Guest post: Dress up your walls!

Forget the usual wallpaper or solitary piece of framed art; interior designer Andrea Schumacher of Denver-based O Interior Design shares a variety of stylish, surprising ways to deck your walls.

Have you ever wondered how to spruce up those blank walls that are just so distracting? I’ve gathered several creative and beautiful ideas to make your walls shine and add interest to your space.

Below, Iâve pulled together an eclectic mix of art, including some of my grandmotherâs paintings. I love the mix of old and new, as well as the variety of frames and subtle pops of color. When you match all the frames, it looks too ânormal.â Mixing up the frame and mat sizes helps to make each piece unique, creating a more personal and put-together look.

[[{“type”:”media”,”view_mode”:”media_large”,”fid”:”82036″,”attributes”:{“class”:”media-image aligncenter size-full wp-image-1946″,”typeof”:”foaf:Image”,”style”:””,”width”:”347″,”height”:”520″,”title”:”Picture 1″,”alt”:””}}]]

These rooms create a similar effect. Mixing new and antique furnishings gives life to a space. On the left, the vibrant pattern of the rug and drapes âgroundsâ the art wall. While this mix of elements could be overwhelming, the space feels clean and organized because the furnishings are simpleâletting the art wall command attention.

[[{“type”:”media”,”view_mode”:”media_large”,”fid”:”82037″,”attributes”:{“class”:”media-image aligncenter size-full wp-image-1947″,”typeof”:”foaf:Image”,”style”:””,”width”:”575″,”height”:”210″,”title”:”Picture 2″,”alt”:””}}]]

Another great way to bring decoration to your walls is to create art displays with surprising items. I love this room! The mix of the lacquered white antique chairs with purple upholstery, along with the beautiful white chandelier and antique blue-and-white Delftware pottery, is very unexpected and works wonderfully together. These unexpected touches are what give a room that âdesignerâ look, which is always my goal.

[[{“type”:”media”,”view_mode”:”media_large”,”fid”:”82038″,”attributes”:{“class”:”media-image aligncenter size-full wp-image-1948″,”typeof”:”foaf:Image”,”style”:””,”width”:”374″,”height”:”362″,”title”:”Picture 3″,”alt”:””}}]]

In this home, I paired large antique mirrors with oversize traditional damask wallpaper. Again, this creates an unexpected mix of traditional and contemporary styles. The richly framed smoky mirrors create a sense of drama, and the shape and repetition bring harmony to the space. Additionally, the mirrors are side-lit from within the frame, enhancing the drama and emphasizing their presence in the room.

[[{“type”:”media”,”view_mode”:”media_large”,”fid”:”82039″,”attributes”:{“class”:”media-image aligncenter size-full wp-image-1949″,”typeof”:”foaf:Image”,”style”:””,”width”:”395″,”height”:”296″,”title”:”Picture 4″,”alt”:””}}]]

Grasscloth! I love it! The patterned grasscloth on the left is simply stunning. The minimal amount of table decoration is just right, allowing the wall to be the focus. On the right, Iâve alternated squares of grasscloth to give dimension and visual interest to the room. Stunning.

[[{“type”:”media”,”view_mode”:”media_large”,”fid”:”82040″,”attributes”:{“class”:”media-image aligncenter size-full wp-image-1950″,”typeof”:”foaf:Image”,”style”:””,”width”:”523″,”height”:”365″,”title”:”Picture 5″,”alt”:””}}]]

Here’s a tip for the minimalist: Collect frames and paint them the same color to create just as big an effect as framed art. This kind of arrangement can be simple, yet quite elegant. For a little more color and texture, try the look on the right and cover a wall in leather tile (there are a number of leather tiles available in all shapes, sizes and colors).

[[{“type”:”media”,”view_mode”:”media_large”,”fid”:”82041″,”attributes”:{“class”:”media-image aligncenter size-full wp-image-1951″,”typeof”:”foaf:Image”,”style”:””,”width”:”536″,”height”:”244″,”title”:”Picture 6″,”alt”:””}}]]

If you like any of these looks or want more inspired ideas, give us a call at 720-276-3774 or visit ointeriordesign.com.