Chapter 8 Elements and Principles of Interior Design 243 Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. One of the simplest forms of repetition is the use of color throughout a space in furnishings, pillows, and accesso- ries. For example, you can introduce a single color in an interior and repeat it in strategic places to move the eye around and through the space. In commercial spaces, designers also create rhythm with simple patterns using ceiling grids, colored floor tiles, or suspended light fixtures over a conference table, Figure 8-31. Rhythm also includes the repetition of visual patterns in space. Like music, the spacing of visual patterns can be in regular and irregular intervals—such as the steady beat of a waltz or the stops and starts of rock music. It develops as the elements of design lead the eye (and mind) around the room or space. An underlying order, like meter in a poem, rhythm gives a space its rhyme and reason. Here are four types of rhythm interior designers commonly use. See Figure 8-32 A, B, C, and D. ■ Alternation. This type of rhythm uses a repeated pair of contrasting elements such as the dash and dot of Morse code. You can see it in such design elements as a parquet floor (a wood pattern laid two different, alternating ways) or a checkerboard floor (black and white color tiles). Alternation moves a viewer’s eye around the room and adds variety and interest. Alternating warm (red, orange) and cool colors (blue, green) around the room also creates rhythm. ■ Progression. Also known as gradation, progression is a gradual increase or decrease in size of a design element, typically as an identical form, color, or shape but in a different scale. For example, a designer may create this effect on a sofa table with a series of vases in a succession of increasing or decreasing sizes or as a series of small to large stacked boxes. You can also observe progression when using one color, from dark to light, in a room. Design by Lita Dirks & Co., LLC Photography by Jim Westphalen Figure 8-31 Rhythm is a repetitive blend of movement and visual form. How is rhythm used in this space? Warren Diggles Photography/Jon Rentfrow, Rentfrow Design, LLC Figure 8-30 C Radial balance. How does radial balance enhance the beauty of this space?