For those who find paint a little dull, there’s wallpaper. For those who find even wallpaper a little on the subtle side, there’s fabric and leather walls
There are many unexpected benefits to choosing fabric over paint or wallpaper. Firstly, a fabric wall is decoration in itself so there’s a much smaller need for further furnishings such as art, mirrors or wall lights. I don’t mean that you should cover a room in one fabric and then leave it, but less is certainly more. Thinking about putting things on a fabric wall will hopefully dispel one big myth: that fabric walls can’t have things nailed into them, hung from them or wired into them. Secondly, fabric walling is more easily changed than you’d imagine. Unlike paint, which needs constant retouching or wallpaper that can fade and/or peel, fabric is pretty sturdy, and if the time comes to move house, it can be easily removed and taken with you.
Perhaps the most obvious place to use fabric walling is in a bedroom, but depending on what style choices you’ve made elsewhere in the home, fabric walls can also work well in drawing rooms, landings and dining rooms – libraries, studies and gun rooms, too if you have them. In a bedroom it’s best to go for something lightly coloured; think of soft blues, creams or pale pinks. A bedroom is primarily a place of relaxation so don’t go for something too heavily patterned or too bright. In terms of the fabric itself, stick to soft options like cotton, silk and linen but it’s definitely worth checking with your supplier. As for where to put it, although you may want to start small, matching fabric on walls and curtains actually works really well.
This master bedroom in London (above) features the same fabric on all four walls as well as on full-length curtains and on the divan base. A contrasting fabric on the footstool as well as white bed linen, simple white lampshades and a plain headboard helps break up the pattern. This is key when using fabric on walls; keep furniture and other furnishings simple in style and do use other materials where possible. As in this bedroom, use a fabric that isn’t too heavily coloured but that has a bit of warmth to it. Avoid grey as it will feel cold and consider florals as opposed to something geometric.
The appeal of patterned fabrics, especially floral ones (above), comes from their versatility. Depending on where they’re used and what they’re used with, they can work just as well in a modern home as they can in a more traditional or period property. If you’re after a more contemporary look, then leather on walls can lend homes a very unique touch; the key is to keep it simple. Forget bedrooms or drawing rooms; leather works best in rooms like dining rooms or studies where entertaining is a priority. For those thinking slightly outside the box, leather panelled walls are a wonderful option for something that is smart without being too over-the-top; consider browns in a dining room, and dark reds or greens where you want a bit of colour. ALMA 1938 (below) has a wonderful portfolio of leathers, as well as some unique ideas for how to use them.
Be careful to ensure that the leather is in keeping with your interiors but get it right and it’s long lasting and elegant. Keep the seams visible (i.e, definitely have panels) as this will help to break up the material. It is also important to think about lighting; too harsh a light will make leather walls feel too clinical so instead go for soft light or lamps. The right lighting applies to leather walls wherever you have them in the home and the same goes for panelling but different leathers work in different rooms. A dining room, which is likely to have either daylight or candlelight, would benefit from textured leather and there are endless shades of brown to choose from so that you can find the right one. A study or library looks classic and traditional with studded red or green leather. Keep colours darker and as well as walls, and keep coloured and studded leather in mind for desktops or upholstery.
However you do fabric walls, make sure it’s done professionally and that everything around is fairly simple. If having a whole room seems a bit much, then start small by having a fabric covered wall instead of a headboard, which gives you a feel for a fabric wall without going all or nothing.
For information about any of the above, please contact Letty White-Spunner on letty@janechurchillinteriors.co.uk; 020 7730 8564
Main image: ALMA 1938
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