In regards to three dimensional, think of the space between a hand rail, all the beautiful vertical space that is created. The negative and positive play off one another here by the size, width and shape of the vertical lines. Or maybe the stairwell is treated with non-vertical like the image to the right. The space between become just as interesting as the actual wood outline.
If you are working on an ultra-chic modern interior, maybe the best thing to do is emphasize the negative space by creating as much as possible. Tone down the furnishings and fixtures to create more negative to compete with the positive. I like to think of an art gallery for this scenario. Because the interior is so minimal, the space feels more expansive, room to grow and breathe.
Sometimes it is actually beneficial to focus on the negative. What do you think?
Focused on The Negative
Mar17
If you have ever taken an art class, at any level, there will always be the lesson of positive space versus negative space. When you look at a painting, the positive space is represented by the actual object or people – in other words, the subject matter of the piece. The negative space is the area in between objects. A good, every day example of positive versus negative space is that infamous image of the candlestick…or is it two people kissing? The question seems to revolve around your mindset, but really it is a study of contrast and positive versus negative space.
When applying this concept to interior design, because it is an art form that is three dimensional, all the negative space relates to air. When talking about just a flat surface like a wall or ceiling, a plane (since we are using art terminology today), it is a little more like the positive and negative we see in two dimensional art.
So how, as an interior designer, can we celebrate and make the most of the negative space?
The answer, in my opinion, is not to fill it. But rather the question can be answered by what type of interior you are creating.
In regards to three dimensional, think of the space between a hand rail, all the beautiful vertical space that is created. The negative and positive play off one another here by the size, width and shape of the vertical lines. Or maybe the stairwell is treated with non-vertical like the image to the right. The space between become just as interesting as the actual wood outline.
If you are working on an ultra-chic modern interior, maybe the best thing to do is emphasize the negative space by creating as much as possible. Tone down the furnishings and fixtures to create more negative to compete with the positive. I like to think of an art gallery for this scenario. Because the interior is so minimal, the space feels more expansive, room to grow and breathe.
Sometimes it is actually beneficial to focus on the negative. What do you think?
In regards to three dimensional, think of the space between a hand rail, all the beautiful vertical space that is created. The negative and positive play off one another here by the size, width and shape of the vertical lines. Or maybe the stairwell is treated with non-vertical like the image to the right. The space between become just as interesting as the actual wood outline.
If you are working on an ultra-chic modern interior, maybe the best thing to do is emphasize the negative space by creating as much as possible. Tone down the furnishings and fixtures to create more negative to compete with the positive. I like to think of an art gallery for this scenario. Because the interior is so minimal, the space feels more expansive, room to grow and breathe.
Sometimes it is actually beneficial to focus on the negative. What do you think?
I agree that recognizing the negative is important in design. I think that too often we value how much stuff a wall contains, rather than the negative space between objects. Breathing room is what satisfies me. John
Often, it’s not the space you fill, but the space you don’t fill that will make a room. Negative space let’s everything breathe and develop a dialogue with one another.