Elements And Principles Of Design

ASSIGNMENT ONE
ELEMENTS AND PRINCIPLE OF DESIGN

Select three interior spaces that each conveys a different message, mood or feeling. For example: a space that feels intimate, a space that feels elegant and a space that feels airy.

Describe how these moods have been created in each space using the elements and principles of design as they have been discussed so far.

It is important to examine each space you choose, to observe and understand how a specific mood and feeling has been achieved.

Work through the elements and principles of design; some will be immediately obvious, while others not so.

If you find pictures of beautiful, harmonious spaces, you will find that most of the elements will be working together.

If you feel the space is lacking harmony, you might like to mention why, and how you would change and improve it.

Contemporary Family Room

Element of Space:

This room is of generous size. The large rug and open plan transom windows to the back yard creates the illusion of a bigger space. The light hues also create the illusion of more space.

Element of Line & Shape:

The lines in this room are clean. The horizontal lines on the roof gives the impression of extended width while the doors with split windows create the illusion of extended height. The shape of the chairs in this space are very contemporary.

Element of Colour:

The beige in this living room is an understated elegance. The cool blues used in this room are brightened by the softness and purity of the beige. The blue is relaxing and refreshing to the body and mind. It is encouraging to get out in the fresh air and sunshine conveniently placed to the right. The dark timber flooring and ceiling lines create a sense of stability and reliability. It is also a sign of family unity, a perfect statement for this room.

Element of Texture:

The textures in this room are natural, coming from the oak wood floor, mahogany beans and fire. The ocean blue also being an accent of the ocean is calming.

Element of Light:

The light in this room comes from two directions, open up the space and creating a warm and inviting environment. There is no artificial light on the roof so the use of lamps and fireplace create a cosy feel rather than a bright exciting one.

Element of Pattern:

This family room is French inspired, warm and earthy. The French theme transpires from the patterned arm chairs and velvet cushions creating an elegant feel. The mahogany beams and oak floor achieve and earthy theme keeping this family room warm and inviting.  

Principle of Balance:

Balance has been achieved in this living room through the colour balance and furniture placement. At first glance this room is A symmetrical through the use of two arm chairs and the balance of two sofas placed either side. Floor to ceiling balance has been achieved with the beams begin of same origin of the timber floor and centred coffee table. The use of cool orange compliments the cool tonal blues of the cushions.

Principle of Rhythm & Repetition:

The sense of repetition in this room is set off by the uses of timber floors, ceiling beams, door frames and coffee table. Another repetition is the French inspired patterns used in the cushions and arm-chairs. They are not exactly the same however they do convey a sense of elegance. Rhythm is carried by the orange complimenting the blue and the timber being a darker form of beige.

Principle of Emphasis:

The patterned arm-chairs are the emphasis in this living room. They are the selling point to which this is a living room. The timber beams are emphasis of the roof but balanced by the timber floors.

Principle of Proportion and Scale:

This room is fairly large allowing the proportion sizes and the amount of furnishings used in this room are of larger scale. If the furnishings were more limited and the scale of furnishings were smaller this room may feel out of proportion but more airy as the negative space would be increased. 

Principle of Harmony:

Harmony has been created in this room mainly by the use of the colour scheme. The cool tones of orange and blue are warmed by the dark timber and creamy beige giving an inviting sense. The French inspired patterns of the arm-chairs and cushions add an elegant feel and a spot of class.

Contemporary Bedroom

Element of Space:

This bedroom is a medium size. The main positive space is utilized by the queen size upholstered bed, lounge chairs and ottoman. The negative space is decorated by the use of a large rug and dark stained timber floors. A sense of height has been created by the large bevelled mirrors and ceiling to floor drapes. The use of a light colour pallet in the room gives the illusion of a larger space and the plain patterns helps remove the uncluttered look.

Element of Line & Shape:

The horizontal lines involved through the bed throw and bed footer brings a restful feeling to this bedroom. The vertical lines used in the mirrors and drapery have created a sense of height and brings a formal atmosphere  tying in with the formal colour palette. The curves from the winged chairs, tea table and chandelier creates a sensual, graceful feeling that softens this room like the textures used. The bed footers rectangular shape also sets a focal point for the eyes to glide over the room. The ottoman and chandelier are of round shape suggesting exclusivity.

Element of Colour:

The two main colours in this room are beige and grey with a hint of black, defining and bringing a dramatic and elegant touch. The beige used on the throw, pillows, chairs and tea table represents quiet and pleasantness. The monochromatic greys is timeless, and classic in this room. It is a sophisticated colour without much of the negative attributes of black without being as harsh and reducing the size of the space.

Element of Texture:

The textures are simple and organic in this room. The wallpaper is made out of silk and the firewood balances the natural, organic feeling.

Element of Light:

There is a lot of artificial light in this room. Having so much artificial makes it primal to complementing which part of the room you want to highlight for certain times of the day or décor to show off. The natural light however rests behind the two lounge chairs creating an ideal place for a relaxing read.

Element of Pattern:

The patterns is this room are simple making this room not as cluttered as it would look if there was a lot of pattern used as this room as it is quite full with décor. The pattern used on the roman blinds suggests elegance working with the elegant use of the grey and winged lounge chairs.

Principle of Balance:

Balance has been achieved in this bedroom thought the elements of pattern, colour and lines all coming together and creating a contemporary look and restful feel. Balance has also been created by the natural uses of plants and wood in this room. A balance is also achieved vertically through the ceiling to floor drapes, mirrors and artwork.

Principle of Rhythm & Repetition:

A sense of rhythm and repetition has been achieved in this bedroom through the use of monochromatic colours. Repetition has also been achieved through the ongoing sense of restfulness and elegance through textures and patterns used. There is a repetition of two going around this room also.

Principle of Emphasis:

The main emphasis in this room is the bed giving it a purpose of being a bedroom. The other emphasis in this bedroom is the fireplace though unable to be used it is filled with firewood making it a feature.

Principle of Proportion and Scale:

Choosing a smaller double sized bed has worked in proportion with the smaller sized bedroom. The mirrors and artwork are within scale of each other creating proportion between the positive spaces utilized on the floor to the wall space.

Principle of Harmony:

Harmony has been achieved in this room through the use of colour. The grey is simple, elegant and clean working in harmony with the simple, clean textures. The grey subconsciously helps us sleep longer and deeper as it is suppressive and can prepare us for hibernation bringing more harmony to this room.

Natural Bedroom

Element of Space:

This bedroom is particularly small but with the use of a mirror an illusion of extra width is achieved. The positive space is utilized with the double bed and two French inspired bedside tables. The positive wall space is utilized with the fire place, artwork and window louvers. A sense of height has been created with the use of the celling to floor window louvers and pendulum French inspired chandelier.

Element of Line & Shape:

The long horizontal shape used in the window louvers and bed throw create a sense of harmony, while the soft curves of the headboard and fireplace create a relaxing feeling. The deep curves of the chandelier suggests turbulence that creates an eye catching focal point. The long square shape of the mirror also creates a sense of relaxation.

Element of Colour:

The three main colours in this bedroom are white, black and grey. The use of white from the walls and duvet create a sense of acceptance, rebirth and provides a breath of fresh air. The grey from the headboard and throw creates a medium between white and black giving a sense of balance. The use of black from the fireplace, goblets, mirror frame and chandelier is very bold yet timeless, anchoring down the use of light hues.

Element of Texture:

The textures of a woollen throw and yarn wrapped headboard achieve a sense of organic in this room. The iron goblets, fireplace and cast chandelier are also earthy and also adds a sense of organic to this bedroom. The wood from the window louvers are also a natural source texture.

Element of Light:

Natural light enters this room though the windows louvers which can be adjusted to create a light airy feeling or a quite relaxing with an easy tilt. The artificial light from the chandelier can also change the mood though the night.

Element of Pattern:

The two main patterns in this room are French and organic. The French pattern transpires from the inspiring chandelier and bedside tables. The organic pattern is transcribed by the use of wool, wood and iron/metal. The artwork also provides a sense of naturalness.

Principle of Balance:

The furniture has balance in this room as there is décor on all aspects of the walls and floor. Colour balance has however not been achieved in the sense that the black, outweighs the right side of the room as to the left is all white.

Principle of Rhythm & Repetition:

The colour scheme has a rheumatic form, from white to grey to black. The theme in this room is also a repetition being organic or French inspired working hand in hand. A repetition of curves and straight lines are also in form.

Principle of Emphasis:

The emphasis here is the bed being the largest décor component and creating the sense of a bedroom in purpose. The fireplace is the other emphasis item being black in colour drawing your eyes to the right.

Principle of Proportion and Scale:

The size of the bedroom is in proportion to the furniture size and how much is positive space is available. The height proportion is in check, in the sense that the floor area is not the only negative space being utilized with positive space thought the artwork could be more to scale with the mirror and window louvers as they are quite large in size.

Principle of Harmony:

Harmony is achieved though the colours as the white, grey and black as they all represent a message of elegance like the French décor and curved lines. The white and grey also carry a message of purity and simplicity like the wool and yarn components being earthy and natural.