Monday, December 14, 2009

Pet Peeve ~ No Thought to Scale, Balance and Rhythm

Scale , balance and rhythm are the under appreciated parts of most decorating schemes.


Most prefer to focus on color, pattern and texture , forgetting that these other elements are at work in every decorating plan.



But let even one of these be out of sync and you will not quite feel comfortable in a space.



It's that little something that you can't quite put your finger on . . . That feeling that something is not quite right. Take a look around, have you given enough thought to scale, balance and rhythm in your own castle?

19 comments:

  1. Just finished helping my SIL redo her home. Gave her a quick lesson in scale. It turned out fantastic!!

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  2. Thanks for the advice. I just moved into a 1938 Craftsman Cottage and the rooms are oddly shaped and very little wall space. Outside walls are ALL windows and inside has been remodeled with an open floor plan.

    I will be visiting your site often!

    Susan at Charm of the Carolines

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  3. I like the 1st and 3rd but totally agree with you on the 2nd and 4th.
    :)

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  4. no words ....



    all day every day my eye is in edit mode

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  5. Thanks for the lesson. It would be helpful to me (and maybe even others) to take one of the examples and explain what might remedy the room, at least what we are viewing.

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  6. I AGREE..BOTHERS ME TOO! I LIKE THIS BLOG A LOT AND AM ADDING YOU TO MY BLOG LIST..HOPE THATS OK. Come say hi :D

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  7. We have a lot to learn here. Carry on.

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  8. I posted about scale today, too! My biggest pet peeve is when the chairs don't match the couch, or when the rug is too small.

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  9. room service ~ decorating 101December 14, 2009 at 2:39 PM

    Good ideal Poindexter, I will take the 3rd one since juju likes it...lol I really like the shelf, the colors and the art. The problem for me is that it is too heavy for the chair that sit under it. I would feel like I was taking my life into my own hands if I were to sit there. The chair is so light and airy and the top is dense and dark, both are pretty, but somehow there is not a balance with the two. Of course that is IMHO. Now, you take one photo and give us your take on it. Anyone else want to play?

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  10. This very thing happened today. I've been meaning to hang a mirror over the dresser in mother's room, and today was the day--only it was just the wrong scale in every way. Funny thing about that mirror--in 20 years, it has never found the right wall. It's a Goldilocks of mirrors--too wide, too tall, too big, too small.
    Great post. I've missed you.

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  11. Such funny photos!
    My pet peeve is paintings hung too high. I'm always lowering them for clients! It makes a world of difference.

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  12. I have to agree with you here...you certainly have great pics to back up your points! Tracey xx

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  13. I suppose, with experience, some people feel they can break the rules of good design and be successful or avant garde, but I agree whole heartedly with you, some rules are best left unbroken.

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  14. I think I don't know which rules I'm breaking, even on a good day. I have a lot to learn. In that same photo, I wouldn't want to sit there, would be afraid I'd hit my head, so I'd prefer to move the shelf up, put a desk below it, take the big vase of flowers off that shelf and perhaps add a stack of books, a straw hat, pair of binoculars.

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  15. really thoughtful post... and definitely in person these spaces wouldn't feel quite right. I do believe there are sometimes times & places to get cheeky with scale & balance but it's tough to do right. a very fine line to walk...

    xoxo

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  16. Everything you said? Applies outside a castle too.

    Landscapes need the same attention to scale, color, line, texture, form, balance, rhythm.

    Except. Landscapes begin inside the castle. From the main windows looking out.

    And a castle without a garden? Hmm.

    Garden & Be Well, XO Tara

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  17. This is DEFINITELY my pet peeve too. What is amazing is I see some "famous" designers who need a lesson in this! My eyes go nuts when scale and balance are off.
    xx

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  18. Scale, balance and rhythmn are all elements included in the practise of Feng Shui which basically is about creating 'harmony'.

    Great post Ms. Vicky! Hugs -Brenda-

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  19. Ok so I'm coming back to reevaluate my preferences :)
    (I love that your interested in my opinion)

    The 3rd one is heavy but something about it's simplicity makes it ok. If it was cluttered with lots of different things it would be too much but because it's only 3 things it works for me.

    I think simplicity is what I like about the 1st one too. It's simple, feminine, and pretty.

    I must confess though: I'm a total minimalist.

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