I have lusted after panelled rooms for what seems like years as nothing shouts gentleman’s club and boutique hotel more than panelling. With its illusion of grandeur panels are a fabulous solution for boring walls that lack any sort of architectural detail and its super easy to do yourself. Plus you don’t necessarily have to do the whole room – a wall behind a bed or a hallway feature wall are a good way to start. They key to making this look work is to combine contemporary pieces with this timeless classic look – the whole mix and match thing. Oh and when you paint your panels they must be dark for maximum impact. Then you get this whole dialogue going on which makes my heart beat a little faster as I type – imagine the simplicity of panelled walls (very conservative and traditional) given a dramatic gesture and jolt with a fabulous sludgy hue. Heaven on earth and now I don’t want to work today I want to get panelling!
All images styled by Emma Thomas – who is a genius
Beautiful, beautiful and beautiful
Elegant, effortless and chic everything a home should be.
That first pic is so beautiful, relaxing yet vibrant. Injecting bit more of those blues into our living room at the moment, so I can’t wait to finish it now. Love the styling too. Gorgy thanks! xo
So delighted to have found your beautiful blog. how do I follow or sign up for your updates via e-mail? Thanks so much…
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Forgot to say the panelling is beautiful too.
What is the room colour in the second pic?
I do love the elegance of painting over the panels when they are as classic as this, but… What would be your suggestion for a room with already existing elaborate panelling (swirls and such and pineapples? Still to paint it all one colour?
When you say dark, how dark? Would something as rich and lush as Down Pipe work? Would the detail get lost? Maybe do the panel detail in a Cornforth White with a wash of Down Pipe over to catch in the crannies or would that look ridiculous?
I would go all one colour I find it detracts the eye less making everything look super sophisticated. Also being such a fan of down pipe I would embrace that – its dark though but inky, sludgy and tantalising. If you wanted something lighter how about F&B’s lamp room grey, Zoffany’s chateau which is the palest pinkiest grey I have come across. Paris Grey also lovely by Zoffany – gosh I think I should go into paint manufacturing. Get far more excited about paints than clothes. Sad hey
I like inky and sludgy and if I had my druthers, I’d even want to go darker (evil grin). The room has exquisite detail and tall ceilings but it boringly square. One wall has two huge windows and we wanted to get very rich red curtains to cover them. It gets no direct sunlight and will be used mostly at night (television on one side, fireplace on the other) and we wanted a room you could sink into and forget everything… Big chandelier, of course, (maybe yours?) and the lushness of Down Pipe just seemed so right.
Lamp Room Grey looks blah to me at night unless well lit and my boyfriend screams at the hint of pink (I’ve obviously not trained him right). Plus, the lighter greys may not stand up to the curtains and (hopefully) an equally bold sofa. (I adore colours as well which is why I am so drawn to your site — you are brilliant with them! I don’t think it’s sad at all that they thrill you — and all of our living spaces benefit from your passion!)
I also played with F&B Metal Effect in Argent over Down Pipe (a barely there wash) on a silly angel statue and it looked quite stunning. Don’t think the colour is right (maybe Cuivre or Fonte?) as an option if we think it looks too stagnant.
What do you think of doing the panelling on the only two doorways in the room a black? Too much??? They are old curved wood ones that are already white-washed and we may do a watered down layer of Cornforth on them to match the ceiling. (The doors lead to the guest bathroom and a small tea room, the latter of which has one entire wall mostly a window… Would love black board for these rooms but I don’t think I’ll get my wish. Either that or something rich…)
I like inky and sludgy too it is heavenly I think. Don’t totally understand why the world hasnt embraced it yet but hey! I know what you mean about Lamp Room it doesn’t have the wow factor of down pipe. I reckon you would get a lovely look by going dark on the doors it would set a interesting tone. A friend of mine has the most beautiful bedroom in a chocolate ish brown which also when paired with gold looks fabulous.
Anyway I digress good luck room sounds beautiful
Thank you!
You really are an inspiration to me to follow my heart, er, em, soul
(neither sound quite right do they?)
As for the rest of the world, hey! Think of how much you (and soon I) are enjoying sinking into our homes in the meanwhile?
Your friend’s chocolate bedroom sounds luscious! Milk, semi-sweet, or dark?
Ours is a very odd-shaped geometric and I was thinking of London Clay on the headboard wall (it will literally cradle the head of the bed) and a lovely taupe over the rest of the room. Not sure if LC is too cool, though, and your talk of chocolate sounds so much more inviting!