Wall To Wall

Joseph Pubillones
Tue, 23 Dec 2025 21:00:00 -0800
Lifestyle

All walls are not created equal. Some people say they can't stand their four walls when they get cabin fever — and some really mean it.

Four walls define most interior spaces. They are so important because they keep private activities private. Regardless of whether you live in a house, an apartment, a townhouse or a loft, walls demark the realms of each inhabitant and interaction. Walls are the main backdrop or canvas for artistic expression. They transform a space with their color, finish and dimensions. They are extremely versatile — reaching the ceiling or, at half the height, simply delineating an area. Walls are the silent observers of all of the activity that goes on in your home.

Walls are like chameleons: They can be treated with a decorative paint finish to stand out or serve as the backdrop for beautiful things. Most of us roll our eyes when we hear about faux finishes. Designers, however, strive to come up with new applied finishes, such as stone and ceramic and wallpaper with thinly sliced stones attached to paper — so you get the look without the weight or messy installation.
Updated: Sat Dec 27, 2025

All walls are not created equal. Some people say they can't stand their four walls when they get cabin fever — and some really mean it.

Four walls define most interior spaces. They are so important because they keep private activities private. Regardless of whether you live in a house, an apartment, a townhouse or a loft, walls demark the realms of each inhabitant and interaction. Walls are the main backdrop or canvas for artistic expression. They transform a space with their color, finish and dimensions. They are extremely versatile — reaching the ceiling or, at half the height, simply delineating an area. Walls are the silent observers of all of the activity that goes on in your home.

Walls are like chameleons: They can be treated with a decorative paint finish to stand out or serve as the backdrop for beautiful things. Most of us roll our eyes when we hear about faux finishes. Designers, however, strive to come up with new applied finishes, such as stone and ceramic and wallpaper with thinly sliced stones attached to paper — so you get the look without the weight or messy installation.

Colors are a serious question when planning your interiors. While some consider white ordinary and lackluster, others advocate for it on the grounds that it brightens a space and sometimes makes it appear larger, and they are correct. A couple of decades ago, white was considered radical. This is a trend that comes every decade or so: What's old is new again.

Basically, anything goes when it comes to color, from Victorian-type painted interiors in hyper-bold colors to contemporary neutral palettes. In between these two extreme color schemes is an array of choices that are all valid depending on your decorating scheme.

As of late, in show houses throughout the world, darker, almost black walls are very popular. From deep bottle-greens to brown-blacks, dark walls are all the rage. The amount of light, of course, affects these edgy colors — so be cautious. It will require several coats to paint over these dark colors.

Concentrating color or texture on one or a few walls makes a room's decor pop. This can help to designate what activities should take place where in an open floor plan. Finishes such as Venetian plaster, stenciling, sponging or marbleizing are popular and, when done right, can accentuate and enhance the architecture.

Inevitably, one will tire of wall finishes, so it's important to make sure you absolutely love the finish you are selecting for your home. Changing this type of finish is not only time-consuming, but also very expensive. For those who take the risk, the rewards can be great, and the walls of your home will speak words of praise. Wall colors and finishes are truly the most impactive aspect of an interior design, as your walls are the backdrop to every piece of furniture and accessory in your home.

If your walls could talk, they'd tell you they appreciate the attention and the color.