Tag: architectural balance

How Wood Characteristics Can Bring Balance to Interior Spaces

Interior photo of a wood characteristics

Wood is one of the planet’s most natural elements, and it is commonly used by our Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, New Mexico, North Carolina, and South Carolina architects today. Not only are wood materials beautiful and sustainable, but utilizing them strategically can promote a greater sense of architectural balance amid interior spaces.

Don’t Hesitate to Mix and Match Woods

While monochromatic wood interiors will always be balanced, they could result in a dull room where nothing stands out. That being said, using a mixture of wood finishes and implementing such layering successfully can be tricky, and many choose to consult with our nationally certified architects for guidance in the design process.

Balancing With Light or Dark?

Homeowners who appreciate high visibility in wood grain patterns will likely be more attracted to lighter grained woods. Going with light wood is also an exceptional choice in situations where natural light is scarce as it will open up the area aesthetically. Dark accents can balance light schemes. Dark wood works best in rooms with ample natural lighting and is commonly paired with lighter hues in the form of cabinets, focal walls, flooring, and trim accents.

Bringing Wood-Heavy Rooms Together

If it seems that mixing and matching wood materials has caused a sense of disharmony in a space, it can be tied together easily using a few accent pieces and colors. Lamps, curtains, pillows and carefully picked pieces of furniture can bring confluence to the room. Most importantly, be sure to consider the characteristics of the wood and how to work with them when selecting accent pieces. If you feel unsure, an architect at our firm can help you choose wisely!

Consult an Experienced Architectural Firm 

Our Vail Valley and North Carolina architects know every trick of the trade concerning the use of wood and aesthetic balance. Contact us today at 970-766-1470 for a consultation with one of our professionals to develop the design of your dreams!

Tips to Design a Room With a View

Interior bedroom photo

When you work with our Vail Valley architects or Western North Carolina architects to develop your dream home, you may find that the architectural design offers a beautiful view from the living room or from your bedroom. The challenge is matching your decor to fit with the view. By focusing on a few key strategies, you can select decor that enhances and improves your space.

Minimize Your Furniture

When you are decorating a room that has a stunning view, you want to limit your furniture. The focal point of your design is the view from your window, so emphasize the outdoor area by minimizing the furniture in your space. If the room with a view is your bedroom, then avoid heavy dressers. Make sure to leave a large open space around the bed. For living rooms, arrange a couch and a few chairs, but avoid cluttering the space with furniture or items you do not need.

Avoid Heavy Curtains

Heavy curtains distract from the view by drawing the eyes away from the outdoor space. If you want to put curtains on the windows, then opt for light and semi-sheer curtains. Alternatively, do not put curtains in your windows. Avoid heavy curtains or curtains with colors that do not fit well with the view. You also want to make sure any curtains you select do not have complicated designs that may distract from your view. The composition of the view does not start at the window, it starts from the interior.

Focus on Neutral Colors

Since the view is the focal point of your space, you want to focus on neutral décor that allows the view to shine. Select neutral, light-hued colors so that any colors outside your window attract the eyes. For example, opt for a basic white, cream or light brown couch.

Designing your space with beautiful architectural balance in Vail Valley or Western North Carolina is a process. For more details about architectural features on a home or to set up an appointment with an interior design professional, contact us today! We are nationally certified architects currently registered in Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, New Mexico, North Carolina, and South Carolina. We can be registered in any state, and are willing to work where ever you are located!

How to Create a More Peaceful Environment in Your Living Room

Interior photo of living room architecture and design at Red Sky Ranch

Outside of the kitchen, your living room is likely where you and your family spend most of your quality time together. It’s a place for entertaining, watching movies, reading a good book, playing with the dog — or just hanging out.

As such, it’s important to make this space especially peaceful. By cultivating a calming quality in your living room, it’s much more likely that you’ll genuinely enjoy spending time there.

How to Achieve Peace in Your Living Room

#1 – Get cozy.

Make the space plush and comfortable to be in. You should opt for throws and throw pillows that you’d actually like to cuddle up with. Invest in a wood fireplace. Choose furniture that you can truly sink into. All of these types of elements create the peaceful and inviting environment you want.

#2 – Don’t overdo the knickknacks.

It’s fun to have photos, paperweights, vases, coffee table books, and other knickknacks as a part of your design aesthetic, but the overall effect can often feel claustrophobic. It’s much better to go with a simple look and avoid cluttering your walls, shelves, bookcases, and other surfaces with too much stuff.

#3 – Pick a few colors but stop there! 

Lastly, you want two to three colors maximum to dominate the space. When it comes to palettes, go with soft, muted colors or dark neutrals. Right now, white, beige, and everything in between (off-white, eggshell, etc.) are extremely popular and offer a peaceful “Zen” feeling. Of course, a trio of black, dark mahogany, and navy can offer a similar effect in a different way.

As you can see, much of realizing a more peaceful environment in your living room is about the architectural balance — designs and settings that are either plainly symmetrical or pleasingly offset and balanced by a keen and seasoned designer.

Achieve the architectural balance you’re looking for by partnering with TAB Associates on your next home remodel project! Our Vail Valley architectural firm has been helping residents achieve the homes of their dreams since 1997. Contact us today to begin planning!

Creating an Exterior Focal Point for Your Home

Your home’s exterior focal point is the first place your guests’ eyes will land when they approach your home. It is a fundamental design principle that the right focal point can create a positive first impression and even change a person’s mood. Many contemporary homes lack the impressive architectural features that are common with Victorian, Tudor, or Colonial styles. Nevertheless, there are ways to add architectural balance and a dramatic focal point to any ranch, split-level, or cottage-style home!

Deciding on a Focal Point for Curb Appeal

To choose the best focal point that will tie together your home’s landscape, your home’s architectural style, and your family’s personality, start by noting your home’s best features or what you like best about the exterior of your home. It could be a large bay window, porch columns, a blooming tree, or your lovely wooden double-entry doors.

Work with what you have! There are many ways to increase the drama and beauty of any part of your home’s exterior.

10 Ideas for an Exterior Focal Point

  1. Add a landscape feature like ornamental grass or decorative tree.
  2. Replace exterior door with double-entry doors or add a decorative element to the door.
  3. Install an architectural window – bay, bow, or arched
  4. Paint exterior trim or structural elements with a contrasting color.
  5. Add up-lighting at a tree or bushes.
  6. Create architectural balance with matching wall lanterns or potted plants.
  7. Change door numbers to a decorative font.
  8. Plant a flower bed that blooms three seasons.
  9. Replace walkway with paver stones or bring the Interior flooring out.
  10. Consider an ornamental fence or railing.

Creating a focal point at your home’s entry can be a budget-friendly project. Painting your front door, adding two large potted plants on each side, and attaching wall sconces or installing a post lantern at the stairs can add pizzazz and charm to any lackluster front entry.

For a striking makeover, partner with TAB Associates, an architectural firm that specializes in “architectural balance!” TAB Associates can help you create an exterior balance with permanent architectural features that fit both classic and modern home styles.

What Is Architectural Balance?

Home located in Red Sky Ranch

In all different forms of design, having balance is key. In regards to architectural balance, this essentially means the balance of design from an architectural standpoint. From the color choices to the shapes and sizes of roofs and pillars, these all help to determine the level of balance between architectural pieces.

How Balance is Used

While there are many factors about architectural design that are different from other pieces of design, balance is a common goal that many designers set out to achieve. It’s important to note that balance isn’t required when designing something. Works of art are very subjective, and they can have multiple meanings. However, studies prove that balanced design is more pleasing to the eye — and that couldn’t be more true than it is in architecture. If you notice a building that isn’t balanced, it probably isn’t too appealing.

Characteristics to Consider

Every building that you see, whether it’s two months old or 200 years old, was probably built with architectural balance in mind. A key thing to remember about this type of balance is that these architectural elements [more than likely] serve a functional purpose too. For instance, a roof might be slanted a certain way for water control, or a window may be placed in a certain location to bring in more light. That being said, these architectural designers not only have to think about what’s balanced from a design standpoint, but how the building keeps that balance while still being functional.  Being functional is of utmost importance.

TAB Associates Can Help

When it comes to sustaining architectural balance, TAB Associates does not disappoint. Our architectural firm in Vail Valley, Colorado and in Apple Valley in the Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina, specializes in the design of cozy cabins, functional educational buildings, contemporary homes, large residential properties, and much more! Our Vail Valley and Apple Valley architects have decades of experience creating pieces of art that make dreams come true. Contact our team today so we can help bring your architectural visions to life!

And remember, we pride ourselves in bringing:

  • Balance within design,
  • Balance between design & program,
  • Balance between design & construction,
  • Balance between construction cost and budget.

Use Color to Your Advantage to Achieve Architectural Balance

architectural balanceThe effective use of color can elevate the design of your home and help you achieve true architectural balance. Your ability to apply the right hues and shades can have a tremendous impact on the cohesiveness of your design. Innovative color application methods give your interior design a wow factor that makes it stand far apart from the rest. Here are a few ways to use color to your advantage in your interior design.

Perfect Your Palette

A strong color scheme with both complementary and contrasting colors can create a guiding palette for your interior design. While working with neutral base colors, look at the undertones to decide how to best pair different tones to create your ideal palette.

Paint Your Ceilings a Lighter Hue

If you want to beautifully open up the space in your home, paint all your ceilings a slightly brighter or lighter hue than the walls. The lighter ceiling color will help guide the eye upward and effectively expand its perceived boundaries.

Stripe With the 50/150 Rule

To create beautiful stripes on your wall or ceiling, always utilize the 50/150 rule for mixing paint. To follow this rule, create a paint color that is 50 percent lighter and another that is 150 percent darker than your base color. Use these tones to create subtle stripes as a focal point in the room.

Blend Patterns and Solids for Architectural Balance

Although accent walls are divine, a mix of patterns and solids go much further in creating a balanced aesthetic. Consider creatively utilizing paint to create patterns on a single wall area to add texture to your interior design.

When you put color to use for you, it is possible to achieve architectural balance. For assistance in elevating your home design, contact your trusted architectural firm.