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!
Lou Cinda says
I have seen the trend of wallpaper coming back too, and like you after removing TONS of it I vowed to NEVER put it up again…however…I did LOVE the wallpaper I had in my kitchen in my old house and still have 3 rolls…so I have toyed with the idea of putting it on one wall in my kitchen….
Anaglypta paper is also good, cos you can paint it different colors as your decor changes!
Great post!
Lou Cinda
Beth C says
Oooh, I’ve been burned by wallpaper before. I think the photos were beautiful, but I don’t want to set myself up for another mass wallpaper removal. I think I’d rather paint or use fun accents or fabrics instead. So, I don’t think I’ll be wallpapering anytime in my near future!
Jen@Balancing Beauty and Bedlam says
Rhoda – our master bath still has blue/pink little flowered wallpaper from the 90’s…I know, I know…love me anyhow. I just can’t get myself to strip it all and since no one runs screaming from that room except me, it’s there for a while.
🙂
Patti Gencarelli says
I have been lovin the shelving area background wallpaper idea. I have heard, but not tried, covering foam board or
poster board cut to size of your specific area then covered
with fabric, wallpaper, wrapping paper, or your scrapbook paper idea. Love it – changes quickly and inexpensively.
also seasonally!
melissa*320 sycamore says
Hi Rhoda~
I vowed never to put wallpaper up after removing a whole houseful, but look, we’ve done beadboard wallpaper already! I love the seagrass wallpaper, and I might do an accent wall, or behind a bookshelf with a fun pattern? I have learned to never say never in decorating 🙂
Jane says
Thanks for showing us some great images, Rhoda! There were very few patterns I didn’t like.
I still have wallpaper from almost 25 years ago (that I put up in this ‘old house’) and I am glad I have saved it because the patterns have come back around. And I did above or below chair rails so it wasn’t overpowering. So I am happy wallpaper is making a comeback. Would I put up more? Yep!!
xoxo
Jane
Kacy says
I love the use of wallpaper to accent, and that lime green and black would look great in your office! I have also sworn off ever using it again, after stripping it from many a room, but I love some of the pictures above…the one with the striped ceiling was great!! I think I could be persuaded also, if I saw the right paper!!
Stefany says
I am one of those people who has always been faithfully true to wallpaper. I can’t get enough of it. Woooowho! Bring it on!
Southern Savvy says
I really love that map wallpaper! It would be perfect for my guest bath. If anyone finds it, please email me and let me know. Thanks!
Kathy@Creative Home Expressions says
I do love that first picture! I’d still be hesitant to do wallpaper again. About a year ago I took down the last of our wallpaper {in our powder room}.
kathysue says
Hi Rhoda, I use to work in a design studio selling wallpaper in its hay day! I still love a beautifully made wallpaper. I have always had it in my dining room and entry and guest bath. Most people try it first in the bathrooms,since they are usually the smallest room in the house. I love it!! You are right about the toile, never get tired of that one. Your home would look wonderful in a toile’ somewhere. I think the 80’s was bad in design and in wallpaper. It seemed as if everyone was doing a patchwork quilt in their homes , but on their walls. Can’t wait to hear what you decide. Hugs Kathysue
grannyann says
I have an older home and still have the original wallpaper in most rooms. I like wallpaper. Thanks for showing some ideas.
Deborah says
Great inspirational photos (as always!) I am not one to follow trends; i.e.; “what’s currently in” because just as you are pasting that last strip of wall paper or painting that last spot of turquoise it will be “out”. So, I decorate my home with pieces that speak to me or serve a specific function. That being said, I am a wall paper warrior and have had more steamy nights (peeling it off walls) than I care to remember. The problem for me is I grow too soon tired of these walls and find patterns on walls much too busy and distracting.
As always, thanks for sharing.
– Deborah
Puna says
Oh no Rhonda! I just got rid of all my wall paper. Are you kidding me?
Stacey @ The Blessed Nest says
I’ve been saying for several years that wallpaper would be back! But only in either small spaces (like a bathroom) or in a dramatic space (entry, focal wall, etc.). I say it’s time we stop being lazy and just go for it! 🙂 LOL!! I’m definitely using wallpaper in our powder room when we re-do that space.
Blessings,
Stacey
Bonny says
Really? Some of those prints made me cringe – too bold for my blood. Growing up we had some rooms wallpapered, and after a few years the edges would lift slightly which drove me MAD. So no wallpaper ever in my future.
Joyce Ackley says
Some of the wallpapers are nice, and classic toiles are always beautiful. But some of those wild patterns – I’m afraid they would become “dated” very quickly. I’m a fan of HGTV, and one of my favorite shows is House Hunters. Sometimes I gasp and shudder right along with the potential home buyers when they view a bathroom covered in a purple and pink metallic floral paper, or a yellow, orange, and brown kitchen paper featuring teapots and coffee mills. When someone exclaims, “This wallpaper’s got to GO!” I agree, 100%.
Are wallpaper borders “out” now? I don’t care for borders, but my guest bath is papered in a simple, textured ivory paper. There’s an ivy leaf border, and I like it. The bath is done in green and ivory. It’s been that way for a number of years, and I have no plans to change it anytime soon. But someday, someone may look at it and gasp, “This wallpaper’s got to GO!”
If I had plenty of money and someone to change out the paper for me, I might try something different in a bathroom or hallway. But I have to pay to have wallpapering done, and my budget is zilch right now!
WendyBee says
I just recently saw the comment in House Beautiful that wp is back…o/w I might have skipped reading your post. I personally don’t have wp-PTSD, but my DH does. He has told me no more wp-ever. I can’t even get around it by tackling the job myself. There’s something about wp that he has to be involved in it, and he doesn’t want to be involved, so no wp projects allowed in the house!
Now having said that, I liked all the wps. Not that all of them would work in my home, but many of them would. You have great taste. (Or maybe I am easily pleased, probably a bit of both.) But I guess that’s obvious, given how popular you are! 🙂
WendyBee
WendyBee
Kate at Centsational Girl says
J’adore the wallpaper ! Especially these modern botanicals and damasks by York and Graham & Brown. They are simply gorgeous !!!
Kate at Centsational Girl says
…. and you KNOW I love me some grasscloth. 🙂