The History of Wall Panelling in Homes
This year I’ve been on a bit of a National Trust binge. Partly for fun, partly for inspiration. Historic homes have always fascinated me and visiting them as a child was one of my favourite weekend activities. There’d always be something new and something novel to see and as many historic houses were built over centuries with each owner adding their stamp it created an interesting jumble to decipher and date. On my recent trips I’ve visited three very different homes: Standen, Knole and Strawberry Hill. Interestingly, Standen and Stawberry Hill buck the trend and are faithful to one aesthetic (however eclectic that aesthetic may be). A similarity that does however run through all three homes, different as they are, is the use of panelling to adorn the interior walls. Each is an interesting example of the broader tastes of the time as well as the personal tastes of the people who commissioned the designs.
Read on to discover more about the history of wall panelling and how to include the design feature in your own home…
Wall panelling has been used for thousands of years with examples of timber panelling dating back to antiquity when it was first used to insulate and protect the interior of buildings from the elements. But then as now the creative impulse soon turned what was primarily an application to protect from the cold and damp into a thing of beauty.
The move from utility to beauty was most prominent in medieval Europe when panelling morphed into a distinct design element, becoming a popular decorative feature in castles and manor houses where it was often made from elaborately carved wood or plaster. The framed panelling style we’re familiar with today dates from this time. In the Renaissance period that followed panelling made of stone and marble in addition to the longstanding use of wood become the vogue. Large slab of valuable stone were hewn and carved to create intricate designs in palaces and churches, showcasing the wealth and power of the ruling classes. Perhaps in an effort to emulate this move towards greater opulence and intricacy wood panelling of this time became highly intricate, with Master wood carvers like the legendary Grinling Gibbons transforming interiors with ornate sculpted panels.
Knole
In the 17th century the penchant for the ornate continued and intricately carved wood panelling—called “boiserie”—was favoured amongst the French elite, and can be seen most famously in the rooms of the Palace of Versailles. Often characterised by its delicacy and gilding boiserie soon found its way to the halls of England’s grand homes, but during the 18th century, the styles shifted once again, this time to a simpler style now famously known as wainscot panelling. In England, this lower-wall panelling was typically made from oak or pine and featured restrained yet elegant carving and mouldings. Wainscoting also made its way across the ocean to America on the trade winds, where it became a foundational style in many colonial homes; there it was made from native woods such as cherry or maple.
Strawberry Hill
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, panelling largely fell out of favour as wallpaper and other decorative finishes rose in popularity. Its use in Arts & Crafts homes like Standen was an exception to the rule and simpler styles that referenced medieval architecture and employed traditional woodworking skills were favoured by those whose personal philosophy was influenced by the movement.
In the mid-20th century, panelling experienced a resurgence in popularity, particularly in the United States. This was due in part to the availability of affordable and easy-to-install panelling materials such as plywood and particleboard and in part due to its use in iconic modernist architecture which reimagined panelling and used smooth, sleek oversized panels of exotic woods to create an impact in otherwise pared back interiors.
In recent years there’s been a fresh surge in popularity for wall panelling of all kinds and homeowners can pick and choose from the wide array of materials, styles and finishes, both historic and modern now available.
Standen
What kind of wall panelling right for my home?
When choosing to install wall panelling, it’s essential to first consider the style of the room in question and the overall aesthetic of your home. For example, with traditional homes, wood panelling with beading and moulding can compliment the proportions and existing architecture, while modern homes often better suit sleek and simple panelling with a modernist edge. Beyond aesthetics it’s helpful to consider whether it needs to serve a function too e.g. as a buffer to protect walls against wear and tear, or as a method of concealing services such as pipework and cabling. If so, you might need to spend a little longer working out the best layout and style.
When it comes to working out the ideal layout it’s often wise to consider key furniture, artworks, door ways and light fixtures to ensure the various proportions, scales and patterns are in balance. Scaled elevations can be helpful but sometimes more so is asking your hopefully helpful and obliging builder to draw a full scale mock-up onto the wall before making a final call. Once properly installed, it can last for decades, adding both beauty and value to your home.
No matter which kind you choose, it’s an enduringly popular and versatile interior design feature that can add texture, depth, and interest to almost any room and its rich history adds another layer of allure.
