The open-weave jute stinks. Literally. Thanks to the readers who alerted me to the concern, because of my many varied and obscure talents, sniffing ain’t one. I painted the ceiling of my Mahalo Lounge a beige, just to be able to see the room. But I can’t have just paint up there. Epic is a requirement. So following are my four wallpaper finalists. Which one would you choose? Which one should I choose?
#1: Vintage “Moby Dick” from Hannah’s Treasures:
Above: A vintage rope-trellis wallpaper from Hannah’s Treasures — a pattern named “Moby Dick” from “The Twigs” collection, it says along the edge. The field is a bit darker than I would like, which will darken the room, but I think I could address the issue with lighting design. Heck, tiki bars are supposed to be dark and mysterious. On the plus side: I really do like those ropes — they are whimsical, and the ‘trellis’ effect mimics the trellis in the dining room ceiling wallpaper.
I love the name, too, since Herman Melville wrote Moby Dick in a cottage just 4.9 miles from my house. This paper is not shown on Hannah’s Treasure’s website — owner Marilyn stumbled on it looking for more of the same pattern with the coral field, which I initially inquired about.
#2 — Bradbury & Bradbury Art Wallpapers’ Seashell Cream:
Above: Also going under the headline, “Ask Anyway”: I spotted the Bradbury & Bradbury Seashell Cream wallpaper in google images while searching for wallpaper designs using various terms. Wallpaper shells… wallpaper coral… wallpaper nautical… wallpaper tropical… wallpaper lattice… wallpaper trellis… wallpaper maps… wallpaper pirate… wallpaper bamboo… I searched so many word combinations and looked at so much wallpaper, my eyes hurt, I am not exaggerating. This wallpaper design popped up, probably under ‘wallpaper shells’, but the photo sent me to a ‘discontinued’ link. But, I emailed anyway, just to see if perchance they had any left — and they did! Just enough! I like this one because the colors are right … It’s also whimsical… and I really like the pop of blue in the seashells continued on to the ceiling. While the photo doesn’t show it, there’s also a glint of metallic gold. Question, though: Is lots of high-contrast, relatively small pattern on the walls and the ceiling too much of a good thing, especially in a space likely to get soaked with rum?
#3 Palms Springs by Kenneth James by Brewster:
Above: I liked the idea of bringing color up to the ceiling, if possible. This Intertwined Green Geometric design repeats the color planned for the sectional but in a different textural way. It also has a lovely glint of gold ink. But, it may be too finely wrought — too sophisticated — for my room.
#4 Old World Map Collage by Brewster:
Above: Brewster had lots of old world antique map designs, in a variety of colors to choose from. This one — Brown Old World Collage Map from Brewster’s Field Guide Collection — had a beige-gold faded parchment feel that would look good with everything else, I think. This one is more subtle than the rest, less “risky”.
Above: Two more shots of the room in various stages of progress, so’s you can consider what I’m working with.
Q: Why don’t I just do grasscloth?
A: It’s too expected. I’m a rebel.
Q: You put a TV in your tiki bar!
A. I know. I know. I’m not “supposed to”, but I did. I don’t feel the need to explain, but I will take the opportunity. Tiki lounges are supposed to be a total escape from the real world. Fact is, though, that we watch TV most every night — while, on the other hand, we only drink cocktails on weekends and as party-throwers we are, so far, very lame. Bringing the TV into the Lounge gives us a reason to spend even more time in it.
Q: You put a TV above a fireplace!
A. I know. I know. I always said I’d never do that. ‘Never say never’ is what I say now. The only logical place for the TV in this room was above the fireplace.
See all my stories about my Mahalo Lounge, in progress, here.
Bonnie says
My eyes lit up when I saw the maps collage. It’s subtle, yes, but then you see the continents and it’s like, cool!
barb says
green woven
Krystal says
I really like the rope trellis, but I think the sea shell paper will give the most popular while being on theme.
Pamela says
I like the idea of stencil instead of wallpaper- have done too much scraping and glue-scrubbing in my life
Janet Jones says
Old World Map Collage; subtle, ties it all together.
Susan morris says
The green one looks more like a tiki lounge which would have bamboo poles and thatch.
Gerry says
I wouldn’t use any of them but to each his own. I hate wallpaper and it is terribly hard to remove, plus it closes your room in and we like the open feeling with very light colors. Don’t get me wrong, I love some vintage, in fact, have a 1950’s kitchen set to put in our new home, plus Vintage Fiesta. I follow your column, faithfully, but just do not agree with bringing back pink bathrooms, etc; just keep it simple and not overdone.
Nina says
You have a lot going on already in that room and w/all the wood it’s already somewhat dark. To me “Moby Dick” and the seashells, though very pretty, say Florida Room, not Tiki, and they don’t really talk to the leopard wallpaper well. The Palm Springs is a maybe since you mentioned it picks up a color in a sectional and the pattern is a woven abstraction. The Antique Map, though “safe,” keeps the ceiling light, speaks to the framed map, speaks all languages relating to exotic places, and allows the eye some rest. You gotta go with your gut in the end.
Risë says
I concur with Nina…nice assessment!
kddomingue says
I agree with Nina’s assessment as well. The antique map, while “safe”, ties all of the other elements together.
lazairahel says
I agree. The antique map just pulls everything together. Plus light.
Willa says
I also agree with Nina ~
You don’t want the ceiling paper to take away from the beautiful room you have already created. And the fact that the map paper ties to your framed map is a plus.
Love says
I vote for Old World Maps (because, just so nifty), or Palm Springs because I think the green would bring the room together and give it a breezy tropical feel. ????
Mary-C. says
I concur with the green woven pattern…..best of the 4 with the other things you have going on in your Tiki Room……hope you can get a script for muscle relaxants…..papering the ceiling…..your poor neck/shoulders!!! UGH!!!!!