The language on the walls is also a standing testament (no pun intended) to the designer’s vision and thought process for the space. The choice to make the walls a hero or have them fade into the background to play a more supporting role. The vision for an earthy approach or the vision for a more luxurious one. The philosophy of less is more, or the philosophy of more is more. The idea to preserve, reuse, and be home-grown or the idea to spread the wings further to bring unusual and unique materials from across the globe. The vision to create a cosy, slow, and ambient mood or to create a chic, discerning, and upbeat tempo. The vision to create thematic spaces – whether modern, classic, neo-classic, Spanish-revival, contemporary. In just a glance, so much is said and so much is understood about the creator, the inhabitor, and the visitor.

In my mind, in addition to addressing these expressions, walls are also huge influencers, a word we are oh-so-familiar with. Wall placement moulds familial relationships – how physically close or far are families within their given home or space. It affects availability, privacy, intimacy, feelings of nearness and other emotions. Wall materiality can have a powerful impact on mood and perspective - from the most basic to the most complex layers of the human mind.

 The fluidity and materiality of these walls, crafted by Shonan Trehan of LABwerk, express a deep connection to localness and earthiness. Their fluidity resonates with themes of novelty and the open-mindedness of both the designer and the homeowner.

Walls affect availability, privacy, intimacy, feelings of nearness and other emotions.

In this space by Vaishali Kamdar Associates, the eye is immediately drawn to the unusual sight of walls replaced by carpets. This choice underscores the point that the wall's material represents hours and hours of labour by the weaver. Another wall quite literally invites you to consider the number of hands that have touched it, emphasising the human effort and craftsmanship embedded in the design.

On a slightly more metaphysical level, I feel there are subliminal messages that radiate if you take a moment to sit and ponder on the matter of walls. Just a moment to look at a blank wall with nothing on it, and think of its journey into your space, think of how many people it took to bring those bricks and assemble them. Go one step back and think of how many people it took to make the bricks or the cement that binds it. Then a step deeper and see where the material for that brick was found. Where do these people live? How do they live? Pause. Then look at a more complex wall; think of Italian marble walls in India or Indian laterite walls in the UK. Think of the pink stones of Jaipur and the wonderful works like Thirkiri or inlay that so often adorn homes, airports, and public spaces. Think of the number of people who have found, touched, processed, carved, polished, carried, and assembled the materials to make that wall. In simple words, think how many hands have embraced your wall before it was yours. In my mind, this notion should stir a basic type of humanity in anyone, to see this simple 2-dimensional wall in a multidimensional way; to understand the hard work, the sweat, the passion, the talent, the perspective, and the plight and politics of the people who have handled it. It is truly a symbol of the globe not becoming but being a melting pot. Then it will be seen – the unseen connection between the makers and the owners - unseen but the very present link that is felt if you let it, by the sheer existence of this wall. It amalgamates the energies that have brought it into being. And so, a moment to reflect on this can and should cause a shift in the way we see the world, our perspective on the origin of what we want, how we get it, and how it travels to us; and the predicaments of the people that could have had a role in that voyage. We ought to question – Who and What is behind the wall? And what can come from it?

Empathy. Appreciation. Gratefulness. Kindness.

Since we talked about feelings, let’s now anthropomorphise any space. If a space was a human being, then the walls would take on the role of the skeleton and the skin. In the same way that the skeleton provides the supportive structure that gives the body its shape, allows movement, and protects the body, the walls give structure to a home or an apartment, they create a specific movement between rooms and protect it from the outside. And in the way the skin protects the body since it is the first barrier to entry, the walls too are the first barrier to entry and the first line of protection of an individual’s home. In my mind, the skin plays an additional role. The aesthetic one – in which humans, from the day we are born, embellish our naked skin with clothing – one for its protection (as any sensation of pain, touch, and pressure also starts with the skin) and the second for what has evolved into fashion! To make a statement. Likewise, from the moment you enter a space, the walls are the first visual impression, the visual sensation, that you experience. And so, as humans, we tend to cover up what is naked, for modesty and aesthetic sensibility. Some not so much. Some like to be naked. And just like humans, walls (reflecting their owners) become sexy walls, or awkward walls, confused walls, or confident walls, minimal walls or flashy walls, ‘uncle/ aunty’ walls or immature walls, shy walls, confused walls or experimental walls, safe walls or risqué walls; or simply just naked walls.

Just as every human being dresses differently, chooses to cover their skin in various degrees, and reflects their own personal and unique style, the walls we design, which we often refer to as “the skin of the home”, are no different.

Just as every human being dresses differently, chooses to cover their skin in various degrees, and reflects their own personal and unique style, the walls we design, which we often refer to as “the skin of the home”, are no different. Each is unique and expresses individuality; which circles us back to how the skin of the home, that stands strong, not just hears us but also influences us; speaks volumes about us, our choices, and how they came to be. While telling us the stories, they giggle, they scream, they drawl, they cry and they whisper. Let’s listen. Let’s use our ears.