Wallpaper as an accent

<br />Having an accent wall is popular  in home decorating, but many decorators are very selective or down right negative about the idea. I wrote at length about accent walls in another post and listed <a href="http://designinghome.blogspot.com/2011/01/5-reasons-to-have-accent-wall.html">5 reasons</a> to consider an accent wall. Accent walls either work well or are dismal failures. Make sure yours is in the successful category.   <br /><br />Recently a reader requested that  I write a post about using wallpaper  to create a focus wall.  Ask and you shall receive. Here are my thoughts on the topic. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The most obvious wall </b></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/125689/Golf-House-contemporary-bedroom-other-metros"><img alt="Golf House contemporary bedroom" border="0" height="300" src="http://st.houzz.com/simages/125689_0_8-0261-contemporary-bedroom.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="color: #444444;"><div style="text-align: center;"><small> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/mobili/angel-mangarakov" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Angel Mangarakov via Houzz</a></small></div><br /><small> </small><span style="font-size: small;">Any recessed area works well as an accent wall because it allows you to use the  architectural features of the room to good advantage. This bedroom shows how well a recessed feature can be highlighted . In addition, the paint colour totally supports the wallpaper design.  This is one of the biggest areas where you can mess up. </span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/96317/Living-Room-Chic-eclectic-bedroom-dallas"><img alt="Living Room Chic eclectic bedroom" border="0" height="400" src="http://st.houzz.com/simages/96317_0_8-7519-eclectic-bedroom.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designer/dallas" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;"></a> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/studioten25/abbe-fenimore-studio-ten-25" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Abbe Fenimore Studio Ten 25</a></small></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><small><span style="font-size: small;">This is another bedroom where the pattern beautifully accentuates everything else in the room.  The colour scheme is quiet and the wall colour blends well with the tones in the paper.  </span></small></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxOIS80hm4VKRYcrR-hyZwlSphrzsyCftw4_ovrVAHDDA2GBzft-K_HOb_hAXkdS5bYmuC0Ks0ASq2OrY1ECeWARoIQrI5fvpFKpEFCQRB7a8FyR7NsccHMw8iaoMfM1hnSQjSUbPag9_N/s1600/171277592048341367_qW4GmBR8_f.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxOIS80hm4VKRYcrR-hyZwlSphrzsyCftw4_ovrVAHDDA2GBzft-K_HOb_hAXkdS5bYmuC0Ks0ASq2OrY1ECeWARoIQrI5fvpFKpEFCQRB7a8FyR7NsccHMw8iaoMfM1hnSQjSUbPag9_N/s400/171277592048341367_qW4GmBR8_f.jpg" width="400" /></a><small><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></small><small> </small></div><div style="text-align: center;"><small><span style="font-size: small;"></span> </small><small><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.decorpad.com/photo.htm?photoId=33661">Decor Pad</a></span></small></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><small><span style="font-size: small;">This room has a completely different vibe with its pinkish red walls and white and black accent pattern.  It isn't a look I personally like because there is just too much colour for me. That doesn't make the design wrong. With the white furniture you really need  colour on the walls.  </span></small></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/372521/Queensway-master-contemporary-bedroom-toronto"><img alt="Queensway master contemporary bedroom" border="0" height="267" src="http://st.houzz.com/simages/372521_0_8-3620-contemporary-bedroom.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="color: #444444;"><div style="text-align: center;"><small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designer/toronto" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;"></a> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/luxdesign/lux-design-inc" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">LUX Design Inc.</a></small></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><small><span style="font-size: small;">The wall behind a bed is the most advantageous wall to accent The furniture placement  makes it the focal point in the room and you are merely enhancing it with your wallpaper choice.  Consider the effect that large mirrors have on this design.  The mirrored doors create two accent walls and the  impact effect is diminished and for some people it would be visually confusing.. </span></small></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><small> </small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/380665/David-Howell-Design-contemporary-bedroom-new-york"><img alt="David Howell Design contemporary bedroom" border="0" height="400" src="http://st.houzz.com/simages/380665_0_8-5230-contemporary-bedroom.jpg" width="303" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><small>  <a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/davidhowell/david-howell-design" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">David Howell Design</a></small></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><small><span style="font-size: small;">How do you feel about the accent wall in this room? Do you think the designer choose the best wall to highlight? Does the wall colour work well with the colour scheme in the wallpaper?  My answer would be negative on all counts.  To be fair, one could argue the use of pattern on the opposite wall as a way to  distribute visual  weight in the room. There's always more than one way to look at design. </span></small></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><small><b><span style="font-size: small;"> To highlight furniture</span></b></small></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1735660874" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6P5aICvPbQcgb2l1QZa_X-uu6sWNBoK_LCybni7abDo5jrKj1YkKedTvZtqXh8W8oT8KPKMsAQ5dAjxNjpEnOCVfUdpHUCL0ZzvrvB6M5VRw0D8UpA7nRNFQ5V3nfQZJ2hIQQf3sXc-h3/s400/171277592048341318_GOv56wNH_b.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1735660874"><small><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></small></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><small><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/mryall/for-your-walls/"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Pinterest </span></a></span></small></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><small><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Light coloured furniture always looks great with a pattern behind it.  When you add pattern that is this dark and strong remember to consider how it will look with what is happening in the next room. </span></span></span></small></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0U8v2kAZxWuLUj-6UgBwal7iclhF0hd7C5dNufWdk0hGbUOu73DaaSx9PV3x7DapCo0nb6BbMQiZFsmQGMeLaB3sKLmGfViaRLhvJhnCz4nnEKxno2k1HyMKtWxUKHdBaz2GMBf5jdDB0/s1600/171277592048341279_VVvhwKFG_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0U8v2kAZxWuLUj-6UgBwal7iclhF0hd7C5dNufWdk0hGbUOu73DaaSx9PV3x7DapCo0nb6BbMQiZFsmQGMeLaB3sKLmGfViaRLhvJhnCz4nnEKxno2k1HyMKtWxUKHdBaz2GMBf5jdDB0/s400/171277592048341279_VVvhwKFG_b.jpg" width="392" /></a><small><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></small><small><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></small></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/mryall/for-your-walls/"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Pinterest</span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Don't be afraid of large scale pattern on one wall.  There is lots of pattern in this room, but it works because the designer stuck to a tight colour scheme. When you choose bold patterns remember how much harder you have to work to find art that will hold its own on the pattern.  The two small pieces  above are lost in the pattern.  Something bolder and larger would have been a better choice. Sometimes the devil is in the smallest details.  When you look at this design what is the first thing you notice?  For me it's the sofa and not the patterned end wall.  Perhaps this is what the designer wanted to achieve and that might account for the downplay of art on the wallpaper.  Again, more than one way to look at things. </span> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b> Stand alone walls </b></span><b>and dividers</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv1iQtyqRkIwwNRYfDSbqGMgUAs-RH-BoP1_UAznh31M2Wn-kiYhDCeZ4zAvCRyfvTziz4nZn-pkhejfAJOOODliingUbVQeMLm6wMURJrnF8XLyE51r6-AlsWAJSDSEttMFRxk4nn-W8I/s1600/171277592048341266_J45ESbWF_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv1iQtyqRkIwwNRYfDSbqGMgUAs-RH-BoP1_UAznh31M2Wn-kiYhDCeZ4zAvCRyfvTziz4nZn-pkhejfAJOOODliingUbVQeMLm6wMURJrnF8XLyE51r6-AlsWAJSDSEttMFRxk4nn-W8I/s400/171277592048341266_J45ESbWF_b.jpg" width="305" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/mryall/for-your-walls/"> Pinterest </a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrVKqC6j1nBOiKhtsReacZWT60hvmUcmH0bf54nmxibTOHUclB4wSEc3NORfSu49KKtzgZm-vP4CBFKnDDNQqGvqSjlQTZYtmYbor52a-t4SjLMEHFpPs7P-DGyGN_ZDKr0UxxIFWZylmI/s1600/171277592048341312_xcIGpHmd_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrVKqC6j1nBOiKhtsReacZWT60hvmUcmH0bf54nmxibTOHUclB4wSEc3NORfSu49KKtzgZm-vP4CBFKnDDNQqGvqSjlQTZYtmYbor52a-t4SjLMEHFpPs7P-DGyGN_ZDKr0UxxIFWZylmI/s400/171277592048341312_xcIGpHmd_b.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/mryall/for-your-walls/">Pinterest </a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Look for opportunities to wallpaper where you have stand alone walls that will work well as an accent.  Often temporary walls or stand alone walls are used as dividers in condos or basement apartments.  It is a way to divide space without closing it off.  <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">  <b>Wallpaper as art </b></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUD7wATg2U4Fkz8FVyJ73DCVOrpc9M9QjkFEOZKyRF75L2C24rokuuy_BPsJqJkW9pf2JuLkBFQ3JdvpTw9VxDjcv6RCe_Jbe1cO9U8yQ9x56iTSCc1xXNuLofpyC1QrsYShP5epIiqrrp/s1600/171277592048341272_DyhwqMiv_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUD7wATg2U4Fkz8FVyJ73DCVOrpc9M9QjkFEOZKyRF75L2C24rokuuy_BPsJqJkW9pf2JuLkBFQ3JdvpTw9VxDjcv6RCe_Jbe1cO9U8yQ9x56iTSCc1xXNuLofpyC1QrsYShP5epIiqrrp/s400/171277592048341272_DyhwqMiv_b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN5C7ZZO9CXSaxgzRY8b-Ili1GdxHqm2gPbS9dOVO5NmrMqkCl0ljfEnXzPuFKxgLbiSzKFE0ru1XmYvIWccuh53dbZILFMS-6vapxVO84uKr_WnreTELMFsWGxY_O8otli48nfrCgNEsK/s1600/171277592048341276_vYFQw107_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN5C7ZZO9CXSaxgzRY8b-Ili1GdxHqm2gPbS9dOVO5NmrMqkCl0ljfEnXzPuFKxgLbiSzKFE0ru1XmYvIWccuh53dbZILFMS-6vapxVO84uKr_WnreTELMFsWGxY_O8otli48nfrCgNEsK/s400/171277592048341276_vYFQw107_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/mryall/for-your-walls/"> Pinterest </a></div><br /> Think about all the ways you could use wallpaper as art . Use trim to emphasize a design and fill in with wallpaper.  The sky's the limit for this. I particularly like the grid created for the dining room wall with two colours of wallpaper.  The colour tones work very well together. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Highlight a small area </b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB3gVDONj6fZIRFQddwFbMGbvAUXSs7AZl-zTrrowoOZbHmvO7rJn5mu9kpCZQXFz5ONVx1wjAvte47bP7p_a9tyoR5x4sTxBOtpQeiU9qRv3TP-wuVBIWm6uDQaZflIfbvqBpXlgx3lpu/s1600/171277592048341283_t2vWpv0j_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf2ZBB3e7axpIwKH7WGKtD7gqVnt9VPpK1msvJQP3MhbpLE-RnTKWlyZVcrlcvpvA8t7Djl-TD-61uQPZfxREl67ZEZ-k76dn8_2UlSbaxbEXNeFxWJkHyBwZQ9cqfHXIwTzbKQ_yULZM5/s1600/171277592048341327_vl0RYSHv_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf2ZBB3e7axpIwKH7WGKtD7gqVnt9VPpK1msvJQP3MhbpLE-RnTKWlyZVcrlcvpvA8t7Djl-TD-61uQPZfxREl67ZEZ-k76dn8_2UlSbaxbEXNeFxWJkHyBwZQ9cqfHXIwTzbKQ_yULZM5/s400/171277592048341327_vl0RYSHv_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.casacullen.com/2011/08/first-look-interior-inspiration-wallpapered-accent-wall.html">Casacullen</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://www.casacullen.com/2011/08/first-look-interior-inspiration-wallpapered-accent-wall.html"></a><br /> Fireplace walls  that extend beyond the  main wall offer a perfect place to add pattern.   You can be very bold because there isn't much pattern used.  Would you use these accents on the mantle or different ones?  Do they stand out or are the lost? Does the arrangement need some height.  Displaying objects against a bold pattern takes some thought . There's lots of choice in things to move around in this room. Check out lots of other images on this great <a href="http://www.casacullen.com/2011/08/first-look-interior-inspiration-wallpapered-accent-wall.html">post </a>about wallpaper accents.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3wmSsdAPCUF-b6QII45qu-wljLXpWFkcb8g16dbn-ElpO6XRVGgToXSGT2RJBk_DDI-DHs88_VDv3dWZq9WuOHiFric8f8xHPM0Bt15wMaKvffE3ajflwqGwTAmCrFiEH_gtdbjBrw305/s1600/179510735116698501_cWy1eaic_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3wmSsdAPCUF-b6QII45qu-wljLXpWFkcb8g16dbn-ElpO6XRVGgToXSGT2RJBk_DDI-DHs88_VDv3dWZq9WuOHiFric8f8xHPM0Bt15wMaKvffE3ajflwqGwTAmCrFiEH_gtdbjBrw305/s400/179510735116698501_cWy1eaic_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.housetohome.co.uk/living-room/picture/spring-fresh-living-room#idealhome">House to Home </a></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik-AK6o4wtTbptXwbN6XJs9m6zDv44nLy-VTu4x43jnhOovZCZkez4TR0Wn7e6uyHj1pndHXmsnliiLWzdaPAhO4dDemUlmys-ggYMvRUP9FuA7S3qy5UA2eS4DEnV-0h5krpkpp00dkSB/s1600/171277592048341322_JnMjjGHe_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik-AK6o4wtTbptXwbN6XJs9m6zDv44nLy-VTu4x43jnhOovZCZkez4TR0Wn7e6uyHj1pndHXmsnliiLWzdaPAhO4dDemUlmys-ggYMvRUP9FuA7S3qy5UA2eS4DEnV-0h5krpkpp00dkSB/s400/171277592048341322_JnMjjGHe_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://nestinstinct.blogspot.com/2011/01/wonders-of-wallpaper.html"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> From My Nest to Yours </span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf2ZBB3e7axpIwKH7WGKtD7gqVnt9VPpK1msvJQP3MhbpLE-RnTKWlyZVcrlcvpvA8t7Djl-TD-61uQPZfxREl67ZEZ-k76dn8_2UlSbaxbEXNeFxWJkHyBwZQ9cqfHXIwTzbKQ_yULZM5/s1600/171277592048341327_vl0RYSHv_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Define a  space with just a strip or two of wallpaper as a backdrop.  </div><br />And there you have it.  There are all kinds of ways to brighten your home with wallpaper accents.  This only scratches the surface.  You might want to refer to this other <a href="http://designinghome.blogspot.com/2011/02/many-uses-of-wallpaper.html">post </a>I wrote on the topic last year. I also have a growing collection of ideas for your walls on <a href="http://pinterest.com/mryall/for-your-walls/">Pinterest. </a></div>

Wallpaper as an accent

Having an accent wall is popular  in home decorating, but many decorators are very selective or down right negative about the idea. I wrote ...

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Thursday Tip # 3- Destination walls

<div style="text-align: center;"> What do these rooms have in common?</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/89230/Modern-Classic-contemporary-entry-san-francisco"><img alt="Modern Classic contemporary entry" border="0" height="400" src="http://st.houzz.com/simages/89230_0_8-6604-contemporary-entry.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary/entry" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;"></a> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/professional/4379/Jona-Collins" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Jona Collins</a></small></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/22779/highland-park-contemporary-dining-room-chicago"><img alt="highland park contemporary dining room" border="0" height="400" src="http://st.houzz.com/simages/22779_0_8-5390-contemporary-dining-room.jpg" width="309" /></a></div><div style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary/dining-room" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;"></a> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/professional/1711/PowellKleinschmidt-Inc" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Powell/Kleinschmidt, Inc.</a></small></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/45373/Woodside-Residence-contemporary-living-room-san-francisco"><img alt="Woodside Residence contemporary living room" border="0" height="400" src="http://st.houzz.com/simages/45373_0_8-7048-contemporary-living-room.jpg" width="262" /></a></div><div style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary/living-room" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;"></a> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/professional/5182/Fiorella-Design" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Fiorella Design</a></small></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/84272/HALL-modern-hall-other-metros"><img alt="HALL modern hall" border="0" height="400" src="http://st.houzz.com/simages/84272_0_8-0499-modern-hall.jpg" width="277" /></a></div><div style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/modern/hall" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;"></a> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/professional/11079/Elad-Gonen--Zeev-Beech" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Elad Gonen & Zeev Beech</a></small><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><small><span style="font-size: small;">All  of the walls featured are small  "destination walls" which you walk toward.  The darker colour draws the eye and helps to visually draw you toward them. They also serve to showcase the furniture that is in front of them.  Do you have a destination wall in your house that would like a shot of colour to help anchor it? Look at the end of hallways or in long narrow rooms.</span></small></div></div>

Thursday Tip # 3- Destination walls

 What do these rooms have in common? Jona Collins Powell/Kleinschmidt, Inc. Fiorella Design Elad Gonen & Zeev Beech All  of the wall...

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5 Reasons to have an accent wall

Should I have an accent wall? This is the most frequently asked  question that keeps popping up in conversation with clients.  Like every other decision made in design the answer depends on the room in question.<br /><br />Contemporary and modern interiors can  lend themselves to accent walls.  Personally I'm not a great lover of accent walls except in very specific situations.  I do not have any in my own home. I feel there are more subtle ways to make a room inviting and interesting.  Accent walls that employ extreme colour contrasts are definitely not one of my loves, unless they are designed very skillfully, they visually unbalance a room especially when the room is small.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">When should you think about using an accent wall in a room?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here are basic guidelines to help you decide if and where you may want an accent wall: </div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>1. To anchor or define a separate area within a larger space especially in open plan homes</b></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/83198/The-Neoteric-Classic-modern-kitchen-hawaii"><img alt="The Neoteric Classic modern kitchen" border="0" height="265" src="http://st.houzz.com/simages/83198_0_3-2203-modern-kitchen.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div><div style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/modern/kitchen" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;"></a>  <a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/professionals/4238/Archipelago-Hawaii-refined-island-designs" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">refined island designs</a></small><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The value of the colour of the accent wall  is kept in check with the overall look of the room.  It isn't jarring but it does help to define the seating area.  </span></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/27007/Alterstudio-modern-dining-room-austin"><img alt="Alterstudio modern dining room" border="0" height="400" src="http://st.houzz.com/simages/27007_0_3-0970-modern-dining-room.jpg" width="318" /></a></div><div style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/modern/dining-room" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;"></a><a href="http://www.houzz.com/professionals/architect/austin" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;"></a> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/professionals/3788/Alterstudio" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Alterstudio</a></small><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>2.To highlight a large focal point on or near a wall</b></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzycOZ_mm-CP35JTbMiP8xkDPyB9Otu9tYrLdwXcuGXTLRt08DmS5Xugl7aL7xT27Tpr5h4Ya_47ARUsJx_o1wlBkPjjtITbRNbGcQguTEOL8EGDd1Xa3fpwBfWIMYS5Fyt-IOTWQG_wom/s1600/country_modern_living_room.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzycOZ_mm-CP35JTbMiP8xkDPyB9Otu9tYrLdwXcuGXTLRt08DmS5Xugl7aL7xT27Tpr5h4Ya_47ARUsJx_o1wlBkPjjtITbRNbGcQguTEOL8EGDd1Xa3fpwBfWIMYS5Fyt-IOTWQG_wom/s400/country_modern_living_room.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.porterhousedesigns.com/colorsizzle/a-real-accent-wall">source</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The addition of red/rose to the recessed areas of the wall further highlights the fireplace and creates a commanding focal area in a small room. The focal colour is well distributed around the room providing good colour balance.</div><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/21176/Interior-re-design-and-interior-re-designers-Blacksheep-Design-UK-are-residentia-contemporary-living-room-london"><img alt="Interior re-design and interior re-designers-Blacksheep Design UK are residentia contemporary living room" border="0" height="291" src="http://st.houzz.com/simages/21176_0_3-7620-contemporary-living-room.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="color: #444444;"><small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary/living-room" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;"></a> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/professionals/1738/Blacksheep" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Blacksheep</a></small></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">The lighter taupe colour used to accent the firplace is soft and helps to focus the eye on the fireplace wall without overwhelming the overall quiet tone of this room. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><b>3.To pull a viewer's eye through a room</b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEKBeophN56_PwcKP-gJpR8BCFjZyhGtBoSCSW87vKmPwCQwvaMKUNVuZSGlmR9bQ2d_8uKLhv7cvuRjH1UvSEXY1pvlTw_9c0WBLeSDmXqION5RbN6FmGGQB9siUwA565bgN2p048B55u/s1600/accent+er.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEKBeophN56_PwcKP-gJpR8BCFjZyhGtBoSCSW87vKmPwCQwvaMKUNVuZSGlmR9bQ2d_8uKLhv7cvuRjH1UvSEXY1pvlTw_9c0WBLeSDmXqION5RbN6FmGGQB9siUwA565bgN2p048B55u/s400/accent+er.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.genuinestyle.net/minimalist-interior-design-idea-for-living-room/"> source</a></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Your  eye automatically moves through this space to the opposite wall. The same effect could be achieved with a less intense colour though.  Why do so many people automatically use red on accent walls?  In small spaces intense warm colours  make the wall advance and shrink the space visually when you should be thinking about enlarging it. </span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/28114/Green-and-white-kitchen-eclectic-kitchen-los-angeles"><br /></a></div><div style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/75254/Living-Areas-eclectic-living-room-miami"><img alt="Living Areas eclectic living room" border="0" height="400" src="http://st.houzz.com/simages/75254_0_3-4663-eclectic-living-room.jpg" width="298" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil8SdXKueqv5R5LWxZ_ME9oS_zfquH41bh355GjntPgVCCTSeqDWCXXg1z8C3K2nGwJu9rfRgpgWcHRqzFzw6JwDHvn1bx1RfFeRwUF2p4gyyw2jpAo7pbA6bq4_Dg7n9QdUeQ7f74bIWr/s1600/8-Laura-Ashley-lg--gt_full_width_landscape.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div><div style="color: #444444;"><div style="text-align: center;"><small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/eclectic/living-room" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;"></a> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/professionals/10001/David-Churchill" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Houzz</a></small></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><small><span style="font-size: small;">In this room  your eye is caught by the red area rug initially but the use of the gray blue on the wall in the next room makes the space seem like it is going on forever.  </span></small></div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxQvj1oDO0oz7QzPh1H7UmYIlJmHjjEFCZr4h2d-DqebNN3HRBqBxkhN9CJzYLtRqXX7kZDCzBILtIin64KiAavBTm5B8lfpnjf0mxSPWaCgjpzRhlqYdP9SuyvJW-valTMpkkgWFAotq2/s1600/my+home+ideas+haverty%2527s-l.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxQvj1oDO0oz7QzPh1H7UmYIlJmHjjEFCZr4h2d-DqebNN3HRBqBxkhN9CJzYLtRqXX7kZDCzBILtIin64KiAavBTm5B8lfpnjf0mxSPWaCgjpzRhlqYdP9SuyvJW-valTMpkkgWFAotq2/s400/my+home+ideas+haverty%2527s-l.jpg" width="400" /></a><small> <a href="http://www.myhomeideas.com/room-galleries/bold-statement-00415000067428/index.html">source</a></small><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><small><span style="font-size: small;">This is a skillful use of an accent wall to pull the viewer through the room .  It also highlight the door and the addition of the vertical metal wall art is perfect for the space. The red also pulls the accent colour through the room.  </span></small></div></div></div><div style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><b>4. To  visually change the proportions of a room - visually enlarge or shrink it</b></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/88193/dining-room--dining-room-"><img alt="dining room dining room" border="0" height="640" src="http://st.houzz.com/simages/88193_0_3-4813--dining-room.jpg" width="441" /></a> </div><div style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/dining-room" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;"></a><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/professionals/11079/Elad-Gonen--Zeev-Beech" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Houzz</a></small><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><small><span style="font-size: small;">This large space is controlled by the use of the dark accent wall which anchors the space and also provides a backdrop for the dining table. </span> </small></div><br /><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/22771/highland-park-contemporary-dining-room-chicago"><img alt="highland park contemporary dining room" border="0" height="640" src="http://st.houzz.com/simages/22771_0_8-5409-contemporary-dining-room.jpg" width="492" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><small> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/professionals/1711/PowellKleinschmidt-Inc" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Powell/Kleinschmidt, Inc.</a></small></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Long narrow rooms can usually take an accent wall which helps to visually shorten the space. The yellow in the artwork adds to this effect. </div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>5.To provide a backdrop that frames a room's furniture arrangement (typically the first wall you see when you enter a room).</b></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_W7Sg4i7e6_V-BL_eoq-v0DZg_XyWl-ML8Zp0alptzqqVSX7ML_R3oIUMYVUyDOwn3V-ZOUQWg16xv0nFuAFiih1vNd_1qLaDcCAcrG40srEb1RAuYv9aucF_HoISh-FK7xVc8Y_FFv-/s1600/tumblr_l0ilbt6b9K1qa3fn7.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_W7Sg4i7e6_V-BL_eoq-v0DZg_XyWl-ML8Zp0alptzqqVSX7ML_R3oIUMYVUyDOwn3V-ZOUQWg16xv0nFuAFiih1vNd_1qLaDcCAcrG40srEb1RAuYv9aucF_HoISh-FK7xVc8Y_FFv-/s400/tumblr_l0ilbt6b9K1qa3fn7.png" width="400" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/21988/Bedroom-Retreat-modern-bedroom-new-york">source</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I love everything about this soft and inviting room.   The accent wall quietly does it job of focusing the eye and highlighting the minimal furniture arrangement. The three piece of art are a great finishing touch.</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/85976/Aquamar-Bathtub-modern-bathroom-miami"><img alt="Aquamar Bathtub modern bathroom" border="0" height="282" src="http://st.houzz.com/simages/85976_0_3-0061-modern-bathroom.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div><div style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/modern/bathroom" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;"></a> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/professionals/6235/PSCBATH" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">PSCBATH</a></small><br /><small>  <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></small><br /><div style="color: black;"><small><span style="font-size: small;">You certainly can't ignore this bathtub.  The splash of red that anchors it makes the room. </span></small></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/70869/Living-Room-eclectic-living-room-philadelphia"><br /></a><br /><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/70869/Living-Room-eclectic-living-room-philadelphia"><br /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Then there are the accent walls that might have been better placed in a room or left out entirely because they cause confusion. As always , this is my humble opinion.  </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiet2pikt0z8TfptfmUoonarS9YktR_riWApzj8qu0tzzoDp-Xq7KQs6i7w7dGOAn39Qkn5vkSSaxH5xtQribI5JLFkZJ4skBkrjfiDxBoyxr9cYZdq6XC1lzbjVlTNlEjMhdGgDFenCHra/s1600/111308accent-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiet2pikt0z8TfptfmUoonarS9YktR_riWApzj8qu0tzzoDp-Xq7KQs6i7w7dGOAn39Qkn5vkSSaxH5xtQribI5JLFkZJ4skBkrjfiDxBoyxr9cYZdq6XC1lzbjVlTNlEjMhdGgDFenCHra/s400/111308accent-01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/la/look/roundup-painted-accent-walls-and-why-we-love-them-069354">source</a></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">If I were choosing a wall to accent in this room it would not be the back wall because it is  not the focal point in the room.  Everything points to the fireplace wall including the furniture arrangement. If you felt the far wall needed interest, a large piece of art or an arrangement of art work hung at viewing level would help bring this wall  back into the room.   </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Are you a fan of accent walls? </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>

5 Reasons to have an accent wall

Should I have an accent wall? This is the most frequently asked  question that keeps popping up in conversation with clients.  Like every ot...

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