Pages

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

[Deco 101] The Principles of Emphasis

When we photograph or paint, we usually have a point of emphasis or focal point that draws or attracts the eye. As the example below, any surrounding objects (bush)-that is, areas around a focal point (a deer)-appear a bit blurred. The objects (bush) surrounding your focal point (a deer) are in your peripheral field of vision.
People's brains become very accustomed to the way in which their eyes fouces, unconsciously and automatically, people search for a focal point whenever they look at something. If a focal point isn't apparent, their eyes settle on any point at random, or they wander restlessly from place to place, looking for a central point. When it comes to interior design or just to decorate a room, we can satisfy this natural desire for a focal point by deliberately creating one in a room.
That focal point provides the needed emphasis that will hold the entire design together. Because the eye can't focus on several locations at once, a focal point should be provided in every room.

Case 1. When you've already had an inherent focal point.
When it comes to decorate a room, you may find that you won't have to provide a focal point, rather may already exist one in your room but you just don't notice it. For example, the room may have a fireplace or a large picture window, and which could be a great focal point in the room to begin to decorate. Below shows two examples of focal points that may be inherent in a room.



Since you've already had an inherent focal point, you can even emphasize such inherent focal points to make them even stronger. By adding some ornaments or hanging a frame that you've got, or arrange a sofa and armchairs so that it creates more welcoming atmosphere as well as enjoy the view from the window. Check out below that I've added some sources how the fireplace is emphasized as a focal point by the addition of the picture hung above it and decorative accessories are arranged across its mantel. (Please note the decorative accessories could be replaced with your existing ones and as season, could be displayed your favorite silver ornaments in Christmas or some clear bottles filled up with sand during the summer, it's all up to your creativity lights up your room.)


A prominent fireplace in the middle of your room that you are not pleased and unexpected large windows in an empty room are not a hassle at all here, they rather could be a great inherent focal point in your room by adding your existing decorative items and the strategic placement of the furniture grouping.

Case 2. You have no apparent focal point.
By now, some of you would say that if a room has no readily apparent focal point. If you have none, then you can make one. You can build interest around the sofa and let that item become the focal point for the room. Any paintings, frames, or wall hanging items could be developed as a focal point by adding above your existing sofa and by placing two floor lamps or pots on each side of sofa could create a focal point.

The focal point is one feature of emphasis of a room that gives a room its character. Current trendy style of decorating, a focal point is still a priority in many cases. However, the emphasis should be developed in a much more subtle manner than the strong, definite focal point used in the past with conventionally arranged traditional furniture.

Thanks for reading my post :)


No comments:

Post a Comment