Yikes. Satanic 1970s wallpaper. This is among the strangest things I’ve ever seen. I’m not sure I could keep this in my house, it’s so creepy. But yay on reader Suzanne who will be keeping this … invaluable … original piece of her house. Also see her fab foyer and the school bus yellow vintage Malm Preway fireplace.
Update: This was subsequently identified at Inez Croom wallpaper. Inez Croom document designs are still in production today. Read this Fab follow-up story!
Suzanne writes:
My husband & I bought a wonderful 1973 Deck House. Lots of 70’s goodness – spiral staircase, scroll iron railings, Malm fireplace… we love it. The entire house was originally painted kind of an adobe color except for the downstairs bathroom.
We have the strangest wallpaper that I would love someone to shed some light on. It’s black silhouettes on a cream background & it’s kind of a toile/folk/asian/demonic combo. Beheading, devils, chicken men… Yikes! Creepy or not, when we redo the bathroom, I’m keeping it! 🙂
Thank you so much for taking a look at these. I would love to know if anyone has seen this before or knows the history.
I also added some random shots of the interior of the house.
I’d love for you to look at it. Thank you & thank you for this website, I LOVE it!!!!!
Thank you, Suzanne.
Update: Reader Josh identified this wallpaper within one hour of posting, he said:
Seems like this is a reproduction of a very old design — pre-1890. I’ve emailed for more information, including price. Thank you, Josh, BIG GOLD STAR!
Thank YOU, Suzanne. Great house, lucky you.
Kate H says
How unusual! Awhile back, I found a similar theme at an arts-and-crafts wallpaper company. I always wondered where you would put demon wallpaper. Now I know: the bathroom. Of course. Although this company also has angels, so you could have a whole good-vs-evil theme going on … might be a lot to ask of a bathroom.
http://trustworth.com/wallpaper.shtml
chris says
Ooooooo! LOVE this stuff! It’s not the era of my house (mine is 1934) but it is so cool! If I had scads of money like Oprah or Martha Stewart, I think I’d have to have about 6 different houses from six different time periods — all decorated appropriately!
pam kueber says
Love that Alice!
Kate H says
Yeah, and I kinda like the bats. Although: they look like they are exposing themselves to the flowers, which is a little disturbing.
chris says
Can you imagine sitting on the toilet, staring at that? I think I’d eventually have to give all the figures names and leave a marker out for people to write bubble captions. Toilet Graffiti Project.
Zoe says
I love that idea!!! The toilet graffiti project. 🙂
Suzanne says
I may have to find some clear dry erase, that is such a good idea. Several of my friends have posted pictures of that wallpaper as their Facebook profile picture after parties. It’s kind of taken on a life of it’s own. Text bubbles are a great & very funny idea.
Stephanie says
Wow, I love the house, but the wallpaper would have to go. I like the black/white silhouette, but the theme is disturbing!
Bill Williams says
Kinda looks like the Underwood Deviled ham people are having a party.
Ann-Marie Meyers says
Yes, it does. Mmmm. I love Deviled ham. And, it’s so mid mod, too.
Kelley says
It’s so weird and so bizarre that I love it! I think a bathroom is a great place for it!
Kevin Fox says
Cool! I found different versions/colors of this wallpaper on this site: http://www.waterhousewallhangings.com/products.html
Josh says
It’s ‘Devil Paper’ from Waterhouse Wallcoverings.
http://www.waterhousewallhangings.com/products.html
sharron says
i’m impressed you found it, good job–and thanks for the site–this print is especially odd/strange given all those classics that surround it on the page.
pam kueber says
WOO HOO, GREAT on you, Josh! How did you know that???? I am adding info to the post and have emailed Waterhouse Wallcoverings for more info. Seems like it’s an early design, from 1700-1890. Gold star for you today, young man!
Josh says
Well… I don’t deserve all the credit. Thank Google for their super-cool search-by-image feature. But, I’m glad I could help!
http://www.google.com/insidesearch/searchbyimage.html
pam kueber says
wow, so is this the way i can see how often my kitchen photo is used (mis-used) across the intertubes?
Jeanne says
Pam – you can also use tineye.com
Josh says
YES! That’s usually what I use it for. (I’m a photographer)
Gretchen S says
Thanks for this intel, Josh!
wendy says
Holy cow – that IS super cool! But darnit Josh, now I’m going to waste about 36 hours straight uploading pics to search with….. hehe
Laura's Last Ditch--Vintage Kitchenwares says
Wow! That website makes me want wallpaper. Never thought I’d say that, either !
Shelly in PHX says
I. Am. Terrified! Actually, it reminds me of the trend of “subliminal” advertising in the ’70s where various scenes of sexual positions would be embedded in a wallpaper pattern (or ice cubes in a print ad for alcohol). Thought to make you linger/notice/buy more. My friend worked at a costume jewelry store “The Earport” in a local mall that used such a wallpaper.
Joe Boeckholt says
very exciting…
may be the work of Kara Walker
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kara_Walker
Krash Override says
not satanic. in fact, shakespearean. based on “a midsummer’s night dream”
Anna S. Byrne says
Krash…I definately think your on the right track here !