There are two basic methods for attaching fabric to walls: adhesive and mechanical. But it is the ultimate treatment for a treasured nook, dining room, or bedchamber. The effort required for fabric-lined walls is indeed more than for paint or wallpaper. Thus, a gentle vacuuming (low suction, with an upholstery brush accessory), done with minimal abrasion, ensures cleanliness and a longer lifespan for your wall treatment. Dust is the enemy of all fabrics and finishes, as it traps humidity against the decorative material and accelerates decay. Robert Kime’s woodsy ‘Hydrangea’ was applied as a paper-backed linen design by Barry Dixon.įabric walls require little maintenance. To further enhance the dramatic effect, various treatments can be given the edges of the fabric: hidden staples covered with upholstery gimp, trim, or ribbon or decorative tack heads left exposed.įabric lining is an unexpected treatment for the walls that become a ceiling in an attic sleeping room. Batting also deadens the acoustics in the room, for that hushed sensibility. The result is a slight fuller appearance, and you will hear no “thunk” if someone or something bumps the wall. Often, a layer of batting-a thin, puffy sheet of upholstery padding-is attached to the wall before it is covered, to add sumptuousness. The author recently added upholstered walls to an opulent “Turkish room” niche in his house. For this reason, try to avoid upholstery-weight goods, instead seeking those suitable for lighter applications (as long as it does not inhibit the intended scheme). When selecting a fabric, bear in mind that the weight of the material will be at the mercy of gravity-the heavier the cloth, the more chance of eventual sagging. Material woven to emulate tapestry has long been a favorite of 19th- and early 20th-century upholsterers, and is still available in myriad colors and patterns. Silk damasks have always been popular for French or Neoclassical interiors, either covering entire walls or as panels inset and framed with decorative Arabesque moldings. The concept continued through the Craftsman era, when burlap and other coarse textiles were affixed between the battens of wainscots, particularly in dining rooms.įabrics selected should be harmonious with the room’s décor.
Using fabric on walls has always signaled wealth and good taste, given the material and labor involved.
Functionally, such a treatment kept drafty rooms warmer, as did carpeting, but covering the walls was even more effective. The result is understated opulence.įabric-lined walls are a longstanding tradition, traced back to the hung tapestries of the Middle Ages and the silk wall hangings in the rooms of 18th-century nobility. Designer Barry Dixon applied batting and soft gray Rogers & Goffigon mohair to the walls of a New York City loft to absorb sound.
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