The Elements of Tropical Interior Design

February 28, 2009

(0) Comments

Many people like to use minor elements of tropical interior design as a way to escape the pressures of the day.  Some people will have tropical interior design posters at their desks at work and some even go so far as to have tropical fish at their desk.  These are all attempts to get away from the stress of the day because everyone always equates tropical interior design with vacation time and a time to get away from reality. 

Tropical Theme Basics

However, the tropics are more than just posters and small fishbowls filled with fish that are probably as bored as you are.  The tropics are about simplicity and a mix of colors that can revitalize the soul.  The tropics are about a warm breeze blowing through your hair and even the feel of sand between your toes.  Yes the tropics are about relaxing but there are so many other elements to tropical interior design that people seem to leave out.

It is kind of sad to go to any bar in the United States that is trying to get a tropical interior design theme going and see how miserably they fail.  Meanwhile the new tropical interior design theme restaurant down the street is doing just fine and seems to offer a more authentic tropical feel.  Why is that?  One of the key elements to any tropical interior design theme is warmth and light.  I am not talking about the buzz of an overhead fluorescent work lamp; I mean real natural light that flows in all day long. 

Then at night that light shifts to the dim but effective light of firelight from torches and bon fires.  The warm breeze hits you all day long and then that cool breeze comes in at night off the ocean and then you are talking tropics.  If you want to really get a tropical interior design theme going get some nice big windows installed and regulate the temperature of your building to be warm during the day and cool at night.

Using Bamboo

It really doesn’t scream tropics but for some reason using bamboo does seem to lend a tropical feel to any motif.  Bamboo wall coverings, bamboo mats on the floor and even on the ceilings, or even a bamboo hardwood floor all seem to have their unique qualities that make something feel truly tropical.  If you really want to help that along then get some fake palm tree leaves and then you are talking a real tropical feel.  Bamboo is nice but bamboo combined with palm tree leaves and you are talking Jamaica.

It doesn’t take a lot to make people feel somewhat tropical but if you what to do it right then you need to do some of the basics.  Lots of natural light during the day, dim firelight at night, and a warm breeze can make anyone feel tropical.

 

Tags: tropical interior design, interior design

Things You Can Tell From Interior Design Art

February 27, 2009

(0) Comments

There is an old saying that says that there is no accounting for taste when it comes to art.  There is another old saying that says that I may not know art but I know what I like.  Interior design art is probably one of the strongest statement makers you can use in your home or office.  It can set a mood, it can terrify people, or it can give people a glimpse into your own personal preferences. 

Any kind of interior design art is someone’s personal expression whether it is a home owner or the architect of a high rise building.  Somewhere along the line someone is showing their personality with an expression of interior design art and that is why it is so important to make sure that you choose the right interior design art for your project or home.

When we talk about interior design art we are talking about anything ranging from the painting over your sofa to the priceless statue that sits in the lobby of an impressive office building.  The expression of interior design art should match the function of the building that it is in.  If it is your home then it should be a personal expression of your own personality, your art preference, or your own personal piece of pop culture. 

Even your Star Wars movie poster can be considered interior design art depending on where you display it and how you use it in relation to the rest of your house.  Placement is critical; for instance in a professional office building it may be inappropriate to hang nude paintings on the wall or have a graphically nude statue in the lobby. 

Using Art for Many Purposes

The concept of interior design art can be used for many purposes aside from decoration.  You will notice that the interior design art found in many doctor’s waiting rooms and examination rooms is usually of a light hearted nature.  Going to the doctor is stressful enough and they try and offset that with some images that may help you handle being at the doctor’s office a little better.  Corporate waiting rooms will sometimes employ the same concept.  They may put a series of positive and uplifting pieces of interior design art in their corporate waiting room to help the person waiting to stay positive.

There are so many messages and ideas you can convey with the art you choose to use in either your home or office.  Be sure you tailor your choices to their intended use because sometimes inappropriate art can send the wrong message too.

 

Tags: interior design art, interior design