African Theme Decorating - Principles
We have visited the elements of design used in African theme decorating: Color, Line, Size, Texture, including Shapes. Now you need a system of arranging these elements into your African decor that brings us to the Principles of design: Balance, Proportion, Rhythm, Emphasis, plus Unity.
These principles provide a systematized impression of how these elements - parts or components - will come together, communicating your design to others.
- Balance is one of the principals the eye subtly looks for in interior décor. Symmetry plays a key part. For example on either side of a fireplace art collections, paintings, columns etc. should work in a balanced fashion. The same approach is true for color. Dark colors appear more prominent than lighter colors. They can create an irregularity with look plus feel. Textures - rough, smooth - also work here for walls, fabrics, flooring etc.
- Proportion comes into play when two objects are seen as one - a lamp on an end table for example. The end table lamps should compliment each other in size as well as fit proportionately within the setting. A small end table supporting an oversized lamp doesn’t work. Proportion also refers to works of art, paintings, portraits - the larger the picture the further back you should stand to view it. Proportion with scale is extremely important. Keep in mind your African design is subtly viewed as one piece not several.
- Rhythm or visual rhythm - as some may refer to it - can be accomplished with the placement of accessories, pillows, etc. in one direction. Vertical stripes displayed on wall coverings represent another example of rhythm. The direction of images captured in art, portraits, landscapes etc. should face each other if hung side by side. Placed next to an adjacent wall, these works should face away from the wall. Rhythm provides visual movement within your design - a means for the eye to subtly follow.
- Emphasis comes into play for example with feature walls or illuminated art pieces. Emphasis can be accomplished with lighting, texture, patterns, color, proportion etc. By using this principal the designer can direct ones attention to the areas of “created interest”.
- Unity in your design is realized when the harmonizing of all the design elements with principles display as one. The accent colors are warm, inviting all the shapes, sizes to provide a good spatial blend of mass with proportion - the selected textures through out provide a subtle softness, hi-lighting the feature walls, art pieces etc that have been cleverly placed. Unity is the perfect blend of elements with principals combined to accommodate an artistically creative endeavour - your design - such as fashioned in your African theme decorating.