Posts Tagged ‘Part’
Insights Into Interior Design: How Designers Select Wall Hangings. Part Ii: Installing Pictures
When interior designers use the term “wall hangings,” they are commonly referring to anything and everything that one may hang on a wall. London is a fabulous place to choose wall hangings due to the many active artist communities and the strong tradition of professional interior design.
In this second article in my series on “How Interior Designers Select Wall Hangings,” I will talk in detail about several approaches that I have seen while working alongside many of London’s most successful interior design professionals.
As a general guideline, pictures tend to work well when arranged in squares or rectangles. London is a world fashion centre, and jaunty mismatched shapes can be interesting for certain highly customised interior designs, but in most cases it is best to stick with simple 90-degree angles.
Second, symmetry is important. Often when the interior designer has one central picture and several others in a set, they will choose some sort of symmetrical arrangement.
Third, a popular approach in London’s interior design community is to use the concept of “horizons” against which to align the upper edges of multiple pictures in a group. If an interior designer has an assortment of differently-sized rectangular frames, they may choose to hang an upper row from one “horizon” and the lower row from a different “horizon.”
Understanding How Interior Design Companies Work: Lighting For Mood Part V – Daypart Scene Designs
Understanding How Interior Design Companies Work: Lighting for Mood Part V – Daypart Scene Designs
In this series which I call “Lighting for Mood,” I draw on my experience working with some of London’s top interior design companies to describe current best practices in this exciting area of design.
In my previous article (Lighting for Mood Part IV), I described the basics of pre-set lighting design. In this article I talk about a new movement, in use today by certain prestigious interior design companies in London: “daypart scene” lighting design.
As mentioned in my previous article, the Interior Design Company will often present the client with a simple switch plate with just four buttons. In daypart scene lighting designs, an interior design company will designate each scene for use during a specific part of the day. Scene one is usually bright, to be used on a dull day to compensate for London’s often-overcast skies. The interior design company will have adjusted most of the lights to full brightness and some of the very discreet effects of feature lighting, which only work when light levels are low, may even be programmed to ‘off’. Early evening often starts at 4pm in London during the winter– and this daypart is ideal for scene two, which features a slightly lower level of light. Interior design companies will select low voltage halogen beams for this scene, to give a crisp and fresh look to a room. Scene two’s task lighting is left slightly higher, so that cooking can still take place in the kitchen, for example – perfect for London, as homeowners and staff often prepare for soiree guests to arrive at this time.
Understanding How Interior Design Companies Work: Lighting For Mood Part III – Dimmable Designs
Understanding How Interior Design Companies Work: Lighting for Mood Part III – Dimmable Designs
Interior Design Companies understand the term “mood” to mean a barely-definable, abstract quality that makes us feel “in tune” with our surroundings. In London, lighting is often a critical part of an interior design company’s toolbox in creating the perfect mood. In this series which I call “Lighting for Mood,” I will draw on my experience working with some of London’s top interior design companies to describe current best practices in this exciting area of design.
The principle way in which interior design companies will control lighting is by dimming the various levels in relation to each other. General lighting, whether in the form of table lamps, up-lights or down-lights, should be controlled separately from feature lighting – especially in older London residences where there is a danger of overloading electrical circuits. By day, relative contrasts are less marked, especially given London’s rainy weather patterns. When general lighting is at its maximum strength, interior design companies try to make sure it achieves a fairly even light throughout a room. By night, interior design companies will try to create atmosphere and mood by including a feature to dim general lighting to a low level and raise feature lighting. For maximum effect, interior design companies will make sure the contrast between different light sources is high. Alternatively, some London clients request a soft, inviting light, similar to that produced by candlelight; under these circumstances, the interior design company must ensure that the contrast between feature and general lighting is less marked.
Understanding How Interior Design Companies Work: Lighting for Mood Part II – Fine-Tuning
Understanding How Interior Design Companies Work: Lighting for Mood Part II – Fine-Tuning
Interior design companies understand the term “mood” to mean a barely-definable, abstract quality that makes us feel “in tune” with our surroundings. In London, lighting is often a critical part of an interior design company’s toolbox in creating the perfect mood. In this series which I call “Lighting for Mood,” I will draw on my experience working with some of London’s Top Interior Design Companies to describe current best practices in this exciting area of design.
Mood and atmosphere are the ‘special effects’ of any lighting scheme, but the subtle levels required can only be determined at the fine-tuning stage. Once the various layers of lighting have been selected, interior design companies focus on creating a balance that can produce visual harmony. This is especially important in London, where outdoor gloom can often make indoor spaces appear flat or dull. The approach used by interior design companies is similar to that involved with layering textures and fabrics when decorating. Uplighting may need to be combined with down-lighting, or table light with spotlight, in just the right proportions. Some interior design companies will employ specialist lighting consultants to advise and guide the process.
Understanding How Interior Design Companies Work: Lighting For Mood Part I – Introduction
Understanding How Interior Design Companies Work: Lighting for Mood Part I – Introduction
Interior design companies understand the term “mood” to mean a barely-definable, abstract quality that makes us feel “in tune” with our surroundings. In London, many interior design companies will focus on lighting, more than any other element, because it allows the design team to manipulate the way rooms look and feel. London has so many lighting boutiques and showrooms that it is often no problem to find exactly the right light fixture or effect to meet any interior design need. In this series which I call “Lighting for Mood,” I will draw on my experience working with some of London’s top interior design companies to describe some best practices in this exciting area of design.
Light is all-important. For example, if an interior design company has a brief to create a room in which guests will feel relaxed, light can achieve this. Alternatively, if the client desires a space that is exciting and stimulating, then light will make it happen. Light reflects the way we choose to live, and professional interior design companies can even use it to change a mood from morning to evening.
Insights Into Interior Design: Designing in Style. Part V: Modern/contemporary
Insights into Interior Design: Designing in Style. Part V: Modern/Contemporary
Interior design has always been impacted by fashion trends – both historically and in the modern day. In this article series, “Designing in Style,” I explore the meaning of style for interior designers. I draw on my experience working alongside many of London’s best-known interior design teams. This fifth and final article in my series moves on from countryside styles to modern/contemporary – a major focus of the London Interior Design community today.
Modern or contemporary design is all about simplicity. Interior designers tend to focus on fresh, clean lines, together with simple colours and basic shapes like perfect circles and rectangles. But the question I hear again and again from my interior design students in London is, “How to make a contemporary/modern design interesting and unique?” This can be a real challenge – interior designers always want to give their clients something special, but within the constraints of very simple, almost minimalist, design briefs, this can require some serious creativity!