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.
Kathleen says
The Palm Springs is my choice. It may seem too sophisticated right now, but it will recede and become a glimpse of colorful texture once the room is furnished and populated.
The maps are a close second for the wanderlust that choice inspires. I just don’t think the pattern stands out enough to be epic.
ineffablespace says
Did you look in the “8 or more double rolls” section of Hannah’s Treasures at some of the “Fine Graphics” papers? They are textured but more tweedy and less of a pattern than your current options:
https://hannahstreasures.com/collections/8-or-more-double-rolls/products/1940s-fine-graphics-vintage-wallpaper-rw215
https://hannahstreasures.com/collections/8-or-more-double-rolls/products/1940s-fine-graphics-vintage-wallpaper-vs106
https://hannahstreasures.com/collections/8-or-more-double-rolls/products/1950s-fine-graphics-vintage-wallpaper-bg148
Pam Kueber says
Ohhhhh I have obsessively looked at every paper, from Hannah’s and from others. I have a sample of the second one in your link fest — color was too pink. Green one, weave too much like sectional. Last one, meh.
Natasha says
palm springs
Kelley says
Bradbury & Bradbury Seashell Cream!!!! FAR AND AWAY!
Diane says
I wholeheartedly second this! I had Bradbury & Bradbury’s circlet ceiling paper in our old house, the mica on the surface made the ceiling GLOW!! I cannot stress the beauty of a glowing ceiling!
Phillip says
Of them all, I like the green weave pattern
Stella says
The Royal Hawaiian in Laguna Beach CA, right behind my house when I lived there, had bamboo ceilings..not the split kind, but whole 1″ bamboo. Always think of tiki lounges with lots of bamboo. Thanks for the link..I ordered a roll of the cherry paper. So exciting!
Beth says
What — you can’t have multiple “ceilings” in your tiki bar? Looks like you have three sections — so three of the four papers could get used.
opinion — I like the map, but to me that’s the expected choice. I like the pop of the palm and the drama of the rope. I don’t think the coral works because the scale is too close to the walls. it’s confusing to my eye.
Mark says
How about a canopy of tropical leaves?
https://www.google.com/search?q=tropical+leaves+wallpaper&rlz=1C1GGRV_enUS760US760&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiC-anK_ZDWAhXI7oMKHetICzUQ_AUICigB&biw=1920&bih=950#imgrc=_
Lynn-O-Matic says
That’s exactly what I was thinking!
Barb says
I agree! The one in your link with the fronds and pink flowers is especially tropical.
Brooke says
This option could be pretty cool. If you found one with either a black or a blue background it might be like looking through palm fronds at night or during the day. Neat!
Mae says
The Old World Map is the one that would be the best choice of tying everything together. The other three are cool but does not quite fit the equation. Too busy. The World Map has the subtleness to make a point but not over power the rest of the room. Also it fits so well with the mysteriousness( Is that a word? lol) of a TIKI lounge and the dreaminess of adventure. And it also contemplates the beautiful framed map on the wall.
As for having a TV. The room is supposed to be a place to relax and be enjoyed and honestly I didn’t even notice it when looking thru the pictures. Beautiful room!
and
Roberta says
I think you should stencil instead of paper. Easier to fix if you hate it later on.