Wallpaper On My Mind

If you're as taken with wallpaper as I then you must pick up Wallpaper: A History of Style and Trends by Carolle Thibaut-Pomerantz. So very interesting, and you will want to paper your world with scenic prints galore. The photos are absolutely gorgeous, like this below:


Le Palais-Royal, c. 1808-11 (maker unknown). According to Thibaut-Pomerantz, this example is a precursor to scenic decors. The grisaille paper is mounted on an eight-leaf screen; the blue background is hand brushed. I knew I had seen a similar scenic paper before.


Here is a strikingly familiar scene in the 1953 House and Garden's Complete Guide to Interior Decoration. Surprisingly, there is no mention of the screen- only the Bristol blue walls, the wall to wall carpet, and the damask fabric. Is it a reproduction? I'm assuming so.

And then I started to think about this paper:


An 18th c. inspired scenic paper designed by Georges Geffroy, installed in the bed-living room of designer Marcel Rochas.

So now I'm on the hunt for grisaille paper with a blue background. Any ideas where to look for reproductions?

(Image #2, Wallpaper: A History of Style and Trends by Carolle Thibaut-Pomerantz, Flammarion 2008.)

Chinese Scenic Paper

As of late, some of the most popular handpainted wallpapers seem to be those bird, flower, and tree prints by de Gournay (see above) and Gracie. Certainly they are lovely, easy to live with, and quite elegant too. And if someone wanted to make a donation of this paper to my home, I would not refuse. However, what I wish to see more of is the colorful, exuberant scenic Chinese paper that once adorned some of America's finest homes.



Of course Winterthur's Chinese Parlor is one of the most famous rooms in America. The Chinese paper was painted between 1775 and 1800 is known as "Pastimes and Leisure Scenes of Chinese Life" because it depicts scenes of Chinese people strolling through gardens and studying. Henry Francis Du Pont obtained the paper from designer Nancy McClelland in 1928. Because the paper panels were 12 feet long, Du Pont had to create a room tall enough to accommodate the paper's length.


A detail of the Chinese Parlor's paper.


Henry Davis Sleeper purchased this scenic paper in the early 20th century for his summer home Beauport. In what is called The China Trade Room, the paper depicts both the rice and the porcelain trades. The paper dates back to late 18th century when it was originally imported from China by the Philadelphia banker Robert Morris, although Morris never used the panels. The paper remained crated until it was discovered in the early 1900s.


Even Billy Baldwin had an appreciation for this paper in this 1950s era room that he designed.

What I've also noticed is that gloriously unrestrained architectural details and valances seem to go hand in hand with this colorful Chinese paper. There is often fretwork molding, pagoda pediments over doorways and windows, and scrolled pelmets that decorate these Chinese themed rooms. Unfortunately, papering an entire room in scenic wallpaper can be rather expensive, and some people might be apprehensive about having that much color and pattern on one's walls. However, what about framing a panel or two to hang on the walls? At the very least, I might be tempted to copy some of those wonderful valances for my windows.


(Image at top courtesy of de Gournay. Chinese Parlor photo #1 from Winterthur's flickr photostream; Chinese Parlor photo #2 from HOUSE AND GARDEN'S NEW COMPLETE GUIDE TO INTERIOR DECORATION: FIFTH EDITION). Beauport photo from their website. Billy Baldwin photo from House & Garden's Complete Guide to Interior Decoration.)

Katie Ridder Hits a Home Run

Just this past Monday, I was waxing poetic about vintage prints from the 1920s and 30s and was wondering whatever happened to the unique prints of yesteryear? Well, I just received some samples from Katie Ridder's new wallpaper line, and I think that I found those unique prints. To me, Katie's designs are vintage in spirit, but they're completely "now" too.

One thing that really struck me about the entire line is the color- it's so rich that it practically jumps off of the paper. Don't get me wrong, though. The color nor the prints knock you over the head. But these are the kind of prints that make you stand up and take notice, and isn't that nice for a change? Oh, and they're exuberant too. I think it's time for some exuberance in design. We certainly could use it!

(I scanned my samples in hopes that you could get an accurate idea of the amazing colors. For more colorways, visit Katie Ridder's site. I really recommend getting some samples so that you can see the paper in person. It's gorgeous stuff! The wallpaper is available through Holland and Sherry showrooms.)


"Leaf" in Black. Wouldn't this look great in an entryway or a powder room?


"Beetlecat" in Blue. Such a charming print, and to me it's evocative of those great 1920s and 30s prints.


"Peony" in Pink. Sweet, but not at all saccharine. A great option for those who are on the fence about florals.


"Attendants" in Pink. I think this is my favorite print- I adore it!! Those wonderful shades of pink against the gray background are stunning.


"Moon Flower" in Red. Great color combination, and the metallic pattern on the moons adds some gleam.


"Oiseau" in Chocolate. For those who like more subtle prints, this one is for you.

Image at top: "Seaweed" in Green. This print has a Deco vibe to me. Beautiful!

Spatter Pattern

And no, it's not the spatter pattern that is discussed so frequently in episodes of "CSI". It's "Spatter", and it's one of my favorite Hinson prints. Designed by Harry Hinson in 1974, the print was inspired by the spatter motif found often in Colonial ceramicware (this according to a 2001 New York Times article). The article also mentioned that it's a print that counts Albert Hadley and Jeffrey Bilhuber amongst its fans. I've also read that Billy Baldwin used it in his Nantucket home, but I can't find a photo.

So, just where can you use a print like "Spatter"? Well, Harry Hinson used it in his East Hampton home (shown above), and I was thrilled to see it in another Hamptons house designed by Tom Scheerer (and featured in the August '08 issue of House Beautiful). But I do think you can use it in a city home too. How about in a powder room? Or a kitchen? Just think of "Spatter" as a modern take on early Americana.

And speaking of Americana, I was curious about Hinson's supposed inspiration for this print. Just what was spatter and how was it used during Colonial times? Well, one of the prime examples is spatterware. According to a ceramic curator at Winterthur, spatterware was originally manufactured in England where it was known as spongeware. As spongeware was not particularly popular in England, most of it was shipped to the American colonies where it became known as spatterware. And it was here in America where spatterware became extremely popular, especially amongst the Pennsylvania Germans. Sponge and spatter painting was also used on furniture, walls, and floors during this era.

So although I can't corroborate whether Hinson was actually inspired by spatterware or not, it's something to ponder. If you would like to learn more about spatterware, you should visit Winterthur. Henry Francis du Pont was a major collector of it, and there is a magnificent display of his collection in Spatterware Hall at Winterthur. Or you can read more about his collection here in an interview with du Pont's daughter, the lucky recipient of some of her father's collection.


(Many thanks to everyone at Winterthur for assisting me in my research of spatterware.)



Two images of Scheerer's fabulous wallpaper selection for an East Hampton cottage (image from House Beautiful, Aug 08; Simon Upton photographer).


A Spatterware platter, c. 1825-1855, Staffordshire England. Does this not look modern to you? Bequest of Henry Francis du Pont; image courtesy of Winterthur.


Spatterware pitcher, c. 1825-1855, Staffordshire England. Bequest of Henry Francis du Pont. Image courtesy of Winterthur.


Four examples of Spatterware jugs, c. 1825-1855, Staffordshire England. Bequest of Henry Francis du Pont. Photo courtesy of Winterthur.

Image at top: "Spatter" in blue and white on the walls and curtains of Harry Hinson's East Hampton dining room.

Print Prozac

I was so excited to open the October issue of House Beautiful and see an article on "Happy Prints". Because you see, this is totally me. As I'm writing this post I'm sitting in my bedroom, and it's depressing me terribly. The walls are coated in wallpaper primer which make them look cold and sterile. I am counting the days until my wallpaper- yes, a print- arrives so that my bedroom can be transformed into a room that makes me feel chic and happy. In the meantime, I have to get up and run into another room to look at color and my other prints for a temporary lift.

I adore prints that have pep and spunk. I love prints that make you stand up and take notice. Of course I do believe in the old adage to beware of too much of a good thing. In fact, my love of prints has forced me to be a ruthless editor. I've got so many that I would love to use but... not enough space and too little time.

The way I work with happy prints is by toning them down a bit with the use of sophisticated color. Because my other love is color. I absolutely cannot live without it. The irony of it all is that I don't wear color. Occasionally a little pale blue, but mostly blacks and grays. Not only is this practical, but it makes me feel elegant too. But in my home I prefer prints with pizzazz combined with rich color. And when I say rich I don't mean bright, because that's not me either. I'm thinking creamy blues, mossy greens, aubergine, even powdery pink.

Now, I'm not immune to the charms and the quiet elegance of a neutral room. In fact, one of my very favorite Billy Baldwin rooms is one that is rather monochromatic and neutral. But for my own home? It's all about color and prints. Because at the end of the day, that is what makes me happy.


Chinoiserie prints always make me sing, especially those that are not so serious. I have two chairs upholstered in "Ping" (Scalamandre), and they make me very happy.


And all of Sister Parish Designs' prints are upbeat, especially "Chou Chou"


How about Meloire Reverse from Quadrille/Alan Campbell? This might just get your mind off of the economy- at least temporarily!


"Asparagus Plaid" by Brunschwig is such a funny print. While it's not my style, I can definitely see where it might make others smile.


Again, not a print for everybody, but it might be just the thing for a porcelain collector. "Imari Trophy Plate" by Carlton Varney


Prints don't have to bold, colorful, or whimsical to make you happy. I used this Tyler Hall print- "Exeter"- in my old powder room, and it gave the room some flair... which in turn made me happy!

Image at top: A room designed by Albert Hadley- in my mind, the pied piper of the happy, handsome, and understated print. His fabric and wallpaper for Hinson is by far my favorite.

Haute Couture for the Walls

I've long admired British designer Alidad's interiors. They're luxurious, opulent, and rather grand. You almost feel like you've stepped back in time- a Russian tsarina or a French nobleman might feel quite at home in these rooms. What strikes me most, though, is his treatment of a room's walls. Not one to be content with a little paint or some simple paper, Alidad adorns walls with stamped leather, bespoke wallpaper, and verre églomisé panels. The effect is one that is enchanting and hypnotizing.

There has been much discussion lately about whether luxury is dead. In fashion, the argument is debatable. But with artistry such as Alidad's haute couture wall coverings, I don't think the same could be said for interior design.


A dining room wtih verre églomisé panels (at top is another view of the dining room)


A detail shot of a verre églomisé panel by Alidad (based on an antique design)


"Opium" bespoke wallpaper


A library with "Opium" covered walls


A dining room with "Tree of Life" stamped leather panels


A close up of "Tree of Life"


"Pomegranate" leather wall panels

Schumacher- Spring 2008

Schumacher has recently unveiled its new fabric and wallpaper offerings for Spring 2008, and there's something for everyone. Graphic prints? Check. Soft, faded paisley? Yes, its' there too. Saul Steinberg prints? Absolutely! Here is just a smattering of the new additions.

What is also nice is that Schumacher has just introduced its new website that is almost fully functional (keep checking back in the near future for the "official" unveiling with additional capabilities). In the meantime, though, there is enough on the site to keep you up into the wee hours of the morning dreaming of prints, chintzes, and paper. Not a bad way to spend the evening, eh?


"Cachemire Fiorentina" cotton fabric in Spice. Such a beautiful colorway.


"New York, New York" wallcovering in Black on White. Both this print and "Aviary" wallcovering at top were designed by Saul Steinberg in the 1950s. I think his drawings are so charming!


"Ruhlmann Velvet" fabric in Mink/Platinum. I love the faux-bois design of this velvet.


"Shirala Paisley" linen in Delft


"High Voltage" linen & cotton fabric in Berry and Spice.


"Zimba" wallcovering in Glacier

What's in a Name?

Don't you just love the pattern names of fabrics and wallpapers? I would assume that a fair amount of thought goes into choosing the names as they're an important part of defining the style and spirit of a particular print. It seems that exotic locales, grand estates, and women's names top the popularity list. As I'm sure you've noticed, there are certain names that are used by many different lines, but the similarities end here. It's interesting (at least to me!) to see the different interpretations amongst the various lines. Here is just a sampling:


"Shanghai" wallpaper by Scalamandre


"Shanghai" fabric by John Stefanidis



"Yin" silk fabric by Scalamandre


"Yang" linen fabric by Scalamandre


"Yin Yang" fabric by John Stefanidis


"Saigon" wallpaper by Clarence House


"Saigon" wallpaper by Cole and Son


"Tabriz" fabric by Clarence House


"Tabriz" by Thibaut


"Antoinette" fabric by Vervain


"Antoinette" wallpaper by Tyler Hall


"Peacock" wallpaper by Hamilton Weston


"Peacock" fabric by Robert Kime


"Bagatelle" wallpaper by Tyler Hall


"Bagatelle" fabric by Michael Devine