ISF Academy · Level 2
Silk, suede & satin walls for UK projects.
Level 1 taught you to control movement, rhythm and light across artistic textures. Level 2 moves that discipline on to fabric-inspired walls – silk, suede and satin systems built from Valsetin, Valsetin 2, Valrenna and Valrenna 2.
You’ll work on light-critical elevations over tinted Primer 400 bases, learn how each family behaves at full scale, and practice keeping grain, nap and sheen calm, even and believable from corner to corner.
Bay 1 · Classic silk walls
Valsetin – Italian silk reading on architectural walls.
Valsetin is the classic Italian silk language: a soft, directional sheen that can feel either formal or relaxed depending on colour and grain. In Level 2 we treat it as a system, not a party trick.
- Work over Primer 400 tinted towards the silk tone so misses and micro-gaps don’t shout.
- Practice vertical and diagonal grains and see how each reads on long corridors vs. bed-head walls.
- Control overlaps and pressure so light doesn’t break into stripes when it grazes the surface.
- Understand when Valsetin is the right choice and when Valsetin 2 or suede systems will behave better.
In the UK we use Valsetin for bedrooms, lounges and calm corridors where a fabric-like sheen needs to sit quietly next to joinery, stone and textiles – not fight with them.
Bay 2 · Modern silk / satin
Valsetin 2 – contemporary satin for UK interiors.
Valsetin 2 gives a more modern satin-silk reading with updated chemistry and application. It’s often the better choice for new-build apartments and contemporary schemes where clients want a soft reflection without a classic “Italian silk” feel.
- Run Valsetin 2 over toned bases and compare its sheen and grain against classic Valsetin in the same colour.
- Work long stretches under grazing light to see how timing and stroke length control banding.
- Test colours that UK clients actually request – warm neutrals, stone greys, soft greens – not just catalogue tones.
- Learn when Valsetin 2 is the right choice for durability and maintenance in real UK homes and hospitality spaces.
For the UK we position Valsetin 2 inside contemporary apartments, hotels and marketing suites where a controlled satin wall can replace standard eggshell or vinyl on key elevations.
Bay 3 · Suede wall system
Valrenna – suede / buckskin walls that absorb light.
Valrenna is a soft-touch suede wall system: buckskin-style surfaces that drink light and soften rooms. In Level 2 we treat it as a background language for bedrooms, cinemas, lounges and intimate spaces.
- Prepare toned bases and run Valrenna to feel how the nap builds with different stroke lengths and pressures.
- Work around sockets, skirtings and ceilings without creating visible “repair zones”.
- Place Valrenna correctly alongside timber, fabric, stone and metal – not in isolation.
- Discuss maintenance and touch-ups so clients know what to expect from suede-like walls in daily use.
In the UK we use Valrenna in bedrooms, media rooms and quiet lounges where light has to be softened and walls should feel tactile but still architectural.
Bay 4 · Evolved suede reading
Valrenna 2 – refined suede for layered schemes.
Valrenna 2 evolves the suede language, offering a more refined, tightly-controlled nap that works well with minimal interiors and layered schemes. It’s where suede walls start to feel properly architectural.
- Compare Valrenna and Valrenna 2 on the same elevation to understand the difference in nap and depth.
- Practice long, low-contrast strokes to keep the suede reading quiet over larger surfaces.
- Explore how Valrenna 2 behaves next to concrete, metal and timber in the Framework.
- Discuss project types where Valrenna 2 makes more sense than silk – and vice versa.
For UK projects we see Valrenna 2 working in higher-end bedrooms, suites and hospitality, where suede walls must sit quietly against minimal joinery and lighting systems.
Teaching structure
Two studio days, mapped like a project.
The course is built like a small project: framework and language first, then systems in motion, then how to take them out of the studio and into UK work with support.
Session 1
Framework & fabric wall map.
Overview of the architectural finishes family and where Valsetin, Valsetin 2, Valrenna and Valrenna 2 sit alongside Meteore 10, Klondike and Sabulador Soft. You’ll agree what a “good” silk or suede wall looks like and set trainer reference panels under studio lighting.
Day 1
Silk – Valsetin & Valsetin 2.
Morning on Primer 400 tinted bases and silk handling. You’ll build Valsetin and Valsetin 2 walls on multiple bays, focusing on direction, overlap and pressure. The afternoon is about recovery: diagnosing banding, lap marks and sheen breaks while the wall is still workable – and learning how to avoid them on site.
Day 2
Suede – Valrenna families, details & repairs.
Day 2 moves into Valrenna and Valrenna 2 – buckskin and refined suede languages. You’ll work full-height bays, junctions at skirtings and ceilings, and rehearse small repairs. Finished walls are photographed under studio and natural light for your portfolio and for design conversations.
What you can do after Level 2.
- Deliver straight silk and suede walls to an agreed sample standard.
- Handle light-critical elevations with much more confidence.
- Explain where silk / suede walls fit inside the ISF Framework to clients and designers.
- Know when a project is suitable for you alone and when to call for support.
Who this Level is for.
- Installers who have completed Level 1 – Artistic Textures or have equivalent control of movement and timing.
- Decorators and surface finishers already offering feature walls and wanting quieter, fabric-like surfaces.
- Studios and specifiers who want to understand what silk / suede walls demand of site teams.
Pathway after Level 2.
- Use your Level 2 work to build a portfolio of silk and suede projects on real sites.
- Move towards Level 3 — Metallic & Industrial — once you know how these finishes sit beside concrete and metal.
- Strengthen your case for joining the Installer Network on fabric-inspired schemes.
Can I go straight to Level 2 without Level 1?
Sometimes. If you already deliver high-standard decorative work (for example other silk, suede or Venetian systems), the Academy can review photos and notes and decide whether that counts as a Level 1 equivalent. Use the form below to share what you do now and we’ll advise honestly.
Does Level 2 cover every catalogue effect?
No. Level 2 focuses on core architectural readings in Valsetin / Valsetin 2 and Valrenna / Valrenna 2 – the ones that turn up again and again on real projects. Specialist or theatrical effects usually sit better as add-ons once you have this discipline in place.
Will I be listed as a silk / suede installer after Level 2?
Level 2 is a major step, but listing also depends on portfolio, reliability and how you handle live projects. The Academy will explain what’s needed and how Level 2 fits into that journey.
Do designers attend this Level?
Yes. Designers and specifiers are welcome, but the course is built around hands-on work. Expect to spend most of your time at the wall rather than in a seminar.
Does this Level include waterproof or metallic systems?
No. Level 2 is focused on silk and suede families. Metallic and waterproof bodies live mainly in Level 3 and the Waterproof Artistic Walls training, although we do map where everything sits together.
Fast-track entry (by evidence).
The normal route into Level 2 is through Level 1 – Artistic Textures. In some cases we can fast-track you if you already have equivalent training and project evidence.
You can request fast-track if at least one of the following applies:
- You’ve completed Level 1 at ISF and have already used those skills on live projects.
- You have PaintTech Training Academy (or similar) including Valpaint / Italian decorative finishes and can supply dates, trainer name and project examples.
- You run high-end decorative systems already (e.g. other silk / suede brands) and can show consistent work on light-critical walls.
Fast-track is not automatic. The Academy will review your application, training background and project evidence, and may still recommend taking Level 1 or a different route if that protects you on live jobs.
Ready to move into silk & suede walls?
Whether you want the full Level 2 experience or a fast-track assessment, share a few lines about your work, training and the projects you see. We’ll respond with dates, costs and a clear recommendation.
Apply for Level 2 — Silk, Suede & Satin.
Use this form for both standard applications and fast-track requests. We’ll reply with upcoming dates, pricing and whether Level 2 should be taken in full or treated as an assessment.