Long, long ago in the age of beige, people were craving a little color. Because the idea of painting an entire room anything other than beige or off white was too intimidating for most, along came the Accent Wall. A section of color painted in a room was the solution– a tentative way for homeowners to dip their toes into the color pool so to speak. Remember walking into a home and seeing a bold color kind of standing on its own looking lonely and heavy in relation to the rest of the room? Remember the strong reds, blues and greens that covered a single wall in almost every room? What was once an unpredictable pop of color is now, well…sort of predictable.
Welcome to 2010 and the introduction of (drum roll please…) the Feature Wall.
Feature wall? Sounds like a marketing gimmick. Just a new name for an old concept.
Well no, not necessarily.
(Think of the accent wall as an 80′s hair band, loud, showy and outspoken and overdone.) Think of the Feature Wall as contemporary, modern and classy.
Now that many of you have embraced the concept of using a little color in your homes you may still find yourselves craving a little more. Most homes have been relieved of all wall covering, painted in plain colors and left feeling a bit bland. What do you do when you want a little something different to set your house apart from the Jonses’?
A Feature Wall is a great solution. It is a canvas for a decorative paint finish or a grasscloth wallpaper, mural or graphic. It can add spice to a space without causing a big dent in the pocketbook. It can eliminate the need for a lot of art work. It can be anything from paint, to texture, to wallpaper, to murals…whatever you want it to be. And it is easier than ever to find something unique to highlight your design personality–especially when you stop at Seven’s to check out the latest in Feature Wall decor.
Here are some examples of Feature Walls done right…
This grasscloth Feature Wall looks natural and rich behind the tufted headboard.
courtesy of photobucket
I love this stenciled Feature Wall. Not just boring old french doors now, it feels like we’re going someplace special…
courtesy of photobucket
More of a ‘feature nook’ than a Feature Wall, the red defines a unique space and is an impressive backdrop for the art collection.
courtesy of photobucket
This is one Feature Wall reminiscent of its older cousin, the accent wall, but it works to balance out the creamy bedding. Notice the repeated cream color on the side walls.
courtesy of photobucket
How about cork by Thibaut for your Feature Wall? It’s eco friendly, sound absorbing and just plain beautiful.
courtesy of thibautdesign.com
More from Thibaut, delicate and elegant… Remember a Feature Wall doesn’t always have to scream, “Look at me!”
courtesy of thibautdesign.com
Thibault again…(sorry I have a huge crush) This time grass cloth with a damask pattern.
courtesy of thibautdesign.com
Wow, a feature wall with a faux finish and a color behind the floating shelves. Notice how the painting technique used hides the access doors? Feature wall with a function.
courtesy of photobucket
Feature Wall Graphic Murals from Brewster Wallcovering…
courtesy of brewster wallcoverings
courtesy of brewster wallcoverings
Decorative Paint Feature Wall ideas from our Kentwood Seven’s
A Feature Wall fills the need for something more than plain paint. It gives you a way to put your unique stamp on your space. It allows you to be a designing diva and a frugalista at the same time. Go ahead, and create a real show stopper in your home.
