What do you think of 'feature' wallpapers? On one wall?

[StillAlive76]

Hi all.
Moved into a new build last year, recently had the hall, stairs and landing wallpapered in a very plain grey (yes I know) wallpaper with a tiny pinstripe through it. However, due to the plasterboard behind the paper, on the one large stair wall (the wall that is the highest in the house) there are loads of ridges and bumps showing through the paper due to the shitty finish of the plasterwork. I had asked the decorator at the time if the walls needed lined and he said no. I wish I knew how bad they were or I would have had it skimmed first.
I hate it, it catches my every time I walk up the stairs and when the light hits it it looks awful.
I've had another decorator round and he says he can strip the wall again, line it with the thickest lining paper available, then re-paper it, but is suggesting a feature wallpaper with a pattern/texture/anaglypta type finish to further disguise any bumps etc. He says skimming will make no difference?
So my question is, will it look mental to have the whole stairs and landing in a plain paper with only one wall in a completely different patterned paper? It's the 'main' wall if that makes sense, the wall running up the stairs across from the wooden bannister. i was thinking of tying into the silver/grey theme but something with a texture and pattern.
Crazy?

We have done this just to break up the ‘greige’ as it’s a long hallway, staircase and landing. I guess some people will say a feature wall is the worst thing you can have, but personally I like a bit of colour so I say do it, as it’s your house and you have to look at it everyday.

Nah I love a feature wall me, and am planning to do that “main” stair wall myself in our new house. Also, it doesn’t really matter what everyone else thinks, it’s what you think that matters, you’re the one that’s going to live with it

It's very passe. A bit Homes under the Hammer.

I like a feature wall! I'm planning on doing a couple of rooms myself in the spring with a feature wall in each.

Feature walls - yes I have them in my house.

Anaglypta can kiss my arse. Get it skimmed.

Well, I think they're ghastly but it really depends on what you like - if you do like a feature wall, crack on and enjoy it! Think the lining sounds a good idea

I'd be tempted to re-paper the whole thing in a funky patterned wallpaper tbh. Go all in!

We’ve feature walls in our bedroom and office room. Will do in most of the bedrooms when we decorate

Hate a feature wall. Sorry!

I think it depends on the wallpaper. If it's something quite contemporary it look good. I have one with a tropical print in navy shades. I'm quite ott in my decor tastes. I think feature walls which are quite muted are just a bit pointless and look like you don't have much personality.

Having moved into a house where every fucking room had a feature wall with textured wallpaper, I would just warn you that it's very hard to get rid of again

My opinion says 'ick'. I would rather replaster. Anaglypta is the work of the devil.

Love a feature wall but I'm thinking it might be seen as a bit naff now. I give not a shit as it's my house and I like it.

I like a feature wall, but it can look very very dated - you need the right room and the right wallpaper, I think this idea needs space.

Did you see Zoe Balls house thread on here? She had feature walls and they looked great. But = large rooms & expensive wallpaper.

We have feature walls in some of our rooms. Done well they can look lovely. But I really don't like textured wall paper at all.

It depends on how well it blends and the quality of the paper. There's a lot of room between De Gournay and a roll of something garish from B&Q.

It doesn’t need to be full on anaglypta to be a lot more forgiving, papers range from thin papers through slightly thicker and a bit of texture which is forgiving before landing back in time at anaglypta. I say go for it too, pick a pattern you love so you can say, I don’t care if it’s not really in fashion because I love the paper and needed something durable for up the stairs. I think a feature wall in every room is the level to avoid.

Woodchip might be better than Anaglypta
If it's that bad, re-skim. Otherwise find a paper that's more random and less geometric.

I'm a believer in your house, your rules, so if you like/want a feature wall, do it. However, I'd be another vote for saying forget the textured wallpaper and get a decent plasterer to smooth it out.

@madcatladyforever

It's very passe. A bit Homes under the Hammer.

Agreed.

I’ve yet to see a feature wall that doesn’t look horrendous.

I love a good feature wall if it’s interesting. I don’t call painting one wall a different colour much of a feature. I have this in my bedroom and I love it! Although my mum said it would scare her at night

I really don't like features walls and think they're naff, but if you do, that's all that matters. Personally I'd have the wall skimmed and paint it. I don't understand why the decorator thinks it would make no difference Our last house was an old cottage which had heavily textured walls (almost like very rough render) and swirly artex ceilings. As you say with it being the tallest wall in the house, it's really noticeable. We had the walls and ceilings skimmed all the way up the stairs to the top floor (3 storeys) and it looked great. No sign of the lumps and bumps underneath.

Honestly, do what you like in your own house. These threads will always bring out those who says it's naff or tacky, but I'm sure if we went round their supposedly tasteful houses we could all pick fault too.

I like colour and wallpaper but depending on the design, I wouldn't have it on all four walls as it would be too busy for my taste. If you want it- have it. What's the worst that can happen?

Hate feature walls. The first thing we did in our house was paint over ours.