Importance of Rhythm In Designing A Room - Design Concepts: Rhythm

The beautiful dining room completed by Slifer Designs is a great example of how the design concept of rhythm helps make our rooms beautiful.
Design Concepts: Design concepts give us the "why" of decorating, tell us how to select a item of furniture that is scaled properly for the size of a room. Design concepts tell us to achieve balance on opposing walls of a room. If you have a room that looks 'off,' going over the design concepts will probably help you identify and fix the room composition so that you have something truly beautiful.
Rhythm: Every composition has rhythm, or progression, it connects the various elements to the whole and encourages continuity, makes the room less fragmented. A wagon wheel is a good example of this,
the hub, the spokes, and the rim are arranged in a way that makes these relationships obvious. Our eye naturally follows the items of the rhythm or progression. Items that are arranged graduated in size (small to large, or light to dark) or arranged to show transition (young to old, winter to summer) are examples of how we can organize movement assisting our eye to travel around the room. In a room with rhythm, the eye will first be attracted to the focal point (in the wagon wheel example, the focal point would be the hub) and then it will travel around the room from place to place, grouping to grouping, discovering new sensations along the way. Rhythm not only encourages the eye to travel, but rhythm controls it. Proper selection and placement will allow the eye to travel easily and steadily until it returns to the focal point. We want to avoid the eye hitting a visual cul-de-sac or dead-end.
Analyzing Rhythm In The Slifer Designs Dining Room: In the photograph of this dining room, designed by
SliferDesigns, we're drawn immediately to the large wall art - which happens to be the room's focal point. If we say that this art is placed at 12 on a clock, we can analyze how the rhythm works here. Rhythm causes our eye to be drawn in a clockwise direction by the placement of items and groupings. At 3 on a clock, the tall candlesticks pull our eye to the right and then down to 4 where the eye is drawn to the first of the upholstered chairs. The line of the table at 6 pulls our eye to 8 and 9, traveling around the room. We are drawn to the vertical line of the drapes, they allow a nice feel of variety amongst so much progression and the strength of the drapes verticle shape subtly hold us for a second. But at 9, 10 and almost 11 on our clock, the horizontal pattern in the drapes, the horizontal lines of the mountains cape seen in the window, and the horizontal line of the hanging light fixture completes the rhythm of this composition, returning us to 12, at the artwork, our focal point, and around again.
There aren't any 'dead ends' in this room, it has excellent composition; each element has a a relationship to the whole. Good application of the design concepts including rhythm helps assure the creation of beautiful rooms.




This article is one in a series of Design Concepts, to go to the entire list, click here.


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Regeneration ~ Relaxation ~ Unwinding


Europeans already know steam showers are a MUST for the bathroom. They're becoming trendy here in the States but I'm thinking, ignore that.
The benefits (regeneration, relaxation, unwinding) mean steam showers will not be a trend. Rather you'll make your steam a part of your daily routine (a spoiled-rotten bit of your I deserve to be pampered routine).

The fact that they are popular in Europe helps us 'yanks' since now these high-end bathroom fixtures are becoming more affordable.
So, I think it isn't unreasonable to add this feature to your home improvement wish list. Tell your significant other that steam therapy is good in countless ways. Steam shower color therapy, music therapy and aromatherapy are wonderful for the body and soul and that is a benefit for the both of you.


The Duravit Steam Shower Cabin designed by Jochen Schmiddem has frame-less silicone-free safety glass, natural wood. The two seats can be folded down to make a bench.

The Tris steam shower, offers the function of shower, sauna and steam room and because it's compact even city-dwellers with limited space can enjoy this unique natural wood grain beauty. You would expect to find this beautiful quality shower cabin in a large property in a rustic setting.


To view bathroom trends slideshow, click here.
More Steam Showers, click here.

Bedrooms - Your Private Comfort Space


Thomasville's bedding line Bouvier toile against a creamy background pattern is tranquil and serene and when combined with the colors, textures and accessories shown, this room's design gives off feelings of relaxation and comfort.

Private spaces are precious and it is here that you can truly express yourself. The details individually and collectively can affect your desire and use of this important area, if cluttered for instance rather than serenity, you feel angst. All of your home’s private spaces should reflect what makes you feel content, and a bedroom, well cuddling and huddling under the sumptuous layers of bedding, that is luxury you deserve.

If your private spaces aren't lived in fully, richly, and lovingly it is possible that a professional interior designer using much of what you already have can accomplish that with you and for you.

Patricia



To find an interior designer near you, check out our Interior Design Guide. Using an interior designer will help assure you achieve the look you desire minimizing costly mistakes.

Valentines Day Punch Uses Reds Whites & Paisleys

Punched up reds and whites aren't just for Valentines Day cards anymore. Interior designers are using reds and whites in home and office interiors. The ever traditional paisley is even enjoying a new look. When it is rendered in red and white, paisley is clean, crisp and graphic. Above, Alessandra Branca's office is done in reds and whites, shown in this photo from Traditional Home Magazine. Note how the this color palette is the perfect backdrop for black and solid red accessories.



Designer Kim Zimmerman used only red and white prints (including a paisley) from Les Indiennes in this Atlanta living room at right. Bottom line- it's a great way to add some zip to one's room. Design by Kim Zimmerman (photo from Cottage Living, Jan/Feb 08; photographer Jeremy Samuelson)










"Paisley Linen" in color Brick, Suzanne Rheinstein for Lee Jofa












Paisley Print from

Les Indiennes




Paisley Park in Garnet from Lewis and Sheron






Spiral in color Lipstick & White by Buy Fabric of RichTex Fabrics