Give Rooms Intrigue With a 'Clash Course'
Introducing the tension of opposites brings unparalleled spirit and energy to interior designs
Houzz Contributor. The principal of Hannotte Interiors in Toronto (http://www.hannotteinteriors.com), with an MA in Museum Studies which informs my philosophy of design, and the ideas of place, home, and the narratives we create with objects we love. I side with craft and concept, and work to cultivate personality and honesty in my work.
Houzz Contributor. The principal of Hannotte Interiors in Toronto (http://www.hannotteinteriors.com),... More »
Good design for me is ignited by the unexpected. When someone walks into a space, I want hearts to beat, eyes to roam and the mind to engage. The things we surround ourselves with should make us feel alive and inspired, and one of the best ways to inject this energy into your space is by introducing tension.
Creating tension is achieved by placing opposites in the same space, and it's integral to smart, interesting design. Light and dark, soft and hard — those are foundational elements, but it's the fantastic tongue-in-cheek tension between "ugly" and "beautiful" in interiors that is the epitome of unexpected. Of course, what "ugly" or "beautiful" entails is completely subjective.
It's about bringing in a "wart" to your space — something that shouldn't be there but ends up making the entire space work.
Creating tension is achieved by placing opposites in the same space, and it's integral to smart, interesting design. Light and dark, soft and hard — those are foundational elements, but it's the fantastic tongue-in-cheek tension between "ugly" and "beautiful" in interiors that is the epitome of unexpected. Of course, what "ugly" or "beautiful" entails is completely subjective.
It's about bringing in a "wart" to your space — something that shouldn't be there but ends up making the entire space work.
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This kitchen is a perfect example of the kind of tension created when opposites attract to create genuinely eclectic spaces. Antique cupboards and functional stainless steel workspaces are united under the ornate chandelier.
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If committing to large pieces of furniture seems daunting, kitschy art — some with dark themes, such as this print of a skull (top right) — works to give a space a mysterious allure that would be lost if the art all fell within the same theme as the rest of the room.
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| Accessories are by far the best way to add some strangeness into a beautiful space. Creating tension doesn't mean introducing something unattractive — it means ensuring the design doesn't run in the same direction. This oversized and jagged piece keeps the mind active and engaged. |
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| So you've purchased a giant oil painting from an estate sale and brought it home to your contemporary, neutral and balanced living room. Kick the rules aside and hang it high and off-center to keep eyes moving. |
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| Imagine this kitchen without the framed art beside the window. With this odd piece, we get an idea about the people who live here. It's the mischievous sparkle in an otherwise well-mannered child's eyes. |
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Over-the-top vintage neon fights perfectly with the sleek, organic nature of the credenza below.
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The Lindsey Adelman chandelier itself is a work of tension. The smooth, round globes juxtaposed against the dark, rigid stems create a wonderful balance. Hung over an austere table and bench with graphic yet traditional wing chairs, this room whispers, screams, sleeps and dances all at once.
In my own kitchen I've hung a skull found on my parents' farm and placed a cheap religious print found in the basement on the shelf above. They're incongruous, but they make me smile every day.
Have you found a spot to include a "wart" in your own home? Tell us about it below!
Have you found a spot to include a "wart" in your own home? Tell us about it below!
Comments
Michael Robert Construction Love this ideabook! I strive to incorporate this concept in my own design, but I've never really been able to put a "name" on it. You hit the nail on the head. Thanks!
11 months ago · Like
mandyludovissy So many designers talk of adding personality to a room yet you can tell nothing about the owner by looking at the room; not these rooms though! I love the expression abou it being the " mischievous sparkle in a well-mannered child's eye". Great idea book.
11 months ago · Like
tricia98 I wanted the whole house to be full of warts, to provide surprises throughout. The traditional den with antique oriental rug has a resin bull's head over the fireplace (replica from French meat market) and an antique Chinese altar. The living room has a plaster pig living under the antique marble end table. The backyard is home for a 6' kangaroo and joey who live near the infinity pool. Throw in a collection of MacKenzie-Childs furniture and every room has a whimsical charm that plays against the traditional moldings and ornately trimmed drapes.
11 months ago · Like
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JEANIE "Clash Course" YES! Love-love-love that first daring kitchen. Fav Ideabook of the day...week, maybe month! :)
11 months ago · Like
grammiediter SORRY IT'S NOT REALLY MY TASTE, It looks like anything goes! I suppose one could call whatever ART...... really? I, for one, would notice if the King did not wear any clothes....others would call it "fashion". In this case, "art/wart".
11 months ago · Like
ikwewe Some of the images above did not work for me, made me uncomfortable,not actively engaged. I LOVED the cowboy and neon hung over the beautiful credenza. That being said, I believe some of my wall art is probably quite a contrast. Never thought about it that way. I just wanted a rock 'em sock 'em color punch. They are framed Charley Harper National Park posters (still available at the US Printing Office) with a very restrained early 1960s decor. 
11 months ago · Like
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ikwewe I also hung a beautiful African weaving that was given to me in that blank space in the entryway. All the furniture came with the house. 
11 months ago · Like
Ideabook published on June 28, 2012.
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