This year’s San Francisco Decorator Showcase is packed with creative solutions from talented designers. Here are some ideas you might put to use at your place.

Shadow Mural

In her Sports Room, stuffed with equipment to enjoy recreation with family and friends, Audrey Brandt brought the outdoors in with this subtle, effective wall treatment. The tone on tone glaze over latex paint resembles the shadow cast by a tree. The design works well in this busy area of built-in shelving, and is complemented by the shadows of the bicycle.

Layering Mirrors

In the Master Bath, Anyon Design’s Lindsay Brier layered on glitz and history when she installed two showpiece antique mirrors over the built-in beveled mirror. Lindsay scored original 1928 Dorothy Draper designs, made for The Cloister Resort on Sea Island Georgia! But you can easily apply the idea using special mirrors from your next treasure hunt.

Wrap Closet

Lucky enough to have an under-used closet? The odds are long I know, but here’s a creative use if you are so blessed. Designer Gale Melton transformed a small linen closet into this functional and funky Gift Wrap closet. She worked with the original linen closet shelving to re-use materials, added a drop-down shelf/counter for a workspace and racks for storing and displaying papers.

Desk Canopy

Is your workspace cold an uninviting? Try this simple, elegant idea from designer Benjamin Dhong. Drape a canopy of fabric over your desk as Benjamin did in his ladies study. This helped to define and give more presence to the workspace, and hugged the desk with graceful femininity.

Animal Portraits

To personalize your space, how about adding portraits of the special creatures in your life? Jacqueline Probert’s Animal Portraits add soul to this hallway. It’s clear she has as much respect for her animal subjects as for human ones.

What’s the best design idea you’ve recently tried in your home? Where do you turn for design inspiration?