Photo Credit: Mediterranea Sahara series, 8 x 48 Autumn
Harmony is the perfect balance between all of the elements and principles of design as a whole. It is the final draft to all of your creative ideas and input from the entire decorating process. Everything is right where it is supposed to be, and the process finally feels finished. It is described as more of a feeling and tends to be difficult to define. The two most important principles at the heart of harmony are unity and variety. It is the precise balance between the two that is responsible for the sense of completeness you feel when you have placed where it should be.
Unity
Unity is a sense of cohesiveness between the design elements in the room while variety provides visual interest. Though they seem to work against each other, they are the yin and yang that glues the room’s look together. A room may be unified with similarly styled furniture while you can spot variety through interesting accessories and unusual-looking lighting fixtures. Plain solid colors can be spiced up with textures and patterns that draw the eye. Using decor with curved and free-form lines can add unpredictability to an otherwise traditional looking room.
Variety
More important than the symmetry of unity and variety is that the space functions correctly when the design is complete. You can have an arrangement that is as gorgeous as a magazine cover, but if the room cannot be used for its primary purpose, you will get no enjoyment out of it. Choose materials that are well made and built to last, light bulbs that are energy-efficient and textures that cause the room feel personalized and welcoming. Don’t be afraid to reinvent your existing decor or incorporate new pieces along with it. A blank slate is not needed to achieve harmony, just an open mind.
While the thought of applying all of the knowledge you have received in this post and its seventeen predecessors may seem overwhelming, try breaking it all down into more manageable sections. Your design should start with general goals and become more precise as you pinpoint what elements are going to be dominant and which ones will help build the foundation of its look. One step at a time. You can do this!
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