Just outside of Beijing, China in the mountainous terrain lies a beautiful hotel called the Commune. The Commune is a rather unique group of buildings designed by some of the top architects in Asia. There is a sum of 42 houses that make up the Commune, each with their own eye-catching and unique design. Although located very remotely, the Commune is a resort with many amenities. There are four restaurants on the grounds, childcare facilities, and a luxurious spa.

            The particular focus of the Commune is not the interiors, but rather the panoramic views of the mountains and its distinguished architecture. However, there are some shocking and unique choices that were made on the interiors. As shown in the image above, there is a dining room located in the Commune that has a most interesting wall covering- peacock feathers. The choice was also used on the wall of one of the lobbies located within the Commune.

            Peacock feathers are not a natural choice for wall coverings. In many situations they would be a terrible choice because they are extremely fragile and over time would become worn and disheveled. In the Commune’s instance, peacock feathers could work both aesthetically and functionally. In both the dining room and lobby the feathers are located on the wall above the seating. This is a good location because it will not see daily direct contact from guests. This fact could become irrelevant, however, because of what a unique choice peacock feathers are for a wall. Many guests may be tactile and want to touch the feathers as soon as they see them. This would not be good for the longevity of the wall covering.

            Another aspect to take into consideration would be the application of the peacock feathers. The feathers must be securely attached to the wall which may mean that they were applied with glue. It would be extremely time consuming to glue each individual feather onto the wall. Another downside to using glue would be the damage left behind if the peacock feathers are eventually replaced.

            While peacock feathers are a unique and interesting choice for a wall, it may not be the most intelligent. The expense of replacing individual feathers over time or eventually redoing the entire wall would be immense. The feathers do provide an aesthetically pleasing and interesting aspect to the room, however, and are a creative way of making a focal point in a room. Almost every material will have its pros and cons, especially in a more commercial setting like the Commune.