The Reef Room

 

The newest project is to create a zen room, so naturally mine is all about aquariums and fish.  I have a concept statement, inspirational image, and haiku to keep this project on track.

Some Relaxation

Could just what you needed

For a better day.

Concept Statement

You walk into the room to get away from your work. It’s a ten, maybe fifteen, minute escape from the hustle and bustle of the job. Be carried away by the gentle flow of the water, like the stems of the corals are pulled with the current. The few moments of visual weightlessness relieve the stress from your shoulders and mind.

Perhaps a stretch eliminates the stiffness from your joints. Enjoy the serenity of the fish carelessly swimming around you, taking your stress with them. The mats on the floor provide the perfect place to decompress your spine, stretch your limbs, or even close your eyes to pray.

The leather seating provides the perfect comfort away from the desk chair. The view of the fish caressing the corals and sand minimize the effects of stress on your mind. The small shrimp and snails keep the area spotless so you enjoy the most perfect community and harmony the earth has to offer. Surrounding you is lighting and colors that only contribute to the feeling of being under the sea. You are relaxed.

 

 

Looking forward to finishing this one.

 

God Bless,

K

The Primitive Ladder Back Chair

http://images.oneofakindantiques.com/5901_ladder_back_chair_1.jpg

   My project chair, pictured in a previous post, closely resembles a primitive ladder backed chair.  It is defined by the horizontal rungs that connect the back uprights instead of a splat.  This style first appeared during the middle ages and became very popular around the 17th and 18th century, especially after being redesigned with light proportions.  They were very common throughout the American Colonies and Europe.  Some could argue that the ladder back chair was the basis for the creation of the rocking chair due to their “Ladder Back” approach These chairs usually have a woven seat made of cane or rushes, however, more bulky designs can have solid wooden seats.  Caning, also known as seat weaving, is and age old teqnique in which a reeds, cane, rush, or other fibers, are soaked in water until flexible and then woven around the seat rails in a particular pattern.  Most rush and splint patterns, like the one on my chair, are basket weaves or the twill weave.  There are also numerous other types of weaves used with various canes such as the Star of David, Daisy, Snowflake, Hole-to-Hole, and more!

http://www.wickerwoman.com/wp-content/uploads/image/DSC08291-300x225.jpg

This is an example of a basket weave that I’m strongly considering for my chair!

God Bless,
K

Chair Project

 

 

Our newest Project for class involves us selecting an old chair and refurbishing it, whether that includes repainting, staining, or even reupholstering the chair.  In my case, I have a very old wooden chair that my grandmother has given me.  She is convinced that it was handmade by one of our ancestors.  I’ve tried to research what type of chair it is but so far I’ve had no luck.  More info on it’s history to come later.  Here are some pictures of the chair and it’s current state.

 

           

 

Also a part of this project was to define several terms relating to chairs.

Arm	Part of chair designed to rest arms on.
Arm Post/ Upright	Supports the Arm
Back Post/ Upright	Supports the back of chair
Crest/ Top Rail	Rail connecting two back posts allowing for a backrest to be made
Legs	Posts that elevate the chair
Seat Rail	Rails that connect the legs allowing for a seat to be made
Spindle	Cylindrical shaft
Splat	Vertical element of Backrest
Stretcher	Support rails that join the legs
Seat	What the user sits on

                                                                https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbzXxyTAyLluqVfcYVydNeRntUOp7KRttsG2jQEJ_AnlRa_gij_ukrrsvILynQwUuwDtkelCRPbW1fsZGIpXx9b0O1DQz-biNLc7z95ekVwBv2Ei4ea-fxuJJQhawJ7d02G7ONOY32E8o/s400/REGENCE+ARMCHAIR+copy.jpg

 

 

                                  http://www.props.eric-hart.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/chair-parts.png

 

 

As mentioned earlier, the history of my chair is coming soon!

 

God Bless,

K

First Project

Finally our first project is coming to a close in class.  My first attempt at making a wheel chair accessible room is a success!  Though I already e-mailed in a rough outline of my presentation, here's a copy of it:

Presentation Outline

        I.            Client

a.       Amy Phillips

                                                               i.      Suffers from osteogenisis (Brittle Bone Disease)

                                                             ii.      Confined to wheelchair

                                                            iii.      Has aid dog named Franko

                                                           iv.      Loves the color blue

b.      Room

                                                               i.      Loves how the big window lets in lots of light (early bird)

                                                             ii.      Smaller room feels cozy

                                                            iii.      Needs to be wheelchair accessible

                                                           iv.      Needs a place for Franko to sleep

                                                             v.      Want a bookshelf for favorite books

      II.            Floorplan

a.       Three feet between all furnishings

b.      Short closet

                                                               i.      easy to reach in

c.       Queen size bed

                                                               i.      Big enough for two but fits the room

d.      Dresser

                                                               i.      Matches bed

                                                             ii.      No mirror

e.      Nightstand

                                                               i.      Matches bed

                                                             ii.      Accent orange lamp

f.        Short bookshelf

                                                               i.      3 levels

g.       Radiator cover

                                                               i.      Prevents burns

                                                             ii.      Provides “Shelf”

h.      Small Coffee table

                                                               i.      Holds two decorative 15” baskets

i.         Wall Shelf

                                                               i.      Franko’s toys/leash

j.        Wood floors

                                                               i.      Easy maneuvering with wheelchair

    III.            Materials

a.       Color Scheme

                                                               i.      Loyalty (blue) walls

                                                             ii.      Coral Gable accents

                                                            iii.      Voyage (Grey) Bed

b.      Window Treatment

                                                               i.      Cellular blinds

1.       Help with insulation

2.       Excellent light filters

3.       Motorized

c.       Comforter

                                                               i.      Cotton, Polyester, Viscose

1.       Embroidered with swirls

2.       Voyage (grey)

3.       Silky texture is good to touch

d.      Accent Pillows

                                                               i.      100% cotton

                                                             ii.      Cylinder shaped

                                                            iii.      Coral Gable

e.      Dog pillow

                                                               i.      Polyester

                                                             ii.      Loyalty (blue)

                                                            iii.      Course material is more durable

f.        Window Curtain

                                                               i.      Cotton

                                                             ii.      Swirls

                                                            iii.      White (Nuetral)

g.       Lamp

                                                               i.      Matching swirls

                

Also, three pics of some very small renderings!  This was also the first time I've used vellum.

Take Care,

K

Principles of Design

There are seven principles of design as well.  They are as follows.
Balance
Emphasis
Rhythm
Movement
Proportion
Unity
Variety.

Balance, in terms of interiors, is when the room feels stable.  Where one side of the room doesn't feel heavier or busier than the other.

http://www.hgtv.com/living-rooms/budget-friendly-living-room-updates-from-designers/pictures/index.html

This is a perfect example of balance because both sides of the room are symmetrical.  It is clear that the equilibrium of the room is at the coffee table and middle cushion of the back couch.

Emphasis is essentially the creation of a focal point in the room.  This could be a piece of furniture, artwork, fireplace, etc.

http://www.hgtv.com/dream-home/hgtv-dream-home-2012-family-room-pictures/pictures/index.html

 In this photo, it is clear that the four artworks above the fireplace are the focal point of the room.  They are placed higher than everything else but not too high that they are out of view.  Also, the blues in the furniture help to attract attention to the blues in the artworks.

Rhythm is the repetition of shapes or colors in the room that help to direct the eye to different locations.

http://www.hgtv.com/outdoor-rooms/stylish-and-functional-outdoor-dining-rooms/pictures/index.html

This photo shows a lot of repetition with the weaved pattern in the chairs.  Because there are chairs closer and in the background, the repitition draws the eye toward the fireplace.  Also, the repetition and perspective of the brick ground pulls the eye toward the background.

Movement goes along with rhythm in that it really moves the viewer's eye around the room.

http://www.thecoolhunter.net/cloud/view/stores/SHOO-BIZ/

There is a lot of movement in this room with the bottles on the shelves and curvature of the shelves to move the viewers eye from the right side to the back left corner.

Proportion is the relationship of the size of one object to another.  This could be the size of a lamp in relation to a desk or the size of a bed in relation to the room it is in.

http://www.hgtv.com/kids-rooms/glamorous-teen-girls-room/pictures/index.html

There are lots of different proportions and scales in this photo.  For example, all of the ornaments on the table are very small in proportion to the table itself.  The leopard print jar is much smaller in relation to the flower vase while the kleenex box and jewelry box are about the same size.  If the flower in the vase had been smaller, it would have been disproportional as the vase would "swallow" the flower.

Unity is the combination of the elements in the room to create visually pleasing environment.

http://www.hgtv.com/decorating/10-bedroom-trends-to-try/pictures/index.html

This photo displays unity in several ways.  For one, the green and pink colors tie the walls with the bed with the flowers, etc.  Also, the headboard is made relevant by the pink flowers on the table and bed.  Finally, the wood toned lamp helps add to the botanical feel of the room with the flowers and floral print bed-spread.

Variety is adding a conglomerate of elements to a room such as colors and textures.

http://www.hgtv.com/kids-rooms/12-simple-design-ideas-for-girls-bedrooms/pictures/index.html

This room is the epitome of the term variety.  There are at least seven different shades and colors used while also incorporating at least five different patterns and textures.

These are the principles!

God Bless,
K

The Elements of Design

What does it take to come up with a design? Designs are made up of seven principles and seven elements.  Most of the time, designers and artists don't purposely consider every single principle and element, but that doesn't mean they aren't included in the design.  In fact, they are always included in the design in some form or fashion!  The elements of design are the more tangible parts while the principles are used to create a design as a whole.  The following are the seven elements of design.

Point
A point is a single position, usually presented by a dot, in a design.  A point doesn't "go anywhere" like a line, or appear to have movement.  It's a very stationary element.

http://www.e-maildir.com/a-wide-variety-of-styles-of-flooring.html

The tile floor in this image is a great example of point.  Each little black tile on the floor represents a point.  The tile itself is not leading to a different location, it is simply representing a small spot on the flooring.  While the floor as a whole has many "points" that work together to make the design and move the eye across the room, the individual points stand alone.


Line
Line is the connection of two points with some sort of media, in the case of interiors, it's often the materials used to make furniture.  Therefore, lines move the eye from one place to another.  Different types of line evoke different emotions.  For example, a horizontal line represents peace and rest while a zig-zag line creates energy and lots of movement.  In Victorian style homes, curvy lines bring elegance and luxury to the interiors.

http://www.hgtv.com/decorating-basics/8-elegant-victorian-style-dining-room-designs/pictures/index.html

The curvy lines in the chandelier, chairs and windows help to add a more luxurious feel to the dining room while the horizontal lines of the tables and book case help to move the viewers eye down the length of the room.


Shape and Plane
Lines are generated from the connection of two points and shapes are generated from the connection of lines.  Planes are the "faces" of objects that are made of shapes.  Just like lines, different shapes bring a different feel to a room.  For example, a room filled with rectangular shapes feels more serious than a room of circular shapes.

http://www.hgtv.com/living-rooms/our-favorite-color-infused-living-rooms/pictures/index.html

  Because this living space is filled with lot of rectangular shapes, it has an organized and sophisticated feel to it.  It doesn't seem like a room where children run and play.  However, the addition of the two rounded seats and yellow vases break up the seriousness of the room.


Form and Mass
Mass refers to the density of an object, or in this case, the furniture.  Pieces that appear heavy in mass often fill the room much more than a piece that is hollow or smaller.  This is useful when trying to fill a large space on a budget or when trying to utilize a smaller space.

http://www.hgtv.com/decorating-basics/small-space-solutions-for-the-kitchen-and-living-room/pictures/index.html

In this small apartment, lightweight furniture adds space to the area.  The small table in the center provides lots of foot room underneath and the cabinet on the right appears to take up very little space with so much open space underneath.


Space and Volume
In layman terms, space the area of a room that is available to use.  There are two types of space, positive and negative space.  Positive space is where objects are placed and negative space is the empty areas around those objects.

http://www.hgtv.com/bathrooms/high-end-bathroom-tile-designs/pictures/index.html

 Space is utilized very well in this bathroom.  The counter tops, ottoman and bathtub take up positive space, but are surrounded by lots of negative, or empty, space.  Because the proportion of negative to positive space is fairly balanced, the room appears very spacious.


Color
Color is the most considered element when it comes to design.  The impact of color on a room can be tremendous.  Color is not merely just a red, blue, purple, etc, but consists of values, hues, intensity, and can transform a bland room into a cozy space or give a room the illusion of being very large.  Darker colors pull a room inward, making it appear smaller while lighter colors push the walls outward and expand the space.  A touch of vibrant color however will energize an area.

http://www.hgtv.com/bedrooms/tour-the-worlds-most-luxurious-bedrooms/pictures/index.html

The darker grey walls of this room give it the cozy feel many people desire in their bedrooms.  However, the accents of turquoise on the chair and pillow bring energy and brightness to the room.


Texture
Texture can affect an interior just as much as color can.  Different textures have different impacts on spaces.  Generally, smooth textures are make a room feel formal while rougher textures can feel casual.

http://www.hgtv.com/living-rooms/hot-design-styles-for-your-living-room/pictures/index.html

For example, the appearance of texture in the walls and floor in combination with the rugs and curtain add unique interest to the room.  However because the floor and walls are actually smooth, the room doesn't feel too overwhelmed with textures.


--God Bless,
     K

The Meaning of Design

What comes to mind when the word "design" is said?  It seems so obvious being a word I hear every day, but I found myself struggling to come up with an exact definition that includes everything.  To begin, I thought of the most basic definition possible: to create something.  But design isn't necessarily "creating something" so much as "creating a plan for the production of something".  So the brainstorm continued.  What is the purpose of designing something?  Obviously there is a function or need that must be met, lest there be no purpose for the creation, but design is what shapes the object into something valuable.  While putting four 2x4s on a piece of ply-board may make a table, aesthetics are what really make the piece.  While there is technically a design to the table, there's really no design to it.  So I began to shift my definition more towards aesthetics and function and came up with this.

Design: a plan that combines aesthetics with function in order to allow the possibility of something to be created that would improve quality of life.  Without design, nothing would exist.

Of course there are different types of design.  There's interior design, graphic design, architectural design, motor design, etc.  But all types involve satisfying a need or function and making it beautiful, going from a ply-board table to a elegant round table made of mahogany.  It's impossible for anything to exist without design simply because an image was present in the mind of the creator, whether they wrote it down or kept it mental, there was a plan!

Imagine where we would be if God he had never designed our existence, our world, and everything in it.


--God Bless,
   K