We hope you had a chance to check out the 2010 Pasadena Showcase House, the Craven’s Estate, styled after the baroque Chateau-le-Vicomte in France.

The majestic estate is nearly 20,000 square-feet of inspiration and, in many ways, a walk-through is the equivalent of an interior design practicum. We were especially pleased to see that two of the 25 independent Interior Design teams chose Wallteriors Hand Crafted Wall Treatments to complete their vision.

This is easily a multi-blog subject but, for now, let’s focus on the design of the largest room in this sprawling French-country residence, the Drawing Room. Every wall is paneled, floor to ceiling, in the original French Walnut, which needed to be restored, but certainly not replaced.

It’s in such rooms that design genius is revealed. Joshua Cain and Jeff Godbold of Saxony Design Build turned their gaze heavenward for inspiration – and transformed the vast blank canvas of the ceiling into a masterpiece in elegant refinement.

Taking advantage of the free custom-color service that’s a Wallteriors trademark, they started with the Loom pattern and created two complementary shades of a creamy, golden buff – specifically chosen to pull the honey tones out of the Walnut paneling. Next, they specified that the entire order be pre-cut into 36” squares. Then, they had their installer apply the squares in a diagonal pattern, alternating the two colors to create a subtle but dramatic checkerboard effect.

Now, when people walk into the room, their gaze shifts almost immediately from the paneling to the ceiling. The result is that amazing.

And of course, it gives us much to think about. For example, what do your customers experience when they kick off their shoes and sprawl out on that 18th century French Provincial Régence Canapé? Bliss? Or boredom?

This study is proof that there’s always room – literally – for designers to make their mark. Because Wallteriors wall coverings are hand crafted with natural textures and organic surfaces, they are an ideal solution for improving imperfect ceilings.

So, if you’re a designer working with a slender budget and a short deadline, don’t give up. Look up!

Serving design professionals,

KMD Showroom