Elements of Design: Proportion/Scale

Believe it or not, designers don't go around creating rooms all willy nilly. There are concrete principles and elements of design that professionals utilize when working. Although most don't have a physical 'check-list' to make sure that they've satisfied every principle, rest assured that a mental one is used daily. When you understand what the principles/elements are and what they mean, it's easy to see what exactly it is that makes some designs work and others fail. If you have a space that you just can't seem to get right, chances are that one of your basic components is off.

Proportion/Scale

The term 'scale' in the design industry refers to how one or more elements within an object relate to each other. You could say that the ottoman pictured above is in scale because the feet are large enough to appear to support it without looking cartoon-ish. If you ever see an item that looks like a caricature or cartoon, it's scale is probably off. This is why it looks wrong when you put a tiny lampshade on a large lamp: the scale is wrong.

The term 'proportion' refers to how an element within a room relates to other elements within the same room. The large ottoman and mirror are in proportion to other objects and design elements in the room because of their size. A typical ottoman (one that's not the size of a small country) would look teeny in this room. Likewise, standard sized windows would make the space feel dark and cramped.

Knowing how to decode pictures that you find around the internet and in magazines makes it so much easier to apply design ideas you love at home. Look at the space you're working with. If it's a smaller room, chances are smaller pieces of furniture will work best. Likewise, a large room can't handle having dainty pieces unless they're set off by a larger one. Be sure to look at the items in the room on their own and within the space. One can't work without the other. The dining room above benefits from the smaller chandeliers (each of which are in scale...note the size of the shades) and the large painting. In fact, that room would be pretty boring without that painting. 

But, that's emphasis...and a completely different topic. 

Sources:

Contemporary Dining Room from December 2010 issue of Elle Decor. Find it here:

http://lookbook.elledecor.com/Dining-Room-Contemporary-Youthful-Glamour-in-New-York-City/id6417

Contemporary Living Room from May 2011 issue of Elle Decor. Find it here:

http://lookbook.elledecor.com/Living-Room-Contemporary-Eclectic-Cool-in-Belgium/id15782

 

 

Fun Find....Solar Lights

Light your patio in style

Add this to your Roost

I found these stylish outdoor lights when Mother's Day shopping and just had to share. 

(Lucky Mom! Guess what she received as a gift!)

 

 Add this to your Roost

These stylish ceramic outdoor solar lights are such a great alternative to candles that blow out in the wind. The two shown above are medium sized and sport a trendy cobalt blue glaze. They're fitted with a small LED light in the top. Sit them out in the sun for as long as you can and the lights will kick on when it gets dark. The battery can last up to 8 hours.

They don't throw a ton of light, but the sure do look good doing it!

The best part? 

You can buy them at Target for $15 to $25 depending on the size. 

Maximum style, minimal investment.

Love it.

Sources:

Top Image- Home (c) Ceramic Tabletop Lantern Medium from Target. $24.99

 http://www.target.com/s?searchTerm=ceramic+tabletop+lantern&category=0|All|matchallany|all+categories

Bottom Image- Home (c) Ceramic Tabletop Lantern Oval Lantern from Target. $16.99

 http://www.target.com/p/Home-Ceramic-Tabletop-Oval-Lantern/-/A-13758918

Simple Rules for Colorful Spaces- Issue 2: Neutral Palette

Image Source: Michael Abrams Limited, Interior Design. North Seely Avenue Residence

www.michaelabrams.com

I don't know about you, but I love a good neutral palette.

It's a classic for a reason. It looks good in every style home and is easy to achieve on your own. 

The key to perfecting your neutral space is understanding that 'neutral' does not have to mean boring. In fact, neutral rooms sometimes require more thought than colorful ones in order to avoid looking stark. 

 Here are some tips to planning your perfect (neutral) palette:

- Paint the walls a color, not just white. I love the Benjamin Moore "Shaker Beige" used in the room above

- Avoid using the whitest shade of white that you find at the paint store. Go with a creamier tone for a warmer feeling

- Neutral rooms go great with natural flooring. I love a rustic wood floor in a bedroom or natural stone mosiac in a bath.

-Mix in some metallic accents

- You don't have to just paint the walls! Consider incorporating some paneling (or reclaimed wood planks!) or large patterned wallpaper in some areas.

-Don't be afraid of patterns! Notice how the room above uses bold pattern to add interest. Patterns are easy to add in furniture, rugs, and wallpaper. If you want, start out with bold patterned pillows before you make big ticket purchases or spend a day hanging wallpaper.

-Mix different wood colors. Nothing is more boring than a room with only one species and stain of wood on the floor, furniture and accessories.

- Play up the texture. Neutral rooms benefit in amazing ways from varied texture. Incorporate all types of materials from wood, to linen, to silk to keep it interesting and cozy. The image below is a great example.

Image Source: House of Wentworth by Amy Lambert Lee. "Pearson's Room" See sources for link.

 - You can go as light or as dark as you want in your palette! The top image focuses on beiges and creams. The super cute nursery above focuses on shades of white. 

-Don't rule out greys! Neutral colors that pull towards the cool side of the spectrum can look great, too!

Here's what I love most about the neutral palette:

It's so easy to buy for! Every store that you love will always carry products that will match your neutral room. So, long after your new cherry red washer and dryer go out of style (more on that later), you'll still be loving and buying for your classic neutral palette. Not only that, but you'll love it longer, too. 

Neutral is always in season. 

Glam it up for the holidays with some greenery and metallic ornaments. Make it feel more summery with some rope accents and woven rugs...and maybe a nautically inspired pillow or two.

Neutral palettes are so easy to love and even easier to implement at home. 

Enjoy!

Sources:

Top Image: Michael Abrams, Limited Interior Design. North Seely Avenue Residence. View this image and the rest of Michael Abrams' portfolio at http://www.michaelabrams.com/north-seeley-avenue-chicago-illinois

Bottom Image: House of Wentworth by Amy Lambert Lee. "Pearson's Room" posted Sept. 6, 2010 at http://houseofwentworth.com/2010/09/06/pearsons-room/

Fun Find...Bud Vases

Seriously. How cute are these bud vases? I don't know if I want to go pick wildflowers or have a margarita. 

They're handmade and dishwasher safe. 

Get them both for $36! What a bargain!

Love love love.

Buy them for your roost 

Source: Lemon & Lime Bud Vases from Uncommon Goods at http://www.uncommongoods.com/product/lemon-lime-bud-vases

Buying Guide....Knife Storage

Sharpeners

 

Sharpening Steel:

- Wustof Sharpening Steel from Crate & Barrel. $19.95 (regularly $30) Buy it here 

Multi-stage "Pull Through" Sharpener:

- Wustof Universal 4 Stage Sharpener from Crate & Barrel. $29.95 (regularly $40) Buy it here

 

Storage

1. Wustof 17 Slot Walnut Knife Block from Sears.$49.99 (regularly $75) Buy it here
2. Rationell Knife Tray from Ikea. $14.99 Buy it here
3. Modular In-Drawer Knife Rack from Williams Sonoma $34.95 Buy it here
4. Fintorp Magnetic Knife Rack from Ikea. $8.99 Buy it here
5. Bisbell Magnetic Oak Knife Block from Williams Sonoma. $99.95 Buy it here
6. Universal Bamboo Knife Block from Crate & Barrel. $39.95 (regularly $59.95) Buy it here

Sources:

- Sharpening Steel from Crate & Barrel at http://www.crateandbarrel.com/kitchen-and-food/knife-sharpeners/w%C3%BCsthof-sharpening-steel/s253677- 4 Stage Sharpener from Crate & Barrel at http://www.crateandbarrel.com/kitchen-and-food/knife-sharpeners/w%C3%BCsthof-universal-4-stage-sharpener/s145923

1. Knife Block from Sears at http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_SPM6003566402P?sid=IDx20101019x00001b&srccode=cii_18492716&cpncode=27-119405837-2

2.  Knife Tray from Ikea at http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60185406/

3. Knife Rack from Williams Sonoma at http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/modular-in-drawer-knife-rack/?pkey=cknife-sharpeners-storage

4. Magnetic Knife Rack from Ikea at http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20202083/

5. Magnetic Knife Block from Williams Sonoma at http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/bisbell-magnetic-oak-knife-block/?pkey=cknife-sharpeners-storage

6. Knife Block from Crate & Barrel at http://www.crateandbarrel.com/kitchen-and-food/knife-storage/universal-bamboo-knife-block/s511105

Everything you need to know about....knife storage

Even amateur cooks need sharp knives

Even if you aren't a professional chef, sharp knives are critical to efficient and safe slicing and dicing. Don't be scared of a sharp knife. You're actually more likely to hurt yourself using a dull one.

If you would magnify the dull knives that you've probably been using for years, you would see that the once sharp edge is actually folded over like the top of a soft serve ice cream cone. That's why you've been mashing your tomatoes rather than slicing through them. Those guys on infomercials selling you new knives don't have any special tricks, they just sharpen their cutlery. Once you start to do this too, you won't be able to imagine how you managed before. Suddenly, slicing tomatoes and peeling potatoes is less of a chore and you'll increase your odds of living to old age with all of your fingers in tact.

Ideally, you'll want to invest in a good set of knives to work with. But even cheap knives benefit from sharpening. The best way to do this is by using a pull through sharpener (find one anywhere kitchen products are sold) and a steel to get the angle of the blade just right. The steel is that tubular metal piece that often comes with knife sets. Using one can be a little tricky. I'll admit that I can't do it very well. If you're like me, a multi-stage pull through sharpener should get you through just fine until you get better at steel sharpening. Be sure to get one that will work on serrated knives, too.

How to keep your knives (and hands) safe

Proper storage is essential to keeping your knives sharp and your hands protected when searching through drawers. Never store knives loose in a drawer. Always cut on plastic, wood, or butcher block. Cutting on stone, glass, or (heaven forbid) you counter will do horrible things to your knives. Don't do it. Seriously.

There are many great and attractive options for knife storage to suit your needs and style. 

-The Classic Knife Block: a solid block of wood or bamboo with slots designed to fit each knife perfectly. Keeps your edges safe from harm and keeps your hands away from the edges. Many knife sets come with a dedicated knife block, but universal blocks are available to fit standard sized knives.

-In-Drawer modular storage: racks made to fit into your cabinet drawers. They come in many materials and colors and can fit in anything from 12" drawers and larger. They work just like utensil dividers. These tend to work best for smaller pairing or steak knives and might not be a great option for your 10" chef's knife.

-Magnetic Blocks and Racks: love these. Magnetic strips are either fitted into solid wood blocks for a more traditional look or mounted to a rack on the wall. Racks give a totally modern look and are so easy to use. You'll never forget which slot in your knife block goes to which knife. Easy to see, easy to grab, easy to clean.

-Non-traditional Blocks: There are some other options out there for the more adventurous. My favorite is a knife block that features polypropylene rods instead of wooden slots. It allows you to put whatever knives you want into the block without being limited to the pre-formed slots. Totally cool.

Check out the shopping guide for suggested storage options.

Image Source:

Williams Sonoma, Wustof Classic 7-pc Knife Block set for $299. Buy it at http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/wusthof-classic-7-piece-knife-block-set/?catalogId=38&cm_src=AutoRel