Retro Renovation» wallpaper

Granny wallpaper: Bring it on

pam kueber — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 10:00:39 +0000

In case you have not figured this out, I derive immense joy at thumbing my nose at reigning mass-market stylistas. If it’s “out” — I ask, “says who?” — and declare it “in.” Today: I declare that these novelty wallpapers are the cat’s pajamas.

Detail of “Trailways.”

This one is absolutely classic. It gets an exclamation point!

These are all current day wallpapers. They are $40-$50 per double role at the discount online place. The ones that are black and white are from a collection called Designing in Black and White, here is the link to this collection on American Blinds and Wallpaper.

To see the names/collections, just scroll your mouse over them and the name will pop up in “alt text”. The papers here with color are from a collection called ‘Echo A Collectors Home’ – here is the link on American Blinds and Wallpaper.

I think these wallpapers would be perfect for a powder room, in particular…

…In your powder room, your guests would see them and really wonder whether you were insane. They would say to their significant other afterward, “Did you SEE that bathroom wallpaper?,” squinting confusedly.

This one would be good for the kitchen, of course — or for the basement if you have a retro soda shop going on.

P.S. While I was on my dreadmill today, watching that decorating network, I saw a stylista declare: “Oh, yes, white appliances are in again. It’s not just about stainless steel anymore.” Is that enough said, or do I need to do more to convince you to choose your own path. Which also means: Take every single thing I say with a honkin’ big grain of salt, too.

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Pink poodle Paris wallpapers

pam kueber — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 09:58:49 +0000

I found these poodle wallpapers at American Blinds Wallpaper & More and the Wallpaper Connection. I guess if you have a pink bathroom…and put up this wallpaper…then you might as well get a poodle…and name her Fifi.

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New vintage wallpaper repro’s from Bradbury

Pam Kueber — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 07:59:09 +0000

Bradbury & Bradbury has introduced four new vintage wallpaper reproductions — classic damasks that, as owner Steve Bauer says, “would be appropriate in almost any style of home, with the exception of perhaps the most sterilized of midcentury modern homes, where ‘ornament is crime.’”

The four papers — Berkshire, Hampshire, Warwickshire and Essex — are all taken from 1920-1940s documents in the Bradbury archives. Read on for more from Steve…

Steve writes,

Hi Pam,

Thanks, I’m glad you’re interested in our new papers. All four are from early 1920-1940s documents in our archives. These are always harder to date because many damask patterns originated from even earlier examples, some of which may go as far back as the 16th century. Because of that “timeless” quality and their visual elegance damasks have never really migrated away from popular taste. We wanted to make this new collection adaptable to a wide range of tastes and so chose to be less “period specific” in the colorings, using more neutrals and soft metallics which can blend with either historic or more contemporary styles of decorating.

As far as uses, they are more probably best suited to the main living areas, unless there is a desire to go a little more formal in a master suite, for example. As I mentioned earlier they would be appropriate in almost any style of home, with the exception of perhaps the most sterilized of MCM homes, where “ornament is crime”.

And yes, we will be developing more traditional patterns like these, as long as our customers ask for them!

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