Time to garden! It’s that time of year! The weather has warmed and spring cleanup has begun or even been completed. I’m making a little garden in my back yard and I wanted a special tree for the center of it that wouldn’t grow too big over the years. I love Japanese Maples but I have one and always plant them at every house we live in and wanted something different. So, today I visited the local garden/landscape shop in town and spotted the perfect tree. A Japanese Dwarf Variegated Willow. OK, another Japanese variety but I love that it will only grow to 8′ in height! Perfection.

As soon as I stepped from the car, I spotted the hint of pink on the tips of the leaves. I didn’t have to look any further! I enjoy the pink and purple scheme in my garden.

I love how the trunk is so straight! So adorable!

Close up of the leaves on the tree. I’ll put some purple with it.

“May Night” does well in my shaded areas, I may add some in the new garden space.

Veronika, another great possibility!

Perhaps some purple lavender for the perennial garden.

What do you think? Which one should I choose?

What other perennials would look great with these?

Thanks for stopping by Chatti Patti Talks Design today, check back soon for some pics of the finished garden!

Focal Points in Design

Upon entering a space, your eye may be automatically drawn to a certain feature of the room and often, a room’s architectural elements will in fact be the Focal Point. If your space does not have an architectural Focal Point you can add one or have your designer create one.

These incredibly beautiful photos feature some of the more commonly and frequently used Focal Points such as Fireplaces, Kitchen Islands, Mirrors, Chandeliers, Ceilings, Windows and Staircases.

: The limestone fireplace and mantle become a beautiful Focal Point in this bedroom.

: Even with a two-story wall of windows and oversized wrought iron chandelier, this natural all Ohio stone fireplace that I designed becomes an outstanding Focal Point in this Family Room in an Ohio home.

: The two-story stone fireplace and the rafters on the ceiling are both impressive, but the Fireplace would be the Focal Point in this room.

: In this historic home, a range has been placed in the former fireplace area creating a unique yet functional Focal Point.

: My eye is immediately drawn to the ceiling of this kitchen for it’s totally unique structure as a Focal Point. The detailed island and the cabinetry built around the range become secondary.

: Although you cannot view the entire kitchen in this photo, I would guess that this brightly colored double range and hood just may be the Focal Point in the room.; This kitchen is well balanced with its large island (Focal Point), beamed ceiling, arched doorway and spectacular floor.; The Focal Point in this room is the arched doorway and brick wall and in the eating area it is the over-sized chandelier. Just lovely.; Here is an example of how you can use chandeliers as a Focal Point. The island, being constructed of a darker, high contrast finish could be the Focal Point; the use of these extremely large crystal chandeliers make them winners in this kitchen. The chandeliers end up maintaining the balance between the island, beamed vaulted ceiling, arch and double built-in range in a niche by bringing you eye down from the ceiling! It all works beautifully.; This incredible glass ceiling becomes a true Focal Point in this light filled kitchen by Fairfax and Sammons Architects.; This beamed vaulted ceiling is a striking Focal Point by Fairfax and Sammons Architects.; This stunning copper Barrel ceiling creates interest as a Focal Point.; The ceiling steals the show as the Focal Point in this room (although the room is very ornate overall).

: The radius of windows in this Sunroom and the view beyond become the Focal Point with the detailed ceiling coming in as a secondary point of focus.

: The black painted trim around the ornate stained glass windows causes them to stand out even more. No competing with those windows as a Focal Point.

: This room did not have a Focal Point so the designer created one with a
“Wall of Mirrors”. It works and looks great.

: The enormous scale of this mirror enables a Focal Point to be created in a basic drywalled room.

: The over-sized mirror becomes the Focal Point in this Powder Room due to scale.

: Side by Side elements create a Focal Point Wall.

: Arches in the construction of a home can be beautiful. These arches have been added as a decorative element to this room to create interest and a Focal Point. These somewhat over-bearing arches draw the eye up but distract from the room. It appears top heavy.

: This Foyer has multiple Focal Points: arches, a floor medallion, wrought iron detailing on the double entrance doors as well as the arched window above, a curved staircase, a wonderful wrought iron railing, and chandelier have been well-balanced to create a sense of cohesiveness and serenity!
Often, if a room has multiple Focal Points, it can become too busy and overwhelming to the senses!
Elegant and easy on the eyes, partially due to the soft color palette.