How To Look For Wallpaper??!!!

Yes! there is a method to looking for wallpaper, read on.......

 

......Looking for wallpaper can be daunting. Most wallpaper stores will have thousands of books with hundreds of choices in each book.

Before going shopping I think it is a good idea to think of the room and the feeling you want it to have, and what colors you like. It is also good to keep in mind what patterns you tend to gravitate towards.

Imperial Trellis seems to be a favorite pattern for so many people.

Looking on line can help in this process. Start by just looking at patterns that you are attracted too.
Save those images, so when you look back you will have a frame of reference. It is amazing how unconsciously you will gravitate towards certain patterns.

As far as colors go, you of course will have to keep in mind what colors are already in the room that will be staying. It is good to have swatches of existing fabrics and colors that are in the room with you.

The best way to look at a wallpaper book is to pull the book out slightly on the edge of the shelf so it can open just enough to fan through the pages. If you see a color or a pattern you like in the fanning process then pull the book off the shelf and take a closer look, if not put it back on the shelf.

There is no reason to spend time turning page by page in a book of flocked papers when you are looking for grass cloth or looking at a floral when you want stripes.

The fanning process will make your looking go more quickly.

Also in my experience after about two hours of looking your brain can no longer digest anymore color or pattern so take a break and come back another day to do more looking if you do not find what you are looking for.

Wallpaper stores have their books in order of style or types of wallpaper. They will also have a wallpaper resource guide that is like a wallpaper dictionary. The wallpaper books will be put into categories for you.

Let’s say you are looking for sail boats, they will list all the books that have sail boats in them or stripes or a geometric pattern. Ask to see the resource guide book and then the clerk can direct you to the books that are listed that they actually carry in the store.

Most stores will also allow you to check the books out and take them home for a day or so just like the library does.

Once you have the books home I suggest that you open the books up to the patterns you are considering and place them in the room where you will see them first thing in the morning.

I prefer to look at whatever I am trying to decide on for my home first thing in the morning.

Your perspective is fresh and uncluttered with the thoughts of the day. You will automatically gravitate towards the paper that you truly love. As we look throughout the day we will talk ourselves in or out of something several times.

Being fresh in the morning has always worked for me in my decision making process. What I talked myself into loving at night, I will usually not like in the morning when I am being true to myself!!

Once you find a few patterns that you like ask to order samples of each. Wallpaper companies offers samples for a price, but the size of the sample will vary from company to company. Get the longest sample you can a good 6-8 foot drop is the best way to go.

Some companies have pre-cut samples measuring only a little under two feet. Ask to order 3 of those samples, then you can get a better idea of how the pattern will possibly lay out.

This is exactly what Sherry from Design Indulgence blog has done with her own wallpaper choice.(Be sure and visit Sherry's blog she is a delight and her blog is inspirational and a fun read!!)

 

I never, ever order wallpaper without sampling it first. Once you have the samples inside your home the decision will become more obvious.

These are just a few of the pointers I have learned from personal experience when looking at wallpaper.

 Since I plan on looking for new paper for my entry I am reminded of just how to look for wallpaper and I thought I would pass along my thoughts on the process.

I have a few more pointers, so come back, and hopefully I will be able to show you some of the papers I am contemplating!!

“Enjoy the Process” of:

Looking for wallpaper more strategically!

Kathysue

It’s Baaaaack!!!

Actually the line was, “They’re Baaaack,” from Poltergeist, but I was referring to Wallpaper!!!! so It’s Baaaaack fit the title better!

Graham Brown Wallpaper

We have been seeing wallpaper for quite awhile in design magazines and more and more designers are using it in their projects .

We all have a love/hate relationship with wallpaper, thanks to the horrible over-use of it in the late 80’s early 90’s!! Remember all the co-ordinates?

Why use one paper in a room when you can use three and don’t forget the border and the matching fabric, YIKES!!! No wonder wallpaper had a bad reputation. Then there is the dreaded removal process, Urrggh!

Wallpaper for 2011 is much more graphic than it’s floral frou-frou predecessors. The colors range from soft tone on tones to bright and cheerful clear colors.

I  found a few examples of looks that I think are current and fun for today’s homes.

 

Meg Braff House Beautiful

Bright  graphic floral!!

Graphic Chinoiserie

Beautiful metalic damask in panels

Over-scaled lattice pattern makes this look more current.

Thibaut Wallcovering

Imperial Trellis

 

 

Be still my heart. I love, love this entry hall!!!

 

 

 

Restoration Home Blog

 

Kelly Wearstler Imperial Trellis

Another favorite of mine.

Thibaut Wallcovering Pattern Addison

Osborne And Little

 

Talk about over-sized, I would say this is super-sized!!

Which one of the above pictures is your favorite? It is hard for me to just pick one!!

Do you see yourself using wallpaper in the future?

Remember never say never!!

“Enjoy the Process” Of:

Looking at an old friend in a new way!!

Kathysue

I Love The Color Of A BRUISE!!

Yes, you heard right! I love the color of a bruise. I know you have heard the saying, I was black and blue all over?! Well, that is exactly what I am talking about. I am talking about the colors black and blue.

I did a post about wanting to put more blue and white in my home and one of my wonderfully talented readers, Diane James author of the blog The Buzz, asked me this in her comment:

"Love the stronger blue and white patterns coupled with a punch of green, yellow or pink - what would you do with all your black and white, Kathysue?"

So this post is dedicated to you Diane!

I will keep my black and white and I will be adding all of the above mentioned colors to the mix. My home already consist of black and white, blue, yellow, green and pink.

If you had a chance to take The House tour that Terri did on her blog, LA DOLFINA, of my home you will see all of the colors mixed.

I gathered some pictures of rooms that are blue and white with touches of black that will show you if it is done right it makes a beautiful room.

Of course I will have to have my punch of green and a bit of pink here and there.

You are about to see some rooms that are the color of a bruise, Black and Blue!!……….

Decorpad

 

Ashley Whittaker 

 

Delphine Krakoff

 

Bear Hill Interiors

Jennifer McGee Designs via Effortless Style blog

Emily Jenkins Followil Photography

Elizabeth Cutler

 

Windsor Smith

J. Savage Gibson Photography

Phoebe Howard

Sarah Richardson

After seeing all the above images are you a fan of black and blue?

I think you can tell when touches of black are added in just the right areas, and in the right amount, it makes a wonderful statement in a room with blue and white.

 In most cases I would add a pop of green to make it more to my liking, but I am totally drawn to all of these rooms color schemes.

Diane I hope this post answers your question that you left in the comments!? I sure had fun pulling it all together.

All of my readers that leave comments truly inspire me and make me try harder. Because of you I am learning more every day, thank you for that!!!

 Also, thank you so much for your continued reading and commenting. I look forward every day to see who has visited and what you have to say!!

“Enjoy the Process” Of:

Researching color combinations that are appealing to your own design aesthetics.

Kathysue