I've always loved hand-painted scenic wallpaper, but I never thought of using it in the bedroom until I saw this bedroom above, designed by David Netto. How clever, really, to use a paper that traditionally has been used in entryways, dining rooms, and the like. While it may seem incongruous, the use of this paper works in this room, especially when juxtaposed against the modern chrome bed.
It seems that bedroom walls adorned with scenic wallpaper are not all that common- I just can't seem to find too many images of them. One reason could be expense- if you're spending a pretty penny on this hand-painted wallpaper, wouldn't you like to show it off, so to speak, to your guests? (You could bring the party into your bedroom to enjoy your Zuber, but this might be rather awkward.) Also, the painted scenes could be deemed a little busy for a bedroom. This is, after all, the room in which we relax and recharge our batteries, and this could prove difficult with scenes of battles, expeditions, and mercantilism surrounding us.
An easier sell might be the use of a scenic print with softer colors like blues, whites, and silvers. Just look how designer Marcel Rochas used it in his bedroom. Now this is a bedroom I could live in. It's a vision of icy elegance. I think you could also achieve this look with the Zuber print in the Michelle Nussbaumer image below. How gorgeous would that be in a bedroom?
So, what are your thoughts about scenic prints in the bedroom?
Marchel Rochas' bedroom, c. 1954.
A vignette by Dallas designer Michelle Nussbaumer with panels of Zuber paper. (Image courtesy of Veranda, Dec. 06)
Scenic paper looks great anywhere—except a kitchen, though that could be madly wonderful: imagine a very large, very sleek, modern kitchen wrapped by an old-fashioned scenic paper (properly protected, of course). That could be wonderful. I'm very fond of it for bedrooms. The Rochas bedroom is beautiful, though the bed is a bit insane, no? And Netto's bedroom has been a favorite of mine for a while now. The only trouble with scenic paper (if at all) is that you really can't hang anything on it, like mirrors or art, et cetera. That is a small price to pay, however, unlike the cost of the paper!
ReplyDeleteAesthete- Scenic paper in a kitchen would be wonderful! And yes, you're right, you can't nail holes in the paper, but I think I could handle that sacrifice :)
ReplyDeleteI like it. That Netto room especially is genius! I remember the first time I saw the chrome bed and orange throw mixed with the paper -- just amazing.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of scenic paper in the bedroom. It actually makes decorating easier - no need to hang art - it's already up!
ReplyDeleteI too have returned to this photo of Netto's bedroom many times! However, I have to say the third photo reminds me of a Long Island catering hall, and I think it's because there is too much white. The other two rooms have dark accents (the hunter green shades and the black chair) to anchor them, and I think this is what make the difference for me. Also, I think the shells and the white-painted Chippendale furniture (both of which I generally adore when used sparingly) seem hackneyed here.
ReplyDeleteI like scenic in a bedroom, but I agree that if you had to pick one room, I would rather my guests enjoy.
ReplyDeleteAs you know, I'm an eBay nut and I've posted about using scraps of Zuber before. I've bid on single pieces, but I always seem to get outbid. I would love to get one piece and frame it. Regretfully, that's about as close as I will probably ever get to it.
Gilt- That comparison is too funny! I do think, though, that you've got a point about the dark accents grounding the paper in the #1 and #2. That top bedroom is just the best!
ReplyDeleteEclectic- Well, even if you only get one piece, that's still pretty fantastic! I love the idea of framing one piece- that would still be enough to create a striking piece of art.
ReplyDeleteMy mother has had large scenic chinoiserie panels in her bedroom for over 50 years.She has moved them from house to house,just changing their placement & surrounding colorway.She says they help her dream :-)
ReplyDeleteI love that bedroom too! And seemingly a child's room at that.(Nice parents.)I have kept that Veranda image in my head for a long time just because of those paintings. Lovely! :)
ReplyDeleteI remember seeing a hotel penthouse in a magazine (last year?) that had blue chinoiserie painted walls. I though them very elegant. So much so that that treatment is shortlisted for our bedroom. But busier than that? Well, I'm half Greek; you can imagine what it might end up looking like.... "And over here we have the Emperor Constantine...."
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of using a scenic wallpaper in a bedroom -it seems so luxurious - like a crystal chandelier in a bathroom - very chic.
ReplyDeleteLove it. I'm about to use some mod-scenic paper for a client's master-very inviting. I think Miles Redd has been in Domino and maybe elsewhere with de Gournay clad bedrooms and 4 poster beds. Love Miles.Maybe Charlotte Moss has done it too and published if you want more photos? As far as art... if the paper was soft enough and the art strong/graphic enough.. a black and white (al la Franz Kline) would be incredible.
ReplyDeleteAt first glance I wasn't sure how I felt about this, but that first bedroom is really growing on me! Creative post, you've changed my opinion!!
ReplyDelete~Kate
I love David Netto's room too - it look amazing with his choice of furniture especially!
ReplyDeleteThere's a bed on ebay (in New Jersey) at the moment that looks like it may be the same chrome bed that Netto chose for that top room. Super dreamy.
ReplyDeleteMight a stainless-steel kitchen wrapped with a scenic wallpaper would be too Wallpaper*? Just a thought.
ReplyDeleteI could see a scenic in a kitchen with white marble, stainless appl. - but I would use the grey toned paper. A bedroom? dreamy!
ReplyDeleteThese are great examples of scenic walls done tastefully. I really love the four poster chrome bed in the first photo!
ReplyDeleteI love scenic paper !! I think I'v already said that on your blog.
ReplyDeleteI've never thought about scenic paper in my bedroom but I have to think about it ...
Sister Parish and Albert Hadley redid Betsey & Jock Whitney's Greentree Estate (Long Island) guest room into a suite for the visit of the newly married Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon. The room was papered with the Zuber "Scenic America" paper. It was a beautiful room with the wallpaper, the empire drapes on rosettes and the white matelassé headboard. It is one of the most striking bedrooms I've ever seen. It is featured on page 98 & 99 of Parish Hadley, Sixty Years of America Design.
ReplyDeleteZuber paper in my bedroom would be my dream! I'd also like a grisaille mural too.
I'll ask the million dollar question. For an average size room, how much IS the Zuber paper? Does anyone know what it runs per panel? I understand it is available in different scales, depending on the size of the room. I myself could even swoon every night to ONE wall of it, though I'd probably take a second on the house and get the whole room...
Anyone know their pricing structure? Hey! We can dream!
Halcyon- That I don't know, but I'm sure a reader (or readers) could help us. It could be one of those things that once you determine the price, you realize it's not as bad as you thought. But then again, it might be!!!
ReplyDeleteIn our company, we have some Scenic wallpapers to sell. They were produced by Zuber in the 1970s for our company.
ReplyDeleteThey are unrolled and completely new, stocked in perfection condition.
These decors are nearly unique as we have only one or two units per decor left.
We have made a small web site: http://www.inaltera.com/prof/panoramiques.html
We are selling them at very attractive prices. We can ship worldwide.
If you are interested and know people eventually interested, let us know.
INALTERA Export department
deco.international@inaltera.com