Why Do I Love This Living Room?
This photo was posted on Pinterest this morning from BHG and I just fell in love with it. As I keep looking back at it and I ask why? Why do I love it? What is catching my eye?
It is a very inviting room - there are many design elements and principles used in this design to create what ever it is that is drawing me in.
The element line is very clear in this photo, the book shelves have great vertical lines that work with the detail trim over the fire place. Even the curved lines in the chairs bring your eye up to follow the tall lamps and vertical.
A slight horizontal line is introduced with the contrasting fabric band on the window panel, base of the table and the shelves in the book shelves. The fireplace mantle breaks up the vertical lines to create visual interest.
I am also drawn to the curve in the chairs and how they are mimicked in the curve of the table as well as the fireplace screen. A design is created and perfected when all the small details work together and you cannot pin point a reason to be drawn to a room.
This photo is one of my designs - the structural elements were already in the room, so playing off of the great architecture was must. The high ceilings had to be drawn down. I used the arch lamp to bring your eye back down to the living space. The horizontal lines of the windows are complimented by the horizontal breaks in the photo over the fire place. I choose to use a round coffee table in this design to play off of the arch lamp shade and to give some softness to the hard lines. The whimsical X for the base of the coffee table adds an unexpected shape drawing your eye in for visual interest.
Many designs are created every day and most people do not see the "rules" that go into creating a great design. Something that I first learned about in design school - Element and Principle - the basics that make it all work.