Adding texture…

Lava rock is a crazy material to consider but then again it seems to work in this space. Love this updated take on tropical.

The three dimensional surface makes this new and improved focal wall concept super cool. It makes you want to reach through the computer screen and touch to see what it feels like.

Creating a sense of space where there is none…

Yes, the mural has been done before but this particular room is otherwise basic so in this case it really is an updated take on a focal wall in a not so typical child’s (cluttered overstuffed) room.

Making a LARGE space seem like it has a sense of space rather than getting lost in space…

Love how this very high ceiling and simple color palette feel welcoming with the use and placement of the wood. What a focal wall!

Creating a mood or ambiance is a no brainer…

Perhaps my favorite, creating depth and warmth with unique materials makes the focal wall current and on trend…

What about you? What have you done to create a focal wall? Do you have a favorite or an inspired idea you would like to share? It would be great to hear all about it!

Inspiration One: Design Inspired Websites… there are a number of them and of course millions of blogs. However when I need a little extra oomph in a design I like to turn to Houzz.com. It’s always fun to see what other designers and homeowners are up to and how they tackle interesting spaces in the home.

Inspiration Two: Books… two of my latest favorites are…

For its images of vast beautiful spaces both inside and out:

To find the best color that wills et the tone (literally and figuratively) for a space:

Inspiration Three: Classes… what better way to challenge the mind than to learn something new. “They” keep saying that using your mind and exercising your mind in different ways will ward off so many things later in life like Alzheimer’s and dementia to name a few. The latest class I took was all about learning how to felt. We are just down the road from an alpaca farm and as luck would have it we stopped by with a friend yesterday (Saturday) to buy some yarn. One conversation lead to another and voila… today (Sunday) I leaned how to felt! My first project was a wine cooler (photos to follow later as I need to finish a few details once it is dry). Who knew you could take this:

and make this:

The process was fun and interesting but word to the wise, it is repetitive and it takes some time (hours actually) to complete one item. Now I know why it is considered an art.

What are your favorite places to turn for inspiration? I would love to hear all about it.

First, set the tree up and put the tree skirt in place. This is easiest at the very beginning so that you aren’t knocking the ornaments around at the end.

If you have a pre-lit tree (my personal favorite) bypass step one and move straight to step two. Oh, and hopefully you already have a glass of wine in hand and holiday music already!

Before you get started… a little tip… between each step stand back and look at the composition of the tree so you can make adjustments as you go.

Step One: LIGHTS – wrap from the top down and inside out. Get inside the depths of the tree so that it creates dimension to the final look. Place cord plugins to the back of the tree and close to the trunk.

Step Two: GARLAND – drape heavily in close loops from the top down. Try to move in and out of the branches (not too far back on the branches and not too close to the tips).

Step Three: SETS OF ORNAMENTS – place sets of ornaments in like colors all at once. This will create balance to the overall look of the tree. Choose ornament sets in the same colors in a monochromatic or coordinating color scheme. Always place some deep into the branches and far out as the very tips.

Step Four: UNIQUE ORNAMENTS – these are the keepsakes, the ornaments that create the eclectic look of holiday traditions over the years. Place them prominently on all sides that are visible with your favorite keepsakes at eye level so that you can admire them regularly.

Step Five: POLISH – stand back and move and replace ornaments as needed… filling in holes and gaps as you go.

Step Six: TOPPER – last but not least and definitely the cherry on top! It is often difficult to balance the topper and we almost always cause the tree to wobble a bit during the decorating process (or wait, maybe that is we all wobble a bit due to too many glasses of wine) so it is best to put the topper in place last. Angle a few lights close to it to draw some attention.

All is complete! Now go open that second bottle of wine and enjoy the tree… or wrap some presents… or whatever you may want to do now that you have completed the most important project of the holiday season.

First, there is a list of red flags that should cause you to simply move on including:

1. Their email address ends in gmail, yahoo, hotmail, aol, or other free email service
2. Homemade business cards printed on office shop tear-apart card stock
3. The designer does not have an online presence
4. No degree, formal education, and are not at a minimum involved in a design program that provides continued education
5. They have others in the industry do their work for them (in other words they are the coordinator and not the creative knowledge behind the design)
6. No past work experience for a firm or design industry related business such as a showroom, design center, or even a retail business that offers design services such as Arhaus, Ethan Allen, and such
7. Their fees are unclear and seem to be “dependent upon the job”… in other words they are flying by the seat of their pants and up-charging you for products and services that they coordinate and not telling you. In the end this method will cost you more than selecting a legitimate designer that may even have higher fees but will get the job done right.

A little nervous with the hiring process? Don’t fret….