wallpaper that packs a punch

Posted on 29 February 2012

My goodness, Cece Fourchy is KILLING us with her fabulous posts lately! Whoever thinks wallpaper is outdated should think again. Cece’s roundup of her favorite wallpapered rooms will have you papering every wall in the house. And maybe even the ceiling too.

Get to know Cece a little better here, and on her own blog, Mississippi Maven.

As you may know from last month’s column, my decorating resolution for 2012 is to “go bold.” Bright colors, whimsical finds, vibrant art—I love it all. I haven’t had a hard time keeping my vibrant promise, and the next saturated step on my bold agenda is wallpaper. We’re not talking classic Laura Ashley florals or subdued toiles. I want the kind of wallpaper that truly makes a room: colorful, patterned, and daring. For this month’s post, I’ve gathered some seriously inspiring rooms with wallpapers that make a statement. I’ve never thought about wallpapering every room in my house, but these fabulous photos may have me singing a different tune…

When I spotted this shot of It girl Chloe Sevigny’s apartment in an old issue of House & Garden, my jaw dropped. That trellis print! It also doesn’t hurt that the bicycle matches perfectly.

Miles Redd takes a cue from Margot Tenenbaum with this red zebra in his powder room, featured in ELLE Décor.

Steven Gambrel gave wall covering a new spin with an array of botanical prints in this bathroom. I love how it has the feel of a collage without losing an ounce of sophistication.

Aerin Lauder, possibly the chicest gal on the planet, repeats the black and ivory print of her walls with a ruffled bed skirt. The luxe fur throw and oversized monograms are the perfect finishing touches.

This apartment featured in Vogue is one of my all-time favorites. The modern art on the walls may not be actual wallpaper, but it serves as a perfectly colorful backdrop in this stunning room. Don’t you love the lush fabrics and mixed patterns of the furniture?

A classic statement for a home in New Orleans, this wallpaper featured in Lonny could not be more chic. I imagine it in my (imaginary) enormous mansion’s foyer, accented with a glittering crystal chandelier.

Betsy Burnham brings her eye for mixing patterns to her office with this striking red floral motif. She accents it perfectly with every detail. Wouldn’t you love coming to work in this space?