Cloud and Ruyi Patterns: The Only Allowed Curves

A set of contemporary details using curved patterns. In a predominantly rectilinear space, curves appear in only three places: the handles of cabinet doors are simplified ruyi shapes—a symmetrical profile with a central indentation and outward-curling sides; the upper edge of a wall niche is a soft cloud-head curve; the lower edge of the apron of a coffee table has a shallow scrolling cloud molding. These curves are greatly simplified—only the most basic outward curl and inward retraction remain, without layers of cloud heads or complex variations, resulting in clean lines. Materials are dark wood and brass. The surrounding areas are entirely composed of straight lines and right angles. Avoid: using complex, layered cloud patterns, allowing curves to appear in multiple places to become the main theme, making the ruyi into a realistic object shape, adding polychrome painting and gilding.

Translated from Chinese by AI.

一組使用曲線紋樣的當代細部。在一個以直線為主的空間裡,曲線只出現在三處:櫃體門片的把手做成簡化的如意形——一個左右對稱、中央凹入兩側外捲的輪廓;一道牆面壁龕的上緣是一道柔和的雲頭曲線;桌几的牙板下緣有一道淺淺的卷雲線腳。這些曲線都被大幅簡化——只剩下最基本的一次外捲與內收,沒有層層疊疊的雲頭與繁複的變化,線條乾淨。材料是深色木與黃銅。周邊全部是直線與直角。避免:使用層層疊疊的繁複雲紋、讓曲線出現在多處變成主調、把如意做成寫實的器物造型、加入彩繪與貼金。