Textures: Forming An Apex For Color And Light

​Isn’t it interesting how we often describe colors and lighting in terms of our sense of touch?  Lights are soft; that color feels cold, and so on.  It’s because the concepts of color and light are deeply integrated with texture, particularly in design considerations.
 
There are significant differences between painting a wall “flat,” and, texturing it first, then painting.  Applied color changes because of the highs and lows of a texture; light will play capriciously as textures vary.
 
Your designer must consider all textures carefully when choosing lighting, and color. That is one of the junctures where all three elements must be simultaneously managed.  It is important to remember that changing one of these factors affects all three.

The textures selected for this orthodontic dental office waiting room are calming, soothing and inviting -- enhanced by soft indirect lighting.

​The interplay among interior environment elements is crucial to a successful design outcome.  It is similar to the choices we make when assembling the clothing outfit we want to wear on a given occasion. Your interior designer helps you balance and harmonize color, light and texture in your living or working environments with similar factors in mind:  comfort, eye appeal, end use, compatibility and harmony.
 
Some textured areas, such as walls, serve primarily as background that facilitates other design aspects. Their texture is critical to the overall designed scene because they enhance other applied design elements such as framed art, lighting fixtures and window treatments.
 
Some textures have a much more personal function: comfort, touch appeal, durability.  Upholstery, carpet, pillows and wood finishes are textured items that we directly feel and experience.
 
The design challenge in this aspect is the marriage of function and esthetics.  Wall and window treatments are subject to passive deteriorations such as light, heat, and air.   Flooring, carpet and upholstery must be appealing and must also stand up to constant friction and use-abuse.
 
The textures you choose will have huge impact on durability and acoustics.  Your designer has access to a myriad of new choices available for today’s design market.  Contemporary development of wonder fabrics has greatly expanded and improved the marriage of function, beauty and durability.  In so doing, even the variety of textures has grown immensely, providing wider choices.
 
Textures – whether for visual, tactile, or functional satisfaction – comprise an almost universal consideration as your design project progresses.  The texture factor is one that is ever-present as you and your designer move from element to cost and back again. 
 
The texture of some elements is inherent to that element, as with cork or natural bamboo. Other textures are created by manipulation of the element, as with fabrics that may be woven smooth, brushed or embroidered.  Many dramatic textures are created with wood, natural rock, cement and plastics.  Manipulated textures often involve additional cost; however, synthetic copies of some natural textures are available. 
 
When it comes to textures, you could say it’s a jungle out there.  It’s wise to listen to your designer who will be keeping vision and budget in mind.
 
Coordination of Color, Light and Texture requires both skill and talent.