Layering is a combination of art and science; it is one of the few fields that combines the finest aspects of interior design with technical construction. Many methods combine these two disciplines and create innovative interior designs, from million or glass tile work to stone mosaics or terracotta murals. Layering is usually done in two different ways – either with the use of light or dark colors.
In this post, I’ll discuss some of the techniques used in layering concept. The first step is to decide upon the color scheme and the type of layering required. Layering aims to balance the various colors used so that the final result is aesthetically pleasing and harmonious.
The first technique is to apply a rich and deep color scheme to the interior design so that the overall impression is very strong. Achieving this requires a lot of thought and care from the designer, who needs to consider the general look and the texture and feel of the material and its color. There are several different ways in which you can achieve a rich but balanced color scheme.
One way is to use a rich color that is slightly darker than the background and, by using this darker color as a monochrome element against a lighter colored background, gives the impression of a void.
Another effective technique is to use a monochrome shade on a neutral background and use varying intensities of detail or subtle changes in texture against this background, again giving the impression of a void.
Another technique is known as ‘structural alteration’ and is closely related to the technique of structural alteration but has a slightly different goal. The colors are applied to the entire interior surface in structural alteration, rather than just the background. This technique is more suited to modern building interiors where form follows function. The final aim in interior layering is to create a strong focus or focal point by contrasting certain elements against each other, sometimes using complementary colors like mixing different types of pillows in a bed of mixed colors.
What I Loved: The hotel lobby, located on the 8th floor of a historic building, still creates a kaleidoscopic labyrinth of seating areas that blend into the restaurant, Urban Farmer. While it would likely look different if designed today, it still felt luxurious and was a great place for a pre-dinner cocktail.
