If you're like most people, you can get overwhelmed when a proposed decorating project is overly complicated. Masking off paint lines to create a plaid pattern on the wall, for example, provides a stunning effect but is not a project to be taken on by the faint of heart. When an overall project seems like it will take more time and effort than you have, don't give up the ghost altogether. You can still create drama in simple and effective ways.
Add a little colour
This living room photograph, courtesy of Pratt and Lambert Paints, captures your eye immediately. That's because a strong focal point was created. A splash of vibrant orange paint on a small focal wall such as this can do wonders for your own décor. It's a simple treatment that could be done in a few hours but has tons of design potential. Because of the small amount of wall area, the bright orange colour is not overpowering. It complements the oversized canvas in co-ordinating colours and a few orange and red toss cushions to spread these colours around the room.
A little wall goes a long way
Many homes with an open-floor plan have partial walls such as this to separate, say, a kitchen area from the rest of the open space. These little 'canvasses' are awesome areas to create focus and visual interest. Aside from using one strong colour, you could do a textured wall treatment, create a faux brick wall with paint, highlight the wall with decorative wood or create a large wall of family photos. Remnant ceramic tiles are usually priced to clear so take advantage of this and purchase co-ordinating tiles to create a decorative tiled wall. Even a roll or two of wallpaper in the right colour or pattern can help you change the look of a room quickly and inexpensively. Check out the clearance bins for great deals.
There are lots of other ideas for creating a focal wall of this kind. Install unique shelving (such as floating shelves) in an interesting offset pattern to display paintings, small sculptures and so on. Create a large, interesting pattern using various colours of paint, such as geometrics, for example. This is a great way to use your leftover paint from past projects. Display an interesting collection floor to ceiling. The collection could be anything from vintage hats and purses to model trains.
Large, colourful artwork, such as the one in our feature room, looks great on smaller walls such as this one. Local artists can be a great source for unique artwork so keep this in mind when shopping around.
Finishing the look
Simply adding a vibrant focal colour to a wall is not quite enough to make the look ring true; especially if you've chosen a colour that's not found elsewhere in the room. A simple addition of a few accessories can do the trick. Carry your focal colour into the room with toss cushions, bric-a-brac, accessories and art. Two or three well-appointed items will do the trick. If you can't find anything to use, just paint something that you have in your chosen wall colour. Picture frames, small decorative boxes or even a lamp base and/or shade, for instance. If you want to venture a little further into colour you can add a secondary colour to the accessory mix.
If you look at our feature photograph you'll see there are orange and light blue accessories, even though the blue is not really found anywhere else in the room. It works, though, and is just one more dimension added to the overall look. Notice that even something as simple as a few books on the coffee table with the right coloured covers can be used as accessories. Whether or not you need to read the books is irrelevant. If you find a few nice hardcover books in the right colour at a thrift store for a few cents it's well worth picking them up to use in your room.
By the same token, if you have a bunch of books that have mismatched covers you can unify the look by making book jacket covers from your chosen wallpaper (if that's the way you decide to go) or with coloured paper. These are all simple, inexpensive projects that can really update your space.
If your home doesn't have 'partial' walls you can still add a focal point of colour by painting a large square or rectangle of colour onto a full wall to create a focal point, say near a seating area, for example. You don't have to paint the entire wall to make a statement. Hang colourful artwork or a mirror on top of the focal colour to make it pop. This works well in a dining room that currently lacks personality. A few table linens or chair covers in a similar or co-ordinating colour will update the area and give it the focus it deserves.
If you're renting and can't paint you can create faux wall panels using wallpaper and border. It's easy enough to do and remove when you move.
As you live in your newly updated space you may notice small things that can be added to the mix or updated further. Take your time. This is not a race. Little by little the rooms will come together; until it's time to update them again!
connieoliver@shaw.ca
