Special
Producers of 3D decorative wood for walls
WALL COVERING IN ‘THREE DIMENSIONS’ 3D IN THE INTERIOR CAN BE REAL OR AN ILLUSION
Photo – Futura Floors
It is remarkable how, even in architecture, we often return to styles from long ago. One such element that comes and goes with varying success is ‘relief ’. Things which need to look straight and smooth today will probably be preferred with some irregularity tomorrow. 3D wall design is a return to the desire for the irregular. Not too austere, not too straight, but just nice and bumpy. It can be achieved by physically adding height (a beam) to the width and length of a shape (a rectangle) or indeed by creating the impression of height.
Relief as an illusion Perspective in the art of drawing is the technique used in visualising spatial proportions and three-dimensional objects on a flat surface in order to give the spatial effect as perceived by the human eye. We have known this for years, perhaps even without realising it, in both interior design and floor coverings. Digital print technology has brought many changes. At some point, wallpaper producers realised that they needed to shake off their old-fashioned image by adding value to wallpaper. They added ‘depth’ to wall coverings. A 3D effect can be created by playing with the size of the motifs and angle of light in a floral pattern. An illusion, of course! Yet, it is also being used by some laminate manufacturers to create the ‘impression’ that there is a bevelled edge on the laminate floor without that actually being the case. The benefit?
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Floor Forum International 108
It looks like the floor of a real country home, but is easier to clean as there is no actual groove to trap dirt.
Perspective is now relief In ancient times, there were periods when wall painting was popular. Let's be honest. These works of art created depth even then. After all, the artists were true masters. For example, the old walls uncovered in ancient Pompeii are sure to leave you speechless. Or those in the Sistine Chapel. masterpieces. Until then, certain designers expressed their desire for even more depth in so-called ‘bas-reliefs’, works of art that ‘sank’ into the plasterwork. Sculptures in the wall. Depth! It never stopped. People from a particular generation (my generation) will remember how ‘Japanese grass cloth’ began replacing traditional wallpaper. The 1970s. Everyone had it i.e. thick paper covered in reed stems which aimed to provide warmth and movement. It died out after only a decade. Standard wallpaper soon became ‘rice paper’, with a grain. Structured paper, or early ‘embossed in register’.
Second generation wainscotting In the past, wooden wainscotting or panelling was a common wall covering in both majestic town houses and typical family homes. In the former, wainscotting served as artistic wall decoration, commonly featuring sculptures and mostly made of oak. In standard homes it was
