Adding Character and Balance to Your Living Space
When we first stepped into our house, one feature immediately caught our eye – the vaulted ceilings.
However, we couldn't help but feel that they were slightly bare compared to the rest of the room.
In the world of interior design, balance and repetition are key principles, and this got me thinking. How could we bring more character and warmth to our living space while maintaining balance and harmony?
The answer: Exposed beams!
The Power of Balance and Repetition
In interior design, achieving the perfect balance is crucial. This involves distributing visual weight evenly throughout a space.
Additionally, repetition of elements can create a sense of cohesion and rhythm in a room. With these principles in mind, we decided to embark on a project to add exposed beams to our home.
Below is the before picture of the living room, which had a lot of focus on the floors and bottom part of the walls through the red oak wood floors and matching wainscoting.
The Benefits of Exposed Beams
Exposed beams not only serve as a fantastic way to balance the color flow in a room but also introduce a repeating element that can transform the entire space.
Moreover, they bring warmth and a sense of homeliness that can make any house feel more inviting.
I started to search inspirations and below one from Plank and Pillow is one of them that got me really excited.
So I started to design the view to brief our contractor & carpenter.
Before diving into the project, we wanted to ensure that our vision would come to life exactly as we imagined it. So, we turned to technology and designed the beams in a virtual 3D environment.
This allowed us to communicate our ideas clearly with the carpenter, who would bring this project to fruition.
I was fortunate to collaborate with Atlanta Curb Appeal, and I must say, our carpenter was exceptional.
If you are curious about our journey on the living room transformation vision and dream home check out this blog post!
Strategic Placement of the Beams
To make the most of this project, we decided to go with four beams that followed the contours of the ceiling.
This approach not only provided the desired repetition but also created a central space for lighting, a crucial aspect of interior design. The fourth beam was strategically placed, about 2-3 inches away from the stair rail support.
The Three Key Implementation Steps
The actual implementation of the beams involved three essential steps:
Beam Base: We started by installing a sturdy beam base to provide the necessary structural support.
Handcrafted Beam Boxes: Our carpenter meticulously handcrafted beam boxes using cedar wood. To add texture and visual interest, we chose to use the rough side of the cedar.
Choosing the Stain Color: Perhaps the most enjoyable part of the project was selecting the stain color. We opted for a lighter oak shade with subtle camel and brown undertones. This choice helped us avoid the orange and yellow undertones often associated with natural wood.
Exposed Beams Step 1: Securing the Base, Project Green Ridge by Design & Curations
Exposed Beams Step 2: Handcrafted Beam Boxes, Project Green Ridge by Design & Curations
Exposed Beams Step 3: Staining, Project Green Ridge by Design & Curations
The Transformation
The moment we had been eagerly waiting for finally arrived. With the beams in place, our living space underwent a remarkable transformation.
The room now had character, inviting textures, and, most importantly, a sense of balance that had been missing before.
Our journey of adding exposed beams to our home taught us that a thoughtful approach to interior design can have a profound impact on the look and feel of a living space.
By embracing principles like balance and repetition and carefully planning each step, we were able to create a room that exudes warmth, character, and charm by adding the exposed beams.
If you're considering a similar project for your home, don't hesitate to explore the possibilities of exposed beams. With the right design and execution, they can become the focal point that elevates your living space to a whole new level of sophistication and comfort.
Do you want to read more on the Green Ridge Transforming our Dream Home; Check these previous blog posts:
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Love,
Burcu
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