Friday, July 21st, 2017
There are many principles to talk about when discussing interior design. But when organizing and designing, it is a wonderful tool that you can use effectively. But, first, let’s define color contrast.
If you are to define contrast in interior design, this is the difference between two hues – that is all there is to it. When you’re building a webpage, though, it becomes an entirely different thing. You would want to have a high contrast between the background color and the text. High contrast between interior design elements could give a messy look. Yet black and white is the highest contrast that can be created.
Contrasting Colors
Colors may contrast in value, hue and saturation yet color theorists have come up with different kinds of contrasts through the years.
Hue contrast is as simple as saying high contrast or low contrast. This relates directly to the fusions on the color wheel. The farther each color is from each other, the higher their contrast becomes. Complementary colors have the highest contrast while the opposite is true with analogous color combinations.
A special contrast of hue is the so-called cool and warm colors. These depend much on how the eyes work. Warm colors appear closer while the cooler ones are more distant.
Contrast of value is best in the creation of bigger contrasts. Black and white is believed to be the highest contrast of value. Huge differences in lightness are pleasant to the human eye. Lower contrasts on value can be used on subtle differences.
Saturation contrast is best used in designing aspects that don’t require emphasis. Color sets with varying saturation that are set against a gray background, for instance, is seen as transparency. This is an interesting piece of design aspect.
Decide which part of your home you would like the color contrasts to take place. Imagine a pastel sofa surrounded by other pieces of furniture in jewel tones. These will make for a wonderful rendition of successful color combination.
You could be tempted to keep the walls white but try saffron instead. When combined with green tiles, the saffron wall would create a more interesting visual thing to look at.
Blue and reds, grays, oranges, greens and yellows can be combined as warm and cool tones. They can be used to balance the ambiance, to make cozy, or to create drama.
Contrast in Composition
When talking about color contrast, this generally refers to a number of color fusions yet it is not limited to these. Textures can also be contrasted with the right set of hands. Shapes can, too, though this is rarely done. If you want to start using shape contrasts at home, then you can look for geometric or boxier pieces and start mixing them with round or curvy pieces of furnishings.
Going back to colors, you can also add a pop of color to any colorless space so you can perk it up or give it a more interesting dimension.
Dark blue walls and turquoise blue may be close on the color scale but they can still appear different. These colors just prove that even almost similar colors can be perceived differently. This example of color combo can also be used as an exciting pop of color in a room where you would want some activity and increased productivity.
Juxtaposition is also about experimenting with visual interest. This means being comfortable in mixing lighter oak with walnut or granite countertops with walnut cabinets.
A Contrast Room?
When you want a bright, white home, having a dark more mysterious room might be a far out idea. Not in a home where contrast is being set up. How about having the guest room in dark color while the rest of your home swims in a lighter hue?
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Friday, June 10th, 2016
Have you ever tried to define the word contrast? This is an oft used word in the world of interior design. Dictionaries define this term as the combination of unlike elements such as tone, colors, textures, patterns or emotions. This can be further defined as the lightest versus the darkest parts of a photo, painting or any other work of art.
Dullness vs. Contrast
Take a careful look at most black and white photographs; these are often difficult to read since there is no color contrast to begin with. This kind of photograph often appears flat except when taken at an angle where the depth is clearly defined. If there is any contrast in a black and white photo, these are the tonal contrasts.
To further define contrast, this is the comparison of two things with respect to their differences. This can also be similar objects but with dissimilar qualities.
Are you starting to get the concept of contrast now? No?
Examples of Contrast
One example of contrast is when an interior designer would want to highlight the intricate designs of a cream-colored cabinet inside a kitchen. This can be achieved if you use a charcoal wall as backdrop. The cabinets would appear to be the star of the show once you achieve this.
This kind of contrast is what’s known as achromatic. This is the contrast between two opposing shades – black and cream.
Contrasts can also be seen in nature each day. The white sheep grazing on the green, grassy landscapes; an orange buoy in the midst of the blue sea; white snow and some black rocks nestled beneath it; and many such contrasts.
Contrast: A Composition Element
Contrast is a crucial part of composition. You can easily create contrast, more frequently with colors. At times, you can make subtle contrast with texture. Rooms can also play with different forms of shapes which can also represent a kind of contrast.
Geometric pieces like curvy ones can play contrasting roles with edgy pieces.
Above any element, you need to consider the color contrast when you are out to achieve opposition. Contrast makes objects distinguishable.
Here are seven kinds of contrast according to Johannes Itten –
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2016
Craftsman dwellings were inspired by architect brothers Henry Mather Greene and Charles Sumner Greene. These ingenious minds worked together during the 20th century in Pasadena, California. The Greenes were quite inspired by the English arts and crafts movement and Oriental architecture. In their own promoting handmade stuff rather than those created inside factories and were machine-made.
If you want to have a first-hand look at the beauty of craftsman design and architecture, you could visit Southern California where a few bungalows from 1905 till the 1920s still stand. You will surely love this style if you like things that may be old but have got a timeless appeal.
Characteristics to look for include gabled roofs, front porch, tapered columns, partly paned doors, multi-pane windows, and a lot of earthy colors.
Craftsman houses are typically painted in any nature-inspired color. You will see a lot of browns and greens. The low-profile homes often blend with their natural surroundings. The muted palette comprising of just one or two contrasting colors are used to highlight the breathtaking architectural features.
Regardless of the style that you choose for your home, keep in mind that painting an architectural feature with a contrasting color is an effective way to highlight such feature.
Another characteristic that is unique to a craftsman home is the stone detailing. See the mixture of different materials with the siding typically made of wooden clapboard. There are some that feature shingled siding as this was a pretty common style, too, back in the day. The foundations and porch piers are generally made of stone with some concrete block, bricks or stucco used at times.
Craftsman style also comes with roof eaves, exposed beams and rafter tails. All these reflect the influence made by the Arts and Crafts movement, thus, visible handiwork was featured and were considered in style.
Democratic Mixing
Get a craftsman style book and mix materials that you can get your hands on. Think of cladding a little addition of brick or stone even when your home already has existing clapboard siding. The addition of exposed rafter tails or beams should not mean that you are supposed to reconstruct your home or even replace your roof. Such details are commonly decorative in nature and can be easily added below a home that already has deep roof eaves.
There is something inviting and warm about a craftsman home. It celebrates the fusion of building materials, lovely structures, and most especially, the 20th century architectural features.
So, how to begin?
Start with a view of some of the craftsman homes still in existence. Take note of the window detailing, those exposed rafters, the facade, stained glasses as decorative accents, and the overall warm glow of the place.
Consider also the kind of lighting used which mirror the exteriors. Find sconce and pendant lighting that will cast a warm, golden glow throughout a room. While this is the general rule when it comes to craftsman homes (warm lighting plus earthy colors), this does not mean that you can’t put your own personality into it. You can opt for the bright home approach where you balance the bright hues with the wooden accents which are the staple materials of a craftsman home.
Other colors that you can add to your palette are white and blue. Gray can also give your craftsman home a contemporary appeal. Include white wooden accent pieces, modern pendant lighting fixtures, and some contemporary art. The result is a comfortable and trimmed yet modern and posh at the same time.
Isn’t it fun to make historical homes appear modern inside? This can be your take on retro meets the contemporary look.Craftsman design is sure to captivate both young and old spectators.
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