Pleasant proportions
It is interesting how the fashion industry stresses on the vital statistics of potential models as a condition of being featured.
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It just indicates how the human visualises and prefers to perceive some things as pleasant and others not too pleasant.
Throughout the ages there have been many theories about what proportions are ideal for an object. One of the most influential theories is that of the “Golden Oblong” also referred to as the “Golden Mean” developed by the ancient Greeks.
The Greeks considered uninteresting any enclosure whose proportions could be easily determined, or evenly divided, such as a rectangle that is twice as long as it is wide.
They considered that a square (same length and width) possessed the least pleasant proportions since the proportions could be immediately determined.
To them the best proportions for a rectangle, should be for example a rectangle with its sides in a ratio of two parts to three parts is an interesting shape.
In other words, a rectangle two feet wide by three feet long or four feet by six feet or eight feet by 12 feet would be considered ideal.
Designers who think in terms of the Golden Oblong train their eyes for interesting and pleasing proportions in rooms, furniture, and accessories. However, other proportions are just as aesthetically pleasing and as interesting as those of the Golden Oblong.
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The square is a shape that may not have been acceptable to the Greeks, but it is widely and successfully used today.
Square forms are also found in stacking cubes and other units used for building storage or divider walls.
Technically speaking Proportion is the relation of the size of one part of an object to the size of the other parts of the object.
For example, a rectangle may be twice as high as it is wide. That describes the proportions of the rectangle. But that is just the two dimensional aspect of an object.
So while we have just discussed only two dimensions – length and width – always bear in mind that proportions involve all three dimensions of an object – length, width, and height.
When you examine an object – a table, a chair, or a room – consider all three of its proportions.
For instance when you are assessing a room find out if its length is too long for its width? Is its ceiling too high for its width and length? Or are the proportion just right?
Next week we will look at how to visually change the proportions of the room when or if what is existing seems unpleasant.
Stay blessed.
E-mail: intnlng@netscape.net
Website: www.integratedinteriorsgh.com
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