An “exaggerated, joyous, and smile factor”
vintage wallpaper frenzy
I have long had a theory that it is nigh on impossible to wallpaper just one room. Once a bit of wallpaper goes up onto the wall, it begs for company. It begs for a party. And holey Down Under, a party is just what reader David has delivered: He says he “stole” the words “exaggerated, joyous and smile factor” from our blog — and encouraged, he has joyfully plastered his sunny Australian mid mod house with 18 different patterns of vintage wallpaper. And to heck with matchy-matchy. It’s visual chaos — and absolute delight. You know me and my luv of vintage wallpaper — I am absolutely entranced by David’s masterpiece. Get read to click on through and be amazed, with this warning: If you have a hangover or have just consumed much coffee and sugar, you may want to hold off for a few hours before viewing:
I first heard from David before the recent holidays. He wrote:
Hi Pam
I sent in a photo to Retro Renovation [for your] wallpaper [uploader] in June.
I have completed the wallpaper frenzy, in time for Xmas. On and off for months I have been wallpapering the house, it is summer here in Australia and I have had to pick the cooler days.
The wallpapering has got me into the mid century colors and I also stumbled upon a honey brown 1971 VW for $600 on ebay. It matches the house, I have been working in it in addition to the wallpapering. I have recently road registered the VW.
It is my turn to host 25 of the family for Xmas. We are having mid-century theme — food, clothes and thrift shop presents.
The wallpaper has been sourced from ebay and is mostly vintage left overs.
There are now 18 different patterns in the house, and I have used some 45 rolls. Every wall has wallpaper except the toilet. I not only did the walls but also the refrigerator, dishwasher and inside the kitchen.cabinets
l have stolen the terms from your blog “exaggerated, joyous and smile factor” and have used this as inspiration. The wallpaper patterns and colours therefore are meant to be over the top and not necessarily matching.
The best thing about wallpaper is the finish, also once you stand back you cannot see any imperfections even when you know where they are.
People that have seen it have said what happens when you sell the house, my response is the only way I am leaving this house is feet first
David
So David sent me all the photos, in batches, and we touched base again after Christmas. I asked him what his family thought of the wallpaper frenzy. He wrote:
Hi Pam
I am so relieved xmas is over!
Everyone liked the mid century theme and house, although some were initially a bit overwhelmed by the wallpaper and other mid century trinkets. As they looked around there was a stunned silence from those who had not seen the house, I guess they are more accustomed to whites/beiges not patterns and colours.
I think I overheard the word eccentric – there are worse things one can be called (and in fact have been called), anyway I take this as a compliment.
The funniest thing about the mid century theme was the thrift shop presents. How funny was it to unwrap a 70s wooden tennis racquet with an original kangaroo skin cover or a beige polyester safari suit that the recipient had to wear (by popular demand). The invite for the day had said “guests may be required to wear their present” – this was an attempt to steer people into getting funny vintage clothing for presents.
All the wallpaper was from ebay and advertised as vintage or retro. Going by the packaging it was mostly vintage. To my horror one lot had a barcode.
David
What can I say. Life’s a big canvas — throw on a lot of paint. Or better yet: Wallpaper.
Thank you, David, for this super mega dose of exaggerated, joyous, smile factor — which will radiate all across the Retro Renovation universe all day long!
Full gallery of David’s interiors, enlarged images:
Tip to view gallery: Click on any image, it will enlarge on screen, use arrows below image to move forward and back, you can pick up slide show at any point:
Leslie says
Of course I love the wallpaper, but the light fixtures are amazing! Great job
Jay says
This all comes together from an aesthetic approach – it works. I liked the fridge covered in paper and I am not even a wallpaper guy. The exterior of the house has nice clean lines and the interiors are great. I like how the windows meet at the room corners and are covered with drapes residing behind wooden valences. I liked your response about going out feet first. I agree, live in the house for “yourself, the “now” and not for the future owner; let them worry about putting their own stamp on it. Thanks for sharing!
LauraRG says
Amazing… there’s wallpaper on every wall in my 1961 house, but sadly it was put up around 1980 or so… it’s all very grandmotherly little florals. I would be ecstatic if the wallpaper in my house was as enthusiastic as his wallpaper… what a beautiful house!!
Tracie@MiddleClassModern says
Have you looked underneath? My grandmother is an enthusiastic wallpaperer, but the first, 1959 layer is still there and is still in decent shape (I saw it when she last repapered in the early 2000s).
mary Tatum says
I want to see pictures of the Christmas festivities!
Jody says
WOW! And good for you re the “resale” question–why are people always looking to resell their homes? Why not just LIVE in it?
Linda says
David, crazy-yes, wonderful-yes! Why not do whatever you like? It’s YOUR house, and should be full of things that give YOU delight. I think our parent’s generation was taught to follow the crowd…don’t attract attention, use ‘safe’ colors (beige, gray, white), suppress your creativity. I’ve always loved wallpaper-right now I’m looking for something for my bathroom-pale yellow tiles and original gray linoleum floor. Black and white, grays, silver and then a saturated lavender or blue-green for accents. I love glass, sparkle, gemstones-maybe the wallpaper will be a rich paisley-definitely a vintage pattern. Would love to see your house in person! And your VW-brings back memories of my ’69 that we painted with yellow rustoleum so that all of the ‘parts’ would match! Hmmm…a wallpapered VW…..
Renee says
I had a 67 bug that had been painted orange at some point, but the paint had oxidized into a pinkish orange, so I bought 10 cans of orange paint and re-painted it. I lived in Southern California and the paint still looked good until I sold in two years later. My high school friends still make fun of me thirty years later!
julia [lifeonchurchill] says
wow! Love the first pattern. I keep hoping I’ll find a stash of vintage wallpaper while thrifting but its been years and hasn’t happened yet.
Sarah g (roundhouse) says
I like that ‘they’ll have to drag me out feet first attitude’! I often get the same reaction when making design choices. My mom will roll her eyes and say ‘you must not be planning on selling this house one day’. But really I don’t make choices with supposed future people in mind, this is MY house! I mean even if I did choose ‘tame’ options odds are they wont like that either…
Love the bold gusto! Makes me want to wallpaper something…
Sarah g (roundhouse) says
Speaking of bold… Getting purple countertops in the bathroom today so let the eye rolling commence! Muahahaha!
ChrisH says
Sarah
You are exactly right. When and if you sell, the buyers won’t like it no matter what. Why live with bland?
Rick says
WoW….! Really like the blk, wht, red, grey and the black, grey,. . . avocado ‘right angles wall paper. + also looking at all the great furnishings and beautiful doors/closet doors. Thanks for sharing!
hannah says
ALL kids of fun! I wish I could talk Mr. Wonderful in to papering SOMETHING….but, alas, I can’t.
I want those VW’s.