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.
Patience says
Of course, the Map is the logical choice. It’s fabulously tasteful, you absolutely know it will look good, and it would look good even if you changed the entire decor of the room. It’s classic and timeless.
For the ‘wild choice’ I’m veering towards the Sea Shells, because I like the way the coral seems to subtly mimic the leopard print right below it. I think it’s light enough colors to pull off being so busy and I like the idea of an ‘ocean floor’ on the ceiling.
The Grass is concerning because it is a very ‘controlled busy’ for me. I just don’t know how helpful it would be if one ever finds one’s self lying on the floor with the room wildly spinning.
No to the Rope. Yes, I understand the pull, but no.
Lynne says
If I have to choose, I would go with the map. I still say (and I’m sticking to it ) forget the wallpaper and staple fish netting to the ceiling. Not tight. Leaving drapes swoops and dips.
Vic says
I think the Antique Map is tge way to go. You get a interesting ceiling, but it does notbtake attention away from your leopard walls or awesome draperies.
A says
Palm springs!
Karin says
This is hard because they are all lovely. My monitor may not be reading the color accurately, but my choice would be the Tretchikoff green wallpaper. I like it because it reads as rattan or bamboo. My first thought when I saw it was “cozy island bar”.
I don’t find it too sophisticated. Personally, I’d love to look up at that after my third Mai Tai, lol. It also picks up the the greens and blacks in the leopard walls, curtains and couch.
I’m not sure if all the walls will be leopard (which is fabulous). To turn down the high contrast between the woodwork and walls a lower chroma grasscloth might do the trick.
When I was decorating our non-tiki living room, I found swoonworthy grasscloth samples in tons of darker colors- hypnotic greens, blues and mochas at my local paint and wallpaper store. I was sorely tempted. They even let me rent the samples in their book for a couple of weeks to take home and see how they looked in different light.
In the end, I was daunted by the all the mind-boggling choices and the work involved, so I went with a safe neutral midcentury color for the living room walls. I think my husband was relieved.
I’ve since decided my second bedroom/studio will have a tropical Deco theme. Tiki isn’t for minimalists. Go epic or go home!
linda h says
I like the map.
Nancy says
I’m going to vote for the map print. As Tim Gunn would say, “your room already has a lot of look”, but in a good way! While I know the intent of the room is to encompass you with cozy, and at the same time overstimulate the senses, having no place to rest the eye could be somewhat claustrophobic and overwhelming. The map print is both calming and also adds a very subtle unexpected whimsy because it isn’t overt. This print also compliments the paper in the dining room without competing against it. But it’s your lounge, and you know best the feel you want the room to have. I also agree that the rope does look like a plaid!
Robin, WA says
Well said! I like the map too. It’s unexpected but works well with the rest of the decor.
Erika says
Palm Springs. I think Moby Dick is nice but is too fine-detailed; Palm Springs is more graphic—itwould hold its own in a room with lots of pattern and texture but is simple enough not to be a scene stealer.
ineffablespace says
I think by process of elimination, Palm Springs.
The coral and seashell paper is late Victorian, and out of context looks kind of bathroom-y–and the scale is too similar to the spots
The map paper doesn’t look like it’s quite the right color on my monitor.
The Moby Dick Rope Trellis is my second choice, but I do agree it looks like a plaid in some views
Grama Robin says
I love the rope trellis except I don’t think it goes with the leopard skin. I’d go with the Palm Springs leaf pattern as long as the color matches very well. Have fun!