Wall decorations: Deck those walls with what makes you happy

Nirwono Joga, Contributor, Jakarta

Walls in a house do not function merely to separate one room from another, the great divider between those who occupy the same space.

With a little work, a wall can create an elegant, natural or even an exotic impression within the overall structure of the house.

And transforming a simple wall into the desired look does not have to cut a hole in one's pocketbook.

With careful and detailed attention, the use of natural stones or other materials, like exposed bricks or river stones, can create an artistic effect. The stones also provide greater choice to create the wished-for atmosphere without having to completely rely on a plastered cement wall.

Use of natural stones over the wall will give a natural impression to the entire house, while using exposed river stones or other materials in grayish or blackish colors evokes a heavy or strong impression.

On the other hand, exposed red bricks or wooden walls provide a lighter, warmer atmosphere.

Walls can also be painted in accordance with the image and character of the home owner. However, the paints should be carefully chosen to avoid ones with harmful chemicals.

Before selecting a paint, pay attention to the substances mentioned on the label, and make sure there is no added mercury or lead, and other toxic substances.

Selection of colors should be based on the character of those living in the house, which will help foster their physical and emotional well-being. For instance, before selecting a particular color for a room, it should be taken into account who will be using the room, their personality traits as well as age.

Choosing the right hue can also serve as color therapy for its occupants. The selection should also be based on trends, style and the atmosphere desired by the owners.

White and neutral tones are still favorites for those wanting a house with a clean, minimalist look. The color is usually used for rooms such as the prayer room, bedroom or private bathroom.

Earth tones -- like brown, rust red, gray, dark green or blue -- can create a natural atmosphere that blends in well with an open space, good for a natural tropical house, country or traditional style residence.

Harmonious nuances of the house can also be accentuated with the selection of terra-cotta roofs, a fence made out of river stones, walls of exposed bricks or painted with natural colors, as well as exposed wooden materials, such as doors, windows and stairs. The addition of colorful flowers from potted plants will also give a warm atmosphere to the house.

The use of red, orange and purple for the living room and family room can also create a romantic or exotic impression for residents and visitors.

In a pantry that also serves as a dining room, a blend of red, orange, yellow as well as white will offer a feeling of warmth.

One can also experiment with aromatherapy for the walls by using aromatic essence in line with the owner's needs. For instance, the living room and family room -- as places to relax -- are ideal for essences of lavender, geranium or cypress.

The bedroom as the place to rest needs soothing essences of nutmeg, cypress, jasmine or rose. Essences of lemon, apple or pine can be used to neutralize odors from the kitchen or dining room.

Placing a mirror in the wall also creates a spacious impression in a room. For a small room, a wide glass wall will make the house seem spacious as well as giving easy access to light and air circulation.

Walls can also be decorated with various ornaments, from family photos to paintings that are in keeping with the house style, as well as transformed into a built-in storage area for displaying art collections or books. With a little work, and creativity, those walls do not have to be a dividing line. -- The writer is a landscape architect.