When young and in love, I convinced my significant other to join me for a tour of Carnegie Art Museum. As an Interior Decorator at Ethan Allen I was passionate about color, design, texture and shapes and wanted to share my interest. This man, who was a smart at business, did not have a “design eye” so the trip was fraught with concern as to how he would enjoy the day.
Because of his love of history, I figured that a tour through the Masters’ Gallery with a focus on Renaissance art was a good start. After a half hour of silent roaming, I asked what he thought. His brief assessment startled me. “The walls are so blank and boring and white. All that’s on them is a painting here and there and there’s a sculpture over there. It’s not a very interesting room.”
With a repressed sigh, I explained that the walls were deliberately blank so to allow focus on the individual work of art. “It’s not the room design that’s the focus, it’s each piece of art.”
In writing this column I was reminded that walls don’t generally garner much interest. They define a space; they limit our vision. Some see them as barriers to room expansion; others see them as spaces to be obscured and covered with drapery; still others perceive them as something to be ignored – as in “just paint it and be done!”
Once in place we take these structural units for granted unless damage occurs or re-painting is required. Sadly, after a picture is hung, the walls are most often ignored. Walls can be boring. Or maybe not…
Vertical spaces offer exciting decorating possibilities! Think of a wall akin to a frame for the décor; a canvas on which to add design and warmth to a room; a “free” space to be used to enhance furnishings; a complimentary focus highlighting soothing designs and architectural details. Understand that wall décor and wall design offer some of the least expensive ways to add interest and artistic distinction to your facility. Do-it-yourself possibilities abound.
Walls can feature texture, color and architectural design as well as effective art work.
Depending on the design theme of your facility, use these elements to enhance one wall, one room or the entire property. Don’t be afraid to make a design impact! Try something new.
Texture – plaster (classic or textured), wood planks (smooth or rustic), brick (industrial or ‘homey’), glass tiles; stone (contemporary or traditional), cement
IDEA: Apply horizontal wood panels to a long hallway to help define common spaces and direct traffic.
Architectural Designs – fireplace; chair rail, wall molding, 3-D wall panels (full or partial wall), overdoor embellishments or decorative ‘headers’, recessed or raised wall panels, wall of plants, fish tank wall, waterfall feature, wainscoting
IDEA: Unique decorative elements, such as a water wall, provide special points of interest.
Color – murals, stencils, wallpaper (panels or full walls), paint (different color on 1,2,3,4 walls), Trompe l’oeil painting can mimic architectural or textured designs.
IDEA: Create a feeling of open space with stenciled word art or creatively use paint to ‘fill up’ blank space and minimize need for accessories and framed art.
Of course, there are special wall types. Half walls or knee walls open up a space while moveable walls or screens can re-configure a room based on temporary or permanent needs. Moveable walls include glass panels (office or conference space), accordion partitions (economical option) and operable walls (event rooms and training centers). Screens, an inexpensive option, can be purchased or designed to specific dimensions. Hung from ceilings, they are useful as privacy panels or wall décor.
Wall art deserves a full column on its own (stay tuned). Just a quick mention: select wall art mindful of a theme and color scheme. Wall art should coordinate with other accessories such as lamps, vases, etc.
Interesting walls can have a dramatic impact and will keep a facility updated. A funeral home is not an art gallery but artistic elements should be utilized. Be it a room or whole facility – know that your design is a work of “comfort art”. Make it beautiful; make it memorable; make it yours!