Everything that I’m reading indicates that wallpaper is back. What do YOU think? I know most of us have spent hours ripping down some ugly wallpaper that we got stuck with or got tired of after putting it up ourselves. Raising my hand, I sure have! And it’s no fun scraping, peeling, spraying hot water to get off those last tidbits of remaining paste and paper from those walls. And after all that hard work of scraping, I’ve vowed Never.To. Do. It. Again.
That is, until I see some beautiful pics like I’m about to show you. See if any of these change your mind. I’m on the fence. I could be tempted to do an accent wall OR a small bathroom, but that might be it, if I fell in love with just the right one. I’m still a big toile lover and this bathroom above is just so yummy to me in so many ways. I had toile wallpaper in my old bathroom in Georgia and loved it. I’ve learned when it comes to decor, never say never. Everything old is new again.
(Dallas News Photos by Natalie Caudill, Styling Katie Kieffer)
I really love the graphic lime green and black of this one. This one could tempt me. Maybe my office space?
(from Domino)
Another toile print and just on one wall. Very pretty.
(from Domino)
How about a bold stripe on the ceiling. Now, that’s eye-catching!
(Evan Sklar via Southern Accents)
Another pretty blue and white toile, always a classic.
(Michel Arnaud via Southern Accents)
A restful and classic bedroom with a beautiful damask paper.
(Ophelia from Graham Brown)
Something about this pic just makes me smile. I love the happy green chest in front of the golden floral wallpaper. It’s just fun to look at.
Oh, how I love this little bathroom with the map on the walls and even the valance is in the same print. So pretty and cozy, this space speaks to my Traditional side. (don’t know the source on the above pic)
(The World of Interiors Dec. 06)
More toile, this one in a luscious green.
(Tria Giovan via Southern Accents)
And how about this funky lime green paper in the foyer of a Traditional home. Love this! Probably wouldn’t have the nerve to actually do it, but I like the way it looks.
(From Graham Brown)
Love this fun turquoise and brown pattern. It would take a brave soul to do that one though.
(From Ideal Home Magazine)
A great way to add some impact is by putting wallpaper on the back of built-ins. I’ve used scrapbook paper for that, but actually matching the pattern of wallpaper would be a great look too, since it’s bigger than scrapbook paper. Lot of visual interest here! You could even add it to a thin piece of luan if you didn’t want add it permanently to a built-in.
(From Ideal Home Magazine)
Love this idea of adding this jolt of color with wallpaper behind the sofa table. You could also add some small molding on either side to really dress it up. Are your thinking caps on yet?
(via sugarblushstuff.blogspot.com)
This turquoise paper is so pretty and the whole room just has a nice and serene feel, even though the paper is a little busy.
(From Southern Accents)
This traditional dining room really feels warm and inviting with what looks to be metallic botanical wallpaper added to dress up the walls. Such an elegant space.
(from CanadianHouseandHome.com)
Even though this is a bold pattern, it totally works in this bathroom with the traditional vanity and simple sconces and mirror. I adore this!
(from CanadianHouseandHome.com)
One more beautiful blue and white toile print, another gorgeous diningroom.
(from CanadianHouseandHome.com)
And there’s always grasscloth for added texture, which itself is making a comeback. I remember this was really hot in office spaces back in the 70’s and 80’s and it has a fresh appeal here in 2010.
So, are you ready to buy some wallpaper yet? or are you scarred for life from long ago or recent removal woes? (been there, done that!)
I’m not sure I am either, but I’m really getting excited about the new possibilities that I’m seeing out there. I think in small doses, wallpaper is so fun. I just have to get the nerve to actually do something with it now.
I’ll be thinking on this subject too and will let you know if I come up with a space and a plan!
Becky in SC says
Oooo…I don’t know…some of those prints were pretty hard on the eyes. But it’s like you said, I just had a horriffic fight with removing paper and tee-tiny strips of the paper backing from a bathroom wall…soooo…I’m not quite ready for wallpaper just yet….don’t think I will be for a while. I’m just really in love with some pretty paint colors right now. 🙂
Linda Fyke says
Hi Rhoda,
I’ve been enjoying your blog for a few months now but haven’t ever said hello. Just thought I’d mention what I think is a great alternative to the big wallpaper commitment. I favor doing a wall or a room in fabric instead. It’s much easier to remove than w/p and can actually add an interesting depth along with insulation value when applied over light batting. I did a wall in simple canvas, then primed and painted large cream and taupe halequin diamonds over it. To top it off I hammered antique brass nailheads into the points where the diamonds intersected. I’ve had loads of compliments on that bedroom. Anyway, here’s to rethinking the wallpaper quandry! Blessings, Linda
Tonya says
Here in the UK wallpaper is big, most people just have it on one wall and paint the other walls in a complementary shade or white. I really love this wallpaper seen on Dottie Angels blog and hope to have it on the long wall in my hallway. It is quite bold though!http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3648/3350426696_d207d80d58.jpg
Ruthie says
I love wallpaper, but I have textured walls (sigh). I’m not even sure how I can paint the walls without painting the ceiling as well….not sure how it would look with crown molding either….
I can remember happily pouring over wallpaper books in years gone by 🙂
Shelia says
Morning, Rhoda! Oh, I have to admit, I love wallpaper too! I only have it in my little downstairs powder room – I love it! I’m rather glad it’s making it’s tiny way back. I adore that pretty toile on the bathroom wall in your first photo! It’s hard for me to think about wallpaper when I’m still trying to get all my Christmas decorations down! 🙂
Be a sweetie,
Shelia 😉
duchess says
I do love wallpaper in the right place. I think it can cozy up a small bath or as an accent behind shelves. I don’t have any up in this house, though – maybe I’ll consider it.
Becca @ Adventures in Decorating says
Hi Rhoda … great post and food for thought … wonderful pics, too !! I’ve never been a ha-uge wallpaper fan, simply because I change my mind so darned much as far as painting and re-painting and wallpaper is just too much of a commitment (expense and labor-wise). I did end up papering my guest bath and mudroom with beautiful paper, but, alas, am already tiring of the monkey wallpaper in the mudroom. LOL . Take care, Becca
Lisa@Pickles and Cheese says
I have always liked wallpaper in a small bathroom or powder room. I am deciding when to update my powder room that has wallpaper right now. Truthfully I still like it! But I am feeling pressure to change it because I don’t want it to look dated. So now the question is new wallpaper or what color paint?!! My favorite was the bathroom with the map wall paper!!
Heather says
i think the problem with wallpaper is that depending on the pattern, it can REALLY date a room. My grandpa was a professional paper-hanger – I don’t think there was a lick of paint in his house. The living room had an orange floral on navy, the kitchen had a citrus floral on white, the basement had a multicolored stripe, etc.
I like the classic old-world prints the best. If you choose a bolder pattern, you just have to prepare yourself for putting in the work at some point to change it out.
Karen says
Don’t overlook what can be done with paint! There are many great stencils that can replicate damask and other designs and many new products that are much easier to deal with than stripping paper!
Wanda @Just Vintage says
I’ve never stopped liking wallpaper. Only went to paint because it was “the thing to do”. I still have one bathroom that’s papered and simply can’t imagine it any other way. Also a room with embossed paper that’s painted. But I don’t *think* we’ll ever go wild with it again like we did in the ’80’s. Although, some of those patterns and some others I’ve seen make me want to build extra rooms just so I can use all the beautiful wallpaper out there! LOL
Jennifer Juniper says
I just don’t think I could do it! It’s true…I’m scarred from wallpapers past. But, I do have to say, that I love the panel of wallpaper behind the table in one of the last photos.
TammyR says
I love the picture with the grasscloth! I have seen a lot of wallpaper lately. Yes, I tore a lot off my walls at my old house, but I wouldn’t mind having it in my guest bathroom, which is really small. When I saw your post about the beadboard wallpaper, I really liked that!!! So, there may be some wallpaper in my future!
Pattie T. says
I bore easily so vowed long ago to never be stuck with wallpaper again no matter how attractive the pattern. Plus, the removal is enough to send me screaming into the streets. Never again!
Carmen says
Mmmmmmmm….I don’t think so! I had a time removing the wallpaper in this house. I honestly have never been a fan of wallpaper even back in the day when it was really popular. I always like painted walls. I do have one remaining room that has wallpaper. It’s the half bath off the kitchen. I plan to remove the wallpaper and paint in there eventually. It has wallpaper on top and beadboard on the bottom. I *suppose* it would be easier to put new wallpaper on top. 😉 I do really love the toile paper. Funny that Lowe’s just got rid of their wallpaper section last year.
susan says
Rhoda-One of the nice things about being a “mature woman 🙂 is that I don’t feel compelled to chase trends–I am more comfortable with doing what suits me. I have wall paper I never took down and am looking at new wall paper for my powder room. Love all the pictures!
Pat@Back Porch Musings says
I don’t think I’m ready yet. I made a promise or together J and I made a pact about never having wallpaper again. Even after hanging paper, following all the “rules” of preparation and procedure…we had a mess when it was time to take it down. I believe it can make a beautiful impact on a room, but I’m not ready to take that path, at this time.
Penny, of Lavender Hill Studio/The Comforts of Home, recently finished a powder room, in the new home she and her husband purchased over the summer. She used black and white toile. The room is stunning. If you haven’t seen it, I recommend a visit.
This is the link:
http://thecomfortsofhome.blogspot.com/2010/01/sage-toile-guest-bedroombath-before-and.html
Sorry don’t know how to make a live link.
Great post, Rhoda!!
Pat@Back Porch Musings says
correct link for Penny’s powder room:
http://thecomfortsofhome.blogspot.com/2009/12/powder-room-is-finished.html
Kim says
Lovely to look at! The wallpaper designs seem to be mirroring the large scale prints in the fabric industry right now. I think I would rather use liquid starch and fabric to adorn a wall than paste and paper. Easier to remove….same look! Love your blog!
Pat@Back Porch Musings says
Oh wow! Looks like the link is live! 🙂