Saturday, August 28, 2010

The Right Proportions




My husband (the architect) and I have been up early looking at the progress of the hall this morning over a cup of tea. Looking at the generous space of the hall has inspired me to write about proportions today.

I'm writing an article for House & Garden at the moment about a house my husband designed. The owner, a reasonably conservative accountant in his 60s, told me how he gets up every morning and walks around thinking, "I just love this house!". When I tried to pin him down about what exactly it was he liked so much, it came down to the fact that the rooms were generous, the ceilings soaring and the windows looking out to the view were huge.

One of the best renovating advice I could give to anyone is before you build something, think carefully about the proportions of each room.

When we walk into a room and think "this is a really nice space" but don't really know why, its usually because the proportions are right. Have a look at the examples above: Ralph Lauren's villa in Round Hill, Jamaica with those gorgeous high ceilings and french windows or minimalist architect John Pawson's bathroom. Both have balanced spaces, windows in the right places and a ceiling height that feels right.

Too often, people start off with a nice design but cut corners with things like ceiling height and positioning of windows, usually on the advice of the builder. Don't do it, even if your budget is strangling your better judgement because you will have to live with it for a very long time.

Who knows, living in a house with the right proportions could even be the secret to a happy life!

11 comments:

  1. I totally agree. Sometimes I can't bear to look at the front of a house as it's so out of proportion - mean little windows with a great big gash of garages on the other side. Balance is essential for beauty isn't it?

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  2. I could not agree more with this. Big windows, soaring ceilings, generous spaces - these are the things that make an inside space a happy space. And I love that bathroom.

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  3. Proportion is everything. If proportion is wrong, everything is wrong. Great post. Also, thank - you Catherine for your lovely comments on my blog.

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  4. Well, living in a house with the wrong proportions (low ceilings, mean windows) certainly seems to be one of the secrets of an unhappy life!

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  5. OH yes.. for sure!! the bathrooms looks serene.. and calm. :-)

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  6. Oh yes - you can't bedizen a space into feeling right if the bones are wrong (I believe the technical term is 'tart it up'), but I think it is proportion and INTENT: knowing how large doorways, or level changes, or a particular aspect or outlook will invite the observer. Hard to describe, delightful to recognise.

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  7. Great point...these examples are fabulous! Tracey xx

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  8. I completely agree! Proportion is everything. Our current house doesn't have huge rooms but the soaring ceiling and huge windows overlooking the river behind us make it feel so perfect and always make people say 'wow' when they walk in. It's definitely where extra money should be spent! :)

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  9. Hi Catherine, I found you! I am now a follower. Yes, I do agree with you there, its all about good bones. Just like real estate too, it's all about position! Take care. Simone xx

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  10. These images are lovely, and I completely agree-high ceilings, tall windows, and generous proportions make a home. Thrilled I found your blog this morning!!

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  11. Your husband does amazing work. Just wanted to let you know that.

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