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.
Becky says
My vote is for the rope trellis!
Peggy Bauman says
Green please. Go big or quit!
Suzy Creamcheese says
Palm Springs Green!
Sid says
Palm Springs (first choice would be grasscloth; however, I applaud whimsy and daring and understand these are the four final options). The green would add a cheerful, airy, tropical feel and less heaviness/clash with leopard.
Neil says
All charming, for sure. But there’s already a lot of charm going on in that room. A Lot…….and you don’t want to burden the senses with an overload of riches. (Maybe you do. But you can still Go For It while having having it all… but not too much.)
The ropes are compelling, but it will make your room feel like a former tiki supper lounge; maybe that’s what you want. How about a fabric in that pattern, worked up into fun throw pillows?
The green one will add to the weight of the beamed ceiling and bring it closer to your head; great at night but maybe not so much in the light of day.
The shell paper may just inject more busy-buzzy than that space can absorb, without adding coherence.
Of the four, the map paper may be the best. It will bring a golden glow of welcome and cozy with just enough texture to make the use of wallpaper pay off. But the pattern is small enough to not compete with the other elements.
But….
I suggest you make the ceiling feel like sky; a pale, airy, high in the tropical breeze, refreshingly distant open sky. That means saving your wallpapering urge for another day, and instead painting the ceiling panels in the palest, subtlest bluish, whisper of greenish, but mostly blue/whitish empty sky blue. Use a low-gloss enamel paint to reflect the light and give it depth. You can even get two just-barely-different/can’t-really-tell shades, and apply them in a random is-it-clouds-or-not pattern; different enough to engage the senses but not enough so’s you’d notice. Just to add dimension to your sky. Use a short-nap roller to apply the paint, dipping it in the two different pans of hue, blending and varying. Get a two-inch roller and handle and use that too, to vary the scale of the subtle texture, and to use around the edges, along with your brush.
There. You asked and now you know.
Enjoy!
April says
I agree with Nina that there’s a lot going on in your room. I would go with Antique Map wallpaper. It speaks to a “treasure map” “pirates of the Caribbean” vibe.
Cece DuBois says
My choice is Palm Springs Green. It’s a brave choice, and works best with the rest of the room. I kept envisioning your beautifully upholstered sofa with this paper; it will bring the whole room together.
Deborah says
Palm Springs, definitely.
kimberly says
I would go with either 3 or 4. The first two are competing way too much with the leopard walls. The first two also scream Florida room, not Mahala Lounge.
Carol says
Old world map! It fits the woodwork and looks classy. Second choice Palm Springs. You could go in a couple directions with it because it is not so bold as to be a distraction, but would really add a nice color.