54 PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN

Method III. The line ad has a most pleasing point of division
represented in the diagram by g. To find this point, with the
length of the line ad as the diameter draw a circle tangent to the
line ad at the point d. Suppose that the point e is the center of
the circle. Now draw a line connecting a and e, establishing the
point f where the line ae crosses the circle. With jf as radius draw
a circle with a as center, intersecting ad at g. The point g is the
mean division point of the line ad. This point is sometimes called
the harmonic division and should be considered an important point
in decorating and furnishing. The unit of measurement might be
the line gd or the difference between gd and ag. The chosen unit
may be used in many ways; for example, it may be laid off on all
sides, or from the corners, or from the point g, and may serve as a
guide for the selection and arrangement of the furniture.

SCALE

Under the general heading of proportion, scale is the proper
term when considering relative sizes without regard for shapes,
Correct scale, or, in other words, consistency in size, is indispen&i*
ble in garden design, exterior house design, interior design, and
furniture design.

In garden design it is necessary to choose plants and trees that
are in scale with the grounds and the house. In exterior hoiivSC
design the scale of the openings and features such as columns and
eaves in relation to the house are very important factors in appear-
ance.

In home furnishings the requirements of scale apply in four dif-
ferent ways. Each article must be in scale with the room contain-
ing it and also with the other articles in the room. The various,
structural parts of each article must be in scale with one another
and with the whole. The decoration of each article must be in
scale with it.

The most common mistakes in scale are made in combining
articles of inconsistent sizes such as large lamps on small tables,
large bouquets in small vases, small pictures hung on walls, and
tiny art objects on large tables, Examples of violation of scale are
so general that the reader can probably see several by looking about
• her. Things fhat are not related in size should not be a part of
the same group, for the mind refuses to consider them together*