Last year, wallpaper was declared "over" and lacquered walls were brought "in" fashion by adventurous designers like Miles Redd. However, lacquer hasn't been embraced as wholeheartedly as wallpaper, and I've yet to see a truly glossy wall in person!
There are a few misconceptions about lacquer that need clarifications. First, the original resin from which lacquer was derived was a noxious substance that had no business being used in the home. However, the modern lacquer is usually a combination of high gloss paint and acrylic water-based varnish, which is safe to use in a well-ventilated area. There is no longer a need to inhale poison gas in order to obtain this breathtaking paint finish.
Many people believe a laborious process of sanding and patching is a prerequisite to applying lacquer. The truth is that you don't need perfectly smooth walls to apply lacquer. In fact, I prefer lacquer on uneven walls. The gloss can highlight the character of an older home and lend an air of European sophistication to your space. Imperfection in walls can be beautiful, especially in America where it's hard to find places with personality.
Also, lacquer is great for small spaces because of its mirror effect. The light bounces off the various angles of a room and the square footage instantly expands.
Finally, lacquer is perfect for people, like myself, that have "finished" decorating, but never want to stop the creative process of home design. I'm always looking for another project, but I've bought all my furniture installed all my fixtures. What to do next? Lacquer the hallway!
Images: 1. Abigail Ahern 2. Rose et Lis 3. Elle Decor 4. ef eDesigns 5. The Peak of Chic
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The photos are gorgeous, but in all seriousness, how do you know that you prefer lacquer on uneven walls if you've "yet to see a truly glossy wall in person"? Just askin'.
Is there a product that I can use over existing paint to get this effect? I LOVE my wall color as it is, but a shiny clear coat would be awesome!
"...especially in America where it's hard to find places with personality."
This made me laugh.
JJ Snyder Studio's specialty! They make amazing high gloss walls.
I love lacquered walls - I saw the first photo in AD and decided that I've got to have a lacquered living room....
...but there's no way on earth it works with imperfect walls. Have you seen an imperfect wall painted w/ just semi-gloss? It's terrible!
"Is there a product that I can use over existing paint to get this effect ... a shiny clear coat would be awesome!"
Yes, you could use a glazing technique to up the gloss on your existing walls.
hmm. I get the idea for this, and it would likely look awesome in a lobby or such. Actually, it probably looks great in person. But am I the only one that thinks the photos make the walls look like they're sweaty?
Lacquer like this would look great in a bathroom (especially the color in #3). Would the moisture affect the finish at all?
ditto, creative license... i am quite puzzled by the declarations in this post. especially since all of the pictures chosen for this post are of glossy, smooth surfaces. not uneven ones.
I'll definitely be looking for something to gloss up my existing paint.
I disagree with the notion that this CANNOT work with anything less than perfectly smooth walls. A couple examples that (I think) illustrate my point (and taste):
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eidvs80_01o/TCoGV8XTdWI/AAAAAAAALRE/05tzeZWO3-Q/s1600/ptdbox1.jpg
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pwOOYQyh-Oo/TTtNG3p7QQI/AAAAAAAAAQU/fD6E-3aE8t0/s1600/laquered+walls.jpg
Of course, it is entirely a matter of personal opinion. No fair dismissing a person's POV that they rather LIKE the look on decades-old plaster.
oh sure sounds like lots of fun now but in 4 or 5 years when you're tired of it good luck painting over it. I'm currently dealing with a HIGH GLOSS red paint in my kitchen that the previous owners thought was the bee's knees. We've sanded and still nothing will stick, just runs off (and it's not oil based).
UGH.
"Would the moisture affect the finish at all?"
If you don't have great ventillation you could expect mineral deposits from water condensation on your walls - I've had this problem in my bathrooms for years and it's a royal pain.
mdanger - Have you tried using a primer?
@mdanger - you do have a point there. I struggled with a similar issue in repainting a bathroom years ago. Total pain in the tuckus. But, I'm not one to shy away from projects that I know will cause me grief down the road:)
tmoore - Those walls in your illustrations are pretty close to perfect, especially the last one.
I guess I was thinking of the typical textured walls found in new construction...
There are plenty of places in America that have "personality". You just don't where to look.
@bepsf: near perfect? Maybe the second one is in better shape, but the first one certainly not. We must have differing ideas on "perfection":) And I certainly wouldn't, say, leave nail holes unfilled and unsanded before trying this, but I like the bit of the wavy, aged texture found on old plaster. I will NOT, however, attempt this on my dining room walls, which were unfortunately treated with that horrible pokey, elbow-scraping stippled plaster technique.
I love the look but wonder how to integrate it with the rest of the room / home. Could you do one wall in lacquer as an accent and then leave the other walls matte in the same color? I think an entire living room of shiny could be a bit much.
Cool looking, but not for the home. If it were a lounge, boutique, gastropub, salon, whatever-just not for the home. Maybe my home studio/office--but not for the main home. Can't explain why.
This place had a semi-gloss bedroom when we moved in. The wall wasn't in that brutal a condition but the shine picked up every flaw.
Add in what the shine did to the felt warmth level on those 110 degree summer days in Australia and it was just not happening.
And it was a royal pain to sand the whole room before repainting.
Now they're cream. And flat. And my husband says painting semi-gloss on anything but trim is a war-crime. I haven't broached lacquered finish but I think he'd explode.
Does anyone know the artist in the third photo by Elle Decor? I have that issue and have saved it because I want to find out the artist's name.
And while I love the gloss walls, I'm not so sure how that would look on uneven walls.
I love it,but I don't think I would ever try it.My house has original 160 year old plaster.As soon as I was done the application they would demand sheets of drywall.LOL!
Perhaps you would love the effect I have in my living room and dinning room.Century or so ago someone wallpapered with a flocked paper.For decades everyone has just painted over it.Including myself!
It's a 'look' with 'character' alright.
Right?
These rooms look like they have a plastic film over the walls. It reminds me of the 60's plastic carpet runners and couch protectors. UGH!
However, I think there is some merit to this idea, in moderation. Maybe a dark ceiling... in an attic room with a window...
Although I haven't seen this locally and it seems unsuited to my home, it's intriguing and pretty in the photos.
No; not much freedom in furniture choises/colors
Currently I'm in love with the idea, seeing as I live with that "contractor grade stippling" plaster stuff on all walls AND ceilings right now...*barf*! I'd definitely use it in limited spaces, and my first idea was great for my kitchen or bathroom! I do wonder how hard it would be to DIY the laquer and get a good smooth finish. Every laquer I've used is amazingly hard not to leave brush or roller marks. Guess you could do a lot of prep work and spray it on though....
I'm actually about to try this look in my bedroom! I'm doing this on my headboard wall. I've got a gray velvet upholstered (french style) headboard and white wall mounted side tables. I think its definitely not for everyone, but, I can't wait to see if it turns out like these awesome photos! :)