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.
Bette Jean says
1st choice is green, 2nd choice is green, 3rd choice is green because it’s green!
Shelley says
Palm Springs first choice, followed very closely by Moby Dick. Looking good!
Andrea says
I am rather conservative and think Old World Map is perfect. Use furnishings to add color. The others would be sensory overload!
Linda says
Palm Springs. The contrasting color pops more against all the warm tones in this room and the green will give a sense of bringing the outside in, even though it’s not a tree/plant pattern specifically. It will look great!
Kathy says
I think the green in Palm Springs complement your curtains and couch and make them the star of the room. It is also somewhat related to the dining room in pattern, but not color.
My second choice is Antique Map. The seashells color is nice but the pattern is too much, and the rope trellis is too dark. Of course, I think the paint is quite nice too.
Tom says
The map and Palm Springs are cool but I would suggest this http://sunsetbamboo.com/matting.html
The Abaca cloth is priced well at 2’ wide x 30’ long for $36.00
Abaca cloth http://sunsetbamboo.com/matting/abaca-cloth.html
Brooke says
The bamboo rolled panels could be very nice as well. Cool link, thanks for posting it
Ree says
I vote for the old world map. There are so many other wonderful textures, patterns, and color in the room that I would let the ceiling remain “neutral” but interesting in its own way. Whatever you choose, the result is going to be stunning.
Brooke says
If you’re going to put a pattern on the ceiling I also vote for Palm Springs. I find the map colour clashes with the leopard, the shells would be way too busy with everything else, the ropes are OK but I find everything looks like it’s going pretty brown in the room. Palm Springs would brighten the space, it looks like palm fronds and the green will tie in nicely with the curtains. I think it’ll give it more of a tiki hut feel than any of the others. I don’t think it’ll be too sophisticated, it’ll read more subtle than a lot of the other but still have the tiki feel.
Green grass cloth would also be nice 🙂 I know you said your don’t want to use grass cloth but it would add the texture you’re looking for but without all the business of the other patterns. It comes in lots of colours so if you don’t like the natural colour you could go with a shade of green
Jay says
Me likes subtle – Old World Map (doesn’t fight the leopard print walls), but subtle you ain’t so I’m guessing for you either the Moby Dick or Palm Springs. This should be interesting!
Ranger Smith says
Ah Pam, these are all great choices, however I’ve got to say that the old world map would be the best in my book. It says Pirate and Rum to me. Then again, many things say Rum to me but I digress. Another reason I like it best is that I think it would compliment and not compete with the other patterns and colors you have. I can hardly wait to see the finished room! From what you’ve shared thus far, I can tell you’re really creating something special.
Patience says
Your pirates and rum comment makes me think about Pam maybe stenciling stuff on top of the map! You know, a few X Marks the Spot, some meandering trails here and there, maybe some tiny ships or treasure chests…that kinda stuff.
Ranger Smith says
Too funny! Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate’s life for me!