Accent walls are a great way to make a bold statement while adding visual interest to your space. While the “typical” concept for an accent wall is to simply use a different color of paint, there are many innovative ways to craft an eye-catching feature wall.

Here are a few examples of creative accent walls from our past projects at Jen Talbot Design:

ABSTRACT & UNDERSTATED

For this children’s bedroom, the goal was to create details that felt both youthful and modern. Custom painted by our Principal and Creative Director Jen Talbot, this accent wall creates an interesting visual element that ties the room together without overshadowing the design. 

The echoes of the repeating semicircular shape—which mirrors the rainbow light on the bedside table—creates a dynamic, abstract accent wall with a sense of balance. The color palette is fun and feminine, and ties in well with the colors seen in the throw pillows and accessories. Although this design is featured in a childhood bedroom, this abstract concept could be applied to many different spaces, and has the potential to make a big impact.

WALL TO WALL MURAL

During the height of the pandemic, our client wanted to overhaul her garage and create a well-ventilated gathering space for friends and family. Our team sourced a local artist to create this colorful wall-to-wall mural, making it the true focal point of this space, and creating a surefire conversation starter. Additional chairs were hung on this wall as a space save, but also add visual interest to the wall. A vintage yellow neon light fixture completed this bold, expansive design.

MODERN MIRROR

If you want to skip the paint, accent walls can also be created by adding striking accessories. This unique mirror is not only visually interesting on its own, but also adds more light into the space and makes the room appear larger. Using large accessories or distinct art pieces can be a creative, renter-friendly method for creating an accent wall.

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You’ve probably heard about the 4 C’s of diamonds, but what about the 3 C’s of design?

This fall, the biggest trends we’re seeing are concrete, chrome, and chain. These all have serious potential to create unexpected design moments. With the contrast of rigid, uncompromising materials used to form sculptural, organic silhouettes, they provide a fantastic mix of hard with soft.

Here are a few pieces we’re absolutely loving:

CONCRETE

There’s a perception that concrete can only be used in strictly industrial spaces and design—but it offers an opportunity to create something truly unique out of an ostensibly pedestrian material. This coffee table embodies both form and function, playing with balance and harmony in a refreshing mint finish.

Leo Coffee Table in Mint Green. Created by Stone by Design.

CHROME

Chrome offers drama. It introduces sculptural design moments and its reflective surface brings light into your space in a distinctive way. This Septem Stool by Axel Chay is inspired by the Mediterranean Sea, and possesses a tangible, modern presence.

Septem Stool by Axel Chay.

CHAIN

Although chains are composed of uniform, rigid units, they can be used to create delicate and elegant silhouettes. We are loving this piece by Danica Casper, which pairs thoughtfully draped chains with organic shapes and light, creating a visual mix of hard and soft. The matte finish and monochrome neutral color add just the right jolt of unexpected.

Piece by Danica Casper.

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At Jen Talbot Design, we are constantly seeking new vendor sources. Not only does it provide a great opportunity to support one-of-a-kind businesses—we particularly love working with women-owned companies—but it also encourages us to expand our creative boundaries. 

The best design lives in the uneasy place at the edge of our comfort zone, and new sources encourage us to constantly change our perspective and explore new ideas—resulting in innovative designs we absolutely love. 

Finding new sources takes time and effort, but ultimately pays off. We have success establishing fruitful connections at convenings like HD Expo, High Point Market, exploring Instagram, and relying on our reps.

Fabric selections have the potential to make or break designs. Here are a few new fabric sources that we absolutely love:

• Erica Shamrock - Serving the hospitality and contract market, this woman-founded business provides commercial fabrics with an elevated look and feel at an affordable price point. 

• Casamance - A French editor of luxury fabric and wallcoverings, Casamance features interesting textures with a focus on creating timeless designs. 

• Opuzen - Based in California, Opuzen grew from a one-woman operation in 1984 to a leading supplier both nationally and internationally. They offer a mix of high-end textures, as well as evergreen basics and dynamic patterns. 

• Jennifer Shorto - A woman-owned company, Jennifer brings her global perspective to her designs, which include innovative patterns as well as classic essentials, with a unique spin on traditional English patterns and historic references. 

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8 Tips for Surviving High Point Market

For those in the interior design industry, High Point Market is a true highlight of the year. Serving as a trade-only show for interior designers, the Market occurs each fall and spring (JTD typically attends once a year).

High Point is a great reset for the year. It provides a chance to get inspired; discover new products; physically engage with items we’ve been interested in—like sitting in furniture we have been looking at online all year or seeing lighting in person from a proportional perspective; as well as an opportunity to establish meaningful connections with vendors in person.

The Spring 2023 Market just wrapped, and we had an absolute blast—and learned a few lessons along the way. Here are several bits of advice to maximize your Market experience:

1. Book your hotel, airline, and restaurant reservations early. Things can book up almost a year in advance, especially for hot restaurants like Printworks in Greensboro.

2. Keep your appointments limited.

We like to book a couple early morning appointments each day in order to keep the majority of our schedule open and flexible. You may find yourself lingering longer in a showroom than you anticipated, and you wouldn’t want to cut that experience short for an appointment.

3. You do not need to rent a car. High Point is laid out a bit like a theme park for designers, with showrooms in different buildings sprawled within a 12 block radius. There is a user-friendly trolley system and of course, ride-shares are an easy option. And this may be a no-brainer, but wear comfortable shoes—you will be on your feet for 8 hours straight, and they will thank you later!

4. Map out your visit before you go. This is the best way to maximize your time. We typically spend no more than 2.5 days at High Point—any more time and your brain is too full to process all the fabulous items you’ve seen. Visit the larger furniture showrooms on the first day, and leave the main building and Market Square toward the end of your trip. Market Square is a great place to discover new small vendors. We always have a specific goal in mind ahead of each Market, such as exploring new rug sources or hunting down exciting mid-level furniture options.

5. Don’t skip the vintage.

One of our favorites is 214 Modern Vintage, a thoughtfully curated collection of one-of-a-kind items from a range of vendors. It’s a bit off the main area, but definitely worth the visit.

6. Take a ton of pictures. Rather than keeping a written list of what products you have seen, stop and take a picture of the name of each showroom as you enter, then take a picture of each item that you’re interested in and its tag. That way, you can track what you saw, and it serves as an easy reference. Once back in the office, we upload all of our images so that our full team has access to all the products we sourced.

7. Bring an external charger. Your phone camera will constantly be open and will drain your battery quickly.

8. Have fun, and enter the experience with an open mind. There is so much to see at High Point, and you never know what will spark your creativity!

Winter in the Midwest can be harsh. Chicago is known for its blustery wind, with sudden gusts that knock you over while trying to shovel the sidewalk- speaking from experience!  But we aren't here to complain about the weather. Let's kick off those snow boots, grab a hot toddy, and discuss foyers. Foyers and entryways are the first impression of your home's inner personality. It should feel welcoming and functional.  

As traffic flows in and out of your home, it's inevitable that debris and weather will creep inside. Installing flooring material that can handle the elements like mud, salt, and rain is key. Tile is a durable solution.  Porcelain tile is a manufactured product that is non-porous, stain resistant, and easy to clean. The surface is screen printed to replicate the movement of natural stone or trendy graphic patterns.  Aesthetically, porcelain can appear flat because it is missing physical texture and ability to patina.  Ceramic tiles have many similar benefits as porcelain while providing a wide variety of colorful glaze finishes and exciting mosaic patterns. 

Porcelain Floor Tile. Image Source: Luxe Interiors and Design

Entryways crave impactful statements and bold wallpaper give a boisterous greeting. Over-scaled botanicals, high contrast patterns, and quirky animals are currently some of our favorite themes.  We collaborate with our vendors to specify commercial grade printing in these locations.  This allows the paper to withstand the conditions and be wiped clean if necessary.  Painting the walls and ceiling in moody colors is a budget friendly way to set the tone of your home.

Bold Patterns by Osbourn and Little. Image Source: House Beautiful

Small details offer subtle cues to your family and guests. An upholstered bench signals "take a seat and please remove shoes here." Make sure there is an easy spot to store coats and gear. Closet space is ideal to keep the area tidy. Add pizazz by continuing the foyer wallcovering and flooring, or purchase brass hangers. Wicker baskets, wall hooks, and coat trees also provide handy storage. 

Welcome Bench with Art. Image Source: Jen Talbot Design

Entry tables anchor the room, but they should not be a dumping ground for catalogues and bills. Keeping this space clutter-free is the first step to creating a calm, uplifting environment. A few simple accessories are all that's needed to complete the space, such as a vase of fresh greenery, a tray for keys, and something visually intriguing like a sculpture or a stack of books. Finally, a well placed mirror has two jobs: it reflects light allowing the area to feel brighter and makes sure you leave home looking your very best! 

Foyer Table with Accessories. Image Source: Jen Talbot Design