Page 140 - South Mississippi Living - February, 2025

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Story by Holly Harrison and Shannon Stage
Every February we are encouraged to outwardly display affection for those we cherish.
There is an expectation that we should share some of our most intimate thoughts and feelings on Valentine’s Day because somehow that day is more special than most when we are in love. But the truth is, we desire intimacy every day of the year. We want to connect and have deeply personal relationships with the people we care about all the time.
When we talk about intimacy in the context of our home, the bedroom is most often where our minds go. But intimacy goes way beyond those four walls. It is an essential element in interior design that is seldom mentioned but wise designers always keep it in mind and the absence of which is very noticeable.
When intimacy is achieved in a home, it feels comfortable, warm, and familiar. Rooms invite us to sit down and relax. Spaces seem to have boundaries that give us a sense of security with opportunities for interactions and relationships. When
a home lacks intimacy, it feels off balance and not quite coordinated. There does not seem to be a rhythm to the space that tells you what to look at first and where to move next.
Design at its best shapes a conversation between what the homeowner wants to convey about who they are and the elements that translate those thoughts. An experienced interior designer establishes the cornerstones of design in the home that demonstrate the owner’s intentions. They create spaces for personalization and identity while offering familiarity and intimacy. Well-designed spaces engage your emotions.
Designing for intimacy requires an understanding of scale. It is an area where folks can go wrong quickly without even knowing they have gotten off on the wrong foot. Great pieces of furniture, art, and accessories lose impact when they are not scaled appropriately. Scale is how the size of objects relate to a space.
140 | February 2025
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