August 5th, 2006
Designing an interior
In the previous article I wrote about the most common design & decorating mistakes people make when they remodel or redecorate their homes. This series of articles will give you inside knowledge about the most important aspects of interior design.
Creating a successful interior is not as easy as it looks on the TV; not everyone is a born interior designer. Just filling your home with designer and/or expensive objects will not make it feel “interior designed”.
A successful interior is about balance - a visual harmony between the physical, sensual and intellectual elements. This can be achieved through a conceptual design that uses layering, zoning and detailing. Let me explain these concepts:..
Conceptual design
A conceptual design means having an overall concept - not a theme! - that runs through the space and brings all the elements together i.e. spatial ideas, textures & materials. A concept can be influenced by a fusion of experiences - cultures, the past, memories, smells, dreams, classics, the arts and so on. A successful conceptual design is smart, subtle and achieves a coherent look and feel in an interior.
Layering
Layering means adding elements (materials, textures, colours,) thoughtfully - layer by layer, just like a painting - but fitting within an overall concept. This is a process that starts by stripping back the space to its given features, then adding every element carefully and perceptively.
Zoning
Zoning is about analysing the way we inhabit a space - the ways in which we use our homes, the ways we live in them or share them with others. Despite living in a homogenised world, we actually inhabit our personal space (i.e. our homes) in our own unique way. A successful design reflects this by zoning your activities and habits, translated into a spatial format. (You can read more about this in the next articles.)
Details
Most people don’t spend enough time, money or effort on the final details - they run out of money, energy or just accept bad craftsmanship. The final touches are the first to catch the eye, so they must be the primary things to get right. The famous architect, Mies van der Rohe said, “God is in the details“. Very true - details can make or break an interior.
Having learnt these important concepts of interior design, you’re now ready to learn about the SSS aspects that construct a successful interior: Space, Self, Style. In the next three weeks I’ll guide you through each of these elements.
Until then get yourself a notebook & scrapbook - into which you will collect images, information, samples, ideas etc. The notebook should fit into your handbag and it will be your best friend before and during your design project. Also, start collecting images you like or would want to have in your ideal home - don’t worry about practicalities such as prices. This is just to get your visual energy flowing… 
Read the next article about space….