Implied lines in design

Part 3  of composing inviting interiors …

Doesn’t  implied lines sound very 
technical? It refers to  lines from separate objects that run into each
other and seem to form a single edge. This is sometimes called a hidden
edge. Such visual anomalies cause confusion and/or boredom in our homes (and in artwork).

I
like this well put together vignette and what I’m going to point out is
probably the result of  the angle from which the photo was taken, but it works well to illustrate
this point.  You can see that the lamp looks like it shares the same
edge as the art work.

source

This
is another shot of the room and  indeed the lamp is
placed away from the edge of the artwork.  If it wasn’t that is all you
would need to do to tweek the arrangement.

A similar
problem is created when you have implied lines set up when  several
objects are the same height  in an arrangement.  A prime example of this implied line happens  when  lamps are exactly the same height as a headboard in bedrooms.  Sometimes this works well and other times it doesn’t.  You have to decide your intent when doing it.

There
are such beautiful colours and patterns in this room and the designer
probably had a  good reason for choosing the lamps shown here.  It is
often difficult to determine why choices are made when you can’t  see
the whole room or you have no understanding of the homeowner intent.  In my
humble opinion, I want to see the lamps less overwhelming in pattern and
shorter so the headboard shines.  Again that is one person’s opinion! 
Excitement/interest  is usually created by variety and something has to
shine in an arrangement.   I am not fond of  visual competition/fighting.

 source

 In
this room the lamps and headboard are roughly the same height and provide a
line to support the arrangement of art work that runs beyond the the
headboard. A successful use of implied line.

 Bright Bazaar 

 Then
of course there is the room where the masterful designer makes implied
lines work to fantastic advantage.  In this space the lamps extend the visual line
of the headboard and creates  great bottom weight for the large scale,
highly textured  IKEA shade.

  Can you see the implied lines in this dining room?  Your eye runs horizontally on three  levels.  It is boring!  I can say that because it is an old shot of the dining room in my house.  A few simple changes  helped greatly.

 The strong line that ran from the buffet to the railing was broken by moving the buffet to the opposite wall and creating a visual break by hanging long drapes .  These are temporary while my custom order ones are being made.  A new round  light fixture hung lower also helps break the horizontal lines.  Thankfully none of the wood is a orange as the photos suggest!

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