More on Wallpaper... Not Your Grandmother's House!

I know a lot of people are adamantly opposed to wallpaper. Just the mere mention of the word seems to conjure up visions of an old, outdated and stale home. This aversion to wallpaper is understandable! Take a look at the dining room of our home when we purchased it...

The first thing I did was have all the old wallpaper removed and the walls painted with Benjamin Moore Monterey White. I needed a blank slate to even begin to create the perfect space. The walls are still the same plain white. The renovation is over and now it's time to add the fun finishing touches.

I am considering wallpaper for various rooms. I think there is nothing more sophisticated and fresh than pops of wallpaper if you choose wisely and with an eye for the flow and feel of your space. In my opinion, wallpaper is meant to create interest and to personalize a home.  Adding wallpaper to just the right space can be magic!

Sometimes wallpaper can act as a neutral and it's sole purpose is to add texture such as in these grasscloth varieties by Phillip Jeffries...

Here is one of my favorite faux grasscloth papers from Thibaut. It's called Banyan Basket. I am considering this paper in the wheat color for my breakfast room. It's made of vinyl and is scrubbable.

Another great example from Thibaut's Texture Resource Volume 3 is this vinyl paper called "Raffia". It comes in several colorways.

Also, in the same Thibaut line is "Sisal". Again, it's vinyl, totally scrubbable and it looks like a sisal rug. It's amazing in person. I am considering this one for my butler's pantry.

Sometimes you may use a bold pattern in a small space such as a powder room...

Or you may use a bold pattern to create a dramatic effect...

I love classic Thibaut, too, such as this beautiful Chinoiserie paper in the Shangri-La collection...

Also, in the same Thibaut collection is the lovely "Anita Damask"...

I am considering the damask in aqua for my powder room...

Farrow and Ball creates beautiful historic papers. Here are a few of my favorites...

I love "Bumble Bee" for my vestibule/entry area...

I love the vivid color in Farrow & Ball...

They also have beautiful metallics like this one...

Don't be afraid to incorporate wallpaper into you home. It can add tons of character to a space!

~Finely Frugal

De Gournay...Perhaps Someday!

My dream dining room would have walls adorned with beautiful and exquisite de Gournay hand painted wallpaper panels. De Gournay papers are famous all over the world and even if you are not familiar with the name, you've seen the wallpaper in magazines. The wallpaper is in the White House and London's 10 Downing Street. The company specializes in 18th century Chinoiserie. The custom finished product is just beautiful!

And even Kate Middleton is a fan! She is pictured below in a dress made of de Gournay silk!

Below are custom wallpaper panels by Gracie...just as beautiful!

Or this Gracie wallpaper in a room created by famous Atlanta designer, Dan Carithers...

Okay, so back to reality! Finely Frugal's approach to these beautiful hand painted papers....

This is a beautiful paper by Zoffany called Eleanora! It costs a tenth of what the de Gournay and Gracie papers cost. So, maybe one day in a dream home after all of my children are finished with college, I can have the de Gournay or Gracie. For now, Zoffany will do! I am planning to have pale blue silk panels and a diamond pattern seagrass rug. I will post pictures when it is complete!