Interior designers have a number of options
when it comes to choosing materials for their projects. Paint, wallpaper,
stucco, tiles and other features can all be combined along with different
patterns and colours to make beautiful, effective rooms. However, one
overlooked material has been growing in popularity for a while now: silkplaster.
Created in Russia in 1997, this
material is made from silk, cellulose and adhesive, sometimes with decorative
mineral additives as well for extra colour or texture. The result is a
versatile 'liquid wallpaper' that can be used to make your next interior design
project truly unique.
Here are a few reasons to start using this
increasingly popular building material in your work:
It's versatile
One of the main benefits of using
silk plaster is the number of varieties available. You can choose from hundreds
of different colour and texture combinations, which can then be layered or
placed alongside each other on a wall.
The number of different ways you can
use the material is also a major advantage. It can be used to add depth to an
interior design project, for example. Here, it has been layered next to natural
stone to create a combination of textures that is extremely aesthetically
pleasing.
Another example can be seen here, where the
designers used a combination of silk plaster, wood and wallpaper to create a
panelled effect. This was used to give the room a Versailles theme that tied
into the wood-panelled floor.
Finally, here is an example of the bright
colour of blue silk plaster being set back into an alcove to give it the
impression of increased depth. The added texture that silk plaster brings makes
it more effective at this than standard paint would be.
It's practical
The material also has a range of more
practical advantages. For example, for a textured effect interior designers
generally have to use wallpaper or a similar material, which can cause a
problem when it comes to corners and wall edges. Often, the joins can be seen
and the edges of the coverings can fray, and if the wall is uneven then this
will show up as well.
With silk plaster this is not an issue. It
is spread on surfaces like plaster, meaning it transitions seamlessly over
corners and into cracks. The overall effect is of a completely smooth wall, as
can be seen in the image below.
Silk plaster is also easy to maintain. If
it is damaged in any way, it can simply be smoothed over with a little more of
the material. Because it fills in cracks and always dries the same colour, it
will easily fix any chips. Silk plaster can last for up to 15 years in some
cases with minimal maintenance.
It's eco-friendly
Finally, silk plaster is made from
eco-friendly materials. From its natural silk and cellulose fibres to the
simple minerals it uses in production, it is much better for the environment
than many alternatives. This makes it a much better option if sustainability is
a major part of your brief.
