Some years ago, I was at an open house, and, even though the home was very nice, I couldn’t get past the faux paint finishes sprinkled in every room. The bright, sunny library was ruined by a purple and yellow sponge finish that reminded me of bad graffiti I might have seen in a 1980s MTV video.

Tactite ArmourColor Wall Finish. Manufactured by Armourcoat.

Durable, Seamless Wall Finish

Leave it to Armourcoat to design decorative wall finishes that actually look good. The company’s new ArmourColor line is “designed to not only look and feel gorgeous, they are also hard wearing and hygienic.” With three finishes in varying textures, the ArmourColor range offers a cost-effective alternative to paint and wallpaper. Perlata, Escenta, and Tactite all provide a seamless, durable, cleanable wall finish using non-toxic, water-based ingredients.

Perlata, which comes in 96 colours, gives surfaces “an exquisite, luxurious and elegant finish with a subtle sparkle or shimmer.” Escenta creates a “multi-colour effect with visual drama, texture and tones.” With a “soft touch, suede-like finish,” Tactite offers the most texture. It’s ideal for commercial interiors, since it is hardwearing, hygienic, and easy to clean. Any of the three ArmourColor wall finishes offers sophisticated surface treatments with the added benefit of durability—they remind me that there is hope for walls outside of paint and paper.

About the Manufacturer: Armourcoat celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2009. The company began by specializing in racket sport impact plasters; presently, it’s known for elegant polished and textured plaster wall finishes. As a leader in decorative plaster and high performance wall finishes, Armourcoat graces the surfaces of many high-profile interiors, including the Burj Al Arab and the Darwin Cocoon at London’s Natural History Museum.