A little mantra we have in the studio, we never leave a wall behind! A wall should always have detail. Whether it be an existing window, adding a wallpaper, a practical shelf, a statement art piece or a beautiful light. Never leave a wall behind. But how much is too much? Let’s explore some ideas of how you can make each wall in your home a statement, whether it be subtly or to wow.
What is the role of the wall?
When designing, I consider every space in the room that I am designing, right from the beginning. What is the role of the wall in each room? You could start by considering the furnishings of that room; is it the wall that the bedhead will sit against in a bedroom, or a bookshelf in a study? Or by using the existing structures, for example, what is needed for a wall with a large window, will curtains suffice? What is best to use on the wall of a powder room, paint or wallpaper? (my personal preference is wallpaper for a powder room). Considering each of these elements will help you to get a better idea of what you need to consider within the overall design.
Focus: wallpaper
The Chinese had the honour of inventing the first wallpaper before it was introduced to the west, with the humble beginnings of rice paper pasted to walls. Known as Chinoiserie, (the use of Chinese motifs and techniques) it is inspired by Chinese principles and art. Chinoiserie is a beautiful decorating style that combines Asian culture and Western décor. This style of design is romantic, historical and timeless.
As time went on, wallpaper went from being something in the background to an important part of home decor, and different styles were produced internationally. With modernism, bare walls became fashionable, but not for long. Wallpaper today is as important as ever in interior design, with fine quality and simply stunning designs being widely available.
For me, wallpaper depends on the room. I’d decorate a powder room with wallpaper on every wall. In a bedroom, whilst my preference is to wallpaper the whole room, I might just wallpaper behind the bed for impact and a bit of drama (or sometimes with a particularly exquisite paper, budget might dictate how many walls are papered).
Wallpapering a whole space may not always work either. For example our studio; we have a beautiful wallpaper on one wall, but it is quite dark. If we used it for the entire studio it would make the space a lot darker, so I choose to paint the other walls. The space still remains light, but the one wall of wallpaper adds colour, texture and depth.
In terms of wallpaper designers, I personally like to use Phillip Jeffries, Cole & Son or Iksel (to name a few).
Focus: paint
Paint in interior design is so important. It provides a baseline for other colours in the room or palette, it can make spaces feel bigger or smaller depending on the shade. It can make spaces feel warm, or equally feel cool. My favourite paint to use in projects is Resene, as it always gives the perfect finish (a matt finish for walls is my go-to).
And just like wallpaper, we can make a statement wall using paint, whether that be introducing a bold colour to match with soft furnishings or to highlight a beautiful piece of art. And if you don’t want to use wallpaper or paint, options such as Venetian plastering can look stunning on a wall (and can still be painted over or tinted).
Focus: panelling
Panelling has had a recent resurrection in interior design; original panelling can be found in older homes, but can also be introduced as a feature in newer dwellings. I personally love French panelling in the home and recently completed a project that had a lot of panelling. It brings with it history, longevity and style.
The Details
Often forgotten are the finer details that complete a high-end finish to a wall. Consider cornices and skirting when you are laying the foundations for a styled wall. These details may be subtle, but they are impactful.
The finishing touches
Once you have laid the groundwork (paint, wallpaper, panelling), it’s now time to consider the countless ways that you can choose to accessorise that wall. Mirrors are always a good choice for a wall, as they give a sense of space, reflection, or introduce a new element with an ornate frame (read more about our views on mirrors).
But finishing a wall with decor doesn’t always have to involve hanging a mirror or a piece of art. Adding lighting to a wall can make it interesting on its own. Using sconces in a space like a passageway, they can stand alone as a feature. Whereas in another space, a sconce would require something to accompany it, for example, a piece of furniture (like a bedside table in the bedroom), or a piece of art (maybe hanging in your dining room). In some rooms, you might even have all three (sconce, painting and console, strip lights are particularly effective in illuminating paintings).
After today I hope that you find those sad lonely walls that have been left behind and bring them back to life with my tips today.
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