Design Friday: Harmony

The harmony I speak of has nothing to do with how well the family members in your home get along. Rather, it is the compatibility of elements to create a pleasing whole, achieved through unity and variety. Unity is when all objects in the room unify to establish a master plan (such as a color scheme, furniture style, patterns, etc.). Variety is simply the absence of monotony. Basically, harmony means your room looks pulled together, without being boring.

"Every interior should have goals of identity and oneness, yet be varied enough to be interesting. This design statement, master plan, or set of goals should be set forth in written and graphic form, so that every furnishing item, whether purchased at once or over a period of years, will be selected to complement all other furnishings specified. It is wise and thoughtful planning that sets apart find design from interiors that lack harmony." -Nielson, Karla J., Taylor, David A., "Interiors: An Introduction" No pressure.

Most people do not have the means to redecorate an entire room at once. As I, myself, am in this boat, I can testify that this can be hard because you have more time to change your mind. Therefore, a master plan is critical. If you obtain a vision of what you want your space to look like, when you are out shopping, you can edit the things you purchase by comparing them to your master plan. If you don't know where to even start, find an inspiration piece for the room (or buy one if you don't have one). A neat rug, painting, fabric, etc. can help guide you in the right direction. If you're having trouble even coming up with a master plan, or don't trust yourself, study magazines and copy what you see. You don't have to tell anyone.