Category: Back to Basics

  1. Selecting Translucent Stones for Backlighting

    Utilizing backlit stone in your interior design is a nod to Mother Nature, now modernized with technology and illumination. Because translucent stone is a building material not seen or used every day, here we walk you through some tips on selecting translucent stones for your next backlit feature. Did you know that many natural stones […]

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  2. Mock It Up So You Don’t Muck It Up

    What is your favorite part of a project? Is it the concept phase where you’re spitting out wild ideas? Is it the more technical stage working through logistics and challenges? Maybe it’s the final steps of install where you see your vision in complete reality? For us at GPI design, the favorite part of a […]

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  3. Back to Basics #6: Color

    Don’t get us wrong, we love a clean, minimalistic space; it can be very calming and clarifying. But sometimes, all the sleek surfaces and white walls can start to seem….how should we put it?… visually sterile? Sometimes lacking punch, personality, and intrigue, the absence of color can start to become boring, leaving us longing for […]

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  4. Back to Basics #5: Contrast

    Opposing elements that contradict and enhance one another can create intense forces, manifesting a tangible tension within. Allowing the design itself to come alive with palpable energy, the pairing of opposites generates an inherent push and pull, impacting both perception of the design and associated experiences. Take a look at the below examples which have […]

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  5. Back to Basics #4: Texture

    Ever read a sign that says “DO NOT TOUCH” and immediately have an urge to feel the forbidden object? The phrase almost becomes a challenge, rather than a prohibition. It’s so tough to resist! That’s because tactile experiences are so essential to our being; we’re hardwired to touch and feel everything around us, forming understanding […]

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  6. Back to Basics #3: Mass

    Mass. We’re surrounded by it. We inhabit it. It impacts our space, and it shapes our experiences both physically and physiologically. It has the power to be obtrusive and boisterous, or minimalistic and stoic. Here are a few examples that masterfully manipulate mass, emphasizing bold, unapologetic, and vastly different creative perspectives. Image compiled by GPI […]

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  7. Back to Basics #2: Repetition

    The act of doing something over and over isn’t always a good idea. Especially when it comes to doing some things in particular – like stealing your co-worker’s lunch out of the fridge, for example – it is probably not good to make a habit out of it. But in some cases, repetition can be […]

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  8. Back to Basics #1: Form

    Submersed in creation day in and day out, it’s easy to become immune to the fundamental concepts at the core of design. Becoming so ingrained in our being, their simple existence registers involuntarily – like we’re running on auto-pilot – and we can overlook their individual relevance in the visual realization of an idea. Overexposure […]

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  9. Color Psychology and Mood for Hospitality Interiors

    Color is a powerful device, and it is everywhere! For centuries, color has been used to influence human behavior due to its ability to evoke emotion and trigger the senses. In recent years, however, the art of color psychology has not only given interior designers control over your perception of a space, but your mood […]

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  10. Design Trends: Perforated Surfaces

    In design, it’s not always what you add, but instead what you take away that makes the biggest impact. Case and point: perforations. This design trend has been taking off in all areas, and can be found on interior walls, ceilings, building exteriors, and even furniture. Unlike simply adding elements to create visual interest, this […]

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  11. Design Inspiration: Hexagonal Trends

    As we voyage into 2012, the hexagonal geometric form is appearing everywhere. The way in which this relatively simplistic form can be manipulated into patterns, textures, and overall structures, makes it a popular and versatile choice for a graphic aesthetic. Here are some of our favorite uses of hexagons that create truly dynamic and intriguing […]

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  12. Design Inspiration: Facet Trends

    Though it’s not a brand new emerging movement, the idea of facets has really caught on in all aspects of design. We have been and still are seeing a strong shift towards geometric prism motifs through all different media, a lot of which we find very inspiring and intriguing. This phenomena, while not necessarily cutting […]

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