THE ILLUSION OF PERFECTION

Persian rug weavers have long held that only God is perfect so every rug they weave has an imperfection.  This adage can apply to almost every room of our homes.  It’s rare to find a space that is entirely perfect.

A low-ceilinged room dweller might chafe at the person who complains of their high-ceiling room.  Yet, with a soaring ceiling that encompasses more than one area, how can artwork be placed for viewing from two separate floors?  Where might window coverings begin and end?

What about the odd-shaped room – you know, the one with sloping ceilings, irregular floors and that bowling alley feel you get from a long rectangular room?

BASIC CORRECTIONS
Employ color and pattern strategies for odd angles.  With the application of one paint color, awkward angles are softened visually.   Or, if wallpaper is preferred, choose an overall pattern to distract the eye.  Avoid bold patterns like stripes and geometric.  These choices will highlight bumps and twists in the shape of your room.

For overly high ceilings, use a richer color on the ceiling to visually lower it.  If you bring the ceiling color onto the upper rim of the walls and use trim for separation, a more human-scale proportion will be created, instantly cozier!  Use this technique wherever intimacy is desired, e.g., dining rooms, dens, bedrooms, living rooms.

Low-ceiling rooms benefit from applying the same color to walls and ceiling.  When a ceiling is white or much lighter than the walls, it actually falls into the space visually.

Not a fan of the crown molding, trim or baseboards chosen by previous homeowners?  Minimize their impact by painting them the same color as the walls or a hue value one to two shades lighter or darker than your wall color.  Trim does not need to be in the white family.  White is reserved primarily for suburban, urban high-impact and Country style decor.
The bowling alley hallway solution?  Use artwork, photograph gallery, a fabric or woven grass panel or something sculptural to create a feature wall at the end.  Or, if you have cupboards at the end, create interest with paint, wallpapered door panels, or figurative art on door panels.

Sadly, there’s not one simple solution to window coverings in odd-shaped areas.  This truly requires the help of a professional to create options.

SPRING IS HERE!

Blossoms will abound and your home will love you for bringing the outdoors in.  The photos will serve as inspiration for different arrangements and vessels.

“Spring is here, why doesn’t my heart go dancing?” – Jackie and Roy lyrics

Cheryl von Tress is principal of Cheryl von Tress Design Group  www.cvtdesigngroup.com and owner of Hospitality Centrale www.hospitalitycentrale.com inside Jacksonville Barn Co.