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12 Nov 15

5 tips for decorating with feature wallpaper

Kit miles Birds in chains wallpaer

I’m totally ditzy about pattern and so wallpaper is my go to when I want a room to rock some serious power dressing. My innate feeling is to always pull towards the bold designs. A really powerful print instantly injects some style and personality into a room and there are so many amazing designs on offer, my only dilemma is which one to choose! While I fall in the love with the bold designs they’re often not that easy to live with on all four walls. But they lend themselves perfectly to a feature wall idea. However Feature walls have been getting a hard rap by the design fraternity lately but I think they still demand a space in our decorating schemes. If you decide on a feature wall, have no fear, here are some tips on getting it right.

 

Eclesiastical Botanica wallpaper by Kit Miles Studio

Eclesiastical Botanica wallpaper by Kit Miles Studio

 

 

Make sure you integrate the feature wallpaper in with the rest of your scheme. For example if you choose a design with a bold colour story or pattern, make sure you link in these designs somewhere in the rest of the scheme- in accessories like rugs, lampshades and cushions. Don’t go too matchy-matchy though!

Palm wallpaper by Cole and Son. Image from VTWonen

Palm wallpaper by Cole and Son. Image from VTWonen

 

 

A feature wallpaper should be positioned where you want to create a focal point in the room. Typically this is the headboard in the bedroom or the fireplace in the living room, any area you’d like highlighted could work.

Timorous beasties feature wallpaper

Place your wallpaper where you want the focal point in the room to be. Image from www.designclaud.com. Wallpaper by Timorous Beasties

 

 

Often people are worried that they will tire of a bold pattern. If you position it behind the sofa in the living room or the headboard in the living room, or use it in an occasional room like the hallway or guest bedroom, then you won’t have to look at it for long periods of time.

Circus wallpaper by Cole and Son

Circus wallpaper by Cole and Son

 

 

Walls with no windows and doorways work best for feature walls, as there is nothing to interrupt the design. If this is impossible due to the architecture of your home, or you live in a large open plan space, consider making a frame within the wall to fit your wallpaper within.

Wallpaper in panels by House of Hackney

Wallpaper in panels by House of Hackney

 

Consider commissioning a mural wallpaper- this is a digitally printed image that can be resized and ordered to fit your wall perfectly. The only limited here is your imagination. Maps of the world have universal appeal but you can get them in a range of colourways to suit all interiors. Views of countryside or palm beaches are a little more kitsch but choose the right image and the effect can be really evocative and relaxing. Better still take your own award-winning photograph for a one off original.

A map mural used as a feature wallpaper. Interior Design by Sophie Robinson for housetohome.co.uk

A map mural used as a feature wallpaper. Interior Design by Sophie Robinson for housetohome.co.uk

 

Here is my little black book of great design houses who do brilliantly bold wallpaper designs to get you inspired, in no particular order;

 

Kit Miles Studio

Cole and Son

Timorous Beasties

Black Edition

House of Hackney

Surface View

WallpaperDirect

Please share with me where you have spotted some great bold designs, leave a message in the Comments below

 

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comments

Jessica Lozano on 19.11.15

Gorgeous and bold wallpaper just shows us not to be scared of it as the results are stunning! Thank you for a great round-up.

Reply
Sophie Robinson on 19.11.15

Glad you found it inspiring…I could spend all day looking at beautiful bold patterns!

Reply
Matthew on 06.12.15

The lampshade in the cole and son circus photo is amazing! Do you have any idea where it came from?

Reply
Sophie Robinson on 07.12.15

I agree it’s really striking. I’m not sure where its from but I found this similar design at Bhs, The Brass maxim pendant light at £80.
http://www.bhs.co.uk/en/bhuk/product/home-lighting-furniture-2565866/ceiling-lights-2809354/brass-maxim-pendant-light-4531232?bi=0&ps=201

Reply
Francisca Denyer on 18.02.16

http://designs.manuelcanovas.com/details.aspx?StockCode=J758F-01&BrandCode=&Item=&Colour=&Pattern=&Keywords=&Start=&Use=&Show=
http://www.timorousbeasties.com/shop/fabric/1887/bloomsbury-garden/
Some fabrics hung as wall coverings can really pack a punch too, especially those opulent velvets.
Thanks for your succinct comments and advice – enjoy the clarity of your observations in GIDC too.

Reply
Sophie Robinson on 19.02.16

Nice idea. I think its great to add pattern and colour in any way you can. Glad you are enjoying the show too.

Reply
Helen on 24.02.16

I was watching the Great Interior Design Challenge tonight and totally loved Anne’s squirrel wallpaper in the farmyard kitchen. Do you know where that is from?

Reply
Sophie Robinson on 26.02.16

Hi Helen. it was absolutley stunning wasn’t it! I found it for you, its called Harvest Hare by St Judes. http://www.stjudesfabrics.co.uk/collections/wallpapers/products/harvest-hare-wallpaper

Reply
lokendra on 01.10.19

great article i enjoyed reading this article if you want more information on wallpaper must read

Reply
Claire on 02.10.19

I love a designers guild wallpaper called Amarapali … but its bold for me so panicking it won’t work – rest of walls will be white with a chimney as feature wall in a dining room. Loving the bold print on the chimney next to the exposed brick!

Reply
Sophie Robinson on 04.10.19

It’s one of my favourite wallpapers too. Sometimes you just have to follow your heart and go for it!

Reply

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