Balance

I’m so excited to be back! I know I haven’t written in a while and I have missed it so! So let’s get started again!

I have been thinking a lot about balance lately. Balance in my personal life and balance in design. Since I am still juggling to find the most ideal balance in my personal life, let’s talk about balance in the world of design.

One of the core principles of design involves creating a space that is balanced harmoniously. There are two major types of balance: Symmetrical Balance and Asymmetrical Balance.

 Let’s talk about Symmetrical Balance first. Imagine a vertical plane. Divide that plane in half. To achieve symmetrical balance both sides of that vertical plane would be identical.

Photo Credit: Apartment Therapy

This type of balance is generally used in formal, traditional spaces through the use of identical objects, ie: matching mirrors, as seen in the photo above.

Photo Credit: genuinestyle.net

Yet, as is evident in the photo below. Symmetrical balance can be achieved just as harmoniously in a modern, playful space. 

Photo Credit: interi0r.com

The other main type of balance is Asymmetrical Balance. Asymmetrical balance is created by achieving symmetry with the visual weight of the objects.

Photo Credit: arhzine.com

 In general when working with asymmetrical balance, the objects are not identical but they hold the same weight in the space, ie: an oversized piece of artwork opposing a modern sculpture.

Photo Credit: mspmag.com

 

Balance in a space can act as the foundation to an incredibly visually stimulating room. So, start with this foundation and editorially add details to make it your own!

Get This Look!

I saw this dining room on Dwell this morning and fell in love with it!

Pacific Heights Remodel Dining Room by Nicole Hollis

 

The room was designed by Nicole Hollis of Nicole Hollis Interior Design and is located in Pacific Heights. Check out the full article for more information on the entire space.

I thought I would put together a few piece that could help you replicate this space in your own home.

First, the farm house table:

Modern Farm Dining Table from West Elm

 

With the farm house bench:

Modern Farm House Dining Bench from West Elm

Along with the modern wing back chair:

Gates Chair from West Elm

All three of the pieces above are from West Elm

Once you know the placement of your table, have an electrician install two j-boxes above the table and install two of these fixtures:

Besa Lighting Pendant Light- 1KV Tamburo Collection

This fixture is by Besa Lighting and can be purchased from Form Plus Function.

The last major piece is the mirror. A mirror this size can be fabricated by a local glass shop. Have them put a simple frame around it and prop it against the wall and secure it to achieve the same effect as the picture above.

Add some clear glass tableware and you will have a great room!

Quotes To Design By

“A designer knows he has achieved perfection not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.”

-Antoine De Saint- Exupery

 

Barn-Style Living Room, Living Etc.

 

Sleek Kitchen, Living Etc.

 

Shoot Spaces

Photos above from Living Etc. and  Shootspaces

 

My Second Model

These are some pictures from my second model. It was in the same complex as the first that I posted last week.

Living Room

 

This is the living room. I covered the fireplace in an Eldorado Stone. The floors are stained concrete.

Dining Area

 

This is the dining area. In order to create balance in the room, I hung pictures on the dining area wall and living room wall and in order to help divide the two spaces, I placed a console table between them.

Kitchen

 

This was a decent sized kitchen, so to help break it up, I created a breakfast area with the bar height table and stools.

Master Bedroom

 

This is the Master Bedroom. To the left is the Master Bathroom and to the right is the walk in closet. There is also a small balcony off the bedroom.

NeoCon DreamHome

I just came across some of the pictures of the Fifth Annual NeoCon DreamHome…

InteriorDesign.net

 

I fell in love with this room when I saw it. First, I think the color choices are very sophisticated and give the room great depth. The blue in the plates and  artwork is a refreshing pop in the otherwise fairly muted room. Positioning the buffet opposite the fireplace offers a great balance to the room which is heightened by the plate display and the mirror on the walls. The full length window coverings create a great sense of height in the room.

I really think the designers, Leslie Jones and Associates, did a fantastic job with this room.