The Details

I have fallen in love with Vanessa De Vargas’ L.A. based furniture and interior design firm called Turquoise.  We were given an assignment to find an interior and analyze the elements and principles of design incorporated in it.  I came across this vintage room and had to use it!

Most of the lines produced in this room are horizontal with some curves; this produces a calm, relaxing feeling that is very welcoming.  There are also multiple textures created by the different elements, which gives the appeal of a built environment.  Vanessa incorporated a mixture of colors into her design.  The blues mixed with the creams/browns gives it a pure and calm feeling, and then the pop of dark fuchsia adds a vibrant while still warm sense that helps keep the room interesting. 

The way Vanessa kept balance in the room is having the big heavy couch on the right side that draws attention, and then equaling it out on the other side with a higher number of smaller items. The emphasis is placed at the center of the room with the dark fuchsia print fabric on the couch.  The couch is the focus of the room, so with the addition of color, the eye is immediately drawn to it.  There is a medium scale to the space that is comforting to any individual.  If it were any smaller, a person would feel large and somewhat out of place; if it were any bigger, the cozy feeling would be lost and a person would feel inferior.    

There is definitely a variety in this design, but the overall vintage feel makes the room harmonious.  These principles and elements of design are in everything we encounter, from the label on your chapstick to the house you live in.  Many people do not stop to think about it, but next time you see a something that you don’t particularly like, ask yourself why.  I am willing to bet that there is a key element or principle that is missing that makes the overall design look poor.  Remember: it’s in the details that you find true beauty.  =)