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The ornaments are used on only one side of each window; any more would make it pointlessly busy.

The Nature of Design: Simplicity

"Less is more" adds up to tasteful design because it uses one of Nature's design principles: simplicity, the interesting use of the essential and the omission of all unnecessary detail.

Design Analyst Marilia Duffles is a science and arts writer for The Financial Times and The Economist. Her writing reflects a unique understanding of both science and aesthetics. Her interior design work reflects her knowledge of the science behind it as well as her understanding of the ins-and-outs of decorating. Here she describes how simple designs can still be interesting:

  • Nature's designs embody simplicity.
    A tree is aesthetically pleasing because it's got only the necessary visual details: no more than two or three colors, shapes, or lines.

  • When you design with simplicity, you'll have enough details to hold interest, without making it challenging for the eye to capture the true essence of design.
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