The Charm of Interior Painting: A Different Experience from Wallpaper

Hello everyone. Today, I would like to introduce the "Tokyo Paint Hall Paint Renovation" project.

When people think of interior walls, many probably think of wallpaper. However, the truth is that "painting" a wall can significantly change the expression of a space.

The depth of color, the texture, and the soft expression unique to handiwork—painting has a charm that is quite different from wallpaper.

We wanted to convey that charm through the creation of an actual space. That is how the "Tokyo Paint Hall Paint Renovation" began.

But what kind of painted space is it, really? I will introduce the initiative while touching on specific painting techniques and expressions.

“Coloring with Paint” in a Place Where Paint Professionals Gather

The setting for this project is the Tokyo Paint Hall (Ebisu, Shibuya Ward). It is a facility that houses organizations related to paint, such as the Japan Paint Manufacturers Association (JPMA) and the Japan Paint Commerce and Industry Association.

It is, so to speak, a place where "paint professionals" gather. So, we thought, "Why not finish the interior with paint instead of wallpaper?" That idea sparked the interior paint renovation project.

The design was handled by Yaeko Yozan, a leading expert in mural production and decorative painting, known for her creative designs.

The construction was carried out by a team of skilled craftsmen from the Japan Painting Contractors Association, working in collaboration with paint manufacturer groups and paint retailer groups.

The areas colored with design paint include the facility's first-floor lobby, conference rooms, and the area around the stairs.

The goal was to create a lobby for the Paint Hall that would warmly welcome visitors from all over Japan and abroad. It is composed of designs incorporating traditional colors and patterns, along with a variety of painting techniques.

The walls, which were originally pure white, have been reborn into a space that is both colorful and calm.

Expressing Japan's Original Landscape Through Paint

So, what kind of painting was actually applied?

The theme from the entrance to the stair hall is "Japan's Original Landscape." The colors throughout the space are based on the color palettes of the Heian period. The Heian period was a time when elegant aesthetics were cultivated and a uniquely Japanese sensibility—symbolizing nature with beautiful colors—matured.

On the entrance wall, the silhouette of a pine tree emerges faintly from the gray. That design continues onto the stair wall, leading visitors down to the basement.

Visitors pass through the staircase as if walking through a Japanese landscape surrounded by a thicket of trees.

The walls of the stair hall feature the traditional Japanese pattern known as 'Seigaiha' (blue ocean waves).

Seigaiha is a pattern representing calm waves that continue forever, embodying a wish for eternal peace.

Furthermore, the 'Chidori' (plovers) depicted within it are auspicious symbols representing 'achieving goals' and 'prayers for victory,' derived from the image of small birds flying over rough seas.

These patterns were finished one by one by craftsmen using a stencil technique. The slight variations in expression, unique to handiwork, are part of their charm.

Additionally, 'Benihi' (crimson scarlet) was used as an accent color in the elevator hall.

The red of the Benihi is a combination of the same color with different levels of gloss, changing its appearance depending on the light from the entrance or the angle of the lighting, expressing the unique character of paint.

In addition, 'Ryotakijima' was used for the hall walls. Since the mid-Edo period, this pattern became a huge trend among commoners as a symbol of chic, leading to the creation and widespread popularity of various vertical stripe patterns.

The triangles composed on the wall are a symbol of stability and represent the three organizations residing in the building. The design paint, applied in shades of gray, creates a wall that is both quiet and rhythmic.

The appeal of painting lies in its 'texture'

The greatest appeal of painting is its texture. Wallpaper has a uniform and orderly appearance wherever you look. That, too, is a form of beauty.

On the other hand, walls with a painted finish have brush marks, slight irregularities, and shadows created by the way light hits them. They have a soft presence, much like natural materials.

When you touch them with your hands.
When the light shines in.
As time passes.

The charm unique to painting is that it shows a different expression each time.

The choice of interior painting, which is a cut above wallpaper

What did you think of the "Tokyo Paint Hall Paint Renovation"?

Seeing such a wonderful space, you might think it would require major construction.

However, painting can be incorporated much more easily. Recently, there are even paints that can be applied over wallpaper.

It doesn't have to be the whole room.
Just one wall in the living room.
Just a corner of the children's room.
Just the wall in the entryway.

By painting just a little bit, the impression of the space changes surprisingly. Coloring the walls of your home with what you "love" leads to the joy of enjoying your daily life.

Painting is one way to redecorate that can be done very easily.

It creates a space unique to painting, which is different from wallpaper. Why not choose to "paint" for your next redecoration?

We are sharing the appeal of painting!

At Nichitoso (Japan Painting Contractors Association), as a painting organization with about 2,300 member painting companies, we are engaged in various activities to boost the painting industry.

However, I suspect many people in the general public may not know about us. Therefore, together with "Rollun-chan," the official mascot of Nichitoso, we are sharing information on note about the activities of Nichitoso and our members, as well as the appeal of painting. Please read the website below to learn more about Nichitoso.