A recent vacation at the Iberostar Grand Bavaro Hotel in Punta Cana, featuring photo-worthy Greco-Roman design, inspired me to write about repeating elements in design. I also became slightly obsessed with the gorgeous limestone walkways and iridescent tile surrounding us in this beautiful resort. That was most likely because those are elements that we cannot use in exterior design in Canada due to our fluctuating weather and extreme temperatures.
Repeat Colours and Design Elements
Anyway, back to the subject at hand. I previously wrote about the necessity for repeating colours when painting your home. It gives it a cohesive look that is quite pleasing. If done well, it makes your home flow from one space to another without you consciously realizing why. Notice the use of circles in the hotel lobby, from the decorative objects on the centre table to the divider screen to the end table and even the legs on the coffee table. Combined with the use of curves in the furniture, it works brilliantly.
Too Much Of Anything is Never Good
Having said that, here is another use of circles in one of the hotel bathrooms. In my opinion, this is a total miss because there are too many circles in a small space. And the repetition of the red is too overpowering!
Repeating Elements for a Kitchen Redesign
Interestingly, I was obsessed with curves before I went on this vacation. I hope to use curves in a kitchen project I am working on with a client to give it a unique feel. However, the trick is not to overuse any element yet to repeat the design elements just enough. It truly is a balancing act. We plan to incorporate a curve in the cabinet crown, bullnose edging on the countertop, and curved toe kick valances on the cabinets.
Simple Ways to Use Repeating Elements in Design
I encourage you to consider using repeating design elements in your next project. It could be as simple as using throw pillows or drapery fabrics with similar shapes and colours. Please feel free to reach out to me if you need some fresh ideas. I’m happy to help.