Often, when designing spaces or approaching a renovation or decoration project, people have the tendency to try and mimic a certain style of design. This approach can work but often leads to a space lacking in depth and interest and particularly these spaces tend to have no clear sense of cohesion and unity. These traits, especially cohesion and unity have a profound impact on long term occupant well-being and ensuring their successful implementation results in a space that can support health and wellness for occupants over the long haul.

In this post I'm going to demonstrate studio Rye's approach to successfully implementing cohesion and unity in a space. Of paramount importance to this cause is allowing the aesthetic or dare I say 'style' of the space to develop organically in response to architectural elements that are already in place. Indeed the same approach works well if existing items of furniture, upholstery, fabrics or artwork are to remain in place in the space to be redesigned. Forcing a desired 'style' or 'look' onto an existing space often does not speak to what it needs and nearly always has a flatness to it upon 'completion' and a lacking in depth and harmony.

Generally, once a suitable colour palette has been applied to a space, existing details within the space start to emerge that allow a designer to interpret and work with them in creating depth and unity in the whole scheme. An example could be existing handles/knobs on cabinetry that perfectly complement a fabric pattern on the sofa. This information can then organically give a very definite and well defined sense of direction for what area rug needs to be chosen for the space in order to enhance the whole space 'as a whole'. Another example could be existing windows having a unique lattice pattern in their construction. This can inform the designer to implement a diamond like motif into other elements within the space thus supporting the creation of a sense of unity and harmony as in the above example with the cabinetry knobs.

So, allow it to develop organically -

 You will be rewarded with a harmonious and cohesive space that has a rich and layered sense of style.