Design: The “Rule” of Three

I decided that my first blog topic would involve the world of interior design.  I chose design because that seems to be the area of expertise in which most find I excel.  I love to entice the “wow” factor when visitors enter my home or the other spaces that I have designed.  However, the fact of the matter is that anyone can do what I have done in my home.  To me, good interior design is both an art and a science.  It does take an “eye” to know what works and what doesn’t.  But, there are some rules to follow that can help one take what they already have and make it look better.  I’ve chosen the first rule as my first blog topic for The Southern Domestic Gentleman.   

The rule of three, which I use when displaying most, if not all, of my decorative items was first conceived in the 18^th century by a British engraver named John Thomas Smith*.  This is a very simple, yet poignant way to display any items you have in the space with which you are working.  Just like the rule states, you group items in that area into groups of three. 

I like to take this rule and add onto it further by using the “pyramid rule.”  To do this, take your three items and group them so that the highest object is in the middle and the two smaller objects are on each side.  The human eye tends to process objects by “reading” them from left to right and short to tall.

As you can see from the picture on the left of my fireplace mantle, I have taken two groups of three items and placed them on each side of my mantle. 

Notice in the close-up images on the right that each grouping also takes on the pyramid or triangle shape.







Do you have to stop with three objects?  Absolutely not!  I find that any grouping of odd numbered items works as well.  As a rule, I try not to go over five.  Therefore, I tend to group things by themselves, in groups of three, or groups of five.

I hope that this easy tip will help you in your home.  I'd love to see this idea used in your home!  E-mail your photos to me at edwinwallace05@gmail.com and I might share them with all of my blog readers.  Until next time, have a great Southern day!

*Copyright Wikipedia.com.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Thomas_Smith_(engraver)