It’s rare that something glamorous proves to be more practical than the humdrum alternative. But glossy walls and ceilings? Definitely more durable than chalky emulsion. After years of matt, the shiny finishes beloved of mid-century designers like Billy Baldwin and David Hicks are back. Billy knew the value of a gleaming surface: in his New York apartment, glistening chocolate walls were a foil for his high-low mix of cotton fabrics and brass bookshelves. ‘It occurred to me that this was strictly a city room, full of shine: the floor, the walls, the windows,’ he said. ‘So I added more shine.’
This idea captures something of lacquer’s appeal for today: its knack for amplifying light, views and space. The glossy ceiling in decorator Nina Campbell’s Chelsea home is a case in point, adding height to low proportions and reflecting books as ethereal ripples of colour.
So are the glow-boosting red hallway by interior designer Suzanne Sharp and the orange ceiling in a Notting Hill house by Bryan O’Sullivan, which mirrors the light from a bay window as a luminous mirage.
May we suggest: Design ideas for gloss paint and lacquer
The effect was created by MBMC Studios using painstaking techniques, including an eggshell basecoat, an orange glaze that creates ‘a shifting sense of colour’, and multiple hand-applied lacquer coats, sanded in between to eliminate flaws. ‘Pitching the orange against deep-blue lacquered walls creates a frisson which makes the room a stimulating talking point,’ says Matthew Collins, the studio’s creative director.
Lacquer works best when balanced with tactile materials. ‘I like to pair glossy finishes with timber, linen, stone and antique rugs, creating a dialogue between reflection and softness,’ says Bryan. ‘They shouldn’t feel cold or overly polished; if everything reflects light, nothing feels special.’
A living room created by designer Lonika Chande achieves a sense of comfort by pairing shiny shutters with layered textiles, while decorator Nicola Harding softens the inky cupboards in a London kitchen with raw wood and industrial details.
For colour aficionado Peter Mikic, who has decorated a whole Chelsea dining room in sunflower-yellow lacquer, more is more. ‘If it’s on the walls, I believe in committing to the entire room,’ he says. ‘It’s a great alternative to wood panelling or wallpaper.’
.jpg)
If hand-crafted or all-over lacquer feels too labour-intensive, there are other options. Little Greene’s ‘Intelligent Gloss’ paint has 87-90 per cent sheen. ‘It’s especially impactful in small or dark rooms for extra light reflection,’ says creative director Ruth Mottershead. Or take another tip from Billy Baldwin, who once covered the walls of Cole Porter’s apartment in tortoiseshell vinyl; Phillip Jeffries’ ‘Lacquered Walls’ vinyl wallcovering comes in a spectrum of alluring hues, from scarlet to navy.
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
