So if feature walls are naff.......?

[milkysmum]

Im about to re do my living room from scratch but not sure whats not naff nowadays. Its a 1960's ex council house- living room is smallish box shape. Dh is putting in a log burner with beam over it. I want grey sofas ( currently brown leather).
I was thinking grey walls but also want to inject some colour. What about geometric wallpaper is that ok? Help i just don't know where to start.

Feature walls are naff. You could try panelling but I didn't think that would really go with that style of house. Maybe just use finishing for colour?

*Furnishings

Thanks. Im liking the idea of walls a soft grey, lots of plants and then some really great prints on the walls to add colour. Stuck on curtains- anyone got any thinks for some fab retro or scandi style curtains?

I have never had a feature wall because my ex wanted everything magnolia
I have bought a house with a bright red feature wall. It's hideous but am planning a pale grey/duck egg paint job depending on what looks best against the curtains JL are measuring did this week.
Anything is better than fucking magnolia.

Do whatever you like - think about the shape of the rooms though. A low ceilings 60s property doesn't always suit the same things an Edwardian high ceiling one would.

Things that are lovely in one house don't necessarily look lovely in all properties. I had some gorgeous old ceiling moldings in my old Edinburgh flat but they'd just look daft in my current home (we built our own, its Scandinavian because we live in actual Scandinavia :) .)

Mid century modern suits 60s properties - have a google of that, there are loads of online blogs on it. Also the advantage that modern repro furniture isn't hard to find.

Ooh mid centuary modern- just had a quick google and I think that is fab! Thank you

Blimey...sorry for all my typos!Walls not Wales ...Scandi etc.I don't live in Scandinavia but second mid century modern.

I've just painted my bathroom 'natural calico', I at first bought 'soft coffee' but couldn't tell the difference between the original magnolia and the 'soft coffee'. The 'natural calico' is about one shade lighter. Magnolia generally is cream apart from in the 80's it went a bit pinker, or was that white 'with a touch of magnolia'? My general advice is keep things neutral which are a pain to change but use accents of colour and pattern through easily replaceable items.

I think you should have a feature wall if you want it! You've a 60s house, so mid century stuff will look gorge, you can get some lovely wallpapers in that general style at the moment. Try mini moderns, as well as the bigger brands.
And I second looking at mags- I quite like style at home and home style (I find the glossier ones can be a bit dispiriting for those of us who live in houses not palaces...)

Miaow do you have any pictures of your lounge you would be willing to share? Sounds lovely

Bold rugs give a good pop of colour. Easier to change than wallpaper or paint.

All magnolia is the height of naff, as is slavishly following home decor trends. Just have what you want, OP. It will be a lot better than bloody boring neutral shades.

I'm going back to plastered walls and (shades of) neutral paint. Big job.

Definitely go for art rather than a feature wall. Feature walls are naff.

Also a big mirror can really lift a room, big mirror above the fireplace looks lovely, and that will give you your 'feature'

Awww I don't think feature walls are naff at all! My tastes run to the bright and colourful though; currently my living room has two bright/dark pink walls and two lilac walls done with glittery paint so they're lovely and sparkly . (I'm a 30 something doctor and mother of 2 before anyone jumps in saying I'm obviously a big chav with that sort of behaviour ). I say go with what will make you happy; it's you that will have to be looking at it everyday, not the randoms on mumsnet!

Pinterest

My sister is an interior designer for an an architecture firm and uber stylish. She has just bought a place and says she is planning several feature walls. Agree they're only naff when done in some hideous oversized floral wallpaper. Ones that are painted are fine.

Everything is naff to someone!

Feature walls can be a bit in your face or overpowering depending on what is used.

I had an interior designer help with our sitting area off the kitchen as I couldn't get it right. She suggested a feature wall. Walls are grey and the feature wall is a wallpaper in a very similar shade with a subtle pattern - just grey and cream. It's very subtle and just adds something but isn't in your face.

Agree that everything is naff to someone. I have several things that I think are naff that are currently very 'in' BUT I'm also aware that taste is subjective and that who am I to dictate to anyone else?

Our whole house is painted white because we built it ourselves and I was heavily pregnant and sick and just could not be arsed with decorating. It turns out it suits it - its white and slate and oak (Scandinavian style and we do live in Sweden) then we've just added prints and brighter pops from cushions (and the acres of plastic tat the child has...) we've never consciously styled it but it looks ok.

I think you should look at the light, the height of the ceilings etc. A darker wall colour might look incredible in a high ceilinged house or a modern flat with huge windows but less so in a north facing basement flat.

But really it's you who has to live in it, so if you want all white go for that, and if you want pink sparkles go for that :)

John Lewis, Dunlem & next all have some good retro/scandi curtains at the moment, might be worth a look.