Is it considered a bit passé .....

[Joanna2010]

To have either a painted or papered feature wall now days?

I have found some wallpaper that I love but really don't fancy the whole lounge in it (although I have no idea which wall I would paper as the fireplace wall wouldn't really lend itself given the style of fire place but hey ho) I also keep toying with the idea of having a feature wall. DH likes things rather neutral so it may be my only way of using something a little braver on the walls.

Our lounge is fairly large and although north facing it has a large bay window so is quite light. It has a similar to feel to this one:
www.housetohome.co.uk/house-tour/picture/step-inside-a-1930s-edwardian-semi/3

Would F&B Elephants Breath be dark enough for the feature wall? Any suggestions for the other walls? At the moment it is painted in Homebase own Putty, which we bought in job lot the day after we moved in to just clean the house up and give us some thinking space (we needed it!). Its actually a nice colour but doesn't do anything for the room.

Or should I just paint the whole thing in EB and be done with it?

Decisions decisions.

BTW, I have been lurking and reading for a couple of weeks but this is my first post so hiya :)

some self-styled interior gurus on MN think feature walls are passe but this self-styled interior guru says do what you like in your own home. Elephant's Breath looks fab on its own or with another FB colour - you'll need to hit the match pots to decide which one will work best in your living room don't call it a lounge please as the F&B colour chart is scanned therefore doesn't depict the colours properly.

And "hiya" back to you - we must be two of only about a hundred people left in the UK who still say "hiya"

Hiya! My 19 month old says that -200 times a day-- frequently.

I agree with fancyanamechange. Some people say they are over but don't appear to suggest an alternative for injecting colour and print! If you like the paper go for it. I have a few feature walls in my house and I like them. I like something subtle but that's personal taste.

It's easy to change if you change your mind in a few years.

I would paint it all No feature walls. Maybe a new piece of art?

Completely agree with the others. Sod whether its passé! It's your home and if you like it then go for it. Fwiw we have a Edwardian house and had painted the lounge a soft grey but found it too plain - we did one wall in Cole and Sons Rajapur wallpaper. It's a very bold print but I love it - just a shame we will be moving soon!

It is passé, but as others have said its your home so do what you like. IMO the worst feature walls are the ones in big bold floral mock flock prints, usually black. They really are everywhere and I think a bit naff, so long as you avoid that style you'll be fine.

I say hiya!

I also say, "do what you want in your own house".

However, our living room is painted entirely in a colour similar to the one you like. But, it would also work on just one wall, and not be too much a "feature", anyway.

The other obvious ways to add some colour into the room are curtains/blinds, cushions, a rug, or some art, if you don't want a feature wall.

I say Hiya. I try not to, but it still pops out sometimes.

Just do it. I think the feature walls that are passé are those hideous cheap prints. If its a nice colour/print and your stuff works with the colours then it's lovely.

I agree - do what you like. Or you can be a sheep and so what people tell you to do... I wonder if that includes doing what you like because other people have told you to though

Out of interest, what is the current trend for wall coverings then does anyone know? Are all the muted period colours passé too now?

I don't think feature walls per se are passé, unless said wall is papered in some massive floral pattern with lots of bold colour and then I think yes, passé as hell!

I am a big fan of elephants breath, how you use it depends on the light in your room. I have used EB in my HSL and sitting room if you would like a darker or co-ordinating shade, consider Charleston Grey.

EB is a beautiful greige, it has a red base which means, in certain light it has a lilac/purple tinge. I think it's great for north facing rooms.

I am so sorry that I haven't been back to this thread until now to thank you all for your replies (and hiya's), we had some sad family news last week so have been dealing with that.

I am now armed with tester pots and wallpaper swatches so will see which works best.

Once again, thank you and I am looking forward to joining in a lot more on the boards in future :)

Well they were out last year apparently..

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/property/a1532351-feature-walls-in-or-out

I say Hiya and I didn't realise people were judging me for it until I discovered MN!
Personally I don't mind solid colour painted feature walls but have never liked wall papered feature walls.
Wouldn't care if it was passé either

I say hiya too.

The odd thing is, I never say hiya in RL so I have no idea why I do online.

Thanks for the link melli, I shall have a read.