Geometric Design

Posted by Anna Proctor on May 9, 2011 in On Trend | 1 comment

Geometric Design: Shaping the world with clean lines and angles 

The one vague memory I have of geometry at school is of a tweed-clad Mr Boothroyd, droning on about equilateral triangles. The roomful of teenagers could  barely have looked less interested in what was being scrawled in chalk on the blackboard.

Pythagoras’ theorem, obtuse angles and equilateral triangles held no sway for me. However, when this branch of mathematics concerning shape, size and spatial relations infiltrated the world of interiors, I sat up and paid attention. Many years later whilst working in the interior design industry, I came to appreciate some of those basic principles.

Cubic: Encaustic Floor Tile from Surface Tiles

There is a growing fascination with angles, geometry and facets right now in the interior design industry. These concise forms satisfy a need for order, simplicity and quite frankly, cutting-edge cool. This geometric design trend can really be seen in flooring. From the striking Chiesa Green rug by Suzanne Sharp of the Rug Company, to the Cubic encaustic tile by Surface Tiles, the focus is drawn downwards.

Our love affair with boldly shaped lamps is an enduring one. Ever since Le Klint and Noguchi pleated plastic and paper shades in the Forties and Fifties, designers have been experimenting with folding simple materials. The new Andromeda lighting range by Calligaris features star-shaped cotton shades inspired by ruff collars. The pleats and folds cast fantastic shadows. Several degrees hotter than your bog standard table lamp.

Andromeda lighting range by Calligaris

Faceted mirro side table by West Elm

Geometric wallpaper continues to be very popular, making a refreshing change from the sheer abundance of floral designs. Geometric designs are often more gender neutral; my husband and I both (eventually!) agreed to paper our back living room wall with Tom 
Dixon’s Honeycomb wallpaper after discarding numerous samples that were too feminine. From a slight distance the design has a strongly three dimensional appearance, which really draws you in and gives real wow factor.

Tom Dixon Honeycomb Wallpaper

Certain aspects of mathematics can be brought to life through great design. It seems the acute angle really comes into its own in three dimensions. Mr Boothroyd’s efforts in the classroom might not have been entirely in vain!

Polyhedral tables by Mattia Bonetti

 
Source Book
The Rug Company therugcompany.info
Mattia Bonnetti Vista design vaad.pinpointdesign.com
West Elm westelm.com
Calligaris calligaris.com   
Tom Dixon for Cole and Son cole-and-son.com

Anna Proctor

After gaining a diploma in Interior design from Chelsea College of Art, Anna worked as a sales consultant at Surface tiles for several years. In the stimulating environment of the Battersea showroom, she gained a reputation as a creative and enigmatic employee. Passionate about design and high end materials, she enjoyed working on a variety of projects, alongside architects, designers and private clients alike. During the summer of 2010, her architect husband secured a job in the Bahamas, so they left London to start a new life in paradise. The move enabled Anna to pursue some of her long held interests. A keen artist, she immersed herself in the local scene. She recently had her first solo art exhibition; a mixture of drawing, printmaking and painting. A love of food and the written word led to the creation of a restaurant blog, Nassau on a Plate, which reviews eateries around the island. She also keeps an eye on interior trends and her thoughts on how spaces make if feel by writing a design blog.

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