How to create a focal point

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One of the rooms we're working on this week is making us get clever with focal points.  So what is focal point you ask? (although I'm sure you already know, or at least have a good idea)

But, for those of you not yet “in the know”, just think back of your grandparents days.  Every living room had a fireplace, situated on the main wall of the room. With an overmantle mirror, painting, or family photos hung above it, the fireplace “filled” the wall and drew your attention. This was the "focal point" of the room... 

Today, the fireplace is a dying detail in many modern homes, and we are forced to look to other ways to "anchor" a room. In current times it's often the flat screen TV that takes pride of place, that people congregate around, and that brings families together. And in some rooms, this ultra modern, high tech look fits the feel of the space to a tee. And quite honestly, with the price of some of the high tech equipment out there, it's understandable that you don't want to hide it once you've bought it!

But in homes that veer towards the more classically elegant, or country styles, then the “visible TV” syndrome can become problematic. If your lucky enough to have a room full of architectural detailing then the it's relatively easy to find a way to integrate the screen into the overall detailing.

Built-ins that are sympathetic with the existing details are a classical choice, and one that can actually add value to your home, when made, and installed to the right quality level.

But if your room is short on detail, or you don't wish to go down the built-in path, then attention can be drawn away from the screen, by using patterned wall coverings, or large scale print features. This enlarges the point of interest, extending your attention over a larger area and diluting the visibility of the screen.

However, the space we're working on has no “visible TV syndrome” to hamper our design, simply because it's not a living room. What is does have however is...no features at all!

It's a "simple space": the area that missed out on moldings, detailing and architectural interest. Now don't get us wrong,we love simple spaces. They offer us either a blank canvas to get creative on, or a modern space to keep minimal, so we know there is always a solution out there. But this space is definitely lacking a large chunk of “wow” factor.  

Want to know our solution? Then keep posted! we'll tell you all when it's decided.

Because this is real work in progress, and we're as excited as you are to see the results.

Isn't interior design great!