08 Sep Elements of Design: Architectural Details
Some of the loveliest aspects of a house are found in its architecture. Architectural details are a small piece of an overall project, but they have the ability to define and characterize the whole design. Some examples are staircases, doors, window trim, crown moldings and ceiling details to name a few. In interior design, these elements add another layer of interest and character alongside colors, fabric, furniture and artwork. But more importantly, architectural details define the underlying style of a home. For example, the reclaimed wooden beams pictured below capture a rustic feel in this modern home.
The architectural details are often decided upon early in the design process. Such was the case with my client who purchased this Frank Floyd Wright-inspired house. The architectural details in this home are an incredibly strong foundation and completely establishes the overall feel for the home. They loved the stained woodwork, tall crown molding, stone walls and staircases with metal rails. The details drove the rest of the design process. I simply used the furnishings and artwork to complete the overall picture.
It is, however, possible to change the architectural details in an existing home to set a new look and feel. In another remodeling project, the home’s interior was rather plain. The homeowner wanted a much stronger traditional design, so we took the trim and paneling details that existed in the dining room and duplicated them in the living room and up the front wall of the stair case. The result was a much more cohesive look that feels complete and makes sense.
We ran paneling up the staircase and around mirrors hung above a fireplace, and added trim around the windows. By layering rugs, furniture, light fixtures and other choices that reflected a traditional style, the design came together.
This home in Boulder, Colorado, had a dated, hard contemporary style with iridescent tile, slab front cabinets, stained doors and built-in sofas, etc. Choosing a different color palette, new furniture and light fixtures was not enough to change the overall feel of the house. We focused on transforming the architectural details to lay the framework for a “nod-to-nature” look. We kept the floating staircase because it was such an amazing feature, but added the two sided fireplace to create an architectural break between the entry and living space. The tile was changed to bamboo flooring and the barn door was added for a softer touch. All the doors were painted to match the walls and trim so that the unique architecture of the house could shine through.
Starting with the architectural elements of a home is often essential—furniture, paint colors, light fixtures, artwork and rugs are important, but architectural elements are the canvas that they are painted on. They become the foundation for a cohesive and well-detailed home.
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