Decorating Guides
Architecture
Shadows Conjure Intrigue Around the Home
Real or not, shadows can cast your home's interiors or an exterior facade in a dramatic, alluring light
We're drawn to dramatic homes with oversize furnishings, luxe fabrics, esoteric art and bold wall treatments. But let's not forget about the alluring effect of shadows: Shadows cast by light sources converging with building materials and furniture add enigma to any space through complex projections and well-placed designs. Here are a few examples of how you can use shadows to your advantage in the home.
Wolf Within Shadow Chair
Look no further for a conversation piece. This shadow chair by Duffy London casts a dark and wild — albeit artificial — shadow. A variation of the original shadow chair, the powder-coated-steel seat seemingly defies gravity while a faux fur rug in a wolf's silhouette hides parts that actually support the chair.
Wolf Within Shadow Chair
The "Wolf Within" shadow chair sets a powerful, grounding tone for the rest of your home and would look great in the entryway; the piece would also add a layer of amusement to a home with a lot of serious fine art pieces. But the price tag may be enough to make a grown man ... well, howl.
The wood slats' shadows in this contemporary patio repeat the strong vertical and horizontal lines of the furniture. Shadows cast on the ground — from both the slats and the furniture legs — form an interesting, grid-like floor design.
In the same way, the trellised cedar slats of this poolside pergola add visual interest to the trusses; it almost looks like the trusses were painted with taupe horizontal stripes.
This contemporary home uses shadows cast by metallic aspen leaves as a visual signal; the partially veiled entryway signals the transition from outside to the indoor space.
Shadows cast by these custom panels multiply and project the intricate arbor designs onto the walls, adding to the exotic Mediterranean allure of this home. The arbor panels also diffuse light into the area and help cool the space.
The complex shadows projected by this David Trubridge floral pendant soften the serious effect of the gothic windows in this "bonus" room. Floral projections on the surrounding walls and ceiling create delight and visual amusement — completely appropriate for a playroom.
This is a great example of a well-placed light fixture. The shadows cast by the Moroccan lantern reflect the Moroccan influence on the Spanish revival home and also add variety to the mostly bare white walls.
A row of shadows cast by skylights breaks up a massive patch of white in this entryway.
Here's a great way to bring the outside indoors: Natural light hits the staircase and shoots between each stair plank, mimicking how the sun's rays shoot streams of light from behind the clouds.
The designer of this beach-sunset-theme bedroom echoed the drama of the motif's inspiration by uplighting a bonsai tree and throwing its shadows upward to the surrounding ceiling and walls. The effect heightens the dusk-like ambience of the cozy room.
Don't forget about exteriors — a home's street facade makes a great "screen" on which to project shadows. Uplighting, landscaping and darkness dramatically converge here.
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