Selecting accessories

Knowledge of the various furniture types and their proper construction will aid the designer in the development of a successful interior. Accessories work directly with the room’s furniture and should compliment the selections. Accessories should include items of personal value to the client or company.

When determining what accessories are suitable for a particular space, consider a wide range of possibilities. Reviewing an outline of numerous items often sparks an idea of the accessory or accessories that tie an entire grouping together.

The accessories may be utilitarian or displayed for aes­thetic pleasure. The items may be incorporated into the scheme to enhance the background or they may function pri­marily as a point of interest. The principles and elements of design must always be used. For example, the item must be suitable in texture, colour, and form to the style, background, and other accessories and furnishings in the room. The item should be in scale with the other furnishings and the space allocated. The accessory should help to bring balance and harmony to the room.

Accessories can either be authentic to a certain historic style or mixed to support a variety of styles. The latter ap­proach is often considered more creative. Accessories can also support the architectural background. For example, an informal arrangement of flowers in a basket enhances a rus­tic wood wall, and an elegant porcelain vase enhances a for­mal French panelled wall.

Designers often play an important role in selecting acces­sories for commercial and institutional spaces. The previous guidelines should be followed, but the art and accessories should be placed so as not to interfere with the function of the facility. Usually, commercial spaces do not incorporate personal items except in private offices, however, accessories in public areas reflect the corporation's image and character. Adding art and accessories to a commercial setting can give an inviting and warm character. Often the designer is limited in purchasing fine-quality items for the commercial setting because of budget restrictions and the possibility of theft. Obtaining accessories that project an aesthetic appeal and that will last through the years are additional challenges. Such items as plants and artwork – usually large in scale – are often chosen for schools, offices, hospitals, libraries, hotels, retail stores restaurants, and other public settings. Also, accessories that relate to the function of the facility itself can add character to the space. For example, prints in a restaurant might pertain to the history or theme of the establishment. All accessories selected for the commercial setting should enhance the environment and humanize the space.

TEXTILES

Textiles enhance both residential and commercial interiors. They are probably more versatile than any other element used for interior design. Textiles are pliable: they can be sewn, draped, bent, folded, wrapped, pleated, gathered, and stretched. Textiles are used in every room for upholstery, window treatments, slipcovers, pillows and cushions, bedspreads, blankets and throws, towels, table linens, wall coverings, ceiling coverings, lamp shades, and trim.

There are sev­eral basic considerations in the selection of interior materi­als: function, aesthetics, and economics. One of the primary purposes of textiles, however, is to humanize living spaces. Textiles provide a transition between architecture and furni­ture, and bring comfort, warmth, and softness to homes and public places.

Textileis an overall term used to describe a fibre, yarn, or fabric. The terms fibres, yarns, fabrics, and textiles areof­ten used interchangeably in the profession, and are defined as follows:

-fibresare the raw materials, either natural or synthetic, that produce yarns and fabrics.

-yarnsare fibres that are twisted or assembled together to form the strands that produce fabrics.

-fabrics are the results of the weaving, knitting, twisting, felting, or lacing of fibres and yarns. Fabrics also may be formed from plastics.

Fibres, such as raw cotton, silk, or polyester, are the most basic element of a fabric. A perfect fibre that will ade­quately serve every general design purpose does not exist. Each fibre has its own advantages and disadvantages. Man­ufacturers have found that by blending certain fibres, the most desirable qualities of each can be incorporated into a single fabric.

Yarns are made by spinning various lengths of fibres into strands used for fabric construction. A fabric's performance and appearance are affected by the method and the amount of twisting of the fibres. A high twist produces more strength and durability but takes away some of the lustre. Long fila­ments with little twist generally maintain a high lustre but lose much of their stability. Plyis the result of twisting two or more single yarns together before weaving to give added strength or create a surface effect.

Fibres that come from nature fall into four classifications: protein, cellulose, metallic, and mineral.

Wool and silk are the most important protein, or animal, fibres.

Wool has several advantages. It is resilient, flame retardant, resists abrasion, is a good insulator, and can be woven in a variety of textures. Wool is used for both residential and commercial applications including up­holstery, carpeting, draperies, and wall coverings.

Silkis an ancient fibre that, according to legend, was dis­covered in China about 2540 B.C. The process of producing it from the larvae of silkworms, known as sericulture, was kept secret for many years but gradually became known in coun­tries around the world. Raw silk, or uncultivated silk, is a shorter and coarser fibre with less lustre. Both types of silk fibres are used for draperies, some upholstery applications (when backed), wall coverings, trim, and fabric art.

Cellulose (or vegetable) fibres include stems, leaves, and seed hairs found in plants. The two most common cellulose fibres are cotton and linen (or flax).Cottonis believed to have been grown in India during the 4th century B.C. and used in early Rome. It is the most plen­tiful of the natural fibres.

Linen is made from flax fibres and is the most ancient of all fibres. It is used for upholstery, drapery, table linens, and slipcovers.

Mineral and metallic fibres are created from naturally occurring minerals, including metals. Metallic fibres include stripes of gold, silver, or copper that are used chiefly as accents in decorative fabrics.

Дата добавления: 2015-11-16