Emphasizing Centre Of Interest In A Modern Room

Southland Times, Issue 23782, 1 April 1939, Page 16

Emphasizing Centre Of Interest In A Modern Room

No artist would dream of beginning a picture without having made up his mind what is to be the central point of interest in it, and, that decision made, he plans his lines to lead the eye irresistibly to that point and to emphasize it. When “building up” our. rooms, we are in the position of artists for the time being. Indeed, unless we attack the question very much in the spirit of a painter with his canvas, we are likely to produce a result which is little more than a collection of details, for the most part unrelated, bringing confusion instead of order in consequence. If we are anxious to derive the maximum of good effect, we must begin by deciding what we wish to make the centre of interest in the room, and then take care that nothing else is allowed to dispute its right. It may be that you have inherited a fine family portrait, or acquired a handsome mirror or piece of brocade. By “featuring” something of the kind you give the room distinction and style.

Say it is a picture you want to make the focussing point of interest in your room. If it is the right size, the mantelpiece of the sitting room will be an excellent vantage point for it. There are various ways in which emphasis can be given to a canvas hung in this position. It can be framed in a moulding which will so accord with that of the mantel surrounding as to appear to have been originally designed as part of it. Alternatively, it can be flanked with a pair of swags of flowers and fruits, which are now botainable in natural wood or in coloured composition. Similar clusters are designed to go above the picture. Decorative effects can also be. obtained by cutting a carved or twisted bed post down the centre from top to bottom and using the two halves as side pieces. The bases and capitals projecting beyond the columnar portion give much added dignity to the arrangement.

A really good mirror calls for a wall entirely to itself, and should not have its quality lowered by the proximity of a number of less attractive pieces. If placed facing a window where it will reflect passing events and so derive from them a certain liveliness, so much the better. A mirror facing a fireplace j has an advantage of the same kind.