Color blocks

Sunset, May, 2004 by Mary Jo Bowling

Interior designer Jay Jeffers transformed this once all-white wall into an accent wall by enhancing it with a single color block. Jeffers painted a 10- by 6-foot blue rectangle in the center, giving definition to artwork and adding a subtle wash of color to that side of the room.

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The benefits go beyond adding color to the space: Jeffers says the wall ends up working as an extended frame for the silk-screen artwork. "The trick is to make the size of the rectangle substantial," Jeffers says. "You want it to be big enough to look like an accent wall, not like a mat in a picture frame."

The wall gives the room a significant focal point. "It works well in modern spaces," Jeffers says. "I wouldn't use this technique in a more traditional room that has molding. It might look too busy."

DESIGN: Jay Jeffers, Jeffers Design Group, Los Angeles (www.jeffersdesigngroup.com or 310/235-1423) and San Francisco (415/934-8088)

RELATED ARTICLE: Create an accent wall

* Mimic the lines of the wall, artwork, or furniture. In this instance, Jay Jeffers used a rectangle of color to frame artwork. But also think of color blocks behind a collage, sculpture, or bed.

* Make a focal point with paint. Accent just one wall. This is a great way to add color even if you favor the light-reflecting qualities of white walls. Think in terms of feet, rather than inches.

* Be bold with color. Jeffers suggests being adventurous with color when using this technique. "You are only painting a small part of the wall," he says. "You could play with one bright color, or give the wall more impact by painting a bright color within another color."