All Four Walls

Walls are the largest flat surfaces in any room. Indeed, if there are no walls there is no room. We put carpeting and area rugs on the floors, treatments on the windows and place furniture to sit on and store our possessions in, but we leave these big voids of space, frequently white, with nothing on them. Maybe it is the fear of selecting the wrong item, or perhaps the lack of time to find the piece or pieces necessary to do the job. Whatever the reason, for a room to look complete and to create that homey feel, something must go on the wall.

A beautiful window treatment is not often enhanced by white walls. Its like playing the viola's part of a symphony. It may be lovely but boring unless enhanced by the rest of the instruments. Pick a color out of the sofa or window treatment and paint the walls that color. Will the room look too small when color is applied to the walls? My answer to that is, why does every room need to be as large as possible? Why not just cozy and comfortable, or just plain beautiful? If the colors in the furniture and window treatments seem too dark to apply to the walls, try sponging or glazing. This treatment is a wash of color, not so heavy and easier to live with. Keeping white walls is like, in fashion apparel, wearing a white sweater with everything. It goes with everything, but it doesn't enhance the rest of your fashion statement . In your decor, everything in the room needs to say, "I love everything else in the room".

Wallpaper is becoming very popular again. Sales have increased 10% in the first part of 1996 nation wide. Wallpaper these days doesn't need to be flowers all over the walls that you are afraid are going to eat you. The walls are such a big part of the room, if you overdue with pattern the room will be overpowered. Try a subtle geometric, or one of the wonderful faux finish looks. Use a color or color scheme and motif that enhances the furniture.

Wall upholstery is another wonderful design concept. The walls are lined with poly batting using a staple gun. The fabric is then applied also with a staple gun. The accessory is the contrasting gimp or piping applied with glue gun over the staples. The wonderful part about wall upholstery is it covers wall sins, such as wall cracks and layers of wallpaper. Sound proofing and energy efficiency are two other claims to fame. Nothing looks like an upholstered wall.

After your paint and or wallpaper, don't forget the wall accessories. There is so much art work, tapestries, wall sculptures, and floral arrangements available today, fill your walls. Remember the motif must coordinate with the theme of the room. Don't hang a picture just because you have always had it. If it doesn't go with the theme, get rid of it. If you do love the piece or it is a family photo. Reframe and remat for the new colors of the room. You will be surprised at the new lease of life you have given the old pictures. Add a bow of silk flowers above a large piece of framed art. Create groupings of art pieces. Remember you have big walls, they can take a lot of interest.

Step back and take a hard look at those walls. How can you increase their beauty. Think of wall sconces, small shelves, or plate rails near the ceiling, and art work, art work, art work. Bring your walls into your room and let the furniture and window treatments enjoy them.