Inverse Corners
Keeping the Past Alive
Inverse corners are turned inward, rather than out. This gives the corners a 'scalloped' look, directing the eye inwards and giving the whole object a bit of romantic or Renaissance charm. Square corners tend to look modern, whereas inverse corners appear old-fashioned and focused on heritage.
For example, suppose you were buying a house number sign for your Victorian-era home. A square-edged, minimalist house number sign would look unnatural on such a building, and would stick out from the design of the home itself. A house number sign with inverse corners, perhaps one made of varnished timber, would complement the home and fit seamlessly into its design.
Architectural Cohesion
Whenever you buy decoration for the exterior of your home, whether it's a house number sign, a fountain, or a sculpture, you should take into account the way it will appear alongside your house. A pink plastic flamingo would look strange and unexpected in the lawn of a stately Victorian estate, whereas a replica of the Venus de Milo might seem more fitting. Likewise, home signs must be considered based on the architecture they are meant to accent, and not judged solely on their own merit.
It's easy, while designing a house number sign, to become so focused on the image itself that you forget about the house behind it. Consider the repeated shapes and angles of your home, both interior and exterior; then try to incorporate those design ideas into your house number sign.
The Science and Psychology of Color
If your home is white and black, try to stick with that theme for the house number plaque, or choose a solid separate color as an accent. A mixture of bright, vibrant colors should be avoided, although high contrast is always a good idea for house number signs. Using the colors present around your home - your garden, your car, your roof - will help to give the impression that the house number sign is an actual part of the house, rather than an attached accessory.
If your house number sign has golden accents, including a painted graphic on the same house number sign might be too visually distracting. An effective house number sign has to clearly and concisely communicate the address to passersby, and cluttering your house number sign with pictures or details is generally not a good idea. If you're uncertain, or can't make up your mind, contact the house number sign manufacturer directly for guidance and assistance.
If your home is old-fashioned, your house sign should also be old-fashioned. Designing the exterior of your home is an art form that homeowners across the world struggle to master. The house number sign can be the easiest part, though, if you pay close attention to the details.