How you can brighten room with brick wall
Surrounding walls should be light colour; carpets and chair designs a consideration
Ihear from many readers who have moved into a loft or otherwise transformed space and are puzzled by what to do with solid brick interior walls. These walls convey an aged, rustic style that can feel dark and gloomy. But that does not have to be the case. In fact, a brick wall makes a stunning focal feature in a room that offers many different decorating styles.
It’s easy to lighten the look by painting the other walls in the room white or a light shade.
In the vignette shown here you can see how the white walls pull out the white mortar between the bricks.
Your eye follows the symmetry. A white and black carpet over a wood floor also breaks up the deep reds and its pattern of rectangles mirrors the brick shape, but in a playful, askew manner.
The wall is richly textured and busy, so think about sofa and chairs in a solid shade. Greys are neutral and present a nice balance. A golden leather arm chair is a cheerful and modern accent.
Brick walls contain a wonderful range of colours from rusty reds and browns to lighter shades of yellow and gold.
They combine in a patchwork that can be drawn upon as you furnish your room. Mixing styles is a favourite method of introducing new designs.
Old or antique chests and armoires have an aged character that can connect with a contemporary sofa or pair of side chairs. Brick is happy with most themes. Exposed beams and wood frames are a natural. Pile wood or wrought iron shelves with a combination of books and tchotchkes that speak to your personal taste. Utilizing different shapes and materials wakes up the setting.
And contrast brings out the best in all your furnishings. Choose lighting and distinctive pieces to dramatize your style.
In this Homesense-inspired room, a tropical theme straight from Havana is created with woven wicker baskets and a large woven pendant light.
The metal base under the tiled table glows, picking up the golden hues in the chair, sofa cushion and the large letter A on the shelf. A faux potted palm tree brings home the sunny island charm and suits the size of the room. www.homesense.com for a store near you.
If you yearn for the character of an interior brick wall but donít have one, there are ways to create the mood without hauling in bricks and mortar.
You’ll find faux brick panels at your lumber store. If the colour is too consistent for your taste, the surface is paintable.
These panels can be whitewashed the same as natural bricks. Prepare any material before you paint so that you are working on a clean, dry surface. A good mix for whitewash is 50/50 paint and water.
Another option is faux brick wallpaper. Although it doesnít have the depth and texture of the real thing, it is an inexpensive method of transforming your room.
Choose red brick or white, and a sunroom or eating area becomes a cheerful outdoor oasis. Accessorize with lots of plants and greenery.
Brick walls are far more versatile than you might imagine.
It’s worth playing a little with their depth and charm. See what you can do to bring an old wall alive. Written by Debbie Travis and Barbara Dingle. Email decorating questions to house2home@debbietravis.com. Follow Debbie at debbietravis.com.