Interiors Trend Watch: Arches
HUTCH DESIGN; @HELENCATHCART
Why use an arch?
“Arches bring a sense of playfulness to an interior; they create a unique transition, leading you from one space to another, which gives you that feeling of intrigue. I love them because they’re quite a soft, feminine architectural motif in properties which tend to mostly right-angled. I especially like them in a very long corridor – a series of arches looks really elegant.” – Irene
“Arches can be quite a dynamic addition to any interior because we are predominantly used to seeing right-angled openings. By contrast, arched ones tend to add more visual interest.” – Dale
Is there more than one style you can use?
“Arches have been employed in almost all architectural styles, so they are very versatile and will not look out of place. They can be used to create many different moods. A Gothic arch will provide a different feel than a clean Georgian arch. Multiple arches can also create a sense of rhythm, which can be a great opportunity to play with in different rooms.” – Dale
“The classic is a true semi-circle, but there’s also a style with arched corners and of course there are quirkier looks you can try, such as a pointed arch.” – Irene
ROSENDALE DESIGN
What are some of the ways you can you use them?
“It really depends on the architectural fabric of the building and the concept of the project, but generally, arches are very versatile and you can have a bit of fun with them. Playing with the materiality of the threshold can be quite interesting. One can also play with the thickness of the arch to provide more of a visual break between spaces.” – Dale
Do you have a recommended finish?
“For a more modern look, you can simply cut in and plaster over it, and it’ll look really sharp and sleek. In a traditional setting, I’d line it in timber and add an architrave – Orac mouldings work well with most openings, as long as the radius isn’t too right. It’s also smart to line them in stone. In a recent project we had a terrazzo floor and buttressed up 2cm pieces of the same terrazzo in the arch. You could do the same with any solid material, including marble, but be warned it doesn’t work with something thinner, such as porcelain.” – Irene
AMÉLIE VERMERSCH; BLANK SLATE STUDIO; HUTCH DESIGN
Can you use them to make a design statement?
“Yes – some designers like to paint the inside of the arch a contrasting colour. Picking out the feature in a bold colour can be a fun way to inject more personality and make a statement without having to paint an entire room.” – Irene
What about adding a door – should you?
“An arched door is a thing of beauty – it’s the best way to accentuate and celebrate an opening. If you want to add a door to an arch, you need at least 2.5m in height. If an arch is too wide, it can look stunted and, because of how the sides curve, it also means you can only walk through the centre of it, which isn’t very practical. You also won’t want it any narrower than 80cm.” – Irene
Finally, is it possible to do any of this on a budget?
“If cost is a concern, avoid using arches in less impactful areas since arched doors and thresholds are more expensive to construct. Instead, my advice would only be to use them where people will predominantly see and appreciate them.” – Dale
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