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.
Ranell Morris says
I like the old world map and would choose that, BUT if you have green in your couch the green trellis would draw your eye up and give you another pop of color, definitely not too sophisticated for you Pam, after all you are using animal print!
Myra Horn says
Palm Springs, hands down! So groovy!
Laura says
Not vintage…but Phillip Jeffries makes a dimensional vinyl bamboo that would be an interesting texture without too much additional pattern.
https://www.phillipjeffries.com/shop/CARD-N-BAMFORES/7506
Pam Kueber says
That’s awesome-looking stuff!
Laura says
Phillip Jeffries wallcoverings are available through the interior design trade. Happy to send you samples if you are interested in reviewing any of their products in person. Amazing grasscloth and large scale textures, too!
Shannon says
I say green, because of the color of the drapes and couch, and the geometric pattern is a nice balance to all of the free-form patterns in your room.
Joan Renee Stark says
Looks like your going for a British Colonial Big Game Hunter Lounge for Ernest Hemingway. Either the map or the green pattern. Buy a roll of the green one and tape it up, if it is just too bold go with the map one. If you go with the map what do you do with the roll of green? Cover wastebaskets and boxes with it.
meb says
I like this, using the runner up to decorate smaller areas.
C says
The map paper, it will lend more light to the room. A cleaner look.
toni says
Well, you’ve got a LOT going on in that room. What do you want us to look at? Certainly not all of it at once! Do not do paper on the ceiling. I’m getting dizzy just thinking about the drapes, the bar, the wall covering, the furniture, the lamps, oh never mind. I won’t ever see it in person but for my house it’s already over the top.
Cris says
I would go with the old world maps. Gazing upwards it would trigger thoughts of explorers,pirates, etc. The pattern would complement not compete. I love the green pattern on its own.
Marty Tetlow says
Old World map, def. Will pull together the map framed on the wall.
Diane says
Palm Springs green — under a fresh-woven canopy. Looks good with the curtain fabric. Second choice, the antique map pattern. Rope is too dark. Seashells on the ceiling leave me with an Alice-in-Wonderland sensation — they lie on the sand, below, not in the sky. Love your room! I remember seeing a room in an (old) historic house on Beacon Hill that was wallpapered with wrappers from tea canisters. It was dark, but had glints of gold that gave the room a great shine.