Design is the language that shapes the world around us, whether it’s the layout of a website, the packaging of a product, or the interior design of a room. At the core of every design project lies a set of fundamental principles that guide creative decisions. These principles are based on seven key elements of design, each one acting as a building block for creating visual harmony, functionality, and beauty. In this blog article, we explore the seven elements of design—line, shape, color, texture, space, form, and value—and how they come together to create impactful, compelling designs. Whether you’re a budding designer or simply someone interested in the art of visual communication, understanding these elements will enhance your appreciation of good design and help you create more visually engaging work. Line The line is a fundamental design element that defines shapes, creates boundaries and directs visual flow. It can be used in various ways—straight or curved, thick or thin—to evoke different emotions and guide the viewer’s eye.Horizontal lines often convey stability and calmness, while vertical lines suggest height and strength.Diagonal lines create a sense of movement and energy. In design, lines are structural and convey rhythm, texture, and depth, making […]
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Designing a kid-friendly home can be a challenge. We want our interiors to satisfy our little ones’ wants and needs, stimulate and inspire their growing brains and bodies and reflect their personalities. At the same time, we want to maintain the design and flow of our homes without our kids and their toys overtaking the house! The moms of the Talie Jane Interiors team had a fun time putting together some of our favorite creative and inspiring design ideas that bridge that gap. Check them out! FAMILY ROOMS Family rooms are the gathering area in homes. So, the last thing you want is a cluttered mess of toys. You want to make your living area somewhere where you and your kids will be at peace and can still have company over without anxiety! Here are some tips for a kid-friendly family room: Keep It Open Open-concept living spaces are fantastic for kid-centric families. You can be in the kitchen while keeping an eye and ear on the kids! Choose Durable Materials The kids are going to spill something. And we know they’regoing to wipe their hands and noses on the furniture too… When in Doubt, Go Round! No one wants […]
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Color is a universal language and a powerful communication tool. Of all the elements that make up a visual design, color is perhaps the most vital influential. It plays a vital role in fine arts such as painting and photography, advertising and branding, fashion, beauty, industrial design and of course interior design. But what is it about color that goes beyond the simple hues we see in the rainbow? Color psychology is the study between color and human behavior. In other words, color psychology perceived color as a trigger of perceptions, feeling and emotions. It’s a fascinating field that explores how different hues can influence mood, decision-making and even physiological reactions, often in ways that operate beneath our conscious awareness. And why is color so important in the psychology of interior design? The answer lies in its ability to define a room’s purpose and influence its occupants’ behavior. This interplay between colors and our minds significantly impacts how we experience different environments. The strategic use of color in interior spaces can guide how we feel and act, making color psychology a vital tool for designers aiming to create spaces that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also emotionally and psychologically supportive. Often when we […]
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Modernism Week is a world-class, eleven-day celebration of midcentury modern design, architecture, art, fashion, and culture in Greater Palm Springs. Each year, more than 120,000 attendees participate in over 350 events. And, this year, I was one of them!I was honored to have been invited by our partner, Ferguson, an acclaimed wholesale distributor of plumbing, HVAC, waterworks and supplies. Such a treat! The inspiration, networking and awe-inspiring architecture were fabulous.The mission of Modernism Week is to celebrate and foster appreciation of midcentury architecture and design, as well as contemporary thinking in these fields, by encouraging education, preservation and sustainable modern living.Highlights of the festival include the Modernism Show, Signature Home Tours, films, lectures, Premier Double Decker Architectural Bus Tours, nightly parties, live music events, walking and bike tours, tours of Sunnylands, fashion shows, classic cars, modern garden tours, a vintage travel trailer exhibition, and more. Midcentury Modern Architecture Palm Springs has one of the largest concentrations of preserved mid-century modern architecture in the world. Talented young visionary architects came to Palm Springs and interpreted Modern architecture in a way that best suited the desert environment and leisure living. In fact, Palm Springs had long been a hideaway for L.A. glitterati […]
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Simply put, aging in place means choosing to stay in your home with family, friends, and neighbors — instead of moving to a residential facility designed to support long-term care, such as an assisted living facility — as you grow older. (1) THE NEED The need for aging in place is significant and is becoming even more so. Senior citizens make up the country’s fastest-growing population, according to the latest U.S. census results. They’re outpacing the growth of the general population at a rate of 15.1 percent to 9.7 percent, and the total number of individuals over 65 is projected to nearly double before 2050! According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 1 in 6 will be age 60 or older by 2030. And adding to this initiative is that fact that 90% of US residents aged 45+ say they prefer to remain in their homes even when they need assistance. (2)This phenomenon is significant and deserves discussion. Designers have the ability to prolong an individuals’ ability to safely live at home. There’s a true responsibility here.Aging in place is strongly linked to greater health and happiness outcomes for seniors, particularly when social isolation concerns are addressed, but it […]
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Grout is often neglected in the tile selection process, or just treated as an afterthought. But it shouldn’t be! It’s as much a part of the overall finished look as the tile itself. The selection of grout can truly define the character of a space based on the amount of contrast and rhythm that is introduced. The job of grout is to bring out the best in the tile or stone that it surrounds.Grout seems so simple but there are myriad types of grout that are recommended for various applications, design choices for creating patterns and interest and an overwhelming number of colors to choose from. So, how do you select the perfect grout? The team at Talie Jane Interiors offers some great tips. Grout Types Surprisingly, there are many different types of grout. Who knew? However, all usually fall into one of three types: Sanded, un-sanded and epoxy. Sanded Grout• This type of grout includes a small amount of sand, which increases the strength of the grout joints, improving the overall durability of the product.• Best for large tile seams, interior flooring projects, ceramic and stone tiles, and high-traffic areas.• However, it is gritty and may scratch or scuff […]
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Wallpaper is back and better than ever! As one of our favorite materials, we are thrilled about its exuberant return to the forefront of the interior design world. Wallpaper is one of the manifestations of design creativity; it has come a long way over the decades, with fresh new designs and uses. We’re not only finding a shift from minimalist to more layered spaces on social media, but we are also seeing more beautiful wallcoverings in hit TV shows and movies, like Emma, Bridgerton, The Goldfinch, and The Queen’s Gambit, that leave a lasting impression. (1) But before wallpapering every room, lets learn more about this single most transformative element in our design arsenal – its history, materials, applications and creative uses. History (2) Wallpaper has been around for centuries, with roots tracing back to the ancient Chinese, who are said to have pasted rice paper onto walls as far back as the Qin dynasty. It was used as a form of decoration in palaces and homes, and eventually made its way to Europe in the 16th century. By the 19th century, wallpaper was becoming increasingly popular due to advancements in printing technology, which allowed wallpaper to be mass-produced and accessible to a larger audience. Types […]
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Everyone wants a beautiful, organized home. So, when it comes to design, storage and functionality need to be a top priority. Afterall, homes are meant to be lived in. That means accounting for clothes, shoes, winter coats, books, paperwork and files, countertop appliances, toys and the “stuff” we surround ourselves with every day. (1) Without an organization strategy, the best design vision can fall victim to clutter and disorder. Keeping an organized home allows the interior design to look and function at its best! (1) The Talie Jane Interiors team has put together some creative storage solutions for key areas that tend to gather clutter. Which ideas work best for you? Entry One of the most clutter-prone areas in the house is the entry. Shoes, coats, hats, gloves, scarves, dog leashes, it all finds a home here. But it doesn’t have to be messy or disorganized. In fact, it should be a pristine space to welcome guests and showcase the beauty of your home. Try some of these ideas: Living Room There are so many ways to add storage to a living room or family room. One of my favorite and easiest solutions? Incorporate multi-functional furniture that doubles as storage […]
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“The history of architecture is the history of the struggle for light.” Le Corbusier – Architect Think about the difference between getting your photo taken in at your local DMV under harsh fluorescent lighting, versus your picture at a sexy, low-lit restaurant. Good lighting is truly everything, but it is oftentimes an afterthought when designing a room. Whether it’s a bright task lamp on your desk to help you stay productive or a sconce by your bedside for cozy late-night reading, lighting is one of the most powerful tools for creating a specific mood. Bringing lighting decisions to the forefront of the design can make all the difference, and we’ll show you how. Layer the Light Lighting, like any great interior design element, should be layered to create contrast. A mix of accent, ambient, natural, and task lighting in the home provides a nice balance of light and dark that grants each room richness and depth: Accent lighting – supplementary light that illuminates dark corners or small spaces. A can light placed above a shower enclosure is one example. Ambient lighting – the general overall light that illuminates the entire space, such as a chandelier in the center of a […]
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John. Loo. Can. Commode. Potty. Prive. Pissoir. Oval Office. Porcelain Throne. WC. Reading Room. Crapper. Head. Shi*ter… The Toilet! Toilets are the most functional fixtures in a bathroom, but there are many different design options available. Heights and water flow vary, as well as basic shapes and outlines to suit different style preferences and space limitations. So, let’s learn more about this famous seat and how to best incorporate the right one into your “cloakroom.” (1) Stylish Stools (2) Toilets, believe it or not, can enhance the style of your bathroom. A toilet can add to the vintage charm you’re seeking, keep it sleek and modern, or stay in line with a good ole traditional bathroom aesthetic. Check out the different types of toilets. Two-Piece Toilets (Close-Coupled) Two-piece toilets are the standard. A two-piece consists of the toilet bowl and tank. The two pieces are secured with bolts and a gasket that seals the passage of water from the tank to the bowl. Most affordable Incredibly durable – longer life span More design options to choose from One-Piece Toilets One-piece toilets are a bit more expensive than the standard two-piece toilets but the benefits and characteristics outweigh the bigger price […]
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