Decorating walls in your apartment with your own hands only withAt first glance, it seems like a simple task that anyone can handle, but when it comes to practice, many people get stuck. That's why we turned to professional designers Kira Vavakina, Alexey Ilyin and Elena Krylova for help. Advice from Kira Vavakina: how to transform a rented apartment Kira Vavakina Graduated from the Higher Art and Industrial School, interior design department. Worked at RKMDI (Russian Monumental and Decorative Art Combine) and at the Home store design studio. Today she is in private practice. — I will not talk about styles. As a rule, this is out of the question in an "ugly little apartment". In this case, the only possible option is maximum decoration of the walls and a combination of different patterns, borders, colors and fabrics. Then you will get a "temporary theater", and this is very interesting - to make yourself a temporary decoration, like in a theater! Tip #1: Put up plain wallpaper in a beautiful color First, you need to look closely at the wallpaper and see if it’s that bad. For example, if you have a dull sweater, you can always “cheer it up” with a bright scarf. The same goes for wallpaper: buy one roll of plain wallpaper in a beautiful color that matches the existing ones. Re-paper one wall or one section. Cover the opposite wall with shelves or a bookcase.
Tip #2: Freshen up your interior with small details Here's what else you can do to transform the overall picture:
- A time-worn sofa with an obviously unattractive appearance is decorated with a beautiful blanket brought with you.
- On the floor, put a small woven rug, bought at the sale.
- Buy any suitable fabric (chintz or polyester) in the remains, for example in IKEA, and make a curtain with your own hands.
- If the table has an ugly old countertop, you can cut out its form of hardboard, and put a piece of beautiful cloth or wallpaper under it.
Tip #3:textiles as the basis of the entire interior You can use fabrics with different patterns. For example, stretch and attach textiles to the wall (or part of it) using carpet rings. At the same time, partially cover the door with a curtain, as was done before. Tip #4: bright edging from paper borders Another technique is decorative and simple. Wallpaper stores often have rolls of paper borders with different patterns on sale: floral, geometric. Buy such a decorative element and glue it along the ceiling along the entire perimeter - and the bright edging is ready!
Advice from Alexey Ilyin:choosing decorative finishing Alexey Ilyin Graduated from the Moscow State Stroganov Academy of Art and Industry (MGHPA named after Stroganov), member of the Moscow Union of Designers and the International Public Association "Union of Designers" (IDASS). Today he heads the design bureau "Maximus". - I will tell you about practical ways of finishing walls. In my design practice, I have encountered such a problem as ugly walls, and I believe that its solution should be radical. In addition, the owners of rented housing, as a rule, are happy with the improvement of the aesthetic qualities of the rented premises. Tip # 1: do not despair! So, the long-awaited moment has come: you crossed the threshold of the apartment you rented - and suddenly you are dumbfounded. A quick inspection the day before did not alarm you, but when the owners took out the furniture, mirrors, carpets and paintings, you were confronted with walls with peeling wallpaper, bumpy corners and rectangles on faded surfaces, some suspicious streaks and other "charms". And here there are two ways: to remain the "happy" owner of walls with rubbed, cracked and peeling paint in places, or to change everything for the better and opt for decorative plaster. It is impossible to live happily with terrible walls, but this is not a disaster. Look at the situation differently: now you have a reason to show your individuality and bring a few fresh and aesthetic touches to your life in a new place. Your desire to live in a new way gives rise to a thirst for action!
Tip #2:Prepare the wall for experiments Remove old wallpaper along with the paper or newspaper backing. If there is any defective paint or decorative plaster, it can also be partially removed in the areas of greatest damage. Cracks are often found on such walls, eliminate them - "sew" and putty. And now before your eyes - a relatively smooth and clean wall surface. Nothing extra. You can take advantage of the opportunity and engage in a short meditation. When "enlightenment" touches your consciousness, you can move on.
Tip #3:Choose the type of wall covering It is worth remembering that the wall covering can be bright and self-sufficient, or it can be just a background on which the elements that form the interior are located, and a place for decor fragments. Different types of wall coverings require different wall preparation, this must be taken into account. Tip # 4: the right wallpaper Choose the one you like and that suits the overall concept of the room. They can contrast with the flooring, furniture, etc., or they can act as “companions”, complementing all this and emphasizing a certain community. Tip # 5: decorative plaster as part of the interior Paint or decorative plaster, like wallpaper, can have the function of a bright, unusual component of the interior. For example, “Venetian” or other plaster with significant relief or an active color scheme. It is not necessary to opt for brightness. “Calm” plaster or paint, not standing out itself, will perfectly emphasize the “filling” of the walls, the color and texture properties of furniture and decor.
Tip #6:create a careless effect You can decorate the walls, preserving the deliberate carelessness of the putty. Leave all the chipped places and caverns, applying the plaster with a rough spatula or even by hand. Paint this "natural splendor" with white matte paint. This will create an unusually attractive image of a "medieval cell", which will allow you to use the plane of the walls as a kind of "exhibition space". On such a wall, paintings of any style, framed photographs (especially black and white), some oriental carpets and souvenirs, weapons, flat ceramics, and any collectibles look amazing.
Tip #7:leave it as is In general, deliberate simplicity, even some roughness of the wall finish perfectly emphasizes the sophistication of what we perceive against their background, be it neo-baroque furniture, modern glass interior items or the Barcelona chair. Sometimes the walls are left concrete, a la naturel, even with seams. And this is also a kind of aesthetic technique that allows you to create a natural background for an interesting and bright or restrained filling of the living space. So you can simply remove all the "historical and everyday layers" and leave only plaster, concrete or brick.
Tip #8:Don't spoil the brick wall Sometimes a brick wall is covered with a special uniform paint coating that imitates the natural color of the brick. I doubt the advisability of such a finish. Firstly, because natural and especially old brick does not need a decorative coating. Secondly, it seems to me that any fake or imitation is mauvais ton (bad form), unless it is dictated by some compelling reasons.
Tip #9:Combine types of finishing It is possible to combine wall finishing, when, based on the general conceptual idea of the interior solution, you can finish the walls in different ways. This is quite justified if it corresponds to the general idea. In this option, it is possible to effectively use photo or relief wallpaper, imitating, say, an antique fresco. Selective fragmentary wall finishing is also possible. For example, when, with a general monochromatic light color, a part of the wall highlighted by gypsum overlay elements is finished with “Venetian plaster”, done with alfresco work under marble or under onyx. Tip # 10: Stick to the design concept Whatever you do, whatever method of wall finishing you choose, you need to strictly adhere to the design concept underlying your actions to create the interior. And then you will find bliss, living in the ideal living space for you, and you will be happy every time you return home. Read also — .
Advice from Elena Krylova:if you can't come to an agreement with the owners of the apartment Elena Krylova Practicing designer, decorator, head of the design studio, graduate of the International School of Design. The studio's portfolio includes design projects for Bari Alibasov, Natasha Koroleva, Lena Lenina, Edita Piekha and other show business stars. Collaborates with several TV channels. - The complexity of decorating the interior of rented apartments always lies in agreeing with the owners. Often, it is impossible to paint or re-wallpaper the interior of a rented apartment. Improvised materials come to the rescue, which help hide the flaws and are quickly dismantled in case of dissatisfaction of the owners. Related articles Tip # 1: create an illusion Alternatively, textiles can come to the rescue. Drape the wall, and use photo wallpaper to create an imitation of a false window. Tip #2: Hang posters and paintings Decorate the wall with posters and paintings, placing them on the wall almost close to each other, creating an interesting installation. This will not only cover the wall, but also create an interesting decorative effect. Tip #3: Cover the wall with plywood, cork or plasterboard Finally, you can simply cover the wall with a sheet of plasterboard, plywood or cork. Of course, this will “steal” a little space in the apartment, but it will look better than originally. With the sheet, in turn, you can come up with anything that your imagination can come up with. For example, create a planner with things to do for the week or attach your photos. Or you can paint the sheet with your children or cover it with paint to create a chalkboard effect. This option is the fastest and most painless in terms of installation. If you get tired of the sheet over time, it can be easily taken out of the apartment.
Source: pinterest.com
