ORIGIN OF ARTIFACT IN INTERIORS

The term "accessory" in the context of interior design refers to a non-essential, secondary, or additional object. It was because the designers never gave much thought about where these "non-essential" objects should be placed, and it was entirely up to the client to decide how to organize them in the interior.

Accessories have taken on a new significance.

However, with the recent trend of preparing and constructing everything, the designer and client spend a significant amount of time choosing, ordering, and placing them. And, given their newfound meaning, it would be appropriate to refer to them as contributory objects.

Accessories as Contributory items

Accessories are to the interior what stars are to night sky or flowers are to the garden or shells to the beach. Without them, an interior would be less of an interior as the picture of the night sky is not complete without stars even though the moon and other planets are there.

Origin of Accessories

Incorporating accessories appears to be a subconscious and automatic process. A child goes out and picks up a stone that he or she likes, then brings it around, plays with it, and holds it in a niche. Later, it remains there as an object rather than a toy.

After killing a bison, a Neanderthal hunter mounts the skeleton of the bison's head in his cave as a trophy to symbolize his strength. After years apart, a sailor reconnects with an old friend and is presented with a small compass, which he proudly displays in his room as a symbol of their friendship and serves as a gift.

A tourist travels to Agra, sees the Taj Mahal, and purchases a marble replica of the Taj. Its show serves as a souvenir. A weaver spends his vacation with a carpet weaver, who gives him a carpet. The weaver shows it rather than using it, and it is considered a keepsake.

Dolls, bangles, and other items are given to a girl as presents. She just shows and sees them now that she is no longer a teenager, and they are her ornaments.

Many people receive numerous gifts during their careers, some of which they only display, resulting in a bric-brac set. Some people collect small, insignificant items such as pebbles and matchboxes and show them as ornaments.

Difference Between Accessories And Collection

Now if all these activities are done seriously and systematically, it will be known as “collecting”. The collection is usually limited to only one item, like stamps, records, beer bottles; while an accessory is a single item or a set of items.

Other Terms for Accessories

In the older days, accessories were not given importance, so they were given names like bric-a-brac, knick-knacks, curiosities, oddities, trophies, mementos, souvenirs, trifles, etc. Now we know that these, and so many other items make accessories.

Types of Accessories

There are two types of accessories depending on their function:

•  Utility Accessories

Flower vase, fruit bowl, plant basket, lamp, wall clock, paperweight, ashtray, salt, and shakers are only a few of the items available.

•           Decorative  Accessories

Paintings, sculptures, ceramic vases, dancing dolls and such things.

Uses Of Accessories 

As we have seen, accessories whether utility or decorative, nowadays are used with care and understanding as contributory items towards some goal.

• To Brighten The Atmosphere

Well placed plants, if arranged in a shabby interior considering the size and shape of their leaves can fill the room with liveliness.

•  To Beautify

A painting will instantly add elegance to a plain space.

• To Create An Ambiance

An antique clock can evoke feelings of old-world charm.

• To Personalize A Space

Personalize the interior with an accessory that hints at profession, hobby, or some other practice. For example,  a ship that represents a navy officer.

• To Create An Optical Illusion

According to the condition, the visual horizontally or vertically can be increased or decreased with the help of accessories. Clay models placed and disjointed vertically add to the vertically interior.

• To Balance The Color Scheme

If the wall is white or another light color, dark-colored sculptures may help to complement the color scheme or vice versa.

• To Express The Taste

An art deco poster indicate your preference for that art movement, while a warli painting would indicate your preference for tribal art.

Accessories should be used with precaution.

An accessory, if not chosen properly, may offer the impression of inconsistency in the design. The display of whatever the client owns carelessly would result in a storeroom. An accessory should be chosen with care and display with the same care.

Accessories Selection

These are the factors to remember when designing or buying an accessory.

• Proportionality

Unless specifically requested, it should not overpower or appear irrelevant. An antique clock, for example, will not only overpower a small interior but will overshadow other pieces of furniture. A chandelier can make a tiny space seem even smaller and cozier. A large wall hanging in a small space will make it seem cluttered and redundant.

•  Style

It should be in keeping with the overall theme of the room. A modern sculpture will look out of place in a Mughal interior.

•  Number

Too many accessories create a cluttered look, while too few create an empty look.

• Balance

Using accessories to achieve functional and visual compatibility is possible. They should also comply with the fundamentals of interior design.

• Placement 

Small items should be placed at eye level for close-range viewing, whereas larger items should be placed farther away for long-range viewing.

• Color

The color intensity should be proportional to the size of the accessory. In simple terms, it means that a smaller object can afford to be more colorful.

Purchasing Of Accessories

The selection of exceptional or outstanding accessories is a continuous challenge.

 Personal collection

If possible, the client's personal or family collections should be the first source. All that can be absorbed into the interiors should be taken. It would save you a lot of time and money.

2.     Antique

Antique and artifact shops or flea markets such as Chor bazar and Oshiwara market may also be a good source. There are interesting and historic items to be found there. Genuine and fake, all types of articles are available and can be used effectively. If you buy an old rusted bras-bodied compass from chor bazar, you can use it as is in a rustic interior, clean and polish it to a high finish and integrate it into a European interior, or chrome-plate it and use it in a modern interior.

 

Exhibitions  

Many Exhibitions are held for handicrafts, art, painting, ceramics, and other such objects, and rare items can be bought there that will increase in value over time.

Now, definately, you know the origin of the artifact and how it evolves in past years. We all were curious about artifacts in interior designing but by this blog, I hope you all have got your answers.

Comment down below which part was your favorite part from this blog, and do share with your colleagues, friends so that they also should the information about the artifact.