P>AGE 1, IX. DNI;»SI)AY. MARCII 4. 1981. WIIBY FRLE PREiSS Proportion is Vital to any good interior des igning By PETER SZARKA Ary's Gallery The prof essional approach to interior design is neyer hit-or-miss. By training ourselves to look, to see, to WHITBY ALUMINIUM 900 HOPKINS ST. WHITBY 668-2252 compare and remember, we can make decisions to do rooms that will look good, not by accident but by design. Thus, we look at' proportion as one of our guidefines. The ride of proportion is called the "golden mean". The eye gets bored easily. It wants variety. Therefore, anything that is too easily understood, such as mechanical divisions like one-haif, one-third or one- fourth are monotonous and we get tired of them quickly. The golden mean is the rule that says, "Two areas seem most interesting when divided such that one of them is between one-haif and one-third the size or length of the other. " -m-- ~~uma avrt REASONABLE PRCES For example, the diagramn shows this rule for a chair. Now study the sketches of one style of chair with three different sets of proportions. One chair is very well proportioned, the other fairly well and the other badly. No. ihas a seat too wide and short legs. Num- ber 2 is good but the legs are stili haîf the height. No. 3 is the best. You can see that the height of the seat to the height of the back is within our rule. So is the height of the arri. You can try your 20 TEARS EXPERIENCE Alcan Building~ ProcluctS A&lhcizo-OeC GUARANTEED WORKMANSHUP own chairs. Though analyzing a chair is tedious, it will develop your sense of proportion. Now- to look at proportion from a functional point of view, we'll examine some particular period furniture. A piece of furniture is designed for a specific pur- pose. Its function dictates its form, lines and basic structure. The function of the arm of a chair or sofa is to hold your arm comfortably. Any arm that is higher than 8" or 10" from the cushion forces a person's arm to an uncom- fortable height. It, therefore, does not perform its function well. Some examples of poor proportions from a fun- ctional point of view follow. Sofas with arms and backs of equal height such as Chippendale, Hepplewhite, Empire, Bildermeier and Chesterfield styles. Don't forget that the piece that looked f ine in its museum setting may turn out to be a very diff icuit piece to live with for any length of time. Chairs and sofas that are CONT'D ON PG. 19 RICHARD S FURNIURE REFINISHINO March Speclit 20% Off Repairs end Reflnlshlng durlng March. Free Estlmates lGive Your Fumiture a Face Lft" M 600 EucIUd St., Whltby Call iRck Florsstall 666-2992 à *1 TAKE ADVANTAGE 0F QUR OFF SEASON SAVINGS! Storm Doors & Wi;fl.ows - Panaramic Repacement Windows CONTACT US NOW FOR ALUMINUM SUDINO (Cash & Carry for tha Do-it-Yourseifers) Also Vynal Siding Available m m --qqmmo- '.qqmwý FREE ESTIMAIR3 @mm@mmqmmý