Japandi-Style Accent Wall

The client came to me with an idea of an accent wall for the primary bathroom. Something interesting but something that fit with their very zen home. Throughout their home, the client uses consistent materials and colors and the moment you step into their home it’s a calming oasis away from the hustle outside. Nothing too loud, nothing flashy. Considered and intentional materials, color palette and design.

So we wanted to carry that sentiment into the accent wall for the primary bedroom while still creating a focal point of interest. We ideated and the client was inspired by a japandi-style accent wall using pattern in natural wood. We clad the entire wall in oak as a base and then added horizontal and vertical elements to create patterns and spaces.

The challenge was in creating symmetry and points of interest in the pattern. Areas of denser pattern, more open areas, balanced across the wall. I’m always excited if the client is open to a little bit of asymmetry. Overall, the weight is still balanced but mirroring the pattern left and right would have been a little flat.

The added bonus here is that we added some deeper floating shelves that blend into the pattern and offer their cat some room to play and climb along the wall.

Projects like these are so much fun. There is room to play. We had a general layout of the pattern and as we installed we took a lot of breaks, stepping back, reviewing the design and making tweaks on the spot.

On a personal level, I am reminded of the doors of a traditional hanok as well as the pattern of the textile art of pojagi.

I always thought there was an art to creating the right proportions in patterns and I’m very grateful that I got to exercise this balance while being playful and having fun in this Japandi-style accent wall.