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"Faux Finish or Wallpaper"
I hear that wallpaper is back. At least, that’s the headlines in several decorating and design magazines. One might picture more do-it-yourself stores filled with more mass-produced wallpaper rolls of uninspired patterns and cute prints. In my mind, I hear Chandler (the Canadian in “Friends”) saying, “Could you be more wrong?” Yes, wallpaper is back, but what is actually being heralded is the hand-printed wallpaper—definitely not your mother’s wallpaper. You may have seen ads for Farrow and Ball in Toronto (www.farrow-ball.com). They are an English import, specializing in traditional 18th and 19th century printing methods that feature stripes of various widths and block prints like toile and Napoleon’s bee. The product is very fine and just happens to look fantastic in the heritage homes on the South Shore. Another high-end paper that is “back” is the photographic reproduction. These papers reproduce architectural details and 19th century neoclassical murals. What used to take a series of printing efforts to produce is now accomplished with computer technology. Computers are also used to produce modern graphic designs using metallic paints and powders. These are very high-end products, and they are “back.”
The reality of the situation is that decorating techniques and materials are like fashion. The classics never really go out of style, but the trends change to influence the consumer into purchasing a “new” idea. Remember faux finishes? Ten years ago, faux finishes were presented as a “new” high-end product for the consumer. Actually, they were just “back.” Artisans were offering a customized wall finish alternative to the mass-produced lifeless papers from the D-I-Y stores. The corporate paint companies noticed and started the usual cycle of making a mass-produced do-it-yourself option. Now, the basic faux finish techniques appear to be just “a few quick lessons at the Home Depot” away from reality. (Does anyone hear Chandler again?) While I have conceptualized many faux finishes for my clients and myself, I have always hired an artist for the execution. Fine details require fine craftsmanship. Unless you have the professional skills, don’t skimp. The South Shore has marvelous faux finish artisans, so use them. Consider a mural in the dining room of the seashore or the Lunenburg townscape. Consider trompe l’oeil effects like marbleized walls or woodwork, pine doors painted to look like mahogany, and trellises on a high-pitched ceiling revealing the perfect blue sky everyday. My favourite effect has been to reproduce fine metallic wallpaper that reflects light in a room.
In a very small guest room, we had Heather Drysdale of Halifax create a gold-striped wallpaper. We started by painting the room a taupe cream. Then Heather sponged gold and silver paint on the walls and ceiling. Together these colours created a warm silver cloud that sparkles in the light. Next she taped the walls to form the stripes. Gold paint was applied as the stripe, and the tape was removed. The process took 3 mornings. The effect is classic. Most people think its wallpaper. And that’s the point. A finely executed faux finish should resemble a hand-printed wallpaper. It’s high end in look, but not necessarily in cost. If you are interested, call Cheri MacLeod in Chester Basin or J. J. Coolen in Lunenburg. They will work with you and your designer to customize a wall finish that looks just like wallpaper, only better.
Whichever you choose, remember that faux finishes and wallpapers are just one component in a well-designed room. They give your walls texture and colour, but ultimately they are just background for your art, your furniture, and your life.