Stand up and take notice Stand up and take notice (May 21, 2004)

Creating a focal point brings harmony and balance to a room

By Kit Davey

Every room needs a focal point. It's usually the first thing people notice when they walk into a room. Creating a compelling focal point not only allows you to express your unique style, but makes a room feel "pulled together," balanced and harmonious. If you don't have one, the space can feel disjointed and boring.

So how can you create an eye-grabbing focal point in each room of your home? Grab a note pad and spend a little time analyzing each room. Get the fresh perspective of a friend and have him/her walk through your home to help you identify each room's strong point. Note which rooms need strengthening and where you need to create or re-position a focal point.

The architecture of a room usually dictates where you establish your focal point. Living and family rooms typically have the fireplace, an entertainment center or a view window as the centerpiece, and the furniture is grouped to honor this feature. If that's the case in your living room, make sure the area is worthy of your gaze.

Clean out the fireplace and put something in it. (At the minimum, layer logs and pine fronds in it). Rearrange the items on your mantel. Paint the fireplace wall an unusual color. If the view's the focal point, clean the drapes, window and window sill and make sure the garden has bright blossoms or an unusual sculpture piece to view. If your entertainment center takes command of the room, stash video clutter, display choice accessories and add a healthy plant or two to one of the shelves.

If your living or family room does not have an architectural feature around which to group the furniture, create your own area of interest:

* Hang a large-scale piece of art on the wall and illuminate it with a spotlight. Or, mount several wall shelves, from floor to ceiling, and lean a collection of framed photographs or artwork on them.

* Create an "altar of beauty." Place a dresser, console table or credenza against one wall, flank it with your extra dining room chairs, hang art or a mirror over it and arrange a few beautiful accessories on top.

* Place a bookcase against the wall, fill it two-thirds full of books and display a collection or your favorite accessories in openings between stacks of books. In each case above you would then position the furniture in front of your new focal point as if it were a fireplace.

In the bedroom, the space over the bed usually commands the most attention. Don't leave it vacant! Most people hang framed art here, but in earthquake country you should probably use something that won't hurt if it lands on you:

* Install a curtain set that matches your comforter from a rod with unusual finials.

* Paint the wall a contrasting color.

* Hang a rug, quilt or patterned blanket from a quilt hanger.

* Display a collections of hats, antique lingerie, gloves or handkerchiefs.

If your dresser draws the eye more than your bed, make sure you place a beautiful mirror or piece of art over it and arrange a few accessories on top which make you feel good to look at. Stash all your clutter in the top drawer so the dresser top is always appealing.

The toilet is usually the first thing that grabs your eye when you walk into the powder room. Draw the eye away from it by creating a vignette on the vanity top, on top of or above the toilet tank, or emphasizing the window.

A small shelf unit can house trinkets, a few antique books and a vase of flowers. Painting the window molding an unusual color, installing shutters and adding vibrant curtains or hanging a piece of stained glass can give more strength to the window.

Kitchens are usually cluttered because of all the paraphernalia we need to keep out for everyday cooking. Even with all that's going on in this space you can still create a zone of visual strength:

* Keep the kitchen table cleared when not in use and put a potted plant or vase of fresh flowers on it.

* Create a "house altar" on the windowsill over the sink.

* Use a baker's rack or bookcase to display a treasured collection.

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