Walls of Change

Refreshing your space for the spring season

Have you ever woken up with the visceral conviction that something needed to change, but you couldn’t quite see what or where to start? Spring has a knack for bringing us this heady feeling, as the air softens and the light brightens. We dream of otherness, transformation and change. When we tackle a new project, change can take a myriad of forms, from extremely involved refurbishment to subtle accessorising, each still with an impact.

A compromise is to consider your walls. We have quite a few of them (well, at least 4) and they are decisive in the atmosphere, style and experience of your space. But they can be neglected, with the focus being put on the ‘stuff’ between them.

How to address - and dress - your walls for success?

It is good to assess the uses and functions of your space before you start thinking of options and solutions. Is the space a day area, an evening area or both? Is it bright or does it need brightening? Does it serve all its purposes? Does it feel spacious or cramped? Is it inviting or cold, characterful or bland? Does it belong to another time or has it evolved with you, suiting your current lifestyle, taste and needs?

Say it needs brightness and a feeling of airiness.

A vibrant and light colour palette will refresh the walls and you could ‘colour-drench’ by wrapping it onto your ceiling and any woodwork. You can play with varying levels of sheen, from matt to high gloss lacquer, or paint the walls different nuances of the same colour. You could also add some clear or antique mirroring, in panels or as framed accessories, on a wall that will reflect light - natural or otherwiseto give both perspective and openness.

If what is called for is moodiness, drama and impact, I suggest deep, saturated colours that complement the décor and echo an accent you favour: a cushion, artwork or even a piece of jewellery! You could also choose a statement wallcovering with a bold texture or pattern and wrap the room in it, walls and ceiling, for that ‘jewellery box’ effect, with accent panelling or moulding to add detail and focus.

If you want to tie the inside with the outdoor spaces beyond, why not consider a fresh painted background for your greenery or a wallpaper with floral or foliage pattern? This will bring a biophilic design into your home to soothe frayed nerves, stretched minds and worn-out bodies by offering a natural escape. This can also be achieved by choosing a panoramic wallpaper, a landscape spreading over several panels, telling a story, taking you places.

If it is life and movement you are after, a beautiful organic texture such as linen, grasscloth or silk can offer light effects and warmth as it will, in effect, ‘dress’ the walls. Stone leaf is an equally versatile wall finish, either opaque or translucent, to backlight. Specialist paint effects, such as polished plaster or tadelakt, can also be applied, to add depth and subtle accents.

When a room feels cold, it is perhaps not wellinsulated from the world outside or the adjacent rooms. You could install fabric walling or upholstered panels and clad the room in coziness and elegance.

Many fabrics can create this desired effect, ranging from silk, moire, linen, velvet, faux suede - the list is endless. Alternatively, you could choose to install part- or full-height wood slat acoustic panelling. Easy to cut and install, in a variety of woods, with black or grey felt between slats, it is well priced for an effective, stylish transformation, a chic Japandi vibe.

For gorgeous colour palettes, you can look at the wonderful breathable paints by Graphenstone, the muted chalky elegance of Farrow and Ball or the bright richness of The Little Greene Company. Wallcovering suppliers I favour are Arte, Elitis, Pierre Frey, Zuber, Stereo and Phillip Jeffries, but also Designers Guild, Graham & Brown and Photowall for funky, contemporary and imaginative options, among so many others! For beautiful wall upholstering fabrics, Romo, Designers Guild and Pierre Frey offer a dizzying array of options: plain, patterned and textured.

Whatever option you choose, once your walls and ceiling, that famous ‘fifth wall’, are all dressed up, you will see your furniture and accessories, your space and your life within it, with fresh eyes and a sense of rediscovery.

MARIE-NOËLLE SWIDERSKI Galuchat Design

www.galuchatdesign.com