Heavily textured, nubby, rough surfaces absorb more light. They are more casual in feeling; they seem to be darker and they are good at absorbing sound. Smooth and shiny surfaces are more formal; they appear to be lighter and are more reflective of light.

Textures used in a room help to set the mood or theme for the room.
For example, fine, elegant textures seem to belong to more formal furnishings. A room with many unrelated textures can seem "busy." A pleasing variety of textures can create interest in a room.

Two excellent rules of thumb: 1. Contrast increases variety. 2. 2. Repetition increases unity.

balance Balance is grouping of shapes and colors around a center so there is equal attraction on each side of the center Formal balance, often referred to as symmetrical balance, creates a mirror image effect. Symmetrical balance is usually found in traditional interiors. Symmetrical balance is characterized by the same objects repeated in the same positions on either side of a vertical axis, for example you might remember old rooms where on each side of a room is an exact mirror of the other.

Informal balance means unequal objects placed unequal distances from the center in such a way that a feeling of balance is created. A good basic tip is that "a heavy looking object is placed closer to the center."

? Informal balance uses different objects of the same visual weight to create equilibrium in a room.
It is more subtle and spontaneous and gives a warmer, more casual feeling Assymetrical balance is more casual and less contrived in feeling, but more difficult to achieve. Asymmetry suggests movement, and leads to more lively interiors.

Radial symmetry is when all the elements of a design are arrayed around a center point. A spiral staircase is also an excellent example of radial balance. Though not often employed in interiors, it can provide an interesting counterpoint if used appropriately.

emphasis Interior designs biggest enemy is boredom. A well-designed room always has, depending on the size of it, one or more focal points.

The focal point should be obvious as you enter the room; it is the area to which your eye is attracted.
A focal point must be dominant to draw attention and interesting enough to encourage the viewer to look further. Whatever is featured, as the center of interest ?a fireplace, artwork or a window treatment framing a beautiful view ? must be sufficiently emphasized so that everything else leads the eye toward the featured area.

A fireplace or a flat tv is the first example that most people think of when we talk about a room focal point. we can add emphasis to a natural focal point or create one in a room through effective use of line, form, color and texture. If you dont have a natural focal point in your space, such as a fireplace for example, you can create one by highlighting a particular piece of furniture, artwork, or by simply painting a contrasting color in one area. Try to maintain balance, though, so that the focal point doesnt hog all of the attention.

The ultimate goal of decorating is to create a room with unity and harmony and a sense of rhythm. Repeating the elements, balancing them throughout the room, and then adding a little variety so that the room has its own sense of personality accomplishes this.

Too much unity can be boring; too much variety can cause a restless feeling.
Juggling the elements and principles to get just the right mix is a key to good design.

Rhythm If we would speak about music we would describe rhytmas the beat of pulse of the music Rhythm helps the eye to move easily from one object to another and creates a harmony that tells the eye everything in the room belongs to a unified whole. To achieve these themes in a design, we need to think about repetition, progression, transition and contrast. Using these mechanisms will impart a sense of movement to your space, leading the eye from one design element to another.

Repetition is the use of the same element more than once throughout a space. we can repeat a pattern, color, texture, line, or any other element, or even more than one element. Progression is taking an element and increasing or decreasing one or more of its qualities. The most obvious implementation of this would be a gradation by size. A cluster of candles of varying sizes on a simple tray creates interest because of the natural progression shown.

we can also achieve progression via color, such as in a monochromatic color scheme where each element is a slightly different shade of the same hue. Transition is a little harder to define. Unlike repetition or progression, transition tends to be a smoother flow, where the eye naturally glides from one area to another. The most common transition is the use of a curved line to gently lead the eye, such as an arched doorway or winding path. Finally, contrast is fairly straightforward.

Putting two elements in opposition to one another, such as black and white pillows on a sofa, is the hallmark of this design principle. Opposition can also be implied by contrasts in form, such as circles and squares used together. Contrast can be quite jarring, and is generally used to enliven a space. Be careful not to undo any hard work youve done using the other mechanisms by introducing too much contrast!

Another important element of interior design where it is necessary to take infinite pains is details. Everything from the trimming on the lamp shade, the color of the piping on the scatter cushion, to the light switches and cupboard handles need attention. Unlike color people find details boring. As a result it gets neglected and skimmed over or generally left out. As color expresses the whole spirit and life of a scheme; details are just as an important underpinning of interior design.

Details should not be obvious but they should be right, enhancing the overall feel of a room.

PATTERN Pattern is the repetition of a decorative motif on a surface. It is closely related to texture, but individual elements of pattern appear as individual items and texture appears as an overall tone. Pattern provides the spice in decorating.
As with using spices in cooking, the interior designer has to be careful with its use.

Scale is important in the use of pattern.

If a large print is used on a small object the pattern will get lost. The skill of using proper pattern combinations is an important one to cultivate.

we can safely use a floral pattern with a geometric pattern, a stripe or check.
Be careful not to create an effect that is too busy. Use patterns that are in proportion to each other. A large floral would be out of proportion with a small check

Overview Researching the most appropriate elements and their coexistence for the interior design project becomes much easier when the following questions are asked: What type of improvement can the interior design budget sustain? Remodeling for architectural detail or replacing the window blinds? What quality or price point will the budget support? What is the feeling the room should portray to a guest or occupant? What realistic level of maintenance can be supported (low, med. high) for the product being considered?

Does the element need a qualified installer or can it be done easily? Is the style a trend or a classic style? An example would be a retro 1970's look or contemporary style respectively. What color scheme is in use? Can the old and new be combined effectively?

Is the layout conducive to traffic flow and ergonomics?

Do patterns overtake the room creating a feeling of visual clutter? What textures would enhance the mood of the room? What style are the elements in the current room, and is that style still acceptable?

current issues and future directions in the architectural and interior design world have developed greater synthesis with the fashion world.

our private world and our physical self are increasingly in tune (at least aesthetically) with our public existence and our living space.
This new dynamic is changing the way we define trends.because they are no longer isolated. People are increasingly aware that anything in their home makes a statement about them.

Design is all about re-enforcing individuality now. Which means there are no strict rules, other than one 'Reflect our individuality'.

We shall outline the current issues and future directions that are likely to define interior space. These issues and directions are not just about interior spaces, but also on how our living spaces are increasingly reflecting our lifestyle choices. On every level. Overt and subtle. Contemporary design features continue to hold sway, although the move away from minimalism, harsh lines and a clinical ambience is replaced with a touch of old world warmth. Modern design meets mid-century interior concepts to create spaces that give us the best of both worldsold and new.

Eclecticism is in. This is the time when that colonial/antique piece of furniture can be placed alongside your contemporary straight-line sofas, and not look out of place. Mix and match is the trend as aesthetic independence becomes more pronounced.

Ornate fixtures and accessories alongside straight-line minimalist metal furniture would not be incongruous.

Colors are bold.

Green is the dominant color this year.

A deeply vibrant green. Followed by pumpkin orange, bright red---in tones from terracotta to cayenne. Orange, Yellow, Golddominating the palette. Deep cinnamon, luxurious violets, turquoise and of course the other color that is hot---Pinkbright and daring.

Metal remains an extensively used feature of design.

The only difference is that it is now mixed with other mediums, from wood to leather.
Metal laminates are being used on everything from walls to furniture. In tones of bronze, burnished copper, gold frosted, nickel.and many more. There is a lot of development in this particular aspect of interiors and it's likely to get more and more creative.

Texture.

A word to memorize this year.

Because it touches every feature of design. On walls, in fabrics, in wood finishes, in flooring concepts.anything and everything defined by texture. Flooring shows increased use of carpet tiles, and carpets that focus on tones and weaves rather than motifs. In tiles, ceramics are out, porcelain is in. Glass continues its reign of supremacy and is being used in a lot of creative ways. Not just for functionality but also for embellishment.

Furnishing fabrics are dominated by textures and weaves that focus on the in-built beauty of natural fibers. Fabrics with metal woven into them, tones and thread work, embroidery and quilting are all making a comeback. Prints are back in action but the motifs are eclectic and the colors very bold. Polka dots have appeared out of nowhere and stripes refuse to go out of fashion. Windows are no longer bare. Colour and embellishment complement modern styles. The emphasis is on creating a fusion between the old world style and the modern look.

Roman blinds remain popular as do drapes in contemporary styles. Top treatments bring back a sense of grandeur while retaining the clean lines.

Metal, leather, suede are all being used with linen, cotton and silks.
Artificial fibers are no longer visible.

Sheers are being used extensively.

Handwork and detailing bring in the elegance to the earlier minimalist styles.

Embroidery, printing and ethnic styles create their space after a long hiatus.

Wall treatments are another force to reckon with this year. Paint finishes, stenciling, the distressed look, faux treatments, color color color. Faux treatments can be used on anything from walls to wood, ceramics to metal/glass. Moldings are also back in business and ornate cornices happily co-exist with contemporary style.

Lighting..again, clean lines, simple shapes.

A new feature in the lighting market is the use of motion sensors instead of manual light switches.
Along with an attempt to focus on subtle glow rather than direct light. Offices still use fluorescent light but the attempt is to soften the edges a bit and create light that is easier on the eye. In terms of the material used, metal still rules the roost. But it is metal that comes in a wide range of finishes from hand painted texture finishes to burnished and oiled tones of copper and bronze. Shiny brass is completely out, although brass may be used and finished in a metallic shade.

China is totally pass.

Hand painting is welcome, but in a manner that develops tone and texturenot motifs.
Glass is used in a wide variety of colors and tones, wrought iron in complemented with traditional embellishments. The biggest surprise is the re-entry of chandeliers. The central light fixture is back with a bang.

If color and wall finishes are in, could murals be all that far behind? Yes, walls are being decorated with murals. The bolder the better. But only if the room is big enough to handle that kind of drama. Sofas continue with the long silhouettes and remain low and tapered.

The emphasis on beige, off-white, ecru and white continues while the color is brought in using decorative pillows.
Leather makes a strong statement this year. It touches most aspects of dcor in one way or another. But modern and traditional mingle like two enemies who have just become great friends.

If you figured that trimmings have died, think again.

Beads are being used for accessories and draperies.

The bullion fringe re-appears with a vengeance on window treatments and upholstery.

Fireplaces are in vogue again. Doesn't matter whether they are functional or not !!!
There is a whole range of styles in the market, to cater to almost any budget. The detailing varies from metal accents to texture detailing.

Decoupage is another element of design that makes its presence felt this year. Use it on furniture, or wall art. It is most definitely chic.

In terms of motifs, again, contemporary and traditional synthesize to create a new style.
Large motifs dominate in the larger interior schemes.

The bolder the better.

Kitchens are focusing as much on exteriors as interior accessories. Hardware and fittings acquire much more prominence. Moldings are more detailed although they are kept reasonably small. Open plan dominance keeps the focus on more natural light. Glass is being used in many innovative ways in interior design. From flooring to walls. Accessories to fittings. Mirrors have rekindled their appeal.

In offices, the focus is on creating low panels, reducing the cubicle environment to incorporate more flexibility. Square foot area is being kept low, and management is contemplating the new mobility and giving up huge private offices in favor of a more open environment. In homes, with the dominance of the open plan, the trend is to remove isolated areas and boundaries and create a place where one area flows into another and there aren't that many rigid definitions. Essentially, our lifestyle choices are reflecting the way we think.