Create an ideabook for your next remodeling project!
Browse more than 1,000,000 photos from top designers and save your favorites
Design Details: Scrolls and Curlicues
A classic element adds a flourish to contemporary spaces
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia. I've been writing about design online for quite a few years over at Hatch: The Design Public Blog.
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta... More »
Are you trying the whole "clean modern lines" thing out, and if so, is it boring the heck out of you? Sometimes you need to add a curve or two (or three). Consider adding a few scroll details. In design "scroll" has one of those "hence the name" origins; it resembles the side view of a rolled piece of parchment, cloth or paper.
Other words that can refer to something similar include "spiral," "arabesque," "acanthus" and "curlicue." There is not enough time in the world to bother learning any subtle differences between them, because, well, that just sounds more boring than reading the instruction manual for a toaster. Instead, let's just have fun and look at how a simple scroll can add some swirl to your style, and beat your straight-lines ennui.
Other words that can refer to something similar include "spiral," "arabesque," "acanthus" and "curlicue." There is not enough time in the world to bother learning any subtle differences between them, because, well, that just sounds more boring than reading the instruction manual for a toaster. Instead, let's just have fun and look at how a simple scroll can add some swirl to your style, and beat your straight-lines ennui.
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| In looking into the history of the scroll in architecture and design, I came across "acanthus," a scrolled ancient Greek column topping shape that was inspired by the acanthus plant. An oversized abstraction gives this classical shape an update. |
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| A scrolled ornament on the wall creates a focal point for this sophisticated outdoor space. It floats there the way a chandelier hangs over a dining table. |
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
Ornate ironwork that incorporates the shape, commonly seen on railings, is known as "scrollwork."
A theme of curves is carried throughout this room. The architecture gives us arched windows, the chair arms are curved, the chandelier is a series of swoops, and thus, the demure table with the scrolls on the base is the perfect choice.
I feel like this space and the previous space are cousins. Perhaps the one before is a woman and this one is a man. It's heftier, less feminine, has some rugged branches, yet still has scroll details in the arms of the chairs that soften the space.
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| A hefty scroll coffee table is a retro piece, with origins in the Far East, that came back to us via the Hollywood Regency resurgence and the whole Happy Chic philosophy. In fact, I'm surprised Jonathan Adler has not come up with his own version of this yet. |
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
The scrolls at the base of this chandelier add flourish, kind of like when you use hot rollers to curl the ends of your hair. These scrolls have a nice relationship to the subtle scroll detail on the back of the chairs.
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| One could call this elegant dining room "fun with lines." We have chair and table legs that form triangles; chair backs that are parallelograms; and scrolling lines snaking through the more whimsical carpet, painted within the abstract art on the walls, and plays on scrolls in the chandelier. It's all a very careful and successful balancing act. |
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
You can add scrolls to your room in the small details, like these sinuous cabinet pulls.
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| The Mansard mirror adds classic scrolls to its frame, giving it an antique look. It also plays off the scrollwork on the fireplace screen and the light fixture in the top left corner. |
by pierre senechal
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
A warm metallic finish on this pair of armchairs highlights the scroll.
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
The scroll detail on this armchair absolutely makes the piece, and it is the perfect partner for the desk with the baroque curvy legs. Finally, the floor lamp resembles a scroll.
All in all, a small scroll detail is a good way to experiment with adding a few curves to your space. Give a swirl a whirl.
More:
How About a Wavy Helix for Your Home?
Circles Make a Well-Rounded Home
Chinese Fretwork in Design
Repeating Patterns: Greek Key
All in all, a small scroll detail is a good way to experiment with adding a few curves to your space. Give a swirl a whirl.
More:
How About a Wavy Helix for Your Home?
Circles Make a Well-Rounded Home
Chinese Fretwork in Design
Repeating Patterns: Greek Key
Comments
jamid There really are no right angles in nature. The human eye loves curved lines. Nice post!
20 months ago · Like
abner Excellent!...Please send me more photos.
20 months ago · Like
Ideabook updated on Sept. 18, 2011.
What are you working on?
News From Our Partners
Latest Ideabooks
People found the photos in this ideabook after searching for:
View over a million photos:
