Kishani Kaluarachchi the Managing Director of Wall Art (Pvt) Ltd joins us this week to give a detailed description about the unique array of products on offer at the store.

Q: What does Wall Art (Pvt) Ltd specialize in?

Wall Art is a retailer of European wallpaper brands in Sri Lanka.  We have over a 1,000 wallpaper designs of the highest quality to suit varied tastes and segments. We also offer other design options such as 3D tiles for walls - ideal for hotels, restaurants, offices or apartment complexes.

Q: Elaborate more on the unique products on offer and their versatility.

The wallpaper we offer is made of a ‘non-woven’ material – made of a special blend of natural and synthetic fibers. This particular type of wallpaper is easy to install, breathable, and eliminates vapor lock that contributes to the cause of mold and mildew.  Non-woven wallpaper is also washable and can be removed easily without causing any damage to walls.  

Our 3D tiles come in over 18 designs and can be used to create great feature walls.  They are lightweight weighing under 230g, durable and extremely easy to install.

Q: The store specializes in wall paper. Is this a relatively new decorative item in Sri Lanka, where painting is more popular.

European branded wallpaper is completely new to Sri Lanka. While Western countries have been using wallpaper for centuries, it has only started catching on in Asia in the recent past. One of the fastest growing markets for modern wallpaper is India, where consumers are looking for new ways to brighten up their homes or workplaces. Unfortunately there has not been any company exclusively bringing down this product to Sri Lanka until now.

Q: Can these wall paper and 3D tiles be used in any room?

Our products can be used practically anywhere in a building.  Wallpaper looks great is a living room, bedroom or entrance area in a house. We recommend that residential customers opt for feature walls to create a beautiful and elegant space in their homes for a fraction of the cost of wallpapering an entire room.

Wallpaper or 3D tiles can also be installed in office reception areas or conference rooms. Hotels can use these products in their receptions, lobby area, banquet halls and rooms. 

Q: Can you list the conveniences of using the specialized interiors you’ll offer?

Wallpapered walls require less maintenance compared to painted walls, since wallpaper has a life span of up to 10 years. Due to this, wallpaper can be cheaper than paint in the long run. Imperfections such as hairline cracks on walls can also be covered. Wallpapered walls can be cleaned if necessary with a sponge and you wish to change your wallpaper, the product can be easily removed off the wall– and leaves no residue. Property developers can increase the value of their properties by using wallpaper or 3D tiles.

A convenience of our 3D tiles is that they come in a neutral white colour so it can be painted in any colour you wish to match your interiors. 

Q: Are there designs to suit local tastes or is it more focused contemporary Western designs?

We have a large collection of wallpaper in any type of design or color- from delicate florals, bold damasks, modern stripes to subtle plains. So for instance – our Imagine range has modern styles that will suit most of the local market while our Grand Classic range will be preferred by those who want Western, baroque-style interiors.    

Q: Do give us a detailed description about the eco –friendly wall papers you have at the store.

Our vinyl ranges of wallpaper are energy-saving since they do not allow the external transfer of cool air when installed in air-conditioned rooms, allowing you to switch off an AC faster because the room retains the cool air.  Due to this, it is estimated that a household can save up to 7% on air conditioning bills, particularly important these days when electricity costs in the country are increasing. Additionally, some of our ranges are made from wood from sustainably managed forests and all wallpapers are recyclable and free from substances that could harm people or the environment.

Our 3D tiles are also is eco-friendly because they are made of pure plant fiber material. The tiles are sound absorbent and provide thermal insulation.

Q: What are the added services the store offers to the customer?

Wall Art provides full, free installation services along with any purchase of wallpaper. We have a team of skilled installers that are capable of wallpapering a wall in a couple of hours.  We can also have a sales rep meet you at your premises to show you some of our catalogs, however it is best to come into the store in Nawala since you can then browse our entire range and choose your favorite design.

Q: How is the response to the store and unique products you’ll have on offer?

There has been a great response within a short space of time for our wallpaper as well as the 3D tiles.  We’ve had customers wanting feature walls installed in their homes, and architects looking for wallpaper for various projects. We have also installed 3D tiles in a few offices as well as some hotels. 

Q: If someone is interested in knowing more details about the product, how can they get in touch?

Anyone interested can drop into our Concept Store at 194F, Nawala Road, Narahenpita, Colombo 05, call us on 0114343834 or email us at [email protected]. You can also check out our website www.wallart.lk for further information on our products, and we are also on Facebook.

Interviewed by Shabnam Farook