p r i c i p l e s

Symmetrical Balance

each of these pictures represent symmetry--there is obvious balance and equilibrium in each photo. The symmetry in the first photo is demonstrated in the fabric swatches on the wall. The eiffel tower is symmetrical in form, giving it its prestige and dominance. The cookies, little boy, swans, and painted face are all more or less symmetrical giving a sense of calm, balance, and order.

Asymmetrical Balance:

these pictures show asymmetrical balance because each side of each photo has different items, yet they still appear balanced in weight. Texture, color, and lighting all help to create this type of balance as shown in these various pictures. The rings are different stones, shapes, and colors, yet the picture seems balanced. The stars and the Mr. and Mrs. Claus are coming from the top and the bottom of the picture bringing balance. The faucet and flower pot are not identical items but are similar in the amount of space they take up, therefore balancing the picture. The couches are facing perpendicular to each other but take up similar amounts of space. The open door points to the christmas tree lurking in the background which balances out the picture more so than if that space were blank. The L shape couch is obviously not symmetrical but is balanced in length. Each picture brings some type of a relaxed vibe versus being very straight-laced and formal like symmetrical pictures do.

Radial Balance:
Here I have 6 examples of radial balance--or movement coming from a central point. These images speak for themselves because each has a center focal point with elements extending from it. Both of the lamp shades, the wheel on the car, the ferris wheel, the sink, and bridge railing have center points that serve as a sporting point for design elements to surround them. The brings movement to each picture, making them interesting to look at.

EMPHASIS
Here I have emphasis highlighted through different means--the stove awning is huge in stature compared to the rest of the items in the kitchen and is covered in an light-catching copper that is very distinguishable from the faded and muted brick white cement. The next image is similar in the sense that the picture is the emphasis in the room because of its size compared to the rest of the room. Its also very dark in contrast to the wall, making it stand out. The door in the next picture is definitely the emphasis in the garden room because its solid color, shape and stature break up the busy-ness of the brick floors and flowered wallpaper. The next is an example of a gym dance set up--its the obvious center piece of the space, the lights and white streamers guide your eye to the bunch of multi-colored flowers in the center. The part of the room is undeniably the emphasis. The red carpet is most certainly dominating this picture, emphasizing the importance the aisle plays in the role of a wedding, leading to up the alter. The color, length, and texture all play a part. Lastly we have the giant chimney area that sticks out in this room for its sheer size, the stones that go all the way up to the ceiling, and the light that the fire provides, highlighting its use and importance. 

MOVEMENT
Movement is seen here because the eye is led from one element of the room to the next through lines, shapes, color etc.. The brick on the floor creates a pathway to enter the bathroom to reach the focal point--the sink. The vertical slabs of wood and green paint, combined with the fireplace, t.v., and duck stack in a vertical path all lead your eye to the ceiling light. The arches of the wet bar lead your eye up as well, creating movement. The table cloth leads you eye down the table, and it hits the placemats and candle holders along the day to the head-of-the-table's chair. The diagonal lines of the red piece move your eye back and forth, bringing more of a dynamic element to the room than something straight. 

 REPETITIONAL AND RHYTHM
here you can see many examples of repetition and rhythm through repeated colors and shapes, as seen in the curtains hung to create the inside of the prom tent, the windows and ceiling of the church, sanctuary, the design of the outside of a church, columns on the building surrounding the Louvre, windows, and the paintings in a design store. The fact that each picture shows something repeating reiterates its importance, as well as creates stability which is very important in the case of the building pictured below. They also bring a sense of calm and ease.

PROPORTION AND SCALE:

Here I have examples of how important it to notice how big certain things are compared to others. You wouldn't realize the size of the smaller paint brush if it weren't pictured next to two bigger ones. Same can be said of the size of the eiffel tower, the kitty in my dad's hand, the size of the little boy compared to the pond, the size of the buildings compared to my friend Piper, or the size of the elephant compared to the man taking care of him.

UNITY AND HARMONY

here I have pictures of spaces that have similar textures, colors, sizes, and design that are repeated/similar to help create unity in a space. The Stair well railings repeat and turn in similar manners, bringing harmony to the photo. The interior space shown all has muted colors, wood on the walls, furniture, and flooring. The church pictured has similar shapes repeated in different sizes, bringing unity to the building. The doors have similar designs and texture that repeat, as well as the lines on the part of the building surrounding the doors as well. The picture of the berries demonstrates that even though the berries are somewhat different in nature, they have similar texture, vary a little bit in size, and have different color, yet are united in that they are berries. The picture of the restaurant shows unity and harmony as the pillow colors change as well as match the bench fabric., uniting the two.

VARIETY:

Here I Have 6 images, 3 good and 3 bad, of a space that offers variety. The top three all make use of various materials, and employ different forms, shapes, lines, and textures in order to be successful. The first picture offers rectangular, square, cylindric, etc shapes and use wicker, glass, paint, wood, stone, cement, iron etc. The next employs rectangular bricks arranged in square patterns across the floor, a wooden cabinet/window sill, wallpaper, paint, and various shapes to create a fun and exciting entering room of the house. The last good example is of a wet bar in a basement--it uses wood, granite, wooden planks, brick, some sort of ceramic flooring, and finished wooden planks on the far wall. It has straight lines, curved lines, shopes, color and forms all working together to create a variety of elements that make this room successful. 

The bottom three, however, employ so many different elements that really don't aethetically work together that the spaces don't appear successful. If you were to approach each room or exterior, you would be wondering what is going on--its too much and can be distracting because there is no harmony or unity to the madness. The first has too many colors, patterns, and forms interacting together to look like a real, non-cartoon home. If that was the goal of this house, then that would be one thing, but houses aren't typically made to look like they came out of disneyland. The next interior has so many patterns, colors, textures, and items on the wall that don't "match" that it just looks thrown together without any thought given to the matter. I would walk in the room and my eyes wouldn't know where to go first. The last picture may not have much variety in color, but what is going on with all the crossed lines? It looks rather confusing and jumbled and the use of so many shapes/forms/planes made by the crossed lines are confusing and distracting. It doesn't offer a pleasant feeling and feels a bit overwhelming. 

(the bottom three images are from pinterest)

TEXTURE // SPACE

t e x t u r e

ACTUAL: Since actual texture is something you can physically recognize by touch, the puppy's fur, the carpet he's sitting on and the leather boot he's chewing on all demonstrate surfaces with actual texture. The exposed brick can be felt sticking out from the wall, the kitty's fur and towel she's wrapped in, and the smooth glass container of the honey are all identifiable textures.

IMPLIED: these surfaces all look as though they have a physical texture but actually do not. The swirls on the cross are painted to look 3D yet are actually flat against the canvas. The wallpaper has images of flowers on it that look as though they somewhat emerge from the wall but do not. The geometric rug itself has actual texture but the hexagon shapes on it are flat even though they look like parts of the carpet are raised. The wooden planks on the floor are flat, but appear knotty and ridged from the floor even though they are flat and smooth. 

s p a c e 

ACTUAL:

these spaces are actual in nature because they are intended for a purpose--their uses being socially recognizable. When you walk into a church and see the pews you are forced to sit down between the rows and face the front. The space was created for that purpose. Same is said of a dinning room table. You know to sit at the table because that's why it was made. 

IMPLIED:

These spaces on the other hand were put together by someone to imply a certain position--to somehow force whoever is using the space to use it the way it was set up. This doesn't mean, however, that this space is permanent. (like the church pews) The sofas, chairs, boats, and beach chairs can be positioned in a multitude of ways, but whoever set them up this way implied for them to be used the way they are shown. The pathway for the boats would be much wider if a row of boats were not present of if more boats were to occupy a space, chaining the implications of the boat's path into the harbor. The beach chairs could be set up like they are shown, or in groups of two to imply more privacy. 

South of Market

When choosing my favorite sites for all things residential design, I included a wide spectrum of price points, from Ikea, to Anthro, to South of Market. This is important because certain clients are going to have tighter budgets than others and its good to expose myself to the different options available at different prices. I also kept my particular design styles in mind and know I could find something I would potentially use/like from each site. I included lighting, fabric, paint, furniture, and accessory sites, but my favorite would have to be South of Market--I love the earthy tones, colors, and materials used throughout their products and think I would be able to implement just about anything from their site into houses I would potentially design. It also offers a variety of products from rugs, to tables, to sofas, to pillows, to lamps--they've got it all and don't limit themselves to certain items.

Plane // Form

p l a n e

pictured below I have four examples of planes found in everyday ordinary life--the street sign demonstrates very thin but actual planes going in separate directions. My house as well as the ADPi house show multiple planes existing in the form of balconies, chimneys, porches, roofing, and sections of the houses that jut out. The sign at Turner Field is an example of a perforated plane--its not solid but it does have definite depth, length, and height.  

f o r m

GEOMETRIC FORM:

Here I have a tower the shape of a rectangle cutting the air at Lake Como demonstrating its 3D form. The cup cake holder structure shows different levels of circles connected by rectangular structures. The Georgia Theater's marque and the building structure itself exemplify geometric forms that are all connected to each other. The buildings in Piedmont Park are more examples of this specific form with multiple shapes such as square, rectangles, triangles, etc used. 

NATURAL FORM:

pictured below are all examples of forms that exist naturally in nature, humans having no control on how they've been created. The penguin, trees, mountains, valleys, bodies of water, and Romeo, my sweet pup all embody natural form.

ABSTRACT FORM:

Henry Moore's famous sculptures were exihibited at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens a few years ago and nothing could better demonstrate abstract form than these structures. They might be trying to emulate some type of form/shape but something is missing or is changed, making them abstract in nature. For example, the fountain glass could be trying to mimic attributes of water. We can tell this from the coloring and the movement of the glass, but the fact that its physically placed in a fountain helps us come to this conclusion. It very well could be representing something else in a different context. That's what makes abstract forms hard to identify, but also what makes them so interesting. 

NON-OBJECTIVE FORM:
Commonly confused with abstract form, non-objective form is not trying to emulate any known form whatsoever. These two pictures accomplish that because I am not quite sure what either of them could be in "real life." Despite this, they are both very powerful and interesting pieces due to their movement, coloring, building material, and positioning in the gardens. The fact that the black one was overlooking the city says something different from the green/blue structure existing amongst lush landscaping.

STATIC FORM: these two photos demonstrate static form in the sense that they both give off vibes of stability and permanence. These two smoke stacks amongst the mountain backdrop and sprawling farmland look strong and immovable. The stacked picture frames and couch appear to be stuck in place, waiting to be rested upon. Although the picture of the couch is more inviting and calming, and the smoke stack offers more power/strength, they both demonstrate static, resting, and firm environments.

DYNAMIC FORM: There is a lot of movement going on in both of these pictures, giving them a dynamic quality that can't be found in static environments. The movement of the waves in the background, the waves in Ashley's hair, and the physical action of her throwing her head back in laughter all give this first photo its dynamic characteristics. The contrasting colors of the sky, her hairs, and the ocean help to charge this photo with a tangible energy. This same energy can be found in the picture of the elephants in Cape Town. It is clear that they are in mid-motion, in the middle of the action of sitting down. There is nothing stationary about this picture. The fact that they are sitting on the diagonal and at different stages of sitting makes this picture interesting as well.

Line.Point.Shape.

So here I sit after finding, taking, uploading, and editing 50 pictures that illustrate all of the various points, lines, and shapes that surround me and I am both surprised and not surprised at what I found. Some of these were extremely easy to identify--others, not so much! But alas, I've attempted to express the shapes that surround me both here in athens and abroad!

POINT

the cross pictured at the top demonstrates a point in that it provides the focal viewing point of the picture.

The lamps shot form underneath demonstrates the effect that  positioning has on providing a focal point(s).

The spread hand  provides a perfect backdrop for the two pigeon eggs placed in his palms, their color and shape pulling your eye in.

the light at the end of the tunnel is the focal point of this picture, the contrast in lighting providing great differentiation in the different planes represented in this picture.

the  mason jar lamps are each individual points, but when put together create one larger point that represents a neat-o light fixture.

the two dangling stars create the focal points of this picture as they suspend in space. The digital effect of blurring out the background helps to draw focus to these sparkling stars!

VERTICAL LINES

vertical lines represent strength and power which are definitely associated with the images above. Church steeples, cathedrals, towers, and long pathways all demonstrate vertical lines that imply strength on a grand scale. 

DIAGONAL LINES

the diagonal lines show above represent a dynamic energy present in each photo. For example, the Ferris Wheel (which could also be categorized as structural) shows these lines projecting outward, representing  the fun and whimsical feeling of riding on it. The wine glasses pictured could be categorized as a horizontal line but the angle that I photographed them in presents them on a diagonal, giving the picture a little more of a casual, laid back feel.

HORIZONTAL

the horizons repented above are all perfect examples of a horizontal line. Each image taken in Cape Town provokes a sense of calm stability, provided both by the horizontal line itself and the photos of a serene sea. The fact that all these pictures are of the ocean reiterates that the horizon is an ideal example of a horizontal line and what it represents.

ORGANIC

Organic lines are thought to add whimsy and movement to images which all of these certainly possess. The bubble, moving leisurely through the air as if impermeable, to me represents the ideal example of an organic line. The pictures of the doors offer freely moving and twisting lines providing added motion to the images. This cross that I painted shows the movement of organic lines as well...I needed to show this one because I realized the picture of the tunnel above is not a correct example of this type of line. 

STRUCTURAL
These photos suggest that if the lines were not present, the structure pictured would crumble without their support. The masts of the ship, lines contracting the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower as well as the columns of a wet bar in a house are all examples of structural lines. 

IMPLIED: these lines all show how a specific line may be present but not be shown as one cohesive line--it can be dashed or broken like the brick flooring, the flag poles, the beach chairs, and the vineyards pictured below. 

GEOMETRIC

Geometric shapes are present EVERYWHERE! Circles, squares, rectangles, triangles, you name it--they are present around every corner. The coffee cups sitting out at a Parisian cafe demonstrate circles, the table they're sitting on, a rectangle. The window shutters and panes represent squares and rectangles of varying widths and heigths. The sink highlights squares and circles, and the light fixture shows ovals and circles in varying patterns.


NATURAL

Natural shapes are another ever-present shape because they are found naturally all throughout the world. Some shapes I found to be examples of these are trees, animals such as the pigeon, dog, and turkey (?) pictured above. The Alps form Lake Como demonstrate natural shapes as well. The idea is the non of the images pictured above are man-made.

A B S T R A C T

these images showcase a harder type of shape to identify and find and that is because it represents shapes that are altered in some way. The fabrics pictured below show some type of shapes that are manipulated to look like something else. The shadows are elongated versions of the human bodies forming them, showing their altered state. The pumpkin's mouth does use certain lines/shapes but it isn't one definable shape we could easily name, making it abstract in nature.

NON-REPRESENTATIONAL
these types of shapes are unrecognizable without an explanation. The pictures below each represent something that is otherwise unbeknownst to the viewer.

Urban Grace

Erika Powell, the head designer of "Urban Grace" is by far my favorite designer. She works out of Santa Rosa Beach, so her style is a beachy laid-back, fresh, and comfortable one. She works with builders which is probably my favorite thing about her-that she implements design from the get go of the creation of the building itself instead of just focusing on working with a preconceived space. She uses a lot of muted, natural, and rich colors which are my favorite and she also implements different building materials, my favorite being wood. I first found out about her from reading an article about her in Southern Living, so she is gaining a lot of recognition and respect for her amazing work!

The Eye of the Beholder

I think the general worldwide population would agree that the Eiffel Tower is one of the most beautiful landmarks ever created. People travel across the globe to lay eyes on this gorgeous structure and when they do, are mesmerized by its stature, symmetry, and extravagance. When I first saw this tower my heart quickened and my mouth dropped, obviously for it's physical beauty, but for other underlying meanings as well. I had finally made it to PARIS! The fact that I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to go financially and logistically and was actually standing in front of this beautiful tower in this beautiful city was an incredible feeling. So for me, that was a beautiful moment, as I'm sure it has been for the millions of other people in the same situation as me. This tower is also beautiful because of what it symbolizes--a city, its people, their culture, and the pride the French have for their country. It's also a destination that represents adventure, love, and a carefree vibe to those who make the (probably long awaited) journey. So whether you're from Paris or have gone to visit, I have no doubt that you have seen the Eiffel Tower and when you did, felt the power and strength of its beauty and what it represents in your own life. If you haven't seen it in person, I'm sure that you would still describe it as being beautiful and will hopefully have the opportunity to behold it with you own eyes one day!

Raise Your Hand, If You’re Sure - passioncitychurch blog

When I first saw "The Hand" I was extremely confused on the meaning, context, and message that it was supposed to represent. I thought it was kind of scary/creepy looking and its mix-matched patchwork type appearance wasn't the most aesthetically pleasing design I'd ever seen. But upon learning more about it what it symbolizes, its beauty not only became more and more apparent--it became extremely emotional and thought-provoking as well. 

. The goal of the Passion City Conference this past January was to raise money and awareness for the obscenely prevalent issue of Sex Trafficking that is occurring on a global scale. There are actually more people in slavery today than there have ever been in history, whether they are slaves to sex, other people, or the land they live on. The hand represents the efforts being made by millions of people to help put an end to this. The fact that it's a hand represents us extending our hands to them in an effort to pull them out of this misery. This hand was actually built outside of the Passion City Church in Atlanta, standing tall enough for those driving by to witness and wonder about its meaning. It also stands as a beacon of hope, standing tall above the buildings around it, symbolizing the passion of a generation that will refuse to ignore the injustice that is going on in not only its own city, but the rest of the world as well. This hand, overall, represents freedom, which is beautiful.

The unexpected beauty about this structure is that if you just looked at it, you would have no idea what it really stood for. It's eye-catching for its sheer size and for its "out-loud" design, not because its physically appealing. But it is beautiful to those who are involved with the movement it represents and for those it has helped rescue from the bonds of slavery. 

Reason to my Rhyme

All of the links I have posted on my blog give me something to get lost in every time I visit each page.  From The beautiful clothing and aesthetically pleasing website of anthropologie to the  captured-in-the-moment  photography of Allison Cottrill, to my favorite interior designer's  (Erika Powell) pinterest...each time i visit these sites I get to pick the brain of the person who created it. This makes me feel as though I am somewhat (although very indirectly) connected to them in some way shape or form. As far as choosing whose brain to pick goes, my criteria for doing so falls on a very wide spectrum. Some sites are very professional looking, others are informal blogs, and others are globally recognized websites.  Some have to do with solely food, others solely fashion, others solely interiors, and others a healthy mix. Whatever each site offers, I  sincerely enjoy looking at them to see how others think , what inspires them, and just how creative so many people in this world can be! Seeing so many world views through so many different lenses allows me to study and learn on a larger scale, rather than solely focusing my attention on one limiting topic. Food certainly affects kitchen design and layout, fashion has important influence on textile design, color, and shape, photography brings life to a standstill no matter what the picture is of....etc etc etc etc.. So in a nutshell, the blogs I picked represent little pieces of what I hope represent me, my hopes, my interests, and hopefully my future design ideals. My favorite one is hard to choose because they all are so different, but being the pinterest fanatic that I am.. it's gotta be Erika Powell's pinterest. It includes all my favorite things in one place , hand-chosen by one very talented eye that I admire very much.   

Happy Re-Pinning!

Style Me Pretty

style is still evolving, and will hopefully continue to evolve over time based on my experiences, and maturity. Right now, my style is one that emphasizes comfort, emits a certain "homey" warmth, and uses a variety of textures to make a room come to life. I adore exposed brick and hardwood, warm/neutral color palettes and pieces of furniture that can speak for themselves! Artwork, windows, mirrors, fabric and light fixtures should  be seriously thought about as they will make all the difference in the character of the room--

a room that has character has my heart! Here are some examples of my friend's home that is my kind of style...you'll want to move right in!

The hardwoods, and green cabinet stain paired with wooden beams, and the copper stove awning/vent make for an inviting kitchen

the wooden walls (versus paint/wallpaper) paired with the brick chimmny and warm colors make for a perfect relaxing area!

The wooden ceiling paired with this cool blue paint and cream bedding make for a calming bedroom

What a fun entry way! The brick flooring, carved wooden door and playful wallpaper make you happy you stepped in the door!

this dining room is sophisticated yet comfortable. Its a very open area, opening up to the sitting room versus being set apart in a separate room. 

this sitting room is again, sophisticated, yet extremely comfortable due to the many seating options and fabric choices. 

As far as my style goes in arenas other than interior design, I'm all over the place. My pinterest would be a great place to look for an assortment of takes on my personal style...ranging from food, clothing, travel, crafts, photography and life in general. here is the link and here are a few pins that you could find on any given day that exemplify my taste and style.:

Emily Gregory (emilygregory) on Pinterest

from dogs, to love, to bikes, food, art, quotes, and apparel, my pinterest says it all and gives you a little idea of what I have my eye on these days. I love color, character, and images that provoke some sort of feeling/emotion--these are the most memorable. My style focus is obviously very wide, but in a nutshell, I would say is one that is very approachable. Every picture in some way makes me feel happy and at ease which is what I hope to accomplish when designing homes in the future.