Hit the bull’s eye

Emphasis or focal points are the principles of art that draw attention to a specific location at work. The same principle applies to home interiors. Mostly art and interior have at least one focal point. The idea of a focal point is to concentrate our attention on the target. The emphasis usually accentuates concepts, themes or ideas that the artist or designer wants to express. A design without focal point is muted with little or no variations. The idea behind emphasis is to create conceptual linkage between the whole designs and softly blend the whole design with the theme. The whole interior of the room becomes a composition and sings of harmony.

Various focal points: The focal point in a room can be an architectural feature or an artificially created feature. An artificial feature can be a picture, mirror or dramatic piece of furniture, whereas an architectural feature can be an arch, niche, bay or just the contour of the room. The focal point in a living area can be the fireplace or anything that is large, interesting or commanding. It can be a large window that frames a view of the garden or a special piece of furniture. In home theatres or TV rooms, the plasma unit is essentially the focal points, while in bedrooms, attention usually centers on the bed. To make the bed more interesting, bed linens, curtains, light lamps and accessories add more drama to the room. Kitchen usually has limited space but the back splash can be clearly demarcated to be dressed up as a focal point. Changes in tiles by using highlighters or having a SS back splash are a few ideas for inspiration. The overhead cabinet can host collectables to enhance the overall look. Bathrooms generally have a highlighter tile to highlight. A creative way to highlight would be to add niches and use a different set of tiles to emphasise its presence. The vanity mirror can be added to serve as a focal point. In dining area, the focal point has to be the dining table. To keep a dining table impressive, a pretty tablecloth, coordinating napkins, fresh flowers, matching plates and bowls and a dangler focusing light in the centre are the best options. Hallways or passage are generally the most boring area of the residence. A focal point at the extreme end of hallway can solve this problem. Focusing on the nameplate in the exteriors of the building is important to add an identity to the building. While a focal point is the anchor of the room, it is very important that other things are built around this point to make it complete and more interesting. Say, if you are highlighting a TV unit, stick a wallpaper that blends with the unit. A painting on the wall facing the TV unit, just a flower vase, a tablemat or a place mat... all create a spectacular view. Enhance it by arranging the furniture in such a way that it faces the windows, and be sure to pull back the curtains. To identify the focal point, enter the room as a stranger and see the first thing that catches your attention. Now frame the focal point and decorate making the focal area heavier and balanced. You can orient the furniture outside this focal point; add accessories like plants, carpet, curtain or decoration pieces to individualise this feature. Painting one wall in a different colour from the rest or applying wallpaper can help characterise the focal point. Lighting plays an important part to enhance your focal point. Use of picture light, track light or wall washer fixture on a painting or wall display can add drama.

The writer is CEO of ANSA Interiors