Terrific Trellis

The use of trellis on indoor walls has been quite popular over the past few years, especially with the increased interest in the work of Elsie de Wolfe. It was de Wolfe who introduced this decorative element as part of her design for the Colony Club in New York back in 1905. It was, in a way, a call to arms to banish the tired, heavy Victorian look and to embrace a lighter and more modern way of thinking about design.

Trellis is perfect for rooms such as sunrooms and solariums, breakfast rooms, and even sunny dining rooms. It can be applied over white walls or colorful walls (such as a bright green or pale blue), or even used over mirrored walls for a glamorous, albeit over the top, look. You can paint the trellis white or make it graphic by painting it a darker, contrasting color. If this all seems like a lot of trouble, perhaps you might want to choose a stylish trellis-print wallpaper. However one chooses to use it, it is important to use good quality trellis and to keep the furnishings in the room rather simple. After all, you wouldn't want to overshadow that fabulous trellis!



Entrance Hall given the Trellis treatment by Nicholas Haslam (photo courtesy of Southern Accents)


Trellis in a poolhouse designed by Paul Garzotto (photo courtesy of Southern Accents)


Maine home of Gwen McCaw (photo courtesy of Vogue)


Palm Beach breakfast room by designer Carolyn Malone and architects Norman Askins and Bill Litchfield (photo courtesy of Southern Accents)

Photo at top of Sarah Jessica Parker in a fabulous trellised room (photo from Vogue)