Interior Design Module 1

Understanding Pattern

"Visual texture" Pattern adds interest, creates contrast, and brings together multiple elements like color, line and shape.

Unconventional Textures

-acoustic textures (sound of a water feature, muffled sounds of a room with heavy drapery) -sound absorbency

Unconventional pattern executions

-stones cemented on a wall -woodgrain in floorboards, brick and tiles -cut-out shapes in a metal screen -buttons on the back of a tufted sofa -moldings, balustrades and ceiling beams -nautical themes -shadow on walls from natural light -luminescence from artificial light

What are the Principles of Design ("tools")

Balance Rhythm and Repetition Emphasis Proportion and Scale Harmony

Understanding Light

Both natural and artificial light. Can transform through the intensity, placement and color of light.

Natural light

Does the space have north, south, east or western light or none at all?

Proportion and Scale

Golden Rule 60/40. For interior design: 60/30/10 Rule: for the most balanced, appealing look, choose a three-color palette for decorating a room: - 60% of the room with the dominant color -30% with the secondary color (fill half as much space as the dominant color with the secondary color) -10% with the accent color (or two accents 5% each)

How negative and positive space interplay in design

If you wanted to leave negative space for a dramatic floral arrangement and for the quirky angles of the light to shine through, you might hang the artwork low and off-center.

Artificial light

Light can create the illusion of color, texture, movement and pattern. Light is how the designer creates highlight and shadow.

Understanding Line

Lines can lead the eye, outline an object, divide a space, and communicate a feeling or emotion. Vertical, horizontal, and diagonal lines.

Understanding Shape

Must evaluate the structure and its attributes. - Windows: style of windows, depth of the sills, window surrounds, mullions) -Doors: height and type -Finishes: materials used to construct the walls and finishing details to the floors, skirting boards, architraves and cornice -Ceilings: exposed ceiling or a feature ceiling -Point of interest: is there architectural interest or is it just a box with four walls and a ceiling? Use design devices to alter or improve the appearance of the structure's attributes. For example, using high hung curtains to create the illusion of longer windows.

Understanding Color

Need to understand what color does to a space. Observe how color, pattern, repetition and balance relate. First, know what you are trying to achieve.

What does negative space do for us?

Negative space allows us to subtly emphasize the positive objects in a room. It keeps things balanced, helps us focus, rests our eyes, creates harmony, and can provide balance and relative proportion in a space. Relative proportion is how objects relate to one another or how they sit within the space surrounding them, producing clutter or even space. For example, the negative space around a painting in a room can in effect frames the painting.

Balance

Placement of objects in a space. Gives a feeling of stability and a sense of equilibrium. Achieved by distributing the visual weight of objects within a space. Visual weight can come through size, color, texture, shape. -large, dark, bright, highly textured, complex-shaped objects feel heavier and require balance through the placement of equally heavy items or multiple less heavy items.

What methods can be used to achieve rhythm?

Repetition - simplest way to attain rhythm. Can repeat any of the elements of design: line, color, texture, patter and light Alternation - alternating two or more elements in a regular pattern. ABCABC or ABBABB Progression - graduation of objects from small to large or low to high - gradients of color - candlesticks ascending in height - a set of nesting tables -three piece animal sculpture ascending in size

Rhythm & Repetition

Rhythm is the patterns that provides visual movement that invites your eye to move across the space in a pleasing choreographed way. What rhythm do you want to introduce into the space? It depends on the end use and desired mood of the space. Should the eye move to the rhythm of a waltz, salsa, rock, march or get the user to drift off on a cloud rocked gently by the wind? This will determine the visual tempo between elements that have different visual weights.

What are the Elements of Design ("building blocks")

Space Line Shape Color Texture Light Pattern

Diagonal lines

Suggest a feeling of movement, direction and freedom. Too many diagonals may create unrest and imbalance; but they can effectively direct the eye upwards or downwards and add volume to a space, making it feel larger than it is.

Three types of balance

Symmetrical - creating a mirror image gives a feeling of formality. On the one hand it can portray a feeling of stability, calmness and dignity but can also be seen as static, dull and unimaginative. Symmetry can be achieved through pattern, arrangement of furniture, fixtures and millwork, and color. Asymmetrical - creating equal weight on both sides but not a mirror image. Gives a more casual, related feeling which suggests movement and spontaneity. Asymmetrical balance relates very strongly to the visual weight of objects. Use different elements with a similar perceived weight to achieve balance on the opposing axis. Complex shapes often feel heavier and therefore are commonly used to achieve AB Radial - balance based on a circle with its design extending from the center. Creates a focus on a central item. -chairs placed around a table -circular light fitting -circular sunken living area -a rotunda

Understanding Texture

Tactile 3D quality. Impacts the mood and implied use of a space. Level of formality or informality -urbane and sophisticated -rustic and relaxed Likened to an artist's brush stroke on a painting. The texture of all surfaces and finishes in a space can be chosen carefully to create another dimension of the design. -walls can be shiny or rough -floors can be hard, soft, gloss or matte -fabric can be smooth or textured.

Understanding Space

When you diagram space, it can be two dimensional or three (l, w, h) or "space volume". Space volume includes positive and negative space. Positive space are the objects and negative space is the empty or open space around objects (breathing room).

Types of shapes

curvilinear - curves and rounded forms rectilinear - straight edges and angular corners geometric -circles, squares, triangles, rectangles with straight edges and consistent curves making them crisp and precise natural or organic shapes - found in nature such as flowers, tree branches, leaves) abstract shapes- shapes altered to simplified to reflect the essence rather than the actual representation of an object You can use shape to achieve perceived variation in the room (contrast) or to make a nod to historical and period factors. Different shapes can indicate recognizable characteristics from styles or historical periods.

Emphasis

focus point - singularly emphatic. Do not present alternative focal points to confuse. - a view (make the windows as large and unobscured as possible) - fireplace (frame with furniture placement) - vaulted ceiling (stain the beans in a contrasting color to the ceiling to feature them rather than blend) - artwork (statement piece sized correctly) - accent wall (color, patterned wallpaper or texture). The wall needs to be positioned furthest away from the entry point for the most impact. - furniture (statement dining table featuring a centerpiece. A sofa positioned between two windows with a piece of art of mirror between them) - light fitting (chandelier)

What do vertical lines do?

make rooms seem taller, wide spaces seem narrower, suggesting a feeling of strength, dignity, and height. They draw the eye upwards, creating a more formal atmosphere. Vertical lines extend away from our visual plane.

Curved lines

softening, graceful effect and suggest movement and rhythm. Great way to make a space flow. They are voluminous, taking up space; they give a human quality to interiors; easy on the eyes and pleasing to view.

Examples of negative space

space above cabinets and bookshelves intentionally left blank window intentionally left without a window treatment the wall intentionally not wallpapered

Harmony

the combination of similar parts or elements. The more similarities used, the more harmony achieved. Parts: -common element of shape -common element of color -common element of texture -a common size -similar materials -similar detail characteristics -common decorative style

Horizontal lines

widen narrow spaces, bring the eye-level down, create a sense of intimacy, and are very contemporary. Evoke feelings of stability, grounding, emphasis, and direction. Can be used to direct the viewer to a particular focal point.