WHAT LOOKS LIKE AN EXPENSIVE INTERIOR BUT ISN'T ?

Create general interest with a focal piece or a design element.

In this interior the integrated light inside the wall attracts the eye and forces you to scan all that in placed in front of it. The dining area is the real focal point of the room (according to the picture - remember a perspective does not always show the full interior)

Create order with a classical symmetry, or with items arranged around a central point or create an ‘organised mess’ with an asymmetrical balance.

The dining area is arranged according a radial balance with the dining table being the central point around which the furniture is arranged. It is difficult to arrange differently in the dining area.

In the kitchen area the cabinets seem to be arranged in a symmetrical manner, with straight lines horizontally and vertically.

There are 3 types of symmetry:

The perfect symmetry, a classical way to organise the space. If you draw a line in the middle of the space, you will realise that one side is the carbon copy of the other.

The radial balance as we just saw show all elements arranged around a central point.

The asymmetrical balance is what I call a “ gentle organised mess”; the interior seems more casually arranged with a loosely applied symmetry.

Use large pieces even in smaller spaces and create a feel of opulence, like no expense has been spared.

In dining room select the size of the table according to the size of the room and not according to the number of users on a daily basis.

Use cabinets from floor to ceiling.

If you hang curtains, make sure they sit on the floor rather than end an inch above the floor.

Occupy the whole space, do not leave empty corners anywhere.

Quality matters most so select items that look expensive but are not specifically so.

You do not have to go for solid floor boards, instead you can choose so called semi-solid floor boards that use solid wood only for the top layer, the only one visible to the eye. The other two layers underneath are usually made of plywood or other composite of the same type.

Go for tiles rather than real stone slabs.

Use cabinet doors with a good veneer rather than painted solid wood.

Create rhythm, repeat some elements and diversify patterns and/or textures

Repeat the walls finishes, blend them with that of the cabinets. Create a sense of unity especially if you have several functions / areas in the one space.

Then break the space by introducing new elements such as the vertical lighting strips in the walls and the light inside the cabinet. It is also interesting to have all these vertical lighted areas in different widths.

The wood surfaces contrast well with the glass ones; the decorative items on the dining table contrast with the flat surfaces all around by their shape and texture.

An easy trick : repeat similar accessories. Or repeat useful items that are beautiful to look at such as the glasses left exposed behond glass.

Stay true to the brief your client gave you otherwise your design will have been all for nothing.

However interesting your interior will be, it will only be a success if it answers your client’s brief and expectations. So do not get carried away with great ideas that make for an impressive design but one that the client did not dream of.

I am Claire Aumont, a professional interior designer with + 25 years experience as a designer and an educator, Currently preparing an online version of what I have taught my former students THE DESIGN PROCESS © A step by step design system that allows you to handle any project in an efficient and straight forward manner whatever the project and whoever the client. DM me for more details

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Create general interest with a focal piece or a design element.

In this interior the integrated light inside the wall attracts the eye and forces you to scan all that in placed in front of it.

Create order with a classical symmetry, or with items arranged around a central point or create an ‘organised mess’ with an asymmetrical balance.

The dining area is arranged according a radial balance with the dining table being the central point around which the furniture is arranged.

Use large pieces even in smaller spaces and create a feel of opulence, like no expense has been spared.

Occupy the whole space, do not leave empty corners anywhere.

Quality matters most so select items that look expensive but are not specifically so.

You do not have to go for solid floor boards, instead you can choose so called semi-solid floor boards that use solid wood only for the top layer, the only one visible to the eye.

Create rhythm, repeat some elements and diversify patterns and/or textures Repeat the walls finishes, blend them with that of the cabinets.

Then break the space by introducing new elements such as the vertical lighting strips in the walls and the light inside the cabinet.

It is also interesting to have all these vertical lighted areas in different widths.

An easy trick : repeat similar accessories.

Stay true to the brief your client gave you otherwise your design will have been all for nothing.

However interesting your interior will be, it will only be a success if it answers your client’s brief and expectations.

So do not get carried away with great ideas that make for an impressive design but one that the client did not dream of.