Devices and material of modern technologies have become an indispensible part of every household, whichever decorative style is chosen. Apart from electric appliances, smart residential systems have been applied in grade houses or villas, including the functions of lighting control, curtain control, remote control, alarm control, and home cinema. These technologies offer more convenience to modern living and bring greater challenges to the creation of Neo-classical style. For designers, the integration of classics and technology is most important for a successful Neo-classical residence.
Materials like paint glass and plastic have gained larger proportion in home design practice nowadays. They are economic, easy to use,and flexible. Once properly designed, these materials could as well contribute to establishing a classical environment. (See Figure 23) With inlay, sand blasting and embossing techniques, for example,glass could be applied in a Neo-classical home as glazed walls,cupboard doors or table surface. For large devices like television and computers, designers could strengthen the background in order to reduce their visual volume or keep them hidden in the background setting. Simple forms could be adopted for smaller devices like lamps and switches to make them the highlight of the ornamental details.
Figure 23. Glass cover on traditional fireplace provides simple protection.
图23. 精心雕刻的壁炉用了现代的玻璃罩,简洁安全。
The sense of order and hierarchy, together with the spirit of openness,is a major feature in Neo-classical decoration. There is certain form of modern facility in every case in this book, which can be seen as a modern interpretation of Neo-classical style.
无论何种设计风格,家居环境都离不开各种现代的设备和材料,除了家庭中常用的电器之外,一些高档住宅或是别墅中还会带有一些智能系统,如智能的灯光控制、窗帘控制、远程控制、报警系统、家庭影院系统等,这些设备为家居生活带来便利的同时,也对新古典风格提出了挑战。古典和现代的融合成为了设计中最重要的部分,也是设计师们最关心的部分。
在如今的家居设计中,现代化的材料也越来越常见,尤其是烤漆玻璃、塑料等类型的材料。这些材料使用方便、经济,也有很强的可塑性,经过恰当的设计,同样可以在古典的环境中找到位置(图23)。例如玻璃的应用,加上一定的镶嵌,喷砂,或加上古典的压花,可以应用在很多地方,例如在玄关位置做隔断,既可以保证空间的完整性,又能起到分割的目的。也可以用在家具中,用作家具的柜门,或是桌面,使家具带有一定的通透性,也活跃了空间的氛围。而像电视、电脑等较大又不能缺少的设施,在设计中可以尽量的弱化,加强背景的设计,并且尽量让这些设施和背景融合,或者加以遮挡,暗藏在背景中。对于灯具、开关等小型设施,则可以灵活地设计成古朴的形式,让他们成为细节中的亮点。
新古典风格需要装饰的秩序感和层次性,但也同样有着开放的精神,本书每个新古典风格的家居设计中,都包含了一定的现代设施,从中可以看出,只要有巧妙的设计,古典和现代完全可以在一个环境中共存。