So I had this plan, see, to paint a dark accent wall in Ike’s room, see. But then I got to thinking: is that a really dorky idea? I mean, I’m not indicting all accent walls, mostly because I already have one:
That would be the long wall spanning the kitchen to dining area. PS, I really need to reshoot this room because all the stuff piled on the chesterfield is making me stabby.
The other side of the wall. Don’t worry, those sconces and their damned infernal cords are gone, baby gone.
So I feel like an accent wall can work well if you have something of architectural interest to highlight.
Anna of Door 16 just painted her fireplace wall black, and I think it looks smashing. Karly has a black fireplace wall, too, and it’s the bee’s knees. But those lovely folks have cool stuff in their rooms. What about an accent wall in a regular old box shaped bedroom, with regular old 8′ ceilings, and regular old windows.
Nate Berkus seems to think it’s ok.
But sometimes I can tell it’s definitely not ok. Sometimes it looks like Trading Spaces got all up in the room and was like, hmmmmm… I like blue AND I like red… I just can’t decide… I know! Let’s use them BOTH!!!!
And the result is nothing short of vomity drivel. Although that is one hilariously spectacular photoshop job.
So, I ask you savvy readers, when is an accent wall ok? Is it ever ok? Tell me all your thoughts while I continue to repaint 18 different samples all over Ike’s walls. Patchwork is in, right?
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Oo never seen that first angle before! Umm, accent walls… I think they are ok in certain situations. super helpful, right!? What is your goal in doing it? I think the darker wall should be highlighted in some way, to make it purposeful. I think if the accent wall is a great focal point, then you have succeeded. And based on your examples, the other walls should remain fairly simple…. and white?
I agree — I think they only work if you have an architectual detail to highlight. I painted the wall behind my bed a dark smokey blue because I have pitched ceilings and needed something to draw your eye away from the low, sloped ceilings.
It will be great because you’ll know how to make it work. I trust.
the 1st image is very intriguing!
I concede that in (most of) these examples accent walls work, but often they seem so noncommittal and way too safe. I love how the french (yes, all 62,616,488 of them) don’t just wallpaper one wall, they wallpaper all the walls and upholster everything in the same fabric. Granted a padded cell in chintz is still a padded cell. Though surfeit of pattern might not aid your sanity it’s still quite adventurous. Audacious decorating choices often have the best results. (good grief, did I just throw the lexicon of pretense at this comment)
You can always take the Ilse Crawford approach and just paint a bunch of swatches on the wall
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OAh4Xl94vrU/R1gmIKRCPXI/AAAAAAAAByE/0HIzkAJWZtg/s1600-h/SHNY-drawing-rm-paint.jpg)
At first I was unsure, but now I think I’m on board. You have cool shit and it’s not like you’re doing some hideous color (which is, I think, why those Trading Spaces rooms go terribly, terribly wrong. No, wait, maybe it’s when they make the homeowners make “art” for the rooms. No, it’s Vern. I can’t decide).
Maybe you need a fireplace.
No! Some corruguated cardboard pieces printed with bricks. Think of the fun for Ike…
Pieter, that is exactly what Ike’s room looks like right now — minus the cool furniture.
I totally agree that doing it all up righteous is the way to go… unless you are considering reselling your house in the next year. But even then, it’s just paint, right?
I’m still mulling over all the options. Thank you, everyone, for all your thoughtful comments!
I will be honest, I am not generally a fan. Paint the entire effin’ room say I. But, I will be honest again in saying your kitchen situation, wall and all, is smashing. So I am not entirely against it and I think you have the design savvy to pull it off. As for your other examples, with that mind-numbing sconce in the room a pile-o-poop would look good. Lord I want me some of that lighting.
so- i am helping a friend redecorate their crib in austin this weekend, and i saw a certain Cassina lounge chair up on there that i recognized? Blog the purge! Blog the purge!
I think Ike need’s an accent wall. I love the idea! DO IT! and when it’s done I’m coming to kick him out ans spend the night.
and on a related accent wall note. That above image of a black accent around the fireplace makes me think I need t paint my wall around my fireplace and remove my ugly tacky plain mirror over the mantel and hang up something awesome and terribly gaudy to give my front room life!!
as a general rule i abhor accent walls, and yet, i’ve used them for clients twice in the past year, so my advice is… rules are made to be broken and to go for it! if you hate it, it’s only paint- not like you knocked the wall down or nuffin’.
I know I should be talking about accent walls, but all I took away from this post was CHRIST’S UNDERPANTS THAT MOUILLE FIXTURE IS HUGE.
HUUUGE!
It takes over that whole room like one of the aliens from War of the Worlds… but in a good way. It’s a sexy black French alien.
As with most things, it all depends how you use it. But I’ve never been opposed to them. Generally when I see one that I think looks horrible, I think a dozen other things in the room looks horrible as well. So it’s more a reflection of taste.
If I ever get up the gumption to paint my apartment, I think I’m doing one. And I think yours looks great.