Wallpaper Trends - Creative Ways With Wallpaper

Wallpaper is an easy, economical way to add pattern to your home. Used on one wall as an accent, behind shelving, or even on the front of a set of drawers, it has a multitude of uses and is still a growing trend. Some of today's wallpapers are more like works of art, in fact I have spotted interiors where a large blank canvas has been covered in wallpaper and hung as instant art. If you were to do this, I would probably recommend  the use of a spray coat of clear artists varnish to seal the paper and protect it.

Wallpaper can be used to make a statement in your home, or subtly to add a little interest. I have been looking for some ideas for my entrance-way, I don't want to make too much of a statement, I want to add some interest with pattern but not have it glaring back at you. At first I was looking at stripes, however now I am expanding my horizons. I think these two below would work wonderfully in an entrance if not overdone.

I love this Anna French paper - Glamour Wisteria , the gold and duck egg blue combo is stunning!

Nina Campbell's Birdcage Walk Orient Way

I would have to say one of my favourite design companies is Osborne & Little, especially Nina Campbell's designs who have always fascinated me, I am partial to Nina's wonderful floral papers which are like works of art. A wide range of wallpaper, including Nina's designs, can be found on-line at Wallpapersales.co.uk who stock beautiful papers such as Bakers, Nina Campbell, Harlequin & Anna French. The two gorgeous papers above are from Wallpaper Sales vast range of papers, fabrics, rugs and art.

To help you with some creative ideas using wallpaper, I've discovered some innovative ways for its use...

I love this creative 'torn paper' idea, quite unique -  via, photography by Stellan Herner 

 I think this paper would look fabulous in a cafe or upmarket fashion boutique. You would definitely need a large space and tall ceilings for this statement piece

I like the idea of wallpaper behind shelving, this trellis design works perfectly.  I also admire the clever use of paper on the front of the wardrobe.

You could easily adhere some wallpaper to a chest of drawers to make it a 'one of a kind' piece.

Fabulous idea for a nursery, pick some gorgeous paper and use a template to cut out a jungle animal shape with cardboard, then use spray adhesive to stick your paper on.  Would look fabulous in a bright colour too.

Classic stripes

Not forgetting a little colour

A stunning photo mural, perfectly suited to a loft apartment - Gloriosa mural from Wallpaper Sales.

Another stunning mural, Merian  from Wallpaper Sales.

Image sources 1|2|3a|3b|4|5|6|7

Whatever your style, I hope you have found some creative uses of wallpaper that might work in your home.

Bedroom Makeover - French Cottage Look

Well, the sun finally showed its face Friday, I wanted to get the photos completed of my bedroom makeover so I dived in while the going was good. The light wasn't  perfect but without professional equipment or waiting till mid Summer,  I had to make the most of the natural light.  I easily took well over 150 shots (am I a pedantic perfectionist?), thank goodness for digital cameras! Although I have to repeat I am disappointed with the light.

Colours above are not quite true, the fabric for the Roman blind is more beige than grey.

The pair of weathered French shutters are from Yvonne Saunders Antiques.  Because they were only 500m wide I chose to have a space between to create better balance to the Queen size bed. Originally I was going to use an old door behind the bed but the bedroom is not large and I fell in love with the colour of the shutters. The great thing is if decide to change the look of the room, I can simply get the shutters stripped back to the natural wood.

All bed linen is Wallace Cotton the floral quilt and Euro pillows are Paridiso at Wallace Cotton.

The Paradiso quilt creates a cottage look to the room and compliments the shutters perfectly. If I'd wanted to give the illusion of more space, then I'd choose all white bedlinen with a little blue brought in with Euro pillows and scatter pillows. However, I have gone for a cosy, cottage look and Paradiso was perfect. 

I took advantage of the space between the shutters and hung a wall sconce for added interest.  However, I could have left it bare or added a pair of small vertically hung prints. Now looking at this photo it is a little out of kilter so I will have to move it a fraction.

The white seersucker duvet cover and pillowslips in cotton percale are  also Wallace Cotton.

The Roman blinds are beige and white linen.

White seersucker adds texture.

The Lamps are white washed with a natural beige linen shade that tone with the Roman blinds. 

I love the crackled candlestick holder, it reminds me of pretty birds eggs. The pretty cup and saucer are Royal Albert and part of a miss-matched collection of cups and saucers my mother gave me.  I saw a set recently very similar to this and it was $170 for a cup, saucer and plate!! Maybe I should be displaying it behind glass rather than drinking out of it.

These Gardenia heart shaped soaps came in their own little draw string bag. The antique silver sweet dish is a family heirloom and belonged to my grandmother.

These stainless steel tripod tables were originally purchased for my living room, however, they work well as bedside tables. Keeping it simple can sometimes prove best alongside a focal point such as the shutters.

The cross is a recent find in a lovely little shop called Distinctive Linens in St Heliers, Auckland. 

I love the black/grey weathered appearance of the cross, it compliments the shutters beautifully. I feel solid black would have been a little too harsh.

I bought this lovely little box to put beside my bed to drop my earrings in at night. I loved the french writing.  It was only NZ$12 from Romantique a NZ shop full of beautiful accessories and furniture from France.

The Before shot is prior to buying the house, a black and white theme with grey roller blinds. However the white walls and woodwork had a pink undertone which I wanted to do away with so I had the walls repainted 1/4 parchment and  the woodwork Alabaster both Resene colours.  I repositioned my own bed to face the smaller window.  The bedroom is actually wider than it appears in the first photo.




Addendum: March 2012
Since I originally posted my makeover, I have been thrilled to receive a "Rooms award" from Better Homes & Gardens.

It is now 2016 and this room has had a total re-vamp to Hamptons/Caribbean style, see the images and read all about it here