Bit Too Much!!

On my commute back from work today, I sat next to a couple visiting from Orange County. They were here “to enjoy seasons”. Maybe perfect beautiful sunny days with clear blue skies, one after another, can get very boring?!! Anyways, they were all cozy and tucked up in snow boots, when there is no snow or ice or even water for that matter, and down jackets, when it was 55F outside. For some reason, they decided to ask me about directions. In public interest, I would make an honest confession. I should be the last person to be trusted with subway directions. I would never turn you away, just because I think it’s rude, and will always give you an answer “to the best of my knowledge”. But, honestly, my knowledge is not all that best also. After I gave them incorrect directions “to the best of my knowledge”, we started talking about their visit to the city. They spent their entire day in some of the best designer furniture stores, while I was running SQL codes at work on a beautiful sunny day. I asked them about their experience and not to my surprise, I got the most common reaction. “It was good but a bit too much… a little over the top.” This is not an uncommon reaction. I have often observed the fear of experimenting, the fear of standing out in the crowd when it comes to making choices.

There is a very old saying. “Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder.” Thanks to years of self-imposed conformist discipline to the mind, this saying has lost its true meaning. Looking at an object instantly forms a first impression in our minds.  However, due to the years of mental training, we often over-write our true instinctive impressions by “what is normal and conforming”. We often find ourselves worrying too much about doing “too much”. If one’s space is an extension of oneself, then why give your space a poker-face? Let your choices truly reflect you. During my usual browsing of stores for unusual accents and designs, I came cross a beautiful metamorphosis shelf.

The piece of furniture is an artwork of nature in every true sense. However, it is a typical “it’s beautiful but …” kind of a deal. If science was to be believed, mind is oblivious to usual but instantly reactive to unusual, well mostly, unless we are truly bored. So, to simulate the mind and get reactions, it is important to present the out-of-the-box unexpected.

So, what does this mean in terms of interior designing? Simply put, it means creating drama and filling you space with surprises. A note of caution is that anything in excess is bad. A dash of drama and a couple of surprises create exciting spaces. Tons of drama and infinite surprises create a haunted mansion. If refurnishing a room, for starters, pick just one piece of furniture or accent which you truly find “too much” but secretly find a liking for it. It is easy to fall into temptation and stick to usual zone of comfort. But you must make a conscious effort to avoid this. 

Now, build the rest of the collection in such a way that the remaining pieces do not conflict with the main centerpiece, but compliment it. Multiple focal points in a space can create confusion, so try to attain a cohesive look. Also, creating small visual treats and surprises in unconceivable spots can add the excitement.

If you do not intend to invest in new set-up, it is very simple to create a treat for eyes by contrasting the current set up appropriately with new accents. You can also try to use the sharp contrasting colors to attain the dramatic effect. Picking bold patterns and color choices for walls is the new favorite trend of the designers. 

To add a touch of self, now might be a good time to get crafty. This jar chandelier is one of the simplest, most creative and cost-effective ways to add a zing to your space. 

In words of Pablo Picasso, “All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once they grow up… Others have seen what is and asked why. I have seen what could be and asked why not….” So, start with an idea, step out of your comfort zone and try the “too much!!”