Like Nail Polish For The Walls

This week Kendra is back blogging about her love affair with wallpaper!

I love wallpaper. Ever since I was a little girl I was drawn to wallpaper. Thankfully it was very easy for Craig and I to talk Mama Pat into re-papering any wall in our home on a whim.

When I talk wallpaper to clients their eyes get all big and they look at me like I have 3 eyes. I see their minds take them through a time warp straight to grandma’s kitchen with cabbage rose papered walls with that matching border.  They definitely are not feelin’ the paper love…at first that is.

Is this where your mind takes you?

Today there are so many great patterns whether your taste is subtle with just texture, a tone on tone pattern or a making a bold statement-there is a paper out there for you.

Here is a basic grass cloth shown in a natural way and then my way (bold with pattern of course!)

I use wallpapers in almost every design project. In fact, wallpaper is usually my starting point. I find that great pattern and build my design from there. Often I will have to explain wallpaper to my client and pull them out of their grandmother’s kitchen but I have never had a client not love the outcome.  I would suggest using wallpaper sparingly- it is not for every wall in your home.

HERE ARE SOME OF MY FAV'S:

Modern wallpaper designs by De Joode design have this amazing rythmic repition of Ladies and Gentlemen but it isn't something you discover until you are up close!

This tree paper comes in many colors from a cream tone on tone to black as shown

Moorish prints always grab my attention

A Parisian Toile? Without the jetlag? I think so!

HERE ARE SOME OF CRAIG'S FAV'S:

Elysian Fields Bat paper in Cobalt Blue

Butterfly Jubilee

If you look closely Ms. Ward is being transported by various insects

Woosdtock had nothing on this!

Recently Craig and I used this great paper on an episode of HGTV’s Room Crashers. We applied the paper horizontally instead of vertically (as intended and as shown below) for a fresh look.  

Check out our episode in the link below. Notice how the homeowner comments on the loving the paper over and over and over …….keep in mind we were “ghost designers” so you won’t see us (only quickly in the background if you really pay attention)and our design (and words) were placed into the hosts hands but this was OUR brainchild NOT his.

http://www.hgtv.com/video/modern-beach-cottage-video/index.html

This fish paper was used in a client’s powder room- she was NOT afraid of paper!

In design a large portion of our job is to educate the client and show them how to make their space their own. When you walk into your home you should look at your furnishings as a reflection of yourself. It should make you smile. It should make you happy. Yes, furniture must be functional but it should also be an extension of your personality. It’s like fashion. We have items we wear that we love for comfort and also items we wear because it’s our personal style. Jewelry has great meaning. Our old high school sweatshirt is comfy and takes us back in a good way.

So get comfy, get colorful and love your walls!