Plain Edge Signs
It's Hip to be Square
When you're deciding on the design of your own house signs, the shape of the corners is an important consideration. Corners actually say a great deal about the attitude of the homeowner, and can communicate aspects of your personality to your guests and visitors.
Corners are not just the edges of house signs; they help to direct the eye, and give house signs an overall shape. Plain or square-edged house signs have a more businesslike appearance than those with rounded or inverted corners, and will lend a sense of modern practicality to your home. If you live in a very modern house, or you'd like to make the sharp angles of your home's facade more pronounced, then choosing a plain edge design for your house signs is probably a good idea.
Corner Aesthetics
Round corners are easy on the eyes, and imply a laid-back attitude, an easygoing demeanor, and a relaxed atmosphere. If you're looking at placing a house number plaque at your vacation home, round corners are definitely the way to go. If your family is just a fun-loving and low-stress group of people, these would also work well on your house signs.
Inverted corners sound trickier than they are. They're the "old-fashioned" look of corners with an inward point, creating a sort of "frame" around the house signs' text. A house with classical architecture or Victorian elements would not look out of place when decorated with house signs with inverted corners. Inverted corners are also fairly common on large or "estate" house signs, and could be construed as a symbol of wealth.
Square corners are spacially economical, classic, and clean. Plain edge house signs are an indication of order, lawfulness, and professionalism. Modern architecture, as well as "art deco" homes constructed during the 1920s and early 1930s, would look great with plain edge house signs decorating their doorways. Try coupling plain edge house signs with a "fun" font, or creating house signs with your home's humorous name, to create a juxtaposed design statement.
Breaking Out of the Box
Traditional plain edge house number signs are given new life with the art of three-dimensional signage. Professional sculptors can custom-carve each number of your address, the family name, a "welcome" sign - you name it - onto a square-edged surface. You could even create 'ordinary' house signs, but have the lettering or numerals 'breaking out of the box' in tangible three-dimensional form.
This is the best of both worlds: the clean lines and professional appearance of the plain edge house signs, with the added whimsy and creativity of unconventional design. House signs like this would not be easily forgotten, forever cementing your message in the minds of visitors and guests.
While plain edge home signs may have a connotation of professionalism and business mentality, they don't need to be boring. You should try creating some hip square-edged house signs yourself, and break out of the box.