Think geometry and you will probably mentally conjure up trapezoids, cylinders, and spheres while being taken back to your middle school days of the compass and protractor. Whatever the memory, did you know that geometry plays a huge role when it comes to interior design and fashion? Angles and lines are all around us and when it comes to designing homes or clothes, this also holds true. Read on for more on Discern's take on this design trend. The Golden Ratio

The golden ratio occurs if the ratio of two quantities is the same as the ratio of their sum to the larger of the two quantities. Too confusing? It may be helpful to know that many buildings have been constructed according to this ratio, which has been proven to be more aesthetically pleasing to the eye. Examples include the Taj Mahal in Agra, CN Tower in Toronto, St.Mark’s Basilica in Venice and the Parthenon in Athens. Designers often use ratios to determine things like furniture to empty space or neutrals to dark colours. For example, a designer may choose to decorate using 60% neutrals, 30% dark colours, 10%warm accents, and 5% cool tones.



Going Retro

Geometric designs are hot this year. From fashion to art and photography, there are so many ways to appropriate geometry into your design. A great way to do this with flair is to use retro-inspired geometric prints, which have also been a big hit this year. Trends are cyclical and something that was popular a few years ago will surely see its moment in the sun again soon. Retro is one of those trends: sometimes in and never completely out, you’ll always find historical traces of the 60's and 70's in all designs. You don’t have to go all-out psychedelic, but a little groove never hurt anyone!



Clashing Prints

One of the biggest runway trends this year, mismatched prints are certainly having a moment. Interior designers have been doing the same thing for decades, and though it takes a certain kind of home to display them in, print clashing, when done right, can look extremely effective. Geometric prints are a great way to introduce print-on-print designs into your home. Try to keep both designs of similar sizes and with some sense of continuity either in design or colour, so as to not make the space seem visually overwhelmed.



Modern Muse

Modern art can be baffling. Zigzag lines and a few splashes of paint can hardly be worth the price tag, however these geometric designs aren’t a recent fad. In fact, the Ancient Greeks and Moroccans have been using angles since the 1900's. To stay contemporary you can pick stainless steel pieces that look super sleek, or enamel and vinyl details that add a touch of geek chic. The versatility and boldness of geometry have kept this trend alive and kicking through the ages.