My Design Secrets

We’ve just finished some master bathroom renovations (not our choice, the tub cracked).  But it’s motivated me to step back and consider freshening up the space.  I love my master bathroom.  It’s not huge, but it has double sinks, a big tub and good water pressure…what more could a girl ask for?  So we have this brand new tub and a new paint job and I look at the shower curtain and it’s just ho-hum.

Trouble is, my shower curtain rod is higher than most.  A standard- height  shower curtain (72″) looks like the pants I wore during my 3rd grade growth spurt.  Now, I certainly could have my drapery workroom, whip me up a custom shower curtain, but that’s a bit a pricey.  So I started looking online and I found a great source that not only makes custom-sized shower curtains but also beautiful bedding and custom window treatments.  It’s called FABRICworkroom.com.  I like a company whose name says exactly what it does!

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The fabric I chose: Chippendale Mist

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I’ll walk you through my shower curtain experience just to give you a glimpse of how easy their site is to use…

When you click on Shower Curtains, you get 3 options:  Full Custom, Semi-Custom and Budget.  Budget offers regular and long curtains, Semi-Custom offers the same but with more fabric options and Full Custom offers all of the previous options plus extra-wide options and a banded shower curtain.   So if you are aiming for a certain price or style, you can start with those categories.  Now if you first want to see the wide selection of fabrics before deciding on what you want to spend, then Fabric Browsing is the place to start.

If you choose Full Custom, there are over 1,500 fabrics to choose from. It just so happened that the fabrics I chose were in the Budget category which was a nice surprise!  There are some really nice ones in there.  I requested my free swatches and they arrived in about 3 days and they are a good size at 5″x7″.  I priced out my 75″ long curtain and it came to only $133.19 and shipping is free on all custom products they make.   This is a great deal and just about the cost of making a custom curtain…not including the fabric!

The curtain arrived sooner then they promised and it was neatly folder in a plastic zippered bag.  When I unfolded it, I found nice clean sewing work, no random threads, and a well hidden seam.  In short, a really professional job!

So if store-bought shower curtains don’t fit the bill or if you need a custom length or coordinating window treatment I can tell you first-hand that FabricWorkroom.com is a wonderful solution!

Until September 7th they are having a 10-15% off sale!

A good example of taking the tile all the way up to the ceiling. It frames the hood and opens the space.

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Well, when I asked you to help me choose some topics for the blog,  it seems that backsplashes were a popular item. Whether you’re doing a total renovation in your kitchen or just going for a fresh face-lift, backsplashes are an important element. Yes, countertops are lovely (and expensive) but just like other vertical elements of a room (draperies, artwork) backsplashes are often the first thing you notice!

There are a variety of backsplashes including tile, wood, stainless, tin, stone and glass. But did you realize all these materials could be incorporated into Mosaic Tile?  I have gathered so many fantastic sources for mosaic tile lately that I am certain there will be something to please everyone and I will be sure to give you all those precious links.  But first, let’s review some of the most important things to consider.

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The Wide Hex Twist shown in two colors - Canvas & Vanilla Bean (from Dwell) - shows how a geometric tile (hexagon) can look soft and organic depending on the color pattern.

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Mosaic Tile Basics!

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Selection & Design

• Total overhaul?  If you really have your heart set on a certain mosaic tile, then choose that before the countertop material.  Mosaics can be very busy which may lead you to a more subtle countertop.  Once you have invested a couple of thousand dollars (at least) on countertop material, you don’t want to force a mosaic that will make it look too busy.
• Just renovating?  If you already have a countertop with a lot of action (granite or a solid surface), you can still go with a mosaic, just consider keeping the colors in the same family instead of adding a lot of contrast.
• Metal, glossy, bright and contrasting colors are going to give you a brighter, busier, more modern feel.  Stone, monochromatic schemes, eco-friendly and matte finishes are going to give you a more classic or earthy feel.
• Smaller mosaics (with more grout lines) are going to appear busier on the wall.
• If you want to brighten up the space, choose gloss tiles in light colors.
• Consider adding under-counter lighting to highlight your new design element.
• Decide if your electrical outlets could be in a better location.  Make sure you have one every four feet (your electrician will know the code in your area).  If you are renovating, the inspectors will check.  Even if you don’t ask them to!

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The warm combination of jewel-like finishes in this Emily Jablon Tile would work well with a warm granite or limestone countertop.

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Purchasing

• Don’t purchase anything without getting a sample.  The online vendors are usually very fair with the sample costs.  Also, make sure they are giving a sample from the same dye lot that you are purchasing from.
• Let the tile installer help you calculate the amount of tile.  It’s not the same same as measuring for flooring and you need to incorporate certain aspects of the design.
• After you measure how many square feet you need, add at least 10% to that for breakage (these tiles can be tricky to cut) and for filling in the edges.  If you pick a running pattern that ends in a jagged edge, you will have to find pieces to fill in to the corner.
• If you are on the fence about purchasing another square foot or another box, do it.  You never know when you are going to need that extra tile.  People make mistakes (break things), pipes burst, life happens.  When it does, you want to make sure you have extra tile from the same dye lot or run.

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I like the combination of soft shapes and cool stainless in this design.

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Installation

• Mosaic glass tile can crack when exposed to heat or cold or if your house shifts.  While it’s not likely it will happen, it’s good to err on the side of caution.  By installing tile with a crack suppression membrane, it absorbs some of these shifts and protects against the cracks.  Ask the tile company or your installer about this.
• Make sure your tile installer has factored in the cost of using new, high-quality blades on his saw for your job.  These blades can be costly but they are essential to get a clean edge and will greatly reduce the risk of cracking.

Grout

• Please select non-staining grout, especially if you like to cook anything with anything that stains…wine, tomatoes, oil…etc.
• Check out my friend Annie’s blog post about choosing a grout color.  She has some great examples showing you how grout color can either disappear or become part of the design.
• Mosaics that have rounded pebbles add substantially to the labor because the grout has to be pushed into the spaces by hand.

So feel free to jump into the mosaic-loving crowd and don’t worry about people who say it will go out of style.  Everything goes in and out of style eventually but in the meantime you will have a lovely backsplash that makes you smile and expresses your creative nature!

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Some of My Favorite Mosaic Tile Sources:

Eden Mosaic Tile - Metal, Glass, Steel, Aluminum and Copper Mosaic Tile  My Favorite? Eden Mosaic Tile Silver And Chocolate Brick Mixed Aluminum Mosaic Tile

Home Depot – A large variety of affordable styles that can get you comfortable with sizes and shapes.  But, compare their selection to online stores that don’t have the large overhead.  My Favorite? Solistone Indonesian Mosaic Jakarta Moon

Heath Ceramics - All tile made in Sausalito, California featuring some really subtle retro patterns.  In-stock and custom options.  My Favorite? The New Patterns Created for Dwell Magazine

Design For Less -Lots of cool glass tile and easy sample ordering.  They also have recycled leather tiles for something different!  My Favorite? Bengal Glass Tile

ModWalls – Great selection of glass tile in many colors and finishes.  You can customize your own blend and see it online, grout color and all!  Plus they have a huge gallery of photos where you can see many styles installed.  My Favorite?  Lush 1/2×2 Blend Big Sur

Susan Jablon Mosaics – A HUGE selection of glass tile.  You could spend hours surfing this site.  She has a great section all about grout too! My Favorite? Emily Jablon Designs Retro Mint

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This a photo of my office, which has a vaulted ceiling that was previously white. This time I painted the walls and ceiling Prescott Green and I love how it opened up the room.

We recently had the interior of our home repainted and it’s so wonderful to see clean, fresh colors on the walls.  So I chose some new colors…nothing too earth-shattering.  I stayed with the palette I love….blues, greens and earth tones.The trusty Benjamin Moore Historical Collection has been my color home base for years.

First we had some prep work to do. The painter did a great job of repairing the cracked plaster on the ceiling which made a huge different.  You see, we live in a Bungalow that was built in 1981 and by South Florida standards that is OLD! Now old is not a bad thing.  I like old. I grew up in a house that was a Grist Mill built in 1840. Old meant original hardwood floors, exposed beams and a house that oozed character and charm. It also had lots of cool places to hide. But in this house “old”  means quirky building details, odd-shaped rooms and every room has vaulted ceilings.

So the important changes I made this time around were with the ceiling colors.  In most rooms we have vaulted ceilings….which means 2 things.  A fifth wall that covers a lot of real estate and no crown moldings. I love this house, it just always requires a little extra imagination to pull it all together.

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Big deal, right?  Well it is a big deal if you want a cohesive look and the ceiling is the crowning touch.  So here are some tips on choosing colors for your ceiling:

Vaulted Ceiling –  Without crown molding you rarely get a straight edge where the ceiling meets the wall which looks messy and distracting.  A good solution?  If the wall color is on the lighter side, I like to paint the ceiling the same color.  It makes for a smooth transition and the room looks larger. I don’t recommend colors that are too dark for rooms with vaulted ceilings. If you paint the ceiling that same dark color and don’t have enough light in the room, it can really make it feel closed in.  As human beings we feel most comfortable with darker colors below and lighter ones above….kinda like the ground and sky!

Flat Ceilings/No Crown Molding – You have a few factors to consider.  If the line between the ceiling and wall is nice and straight, then you can certainly go with different colors. But choose a soft white rather than the chalky Ceiling White that most painters will automatically use. When you look at the whites side by side, you will see some are warm (pinks and golds) while others are cool (more blue or gray). Choose accordingly.  You can also choose a lighter shade of your wall color.

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Our Living Room has a plank ceiling with a simple band of trim around the edge so it basically the same as having a crown molding. So we painted both Atrium white which has a ever so slight pink hue. It compliments the warmth of the Chestnut walls.

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Flat Ceilings with Crown Molding –  Since you will most likely go with a white tone for your crown, it’s best to do the same with the ceiling.  I often use the same color for the crown as the ceiling (but of course a satin or semi-gloss for the trim and flat for the ceiling).  Don’t use the wall color on the ceiling.  The crown is going to look like a big white stripe around the room.

Small Ceilings - In powder rooms and small laundry rooms I like to use the same color on the walls and ceiling.  It makes the room look more unified.  If you have wallpaper in a small powder room, wallpaper the ceiling or paint it the same background color as the paper.

I hope this helps you have more confidence when it’s time to paint.  I am sure you will find that your newly painted (non-chalky-white) ceiling will give your room a light airy feeling!

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the lovely details of this this French Directoire style dresser from Wisteria are highlighted by the white wash.

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Do you remember a couple of years ago when dark woods were all the rage?  Whether they called it “Java” or “Wenge”, it seemed that they just could not make the finishes dark enough.  Well, just like fashion, politics and anything else we gossip about, when things swing to one extreme it seems inevitable that they’ll swing in the opposite direction sometime soon.  That’s why we are seeing worn and washed woods popping up all over the place.  Worn finishes have a nice earthy matte look that is soft to the touch and easy on the eyes.  A white wash can take that same piece and really brighten it up while highlighting the natural wood grain.  Because of this, a grainy wood like pine is the perfect candidate.

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The Simplicity Chandelier from Currey & Co. Need I say more?

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I like washed finishes for a number of reason, not the least of which is their time-worn look.  Furniture just has more character when it looks likes like it’s been around the block.  But the beauty of these weathered pieces is their ability to fit perfectly into so many designs such as:

• As a counterpoint to a room full of medium or dark toned antiques, it’s a great solution.
• If you are going for a light, beachy look with lots of white and painted finishes but crave some natural warmth, it also works.
• And if you love modern pieces but still want to inject a little history, they fit the bill there too.

So if you are stuck on when selecting that last piece for your living room, take a look at some of these well-worn pieces.  They are interesting, beautiful and instantly bring a little history into your space!
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A classic and comfortable x-back cafe chair. Perfect as an accent piece or an extra seat for an unexpected guest.

I sit down to write and the guilt immediately creeps in…

I usually post once a week (maybe twice) but I was aiming for so much higher this year.  I love interior design, I love writing, and I love my readers… So what’s the problem? I am sure you can relate.  Some days I feel so efficient that I can do the work of 3 women and other days it’s a flurry of stop, start, stop, start ….Ugh!  Between work, family, the website and trying to squeeze in a little fun it doesn’t seem like there are enough hours in the day.

Every day ideas for posts are running through my head and across my desk.  The transfer speed with which this huge pile of torn-out magazine pages turns into posts has slowed way down and I would like your help.  Here is a (partial) list of topics I am considering, now please tell me what to do!

THE LIST

1. Pillow arrangements for different size beds
2. Affordable Custom Mural Art
3. Sumptuous Area Rug Designs
4. Appliances Finishes – Modern & Retro
5. A Wonderful Selection of Wooden Chandeliers & Lamps
6. Selecting the Right Mosaic for your Kitchen Back-splash
7. Color Palettes for Kids’ Rooms
8. Decorating Do’s & Don’ts
9. Countertop Materials Roundup
10. Selecting New Fabric that Works with your Existing Design

So please post a comment below selecting one of the topics above and I will start in order of popularity.  Or you can  help me out by sharing some ideas or questions of your own.  I am happy help, just let me know where to go!

Grateful for some guidance. 

~Lorrie

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Some of us are lucky enough to have a house at the beach but most all of us have fond memories of spending time in the sea and sand.  The sounds of the waves and gulls, smell of the salt water, and the sun warming your face.  It’s relaxation and rejuvenation all rolled into one.  And that, my friends, is why some wonderful beach-inspired artwork is a great touch in any home.  So today I wanted to share this lovely photograph that comes to you straight from the sea.

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Cottage and Bungalow, which is my go-to source for everything in the Beach House Style, features some really fantastic artists and one of them is Robin Rowe.  In her latest collection, Coastal Studies, she shares closeups of shells, sand and sea glass that make a big impact with color and texture.  I love this type of work because you can really appreciate the organic patterns that Mother Nature has created and are often overlooked.  Framed or unframed, these pieces will add some wow-factor to your walls and they will make you smile each time you pass them by.  I would group them three in a row or two up/ two down for a designer touch.  Enjoy!

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Enter the $300 Rejuvenation Giveaway Here!

or Automically be Entered in All of Our Giveaways by

Joining My Secret Database!

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Even thought One Kings Lane only exists on the Web, this is its virtual home.

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70% off on gorgeous high-end furnishings for your home….now I have your attention!

One Kings Lane is an wonderful  site that offers a limted number of designer deals each and every day.  Furniture, art, accessories, it’s all there.  Today there are 10 vendors listed with everything from high-end bean bag chairs to hand-crafted candle flowers that could pass for the real deal.  The sales start at 8AM Pacific Time every day (the founders are Manhattanites turned West Coasters) and feature at least 3 brand new vendors.  There’s a schedule listed for easy reference plus you’ll receive an email each day announcing the sales.

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An adult sized bean bag chair is relaxation and luxury rolled in one. This shade of orange is the perfect accent for any room. (Retails for $250, their price $149)

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If you recommend a friend who makes a purchase they give you a $25 credit which is a nice little perk.  On Saturday’s they have the Tastemaker Tag Sales that feature “curated selections from leading interior designers.” This weekend they are featuring Vintage Print Gallery and I am excited to see what they offer since some of their artwork hangs in my clients’ homes.  Check it out and see what you think!

If you have not entered our Rejuvenation Giveaway, make sure you take a look.

You could win a $300 light just for stopping by!

Enter Here!

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This cute little desk lamp is so charming that it was recently reproduced by a major lighting company, but the new ones don't capture the authentic character of the originals. $300

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Whether your taste is traditional or modern, you just can’t knock a good antique.  Most designs you see today take their cues from days past and lighting is no exception.  And that, my friends, is a big fat hint at the fantastic giveaway we have for you today!

Rejuvenation (my favorite source for classic lighting) has expanded its online antique lighting assortment with a collection of vintage industrial lights spanning the 1890s through the 1940s.  It’s called Antique Industrial.  They have also added a few new collections with antique style where you can customize ’till your heart’s content!  So let me tell you a little bit about them…

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The Ford's Mill makes an excellent bathroom or hallway light.

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Rejuvenation’s current offering consists of lights that originally illuminated movie theaters, garment factories, machine shops, schools, warehouses store display windows and New York City Subways. Minimal refinishing work has been done to these lights to maintain their rustic beauty and original patinas. When more extensive restoration was necessary, original period appropriate parts were used whenever possible.

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The McCoy is from around 1900 and you can customize it with blue, green & red shades as well as some metal options.

In addition to these wonderful originals, they have also added some classic fixtures where you get classic style and your choice of finishes, shades and light bulbs.  The Ford’s Mill makes an excellent bathroom or hallway light.  The Menlo, McCoy and Wiley are fantastic pendant lights for any space.  Think hallways, dining areas or kitchens. (That’s where I  have mine!)  So jump out of the box (or the Big Box Store) and select a unique light with lots of charm.  You will be amazed at how many people will notice. .

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This is how to enter:

Step 1:  Visit Rejuvenation and shop around.

Step 2:  Leave me a comment below telling me which item would be on the Top of Your Wish List and Why. If you are receiving this via email, go back to the site to enter.  Replies by email will not be accepted.

One entry per person.  You have until 11:59PM EST on Wednesday, July 7th to enter.  One random winner will be chosen and announced soon after.

Good Luck!

~Lorrie

The "Ask Me Alberto" Glider...now who does not like to glide?

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Q Collection, a company that makes gorgeous eco-friendly sofas and chairs, sent me an email announcing their new website and that they were “lightening up” their image.  Wow, that’s relief!  These days everyone seems to be getting increasingly uptight and it’s way more pleasent to purchase furniture from people who are happy and bright:-)

Their new website is fun (who can resist names like the Sweet Cheeks Sofa and Kiss My Arse Recliner?) plus they are eco-friendly with an emphasis on the FRIENDLYpart.  Formerly a trade-only resources they now have a retail line on their website that can be purchased through their NY retail store.  And by visiting or calling you can purchase designer quality eco-friendly furniture yourself at reasonable prices.  And you know me, I believe a sofa is an investment, not a short term commitment.  If you spread the cost of your sofa over the number of years you have it, a high quality sofa is a much wiser purchase.

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One Sweet Cheeks Sofa for your sweet cheeks:-)

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You can choose one of their many neutral, eco-friendly fabrics (bamboo, cotton, hemp, linen and many more) or even send them your own.  The insides are made of 100% certified sustainably harvested woods, natural latex foam rubber, organic cotton batting, wool batting and natural jute webbing.  Plus you can customize until your heart’s content.

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Neutral Fabrics galore...or send them your preference.

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The sofas, chairs and ottoman could meld easily into any modern, beach house or classic look.  The lines are graceful yet unfussy.  My next sofa is definitely going to be eco-friendly.  I am done with furniture made from over-forested woods and petroleum-laden cushions.  Q Collection is getting back to basics and helping us all breathe easy!

Q Collection is just one of my Many Design Secrets.

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Join My Secret Datase today to find more!

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twenty2 is has bold custom designed prints by a husband and wife team.

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Wallpaper is making a BIG comeback these days. It’s breaking out out the powder room and into the living room, kitchen and master bedroom.  There are lots of beautiful options but many people claim they don’t like wallpaper because it’s too old fashioned.  That excuse really doesn’t hold water with me.  I think they just don’t want to admit that selecting wallpaper is scary!  

But good design means sometimes stepping out of your comfort zone and embracing something new and (dare I say) semi-permanent?  I bet there’s a good number of you that have not repainted your walls in 5+ years and have not given it s second thought.  Why not give wallpaper the same shot?  I am here to take some of the scary aspects out of the mix.  It’s really not as complicated as it seems and the results can be delightful.  

A Few Rules for Easy Wallpaper Selection

• Foyer – Most foyers don’t have much furniture, especially upholstered items.  So this is your chance to pick a bold pattern.  Pull a couple of colors from the adjoining rooms and have fun.
• Master Bedroom – Just like a painted accent wall, a wallpaper accent wall makes a bold statement.  By papering the wall behind your headboard it will give your bed a whole new look.
• Kid’s Room – I love wallpaper for kids’ rooms.  There are lots of durable options and the paper will give you an instant theme for the room.  Just pull the colors from the paper for the bedding.  A mix of colors for the sheets, pillowcases and pillows are fun.
• Laundry Room - The paper doesn’t have to coordinate with the rest of the house.  You spend enough time in there so pick something that makes you smile!
• Powder Room – Always a great spot for wallpaper.  You can choose just about anything.  Just make sure you coordinate your lighting and plumbing fixtures for a finished look.  Which reminds me….this is a great place for wallpapers with a little metallic flair!

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Thivaut has always been known for classic prints with exotic flair. This trellis pattern is printed on grasscloth whichi gives it a nice earthy feel.

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Fabric

Finding fabrics that work with the wallpaper without getting too matchy-matchy is easier than you think.  If your wallpaper has a lot of pattern, then stick with solids, textures and stripes for your furniture and vice-versa.  If you like more pattern overall, geometric patterns on the wallpaper such as diamond and trellis designs, look really great with florals and other prints.

Samples

Make sure you get a sample of your wallpaper and look at in the room where you are installing it.  Artificial and natural light change things as well as all the other funishigns in the room.  It’s important to tape it to the wall, step back and take a look.  A pattern looks dramatically different from 6 feet away.

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Sophisticated medallions to wake up your walls. Vinyl-free wallpaper is hand-printed using non-toxic inks from Mod Green Pod.

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I think it’s far easier to search for wallpaper online rather than hunting through a bunch of outdated books in a local shop.  You can search by style, color and keyword.  Plus they have great photos to give you a feel for the final look.  Many websites also include a wallpaper calculator and Better Homes & Gardens has a great one here that also explains the difference between American and European roll sizes.

I have some great vendors in My Secret Database where you can order samples and the paper online. What could be easier?

Join Now!