Designs for Living

Many of the most harmonious living spaces combine soft, rounded shapes with crisper, angular styles of design.

Pointed corners and straight lines may "cut" aggressively into the space around them, making them less soothing. Yet the clean, graphic effect they create can be calming if not used to excess.

The secret lies in balancing shapes of a room's features and furnishings to achieve a serene, complimentary pattern. Consider how individual items of furniture will harmonize with the room's main focus and features.