Design Vocab

May 16

“Words mean more than what is set down on paper. It takes the human voice to infuse them with shades of deeper meaning,”

Says Maya Angelou, in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. And I say it takes a good designer to turn these words: Form, Shape, Color, Texture, Light, Proportion, Scale, Balance, Harmony, Unity & Variety, Rhythm, and Emphasis—also known as the elements of design into a home!

This home right here is the perfect example of how it’s done! One day I’ll be using my own work as an example, BUT today… this home built by Twin Construction, Inc is perfecto! The designers of this bad boy (crystalwtucker and lauriefulkerson) have👏🏾done👏🏾 IT! Together they have taken the elements of design and turned them into a fabulous home! We’re talking, NAILED. IT. Do, let me forewarn you that there will be A lot of gushing in this post because this house??? This house here??? Will make you want to slap or kiss somebody after you see it!!!

LIGHT & SCALEThis entry is rather large, but the windows are scaled up which bathes the entire space in light! — LIGHT & SCALE
This entry is rather large, but the windows are scaled up which bathes the entire space in light!

THIIIIIS!!! I. am. GUSHING!!!This here is what perfection looks like! A triple stacked, floor to ceiling wall of cabinetry broken up by paned glass fronts, even through in a smidge of variety with that geo-patterned tile—the crisp clean lines due to… — THIIIIIS!!! I. am. GUSHING!!!
This here is what perfection looks like! A triple stacked, floor-to-ceiling wall of cabinetry broken up by paned glass fronts, even threw in a smidge of variety with that geo-patterned tile—the crisp clean lines due to those inset cabinet doors, and the brushed brass hardware for the WIN. I mean… can someone please grab my jaw, because it just fell off.

RHYTHMThe repetition of the windows, not to mention their scale in proportion to the doors on the opposite wall along with the lantern ceiling pendents fills an otherwise basic hall with such rhythmic vibes that it makes you want to hum just by look… — RHYTHM
The repetition of the windows, not to mention their scale in proportion to the doors on the opposite wall along with the lantern ceiling pendents fills an otherwise basic hall with such rhythmic vibes that it makes you want to hum just by looking at it!

PROPORTION & TEXTUREThe furniture is in proportion to the space & you see how some visual contrast is achieved with the selection of the textiles in the upholstery & pillows, the glass lamps, & dark wood floors. — PROPORTION & TEXTURE
The furniture is in proportion to the space & you see how some visual contrast is achieved with the selection of the textiles in the upholstery & pillows, the glass lamps, & dark wood floors.

SHAPEEEEEE! This backsplash is a SHOW STOPPER! Do you see how the size, shape, & material chosen bring a subtle drama to this scene?! — SHAPE
EEEEE! This backsplash is a SHOW STOPPER! Do you see how the size, shape, & material chosen bring a subtle drama to this scene?!

Yes, this kitchen has all the things!!! — Yes, this kitchen has **all** **the** **things**!!!

EMPHASISHey, I feel like there’s nothing else that needs to be said here. I mean that bold, regally framed mirror says it all! Especially against the monochromatic paisley wallpaper! And we’re not AT ALL going to speak on how that vanity combo—cabin… — EMPHASIS
Hey, I feel like there’s nothing else that needs to be said here. I mean that bold, regally framed mirror says it all! Especially against the monochromatic paisley wallpaper! And we’re not AT ALL going to speak on how that vanity combo—cabinetry at its FINEST, doesn’t even need hardware to turn heads!!!

The purpose of this post is to show that a good designer will work all the elements of design into her work, even if the client doesn’t notice. Perhaps it’s like our Hippocratic oath. When these elements are implemented into the design solution correctly, it seems to always, last past the current design trend, be pleasing to the majority of its inhabitants even if it’s not their particular style, and satisfy the end-user in more ways than just being nice to look at (although that too!). If you are a DIY designer, then adopting a design vocabulary to include all the elements of design, is a good look. If you are unfamiliar with these terms or just need to brush up on them, let me make a suggestion if I may…

Check out HomeBunch, a blog for designer-types looking to populate the web with their design work so that people like you and I can find the information behind the inspiration we may find there. For example, the home featured in this blog post is also featured there and if you fell in love with the exterior paint color, you can find out exactly what that paint color was as well as where the designers ordered the exterior windows or entry lanterns.

Go through some of the recent posts that catch your eye. Save the photos you like to your Pinterest board and note what specifically grabs your attention in the photo. What made you gravitate towards it? Your note may read something like this, “love the color palette in this room.” Or, “the balance created by the scale of the bookshelves flanking the fireplace makes me happy!” Ok, you may be thinking, “that’s a bit much,” but I hope you can at least catch my drift. This exercise is about looking at something that speaks to you and then naming the particular design element responsible for your interest. Thus, increasing your use of the terms. Try it! Let’s see how you do.