Every time I flick through my bulging collection of design images, I surprise myself with how many images of non-desrcript spaces I seem to collect. You know the spaces I’m talking about – not quite a corridor, nor a vestibule. Not exactly indoor or outdoor. Those transitioning spaces positioned on the way to or in between other more significant spaces. I think they officially call it an ante-space, or the “before” space. Anyway, I guess I never knew I was so interested in them. I wonder why? Maybe because I’m a bit nuts? Please don’t answer that.

I guess I consider these spaces to be a bit of an underdog. They tend to get forgotten at times although they are just as important as any “hero” space. They form a part of an entire jig-saw puzzle that is a well crafted interior, and can reveal so much about the designer who created them. Just like unexpected stitching on a lady’s handbag or beautiful lining on a gentlemen’s suit, spaces in between are all about attention to detail. They can also be used to create anticipation or set an expectation for the main space beyond.

What do you think?

 

Images sources, top to bottom – 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12

About The Author

Founder & Editor

With a disarming blend of authority and approachability, Dana is a former refugee-turned-global design visionary. Through her multi-faceted work as a creative director, keynote speaker, editor, curator, interior designer and digital publisher, Dana empowers others to appreciate and engage with design in transformative ways, making the sometimes intimidating world of design accessible to everyone, regardless of their familiarity with the subject. Dana's been catapulted to the status of a stalwart global influencer, with recognition from industry heavyweights such as AD Germany, Vogue Living, Elle Décor Italia and Danish RUM Interiør Design, who have named as one of the Top True Global Influencers of the Design World and counted her among the most visionary female creatives on the planet. Her TEDx talk—"Design Can Change the Way You See the World"— will challenge and transform your understanding of design's omnipresent and profound influence. Through her vast experience in interiors, architecture and design, Dana challenges the prevailing rapid image culture, highlighting the importance of originality, sustainability, connecting with your values and learning to "see" design beyond the aesthetic.

12 Responses

  2. Heather Jenkinson

    Lady, whatever it is that you’re selling, I am buy-in’! In fact, give me one of each in every colour. Man alive, your posts get me going. Love it all.

    To answer your (rhetorical?) question on why you collect ante-spaces, I think you’ve answered it yourself, perfected well “They can also be used to create anticipation or set an expectation for the main space beyond.” Is that not the eternal quest of the Natural Born Designer?

    Reply
  4. captain kk

    totally agree. the in between, ante spaces are what lift up the big kahuna spaces.. and i think there’s something about the smaller, ‘side’ spaces that draw us in.. that and the details. seems interiors are all about the details at the mo.. the styling seems to stomp all over the architecture as what’s important, which call me biased, but it seems a little out of balance. having said that, i am sooo guilty over lusting over the little things.. oo that artwork.. oo that chair.. you know. awesome post ms yellowtrace.. man, i am going for the world’s longest comment here :)

    Reply
  5. yellowtrace

    Thank you Victoria. That means a lot coming from the queen of imaginative blogging!

    Heather, you are hilarious, and way too kind to me. Thank you for your kind words, this time and absolutely always. And I guess you are right about the Natural Born Designer’s eternal quest. Although, is there such a thing? The Natural Born Designer I mean. Perhaps a NBD is just someone who is considerate and a thinker, who approaches their work diligently, and with a lot of emotion. It’s also that design instinct thing, isn’t it? But perhaps that’s just experience. I dunno. But I do think about this all the time…

    Captain Lady! You crack me up with your ‘big kahuna space’ line. Friggin’ brilliant! Don’t feel guilty about falling for the sweet styling details. To me good styling is like delicious icing on the cake. It’s the first thing you notice and want to taste (at least I do anyway!) but if the cake is crapola, the icing will only carry it so far. But any good cake maker knows that you’ve got to focus on creating a fantastic cake first (one that is ideally structurally stable – ha!) before you you can apply the icing. Right? Or am I completely off with the fairies? Probably. And sorry to totally take out the world’s longest comment prize… Shit hey!

    x dana

    Reply
  6. GW

    Howdy I am so delighted I found your website, I really found you by accident, while I was researching on Yahoo for something else. Regardless I am here now and would just like to say kudos for a tremendous post and a all round interesting blog (I also love the theme/design). I don’t have time to read through it all at the minute but I have saved it and also included your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a lot more. Please do keep up the awesome work.

    Reply
  10. kunststoffspritzguss

    Hi, I think your blog might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your blog in Chrome, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, superb blog!

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.