228 Interiors Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. ■ add windows ■ drop the ceiling ■ incorporate freestanding objects Space can be real or perceived. For example, a virtual real- ity (VR) or a three-dimensional computer model of an inte- rior space is an example of an illusionary space—a space that does not yet exist. Interior designers often sell their clients on spaces they design with drawings of perceived space. Assisting a client to understand perceived space is a continual challenge for a designer, Figure 8-15. Perceived, rather than physical, space involves the human senses—sight, hearing, touch, and smell. As you enter a space, your senses process information and send it to your brain. This results in a perceptual experience—either good or bad. People experience or perceive space differently, Figure 8-16. In part, this relates to their physical dimensions, such as height or reach (human measurements), which allows them to move or operate within the space. It also depends on the health of their eyes when perceiving a color used in the space and on their cultural upbringing, such as how comfortable they feel when someone stands close to them in a public place. Clearly, many factors impact your client’s spatial experi- ence. It is important to understand that a designer must not only know how to manipulate the physical space, but must also appreciate that people perceive and experi- ence designed physical spaces differently. Texture Texture, as a surface characteristic, exists in all natural and built environments. It is the characteristic that invites people to explore an object or material through touch. It creates intriguing interest in a space or place. It evokes a human response such as warmth or pleasure and enhances a mood or feeling in an interior. Texture makes a space excit- ing and filled with life or cozy and moody. Discussion of texture falls into two categories—tactile and visual. Tactile Texture Tactile texture, or surface texture, is real—you can feel it through simple human touch, Figure 8-17. It communi- cates a great deal about a place. For instance, whether you are in a forest or a skyscraper, tactile textures Design by Lita Dirks & Co., LLC Photography by Matt Puckett Figure 8-15 The elements of design help create perceptions about a space. What elements did the interior designer use to shape the perception you have about this dining room?