Do you want to step through this room to the window, or would you rather stand back and enjoy the shadows of the room itself?
Both choices have their appeal. This room is not afraid of its shadows, and the design takes full advantage of them. Color is minimized and lines draw the eye.
There are two important secrets to why this room works so well with only natural light. One is the large window covering most of one wall. This gives plenty of opportunity for light to reach into the room as well as providing a view better than any art that could cover a wall.
The flooring provides the second reason. You know this wood is dark as dark – possibly even an ebony, yet the window’s reflection on the glossy surface brings the light well into the room.
Without the flooring, you would lose the silhouette effect of the furniture, and the unusual lines of pieces such as the curved chair by the zebra-patterned rug would be lost in the darkness. Look at how the chair and sofa show reflections against the floor. These help define the space as shadows help define light.
Color has a minimal effect in this room. We are unable to distinguish color without light, and there is not much light here. The only visible element of color appears on the sofa’s arm where a couple of orange stripes could be a throw or some sort of pattern. This room doesn’t need color. There’s enough interest in the light, shadow and lines.
Are your shadows interesting? Do they add personality and a special flavor to your home? Think about it.
Shadow Play
Both choices have their appeal. This room is not afraid of its shadows, and the design takes full advantage of them. Color is minimized and lines draw the eye.
There are two important secrets to why this room works so well with only natural light. One is the large window covering most of one wall. This gives plenty of opportunity for light to reach into the room as well as providing a view better than any art that could cover a wall.
The flooring provides the second reason. You know this wood is dark as dark – possibly even an ebony, yet the window’s reflection on the glossy surface brings the light well into the room.
Without the flooring, you would lose the silhouette effect of the furniture, and the unusual lines of pieces such as the curved chair by the zebra-patterned rug would be lost in the darkness. Look at how the chair and sofa show reflections against the floor. These help define the space as shadows help define light.
Color has a minimal effect in this room. We are unable to distinguish color without light, and there is not much light here. The only visible element of color appears on the sofa’s arm where a couple of orange stripes could be a throw or some sort of pattern. This room doesn’t need color. There’s enough interest in the light, shadow and lines.
Are your shadows interesting? Do they add personality and a special flavor to your home? Think about it.