June 17, 2011
Photo Gallery: Wallpapered Rooms

Pretty papered rooms.

French wallpaper elevates this country space.
A variety of patterns in this bedroom make a bold statement: the bird-motif wallpaper and Source UK’s Pom Pom rug, based on Japanese shibori, a tie-dye technique. The teeny bedside table is both charming and useful in this tight space.

Broad-stripe curtains, a large-print blue paisley wall covering and cheerful poppy-red upholstery look bold, not fussy.
This showstopping dining room by designer Alessandra Branca demonstrates both guts and glory, striking the perfect balance between formal and eclectic. A modern sheer scrim is a great foil to the room’s more traditional elements, including the chandelier it conceals and the antique Gustavian-style dining chairs. Casual touches like the wave-patterned sisal and groupings of coral soften the theatrical elements of the space.
See more Wallpapered Rooms in our photo gallery.

Delicate wallpaper adds rich detail.
The hallway is a study in neutrals with wall-to-wall seagrass and patterned wallpaper. Homeowner and designer Colette van den Thillart accessorized the foyer with gilded antlers, a unique art piece with a plaster frame and warm white furnishings, including an 18th-century Russian side chair. The console works to conceal a radiator underneath.
See more of Colette van den Thillart’s London Home in our photo gallery.
Also, find more Wallpapered Rooms in our photo gallery.

Botanical wallpaper softens a linear table and chairs.
The interplay of light and dark surfaces makes this dining room feel like a special-occasion space. The festive mood is further enhanced by a contemporary chandelier with low-hanging crystal spheres.

Add a subtle sheen to your walls with metallic gold wallpaper.
“I fell in love with the pattern of this wallpaper and was determined to use it,” says homeowner, stylist and regular H&H contributor Arren Williams. “Inspired by a vintage 1950s fabric, it really fits in with our aesthetic. And its livable, soft metallic tones add warmth and offset other colours in the room, like the bold turquoise of the vintage lamp and the purple of Spot’s dog bed.”
Find more inspiration in our photo gallery of Arren Williams’ Houses and get more great ideas for using gold as an accent in our Decorating With Gold gallery. Plus, see more of this space in our video tour.

Large windows visually expand a narrow area.
White accents and natural light transformed stylist Arren Williams‘ dining room into a bright, inviting space. “I fell in love with this wallpaper,” says Arren. “Its livable, soft metallic tones add warmth and offset the other colours in the room.” His custom-made dining room table and Thonet-like chairs, which he refurbished himself, add vintage quirkiness that can be seen throughout his home.
Find more inspiration in our photo gallery of Arren Williams’ Houses, or see more of this space in our video tour.

Greet your guests with a hit of colour.
A large-scale-patterned wallpaper covers the wall in this small condo entrance. Undaunted by the closet, the homeowner continued the pattern across the door and painted the frame the same pale blue found in the print. She also chose a matching doorknob for a lovely coordinated look.
Watch a video tour of this condo. Plus, see more rooms with colourful painted trims in our photo gallery and more pretty, Tiffany-inspired interiors in this photo gallery.

A pale colour palette makes a basement guest room look bright and spacious.
In the 2009 Princess Margaret Showhome, the lower level was finished with style. A focal wall was covered in a textured wallpaper while the others were painted a creamy white to maximize light. A chandelier and table lamps allow guests to choose their preferred lighting.
See more Gorgeous Guest Bedrooms, plus learn more Budget Basement Decorating Tips.

Unexpected design details add elegance.
Bathrooms don’t have to be bland, as this one shows with its glittery marble mosaic-tiled floor, glass-droplet chandelier and pretty Schumacher wallpaper. A custom-designed vanity features double sinks and built-in storage, a marble countertop and panel moulding that smartly blends two mirrors in the insets. The low, freestanding tub makes the room feel more spacious and opulent.
See more Dramatic Bathrooms and Spa-Like Bathrooms.

A dramatic medallion print wallpaper adds drama to a fireplace wall.
This wonderfully eclectic salon-style living room comes alive with a black-painted mantel and burnt-orange velvet chairs. Modern touches, like the gold table lamp and collection of blue vases, keep the look from feeling too fussy.

Flea market finds and romantic florals have never looked so hip. Mixing chippy wood furniture, intentionally deconstructed upholstery and faded prints elevate this room from cute to contemporary. No need to worry about scratches or dents — this trendy, 2011 look is very forgiving.
See more 2011 trend looks in our photo gallery.

Daring design gives this room a heightened sense of drama.
In 2011, traditionalists are expressing their inner rebels with a riot of clashing colours and bold patterns. Chinoiserie wallpaper mixes with a camp-style red point blanket to offer appealing tension and an upholstered headboard gets an edgy update with nailhead detailing. Classic lampshades on swing-arm lamps, while still pleated and pretty, swap out more staid shades for exotic brights. Bits of gold detailing throughout add a balancing dose of traditional polish.
See more 2011 trend looks in our photo gallery, plus more tips on Decorating With Pink.

Reenergize a hallway or room by hanging striped wallpaper horizontally in the space below the chair rail, a trick that helps make narrow rooms feel wider.
To ensure an even look, position the paper so the lowest and highest stripes are the same colour; install the painted chair rail after the wallpaper has been hung. Then, match the wall’s paint colour to the stripe.
See more rooms with colourful painted trims in our photo gallery.

Clean-lined cabinets and finishes play off feminine accents.
The original kitchen plans of designer Sarah Richardson, host of HGTV’s Sarah’s House and Sarah’s Cottage, didn’t include wallpaper — until she came across this pattern. “I loved the large scale and that it was a contemporary floral,” she says. “And the silver is such a subtle metallic touch, it was just pure luck that it happened to work with my scheme.”
See more of Sarah’s designs in our photo gallery.

Warm up white with understated hits of gold.
Delicate golden birds printed on the wallpaper, a metallic sheen on the French château-style bed frame and a brushed gold Moroccan-style pendant light fixture make this monochromatic bedroom glow. The dramatic mosaic bust in white gold is a bold touch in an otherwise restrained space.
Find more inspiration in our photo galleries of Rooms With Warm Metal Accents and Decorating With Gold.

Play up warm wood tones with a light ceiling, neutral paint or wallpaper and soft lighting.
Don’t cover up classic hardwood if you want to channel a traditional and formal style — herringbone is far too beautiful to lay a rug over. In Patrick Frey’s Paris apartment, luxe fabrics and wallcoverings, a unique light fixture and classic chairs exude old-world charm.
Learn more traditional-style tips in our Traditional & Formal Interiors photo gallery.
And for more beautiful French country interiors, see our photo gallery.

Designer Kelly Deck makes artful use of a spare room.
A long work table in the middle of this former bedroom allows for various projects to be on-the-go simultaneously. Two rows of upper cabinets keep the striking wallpaper visible while providing closed storage, and a wall-mounted rod and cup system keeps everyday essentials organized and at hand. This room could easily double as a home office, using the table as a spacious desk.
See the before photo, plus more stunning before-and-after shots in our photo gallery of Bold Renovations, plus see more of Kelly Deck’s Interiors and 26 Happy Yellow Rooms.

Bright colours and patterns look sophisticated when paired with on-trend neutrals.
Yellow drapes with a box-pleat valance and patterned wallpaper combine for a polished tone-on-tone effect in Victoria Webster’s living room. The sofa, carpet and trim in pale grey balance the graphic impact of the yellow wallpaper without stealing its thunder.
See more sunny spaces in our photo gallery of 26 Happy Yellow Rooms.

Bold chartreuse wallpaper pops against crisp white bedding and carpeting.
Design consultant Alison Booth, owner of Booth Supply, reupholstered a chair from her grandmother in a bright polka-dot print and swapped white lampshades for matching blue ones.

Rustic baskets above the shelves and a mod ’60s light fixture emphasize the height of this kitchen.
H&H style editor Michael Penney removed the upper kitchen cabinet doors and stapled grasscloth wallpaper to the back, creating chic and expansive-looking open shelves. A wallpaper feature wall also draws the eye up and out to the window view.
Get more small space solutions in our photo gallery. Also, see more photos of Michael’s former apartment and a tour in our gallery and video. Plus, see tours of his new house, too!

Try this fresh hue in a graphic pattern for a bold hit of colour and texture.
While there are more shades of green than any other colour in the spectrum, classic kelly green is a particularly pretty choice for interiors, where it mingles effortlessly with everything from brights to whites. In this bedroom, painting trim the same verdant hue as the wallpaper’s graphic trellis pattern produces a more decorated look, while strategic hits of black add urban polish.
See more rooms with colourful painted trims in our photo gallery.

A large farmhouse table and Parsons chairs upholstered in a wide horizontal striped pattern sits on honey-coloured hardwood flooring in this chic dining room.
Silvery damask wall paper, crystal decanters and candleholders, and a beautiful pendant light add sparkle and glamour, while a large mirror reflects light and opens up this pretty space.

A loft with a mix of vintage and contemporary styles.
A beautiful floral wallpapered accent wall in daffodil yellow is the perfect complement to warm chocolate tones and an expansive exposed brick wall. Sunshades let in diffused light through the large, industrial windows.
See more sunny spaces in our photo gallery of 26 Happy Yellow Rooms.

David Hicks’ tribal wallpaper adds a fresh, modern edge to this large front entryway and brings together a perfect palette of white and chocolate brown.
Rich hardwood flooring and crisp white tile, along with white louvered shutters and a dark front door all combine to create a dramatic affect. A pink chair and lithography by Harold Town add a sense of playfulness and style.

Layer texture and pattern for a luxe look.
In designer Theresa Casey’s home, the decor-inspired dining room’s navy velvet banquette was inspired by one in a Parisian café and is perfect for hosting dinner parties or lounging with the Sunday paper. Built-ins provide ample storage and decorative brass-grilled doors hide radiators and unsightly wires and cables.
See more of Theresa Casey’s projects in our photo gallery.

A bureau-style bathroom vanity, marble counter and vintage-looking faucet add elegance to this traditional space.
Small powder rooms offer the opportunity to play with strong colour and pattern without throwing off a whole house’s palette or mood. When incorporating wallpaper with a strong pattern, keep other finishes and accessories simple, like the glass light fixtures and creamy limestone floor here.
See more statement bathrooms in our photo gallery.