Colourful wall treatments
How to pack a punch with vibrant pattern, shades and texture as Julia Ballmaier did
Bold wall treatments, from large-scale patterned papers and daring graphics to textured materials, are a great way to add personality to a scheme. An eye for scale and a dash of confidence are all it takes to get the look.
Think big
Striking wall treatments are incredibly versatile, suiting modestly sized spaces, such as Julia Ballmaier’s simply furnished apartment, as well as effectively anchoring grander rooms. The key is to be brave, while at the same time tempering the effect by introducing pared-back accessories and simple flooring. If you are unsure about papering an entire room, feature walls can work well, but pay close attention to their interplay with the rest of the space.
‘Consider the scale of the design you have chosen,’ advises interior designer Rosalind Wilson. ‘A very bold feature wall might create an overly stark contrast to the rest of the walls and become too
Mix it up
Opt for a scale, pattern and colour that you feel comfortable living with. If you are uncertain, try bolder designs in subtle colourways. Conversely, you could try small-scale patterns in vibrant hues.
‘This year sees the return of nature-inspired wallpapers, such as large flamingos and tropical prints, as well as metallics,’ says interior designer Kay Westmaas (studiowestmaas.com). ‘If you are a little wary of going all-out, try using these treatments in smaller rooms, such as guest bathrooms, cloakrooms and children’s bedrooms. Green is definitely having a moment and features in wallpapers by way of palms, abstracts, florals and leaves. If large-scale pattern is not your style, bear in mind that grasscloth wallpapers are a great way of adding texture – Phillip Jeffries has a range of wonderful options.’
isolated. It’s a good idea to extract one colour from the feature paper and apply it to the surrounding walls.’