Re: THE INDISPENSABLE JULIE KHUU ON CREATING FOCAL... - Page 2

Nonametoday · ‎03-09-2010

@Foxxee wrote:
I've been referring to focal points here at times, so thanks for locating someone who can address what I think adds balance to the room and sense to furniture placement.

I think she is great at explaining what it is and how to use it, however, in my opinion, she is using examples of some rooms that are a bit heavy handed, often over accessorizing and detracting from focal points particularly around fireplaces.

The room below for example. I don't remember if she was using the fireplace as the focal point or was including it with a focal wall, but I think the fireplace IS the focal point.

The first pieces I see are the large mirrors, not the fireplace. In view of the large mirrors; although, I don't think anything used over the fireplace should be larger than it is, the smaller paintings used here are diminishing, not enhancing the fireplace.

Another example below of detracting from the fireplace. The first pieces I notice are the large cabinet and painting on the sides and all the accessories around them, not the fireplace. Not that they look bad, they are too large and noticeable to be used here. The mirror looks nice.

No doubt, in the photo below, the painting above the fireplace is the first accessory noticed overwhelming the room and the fireplace. In fact, the fireplace, other than it is darker than the rest of the room, is barely noticeable at first glance.

Although, the photo below is not my style, I think this is a good example of creating a wall focal point. The painting stands on its own and is not fighting a lot of other pieces on the wall.

However, it looks like there is a fireplace to the left that, in my opinion, should have been the only focal point.

Considering furniture placement, positioned appropriately in relation to the fireplace, this designer created two focal points. I think this arrangement can work, though, since the subtle painting doesn't necessarily detract or fight with the fireplace, but I'd give the fireplace more presence.

Since it's the same color as the wall, I'd do that by adding a unique screen and fireplace accessories or painting it a different color. So what color would be appropriate in this neutral room? Blue, green, red? Don't think so. Brown would be good, but a brown fireplace?...not for me.

Using a darker color window treatment would help focus on the fireplace, particularly if there was a window on the other side. I might do both, darker curtains and use an interesting screen and accessories.

@Foxxee

I agree with you here that there are two focal points in this room. I had that addressed by my instructor in my class and she said that often you are unable to have a main focal point and that depending on your situation, you may find you have two focal points. I cannot remember the examples she gave but I believe one was a fireplace and the other was a sofa with a large piece of artwork that consumed the whole wall, but in the case she had them opposite each other, not one to the side like this.

However, noted in the room with the twin mirrors on either side of the fireplace, the fireplace was somewhat underwhelming. Had I been doing that room, I would have used two skinny mirrors on either side (or art work) less intimidating, and would have placed a big prominent mirror (or artwork) over the fireplace to it can take the place of prominence. The fireplace should be the big hill and the sides (where the mirrors are) should serve to create small hills for the valleys in between. JMHO.

Nonametoday · ‎03-09-2010

@Oznell @Foxxee @wilma

I love having these different opinions on decor. It really makes me thing about all the mistakes I have made and continue to make and it forces me to look at my place anew and correct some of the things I have done inadvertently.

P.S. I went to work on redoing my kitchen today, not painting or designing but trying to remove some of the things on my counters. I even went to Home Goods and bought some trays and risers. LOL. I thank you all. I am getting back to wanting to correct things that can now be corrected that I have a little more time since DH is beginning to be less demanding.

Foxxee · ‎10-03-2014

@Nonametoday wrote:
@Oznell @Foxxee

The fireplace, the cabinet and the painting create hills and valleys. The fireplace with the mirror is the hill and there are valleys and then the painting and cabinet form smaller hills. That is what makes the symmetry but the fireplace maintains its position as focal point. JMHO.

In that silly little ConEd class I took on decorating, we were told that creating hills and valleys (low, high, low) creates symmetry and flow.

Oznell · ‎11-08-2014

That course you took wasn't silly after all, @Nonametoday -- I think Julie Khuu mentions the same important point about the eye going up and down.

Your and @Foxxee 's analysis of the dual mirrors being too beefy either side of the fireplace in that first image seems spot on. Making them have more of a "supporting" role would restore balance and give that stunning fireplace the prominence it deserves...

Love hearing the points you guys are making!