Creating accents in a home is a very special thing – and it doesn’t have to be hard or expensive, if you give it a little thought.
By Designer Jackie Glass
Call me crazy, but after all the boxes of holiday decorations are put away, I like to take a good look at my home, and am always inspired to do a mini refresh of some kind. Nothing too serious, though: it can be as simple as moving some furniture around, or buying bouquets of spring-like flowers to brighten up corners or surfaces in my home.
I love a good focal point, and I’m often inspired after a holiday or other event to create a new one somewhere in my home. There are so many great ideas to do just that, and you can transform any space without a major overhaul.
Not long ago, I was working on a design project for a client and she expressed a wish for some colourful accents throughout her home. Her colour palette was neutral, but I understood her wish to have some standout features. So we arched some regular openings, and framed in other door openings in crisp black metal. The look was very sharp and it definitely made her home more unique!
An accent wall is an easy and inexpensive way to add drama and create an instant focal point. Simply choose one wall and paint it in a different, and usually strong, wall colour that complements your existing colour palette.
Alternatively, consider using black or charcoal. The eye is immediately drawn to this achromatic tone. (Adding a collage of black and white art framed in white makes for a dramatic presentation.)
The great thing about painting one wall is that you save on the quantity of paint needed, plus your time. When you get tired of it (or move), repainting a single wall is an easy fix!
One very special alternative to painting a full wall is to try painting a “faux” arch. (It creates an eclectic and boho feel that I personally love.)
How about trimming out an entranceway wall and painting it all out in one colour? The eye automatically sees the trim detail. I call this the “Parisian apartment” look. Everything is painted one colour, but you still perceive the detailing. So subtle and so effective.
Wood slats or fluted wood panelling have been having a moment. Consider doing this on a wall behind a bed; it makes for a fresh modern feel. You could also use it as a backsplash or on cabinet detailing.
Shiplap is still alive and well, and I love using it both inside and for exterior finishes. It gives perfect beach vibes.
Another option is to install wood strips horizontally. This naturally lowers a wall, and makes a nice backdrop in a bedroom or family room. I have a friend who used flooring material on her wall to create the most amazing herringbone headboard!
Vertical panelling creates the illusion of height and complements mid-century or Scandi decor. You generally only need one wall for this dramatic installation.
Another easy way to create an eye-catching focal point is using wallpaper. We know wallpaper is having a wonderful resurgence these days. And murals are having a moment too! Selecting a single wall – whether in a small powder room, dining room or bedroom – and papering it boldly makes an exciting statement. Don’t be afraid to choose large-scale patterns, even in small rooms.
I especially love murals that mimic natural materials like concrete. Used as a backdrop, they work so well to create an industrial vibe. The 3-D effect is very realistic.
And don’t forget about textured wallpaper! Grasscloth has such a modern feel, and used on the back wall of a shelving unit, definitely creates a statement.
Tiling a wall is another way to create a focal point. In my own kitchen, instead of installing shelves on either side of my stainless steel exhaust fan, I decided to tile the entire wall in a marble herringbone pattern. I love its drama and simplicity.
The concept of creating a focal point is not just limited to your walls. Consider painting a piece of furniture or a wall unit: a contrasting colour will pull attention to it.
Enter the fireplace, which of course is a natural focal point in any room. I love to use a single colour to paint the brick around fireplaces, including the wall above and beside it – even if that includes built-in wall cabinets. Firelight draws us to it, and painting out the entire wall is a neat way to harness the glow.
A simpler option to create visual interest in a room is using artwork. I love a wall filled with eclectic pieces. It takes some finesse, but a good focal wall filled with art can look gorgeous. Try laying your art on the floor to create a “grid.” Find a common denominator, like colour or similar frames. Then add something unexpected!
If you have a great view, consider painting the window frame a bold colour to “frame” it. Or why not paint out the trim in a room in a contrasting colour? Instant impact.
Here’s the easiest idea of all: gather an amazing foraged bouquet of wildflowers on a walk, or arrange a huge bouquet of roses in a single colour. I often put a bouquet like this in my entranceway, and it makes a beautiful bold statement.
It literally can be that simple, and that impactful.
