Remember when we shared the news that we’re going back to school? Well, the hubs and I have been hittin’ the books ever since, so to speak. Not really the books, but maybe more like the graphing paper. Yup, we’ve been hittin’ the graphing paper. With our new architectural rulers in hand, we’ve been drawing up floor plans and bangin’ out material boards.
Last week, our homework assignment was a study in understanding space and layout. Given a 25′x15′ floor plan, we were asked to whip up ideas on furniture, textiles, and what-goes-where. Because the assignment required a focus on sizes of furniture, it was crucial to keep the floor plan to scale (note: on this particular plan, each square on the grid equaled 1′). That part was harder than I thought, since every plan I’ve drawn before was not to scale (which means the one plan I drew for Renee’s living room. I know, I know), but rather a sketch of where I wanted things to go. So with that in mind, I put together my very first mood board, using a few favorite furniture sites and keeping the scale in the forefront of my brain.
Our only restrictions were a south wall with two windows (with each window being 2′ off the ground), the parallel north wall with two doors leading to other mysterious rooms, and an east facing wall with plumbing for a kitchen. Since our own main living space is a very similar plan (coming in just a bit smaller at 20′x15′), I went with a similar idea, creating a space that was half kitchen, half den.
While Scott and I worked on our homework together, we didn’t really get to see the finished results until we began critique in the classroom. First thing I noticed was how very different our ideas were. Maybe the hubs will chime in at some point and share his own plan down the line, but I can tell you that his style was very masculine. Very clean, brooding, and classic. And while I also wanted to stay with clean lines, I liked the idea of romanticizing my seating and textile options. With my imaginary plan, I was free to get as girly as I liked.
Okay now, be nice. I’ve already been critiqued in the classroom, but I always love reading your thoughts, so feel free to chime in. Our next assignment takes this exisiting plan and requires us to draw the space in 3D and use color. And having gone through art school once (and drawing models, figures, and a still life or two – or fifty) doesn’t make this any easier. I may share, I may not (hey, I actually can be shy). You’ll just have to stay tuned (and a little encouragement wouldn’t hurt!).
by Kim
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