Line
Form Flow

ELEMENTS OF DESIGN
POINT
SCALE
TEXTURE & PATTERN

LINE goes every which way within the design elements. Movement is the vehicle by which line becomes form, also by which FLOW is created.

LINE connects to other lines, other dots, to create form. Form is the variety of shapes of objects around us in our home interiors.

An artist either instinctively sees the elements or is trained to. Art must pay attention to how lines relate to one another to achieve the desired effect, especially when reproducing realism. Even abstract art is dependent on the elements of design in the relationship between lines for the right effect.

In our interiors, it is important to pay attention to the relationship principles between the design elements & to be aware of lines that make up a room interior. A combination of lines seems to deliver the desired effect of balance & harmony.

Hard straight room lines define what the various elements of design will take on within its structure of ceiling meet wall meets floor. Echoing & reinforcing these straight lines are the millwork, possible board flooring, appliances, electronics, straight sided pieces of furniture, framed art, cabinetry and so on.

STRONG LINES Create the Foundation for the Décor

Click to art prints

Many of these are horizontal & vertical lines parallel & at right
Click to art prints angles. Homes & interiors are designed just this way. If you want to create a stoic, severe, formal or even minimalist space, that is what the continual repetition of these lines will do. SOFTENING THE HARD EDGES OF ARCHITECTURAL STRUCTURE

Most us want homes that are more inviting, warm & friendly. For this reason it is necessary to introduce a variety of shapes, textures & angles to soften the effect, to design into the Living Spaces, comfort & interest.

These may obviously be the fabrics used in upholstery, window coverings, bedding, etc. Imagine what effect a beautiful carpet has on a hardwood floor, especially a round or oval shape. Think of how a lampshade introduces new angles. Sculptural art is a wonderful distraction from the otherwise formal lines of our room foundation. The subject images within framed art may also lend itself to the ‘texture’ of the room.

THINK IN TERMS OF THE LINE of the various room furnishings. We tend to see objects instead of the elements of design, but it is important to see the line each is designed with, then from there, how it leads the eye.

In seeing your home interior, learn to see first the structure of a room. What do the bare bones look like? Then decide what it needs to best enhance it. Where does it need to be strengthened? Or softened? How can this be best achieved? What lines will best accomplish the task?

Let’s look at the converse effect of a room without the foundation of the strong architectural base. Depending on what the desired effect is, this is a room structure with a receding quality, which may be beneficial or may not. It is very easy for this type of room to simply wash away! If that is the desired effect, great for a minimalist style, it could work very well.

More often though, the structure is better strong, giving support & substance to the furnishings you arrange in it. If this in not recognized, there is the unconscious tendency to keep filling up the space attempting to compensate FORM

Once you have a grasp of POINT, then LINE & how it creates FORM, the next logic is how LINE moves, FLOWS or STOPS. Line has the potential for movement or stopping effect. Learn to see this relationship between the elements of design, objects & furnishings. Most desired is flow for ease & comfort. Stop elements are jarring.

FLOW

The successfully smooth movement between objects suggests unspoken grace. Imagine an overly large dining buffet & hutch with a tiny chair beside it & a blank wall adjacent to the chair. STOP. See it now with a larger scaled armchair & a scaled piece of art on the wall.

Color creates flow as well. Try this: Imagine a yellow Parisian Apartment. Heavy yellow brocade draperies flank the windows, floor to ceiling. See the flow? Now see the draperies black or navy or red. In a small space this clever use of color creates a flow that gives the illusion of larger Living Spaces.

Can’t see the POINT? …LINE or FLOW of the elements of design? Well neither do 90% of the rest of the human race. Less than 10% of people can visualize effectively, which is the gift if those who can, which is why we have designers!

Need Help? Contact LIVING SPACES Interior Design for Interior Design Home Decorating Space Planning and Color Consultation.

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