Focus, focus, focus now that is something I have done these last few weeks. Having gotten off a plane from NYC 2 weeks ago and not stopped for one minute, no weekends no evenings just work work to meet a deadline, I haven’t been much fun to be around. However with a long weekend upon us (bank holiday on Monday so no post from me), I get to take a little time off. I would love to have grabbed the two M’s and hiked up a mountain for 3 days, but with Paris looming I only get a small part of the weekend off, I’m not complaining, promise. I’m not! Also at the back of mind throughout this interesting journey of work and stress is a phrase from Billy Jean King ‘pressure is a privilege”. I scrawled it on a post it and stuck it to my computer. I adore what I do; many people are in jobs they don’t love so stop with the groaning!
Talking of doing something that you love, if you are interested in following your dreams and starting a retail business (are you crazy,) sorry that is a bad joke, then I just wanted to give you the heads up that our Retail Class on the 5th October is fully booked. There is one more this year and that’s on 23rd and spaces are getting extremely tight, just so you know.
Right lets move on and talk about focal points. Every room needs one, I say every room needs more than one but today we are talking about creating just one. Traditionally of course the fireplace was the focal point, it grounds a room and it is in my opinion one of the coolest things you can do to a room. Even if you fake it as I did for the show Get Your House In Order, on C4 for the couple in question who had a loft apartment with no chimney breast. We created a fire breast out of MDF filled it with logs brought a cool fire surround and clustered chairs around it. Their apartment was not a big one, and the builders thought I was nuts making it even smaller by building the fire breast but it totally brought the room together. It became the hang out zone; to read, write, listen to music. Maybe I’m weird but I can’t have the TV on unless there is something good on to watch, (and it never ever goes on in the day). I would rather put on small cool music, light a fire, flip through a magazine, then watch something just for the sake of watching something, if you know what I mean.
Anyway the great thing about fireplaces is that they add additional height to the room and you can cluster heaps of interesting stuff on the mantle to make a room look fab. If you don’t go down the fireplace route remember to go bold, every room needs a focus its like an exclamation point if you like otherwise it becomes a big yawn. So how about a giant size mirror, a feature wall of art, or wallpaper, or some cool colour. Other ideas a cool console sprayed in a great colour, a piece of furniture upholstered in a bold blingy way, something. Focal points have to stand out and shout TA DA otherwise they are not focal points, if you see what I mean.
So I leave you with an image of my fireplace plus one other and you will see how it grounds a room with everything else sort of working off of it.
Happy bank holiday weekend to those living in GB xx
Ha, Ha! This is exactly the post that I was waiting for as I has enquired on this blog previously. And, this was to be my bank holiday DIY project.
Abigail, I’m looking to make a fake fireplace but have no idea how to explain this to the builders who don’t quite get it, and also refuse to look at the TV clip. Any suggestion/direction/advice? I have also trying to track down the fire surround you used, I think you had previously said that it was from your store, I visited but with not success. Any pointers/stockest/numbers?
Here you go this might help, http://www.ehow.co.uk/how_8080488_make-mdf-fire-surround.html.
Regarding the fireplaces yes they are plaster exactly like the one onf the blog this morning in my pad. They are not on the website yet I believe but you can order by emailing the store contact@atelierbypost.com or calling the guys there 0207 354 8181. Think the fireplaces take about 2/3 weeks as they are made to order.
Good luck with your project.
Thanks, My friend actually contacted the store a few weeks ago whilst you were away, and they were awaiting your return to clarify what fireplace it was in the show and he is awaiting a reply email. Is there anyway that you could let me know the name or model of the fireplace here and then it will be easier when i contact the store.
I know your busy and really, really appreciate your help.
The link is perfect, i’m heading off to buy some MDF straight after work
I think I used the Carolina, which is much slimer but still ornate and cool, I also used the small louis in one of the makeovers which is a smaller version than the one I’ve got. Both are cool, pretty (not hundred perfect but pretty sure) it was the Carolina, the girls will send you an image if you email them
Thanks again. have a great bank holiday, and i hope you get some me time in all the creative chaos.
Thank you
Hey Abigail! This is the first time I’m writing to you so to begin with I want you to know that I am a big fan and follow your blog religiously. As I’m from India I dunno if i’ll ever get a chance to attend one of your masterclasses but sure do dream of doing so one day. Home decor is my first love and I aspire to make a living out of it soon despite my current marketing job. Reading your blog between the daily meetings is always like a breather for me, refreshes me completely. U rock!
P.S. – Would love to get some first hand start up tips from u on a retail (online/ on ground) interiors business.
Very good point will certainly do that in the coming weeks. Thank u for your very kind words
Hi Abigail, how do I send you an email? What’s the best email address to get you on?
Best to email the general one and it will get assed on, contact@atelierbypost.com