While a mission to redefine what is thought of as traditional style interior design may appear to be a bold one, Marie Flanigan THE BEAUTY OF HOME: Redefining Traditional Interiors proves it is possible. The book found its way to me only recently, though it launched in 2020. There were a few things maybe happening that year distracting me from the world of pretty rooms. Let’s peek inside this extraordinary achievement and explore what inspired me most from sophisticated timeless interiors designed by this designer/architect.
Marie Flanigan THE BEAUTY OF HOME
You can’t miss the foundational elements Flanigan prizes in her freshened approach to traditional style in this book. Architecture, illumination, composition, and surprise are main characters interacting within the projects.
Marie Flanigan’s Architectural Poetry
There’s a soothing poetic mood permeating these projects that were so thoughtfully dreamed into existence by the author, a trained architect.
How does Marie Flanigan consistently deliver such poetic results? What sets apart the very best designers, architects, or in this case, designing architects?
Poets must be ultra-sensitive to not only what is absorbed by the five senses but to what flows beneath the surface of things. Perhaps Marie Flanigan is among the best since she is adept at synthesizing input from clients about the elements that feel most natural, reflective and harmonious to them.
Poets must also be highly creative and discerning. What focal points will be highlighted within a room? What architectural features (such as fireplaces, niches, or windows) will become centers of visual interest? And what will make homeowners come alive? An ability to translate wishes and values into color story and concept creation for a home is sort of everything.
Marie Flanigan’s Book
It is easy to imagine how architectural skills are an invaluable asset when dreaming up designs for a timeless room layout with flow, natural light, and architectural interest.
A poetic result still relies on its designer to consider practical matters. Daily functional needs must be prioritized.
Maybe where the poetry enters so many mathematical equations is how it is ever willing to break traditional rules for truly bespoke design. To reimagine the rules. After all, one can create the most optimal layouts, smart circulation paths, and spatially well-organized interiors yet still fall short poetically.
It’s heartfulness and the dance that make beautiful designs sing. Sole reliance on architectural experience or expertise with proportions is one thing. But heart and soul proportioning (from antiques, art, furniture placement, light, and surprise) is quite another!
Marie Flanigan & Visual Comfort
Have you seen Marie Flanigan’s collaborations with brands such as Visual Comfort?
You’re going to fall in love with the options as I have!
Lighting designed by Marie Flanigan is a perfect example of essential objects for home elevated as art pieces.
I can tell you with confidence that living with fine quality lighting created from natural materials (and living finishes!) indeed feels like living with original art. Visual Comfort lighting in our home blesses it richly.
Not every fixture in my own home is refined. But those that cost more because of their craftsmanship and authentic materials feel like treasures that age well.
What Qualities Add Poetic Soul to the Home?
You can’t miss the poetic use of balance in Marie Flanigan THE BEAUTY OF HOME. Balance becomes an important guiding principle to achieve visual equilibrium and a feeling of tranquility.
You’ll notice throughout these designs and spaces how visual weight is evenly distributed.
Symmetrical as well as asymmetrical arrangements of furniture, accessories, and architecture feel comforting. What keeps such symmetry from feeling overly formal or too fussy?
A gentle poetic rhythmic repetition arises in the presence of natural materials that aren’t overworked in compositions.
This repetition of patterns, shapes, colors, moods, and motifs invites a sense of continuity, flow, and movement. There’s a buoyancy that loosens up traditional anchors.
And there’s a familiarity somehow holding things together even as what is new emerges.
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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