You don’t have to be an interior designer to know about the concept of a focal point or accent wall. Every television designer and diy design books discuss it as a simple way to add interest to space. This concept is completely true. Every space should contain a heierarchy of features to creat unity. Hotels in Las Vegas, for example, use focal point and interest features, which is why it is known to be overwhelming and a place of sensory overload. Even minimalist spaces have focal points that come out in the architecture rather than furnishing and finishes. Unfortunately, the solution to accent walls and focal points has become standardized to simply applying a bold color or wall covering to one wall. My thought is: if you want to be bold, why not paint your whole room that outrageous color or pattern and let the simple aspects become the focal points? However, I do understand some people do not want to be bold but do want to try and create that hierarchy of visual features. After browsing one my new favorite blogs by Kim Myles, one of her posts showcase the alternative to the typical accent wall. You can see the entire article at http://www.kimmyles.com/wordpress/?p=2062 Basically instead of covering the entire wall in a wallpaper – why not frame it in and showcase it in panelings to make it look like a piece of art? It can frame out the furniture piece in front of it drawn attention to it as a design feature as opposed to a wall finish. Below is a gorgeous example of this from her article. Again, of you want to see more photos please visit her site.

This designer is using the panel as an over sized headboard in a bedroom, but you can use this same thing in a living room behind a sofa. Even think about using fabric or tufting a framed in position for even more of a twist.

The focal point in the bedroom is always the headboard – so it is hard to break away from the norms of its design. Headboards however have very historic roots and has been apart of our culture for a long time. In ancient Egypt, it was believed that people carried all of their power in their head, so the beds used neck rest and a downward slating bed to keep the brain elevated so the knowledge wouldn’t fall out the top of the head. In the middle ages, simple furniture forms were common so the use of textiles and fabrics because very important. The bedroom was especially a place of status and it was common to encase the entire bed in fabrics. On the wall behind the bed there was a textile hung called the “bed head” and based on its woven pattern display, told people about the person’s status and importance. The emphasis on the place of rest and what it around a person’s head when they sleep is something that has continued into the modern day with the popular use of headboards. However, the tradition form can be challenged to reflect something more historic or something completely innovative. Kim has some great headboard photos but I have chose some examples she put up on two dimensional headboards.

As I was talking about earlier, instead of covering hte entire wall with an accent wallcovering, these wall papers have made the headboard the focal point and let the simple walls emphasize the sleeping area. Doing this is also very easy, and such a unique take on the traditional headboard.

I hope these examples has given you some ways to create different focal points in your spaces and has encouraged you to break down design norms. Hope every one has a wonderful Halloween weekend! Please share your fall design ideas and photos with us!

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