56 PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN

EMPHASIS

Emphasis is the principle that directs us to have a center of in-
terest in any arrangement, and a dominating idea, form, or color
in any scheme. In order to place emphasis on any special feature,
others must be subordinated or simplified. Emphasis on a dominat-
ing idea is considered on page 3, dominating color on page 40, and
dominating shape on page 12.

The Center of Interest. If possible every room should have
a center of interest, which is the most important point in the room
and should be worthy of the attention given to it. It may be an
architectural feature, as a hearth or a bay window, or it may be
some interesting furnishings. It is not always desirable to em-
phasize the same feature in summer and winter or even by day and
by night. A large room may well have secondary points of in-
terest also.

How to Emphasize. Emphasis can be created at any desired
point in the room by using the art components in a dramatic way,
as by means of:

1. Large or unusual forms.

2. Positive surface pattern.

3. More light than elsewhere*

4. Unusual texture.

5. The brightest or the most contrasting colors.

When emphasizing a particular part of a room, the other parts
should be subordinated. Some decorators distribute the emphasis
so that the observer will give attention to the accessories, the furni-
ture, the floor, and the walls, in this order. Sometimes, however,
this order is deliberately reversed in order to withdraw attention
from things that should be minimized. For example, nondescript
furniture should be eclipsed by especially attractive wall paper.
Although the floor is not the place to focus attention, some floor
coverings, especially Oriental rugs, are so conspicuous that they
cannot be obscured. If such a rug must be used the only solution
is to subordinate everything else in the room.

A warning should be given to the amateur decorator; it is very
much better to underemphasize than to overemphasize in interior
design* It, k pleasant to feel that the decorator has plenty of reserve
power.