<p>While designing a space, three attributes – function, aura and persona — have the potential to transform it to something unique, asserts Prerna Kapoor</p>.<p>Not only does an elegant and beautifully-designed interior function well, but it also creates an unerring aura, reflecting the personalities of people occupying the expanse. A good foundation in interior design basics and principles can have a huge effect on the look and feel of the space. The absolute goal of designing any space is to make it feel balanced — the perfect amount of furniture, art and accessories — so that it feels full, sophisticated and exciting. It’s close attention paid to these three salient attributes — function, aura and persona — that ensures decorating success.<br /><br />Function<br /><br />The good old adage, ‘Form follows function’, has been misunderstood by many. Design and its function work together in a spiritual union. Let’s discuss how one can execute near-perfect designs, element by element:<br /><br />* Focal point: The focal point of a room is the place where the lines of the room meet. Since our eyes tend to naturally follow lines, this will be the place that our attention will first be drawn to in a room. It could be a bay window with a view, a built-in bookcase or a dramatic piece of furniture. If the room doesn’t have a natural focal point, create one with a dynamic piece of art or a colourful rug.<br /><br />* Furniture: Determine whether the furniture satisfies the roles that you’ve planned for the room. If a piece is too large or too small for the size of the room, get rid of it or trade it for something else around the house that may be more suitable.<br /><br />* Lighting: Lighting should be selected based on the purpose of the room, as well as the visual appeal. Every task will require either direct lighting, from a lamp, or indirect lights that solely brighten the room for a light conversation or an intimate supper. Accent lighting — floor spots, track lighting or recessed spotlights — enhance textures, colours and minute details of the room. Let there be light!<br /><br />Aura<br /><br />Aura of a space is designed by the choice of colours used in the room, the style and placement of furnishings, the amount and type of texture and pattern you choose and details of your accessories. Let us discuss some factors that are of utmost importance when setting a mood or an aura of a room.<br /><br />* The inspiration piece: The easiest way to decorate your space is to start with some source of inspiration. A patterned pillow, a vibrantly coloured scarf and even an inspirational magazine photo are good places to begin with. Select your inspiration piece wisely, and be sure it makes you feel good when you look at it. It will be the basis for hand-picking your theme, colours, patterns and textures.<br /><br />* Theme: Study your inspiration piece and develop a theme name for it. For instance, a needlepoint pillow with a floral design on a dark background may inspire a title like ‘formal botanical garden.’ Be expressive with your theme and all sorts of supporting ideas will fall into place. Bold botanical prints, striped walls, floral colours, formal fabrics and furniture, dark woods and black accents — all fit this particular theme.<br /><br />* Colour: Hues should always support the theme. Colours that are most appropriate, in accordance with your theme are found in the patterns and design of your inspiration piece. Often, it’s best to stick to a palette of three colours for a room: a dominant colour (used for walls, carpeting and fabric backgrounds), a secondary colour (found throughout the room in fabrics and accessories) and an accent colour (used sparingly to give energy and excitement to the room).<br /><br />* Patterns: A blend of patterns, whether on furniture or wallpaper, has the power to create either a calming cocoon or add excitement and drama — it’s all in how you implement it. Checks, stripes, florals and plaids are just a few of the patterns to consider as you continue supporting your theme.<br /><br />* Texture: When you have texture, you bring in warmth. Texture helps in differentiate various objects and surfaces, in transforming light and influencing scale. Too many smooth, shiny objects or too much nubby, rustic texture becomes tiresome. Use variations to keep the room unique and interesting.<br /><br />Persona<br /><br />It’s time now for you to lay a distinctive and personal embossment on your well-planned space. Let’s discuss a few ways.<br /><br />* Accessorising: Accessories can be paintings, photo frames, vases, mementoes or even simple pots for plants and baskets for storage. Accent furnishings such as side tables, task lighting (lamps), sofa cushions and artwork are considered to be functional accessories. Browse for items that are fun and work with your theme and personality. They can be bold or subtle, but must always work with the palette of the room.<br /><br />* The unexpected: Interest or personality doesn’t have to be whimsical; it can simply be something unexpected in a room, like a brightly painted ceiling!<br /><br />When doing interior design, it is important to think of the space as a totality; a series of spaces linked together by halls and stairways. It is, therefore, appropriate that a common style and theme runs throughout. This is not to say that all interior design elements should be the same, but they should work together and complement each other to bring together the complete composition.<br /><em><br />(The author is design manager, Houssup.com)</em></p>
<p>While designing a space, three attributes – function, aura and persona — have the potential to transform it to something unique, asserts Prerna Kapoor</p>.<p>Not only does an elegant and beautifully-designed interior function well, but it also creates an unerring aura, reflecting the personalities of people occupying the expanse. A good foundation in interior design basics and principles can have a huge effect on the look and feel of the space. The absolute goal of designing any space is to make it feel balanced — the perfect amount of furniture, art and accessories — so that it feels full, sophisticated and exciting. It’s close attention paid to these three salient attributes — function, aura and persona — that ensures decorating success.<br /><br />Function<br /><br />The good old adage, ‘Form follows function’, has been misunderstood by many. Design and its function work together in a spiritual union. Let’s discuss how one can execute near-perfect designs, element by element:<br /><br />* Focal point: The focal point of a room is the place where the lines of the room meet. Since our eyes tend to naturally follow lines, this will be the place that our attention will first be drawn to in a room. It could be a bay window with a view, a built-in bookcase or a dramatic piece of furniture. If the room doesn’t have a natural focal point, create one with a dynamic piece of art or a colourful rug.<br /><br />* Furniture: Determine whether the furniture satisfies the roles that you’ve planned for the room. If a piece is too large or too small for the size of the room, get rid of it or trade it for something else around the house that may be more suitable.<br /><br />* Lighting: Lighting should be selected based on the purpose of the room, as well as the visual appeal. Every task will require either direct lighting, from a lamp, or indirect lights that solely brighten the room for a light conversation or an intimate supper. Accent lighting — floor spots, track lighting or recessed spotlights — enhance textures, colours and minute details of the room. Let there be light!<br /><br />Aura<br /><br />Aura of a space is designed by the choice of colours used in the room, the style and placement of furnishings, the amount and type of texture and pattern you choose and details of your accessories. Let us discuss some factors that are of utmost importance when setting a mood or an aura of a room.<br /><br />* The inspiration piece: The easiest way to decorate your space is to start with some source of inspiration. A patterned pillow, a vibrantly coloured scarf and even an inspirational magazine photo are good places to begin with. Select your inspiration piece wisely, and be sure it makes you feel good when you look at it. It will be the basis for hand-picking your theme, colours, patterns and textures.<br /><br />* Theme: Study your inspiration piece and develop a theme name for it. For instance, a needlepoint pillow with a floral design on a dark background may inspire a title like ‘formal botanical garden.’ Be expressive with your theme and all sorts of supporting ideas will fall into place. Bold botanical prints, striped walls, floral colours, formal fabrics and furniture, dark woods and black accents — all fit this particular theme.<br /><br />* Colour: Hues should always support the theme. Colours that are most appropriate, in accordance with your theme are found in the patterns and design of your inspiration piece. Often, it’s best to stick to a palette of three colours for a room: a dominant colour (used for walls, carpeting and fabric backgrounds), a secondary colour (found throughout the room in fabrics and accessories) and an accent colour (used sparingly to give energy and excitement to the room).<br /><br />* Patterns: A blend of patterns, whether on furniture or wallpaper, has the power to create either a calming cocoon or add excitement and drama — it’s all in how you implement it. Checks, stripes, florals and plaids are just a few of the patterns to consider as you continue supporting your theme.<br /><br />* Texture: When you have texture, you bring in warmth. Texture helps in differentiate various objects and surfaces, in transforming light and influencing scale. Too many smooth, shiny objects or too much nubby, rustic texture becomes tiresome. Use variations to keep the room unique and interesting.<br /><br />Persona<br /><br />It’s time now for you to lay a distinctive and personal embossment on your well-planned space. Let’s discuss a few ways.<br /><br />* Accessorising: Accessories can be paintings, photo frames, vases, mementoes or even simple pots for plants and baskets for storage. Accent furnishings such as side tables, task lighting (lamps), sofa cushions and artwork are considered to be functional accessories. Browse for items that are fun and work with your theme and personality. They can be bold or subtle, but must always work with the palette of the room.<br /><br />* The unexpected: Interest or personality doesn’t have to be whimsical; it can simply be something unexpected in a room, like a brightly painted ceiling!<br /><br />When doing interior design, it is important to think of the space as a totality; a series of spaces linked together by halls and stairways. It is, therefore, appropriate that a common style and theme runs throughout. This is not to say that all interior design elements should be the same, but they should work together and complement each other to bring together the complete composition.<br /><em><br />(The author is design manager, Houssup.com)</em></p>
