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.
Dan Dexter says
I love the vintage rope trellis and Palm Springs the best. but then I am a huuuuge fan of vintage paper. I feel so ahead of the curve from the standpoint of wallpaper being so popular again…
Pam Kueber says
Me, too. But then, I never got off the road!
Pat says
There is a lot going on in that room. Have you considered the current paint color of the ceiling on a textured wallpaper?
https://www.brewsterwallcovering.com/paintable-wallpaper.aspx
I don’t know why that didn’t turn into a link, but I think you can paste it onto the address bar.
I don’t care for any of the proposed papers. Sorry.
Katie Fruity says
Palm Springs! The others are lovely, and give a nautical/beach feel whereas the Palm Springs is really the best one to give an actual tiki vibe. Also, I think the color is great to pick up from the couch.
Juliana says
I vote for Palm Springs. It will make the small touches of green in the room pop. A cave-like atmosphere can be a bit much darkness during the winter months. Greens are happy-making (so much so that my husband jokingly suggested we paint our den green – And cover up the circa 1961 cherry paneling? Um, no).
Susan Halla says
I vote for Palm Springs. I like the contrast of the green against the leopard, and I think the geometric nature of it also plays nicely with the leopard which has its own geometry. The green is also a good foil against the red/brown of the faux bois woodwork. So exciting to watch it come together!
Babs says
I was leaning toward the green until I saw the Antique Map and I think that would be the best. You have a lot of beautiful woodwork which would be enhanced by the subdued pattern.
Amy Pie says
Palm Springs! Life is short, be daring! That color on the ceiling will be amazing and tie in the sofa & drapes.
Lizzy says
The leopard walls put this into a box. On my monitor, the two beige ones, maps and ropes, will fight it out with the leopard and get unpleasant. The coral is gorgeous, but there’s a thematic problem with sea above and land animals below. And, colors fighting it out.
The palm thatch is a no brainer for a tiki bar. Where would you be drinking on a beach? And it’ll mesh w/ the leopard, not fight.
in my opinion. But, you’ll need a powder room for that coral wallpaper know that you know it exists. Just sayin’.
Laura says
Moby Dick, of course! It reinforces your dark and cozy mood giving, I think, a kind of “ship’s hold” feel to your Mahalo/Tiki lounge which would be fun. The Map is too tame; the Seashells belong below and not above, and the blue is out of place; and the Green Geometric competes too much with everything else. IMHO. I’m very much looking forward to seeing what you do choose.
Claire says
My first choice would be the map and my second the Melville plaid. All four are nice, though.