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Where to find vintage- and vintage-style wallpaper murals

by Kate

 

thibaut-mural-memory-lane
This “Memory Lane” wallpaper mural from Thibaut was on the market since at least the 1960s, through 2014. It was on the wall behind President Lyndon B. Johnson when he addressed the nation on TV for two hours from his Texas ranch house. It is one of four vintage designs that were available from Thibaut through 2014.

Trisha writes:

Do you remember the ranches with the dining rooms what had the ‘scenes’ of either deer, lapping water from a pond, or Conquistador ships docked at a harbor, or a hand painted scene of a plantation home, etc…? I know this was wallpaper, but I don’t know what the correct term for it is, so I can do a search. Any advice you can share about what to call this as well as whether they make reproduction versions of this scenic mural wallpaper would be appreciated!

thibaut-murals1Tricia, you’ve written to the right place. As we all know, Pam is a vintage wallpaper fanatic, and she knew exactly what to advise. Pam replied:

Hi Tina, It’s great to hear from you — congrats on the house. I am a wallpaper mural lover, too, and have done several stories. We have numerous shown in time capsule houses, some from ebay.

Meanwhile, New Old Stock vintage photo murals that were popular beginning in the 1970s (?) seem pretty abundant. To find them, search “Environmental Graphics wallpaper murals” on ebay (*affiliate link). You can also search etsy, and keep your eagle eyes open and you might find one in the basement of an estate sale.

Good luck, send pics!

10 retro vintage wallpaper murals spotted in time capsule houses

Every once in a wee while, NOS cool-onial print designs also show up on ebay and etsy. Following is a sampling of designs that were made in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s (we estimate) and which we have spotted in their natural habitats and captured in our archives.

vintage-wall-mural
Photo courtesy of photographer and realtor Karla Spiegelberg.

1. Above: This huge maritime wall mural was spotted in a 1960 time capsule house for sale in Laramie, Wyoming.

wallpaper-mural
Photo courtesy of photographer David Ward of the The Creative Ward and realtor Eric Glassoff.

2. Above: An Asian inspired wallpaper mural in this 1956 split level house filled with chinoiserie decor.

wall mural
Photo courtesy of photographer Demetri Papoulidis from Demetri Productions, LLC and realtor Diane Capodilupo.

3. Above: A monotone green nature-inspired wallpaper mural in a 1960s “Storybook Ranch” time capsule.

mid-century-wall-mural
Photo courtesy of photographer Annie M. and realtor Donna Fleetwood.

4. Above: A mural of an arial view of the city of Harrisburg, PA hangs over the fireplace in this 1960 time capsule house in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania.

retro-wall-mural5. Above: A tropical wallpaper mural is hiding behind the headboard in this 1978 time capsule home in Shoemakersville, PA.

modern-wall-mural
Photo courtesy of reader David.

6. Above: A modern version of a wallpaper mural — a photo mural of a tropical hideaway — hangs in reader David’s Austrialian bungalow, which he filled with 18 different patterns of wallpaper. This one is likely and Environmental Graphics design.

tile-wall-mural
Photo courtesy of reader MidModMeg.

7. Above: And if you prefer your vintage wall murals in the bathroom — check out this vintage pink bathroom tile mural.

wall-muralretro wall-muralretro wall-mural8,9, and 10.  Above: And while we’re at it, let’s take a look at three more photo murals spotted in time capsule homes sent to us by out realtor friend Jeffrey Hogue — mega thanks Jeffrey!

So there you have it Tricia, one source for new wallpaper murals, ideas for how to find vintage murals and a whole lotta eye candy. Good luck in your search and may the Retro Decorating Gods be with you.

Categorieswallpaper
  1. Tiffany says:

    My husband and I were looking at some old photos and there was an amazing photo mural in his childhood home. I wanted to find one for our home, ran into this article, and found the SAME MURAL on eBay! It will be here in a week and we are so excited. Thank you so much!

    1. pam kueber says:

      Fabulous! A few years ago, Thibaut discontinued all their murals and put them online — and our readers snapped them up! Maybe it’s one of those!

    2. Tiffany says:

      It’s a NOS river landscape from Environmental Graphics. The year of production was 1982 and the colors are so vibrant and clear!
      I just started hanging it today. I would not recommend that anyone use the included cellulose powder for hanging paste. 🙃

  2. Karen says:

    My parents house has two murals, both country nature scenes from this same collection. One in basement and one on wall where front door opens to a bi-level. They are wanting to replace the main mural with one in better condition. Some scruff marks on the bottom. Is there any where to still buy these?

  3. Brian says:

    Do people buy the wallpaper murals if they are in good shape after taking them down? I have a house built in the 40’s, but I don’t know how old the mural is. I purchased the home in 1998. My wife hates it, I like the nostalgia of it. I would love for someone else to get so they can enjoy it .

    1. pam kueber says:

      yes, there might be a market depending on the design — I’d recommend ebay as a place to sell it. Good luck getting it down intact, though!

  4. Judy says:

    I am looking for a wallpaper mural of a Southern Plantation that was in my mother’s dining room in the 70’s. It was sold by Dwoskin Wallpaper and was standard in Richard Feldman and Sunrise Building Corporation. I’ll try to attach the photo. Do you have suggestions – other than contacting Dwoskin, which I have – on how to find it? Thanks – Judy

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