The most important part of our designs are the principles and elements.

The Principals of Design are: Scale, Proportion, Balance, Rhythm, Emphasis and Harmony

Our to Los Angeles interior designer and top Santa Barbara interior designer apply the principals and elements to designs as demonstrated below.

* The SCALE in this design refers to the overall size of this dining room in relationship to the furnishings, such as the table, chairs, lighting, sideboard and window.

* The PROPORTION in the dining room relates to the size of the chair backs to the chair arms that relate to the overall whole.

* The BALANCE in this room is demonstrated by the location and mass of the side board on the right wall and the large planters and picture on the left side of the wall. This is an asymmetrical design

* The RHYTHM of this room relates to the fabric colors and vertical stripes. Our eye moves around the room to view the pleasing rhythm of the colors and vertical lines.

* The EMPHASIS or focal point, in our dining room, is the window, where it is architecturally framed. The positioning of the dining room table and chairs allow for a sitting area to enjoy your meals.

* An example of how we create the HARMONY in our dining room is by the selection of colors choesen from the fabric used for the draperies and chairs.

* The ELEMENTS of design support the design principles and they are: Space, Shape, Form, Line, Color, Texture, Light, Mass and Pattern will be covered in our next module.

- Space in our picture, which refers to the positive, is the furniture in the dining room are the table, chairs, sideboard, chandelier and plants. The negative (open space) is the flooring is the flooring and air space. I mention this because a chandelier that hangs over a table takes up space.

- Shape in our picture refers to the geometric objects placed in the dining room. This includes the rectangle dining room table and rectangle sideboard. Shape is often repeated for a pleasing eye movement.

-Form (a two dimensional object) in our photo is seen by the shape of the dining chairs. This two dimensional object is repeated at the bottom of the sideboard.

- Mass can be visual or actual. In this photo mass referrs to the objects in the dining room and the space and volume that is consumed. The dining room table consumes actual and visual space because it is made of wood. If the table was glass the visual mass is considerably reduced.

-Line may be vertical, horizontal or curved and in this room it is horizontal with vertical striped fabric. Line can be repeated to create rhythm in a room.

Interior Designer Santa Barbara