Reader Deb and her husband are in the final stages of their DIY vintage style kitchen remodel. It’s coming together just beautifully — but now, they are stuck on a final design decision: Shoudld they add adorable 1940s style Bradbury & Bradbury wallpaper to the backsplash? Or will it be too much? They want to hear from the ever-helpful tribe of Retro Renovation readers. To wallpaper or not to wallpaper, that is the question. Read on to hear Deb’s story and to weigh in. Pam and I will hold back and post our photoshopped ideas at noon.
Deb writes:
Hi Pam,
We’re in the final stages of our kitchen redo (having done all the work ourselves except for the sheetrocking) and we can’t agree on whether to use this wallpaper from Bradbury as our backsplash or not.
I love it but my husband thinks it is too busy and takes away from the nickel outlet covers (which he has some strange attachment to lol). Behind the stove will be new/old fan with a sunburst stainless steel panel. Is this all too much? The wallpaper would be vinyl coated for protection and used only under the cabinets.
Also, I want to let you know that your explanation and pics of doing the metal edging on your counter tops helped immensely when it came time to do ours.
The floor is Armstrong Linoleum Tidal Wave and the counter top is Forbo Bleeker Street Lino.
The original kitchen had the washer and dryer under the counter and a “Diana” Youngstown sink unit. It was too far gone to save but I did manage to pry off the the Diana emblem and will be putting it on my new sink cabinet. I know I said that we did it all by ourselves but that isn’t entirely true. We had the floor installed and we bought the RTA cabinets from Barker Cabinets in Oregon. Barker also has slab front cabinets and they are a joy to do business with. Shipping took seven days from Oregon to upstate New York.
The walls are a very light blue. We have a Big Chill fridge in Buttercup yellow (ebay) that hasn’t been put in yet. The woman I bought it from in New Jersey, had won it in a raffle and could not fit it in her kitchen.
If anyone wants to know the particulars of putting in linoleum counter tops and stainless steel edging, my husband is willing to share what he did. It’s taken 1 year and 3 months of no vacations, working every single weekend and a lot of evenings to get to this point. And best of all my DH and I are still talking to each other.
Pam asks: What are you doing over the stove?
A Nutone exhaust fan (new old stock) and a stainless steel panel with a sunburst design.
So readers — now we need your thoughtful opinions — what should Deb do with her kitchen back splash?
Through the magic of Photoshop, Kate made some mock-ups of Deb’s kitchen to help her visualize how it would look with the three variations wallpaper and the sunburst stainless steel backsplash:
1. Sunny Day Combo:
For the first mock-up, we put the stainless steel sunburst backsplash over the stove and Bradbury & Bradbury Apple Betty wallpaper between the cabinets and counter top. This looks pretty nice… but we feel like the drama of the stainless steel backsplash might be overwhelming the rest of the kitchen design, which is so lovely. Hmmmm….
2. All wallpaper:
For the second mock-up, we extended the wallpaper all the way behind the stove and up to the ceiling. Deb wasn’t planning on having the wallpaper extend this far up, but if the stainless steel backsplash is not used, it would be a more finished look to have the wallpaper extend all the way to the ceiling, instead of being cut off at under cabinet height. We’re kind of digging the vintage charm starting to come together once this wallpaper is added…
3. Add a shelf to the combo:
Deb could also add a shelf for knick knacks — made using the same red linoleum and metal edging from the countertops — an idea that is similar to the shelf in Pam’s kitchen:
4. Shelf plus stainless steel backsplash
If Deb’s husband still isn’t sold on the wallpaper, this option is for him. Combining the sunburst stainless steel backsplash with the shelf provides a more toned down look, while still allowing space for Deb to display vintage knick-knacks. Maybe paint the backsplash the same yellow as the refrigerator coming in… or tone the yellow paint down a bit… or, a shade similar to that of the floor might work, too.
Pam and I both agree on this one — the Bradbury & Bradbury wallpaper that Deb chose is just perfect for the space. The pattern picks up the red from the counter tops, the blue from the floor and the buttery yellow from her Big Chill refrigerator. The space above the stove and fan is just calling out for a shelf to fill it — one that Deb could use to display some cute vintage knick-knacks. If it were our kitchen, Kate and I both are loving mood board number three.
KDA says
I say go with the wallpaper. I think it’s a little plain without it. Plus, it captures the style of the kitchen. As far as cleaning, I don’t think it should concern you too much unless you’re a really messy cook. I find my backsplash never gets that dirty. The only time I really have to wipe it down is after using a hand mixer. I think as long as it’s not going behind the stove, it should be fine, especially since it’s not going all the way down to the counter.
Allen says
I can never say no to wallpaper. Of all the time capsules and photographs I have seen from this period wallpaper was always present. I think people liked things busy looking back then due to the rise of technology. People wanted things to look busy or in motion. So I say go with the wallpaper it looks great!
Patty says
I think the bright, busyness was a reaction to the dull, hard times of the ’30s.
Lisa says
You might want to wait until you get the buttercup yellow refrigerator in place before you make a decision on the backsplash. The addition of that color may add a whole new dimension that you’re unable to fully appreciate at this point. That said, if you do decide to go with wallpaper, you might want to make sure that yellow is represented in the pattern to pull everything together. Painting the backsplash yellow to match the fridge is another way to go as well and it’s easy to change if you don’t like it.
Lisa Coleman says
I wouldn’t worry too much about the wallpaper being stained with splashes, etc. It’s vinyl, right? It will be fine.
I like it. Go for it.
Toni says
Nope. Not vinyl. It’s Paper. http://bradbury.com/postwar.html
How are your products printed?
•We hand screen print with metallic inks and flat oil pigments
•Our digital borders and wallpapers are printed with archival quality water-based inks
•Paper is shipped untrimmed and unpasted
•Our clay-coated, latex reinforced paper has a Class “A” fire rating
•Printing lead time applies to most orders (call for current lead time)
What about installation and maintenance?
•We recommend installing with a Clay-based adhesive (except when specifically noted otherwise) http://www.bradbury.com/paper.html
•Professional paperhangers can be found by zip code search at http://www.ngpp.org/find_paperhanger.php
•Paper can be treated for high use areas (after-market coating by http://www.prosealplus.com)
•Lightly washable with plain water and a soft cloth
Leslie says
I would go with the wallpaper! It is a perfect fit for your kitchen design and you are using it in such a small area considering the size of your entire kitchen. I don’t think you’ll need additional protection, I have lived in a home with wallpaper in those areas and it was never a problem. Very cute retro remodel.
Error 404 says
I’m honestly shocked by how timid most people are! Without the wallpaper, that kitchen looks so boring and empty, like a white box landlord buildout waiting for tenants. Of all the adjectives I’d use to describe that pattern, bold would be about one of the last.
kitschywoman says
You and me both, 404. I was just thinking that it looked far too sterile for my tastes with just the blue paint. And a stainless backsplash would just compound the sterility. That wallpaper warms it up and makes it seem so inviting. I’m firmly in the wallpaper (with or without shelf) camp. And, with vinyl wallpaper, scrub-ability is never an issue. (I remember you well, long-lasting 70’s wallpapers.)
Dangit. Now I really want a wallpaper backsplash. **runs off to scope them out**
Tom says
Deb, your kitchen looks GREAT so far!
I kind of agree with Error404, to a point. Wallpaper between the countertops and upper cabinets would be good. Above the stove, maybe not so much. Even if it was scrubbable it wouldn’t quite look as authentic (to me, anyway 🙂 ) as everything else. So instead I would suggest a big panel of red formica, same stuff as the countertops. And a shelf would work too. Stainless steel panels on the backsplash seem just a bit too commercial. “Just My Opinion.” Anyway, whatever you end up doing please send pics when you’re done!
Tom says
Um, make that the same linoleum as on the countertops, not Formica!
Robin says
I love the wallpaper with the back splash! I say go for it.
Carole D says
I agree. The wallpaper is suitably retro and the splashback, well – can you have too much drama in a kitchen?? It positively demands you cook up a storm!
Kate H says
YES YES YES on the wallpaper!!! It totally pulls the room together and makes it a true retro kitchen. Do not worry about spots from food on the stove, I can tell you are a careful person. And there is always plexiglass.
debe says
I HAD THAT STOVE back in the day, it looks fantastic.
I vote YES THAT WALLPAPER ROCKS! No excuses…
Robin Mikulski says
MOST DEFINITELY! I am partial to wallpaper anyway – but I think it would really help finish off your retro kitchen! Beautiful job.