Friends,
Life is boring if you don’t romanticize things every once in a while. Right now, I’m hurdling course by course through the most mundane and exhausting time of the semester: finals season. One rule of thumb: if you feel like you need to stop and take care of yourself, then do it. Once summer comes, it’s glow-up time, and I’m excited to see the changes that come from it.
One tactic I use for stimulating creativity in the midst of routine is music. I find it interesting how its meaning changes over time and how my relationship with it has morphed into a necessity. When I was in high school, I was a playlist warrior. I wanted the simple pleasure of cuing all my favorite songs in one place and trapping myself in that loop till I got bored.
My introduction to technology was just as the CD was being phased out, and vinyl hadn’t made its resurgence yet. I was an iPod child at heart, and while it was the coolest thing I ever had, it never taught me to appreciate the production of music albums the way I do now. Embarrassingly enough, I didn’t realize the full impact of listening to an album through and through until a few years ago.
A few weeks ago, we were blessed with the masterpiece that is Cowboy Carter. Need I name the artist? If you haven’t listened to it, I highly recommend sitting down with it and diving into the details. She employed many old-time production techniques to produce a big sound, changed the meaning of classic pieces in her artistic fashion, and impressed audiences with Italian interludes and genre switches. But what does Cowboy Carter have to do with interior design?
In today’s article, I want to unpack the production of interior design. That is, the three main principles that any piece of art has in common: order, value, and impact. There are a plethora of ways in which music can relate to spaces. However, I am approaching it from an angle of theatrics and composition, where we can find similarities in different genres of art and their influence.
First, Then, [Break], Last
One of the reasons why Cowboy Carter impressed me is the order in which Beyonce arranged the tracks to tell a story. Titles like “Smoke Hour ~ Willie Nelson” and “Dolly P” were short interludes for these great musicians to return to the radio and introduce the next track. Hearing them speak felt like a moment to catch my breath, and a hand on my shoulder as I listened. What it showed me (that a playlist could never) is that the order of things matters.
So, how did my mind wander from Texas Hold ‘Em to interior design? Well, the production of music is like putting sounds into a box. That box is the whole of what your brain can comprehend at once, delivered through the medium you listen to music (headphones, speakers, car). You can communicate in that box by arranging sounds for the listener. All of those sounds become songs, and songs become albums. However, it all depends on the space in which you arrange things. Sound like an interior?
Interior design, much like the arrangement of tracks on Cowboy Carter, is a deliberate orchestration of spaces and elements to evoke a specific mood, convey a narrative, and influence people through their surroundings. Just as each song in an album contributes to the overall experience, the order of spaces within a building determines the flow and atmosphere of the environment.
For example, the Guggenheim Museum in New York City, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. As visitors ascend the spiraling ramp from the ground floor to the upper galleries, they are enveloped in a carefully curated sequence of exhibits, each space leading seamlessly to the next. This sequential journey tells a story, gradually revealing the museum's collection. Like I’ve said once before, you can only connect the dots looking back. How can you develop the spatial narrative going forward?
The Meat and Potatoes, if you will
All art has values that it communicates through its medium. This is the most familiar concept to this publication: how spaces communicate influence. The same can be said more explicitly for Cowboy Carter. Messages of motherhood in “Protector," career building and pluralism in “American Requiem,” and genre switching in “YA YA” all communicate a specific personal or emotional experience for Beyonce. These songs, all music, and all art contain values people can connect with. Values are embedded within the fabric of interior design, much like the lyrical themes and sonic motifs imbued in a music album.
Consider the Apple Store flagship locations, renowned for their minimalist aesthetic and emphasis on sleek, modern design. These retail environments communicate a commitment to innovation, simplicity, and premium quality through clean lines, uncluttered spaces, and meticulous attention to detail. Just as Jobs envisioned. By aligning architectural elements with core brand values, interior designers have the power to shape perceptions and foster emotional connections between people and spaces. Seem familiar? We’ve discussed how brands can communicate before on this publication. The same can be said for people too. How do you communicate value in your space?
Mission Accomplished
I hate to sound like a broken record here (HA MUSIC HUMOR), but music and interior design alike have an impact on people. This is the case of Beyonce’s career and mine too. To influence people. Just as a powerful melody can evoke emotion or stir the soul, a thoughtfully designed space has the ability to inspire, soothe, or invigorate its occupants. Hopefully, this article has provided valuable insight into the production of art. If there are any interpretations you’ve collected across artistic mediums or in your own space, feel free to reply to this email. As always, I would love to hear!
For Your Inspiration
Summer is coming, and while I will be living out the dog days here in Waco, I can only dream of where I want to be. Take a deep breath, and let’s go back to the Mediterranean. I started this Pinterest board after my trip to Rhodes last year. I love the raw textures and bright colors. I guess interior design cannot compete with nature, but we can surely make spaces that do it justice.
Till next time.
If you’d ever like to talk design or take a look at one of your spaces, email me at william@rumscheidt.com
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