240 Interiors Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Determine the focal point first when incorporating it in inte- riors. Use an architectural or historical detail, such as a fireplace, to create a focal point, or consider an item that demands attention because of its large size in relation- ship to surrounding objects. Then add the other features to support it in the room. Remember, two or more focal points create chaos and do not offer a resting place for the eyes. Balance As a child, you learn to stand upright, walk, run, and ride a bike. As a teen or an adult, you may learn to rock climb, walk a beam, balance a tire, or use a scale in a science class. All of these activities require balance. Balance is the equilibrium of elements in a space. Two major categories of balance include ■ physical balance—an actual weight of an object which depends on gravity and equilibrium ■ visual balance—an illusion that relates to perceived relative weights of objects in space In interiors, designers create visual weight or an illusion of balance. Rather than physically weighing furnishings and objects, designers create balance through a visual judgment. Every object in a space has a degree of light- ness or heaviness. For example, light colors appear lighter in visual weight than dark colors. Similarly, trans- parent objects appear lighter than opaque objects. As objects or furnishings are designed into a space, the design professional creates visual balance. Visual balance is a quality in a room that gives a feeling of equilibrium, stability, or steadiness. It is a distribution of visual weight that results in a comfortable atmosphere. If balance is not achieved, a sense of imbalance and discomfort results and causes the occupant to leave the room. There are three types of balance. They include ■ symmetrical ■ asymmetrical ■ radial Symmetrical Balance Symmetrical balance is the arrangement of objects on both sides of a center point or line (either vertical axis or horizontal axis) that results in a mirror image. A C B Design by Lita Dirks & Co., LLC Photography by Jake Rajs Photograph: Emily Minton Redfield/Interior Designer: Andrea Schumacher Interiors Figure 8-29 Three levels of focal point (emphasis) include (A) dominant, (B) subdominant, and (C) subordinate. Design by Lita Dirks & Co., LLC Photography by Libbie Holmes