Opposites Attract

Embracing the extremes of scale isn’t for the faint of heart, but for maximum impact, push the limits

Katie Lydon plays with scale for big impact.

scale. It’s the Cinderella of the interior design world. Neglected and misunderstood, proper proportion often doesn’t get the attention it deserves. In any well-designed space, however, scale shouldn’t be ignored. In fact, a little playfulness should be embraced.

“It’s hard to break the rules of scale in a workhorse room, like a dining room or sitting room,” New York designer Katie Lydon says. “But in this nook, we had some freedom. We wanted a daybed that was discreet and let the art be everything. It allows for a gallery-like feel.”

Palette play—an injection of warm orange and icy blue— unites the elements, joining + bold and quiet, large and small.

IN A ROOM THAT ISN’T MULTIFUNCTIONAL, YOU CAN HAVE SOME FUN WITH SCALE, PLAY WITH EXTREMES. HERE, WE LET THE COLORS PULL EVERYTHING TOGETHER.” —designer Katie Lydon