Fashion and Interior Design Styles often Evolve on Parallel Paths

Fashion and interior design styles often evolve on parallel paths. Whereas in the past no self-respecting fashionista would wear gold and silver jewelry at the same time, now skillfully mixing metallics is a fast way to look effortlessly modern and chic. Taking a cue from fashion, there’s no reason why satin nickel, brushed steel, oil-rubbed bronze, black iron, hammered silver, gold leaf, silver leaf, copper, and other metallic finishes can’t get along famously in the same room.

How does one successfully pull this off?  Trends in interior design loosely revolve around rules.  Yet, it is an ‘art’ in knowing these rules well enough to know when to break them.  So what allows trends to wander freely?

Good design consists of  elements organized around the principles of design.  Consequently a space should employ all of these principals.  If you find a space feels off – look to see if one of the principles of design is weak.   For instance, balance is the distribution of the visual weight of objects, colors, texture, and space. If the design was a scale, these elements should be balanced to make a design feel stable.  The major difference between principles and elements is that principles are rules you have to follow and elements are things that will help you complete those rules for the best project outcome.

Principals of design are:

• Balance
• Proportion
• Rhythm
• Emphasis
• Contrast
• Unity

Elements of design are:

• Color
• Value
• Form or shape
• Texture
• Line
• Space

Illustrated in this room, you will find that the chrome and mirrored surfaces dominate, giving it the continuity which is what causes your eye to move about the room.  In design terms this is also referred to as ‘rhythm’.

Furthermore, avoiding predictability is key when creating a room with lasting appeal.  Hence for this room orange and golden bronze punctuate a predominately cool color scheme with accents of color.   An accent color is considered to be about 10% of the design in a space.

This home office is just off the main entrance of the home is entered into thru a set of double french doors.  In addition to being an office, this space unassumingly doubles as a guest bedroom.  What you will find stowed away behind the doors of the armoire is a murphy bed.

I would love to hear how I have inspired you.