Modernism shook the world with its radical departure from classic and traditional styles in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The modernists brought their attention to craft and "less is more" and "form and function" mantras to the masses, along with the concept that through an improved built environment, we could improve our lives. Out of that philosophy has grown today's sustainability movement, which focuses on conservation, reuse, adaptibility and our relationship to the natural environment.
The next movement has yet to present itself, so meanwhile, we asked a few Texas designers and architects, "What is good design?"
Julie Schaff Risman, furniture and interior designer, owner of the Inside Story Design, San Antonio; www.insidestorydesign.com:
Some of my guiding principles: Follow the rules of scale and proportion. Don't use small furniture in a large room with high ceilings. Better a few larger items than many small ones. Expensive purchases (furniture and rugs, for example) should be classic and enduring; other, less-expensive items can be more trendy — think pillows and accessories.
Mix materials and style to create interest - wood, glass, stone, metal and fabric. Mixing antiques with modern pieces makes a room interesting and not predictable. All of one material or style creates what I call the furniture showroom effect.
Your home should tell your story. Art and artifacts from your travels, collections and artful photos turn a house into a home and prevent the model-home look. Always add an organic element to a space: plants, fresh flowers, seagrass, shells and salvaged items breathe life and warmth into a space. Edit - if in doubt, leave it out.
Interior design and remodeling for homes in San Antonio and the Texas Hill Country.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
What is good design? Experts weigh in
I am honored to have been asked to contribute to a Houston Chronicle article on interior design: