order
(not lack therof)
lets just put this here. we can just deal with it later
FUNDAMENTALS OF DESIGN
III. ORDER
Order entails organizing, and making sense of the home. A home without Order is like a disorganized fridge. You can probably remember a fateful weekend where you opened your own fridge to find everything inside stuffed into random compartments–the condiments are in the veggie drawer, the milk is trapped behind stacks of tupperware leftovers, and the whole fridge smells of that moldy orange you never ate (no shame to anyone in this position; we’ve all been there). That fridge is an inhospitable wasteland, and even finding some cheese or mustard becomes a tedious search. Such is the disorderly home. Though its flaws are far more subtle, a disorderly home instills similar feelings of confusion and unwelcomeness.
Have you ever found yourself at a party in a friend’s home, and you couldn’t find the restroom without asking? You could chalk it up to lack of familiarity, but a lack of Order may be more likely. Order plays an underlying yet vital role in making your home an intelligible and welcoming place.
The best designs are intuitive, and it should be similar with our homes. When your home’s design makes sense to the eye, it guides people from room to room, instills confidence to explore, and maintains a sense of uniformity and beauty.
Contents
Pattern and Geometry
Alignments
Rhythm
Themes and Variations
Composition
Expressed Structure
Point of Focus
Organizing Strategy
“Alignments” (187)
We tend to expect elements in a home to line up a certain way. For example, it would be natural to expect a bathroom mirror to be centered over the vanity. When we see a gable, we expect the window under it to be centered with its ridge. We call this principle alignment. In home design, many homeowners do not consciously consider alignment. However, when a design has bad alignment, we definitely notice. I.e. a slightly off-center light fixture can make a whole dining room feel lopsided. When planning renovation projects, alignment is often an easy factor to include, yet also easy to overlook. This can make alignment errors both frustrating and costly to fix in hindsight. Here are some techniques to incorporate alignment into your home design toolbox.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
Perfect Symmetry (188)
When something has perfectly symmetry, you can draw a vertical line through it, and one side of the line perfectly mirrors the other. Perfectly symmetrical views have a pristine quality to them that draws attention. This makes them great focal points in a space. However, note that once you start designing for this kind of symmetry, you must see it through. The closer a view comes to being perfectly symmetrical, the more any abnormalities stand out. Perfect symmetry is not necessary in every space. It’s a technique best implemented in moderation.
​
​
Partial Symmetry (188)
If perfect symmetry creates appeal in perfection, partial
symmetry creates engagement through non-symmetrical
elements. For example, imagine a kitchen view with lights
symmetrically placed in the ceiling. This creates symmetry;
however, other elements on each side vary. The cabinets
and fridge occupy the entire wall on the left, while the right
wall has windows above the sink. The view still feels balanced.
The lights’ placement creates some symmetry, while allowing
for variation and interest in other elements.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
Asymmetry (189)
Variation creates interest. If we made all of our homes symmetrical, they could become visually boring. Sometimes, asymmetry is desirable for a view. Unlike partial symmetry, which has both symmetrical and non-symmetrical elements, asymmetry refers to alignment that has no symmetry. However, even without symmetry, the view should still have balance. For example, a wall in the living room has an off-center fireplace; to the left of the fireplace, the stonework ends and the wall has a wide opening to the dining room, while to the right the stonework extends to cover the rest of the wall. The variation of closure and openness creates a visual balance on either side of the fireplace.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
“Themes and Variations” (203)
A theme is a series of traits repeated throughout a home.
These traits tie the separate rooms together as parts of one unified whole. If you look back on the past two examples, these pictures could almost be from the same house-even though they're not. Why is this? The answer is they share a similar theme. In this example, it would be a n
Think of a craftsman-style home. The trim, windows, and entryways have that solid look to them that is the craftsman style’s trademark. However, we don’t limit our design sense to generalized styles. After all, not every craftsman house looks the same, and not every room in a given house exactly matches the style. In home design, we have many ways to establish themes (form, materials, colors, and patterns) and even more ways to tweak and vary those themes. Variations on themes help keep things fresh. People have their own quirks and differences that make them unique, and the same goes for homes. Themes in tandem with variations unifies a home expression while giving it personality.
​
Signature Form (204)
Repeating a specific form is a very simple and common theme. For example, having an arched opening in each primary area of the house. A slightly arched ceiling in the main living area echoes the theme, though in a subtler variation. Form drives a strong message about a home because it visually represents structure.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
Signature Pattern (205)
Another good way to create a theme is through a unique pattern that repeats throughout the home, inside and outside. This technique saw more use 100 years ago than in today’s homes. However, patterns are an underrated tool that are beginning to catch on in recent years. Some stencil frieze patterns around the tops of primary rooms, and others install windows with certain mullion patterns. A very valuable application for patterns is in highly dissimilar rooms. It’s hard to establish themes in homes with very different rooms, but a signature pattern effectively ties together rooms while fitting into each room’s unique aesthetic.
​
Repeated Material (206)
You can also create theme through repeated use of a certain material. For example, many builders and designers use one species of wood for carpentry and/or finish work. This method subliminally indicates the house is one constructed body.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
Repeated Color (206)
Color is a very expressive form of theme. The colors express invoke feelings through hue and saturation, while also tying together elements of the same color as a set. I.e. tinted blue cubbies and coat hangers match as elements of a mudroom. Color is also a great way to subtly color code elements of the home. You can use one color for the dining room and kitchen, another for the living rooms, and another for more private alcoves.
​
“Points of Focus” (229)
A point of focus adds character to a room. A tiled surface over the stove and centered on the kitchen wall. What rooms in your living space already have a point of focus? Someplace that your eyes are drawn to. They naturally add character. They imbue it with style and impress the guests for less.
Impress for less. Points of focus are visual focal points that give a room character.
​
Remember: the goal of these articles is to equip you as the homeowner. Prior to reading these articles, what was your vision for potential renovations? How clear was this vision? With your newfound understanding, how has your vision changed? Our hope is that your time spent here grows your creativity and gives you confidence to make the next step in your home improvement. We want to be part of that journey. If you like what you’ve learned here, give us a call. But for now, enjoy our Inspire page!
​
Works Cited
Susanka, Sarah. Home by Design. Peter Chapman, The Taunton Press, Inc., 2004.
​
The table and lights create a sense of horizontal and vertical symmetry. Notice the patter of neutral, primary, secondary, and accent in the color choices.
More symmetry in the beams, while the painted cabinets anchor the space, provide contrast, and add visual weight.
While the whole fireplace in this scenario is left of center, it doesn't feel out of place. Visually, the room feels equally weighted. This is helped by the beams, the door, and the couch.
Notice the effectiveness of keeping it simple, with only three main colors unified: the white as a neutral, wood, and metal. Minor splashes of color to create interest.