Design Details: Scrolls and Curlicues
A classic element adds a flourish to contemporary spaces
Are you trying the whole "clean modern lines" thing out, and if so, is it boring the heck out of you? Sometimes you need to add a curve or two (or three). Consider adding a few scroll details. In design "scroll" has one of those "hence the name" origins; it resembles the side view of a rolled piece of parchment, cloth or paper.
Other words that can refer to something similar include "spiral," "arabesque," "acanthus" and "curlicue." There is not enough time in the world to bother learning any subtle differences between them, because, well, that just sounds more boring than reading the instruction manual for a toaster. Instead, let's just have fun and look at how a simple scroll can add some swirl to your style, and beat your straight-lines ennui.
Other words that can refer to something similar include "spiral," "arabesque," "acanthus" and "curlicue." There is not enough time in the world to bother learning any subtle differences between them, because, well, that just sounds more boring than reading the instruction manual for a toaster. Instead, let's just have fun and look at how a simple scroll can add some swirl to your style, and beat your straight-lines ennui.
In looking into the history of the scroll in architecture and design, I came across "acanthus," a scrolled ancient Greek column topping shape that was inspired by the acanthus plant. An oversized abstraction gives this classical shape an update.
A scrolled ornament on the wall creates a focal point for this sophisticated outdoor space. It floats there the way a chandelier hangs over a dining table.
Ornate ironwork that incorporates the shape, commonly seen on railings, is known as "scrollwork."
A theme of curves is carried throughout this room. The architecture gives us arched windows, the chair arms are curved, the chandelier is a series of swoops, and thus, the demure table with the scrolls on the base is the perfect choice.
I feel like this space and the previous space are cousins. Perhaps the one before is a woman and this one is a man. It's heftier, less feminine, has some rugged branches, yet still has scroll details in the arms of the chairs that soften the space.
A hefty scroll coffee table is a retro piece, with origins in the Far East, that came back to us via the Hollywood Regency resurgence and the whole Happy Chic philosophy. In fact, I'm surprised Jonathan Adler has not come up with his own version of this yet.
The scrolls at the base of this chandelier add flourish, kind of like when you use hot rollers to curl the ends of your hair. These scrolls have a nice relationship to the subtle scroll detail on the back of the chairs.
One could call this elegant dining room "fun with lines." We have chair and table legs that form triangles; chair backs that are parallelograms; and scrolling lines snaking through the more whimsical carpet, painted within the abstract art on the walls, and plays on scrolls in the chandelier. It's all a very careful and successful balancing act.
You can add scrolls to your room in the small details, like these sinuous cabinet pulls.
The Mansard mirror adds classic scrolls to its frame, giving it an antique look. It also plays off the scrollwork on the fireplace screen and the light fixture in the top left corner.
A warm metallic finish on this pair of armchairs highlights the scroll.
The scroll detail on this armchair absolutely makes the piece, and it is the perfect partner for the desk with the baroque curvy legs. Finally, the floor lamp resembles a scroll.
All in all, a small scroll detail is a good way to experiment with adding a few curves to your space. Give a swirl a whirl.
More:
How About a Wavy Helix for Your Home?
Circles Make a Well-Rounded Home
Chinese Fretwork in Design
Repeating Patterns: Greek Key
All in all, a small scroll detail is a good way to experiment with adding a few curves to your space. Give a swirl a whirl.
More:
How About a Wavy Helix for Your Home?
Circles Make a Well-Rounded Home
Chinese Fretwork in Design
Repeating Patterns: Greek Key