Decorating Ideas
Inspirational Ideas
PAINT FINISHES
Experiment with paint finish as well as colour for real impact. Try painting a stripe of Full Gloss on to an Estate Emulsion wall in the same colour to create a striking, textured look. The high sheen gloss finish contrasts wonderfully with the chalky matt appearance of Estate Emulsion for an ultra contemporary feel. This works wonderfully with rich, velvety colours such as Brinjal No.222, Radicchio No.96 and Chappell Green No.83 as well as neutrals and off whites.
CROSS-HUNG WALLPAPER
When hung vertically, either above or below dado rails or from floor to ceiling, stripes can enhance the perceived height of a room and are popular for linking rooms such as hallways as well as on ceilings and in attic rooms. Alternatively stripes can be used horizontally for a more modern look. Try Special Edition I Block Print Stripe BP 754.
FULL GLOSS
No longer restricted to front doors and woodwork, Gloss is increasingly being used for ceilings and walls to produce an ultra contemporary look. Walls glint and shine, creating a jewel-like quality while having maximum durability.
BED HEAD
An effective way of introducing strong colour into a scheme is by painting a bed head directly onto the wall. These can be any shape or indeed any colour - Pitch Blue No.220 and Arsenic No.214 work particularly well on neutral walls - and you can introduce a border of Railings No.31 or Mahogany No.36 for added definition.
Alternatively, try painting a fake dado rail onto the wall. Not only does it allow you to incorporate more colour into a scheme, but it also creates an unusual decorative feature. Use strong colours for maximum impact: Charleston Gray No.243 for the rail with Pelt No.254 below it and Skylight No.205 above.
ANGULAR STRIPES
Enhance the angular form of a room by painting a stripe of a contrasting colour around the perimeters. Just a small, thin line above the skirting, around doors and windows and even pieces of furniture can give definition and detail to any room.
VARNISH
If you’re feeling really artistic, paint a design or some lettering in a Farrow & Ball varnish onto an Estate Emulsion wall. The high sheen contrasts wonderfully with the matt emulsion, creating a striking, embossed look. Try Farrow & Ball’s eco friendly eggshell varnish which has a 20% sheen level and a low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) content.
CUPBOARDS
Nothing can give more pleasure than the discovery of a bold wallpaper on the interior of a cupboard, particularly within a neutral coloured bedroom. Spice things up with the use of wallpaper – especially effective inside wardrobes, glass fronted cabinets or as decorative drawer liners – try The Vermicelli Papers, St Antoine or The Lotus Papers.
ACCENTS OF COLOUR
Additional paint colours add style and excitement to any scheme. Consider layering more than one colour in a room to create added interest, for example, if you use Matchstick No.2013 on the walls, String No.8 could be used on the woodwork and then look to introduce some stronger colour such as Cat’s Paw No.240 or Mouse’s Back No.40 on furniture, fireplaces or in the backs of bookcases. These small accents of colour can be changed easily and inexpensively as the mood takes you.









