| |
| |
|
Interior Decorating Information |
|
|
|
Seeking Balance in Your Home Decor
In our homes, as in other parts of our lives, we are happier when we live with balance and harmony. Just like the rest of our lives, balance in the rooms of our homes is sometimes hard to create. For many years, decorators and home owners tried to create this physical balance by having pairs of everything: 2 matching end tables, a matched pair of wing chairs, even sets of twin beds in the master bedroom. This certainly created a balanced room. It also created rooms that were sterile, formal and visually boring. In a formal setting or a Federal or Georgian home, this is still the way things should be to look 'right.' Our ancestors valued this perfect balance so highly that they created false doors in hallways so that both sides matched or doors that looked like windows so that the right and left sides of the back of a house matched perfectly. This can still be seen if you go to visit some of our historic homes. A notable example is the Hammond-Harwood House in Annapolis, Md. We, however, tend to prefer a more relaxed approach to our homes. So how do we create a feeling of balance without matched pairs of everything? You can use: Color Dark colors have more 'weight' than light colors. Actual size Height, depth and width of an object Mass A thick bulky looking object has more 'weight' than a fragile, delicate one. Just visualize a blown glass vase and a terracotta pot of the same size. Number A group of several like objects in different sizes grouped together creates 'weight.' Think of an assortment of silver candlesticks. Light A dark corner has more 'weight' than one filled with light. If you want to prove this to yourself, gather together a group of assorted objects and use a tabletop/mantel and try out different scenarios. Be sure you have different sizes, colors, textures and shapes. You can put a larger framed picture against one end and a slightly smaller one in front of it. On the other end of your table put a heavy pot. Do the same thing with a matching pot at each end. Try pairing the picture group with an assortment of candles in candlesticks. Each time you create an arrangement, step back and look at it. In fact, if you have a digital camera, take a picture of it. If you do this for a while you will start to get a feel for balance. You can actually give the illusion that the tabletop is tilted slightly by throwing off the visual balance. The same effect can occur in your room arrangements. If you doubt this, close your eyes and try to 'see' a room in which you felt physically uncomfortable or slightly disoriented even though there was no obvious reason. A room in which the heavy items are all on one side of the room, almost feels as though the floor tilts. Once you have a feel for balance you can start to create a harmonious home. Stand in the doorway of any room in your house that you feel isn't 'right.' What do you see? Does the burgundy chair stick out like there is a spotlight on it? Does the entertainment center overwhelm the room? Do you have a TV and a fireplace battling for focal point? Do your easy chairs look like they were made for children next to your mammoth sofa? Does your fireplace mantel look like you are setting up for a tag sale? Your room is out of balance. Move the furniture around and try different arrangements until you have one that works. Unless you have a room that is just for show like a Victorian parlor, you need to be able to use the room comfortably. Once the practical set-up is done, look at the room from different angles. If the room is out of balance use color and accessories, plants and pictures, groups of like objects, light and volume to create an illusion of balance. Try grouping the accessories on your mantels and tabletops. Balance the entertainment center on one side of the fireplace with a tall plant or group of plants on the other. Note: avoid having the tops of everything at the same height. You might as well draw a line around your room. Repeat the color of the chair in pillows, throws, lampshades or the matting around a group of pictures. You really will be amazed at the difference it makes. We may all be born craving balance but except for the lucky few, we have to learn to achieve it. There is a myriad of books on the subject and it can help to read them and look at the pictures, but the best way to get a feel for balance is 'hands on.' Experiment with portable objects until you get a feel for what works and then enjoy creating your harmonious home. Indra A Books, author of this and many other lifestyle articles is the owner and founder of ON THE GO 4 U, Personal Shoppers & Concierge Service in the Washington DC metropolitan area. The company's creed is to provide its clients with the ultimate life management experience. In addition to its shopping and concierge services, ON THE GO 4 U also publishes a monthly e-zine and conducts workshops on wardrobe, entertaining and decorating. For more information about the author and ON THE GO 4 U, please visit http://www.onthego4u.net Content for this article was provided by Suzanne Copenhaver, Design Consultant to ON THE GO 4 U. Suzanne has years of experience decorating in less than ideal situations and always provides us with tons of insight. © 2005 Indra Books for ON THE GO 4 U
MORE RESOURCES:
Interior-Decorating - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
The Benefits of HEPA Air Purifiers The military designed the first HEPA filter in the 1940s for use in the Manhattan Project, when safety from free-floating nuclear material was a primary concern. Today, HEPA air purifiers are very widely used to remove dust, pollen, mold, bacteria, and other airborne particles. Live in (French Country) Style Parlez-vous Françes? Don't worry - you don't need to speak French in order to enjoy the bright, comfortable and classic style of French Country in your home. From weathered walls to wide wooden tables, it is not hard to achieve the French Country look using the following guidelines. Displaying Posters: Some Ways You Never Thought Of How many ways can you display posters? With the easy availability of thousands of inexpensive posters online, you can turn any house or apartment into a unique art gallery!Sure, a poster can be hung on a wall, or attached to it with tacks or tape. But often a more interesting look comes from placing a grouping of posters on the same wall. Seven Ways to Emphasize a Decor Style After searching decorating books, using trial and error decorating, and growing up a little bit, you have finally found the style of decorating that you really love. Your style could be Arts & Crafts, French Country, Asian, or Metro Hip. Decorating a Guest Bedroom - Get Out of your Own Way Decorating a Guest BedroomThe guest bedroom is the one room in the house that you aren't decorating for yourself. Therefore when you go to design the rooms décor, it is important not to get in your own way. Contemporary Grandfather Clocks The name "grandfather clock" instantly conjures up images of a dark, musty room, grandpa sitting in his rocking chair, smoking a pipe. Curls of woodsy smelling smoke drift across the room as his faithful old clock strikes the hour. A Look at Water Softener Systems Do you ever feel like nothing you do when you clean works? Do you still feel dirty when you get out of the shower? Does your hair feel dry after you wash it? The problem may not be the soap or detergents you are using. Your problem might be hard water. A Guide to Shower Curtains Bathrooms do not always offer many opportunities to make style statements. Sure, you can paint the walls or change the flooring. Where to Find Cuckoo Clock Parts In some places, one might be able to find old men bent over tables with all of the knowledge, expertise and inventory of parts that are necessary to fix a broken or malfunctioning cuckoo clock. For those of us who don't have the time or desire to seek out such eccentric craftsmen, the Internet has become a haven for locating and purchasing any of the hundreds of individual minute pieces that make up a Black Forest cuckoo clock. Beds In A Bag Make You An Instant Designing Pro! If you feel bedroom-designing challenged like I am, then bed in a bag sets may just be perfect for you! Everything you need comes in one complete set, and is designed to match or coordinate perfectly.With no guess work, your bedroom will come out looking just like those in the finest home design magazines and at a price you can afford. Safely Decorating Your Kids Bedroom ? Wall Decorations:Never place a wall hanging, picture, poster, or any other decoration on the wall within the baby's reach. Remember that once the baby is able to stand and reach up these things can be hazards. Make Your Homes Style Unique With Mix and Match Decor You see it all the time in retail discount stores: Color coordinated decor for just about anywhere in your home. And some of the designs are quite pretty. Contemporary Rugs - Home Decorating With Contemporary Area Rugs Got a room that's crying out for a bright accent or a face lift? One of the quickest, cheapest ways to perk up your living space is with a new area rug. Not just any area rug, though. Resourceful Redecorating - Budget Friendly Home Decorating Spring is here and for many of us it's the perfect time to organize and decorate. As winter passes into spring, it's out with the old look and in with the new look. Lamp Shades Decorate a Room When redecorating a room, don't forget about your lighting. While it may seem that you will have to purchase all new lamps for your new décor, sometimes all you need is a new lampshade. Roman Shades Made From Fabric Roman shades are a simple and classic way to adorn windows. They are unobtrusive and can block a glaring sun or nosey neighbors. The Benefits of Gourmet Picnic Baskets Instead of carrying dinnerware, silverware, beverage containers, and so on, gourmet picnic baskets contain food for the feast. Gourmet picnic baskets are woven baskets, either with an open top or a closeable lid, containing cheese, salami, bread, crackers, olives, vegetables, dips, and desserts like strawberries, chocolate sauce, whipped cream, mints, and so on. 5 Ways In Which You Can Make Simple Changes To Your Home Decorating Home decorating, ever wanted to try it, but hesitated because of time constraints or budget concerns. The following ideas will not only give instant results, but more importantly fit into any budget. The Advantages of Copper Kitchen Sinks If you want a touch of class and art in your kitchen, you might consider choosing a copper sink. Copper sinks are crafted from first quality, super-thick copper, hand-hammered and formed into a charming early American style. 10 Home Decorating Ideas To Quickly Update Any Room Not all home decorating ideas require a heavy investment of time and money. If you're looking for a few affordable home interior decorating ideas to freshen up a room over a weekend, try these ten:1.
|
| home | site map | Nautical Decor |
| © 2006 |
