Check out Part 1 to see what’s been discussed so far.
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Well designed spaces are transformative. Like a great serve, the visual aspect is merely the first point of impact or contact. Spaces that exhibit well-composed plans achieve the same effect; they feel natural, as though they have always been. So, too, Mr. Federer’s movements seem most times effortless. These [...]

                               
After watching Roger Federer’s win at Wimbledon recently, I was inspired to ponder the commonalities between the champion’s elegant performance and that of great design. With some replay observation, I came to the conclusion that the confluence of genius tennis and superior architecture is best expressed by one word - FLOW. 
 
Federer’s glistening movements - serves, forehands, [...]

     
MIRRORS can be divided into two types: RECESSIVE and Decorative. When they are at their most creative is when they are recessive, that is, when their presence is so subtle as to not even know they exist. What these so-called blind mirrors do is to expand space in without you knowing it - it’s magical. For instance, when [...]

The secrets behind making HALLWAYS, and/or narrow passageways, look more expansive, are several. Usually this “tunnel feeling” occurs because hallways tend to be rather narrow, emphasizing the taller ceiling height. By dropping the ceiling, even if not originally very high, it will magically make the passageway look wider. This optical illusion occurs, because as the ceiling drops, the [...]

Draperies enhance the view. Contrary to popular thought, if designed correctly, they do not obscure, but rather frame the windows, highlighting the outside vista. This is accomplished by placing side panels on the outside of the window frames and the rod or valance above the top of the window. For an open, airy feel, sheer draperies or lightly [...]

Great design involves knowing about the spacial relationships between a home’s different rooms. FLOW is successful when the interior rooms move smoothly between each other, the living room flows into the dining room, the dining room into the kitchen, and so on.
     
A good architect/designer knows how to carve a space so that the plan flows [...]

   
As a small area of the entire kitchen, the backsplash has enormous impact. This is because this rather narrow strip of surface is situated at about eye level, where a person’s visual orientation is comfortably set. Therefore, it’s really important that great thought and care go into choosing the proper application. While there are many surfaces from [...]

    
In their most narrow sense, niches are the professed specialization areas marketing experts tell us to pursue. Like a well-trodden path, is it singularly bound with little perspective. Enter the architectural niche, it’s almost forgotten cousin. While indeed also a focus point, the niche is hardly limited in its imaginative appeal. Rather, it is a destination mark, [...]

  
By not intruding onto valuable floor space, BUILT-IN CABINETRY is a perfect space saver. Because they are built-in, these cabinets are recessive and, thus, inconspicuous. In effect, they are part wall, part furniture. As an extension of the walls to which they are connected, built in cabinets have doors and drawers, tops and bottoms. They are generally ‘quiet’ [...]

       
POCKET DOORS create magic by disappearing into walls and economizing space, because the extra clearance space that a regular door requires is not necessary. Adding an average of ten square feet of floor space, these doors are perfect for a small apartment or room. In addition, POCKET DOORS allow for the use of some interesting and beautiful [...]