The Art of the Vignette

Today I'm participating in a lInk party over ata Happy to Design: Sunday Favorites.

I'm reposting this post from last winter, and I hope you enjoy it and maybe learn something.

Hope you finish out the weekend with joy!

I switched beds around in my house, and while I was putting eveything back together today, I realized that it's the vignettes within the room that bring in style and grace to the space. 

Of course, I began thinking about what makes a vignette beautiful...what separates a great vignette from an OK one.  So instead of finishing what I had started, I hit the computer looking for beautiul vignettes (this blog is called Divine Distractions after all....it's what I do ).

In studying the bevy of beauties I found, it goes back to the principles of good design...scale, balance, line, color and rhythm. 

Great symmetry here...and the spot of color from the lemons is so right!

Count how many repetitions are in this little space.

...and here.  Symmetrical balance, characterized by even numbers, items that mirror one another, things that are centered...all make for a more formal arrangement and feel.

Two pillows, two arches on the legs of the bench, two finials, two horizontal pics, two vertical ones....that's formal symmetry.

I have a love-hate relationship with symmetry.  I enjoy the strength and stability of formal balance, but I really think an asymmetrical arrangement is more interesting and artistic....that's me...interesting and artistic!

This vignette can't decide if it's symmetrical or asymmetrical....kind of like me!

I haven't ridden a horse since I was a child, but I'm coveting these riding boots.  I love that they are a bit askew, standing there.  Of course, you know I love the pops of orange.  What an eclectic, little vignette!

I wish this had posted a little clearer, but I just love this tablescape.  I love the shapes, the colors and the lines.  It seems perfectly planned.

Isn't this serene and beautiful?  What amazing lines in this table!  I love the repetition of color in the silver and green, and the soft, soothing art work. 

  They have kept the color palette here very clean and neutral, and it really allows me to focus on the photograph, which might get lost otherwise.  The white in the hydrangeas (my fav), the roses and the vases really unifies the tablescape.

Such a mix of styles here, but it really works.  Two florals seems like overkill to me, but the scene has a casual quality that is inviting.  The greens and whites in the organics are repeated in a very subtle way, bringing unity to the vignette.  Lovely!

The  lines on this table and mirror are the star of this vignette.  How simple, curvy and elegant.  Too much "stuff" would take away from the beautiful lines, don't you think?

Fruit and flowers...love this.

Ok, I'm inspired now....have to go finish putting those rooms back together now....until I'm distracted once again.

Random...who me???

You know in all those personality tests that you take, where they put you in groups with funny names or colors to cateogize how you think? 

I'm always in the random group.  I'm not a straight-line thinker.  Some people are more kind and say I'm "global-thinking".  I think that's a nice way of saying I'm all over the place! 

I think it just means I like things to be more asymmetrical than symmetrical. 

Asymmetrical arrrangements are so much more interesting, don't you think? 

We all know the odd number rule in grouping objects...3...5...7  etc....It's anything goes for the most part.  Things in an asymmetrical arrangement don't have to line up or match or hang straight. 

Asymmetry is full of angles and geometry (Not my favorite subject, BTW)

But when I see pairs of things....

....I feel like I need to stand up straighter, check my manicure and wear pantyhose.  Symmetry is just so much more formal!

Debra Geller, Interior Designer

This is a beautiful room, great design, contemporary colors and a little stiff for me.  I'm having a hard time seeing myself hanging out on these chaises. 

Me in one.....Big Henry in the other?

I don't think so.

Eventhough the materials in this foyer, like the distressed wood, worn basket and the painted finishes, are more casual, it still presents with that more refined feel. 

I surprise myself at times by loving matching pairs.  Two beautiful antique settees....sigh....aren't they wonderful?   How many other pairs do you see here?   (It's like playing "Where's Waldo")

This really is a mirror image!  With the exception of the accessories on the nightstand, symmetry is EVERYWHERE !  and how pretty it is.

But don't you  just want to mess up the bed a bit?

Single objects and a few accessories break up the symmetry a little bit, making this great room feel a little more friendly and casual.

I just love these turned wood lamps....I'll take two!

Two, Two, Two of most everything, and then throw in all the squares and it's a symmetrical wonderland.  Are you seeing double yet?

I love the color palatte of green and lavender.

I know everyone in blogland has presented this photo, but it's just a perfect example of a balanced arrangement.  This REALLY is a mirror image....down to the small florals on the nightstands.  Thank goodness for the hat!

So, random or linear....where do you fit in.

You artsy types, don't lie!

I "heart" art !

I was reading the May editon of Architectural Digest on line today, and they showcased an article they had done on artist, Robert Motherwell in his Connecticut home back in 1984. 

Robert Motherwell and his wife, photographer, Renate Motherwell.

I'm pretty traditional in my design esthetic except where art is concerned, and I'm a big fan of the abstract paintings that Motherwell is famous for.

Architectural Digest, May 2010

I don't pretend to really understand much of Motherwell's art, or any other abstract art for that matter, I just like it !

Art always impacts a space, and sometimes we even build a room to focus on the art, so I thought it might be fun to see how art impacts the design of a space.

This painting seems like a perfect fit for this aqua dresser.  I love it against the sky blue walls.  The soft gray chairs and ottoman balance out all the blue-greens and enhance the deeper tones in the art. 

Of course the lamps are to die for!

I can't imagine this space without the art.  Clearly it is the star of this room by the late designer, Billy Haines.  The predominance of white in the furniture is no mistake.  It creates balance with all the orange in the painting and the rug. This painting was recently auctioned off at Christies.

Cameron Martin, Interior Designer as seen in D-Home Magazine

Anyone who knows me knows that I'm not personally a fan of the all neutral color palatte, but I can appreciate the design behind it.  This painting is so subtle and soft that it allows you to focus on the shades of gray that make this room.  I count at least 12 different shades of gray in this room.  You would think it would be easy to design a room in a single color, but it can really be a challenge.

If the painting were anything more dramatic, how might that change how we see the room? 

I

Amanda Nisbet, Interior Designer

I'm not sure about the technique used to create these art pieces, but they certainly do compliment the room.  I'm guessing that the arrangement is symmetrical.  The drapes even mirror the design in the art...and what about the purple line around the ceiling?  Really draws the eye up, doesn't it?  But speaking of lines...look for them....they're a subtle design element in the room.  There's a lot to study here!

Wonder why they used a black and white painting here? 

Where does your eye go when you look at the room?

The symmetry of the design elements focus your attention to the art, but because it's black and white, I find my eyes are drawn to the one asymmetrical item in the space....the turquoise pillow!

Did they plan that???    I'll bet so !

Margaret Chambers, Interior Designer

Flowers always make good subject matter for paintings, and the tulips, both natural and painted,  bring so much color to this otherwise neutral space.  Can you imagine how this painting would lose it's punch if the wall were painted a bold color?  The soft buff background on the wall doesn't compete with the vibrancy of the tulips thereby making them front and center.

Adcock Smith, Interior Designer

Many of you know that I was a mural artist before returning to design school.  I've always loved the BIG painting!  I know I have some weirdness in me sometimes, but I love this new take on the family portrait....a touch of whimsy in a very traditional room.  The chocolate wall is a smart way to highlight the giant canvas....makes me want to paint!

D-Home Magazine showcased the mid-century modern home of Eve Reid in the Design Book 2009.  The art is positioned so that it is the first thing you see when you approach the entry of the house.  The dramatic colors of the art set the palatte for the house both inside and out.  They are clearly the focal point the homeowner wants visitors to see.

OK.....it's pink, it's oversized and it's beautiful.  The color choice of this space is genius....the wall color is a match to the mid-tone in the painting.   Using the midtone allows the painting to have more prominence in the small entry way.  The pink is repeated in the bench pillows supporting the pink in the conch shell.  I wish I had painted this!

Patrice Cowan Bevans, Interior Design

Isn't this a pretty bedroom? 

I love this painting in this room, don't you?

The scale is perfect, the colors so balanced in the painting, and the symmetry of the furniture all points to the painting as the focal point. The yellow line just over the horizon is a complement to all the blues.   

 Love it!

Art is so personal, and I'm of the opinion that everyone gets to enjoy the art they love.  I love color, loose brush strokes, abstraction and whimsy.

What do you love??