The art of creating space - part 2.

Think about your space before creating a feature wall because they don’t work everywhere. Here are a few basic guidelines, that should help make your decision easier.

Small spaces: when you want to introduce another colour into the area without having to bring in a piece of furniture.

To elongate: a corridor or hallway – paint the furthest wall in a lighter colour to the adjacent walls. A large, full length will achieve the same effect as will a carefully placed console table with a gilded mirror placed above it and a bunch of flowers on the surface. This technique will give the illusion of continuing space and is also light reflective.

Other paint techniques you can use to add interest to a room

IF you want to reduce the endless height of very tall ceilings you can paint them in a half-strength colour to the wall, the definition between wall and ceiling, the space will appear smaller and cosier.

To create a feeling of spaciousness, choose a true white ceiling and very pale walls. A pale colour wall with a red ceiling will bring the height of the room down and will bring a sense of ‘drama’ to the room.

Choosing neutral colours like white, beiges and creams will allow you to change the colour scheme without needing to totally decorate because you are able to introduce bright accent colours with cushions, rugs and lamps. Stronger tones like greens and reds or browns will limit your ability to change the room at a whim.

Continue your commitment to the environment by choosing paints that have been created with concern for their impact on the earth.
Our recommendations:

Volvox are made from clay, these paints are solvent and VOC free and guaranteed to be long-lasting, trans-toxic fumes and pleasant smelling. Asthma sufferers and people with skin problems are more comfortable in rooms that have been decorated with natural paints. Available in Australia through ECOHOME

Oikos Natural Paints have a comprehensive range of non-toxic paints for all aspects of painting. From bathrooms to commercial projects OIKOS paints are suitable for use on timber, metal and decorative finishes, like metallic paint, suede effects. The breadth of their range that includes stuccos, pearlescent and travertine stone effects, makes them very competitive with other well-known, traditional paints. Other products include eco-paint strippers to rust converters. The perfect non-toxic solution to all your paint-related projects.

Resene are another great choice with a large range. They will also dispose of unwanted or ‘leftover’ paint products and will dispose of them responsibly. They have an online paint calculator - helps you find out how much paint you need for your project and happily supply test pots so you can make a confident choice.