Creating a focal point

Every room needs to have a focal point, or f-o-c-u-s. Most rooms naturally have some type of architectural "direction", such as a fireplace, built-in, or view. But every room needs an anchor for which the furnishings revolve around.

Vern Yip

If your home got left out of the focal point lottery, choose your focus and create one. Add a TV with a large furniture console underneath it. Focus your furnishings around a beautiful art piece, or purchase a piece of furniture that commands attention (like an armoire, a console, or a piano) and anchor your furniture around it.

AB Design elements

Use bright or bold colour hues to create a focal point. You can also use bold patterns, a bold colored sofa, or use a beautiful area rug to draw the eye effortlessly around the room. The room shown below, used bold color, attractive art, texture, and as a design surprise added a book nook above the seating arrangement. Instead of creating the focal point in front of the room, Shane kept the focus on the main furniture wall. Brilliant!

Shane Reilly

We are not all blessed with beautiful views, but if you have a great window, or view, arrange the furniture to take complete advantage of it. Add draperies to frame the windows and accentuate the view and draw your eyes to the scenery beyond. See the photo below? No need for a TV! My goodness I could stare at that for hours!

Autojogja.com

Don't forget to follow us on twitter! 
And become a FAN on our AB HOME facebook fanpage!

Amanda Burdge discusses the Items we love

The mod graphic prints from Swedish designer Orla Kiely will soon be available at Target. A new and fantastically affordable home wares line will include serving trays, tumblers, mugs and chic aprons. Kiely’s retro-inspired designs will be available starting February, both in stores and online. target.com

Inspiration for the Brush Vase started with a tin can full of brushes in my studio," says designer Harry Allen. Known for his unique and often quirky artistic vision—his gold-leafed replica of a baby pig became a must-have piece for any adventurous designer—Allen asks us to look at ordinary items in a new light. The vase includes a custom form fitting glass insert to hold water and is available in both chrome and white. areaware.com

Fireplaces by Napoleon. Available in gas or electric these beautiful fireplaces are now available in numerous contemporary options.

Let your drapes take shape with magnetic curtains from swiss designer Florian Krautli. The fabric has embedded magnets so the pliable fabric can be gathered into a variety of fun shapes.

The hand-carved Raw chairs are Swedish designer Jens Fager’s spin on traditional seating for Muuto (special order; aplusrstore.com).