8 Bold, Beautiful Wallpapers That Add Personality to Any Room
Crafted using a hand-carved stamp, the digitally printed RAJA wallpaper by local textile designer Caroline Cecil is meant to signify strength and power. 24’L by 26″W. $620 per roll. (carolinececiltextiles.com)
Wallpaper is back (again), and it’s better than ever.
Bethke transformed a teen’s hideaway into an art form by selecting a graffiti print resembling the ardent etchings in a girl’s notebook. “The concept was to imbue the room with a sense of fun and energy,” Bethke says. “We found the perfect solution to tie all the elements of the space together: a wall of words that speaks to both youth and a sense of being in the moment.” The designer’s advice for those who are hesitant about using wallpaper: don’t be. “All wall finishes have life spans. The investment in your happiness is worth it.”
Ah, yes, wallpaper—the decorative material that adorned the walls of our childhood homes, creating a sense of warmth and comfort. That is until it became inextricably linked to memories of avocado-green refrigerators and Precious Moments figurines. But gone are the days of flowery patterns and kitschy designs. The wallpaper of today is all about making a statement. “It’s expressive, just like clothing or jewelry,” says interior designer Jaque Bethke. “Wallcoverings create interest and instant energy in any space.” From dramatic prints to textured finishes, here are ways these pretty parchments can add personality and color to your home.
There is no shame in going more traditional. In fact, new iterations of classic wallpapers can be dashingly fun and frisky. Interior designer Jenny Slingerland selected a unique take on the damask print to add zhoosh to a Silverleaf powder room. “This is a great example of the owners’ willingness to be bold and take risks,” she says. The black and gold tones keep it understated, while English monarch symbols such as the Tudor rose, roaring lion and oak tree, communicate a genteel vibe.
Bright banana leaves add a buoyant dose of greenery to this petite powder room by interior designer Emily Yeates. The same iconic print lines the halls and coffee shop at the Beverly Hills Hotel. “Wallpaper is the definition of playful high design,” Yeates says. “If you take a room of white walls and add a textured grasscloth or a bold, graphic pattern, it is nearly unrecognizable.” Gold accents in the mirror and hardware punctuate the Hollywood allure.
A fresh twist on the old-school flower print, the “Favorite Floral” by Jaimee Rose Interiors adds a bit of glamour and botanical elegance to any room. $57 per square meter; 10-meter minimum. (jaimeerose.com)
When in doubt, go graphic. The Mouvements Collection by Casamance uses organic shapes and sumptuous colors to invoke the creative spirit of abstract art. To the trade; price upon request (johnbrooksinc.com)
A Phoenix couple knew they wanted something colorful and full of attitude for their infant daughter’s nursery. “We focused on designing a space that would grow with their child versus keeping everything too sweet and baby-oriented,” recalls interior designer Britany Simon. To achieve this, Simon sourced a print resembling a wall of bunny paintings by iconic artist Hunt Slonem. The result was a playful blend of childhood innocence and high style.
Classic pinstripes infuse a variety of spaces with aristocratic elan. The new Regency Stripe collection by Osborne & Little offers 20 different color combinations, from rich tones and pretty pastels to more understated neutrals. 11 yards L by 20.5″W. To the trade; price upon request (palavelahome.com)
SOURCES
Interior designer: Jaque Bethke, Jaque Bethke Design, Scottsdale, jaque.design. Wallpaper (custom): wallanddeco.com.
Interior designer: Jenny Slingerland, Black Ink Interiors, Scottsdale, blackinkinteriors.com. Wallpaper (“Boscobel Oak”): cole-and-son.com.
Interior designer: Emily Yeates, Urban Revival, Phoenix, urbanrevivalphx.com. Wallpaper: designerwallcoverings.com. Mirror: mirrorhome.com.
Interior designer: Britany Simon, Britany Simon Design House, Scottsdale, britanysimon.com. Wallpaper: Bunny Wall pattern, Kravet, Scottsdale, kravet.com.
