13
"Light defines, and texture refines."
Light defines spaces. A client may want a brightly lit entry but a subtly lit bedroom. The angle of sunlight, the
placement of light fixtures, and the home's exposure are all factors in the creation of light for each space. Diving
deeper into the design, every element is full of texture. As the late Norman Jaffe once said, "Sheetrock is a dead
material." Carrying that statement into every project, it's important to provide texture in a home's design, to use—
or mimic—organic materials. Humans crave nature and texture, which informs people about the shape of things
and how they should interact with the room. Quite simply, texture gives life and vitality to the space. Soft and thick
textures contrast beautifully with cold and smooth textures of glass or steel. Visual textures can be found in wood
grain, the patterns in wallcoverings, and in built-in storage. Ceiling textures, wall textures, and design patterns
convey certain feelings and manipulate the energy in a space, just as light does with shadow. Without layered
textures, a room lacks refinement that is tangible.