Tricks of the Trade: Niches
We are finally not talking about marketing, but design. Here, the focus is narrow, literally. A niche is negative space which is carved out of a plane, whether that be a wall of sheetrock, cabinetry, stone or other material. Niches make spaces look larger and more interesting by creating a sense of something lying beyond. They add a magical depth of space. In addition, niches can be almost any shape: round, square, rectangle, etc. These shallow recesses are usually ornamental, meaning they are oftentimes dressed with detailed plasterwork and carvings. Niches usually display objet d’arts: vases, sculpture, or art. Sometimes, they are just beautiful unto themselves, creating architectural interest.
