SECRETS FROM DECORATORS

CRYSTAL, MIRROR & LIGHT: THE ILLUSION OF EXPANSION

WORDS BY GUINEVERE ALLEN

Clients often ask if it’s possible to accentuate natural light in a home while creating the illusion of space. The expansion of urban living in the Treasure Valley appears to have finally realized a sweet spot between luxury and convenience as Boise’s urban center expands its infrastructure and footprint. The coveted ideal of land ownership as an inherent component of real estate investment is—in theory—compensated for by height and light in urban design.

Many loft spaces feature elevated ceilings of fourteen feet or more and copious amounts of windows. Drawing the eye upward helps to maximize the feeling of height in loft spaces, while pulling the natural light inward. Custom built pieces, such as library walls, can help to visually expand urban interiors when designed from floor to ceiling rather than leaving space above something like a media cabinet.

Likewise, window drapery can add tremendously to the illusion of expansion when installed just under the ceiling rather than above the window frame. Add crystal finials to drapery hardware that enhance and refract the natural light from outside. Try accent pieces that are made from metal (such as silver), rather than ceramic or wood, that will communicate with the light of your space by reflecting it outward. Install large wall mirrors in strategic locations—such as opposite accent lights—to create the optical illusion of doubling the actual space while further reflecting the natural window light. Favor glass and nickel table pieces over wood. Mix antiques with contemporary accents and enjoy an expansive feel in an otherwise enclosed space.

All of these tips can help to create a feeling of expansion in urban residences that don’t offer outdoor spaces per se. Taking an eclectic approach can make this transformation fun and personal.

Guinevere Allen has fifteen years of interior design experience and is currently a design consultant with Ethan Allen.