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Friday, March 23rd, 2018
Fine Furniture Design’s Cachet Collection: Notice the three seats in this living room. Two of them come in the same neutral hues while the third one, the couch on the left comes in a darker color.
Did you notice how interior design trends get hotter and more chic each year? With more and more interesting design elements being added to the fundamentals, sometimes one would think what happened to the basics? Is there something wrong with just relying on the basics or do these elements still work? Today, let’s look at informal balance also known as asymmetry.
Why Does Asymmetry Matter?
Asymmetry, simply put, is a kind of balance. Generally, as homeowners and designers think of balance as a design concept, they just stick with symmetry or perfect balance. This is like making use of mirror images in your home. This is, of course, always a wonderful option, in fact, you could never go wrong with it but if you want to stand out, this may not always be the one that would take you to that road to uniqueness.
If symmetry is all about creating a mirror image and making it balance the other half of the space, then asymmetry is all about the repetition of other elements such as colors, forms, and lines. You won’t see any splitting-into-halves with the second type. This is like setting up a living room with a feature couch and an end table plus a floor lamp.
Informal Balance Equals Visual Interest
Now that both types of balance have been defined, it’s time to take a closer look at informal balance. Asymmetry is commonly used because it adds visual interest. After all, compared to symmetrical designs, it is not common. Repetition does tend to look monotonous over time so having achieved an asymmetrical look adds to the enigma of a space.
There is a psychological aspect to asymmetry. Our brains normally process information that is repetitive or are in pattern. The mirroring effect in symmetrical homes makes it a lot easier for humans to figure out what the function and style of a room are.
If, however, the design is asymmetrical, it can take minutes for the brain to absorb what is really being depicted. The design is not obvious so the brain works harder in figuring out what is being shown to it. Since the brain tends to work hard with this kind of balance, it defines the space to be more interesting.
An asymmetrical element can also be found in a symmetrical surrounding. An example of this is the fireplace that’s right in the middle of a living room with the same number of chairs and a monochromatic color palette. But notice where your eye goes to the moment you enter the room.
There’s your answer.
Informal Balance Is More Casual
You have probably seen hundreds of mirror image designs in your entire life. It is likely that the stately dining rooms that you’ve seen online or in magazines show long dining tables with two rows of chairs that all look alike. The rigidity of the duplication in such a style is symmetrical and, therefore, more formal.
In contrast, the asymmetrical style isn’t absolute. It does not try hard to be perfect. In fact, there is a huge allowance in the differences in each furniture piece’s arrangement. This is what makes the space appear more casual. The so-called lived-in appeal is apparent in every asymmetrically-designed space.
Mastering Informal Balance
The last step is to learn how to pull off this kind of design. There aren’t any hard-and-fast rules but there are a few tips that most designers agree with.
Tags: asymmetry, informal balance, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on Making Informal Balance (Asymmetry) Work
Friday, March 25th, 2016
FFDM Sunset Canyon Collection: The colorful oranges provide a necessary deviation from the warmth of the wood and the neutral tabletop.
Using the Zen theme in your home means you have to understand the principles behind it. You can begin with shibumi which is an ideal. Its definition is not clear in Japanese but it can be used for experiences and objects that exemplify both everything and nothingness. Based on this, a Zen theme spells elegance and simplicity. It is an understatement and it is also excellent.
Shibumi, as spoken by James Michener in his novel Iberia, can be understood in the context of writing, art, or of any true work of art.
Shibumi has seven principles – austerity, simplicity, naturalness, subtlety, asymmetry, breaking from routine, and tranquility.
Austerity: Koko
This focuses on omission, exclusion or restraint. This means that you should not add any interior design aspect that was not necessary to begin with.
Simplicity: Kanso
This emphasizes the beauty and downplays utility or anything that is fanciful. The effects are neatness, freshness and cleanliness. The lesson here is that you should eliminate anything that does not have any use; instead, you should make room for ideas that work.
Naturalness: Shizen
This means you can use interior design concepts that are one with nature yet divergent from it. The essence of shizen can be captured in furniture that aims to recreate the sunset, light filtering through the beautiful trees, or the shadows of various passing clouds.
Use naturally occurring patterns in nature, as well as rhythms into your interior design.
Subtlety: Yugen
This principle explains that anything that’s finite is an enemy of nature. This implies the loss or stagnation of life. People’s curiosity is piqued when they see an interesting object just once. The world hypes everything from products to services yet when silence counters the usual hype, the former almost always wins.
Asymmetry: Fukinsei
The natural world is symmetrical but this symmetry can also be achieved in imperfect renderings. The viewer then tends to supply the absent symmetry then participates in the art of creation. This means that interior design does not have to depend on you all of the time. You can also seek the help of friends or relatives to co-create with you. You must be open for ideas that can produce necessary innovations.
FFDM Harbor Spring Collection: Flower arrangements in vases give character and a sense of serenity in a traditional dining room.
Breaking from Routine: Datsuzoku
This principle implies rest from convention. Patterns that worked in the past that have been used by different designers can – and should – take a rest, too. This interruptive break can work well in your interior design if you give it a chance.
Tranquility: Seijaku
Lastly, there’s stillness or tranquility. Those who practice Zen living know that the state of calmness or quietude is the very state where energy is created. This is the meditation phase which can up one’s self-awareness and focus.
The lesson here is that you should do something than left doing nothing.
Your home should be the first place in the whole wide world where you feel most calm and peaceful. There is nothing better than a Zen-inspired home to promote these positive feelings of serenity. If you still have no idea how this looks like, just picture the Zen Gardens in Japanese websites, magazines or photos.
Going Zen does not automatically mean that you have to resort to traditional style, though. Zen could also be contemporary with the right elements. For instance, Zen is epitomized in a room where floor cushions are scattered all around a low table. This can serve as an Oriental dining area, a unique place to enjoy meals with your family. The dark contrast of a table against a warm cream setting should be enough to evoke feelings of balance and stillness.
Tags: asymmetry, balance, designing with nature, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, nature, nature in interior design, nature-inspired design, nature-inspired home, Zen design, Zen home, Zen interior, Zen interiors, Zen living, Zen style, Zen-inspired home
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
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