After several years of feature walls, papered with increasingly brave or strikingly designed papers, there is a discernible shift in the world of interior decor. Welcome to the surprisingly modern world of texture.
The New Way
Why ‘surprisingly modern’? Well, to many of a certain age, the concept of textured walls will bring back memories of wood-chip, cork wall tiles and even (whisper it) artex. Today’s use of texture is, you will be glad to hear, nothing like those things. However, in a world that has been skimmed and painted to glossy perfection over the past few years, the new use of texture brings a welcome change.
In high end, cutting-edge interiors of the moment, the use of texture is daring. Designers are using gypsum-covered board, glass tiles layered in three dimensional effects and woven hessian wall coverings. These ideas are exciting and show the way forward, but they are hardly practical for the average British home improvement concept. However, modern texture is becoming much more accessible, particularly in wall coverings and there are some very interesting trends to look out for the next time you are buying wallpaper.
Textured Wallpapers
Think of textured wallpapers and you may think you have gone back to the seventies. Do not be afraid. Today’s textured papers have come a long way and, thanks to the wonders of technology, can simulate an almost limitless number of textures and visual effects. There are papers in brick and tile effects, oversize florals, geometric, faux fabric effects and many more. The very brave can copy the cutting edge designers in London and New York by clashing gigantic textured lines and shapes on these papers, on every wall in a room. The less brave (i.e. most of us) can either opt for the quieter textures or use the more eye catching designs sparingly and in contrast to more traditional surfaces elsewhere in the room. The range of designs available makes almost anything possible.
Add Some Colour
Most of the modern textured papers are printable. At the moment, there is still a strong interior design trend towards white – or at least pale – walls and floors and many designers are using the textured papers in their unpainted form. The three dimensional nature of the unpainted papers bounces light and the textures are frequently enhanced by it. However, for those who love color, a huge advantage of these new textured papers is that you can paint them in whichever shade you want. Gone are the days when you found the perfect design for your paper, but in an imperfect color: now you can have exactly what you want, when you want it.
A further advantage – not an artistic, but a practical point – is that textured papers are excellent for hiding imperfections in walls. So if you want to show the world that you are extremely design savvy and it has been a while since you had the place plastered, the modern textured wallpapers are clearly the way to go!