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!
Hi Rhoda 🙂
Wallpaper is back.. Words to make my husband cringe LOL He has had to remove scores of it before and he hates it. Me? In the right room and in the right pattern I think it’s wonderful.
I love toile and some of the subtle patterns, but if it’s too bold I get hives… like for instance the stuff I just took down in our breakfast room. We have one last room with wallpaper and it’s in the powder room. I love the light green and cream plaid, but it’s coming off in the corners and ripped in spots, so it’ll have to go soon. I have no idea what will go in it’s place, but I have a feeling if it’s wallpaper I’ll have to sneak it in 😉
xoxo,
rue
Oh and by the way, that grasscloth wallpaper was in my grandfather’s office during the late 70s. I’ve always liked it and I’m glad to see it used again 🙂
See Rho this just goes to prove that everything old is new again and why we should just do what we love….I had this whole house wallpapered at one point, in the last few years we changed over to paint and like everyone else feels…”man what a job to remove & swore to never do it again”….BUT….. for the bathrooms where I just love paper…..and that bathroom with the map wallpaper must BE MINE !!!! LOVE it…..
Great post,
Kathy 🙂
I’m with you, Rhoda. I’ve had the job of trying to scrape off two layers of it on top of each other and then painted over in the house where we are now. But I love so many of the new (and old) designs in wallpaper so much, that I am hankering to do some around here. My husband, on the other hand, hates it so much after his having to deal with it in previous homes and this one that when I mention it or show him fabulous looks with wallpaper he thinks I’m crazy. I read someone’s comments recently that said that wallpaper dates a room more quickly. But I think it depends on the wallpaper design. Some of them are timeless, like the toile. If you freshen up the look with new accessories, etc. Most of the designers I love use wallpaper — look at some of Sarah Richardson’s use of wallpaper. I’m contemplating recreating this guest room and dinging room in my home: http://www.sarahrichardsondesign.com/portfolio/project/sarahs-house2/guest-suite1
http://www.sarahrichardsondesign.com/portfolio/project/west-coast-classic
And I love Tobi Fairley’s use of it here, and so many others. http://tobifairley.com/portfolio/inverness-circle/
I am in lust with that Beadazzled Glass Bead wallpaper by Maya Romanoff for my master bath. http://www.mayaromanoff.com/
And look at the wonderful wallpaper Lime In a Coconut just posted recently that she is considering for her bathroom. http://coconutsandlimes.blogspot.com/ I love it. And if you put it on correctly, it can be removed more easily. I’m tempted. Very, very tempted!
Nooooooo…….. they really are so beautiful. Who wouldn’t be tempted to wallpaper again. Anyone who has wallpapered has definately sworn to never do it again. Lawyers better be getting ready too. Wallpapering with a spouse will lead to divorce or murder.
Some of those pictures really were beautiful, and some were a little bit too busy for me. I am too lazy to put it up, and too lazy to pull it down. 😉 I think I’ll just enjoy it on other people’s walls for now. 🙂
I love some of the pictures you posted. Beautiful wllpaper but I have taken down so much. Never again will it go on any of my walls.
Funny you did a post on wallpaper. I was just getting ready to purchase a double roll to hang in my laundry room. I love wallpaper…it is a beast to remove…but oh so worth it. If your a little apprehensive, you could always cover a large artist canvas with a vibrant pattern. When you get tired of it you could change it out…easy peasy. Wonderful post!
Eeek! I don’t know! But some of those patterns ARE really pretty. . . .
I like the ideas of backing shelves. And the idea of doing one panel where you need a pop of color. Or maybe a powder room. But I’m still feeling a bit chicken!
You know what caught my eye? The striped carpet on the stairs in the photo with the grasscloth wallpaper. I swear, we have that exact same carpet on our basement stairs AND WALLS. It’s next on the list for our remodel of this ’80s house! Don’t tell me it’s coming back in style….
OK, so as we are redoing each room in our house, I am seriously thinking of changing some already laid out plans. I have not looked at wallpaper in years (since we begged mom to take hers down in the 90’s), but I really like these styles. Hmmmm….thank you for giving me something to think about!
Jennifer
i love wallpaper. as long as its a good design. the ones that were installed to new homes back in the 90s were alll ugly. but i am so excited for all the new fresh designs they have now. or we can say the designs that are coming back onto the shelves… i love the damask ones!
I’m seeing wallpaper everywhere too, Rhoda! But I have to say, it’s mostly in magazines where people have more of…shall we say…a budget to work with? I have yet to see it in any of the actual homes of people that I know, because we all have our (bad) memories of dealing with it. For me, it’s a budget issue both ways…it’s expensive to purchase…and a bear to take down yourself…and expensive to hire someone else to take it down for you. So I’m finding that as much as I may like the look of it – it’s just not worth it to me. Yet. I agree that we should never say never!
By the way, I just launched my new Etsy shop, if you’d like to check it out! http://www.nestink.etsy.com Let me know what you think (if you have a moment)!
xoxo
Hi Rhoda – Actualy I’ve just purchase wallpaper for a guest BR and bath…… So…. guess it’s good to know that I’ll be in style – although I would not have worried if I wasn’t.
Love the photos you’ve shared….. I’ll have to send you photos of what I chose….
janice
You know, I never did tire of wallpaper and I was a bit irritated when everyone was against it, especially good looking stuff like what you are showing! I am so in the mood now, thanks for sharing. Cindy
Me either Cindy- I had my husbands office done a year ago. It is a small space 10×10 and too give it more drama we paneled it and wallpapered 1/3 of the wall and the ceiling. Very cozy and manly.
Victoria
Very pretty pictures, but no wallpaper for me.
Having had to wrestle with taking down very dated wallpaper in nearly every room of my house (including closets & ceiling), I’d never do wallpaper. Using liquid starch & fabric you can get the same look minus the hassle of hanging & removal frustration.
I was just thinking our bedroom was looking a little dated because of the wallpaper and I should remove it and paint instead. But maybe I waited so long it is back in! Decisions, decisions.
I love wallpaper in bathrooms and entry ways. I don’t care if “they” say it’s out or in, I put it in my guest bath and my entryway when I bought this home 6 years ago and still love it. It adds interest and texture. I think the issue is when people put it up and never replace it (like my dad) and it’s a style that is so dated! He still has the dreaded mini print in his den and dining room. He finally took it down in his kitchen and painted. But still has it in two of his bedrooms. Boy will that be fun to remove before we sell that house after he passes. (he’s 89, so I cut him slack though – grin)
I love the photos of wallpapered rooms, they look so pretty, but I am not a wallpaper person. I think it dates a room way too quickly. I also think it overpowers a room. I like to see the occupants personality come through in their decorating, by how they mix and match furnishings and accessories or have a favorite collection displayed. So much more interesting and timeless.