The Secret Language of Interior Design
By Larissa Caramanidis
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Most of us are not familiar with the language of interior design. Words such as space planning, form, scale, and depth sound like a foreign language to anyone that is not a designer. However, “everyone of us has experienced being in a place that just feels like ‘home’ from the moment we walked in. Although we may not be able to describe why, we know that it is comfortable, or inviting, or simply beautiful,” comments Peggy Fuller, ASID and licensed designer #3904, of By Design Interiors, Inc.
Given that your home is more than likely the principal investment of your lifetime, the expert advice of a designer is priceless when it comes to creating an exceptional interior. As a consumer, it is sensible to be informed about the products and services you are purchasing, and knowing the language associated with them is invaluable. It is the job of a designer to transform a client’s desires into a plan and define how it will be executed.
When homeowners, Jim and Mary Brenner, hired By Design Interiors, Inc. to redesign their newly purchased Houston home, they were both excited and curious; they did not know what to expect. As their project developed, they soon discovered how “the secret language of interior design” would affect their home and their lives.
Space Planning –
What is it, and why is it important? “Jim and I take pleasure in entertaining now because our home feels so spacious and yet intimate at the same time. The living room and family room areas can be opened up so our guests can walk around comfortably, and there are plenty of places for people to sit and talk. Our designer made sure that everything fit correctly and coordinated well.” Unknowingly, Mary was describing the affects of successful space planning, the first step in a design plan for producing a room that flows well.
The size of a room and how it is going to be used, along with the amount and size of furnishings going into that room all influence the space plan. Each one of these elements must be considered in order to construct an area that is aesthetically pleasing. Furthermore, unused spaces and odd shaped rooms require innovative solutions. A skilled designer can help ensure the efficient and creative use of space within a room. The following are just a few things that the BDI design team did to contribute to the above sentiment of the homeowner:
- Custom sofas were arranged within the great room to delineate the formal living.
- The one of a kind iron and glass oversized cocktail table was designed to anchor the grouping of furniture for ease of conversation and to balance the dimensions of the grand piano.
- Inside the impressive double front door was placed a marble top table with detailed scroll work to greet guests.
- A vacant space beneath the winding staircase was transformed into a cozy corner with the addition of a game table and chairs.
Pleasingly, Mary states, “There is not one person that has come into my home that has not given me a compliment about its beauty.”
Form and Function –
Can form function? Form is how something looks; function is how it works. Form and function work together, and the importance of each are dictated by the intended use of a room as well as the desires of the client. A good designer has the ability to balance both. “The kitchen/family room area is where we spend the most time together as a family,” explains Mary, “it functions and flows very well...and it’s a pretty room.” This is a perfect example of how good design impacted this family in a positive way.
The kitchen and family room are characteristically the most well utilized rooms in a home because they are used by everyone in the family on a daily basis. As a result, it would seem that function takes priority over form.
