Light, Darkness and Time

When I was studying art in college, I became particularly interested in chiaroscuro, or the contrast between light and dark. In a composition that has chiaroscuro, the light has a richness to it and suggests volume not only by what is revealed, but what the light does not touch, what is shielded by darkness. I could go on and on, I have probably written over 100 pages in my life about the concept if you are interested in it, but I was thinking this morning more about the idea of light and darkness in interiors.

Oftentimes my clients come to me to help them create spaces that feel rich and interesting. And I always tell them, it's all about layering, just like putting together an interesting outfit. But if you really get down to it, layering is all about the suggestion of volume and what's underneath and how the light reveals it in an interesting way. 

I think this is why both ambient and natural lighting is ultimately so important too. You want a space to sort of evolve as light reveals different parts of it, no? When I look at some of these images, I can't help but think about how different these spaces must look at different times of day...

Kind of reminds me of Monet's Rouen Cathedral paintings or Haystacks series. Light marks not only the illumination of a space, but the passage of time as well. So, how does your own space reflect how your time passes? Sorry to get so metta on you, but both Art History and interiors are both pretty metta I guess. How's that for some deep thinking on a Wednesday? xx