Translating Design Concept From Sound To Physical Space: XX Remix Inspires Room

Hello!  Today I am starting a series of concept boards I plan to share with my readers.  The idea behind them is that a design for a physical space can be inspired by sound.  Long before I ever went to design school, I designed a few of my own rooms inspired by the mood that my favorite songs made me feel.  The result was that I created some of the most soothing and moody spaces I’ve ever designed.  I wanted to bring back the process and test it out with my post design-school skills.  I’d love some reader feedback!

I asked a few friends with amazing taste in music  to request songs that they would like to see transformed into physical space.  I put together a concept board for each.  Today I am going to share a concept board I put together to go with the XX remix of “You’ve Got The Love” by Florence and the Machine.  Thanks to Xenia for the inspiring song request!

Press play on the youtube video and see if you think the space reflects the mood of the song!

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1l4pDXbkic&w=420&h=315]

My music vocabulary isn’t highly developed, but I can verbalize the design elements that came to mind as I listened to the song.  Immediately the imagery in my mind went to a dark, mysterious space that had intergalactic elements like deep navy blue, black, and metallic starbursts.  The smooth lines of the harmony gave me the idea for using smooth curves.  The layering of xylophone, drum beat, male and female vocals among other sounds made me want to layer textures like the wool shag rug, tufted velvet sofa, silk throw pillow with a watery print, and bold marble mosaic art.   Her voice has a melancholy tone to and it translated to this vintage black steel revolver coffee table I found.

In the second part of the concept board, I used an actual image of Florence as art leaning on the wall behind a sleek black Saarinen tulip table.  I love motion of the blue sequin in the art.  Instead of using the obvious matching Saarinen tulip chairs, I used a set of “S” Chairs by Panton.  This gunmetal finish is a modern re-imagination of this classic chair.  I used silky drapery and a plush shag rug to extend the design element of layering rich textures.  The punchy beat of the song is reflected in this vintage 1960′s brass chandelier.  I grounded the space with deep gray concrete floors that mimic the mood that the male’s voice brings to the song.

Hopefully this will help my readers expand their search for inspiration into new realms!  Just listen for the elements of a song that speak to you and imagine what they might become in physical space.  Thanks for reading (and listening!).