Sculptures can enliven your house

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Putting art on walls is a common solution to the accessorizing aspect of interior design. Art completes our walls with beauty and color, complementing the rest of the decor. But if a feeling of motion is desired with something that adds more than a flat portrait, a sculpture is the answer.The sculpture's three-dimensional form adds zest, movement and liveliness to a room. Sculpture has a life of its own. Like a piece of furniture, it is free standing. Its front, sides and back are visible. It adds dimension within the room. Unlike furniture, you can't sit on it and a drink cannot be placed on it so it is not usable but nonetheless, sculpture has a purpose of its own. It interacts with the room and the room's inhabitants. The right sculpture might even evoke conversation, particularly if the art is a focal point in the room.For sculpture to emancipate itself from other ordinary accessories, it needs to have a special place in the room. This type of art needs a special backdrop such as a boldly colored wall to set the stage, or a niche in the wall to surround the sculpture. A pedestal, a table or a designated place on the floor (if the sculpture is too big for a pedestal) are other places where a sculpture can be displayed and can breathe and be admired.A room that is rather neutral can be transformed into one of interest with the right sculpture. The geometry, color and texture of the sculpture will add the missing element.A single piece of sculpture, if perfect, might be all that is necessary. Often though, several pieces that are complementary in some way, are better than one. In many cases, sculptures combined with other accessories are good. For example an abstract sculptured stone sitting atop a short pile of books with a vase of flowers nearby will complement each other and the entire room. A tall sculpture accompanied by a cascading plant will not only create interest but will also add dimension and geometry to the space.Another example is a lamp, a bowl (empty, with fruit or candy or with potpourri) and the right sculpture will work wonders for a blase room.A series of three or five items is always better than two or four. For some reason an odd number of accessories tends to create more interest than even ones.The above examples revolve around the 'three' idea. If the space such as a cocktail table needs more than three items, try this idea: Three candle holders, a wooden turtle and a cocktail table book. Those five pieces or similar ones should do the trick. Got the idea? Now get creative.(Rosemary Sadez Friedmann, an interior designer in Naples, Fla., is author of "Mystery of Color," available at Barnes & Noble Booksellers and Amazon.com.)