Interior Design Principles: Harmony & Unity

To achieve Harmony everything in a room should be co-ordinated to express one theme, mood and style. It is very important in the initial planning of a home, or determining the interior of a room, to decide on the mood or style that you want created. And it is necessary to think of the house as a totality; a series of spaces linked together by halls and stairways with a common style and theme running 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, you might pick three or four colors and use them in varying shades throughout the house.

 

Well designed, harmonious master bedroom

 

A well-designed room is a unified whole that encompasses all the other elements and principles of design. Unity assures a sense of order. There is a consistency of sizes and shapes, a harmony of color and pattern. 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. Everything from the trimmings on the lamp shade, the colour of the piping on the scatter cushion, to the light switches and cupboard handles need attention. As colour expresses the whole spirit and life of a scheme, details are just as important. They should not be obvious but they should be right and enhance the overall feel of the room. Juggling the elements and principles to get just the right mix is the key to good design.

 

 

Well designed Living Area – everything fits the Natural theme

 

Personal Note: Finally it feels like summer in New Zealand. It is nice and warm, the perfect weather for last Sunday’s School Gala and my open studio day, where I invited children to come in and make their own Christmas cards.

Have a happy and wonderful day!”   Beate

 

Principles and Elements of Interior Design

In the following series of blogs, I’ll introduce you to the principles and elements of Interior Design. These basics are used by professional Interior Designers as a guide in choosing each item or material to create a balanced and beautiful room setting. At the end of each article you’ll be able to recognize and maybe use the basic rules in your home. The seven principles of design are

• Balance
• Emphasis
• Rhythm
• Proportion
• Scale
• Harmony
• Unity

 

The following 10 elements are the tools you can use to achieve the desired interior in relation to the above principles:

1. Mood
2. Style
3. Space
4. Line
5. Form
6. Colour
7. Texture
8. Pattern
9. Contrast
10. Lighting

  

Personal Note: “I hope you’ll enjoy my Blog and the new topic “Interior Design”.  It might be a bit confusing right now, but I am very excited to write about it, to explain the concepts in detail and to find photos with good examples.

My next blog will give you an insight into the first Design Principle “Balance”. So, stay tuned and have a happy and wonderful day!”   Beate

Magic Places

minimalistic approach

reflection of true colours

more harmony

more peace

more silence

historical monument

the temple lends grace

to outstanding natural beauty

hidden in Chinese mountains

senses deeply impressed

speechless beats the heart

imagine the power of making a wish

and its fulfillment

living life and death

while burning sweet incense

touching the soul

overwhelmed by Reds and Golds and Yellows

inscriptions, patterns, decoration

the huge Buddha is watching

illuminated by hundrets of  candles

Buddhist monks kneeling for their daily prayer

doing what they live to do

red lanterns dancing in the wind…

What more can I say?

 

 

© Beate Minderjahn –   August 2005