Seeking Balance in Your Home Decor

In our homes, as in other parts of our lives, we are happier when we live with balance and harmony. Just like the rest of our lives, balance in the rooms of our homes is sometimes hard to create.

For many years, decorators and home owners tried to create this physical balance by having pairs of everything: 2 matching end tables, a matched pair of wing chairs, even sets of twin beds in the master bedroom. This certainly created a balanced room. It also created rooms that were sterile, formal and visually boring. In a formal setting or a Federal or Georgian home, this is still the way things should be to look 'right.' Our ancestors valued this perfect balance so highly that they created false doors in hallways so that both sides matched or doors that looked like windows so that the right and left sides of the back of a house matched perfectly. This can still be seen if you go to visit some of our historic homes. A notable example is the Hammond-Harwood House in Annapolis, Md. We, however, tend to prefer a more relaxed approach to our homes.

So how do we create a feeling of balance without matched pairs of everything? You can use:
Color Dark colors have more 'weight' than light colors. Actual size Height, depth and width of an object Mass A thick bulky looking object has more 'weight' than a fragile, delicate one. Just visualize a blown glass vase and a terracotta pot of the same size. Number A group of several like objects in different sizes grouped together creates 'weight.' Think of an assortment of silver candlesticks. Light A dark corner has more 'weight' than one filled with light. If you want to prove this to yourself, gather together a group of assorted objects and use a tabletop/mantel and try out different scenarios. Be sure you have different sizes, colors, textures and shapes. You can put a larger framed picture against one end and a slightly smaller one in front of it. On the other end of your table put a heavy pot. Do the same thing with a matching pot at each end. Try pairing the picture group with an assortment of candles in candlesticks. Each time you create an arrangement, step back and look at it. In fact, if you have a digital camera, take a picture of it. If you do this for a while you will start to get a feel for balance. You can actually give the illusion that the tabletop is tilted slightly by throwing off the visual balance.

The same effect can occur in your room arrangements. If you doubt this, close your eyes and try to 'see' a room in which you felt physically uncomfortable or slightly disoriented even though there was no obvious reason. A room in which the heavy items are all on one side of the room, almost feels as though the floor tilts. Once you have a feel for balance you can start to create a harmonious home.

Stand in the doorway of any room in your house that you feel isn't 'right.' What do you see? Does the burgundy chair stick out like there is a spotlight on it? Does the entertainment center overwhelm the room? Do you have a TV and a fireplace battling for focal point? Do your easy chairs look like they were made for children next to your mammoth sofa? Does your fireplace mantel look like you are setting up for a tag sale? Your room is out of balance.

Move the furniture around and try different arrangements until you have one that works. Unless you have a room that is just for show like a Victorian parlor, you need to be able to use the room comfortably. Once the practical set-up is done, look at the room from different angles. If the room is out of balance use color and accessories, plants and pictures, groups of like objects, light and volume to create an illusion of balance.

Try grouping the accessories on your mantels and tabletops. Balance the entertainment center on one side of the fireplace with a tall plant or group of plants on the other. Note: avoid having the tops of everything at the same height. You might as well draw a line around your room. Repeat the color of the chair in pillows, throws, lampshades or the matting around a group of pictures. You really will be amazed at the difference it makes.

We may all be born craving balance but except for the lucky few, we have to learn to achieve it. There is a myriad of books on the subject and it can help to read them and look at the pictures, but the best way to get a feel for balance is 'hands on.' Experiment with portable objects until you get a feel for what works and then enjoy creating your harmonious home.

Indra A Books, author of this and many other lifestyle articles is the owner and founder of ON THE GO 4 U, Personal Shoppers & Concierge Service in the Washington DC metropolitan area. The company's creed is to provide its clients with the ultimate life management experience. In addition to its shopping and concierge services, ON THE GO 4 U also publishes a monthly e-zine and conducts workshops on wardrobe, entertaining and decorating. For more information about the author and ON THE GO 4 U, please visit http://www.onthego4u.net

Content for this article was provided by Suzanne Copenhaver, Design Consultant to ON THE GO 4 U. Suzanne has years of experience decorating in less than ideal situations and always provides us with tons of insight.

© 2005 Indra Books for ON THE GO 4 U

---

Google News Updated : Sun, 06 Jul 2008 06:55:22 GMT Obama Predicts Political ‘Realignment,’ Tries to Put Montana in Play - FOXNews New York Daily News Obama Predicts Political ‘Realignment,’ Tries to Put Montana in Play FOXNews - Jul 4, 2008 by FOXNews.com Barack Obama takes questions from supporters during a campaign stop in Fargo, ND, Thursday, before heading to Montana. Obama to set up shop in South Carolina The State Obama's centrist emphasis gives GOP ammo Austin American-Statesman Fort Worth Star Telegram - Los Angeles Times - Times Online - Wall Street Journal all 1,282 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 04 Jul 2008 14:22:26 GMT Jesse Helms, former senator, conservative icon, dies - Newsday Wall Street Journal Jesse Helms, former senator, conservative icon, dies Newsday - 8 hours ago Jesse Helms, the former five-term US senator from North Carolina whose relish for thwarting initiatives he opposed as too liberal earned him the nickname "Senator No," died Friday at age 86. Video: A Look Back At Jesse Helms CBS NC Senator's Hard-Line Conservatism Helped Craft Republican Social ... Washington Post Wall Street Journal - Boston Globe - San Jose Mercury News - Washington Times all 2,328 news articles Publ.Date : Sat, 05 Jul 2008 21:58:21 GMT ECB's dovish tone weakens euro - Financial Times ECB's dovish tone weakens euro Financial Times - 56 minutes ago By Peter Garnham The euro sold off sharply this week after the European Central Bank signalled it was not planning another rise in eurozone interest rates. France's Sarkozy Questions If ECB Rate Increase `Reasonable' Bloomberg Fighting Inflation, Europeans Raise Rate New York Times MarketWatch - Reuters - Forbes - Wall Street Journal all 1,859 news articles Publ.Date : Sun, 06 Jul 2008 05:59:10 GMT A Side Competition in Beijing: Island vs. Mainland - New York Times Xinhua A Side Competition in Beijing: Island vs. Mainland New York Times - 14 hours ago The Taiwanese Olympic table tennis team practicing at Kaohsiung. Taiwanese players have hopes of winning medals next month in a sport China has dominated. KMT honorary chairman hails weekend charter flights, mainland ... Xinhua Taiwan tour operators sceptical about China boom Economic Times AllAfrica.com - International Herald Tribune - Wall Street Journal - BBC News all 902 news articles Publ.Date : Sat, 05 Jul 2008 16:16:20 GMT Oil Prices Drive Stocks to Bear Market - Washington Post Boston Globe Oil Prices Drive Stocks to Bear Market Washington Post - 1 hour ago US stocks fell last week, giving the Dow Jones industrial average a 20 percent bear-market drop from October's all-time high as record oil prices threatened global economic growth. A Bear Market, Mauling Not Included New York Times Stocks end mixed following jobs, services data The Associated Press CNBC - Bloomberg - Forbes - Pittsburgh Post Gazette all 641 news articles Publ.Date : Sun, 06 Jul 2008 05:50:10 GMT Google trying to take privacy seriously - ZDNet Boston Globe Google trying to take privacy seriously ZDNet - 7 hours ago This week was a very interesting week as far as Google and privacy goes. First, a burglary (the same on that affected CNET earlier last month) was confirmed to have affected all Google employees hired before December 31, 2005. Court order on YouTube user data fans privacy fears Reuters Finding Fault With Google's Privacy Policy Slashdot Washington Post - BusinessWeek - Los Angeles Times - InternetNews.com all 901 news articles Publ.Date : Sat, 05 Jul 2008 23:49:42 GMT As Web Traffic Grows, Crashes Take Bigger Toll - New York Times Canada.com As Web Traffic Grows, Crashes Take Bigger Toll New York Times - 10 hours ago By BRAD STONE SAN FRANCISCO - Alex Payne, a 24-year-old Internet engineer here, has devised a way to answer a commonly asked question of the digital age: Is my favorite Web site working today? MSFT’s acquisition of Powerset is not about search ZDNet Powerset Grab Shows Microsoft's Commitment To Search InformationWeek ReadWriteWeb - Ars Technica - Inquirer - PC Magazine all 284 news articles Publ.Date : Sat, 05 Jul 2008 20:32:17 GMT RSS Parser Increase Website Traffic

PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts, Websites, and more...

Adsense websites

Fresh Fruit Baskets

From their inception, fresh fruit baskets were exactly that ?... Read More

Corner Bakers Rack: Create Extra Storage Space and Style

One of the most highly sought after pieces of furnishings... Read More

The Charm of an Oak Computer Desk

Oak was always used for furniture because of its strength... Read More

Fruit Basket Delivery

Probably the single most important component responsible for making the... Read More

Mini Blinds: An Introduction

Mini-blinds have replaced the old-fashioned Venetian blinds as more convenient... Read More

Decorating Kid?s Rooms On A Small Budget

Now if your children are like mine they want to... Read More

How to Install a Wood Stove

"There are a number of factors that must be taken... Read More

Home Décor Tips To Impress Your Friends

Step 1: Pick a motif and go with it! Don't... Read More

The Cost of Granite Countertops

The beauty, hardness and utility of granite makes it a... Read More

Home Decorating For Smaller Spaces

"Big Things Come In Small Packages" We're all familiar with... Read More

The Magic of Color

Deciding what colors to use when decorating your house can... Read More

What to Look for in Bathroom Vanity Tops

Bathroom vanity tops offer many options to the discerning customer.... Read More

The Benefits of Massage Recliner Chairs

Massage recliner chairs are different than traditional home recliners. These... Read More

The Importance of Home Air Filters

Many people are not aware that the air inside our... Read More

Persian Area Rugs - Tabriz Rugs are a Fine Choice to Enhance Your Room?s Décor

Tabriz rugs are made in the north western part of... Read More

Posters as a Decorating Style

When I think of decorating a room with posters, I... Read More

Interior Decorating For Cats - Protecting Your Possessions

Part 1The first thing a cat owner should know about... Read More

Common Waterbed Sheet Materials

Several materials are used to make waterbed sheets. Waterbed owners... Read More

A Look at Woven Wood Blinds

Woven wood shades, also known as bamboo shades, are a... Read More

Upholstery Upkeep

Upholstered armchairs and sofas are comfortable and attractive additions to... Read More

All About Closet Organizers

Most people like you love to keep everything in its... Read More

A Baker?s Rack: Always A Favorite

When it comes to home accessories, baker's racks have long... Read More

Using Color To Change The Size Of Your Bedroom

Did you ever wish your bedroom was bigger or smaller?... Read More

The Benefits of Gourmet Picnic Baskets

Instead of carrying dinnerware, silverware, beverage containers, and so on,... Read More

The Latest Trends in Interior Decorating for Your Home & Office

In this time period, people are as busy as ever.... Read More