Balance - Take 2.

Balance achieved.

Last week I wrote about maintaining balance as we prepare for the busy holiday season. The article semi-void of “decorating” balance. More emotionally centered balance. Life’s balance.

I mentioned the Seven Principles of Design.

BALANCE HARMONY EMPHASIS RHYTHM SCALE CONTRAST UNITY

And, then it hit me…

Today until Christmas. Seven Fridays. Seven Principles of Design to explore. Seven weeks to celebrate nature’s innate ability to perfectly capture color, pattern, and texture as realized according to design principles. Full circle; the reason I started this blog.

So, here we are again. Repeating…

Balance

As defined by Oxford Dictionary, balance is the condition in which different elements are equal or in the correct proportions. The equal distribution of visual weight around a space to create harmony and stability. Achieved symmetrically, asymmetrically, or radially.

Let’s not complicate this notion. One example each; to memorize.

In decorating, symmetry is an easy balance to create. A bed centered on a wall flanked with matching nightstands and table lamps. Take a room, drawn a line down the middle, identical sides present themselves.

In nature, butterfly wings, a leaf folded along its vein, the human body. Crystal clear displays of symmetrical balance. Obvious.

Similar objects with near visual weight defines asymmetrical balance. In decorating, a sofa on one side of a coffee table with two arm chairs across. Related in visual weight when arranged, but three different pieces. 

Asymmetrical natural balance is more subtle. Sometimes overlooked. Free formed clouds, the placement of branches and leaves on trees and plants, a flat fish’s two eyes one side of his head. None are mirror images. Rather, organic, yet equally distributed as to appear balanced.  

Radial balance is circular. Centered around a fixed point. Most often seen in the dining room. A chandelier hangs with a round table and chairs centered underneath.

Examine living flowers, a pineapple, the sand dollar, and a spider’s web exceptional presentations of radial balance. Stunning. A pronounced center.

In the next seven weeks, as life throws its weight around, catching us off balance, turn to nature.

Concentrate your energy on Mother Earth. Drink up her beauty. Focus, Inhale, Re-center yourself.

Gain your balance.

Notes…

Visual weight in relation to balance is as important as balancing a room’s color, pattern, and texture. The Color Wheel. Pattern choices. Textures. All add interest and help balance a space. Think. Test. Try. And, search AI. This is what Google fed me…

How to create balance.

Use visual weight: Distribute large and small objects, as well as heavy and light colors, evenly throughout the space. 

Incorporate negative space: Don't fill every corner. Leaving empty space is crucial for a room to feel airy and balanced. 

Mix and match elements: Combine different-sized decorative objects. For example, group a large vase with smaller books or vases on a coffee table. 

Balance with color and texture: Use contrasting colors and textures strategically to create equilibrium between different areas of a room. 

Establish a focal point: A clear focal point, like a fireplace or a large piece of art, can help anchor the design and prevent the room from feeling chaotic. 

Avoid common mistakes: Be mindful of overdoing symmetry, which can make a space feel boring. Also, avoid overcrowding, which can make a room feel cluttered and difficult to navigate.