Do you know the rule of three?

<table class="shareTable" id="shareTable" style="display: block;"><tbody><tr><td><br /></td> <td class="shareHorizontalBtn facebook"><span style="height: 20px; width: 71px;"></span> </td> <td class="shareHorizontalBtn twitter"><br /></td> <td class="shareHorizontalBtn plusone"><br /></td> </tr></tbody></table>Three  is a very popular number in many aspects of life from religion to fairy tales, and it is extremely  popular and important  in all aspects of  design .  When you understand how to use the rule of three you have a powerful agent for design change in your home.  Often improvements are free because you simply have to move around what you already have. <br />  <br /> In design, using threes helps you build interest and drama, as well as  harmony, and it a very effective way to create visual movement in a room . Three works for function e.g., kitchen work triangle, furniture arrangement, sofa and two chairs.  It also is frequently used for colour and fabric schemes and groupings of accessories and vignettes.  Three can effectively establish a focal point. Here's how you can liven up your space and help improve function.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgzDd3mpoU05ByqBm7irsSHdPG_J6AMOkTDaQv1n14xQ5rpnz9QpFoi15ISusqe1vWJsQ8P2_Mua3mJfIsXDyOynbn4NGSPawbC26KWINwYgZM2WpfBMv2Z7nIMB9ADQUn7DfN_Pv2WvKU/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-01-31+at+11.23.14+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="341" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgzDd3mpoU05ByqBm7irsSHdPG_J6AMOkTDaQv1n14xQ5rpnz9QpFoi15ISusqe1vWJsQ8P2_Mua3mJfIsXDyOynbn4NGSPawbC26KWINwYgZM2WpfBMv2Z7nIMB9ADQUn7DfN_Pv2WvKU/s400/Screen+Shot+2013-01-31+at+11.23.14+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.gardenofedlen.com/2013/01/decorating-with-magic-rule-of-3.html">Adi Edlin</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is a wonderful graphic produced by Adi Edlin that shows the rule of 3 working twice in a vignette. First in the grouping of accessories in sections and then in the overall design of the vignette.  </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyvJQyPqmNz8OBLcRnBbJPw9oC-nMFJBjTeU-B2wFI1k4KQjSyOts8ccxW-a3n6J4Q3AawCUvRzBUid9qYW7tSdwqfk4CfjiKCDVIEi57g9ATiPNe4GwieAbVoxw5_10kHJZu3TR6d_EkE/s1600/SG-Bottles.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyvJQyPqmNz8OBLcRnBbJPw9oC-nMFJBjTeU-B2wFI1k4KQjSyOts8ccxW-a3n6J4Q3AawCUvRzBUid9qYW7tSdwqfk4CfjiKCDVIEi57g9ATiPNe4GwieAbVoxw5_10kHJZu3TR6d_EkE/s400/SG-Bottles.jpg" width="315" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://gauthierstacy.com/home/">Gauthier Stacy</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A simpler version  of the rule of three where you have three bottles mixed with three other objects (2 bunches of flowers and a shell ). </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuXotPYCEOsbMZc1GO0RYS_ihobxA1wg3xgodtAOFIiK-Z9UbKkgZ60LbtkThb87uBLNb5IlBowSCampK32iqSq0V0-3lIveSP_KVeF4ytAEtaFPCGBwPC3Xde05qNTwb1aZpsXsz4jXPw/s1600/f2e0e552532c9223a324ae58caec0c1b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuXotPYCEOsbMZc1GO0RYS_ihobxA1wg3xgodtAOFIiK-Z9UbKkgZ60LbtkThb87uBLNb5IlBowSCampK32iqSq0V0-3lIveSP_KVeF4ytAEtaFPCGBwPC3Xde05qNTwb1aZpsXsz4jXPw/s400/f2e0e552532c9223a324ae58caec0c1b.jpg" width="318" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://vtinteriors.blogspot.ca/">VT Interiors  </a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Art collections always look great in groupings of 3.  This one is perfect because it totally fits the wall space and is in keeping with the graphic nature of the colour scheme. I also love the visual relief the circle provides for all the straight lines.  Circles in a grouping also move the eye effortlessly. They are great pivots.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPJD8fbR_OATLO2Y4ZBmszosQNZXDKxfs1eg7TDNxaDex2u4Ovejqt5Sp1ISgw4vBppbJ_IYWE_lBxDLs5MOwZ2gK3_43FJiU6WvI-iTQoZyefWV-_qAnIU2KOT5Dvh1YKwRQ2EuYw2OiT/s1600/pinterest+3black.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPJD8fbR_OATLO2Y4ZBmszosQNZXDKxfs1eg7TDNxaDex2u4Ovejqt5Sp1ISgw4vBppbJ_IYWE_lBxDLs5MOwZ2gK3_43FJiU6WvI-iTQoZyefWV-_qAnIU2KOT5Dvh1YKwRQ2EuYw2OiT/s400/pinterest+3black.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> VT Interiors</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This dramatic space  is further enhanced by the inclusion of the three arched mirrors which provide a focal point ( not an easy task in this space).  Relief from the straight lines in the rest of the room is also provided by the curves. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpmoDAlUau2Eep_6E9zD6fWHhvR4oZ7_gEQ18d_BOOEb0h94HzYA1Q4sMXdrLCPrrQDj-O022hjs5e4pKbvAAaq1B0Qf6gzWiBYuG1wibFSndjwk-oX-56TOoqDCV9xEkwZXviLvW00p9Y/s1600/eecba507c7fc84eb62030480dbb1c1a1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpmoDAlUau2Eep_6E9zD6fWHhvR4oZ7_gEQ18d_BOOEb0h94HzYA1Q4sMXdrLCPrrQDj-O022hjs5e4pKbvAAaq1B0Qf6gzWiBYuG1wibFSndjwk-oX-56TOoqDCV9xEkwZXviLvW00p9Y/s400/eecba507c7fc84eb62030480dbb1c1a1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">Do you see three in this arrangement?  Often you get  furniture with very distinct divisions as in this settee.  Because it visually reads as two with the centre legs it provides the perfect foil for this artwork. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg46xu0Ekfx8Q10LNt2Cl8fuBHTxfoKvlozoLIEa6_1iTkHbzO7KAimhSM2a9-xEE34EgWbKZDnolzIFcBCGnOLaZcXXuJCA2rtat-1iosiMC1e3OgyOxar4rQwy_vtllohwchyphenhyphensqPo9UZA/s1600/9751e85c539de4981e3fa116325d3119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg46xu0Ekfx8Q10LNt2Cl8fuBHTxfoKvlozoLIEa6_1iTkHbzO7KAimhSM2a9-xEE34EgWbKZDnolzIFcBCGnOLaZcXXuJCA2rtat-1iosiMC1e3OgyOxar4rQwy_vtllohwchyphenhyphensqPo9UZA/s400/9751e85c539de4981e3fa116325d3119.jpg" width="315" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/source/zsazsabellagio.blogspot.com/">Pinterest </a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Look carefully at this vignette  because it is masterfully put together in variety and scale . First we have two windows and a mirror mimicking the windows for a total of 3, then there are three hats visible in the mirror and three objects in the vignette (bench, floral arrangement and mirror). The scale of the bench is perfect for the width of the 3 "windows' behind it and the flower arrangement works so well with the weighty bench. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh3yUmoweLi0qStU8gJ_2cI1U0ee-A8uWQNjmoaFRD28GncXYwoPkO8cgojvlYeyEjaRb2TiA6MZDm9yuIEVKBFgyFaOn8kNYGeMXNHd2Huo9xaI4TvBasFGLoSkdNj8oNcCEZkdEM5ZX8/s1600/d33fbc317f52863479f363666713e7d0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh3yUmoweLi0qStU8gJ_2cI1U0ee-A8uWQNjmoaFRD28GncXYwoPkO8cgojvlYeyEjaRb2TiA6MZDm9yuIEVKBFgyFaOn8kNYGeMXNHd2Huo9xaI4TvBasFGLoSkdNj8oNcCEZkdEM5ZX8/s400/d33fbc317f52863479f363666713e7d0.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://birchandbird.com/emily-henderson-does-it-again">source</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Lots of threes here: colour scheme of yellow, blue and gray; vignette of art, chair and table; and three shelves and three groupings of objects on each shelf.  There are also at least three yellow and blue objects spread throughout the vignette to move the colours around. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Perhaps you can look around your home and see places where the rule of three can be put to use  to refine  how you have arranged things. Don't overdo it ! Remember that any odd number is effective.  I particularly love five mixed with three. Have fun.....</div>

Do you know the rule of three?

Three  is a very popular number in many aspects of life from religion to fairy tales, and it is extremely  popular and important  in all aspects of  design .  When you understand how to use the rule of three you have a powerful agent for design change in your home.  Often improvem…

Read more »

The Tardy Decorator

I can't believe I haven't written a  blog post since May.    I am posting regularly on my Facebook page which is quick and can  be accessed easily as I travel and relax  at my summer home. I don't think I am the only one who falls shy of projected output over the summer months.  <br /><br />I am also tardy in completing my own home improvement projects. I wrote about my main bath reno last year in this <a href="http://designinghome.blogspot.ca/2012/01/bathroom-renovation-woes.html">post </a>.  I made all the design decisions and purchased materials.  Now they all lie in my painting studio and have been beckoning for a year.  I joked with my husband, who is the contractor, that the choices will be past their prime by the time the room is completed. I'm already having second thoughts about the sink I purchased.  The new  completion date is fall 2013.  He won't commit to a specific month though!  <br /><br />I am also re-decorating my guest room which has had nothing done to it in 15 years! It is a deadly beige right now and I've moved my black shaker bedroom set  into the space  and plan to work with a black and white design and possibly one or two  colour accents.    Here are some inspiration pics.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/1685492/Turn-of-the-Century-Cottage-traditional-bedroom-other-metro"><img border="0" height="666" src="http://st.houzz.com/simgs/10d1d0fe006b4737_8-9079/traditional-bedroom.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designer/c/Chicago--IL" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;"></a> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/tmstomstringer/tom-stringer-design-partners" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Tom Stringer Design Partners</a></small><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><small><span style="font-size: small;">I love the mix of organic and geometric patterning.  I already purchased narrow striped black and soft white sheets and have my eye on a duvet. I am not a lover of dark window treatments, but this room looks great with the geometric cut on the black roller shades.  There's  nothing like a tidy window treatment. BM <b>Acadia white OC 38</b> is my choice for wall colour.  Stark white is too clinical for me. </span></small></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><small><span style="font-size: small;"> </span> </small></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnobARq2w64z-IZU2_ZADomujQzHKxA5aWCRcevv1NmH9ssW5kqj_PHCzjYEPmGvsZLbi9X669mwHy5odZmW1P__Y78lbZFurLyrhNQ2zf6T4hFwDGXaVdmZyMM6DAMBzIkj-6GezGlbf8/s1600/IMG_6619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnobARq2w64z-IZU2_ZADomujQzHKxA5aWCRcevv1NmH9ssW5kqj_PHCzjYEPmGvsZLbi9X669mwHy5odZmW1P__Y78lbZFurLyrhNQ2zf6T4hFwDGXaVdmZyMM6DAMBzIkj-6GezGlbf8/s400/IMG_6619.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><br /><small><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOIVK9gLRKTqTWsbuNEVK2omQTmtCzCMg7kRZZURpXIv8VoyrR9rS-VtdwsNfhYj4h4lSjtOKL3iN_knhaH8XHq9umSyfvq2Ntq23HyZ_s2QxJo3TrqdUhZiSRlFtoCWU0M_wUPs9Zg8Rt/s1600/242350023667375854_pP81yWZY_c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOIVK9gLRKTqTWsbuNEVK2omQTmtCzCMg7kRZZURpXIv8VoyrR9rS-VtdwsNfhYj4h4lSjtOKL3iN_knhaH8XHq9umSyfvq2Ntq23HyZ_s2QxJo3TrqdUhZiSRlFtoCWU0M_wUPs9Zg8Rt/s400/242350023667375854_pP81yWZY_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></small><br /> Pinterest<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I've seen this picture many times on Pinterest and I still love it.  It gives an idea of how fresh black and white looks with an accent colour.  </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It is so easy to dream up the schemes, but when you do all the work yourself it usually takes awhile to get into the groove.  Right now my garden is taking priority.  I hope the guest room doesn't take as long as the bathroom!</div></div>

The Tardy Decorator

I can't believe I haven't written a  blog post since May.    I am posting regularly on my Facebook page which is quick and can  be accessed easily as I travel and relax  at my summer home. I don't think I am the only one who falls shy of projected output over the summer months.  I am also tardy in c…

Read more »