Tempted to try a little wallpaper?

 

Welcome to Part 2 of our wallpaper series. If last weeks blog wasn't convincing enough that wallpaper is in, this weeks surely will. It's no surprise that there are possibilities galore! No matter what your personality or taste, there is a wallpaper design out there for you!

Because I am such a visual person (think picture books!), I thought it'd be fun to share with you some of my favorite wallpaper designs. These are just a few, because let's face it, I could spend all day doing this! But it's a good start and hopefully a bit of inspiration for you!


For the non-committal type:
Listen, I get it. You're still not sure you want to do this wallpaper thing. Well, I've got the answer for you! Retailers have smartened up and realized that there are lots and lots of people like you out there, who love the idea of trying something new with wallpaper, but don't want to be stuck with it for the next decade (or longer...gasp!). Voila! Along comes temporary wallpaper! And trust me, you won't be sacrificing design or quality by going with removable paper. It's just as lovely...it just may not stick around as long (no pun intended!).



www.designyourwall.com

www.tempaper.com

 

www.westelm.com

www.westelm.com

P.S. I love this temporary chalkboard wallpaper...thinking I might have to put this in my new office!



www.wallsneedlove.com

My son would never have left his room if I put this paper on the walls....hhmmm, why didn't I think of that years ago?!



www.wallsneedlove.com

www.swagpaper.com

If you're looking for a funky, industrial vibe: Check out what Deborah Bowness has to offer. www.deborahbowness.com.  Whether it's faux bookshelves or a bit of swag to draw your eye up, or maybe something more subtle, like a faux tile print...whatever it is Deborah has got it! Her one of a kind wallpaper are beautiful and function pieces of art.



www.deborahbowness.com

www.deborahbowness.com



www.deborahbowness.com





www.paperscissorsglue.com

Tricked ya! This isn't tile! It's wallpaper! You can get a faux tile, wood, brick, concrete...whatever you can imagine...in wallpaper! (same look as the real stuff, minus the huge expense)

Graham & Brown brick wallpaper found at Urban Outfitters

www.spoonflower.com

For the artist in you: For those of you out there who posses your own talent and vision, guess what?! You can actually design and create your own custom wallpaper! Check out www.spoonflower.com!



The only challenge I have now (at least when it comes to wallpaper) is containing my excitement! Be sure to also check out my Pinterest page! You'll find lots and lots of inspiration there! Click here to check it out!

Warmly,

Renee


Hang in there!

Another week, another snowstorm here in NH! And another one on the way to boot! There must be at least 50 inches of snow in my front yard. The kids haven't had a full week of school in weeks! Even my friends who love winter are hanging up the white flag (you just can't see it under all of the snow!)!  So the term, "Hang in there!" has been used a lot lately!

But what I really meant to say was "Hang it there!"...meaning hang some wallpaper! No seriously, wallpaper is cool. Way cooler than it used to be.

Many of my clients have reservations about wallpaper, and I get it. It kind of earned a bad rap a few decades ago. Most of you are worried that it's no longer in style, or that it will quickly go out of style. Some are concerned that it's difficult put up and even more difficult to get down.



West Elm
Sepulveda Mural Wallpaper - Graystone

Well, the good news is that wallpaper today is very much in fashion and with today's advances in technology and design, wallpaper is much easier to install and to remove. And for those commitment-phobes out there, you can even buy temporary wallpaper.

There are so many great companies out there making some beautiful wallpaper. There is no doubt, that there is something for everyone! And there are so many different ways incorporate wallpaper into your design.

Wallpaper can totally transform the look and feel of a room. Have you ever felt that a painted wall feels, well...."flat"? In comes some wallpaper and voila! bring on the dimension! If you are feeling a little nervous about wallpapering an entire room, try just covering an accent wall. You will still get the effect, without as much of a commitment.

Found on beachblissliving.com

Remember to choose your wallpaper carefully. These days wallpaper is made from all kinds of materials. Pick the one that's most suitable for your room. For example, you may want to use a vinyl wallpaper in the bathroom where it's moist. Consider a wallpaper with a washable finish for high-traffic areas like hallways, mudrooms, or for that matter kids room (I still have visions of hand and footprints on my kids walls!). In fact, wallpaper can be more forgiving and easier to care for than just a painted wall!

The entryway is another fun place to use wallpaper. You can apply it to the walls, or even the stairs!


Found on theboldabode.com

Found on bhg.com


Still not sure what to do?? Look no further than UP!! You betcha! Wallpaper on the ceiling is a brilliant idea! It's a dreamy touch to a nursery, or a bold statement in an office!


Found on homeadore.com



Found on projectnursery.com



Here's  something funny...I absolutely love wallpaper and yet I have none of it in my house. Stands to reason that if you loved something, you would want to have it around you, and that's exactly why I don't. See, I have such a love of wallpaper that I can't choose! Yes, it even happens to designers. I am paralyzed by all of the wonderful options;  Graphic, floral, photographs of corrugated tin siding! I have decided that the responsible thing to do is just continue to love from afar (and wait until our new studio is painted, and then...watch out!)!

Now that I've got you thinking wallpaper, be sure to check back next week, we'll be featuring my favorite wallpaper designers!

Until then, have fun imagining the possibilities!

 

Color combos that are safe but not boring

I can honestly say, the most common interior design question I get from clients, friends, family (even strangers in the paint store!) is how to choose paint colors. No surprise here, but I am a visual person, so I thought I'd share some of the color schemes I have used recently. Hopefully it provides you with a bit of inspiration!  

Sherwin Williams Scandia, Indigo, Cosmos & Icelandic

I used these colors in a recent cottage by the beach that I designed. Since the cottage is rather small (less than 700 sq. ft.), I decided to use a monochromatic theme and then give each room a hit of color from the "other side". What do I mean by "the other side"? Well, I'm talking about the other side of the color wheel! Colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel are considered complementary colors. I love to use this treatment in a room when I really want something to stand out. The high contrast of colors creates a vibrant look, which I think fills a room with great energy! For this cottage, I chose orange to be my complementary color and I could not have been more pleased. Take a look at how wonderfully the blues & oranges play together!

I used the same technique in another home I designed. This time I used very neutral browns with a hit of red. This suited my client well because they were able to take a few chances with the brightly colored accessories, but could also change them up quite easily and guilt free!



Sherwin Williams Craft Paper, Believable Buff, & Cardboard

Sherwin Williams Paint

Of course, you can't go wrong with these colors either. It's a great color combination for staging your home. A touch of color without going too crazy! The colors I chose were all +Sherwin Williams paint; Copen Blue, Agreeable Grey, Toque White, Calico and Warm Stone. The paint color names alone sound soothing and peaceful!

And finally, here's a sneak peak at the colors I am using in a home by the beach. Once again, I stay somewhat "safe" with the paint color choice and then had fun with some wallpaper and fabric. The colors here are +California Paints in Steamy Spring, +Benjamin Moore Paints  in Rattan and Soft Glow. Then a used Shore Thing wallpaper and  Thibaut Luzon fabric in Aqua and Coral. Beachy, but not boring!

If you aren't sure where colors fall on the color wheel and which ones may complement each other, I recommend you hop on over to TigerColor.com and see what they have to say. There's a terrific post about color schemes, complete with pictures to help explain it all!



Wallpaper is back and it's better than ever!

The rumors are true, wallpaper is back!! It's better than ever and it's here to stay.

With today's technology, the possibilities are endless. There once was a time when you were limited to floral prints or very traditional patterns, but now you will see everything from graphic patterns and bold prints to nature inspired designs and even a more industrial look, like cement and steel.


Right now, I am loving the resort collection from Thibaut.  It's  bold and bright. And it practically makes you feel the warmth of sunshine radiating off your walls. It's fun, fashionable and totally sophisticated. You can even coordinate your fabrics, if you so choose! This particular print is called "Shore Thing". It comes in several different colors. How fun would it be to design a room using Shore Thing in Turquoise with red and white accents to create a fresh take on Red, White, and Blue?

If artistry is what you're looking for, then search no farther than Martha Armatige. She may be in her 80's but that hasn't stopped her! Her wallpaper designs, as seen in these images, are works of art, timeless and stunning. It's hard to believe, but she actually draws these custom papers! I admire her tenacity and it's never too late attitude as well as her beautiful artwork.

 

+Serena & Lily make their own wallpaper designs and they coordinate beautifully with their signature fabrics. Use their patterns to incorporate color, pattern and style into your room.

Carvern Home has sweet, low key prints in lots of pastel that don't intimidate a first timer, although of course my favorite is "Casa de Millagros".

Not only has wallpaper come along way with its design, but now it is much easier to apply, and more affordable than ever. Now you can use wallpaper to add a little "wow factor" without breaking the bank. And if you grow tired of your look, it's easy to change in a few years.

Many companies like +Sherwin Williams  are now offering removable wallpaper. It's the perfect solution for someone who likes to redecorate or change things up often! Check out these designs that you can find at +Target!

All you need to do is peel and stick. It's simple to apply, reposition and remove...Amen!

Try it on a door, an accent wall or inside a bookcase.

They offer everything from a modern zigzag to a more traditional Damask. Perfect for a front entry, bathroom, a book case or a nursery!

I am happy to report that there even are some Eco-friendly companies that are on the rise. Recycled paper, non-toxic paste and PVC free and most companies are here is the US! Check out what Twenty2 Handprint has to offer. I especially love their grass cloth collection. +Eskayel also has a nice offering of eco-friendly and fashionable wall coverings.

+Spoonflower is one of the eco-friendly companies that is now offering removable/repositionable wallpaper which is great for apartments or those that just want a quick infusion. They can also design anything you can imagine.

 

For those timid about committing to an entire wall, think about just one focal wall, or trim out a wall in molding.  Try a splash above or below a chair rail. In this picture I used a touch of wallpaper inside a china hutch.

Also love the idea of running it up a flight of stairs. Wouldn't this put an extra zing in your step every time you have to run upstairs (for the millionth time that day!)?!!

You can't go wrong with a touch of wallpaper from Osborne & Little, F. Schumacher Co., Lee Jofa or York. +Anthropologie always has fun retro patterns that put the H in Hip.

Wallpaper in 2014 gives us more design possibility than we could've imagined.

Your walls have never looked so good! 

Renee