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.
Anna S. Byrne says
Kinda Ugo Mochi, yet not, at the same time ? I’d love to knovv the backstory of this paper !
Carol Litten says
The beautiful cabinet looks like our Drexel “Declaration” pattern walnut record cabinet that troysf now has. Am I correct??
Suzanne says
The cabinet came from a danish auction. I almost hate to say this, but Regal Auctions does an amazing auction every January with 1500+ pieces straight from Denmark in Franklin NH. Awesome. If you’re in New England, it’s very much worth it.
hannah says
That’s a tough call Pam. Keep or cover it up with something era, but more ‘happy’. It’s cool in it’s own right, but again, a bit too ‘dark’ for my taste.
And FWIW, I use Google images a LOT to pin point things I’m looking for. If I can’t find them on etsy or ebay, then I Google images and frequently find the sought after item elsewhere, or get to learn more history about it by following links to other *gasp* blogs. 😀
pam kueber says
yes, *gasp*
Suzanne says
I would not have picked this on my own, but having it here… we’ll keep it. I like dark. NO ONE leaves that bathroom w/o saying something. It’s a conversation piece. Now the question is to how to update around it?
Kate H says
I wouldn’t fight it, I’d go with the flow. I’d do red or orange for colors. And maybe a Gideon Bible insead of magazines if you have room for reading material. If you have something this unusual, I think it’s a shame to not play it up.
Ann-Marie Meyers says
Pam, thanks for catching the Preway band on the fireplace! I grew up in Wisconsin Rapids, Wi, where these were made, and sometimes it seems that the Malm name is being used generically for Malms, Preways and Majestics.
I think Malm is still making some of theirs, but Preway went out of business in the ’80’s, putting quite a few of my friends’ dads and brothers out of work.
I don’t exactly remember what happened. It was some financial finagling thing that ended up hurting the community badly.
Too bad, Preway made some great stuff for a while. I would love to get my hands on one of their mid century cooktops or ovens.
Suzanne says
Yes, thank you. I thought it was Malm. Good to know the real origins.
Susan Clements says
i have one of those fireplaces for sale along with a bunch of mid century finds I used to stage a house when I sold it the new owner did not want the fireplace.
pam kueber says
Susan, we have a buy/sell Forum, you can post unique items for sale there. https://retrorenovation.com/forums/
Katie says
The wallpaper is also being sold on the discount sale site http://www.onekingslane for $185 for 2 rolls!
https://www.onekingslane.com/product/12656/570457 (you may have to sign in to view it)
Lynn-O-Matic says
Wow, that house looks like it’s straight out of Sunset magazine! Fab.
I’d love to hear about the history of demon wallpaper if anyone finds out. It reminds me of Krampus, the Christmas devil who punishes naughty kids: http://krampus.com/. It looks like there might be some other folk tales depicted, too.
Eartha Kitsch says
What an amazing house! And yep, that wallpaper is creepy but pretty amazing. Good on her for keeping it. I’ve always wanted one of those beautiful fireplaces.
Annie B. says
The Underwood deviled ham people must’ve hired Aubrey Beardsley to sketch their party. Wonder what the previous owners were thinking? (Or, maybe not.)
Love your fireplace and the spiral staircase.
Suzanne says
What I was wondering about was the placement of the fireplace & the spiral staircase. AND the iron rail. You have a flaming heat source & then stairs coming down directly to it & then, hey, grab on to this piping hot iron railing if you need support! Wouldn’t fly today but I love it.
Annie B. says
How right you are about that. Your woodwork is fabulous.
In which state of the USA do you live?
Suzanne says
We live in Massachusetts.
Annie B. says
Thanks, Suzanne. Stay warm and cozy.
Dan says
That wallpaper is hillarious. Maybe I need to redo our guest bathroom…..
Suzanne says
THANK YOU for identifying my wallpaper! I knew if I sent this to Pam someone would be able to tell me what it is. Many thanks to Pam & Josh!
Tami says
BTW, I love your pocket planter – I’ve been lusting after one for months. Do they work well?
Suzanne says
The Woolly pockets are GREAT. After I sent the pictures I added some Palm “grass” & they look so much better. Much fuller. I don’t have a green thumb & I’ve managed to keep them alive & well for almost a year now. I would recommend them.