Small details can add punctuation to a much larger house. Often there are undersized places within a larger home that could not only command attention, but deliver sizable personality to a room. Don't miss an opportunity to accentuate an alcove, a chimney hearth, a hall, a recess or an architectural feature.

For example, in older homes built in the 1920s or 1930s, it was common to have telephone desks in the kitchen or in an interior hallway. Your home might be a sizable two-story and yet feature one of these little spots. The entire area might be painted in an accent color or painted in the color of the other wood moldings in the house with an accent on the back wall, similar to our example. Special lighting could add drama to such a spot.

In a more modern setting, this small desk is recessed into the wall. It is sandwiched between a closet and a continuation of wall for the room. Here, a hand-applied stencil pattern converts a little spot into an attractive accent with a fascinating design. The bold motif is one born from one designer's fascination with Morocco. Melanie Royals annually leads artisan painting workshops around the globe: Italy, Southern France, Barcelona and Morocco. The past five years have focused on adventures to Morocco, where this pattern was born.

Royals' product line happens to feature ethnic design motifs. "With this mini-collection I wanted to focus on patterns that transcend being pigeon-holed into any specific current trend. We always strive to create stencils that are timeless. The motifs are rooted in history and can be traced throughout many global cultures. This leaves options open to the artistic homeowner to define them as they wish with their color choices and interior accessories," says Melanie. However, you can still consider more traditional, flowery designs or plain accent paint if you prefer. Another approach might be to apply wallpaper to the back wall only. For very little investment, you could transform a spot.

In this example, notice how the colors are drawn from both the room and the back wall design. By keeping the color scheme basic — brown and white — there is little distraction from the room as a whole. Yes, the accented wall is bold and strong. Yet it blends into the overall color scheme. Lesson learned: Don't get too tricky. Practice a less-is-more mentality when you concoct your own special feature.

Remodels often uncover quirky spots. That is why so many vintage homes have awkward architectural features. Yet these are the same details that bring a unique character to a place. Some of my favorite homes are old bungalows and cottages that meander and creep along. In fact, in new construction we often try to mimic this same quality by purposely inserting a petite recess or a pattern of such alcoves down a long, broad hall.

Potential recipients of focal treatment might be dressing rooms, powder bathrooms, hallways or mudrooms. There are front porches, back porches, laundry rooms and entry areas to a suite of rooms. Take a hard look at wall at the end of long hallways too. Remember that when you want to reduce a long, narrow space, give the end wall a strong treatment and it will advance towards the viewer. The same is true of low or high ceilings. Examine spaces under staircases, too.

You might also consider use of mirror in tiny spaces like the one shown here. Always be sure to check carefully what view will be reflected and that it pleasant. It is always great if you will reflect the sky or landscape greenery in a mirror that will expand space and offer sparkle.

Photo Credit: Royal Design Studio

Christine Brun, ASID, is a San Diego-based interior designer and the author of "Small Space Living." Send questions and comments to her by email at [email protected]. To find out more about Christine Brun and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.