Is this real life?
I'm pretty sure we all have it. That knee-jerk reaction to the very idea of wallpaper. Suddenly, we're in a full-on 70s flashback of swirling maize, pumpkin, and avocado (usually on top of something else that clashed horribly). The 70s confuse me. So much good with so much bad. But that's another day's post.
It's time to let go. It's time to forgive. Don't be afraid. Wallpaper is fabulous. I'll give you three reasons to trust again:
First, the patterns range from gorgeous to badass. Yup, badass.
Don't fight it, it's fabulous.
To keep your wallpaper fresh, chose a classic pattern in a modern color palette.
I want to wake up to this.
Second, there's no rule that you have to paper the whole room. Use wallpaper to make a feature within a room special.
To add dimension and interest to my clients' built-ins, I used a subtle paper on the back panel.
And when there was no room for art in the foyer, I used a coordinating paper on the ceiling.
Talk about making the fireplace the focal point.
Third, it doesn't have to be permanent. Like I mentioned in my recent Etsy post, removable wallpaper gives you all the fabulous without the long-term commitment. It's a great way to test it out or the perfect solution if you're renting.
What a serene statement.
Ok, so if you think you're ready to give this a try, here are a few of my favorite online sources:
But my favorite way to shop for wallpaper is in a local paint store. Thanks to Yelp, I discovered Carolyn at Cox Paints in Santa Monica. She's got hundreds of sample books in her library, which she knows like the back of her hand. I go in with a project, tell her what I'm looking for, and she points me in just the right direction.
When it comes time to figure out how much you need, I prefer to leave the wallpaper math to my installer. It can get a bit confusing. But, if you want to give it a try to get a ballpark sense of what you need, this is my favorite wallpaper calculator.
And if you need someone to install it? Again, the experts at your local paint stores can be a great source for recommendations, as is Yelp.
Are you secretly dying to give wallpaper one more try? What's your wallpaper fantasy?
Do you have an awesome wallpaper horror stories, don't hold back! Talking about design disasters is the first step on the road to recovery.
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