Ceramic tiles gives a harsh look to rooms. Soften the look with rugs, plants and soft furnishings.
areas, rather than a conflict as in this case. By creating this invisible barrier, the use of the materials here has instead shrunk the perception of the space as well as its value.
Contrast Creates Harmony In this example above, the use of ceramic tiles is balanced through the introduction of a central carpet cover. The rug helps to break the monotony of the room and also gives the space a sense of arrangement. While simple in concept, the arrangement and colour selection of the furniture helps to add a higher perceived value in the mind.
Materials to Create Moods The next design consideration is to look at how materials can affect our mood. First we need to understand that everything surrounding us has an effect on our perception of the space. So when we look at hard materials such as ceramic tiles or natural stone, there is an automatic association to a more “public” space. Similarly, carpets and timber tones tend to create a more “homely” effect, but what is interesting is that too much of one kind of material creates monotony, and thus gives off too much hard, yang energy. The secret is to balance these materials out by
introducing a compatible material, or through the use of furniture and colours. Consider the two examples to the right here and at the bottom of the next page. The first living space (right) exhibits a very monotone effect where the timber flooring has created hardness with no sense of
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Timber flooring over a large space, when not broken up by rugs or carpets, can create an over-harsh and monotone effect.
comfort. The second image on the next page illustrates how too many accents of the same material has its own drawbacks; the timber strips and ceiling patterns generate too much confusion as there is too much information for the mind to accept. In both cases, the inner appreciation for the space turns negative, which then translates into an erratic and confused state of mind.
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