Here’s my final push for wallpaper.
If, after all my eloquent, experience-based research, you’re still unsure about wallcovering, let me confess something. Whereas I have VERY mixed feelings about The Accent Wall when it comes to paint, wallpaper accent walls are another story.
Alex Papachristodis in Elle Decor
A wallpaper accent wall is less expensive, less difficult to estimate and install, and less risky than tackling a whole room. And it can be very effective.
From the blog Retropolitan
Remember, though: even though you’re using less wallpaper, you still must decorate responsibly!
Wallpaper the most important wall in the room: the wall with the fireplace, the wall your desk faces, or the wall the sofa or headboard leans against.
Peter Pawlak in Elle Decor. Alphabet wallpaper by Alexander Girard.
Wallpaper the wall with the fewest – if any – window and door openings.
From the blog buckboard hill interiors
Or if you feel you’re without an appropriate wall to cover, wallpaper the back of a built-in bookcase with a faux textured wallpaper or grasscloth.
Elle Decor, via Maria Killam's excellent blog, Colour Me Happy
If this doesn’t convince you to try wallpaper, Gentle Readers, I’m out of ideas! Well, I’m not, but I said that for dramatic emphasis, with a foot stamp and hand fling for good measure. Give it a try.
Annie Elliott – aka bossy color – is an interior decorator and design blogger in Washington, D.C. She has been quoted in publications from The New York Times to Real Simple and is considered an expert on color, residential space planning, and telling people what to do in the nicest way possible.
Annie, thanks so much for being a cheerleader for wallpaper. At Casart, we’ve tried to do our share to alleviate fears about using it by producing artist-designed, digitally printed repositionable, removable and reusable wallcovering. No paste, glue or mess and you can DIY. No damage to walls when removed and you can return it to its backing sheet, store in its mailer and reuse another time, another place; responsible decorating.
I love the wallpaper and the flowers in the room!! You’ve done a great job decorating.
Totally agree about JUST SAY NO to flowery WP in every room. B-A-D. But I am loving the jazzed up energy of a wallpaper wall. Feels custom and confident without getting too decorator-y.
BTW, I think grasscloth is subtle enough that you could use it next to another WP area. It’s the splashy designs that tire the eye.
And I love your hand fling and foot stomp. Will begin using it with the family first…
Awesome photos and well-stated advice as usual Annie. OK, here’s a related question: I read somewhere that a groovy decorator person said, “You’re allowed ONE wallpapered room per house. Otherwise, it just gets sloppy.” Got some thoughts?
Hey, FC! I understand the sentiment: room after room of big floral wallpaper is so 80s. But I think if you play with scale and don’t overdo it, you absolutely can have more than one room – preferably not connected. Example: my foyer is WP, then you go through the painted LR to a painted DR to a WP (subtle strie) powder room. I actually have been considering grasscloth for the DR, but it might be too much. You dig? What do YOU think?
Nice inspirational images. I’m so glad I found your blog. Just started studying color theory, and we just bought a new house (under construction new) and I need to figure out a color scheme and wallcoverings/paint for the whole joint. Was originally thinking of wallpapering the dining room and powder room, but maybe we could do an accent wall somewhere upstairs – perhaps on the bed wall in our master bedroom? Hmmm…
By the way – just realized you are an alum of the Williams graduate program in art history! I got my BA at Williams…majored in art history. I’m following the path to design, with an 11 year interlude in advertising and marketing in between.
How about that, Kelly! That interlude will serve you well in this business, let me tell you! Your blog looks great – let me know if I ever can be of any help. Best of luck, and thanks for writing!
Thanks again for writing, Kelly! Quickly: WP, yes; accent wall, no
Where are you studying color theory?
Annie – yikes, just saw this, sorry for the delayed response! Thank you so much. I am studying at the Boston Architectural College (aka BAC), in their certificate program for residential interiors. And by the way, I meant “wallpaper accent wall”! Grasscloth, to be specific…
I love the idea of a statement wall, but the grasscloth inside the bookcases is fabulous!!
I love that look, too! So glad you like it.
I did a post last year how I think it is time to stop painting those accent walls. Just not working anymore!
There are sooo many beautiful papers out there now. Even though I said I will NEVER use wallpaper again- I think I changed my mind!
I’m so glad you’re considering it, Kelly! One wall is a great way to dip your toe in, if you know what I mean. Thanks for your comment!
You answered the question I posted to another friend/blogger the other day. She did a post about accent walls with paint, but I wanted to know what people thought about accent walls with wallpaper – I was already sold but I was curious what others thought. I’m incorporating it into a design board as we speak and I love it – might also consider doing it in our bedroom.
Harh, love the phrase “must decorate responsibly” – no designer wants to see a WUI (wallpapering while under influence).
Great photos – love all of those walls.
So glad you like them! Hmmm….now where could WE do a WAW? (Wallpaper Accent Wall)? Thanks for the comment!
I have many people come into the paint store and ask for an accent wall color. I always tell them that when you ask my opinion, I will give it to you and I’m not a fan of accent walls. For the most part they appear to look like an after-thought when you are bored and don’t know what else to do with the room. I encourage people Not to do an accent wall, but bring in color another way, just like you’ve suggested.
So true, Lynn. How can the (painted) accent wall still be happening, anyway? Glad you like the WP accent wall, though!
I’ve been so inspired by your wallpaper posts. I’m going to get up the courage to put wallpaper on two different accent walls in my home. The only problem is narrowing down the choices.
So glad you’re considering it, Lisa! Tape up those samples and give yourself a few days to decide. Good luck!
love it, annie! i’d like to wrap myself in wallpaper, actually.
Go for it, Kristie! I know you’d make it look great! Thanks for commenting