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❹ ❷ ❺ ❶ Thibaut: Honshu ❷ York: Mandarin Prose ❸ Anewall: Dark Floral Blossom ❹ Chasing Paper: Mermaid ❺ Anthropologie: Canopy Creatures natural fibers can differ in shading from roll to roll; it’s important to match tones as the job progresses. n A bright animal print lends an air of whimsy to humdrum dens and lackluster baths. At the high end design houses include Scalamandre, with patterns like Chinoise Exotique, a cheerful pattern of impish monkeys on a range of backgrounds including tomato and ecru. More economical are Cole and Son’s Savuti and Canopy Creatures by Anthropologie; both depict old-world monkeys hanging out in trees, as they do. At the low end, York Wallcoverings’ Mandarin Prose delivers the playful simian vibe at a fraction of the cost. n For drama in the dining room, try a large-scale, vivid floral to energize gatherings and celebrations. Thibaut’s Honshu is available in a range of hues, moderately priced and sure to please. For the “wow factor,” Anewall’s extra-large-scale Dark Floral Blossom is uber-dramatic and comes in five rolls to create a showstopping mural. Easier on the budget are Big Floral from Roostery and Albany Wallpapers’ Bohemian Flower. n For “mess-magnet” rooms—kids’ play areas and bedrooms— consider vinyl or washable wallpaper, impervious to even the most dedicated finger painters and pint-sized muralists. Schumacher’s Madame de Pompadour is a beauty and potential bank breaker; for a more down-to-earth budget, try East Urban Home in the midrange. Zoomie Kids and Brewster Home offer patterns that deliver great style for little investment. Removable wallpapers are also great for kids, and no-brainers for college students, renters and commitment-phobes; check out Drop It Modern, Chasing Paper and Urban Outfitters for fresh, modern design.
it for a week or so before you go all in. Check back at different times of the day to see how it interacts with your home’s light and decor. Rein it in. If you’re madly in love with a particularly bright, bold or avant-garde pattern but nervous about its staying power, try it in a guest bath first. The jewel box of a powder room that emerges might embolden inspired choices in larger spaces. Go big AND go home. Don’t be afraid of bold, colorful patterns, large-scale graphics or abstract prints in small rooms; a den may feel surprisingly intimate and vibrant against an unexpected, dramatic backdrop. No distractions, please. In rooms with windows and beautiful views, avoid off-trend “accent” walls; opt instead for subtle, textured papers like grasscloth—tone-on-tone natural fibers in subtle textures that lend the room a feeling of warmth, keeping focus where it belongs. Enough is enough. The journey from eclectic to chaotic can turn south in a skinny minute; plan your design itinerary carefully. Let one element lead the way: if your furniture and accessories are bursting with color and pattern, choose wall coverings that are subtle and neutral; conversely, if the decor is tailored and stodgy, a bold choice in paper might just be the secret “zing” that takes your space from staid to spectacular. Endpapers. What to do with those last few pieces after wallpaper duty is done? Make liners for drawers, adhere to bookshelves or front faces of stairs; frame as artwork or add to door panels on a vintage hutch or armoire. Wallpaper remnants and samples are fabulous materials for ornaments, envelopes, gift wrap and other paper crafts.
Paper plans Take a dip before you dive. Plan a visit to your local design
professional for tear sheets and memo samples of the designs that strike your fancy. Buy one roll and tack it to the wall; live with 1 1 2
There you have it, your HOME wallpaper primer. There’s no time like now to start your own journey down the paper trail. Bon voyage and happy hanging! ✦ Central Virginia HOME Fall 2019