SELECTING TEXTILES FOR INTERIORS

Textiles enhance both residential and commercial interiors. They are probably more versatile than any other element used for interior design. Textiles also may be used as accents in a room. Trims, fringes, and braids add character and distinction to an interior. Textiles can be used for accent throw pillows, adding interest as well as comfort and continuity to a room. For instance, a particular silk fabric may not be suitable to cover an entire sofa, but may function well on accent pillows.

One of the primary purposes of textiles, however, is to humanize living spaces. Textiles provide a transition between architecture and furniture, and bring comfort, warmth, and softness to homes and public places.

Combining fabrics is a matter of training and skill. Some people seem to have an aptitude for this, others require much patient study and practice.

Although an unexpected combination of materials may create a feeling of great interest and charm, some general principles will be helpful to the inexperienced designer when combining patterns, textures, and colours. The selection of any combination of textiles must coincide with the desired feeling or mood in the room. For example, a formal contemporary studio apartment would have crisp shiny fabrics, possibly with leather accents and a woven flame stitch upholstery would appear out of place.

Many designers coordinate textiles based on a patterned fabric or rug, called the colour source. This method is fairly safe because the basic colours of the scheme are already coordinated. However, without careful consideration this approach can become static or uninteresting.

Select a textile scheme appropriate for the chosen style. For example, a Victorian-style room would include deep purples, mauves, greens, and reds in rich brocades, velvets, and heavy tapestries.

Often, predictable colour and fabric combinations and those that match exactly are not interesting or creative. Trying out fabric combinations trains the eye and helps develop a sense of what fabric selections are complementary and what groupings do not work well together. Some manufacturers develop "mix and match patterns" for wall covering and fabrics. Designers with a discerning eye generally select alternative textures and fabrics to enhance these predetermined schemes.

HARMONY

The elements of design (space, line, shape and mass, texture, light, colour, and pattern) and the principles of design (scale and proportion, balance, rhythm, emphasis, and harmony) form the foundation for all design. The organization of these elements and principles, along with the design process helps to ensure a quality design that sat­isfies the needs and desires of a client. All of these ele­ments and principles, including colour and light help the designer create an interior that is physically and psychologically comfortable, as well as uniquely attractive.

All elements and principles of design work together to promote harmony. Harmony is the unique blend of unity and variety. A unifying theme or common denominator should run through all component parts and blend them together. Exteriors and interiors are attractive when there is a pleasant relationship that provides unity, yet the aspect of variety is essential to provide interest. Variety can create the focal point or add the spark that enlivens the room. The following are some of the most common and important considerations when seeking a harmonious living environment: in every room, the interior architecture is a determining factor. Just as the exterior and interior architecture should be consistent, the furnishings of a room must also be in harmony with the background. For example, melded plastic chairs do not belong to formal in the 18th-century. A surprising juxtaposition of seemingly unrelated objects may occasionally add relief, but this practice requires sophisticated judgment.

Furniture in the room should appear to belong there. Whether the room is large or small, furniture should be scaled accordingly. For example, if the architectural background is strong the furniture should reflect the same feeling.

Colours, appropriate to the style and scale of furnishings should be considered. However, today's interiors often show great flexibility in colour usage. A sensitive ap­proach to colour harmonies in relationship to furnishings, background and style is important in achieving an ap­pealing result.

The textures of surfaces (i.e. smooth, rough, shiny, or dull) help determine the success of a room's harmony. Textures should be compatible with the design and style of all furnishings. For instance, a heavy fabric is generally not suitable for a formal white chair, nor is delicate silk damask usually at home on a rough hewn ranch oak chair.

A window treatmentcan contribute to the room's total harmony: planning a hard or soft line treatment suitable for the theme and style is essential. For example, ruffled cottage curtains are out of place in an Oriental-style house, and elegant damask swags are inappropriate for a country cottage.

Carefully selected floor coverings help unify the scheme. Hard floor surfaces like wood, tile, and stone are ex­tremely versatile and enhance most living areas. Area rugs such as a Persian oriental are appropriate in any decor and wall-to-wall carpeting can tie an entire room together. Consistency or harmony is best achieved by learning out a basic theme or style. The basic style need not be fol­lowed slavishly but a general feeling of unity should be maintained throughout. This allows the designer to combine good design from many periods with one theme dominating.

Within this overall theme, an occasional surprise to give variety and interest can provide charm and individuality.

Accessories can enhance a room or completely destroy the desired effect. The final touches added to a room reveal individual per­sonality more readily than any other items of furnishing and cannot be overlooked in creating rooms of beauty and interest. Items that are essentially attrac­tive and well designed, however, can lose their charm when not well used.

Date: 2015-12-11; view: 667