Wallpaper of the Week - Marimekko Bo Boo aka Lots of Lovely Bright Cars

http://www.wallpaperdirect.co.uk/products/brewers/bo-boo/74629

I have the builders back in on Tuesday (again) the last room to receive its first coat of Barnes' paint ! Its small1's bedroom that he's had to make-do with being decorated with a bit of bunting until now. He wants blue - he always wants blue...remember the disappointment when the 'white' bath turned up for the blue bathroom ? He's already asked whether the original Edwardian green glass panels in his windows are going to be changed to blue - I'm trying to manage his expectations !!

So... I'm on the hunt for a wallpaper, when I came across this fab primary coloured cars, vans, lorry, buses wallpaper. Its from Marimekko and I fell for it instantly - its everything that I love in a paper - clean, crisp, bold but doesn't take over (bit like the wine I'm drinking while I write !)

But here's the dilemma...he's 4 years old, if I show him this paper he'll love it (anything with wheels). Two years ago and I wouldn't have thought twice, (well I probably would have cringed at the price £54.95 a roll for a child's bedroom) but at 4 and starting school in September I can practically guarantee that by this time next year he'll think of it as 'babyish' - the realisation hit - I've missed the boat...I no longer have a toddler to appreciate it !

So, I'm off to carry on my hunt, but if you have a toddler please take a look at it - I'm sure that someone out there can give it a loving home !

Wallpaper of the Week - Love a bit of Disney (with taste)

http://www.wallpaperdirect.co.uk/collections/kids-home/disney-kids-home/573

It could be said (as we pack our bags to set sail (volcanic ash permitting) on Disney Magic around the Med) that the Barnes' are a bit partial to Disney. I was a sceptic but they just know how to 'do things' and they generally tend to do things with bells on. I came across the new launch of wallpapers and my initial thought was 'Urghh how cheesey is this going to be', followed by 'I must remember not to let Small1 see this or he'll be desperate for it'. I was very pleasantly surprised.

Yes, they have character and colour overload, but alongside the bright imagery above (most of which are one off stickers rather than very busy pattern repeats) they have a great range of co-ordinating paints and more interestingly wallpapers. I have been searching for a blue based stripe for weeks and faster than you can type Miska Mouska Mickey Mouse ...there is it - with no indication what so ever that its linked to the Mouse Man himself. Alongside the traditional character wallpaper each 'brand' has its own plain, stripe, maxi sticker and then a variation on the original wallpaper that is a bit more subtle and stylised. Yes, its aimed at the children but there has been some consideration for the parents that also have to live with it.

My advice would be don't be put off by the fact that its Disney, give it a chance and it may be that there is something that would fit every one's plans. (Just for the record, I wouldn't recommend it for the living room)

Wallpaper of the Week - Bloomsbury Scarlet

http://www.villanova.co.uk/collections/bloomsbury-wallcoverings/scarlet

What a way to start March with the sun making a welcome appearance after what feels like months of grey drizzle or mushy dirty snow. I can yet again believe that there may be other seasons of the year that don't make me want to hibernate. Even if today's weather is just a cruel reminder before another week of hail, it does act to give hope that we may in the near future move into Spring. So, to celebrate this I have selected a nice bright, fresh 'bloom' for this week's wallpaper.

From Villa Nova's Bloomsbury collection this is the Scarlet colourway of this subtle, pretty, delicate pattern. Its unobtrusive yet the colours are quite strong and the scarlet sits perfectly against the turquoise (reported as 'the' colour of 2010). Also available in other colours such as Kelp and Cayenne there is plenty of choice if you are after a more neutral schemes. And as you would expect from Villa Nova there are a whole host of fabrics to complement, contrast and co-ordinate with your scheme, taking away any chance of 'getting it wrong'.

Wallpaper of the Week - Masquerade Collection

http://www.wallpaperdirect.co.uk/collections/vymura/masquerade/565

Such a lovely vibrant (aka loud) collection to brighten things up on this cold, grey February morning. New from Vymura it the Masquerade Collection. The image above is of a pattern called Orianna available in three stunning colourways, deep purple, hot pink and silver. All of them laced with iridescent inks and glitter for stunning visual effects.

They are classic in design just brought bang up to date with the colour choices, enabling them to be used to maximum effect in both a traditional or modern setting.

Other papers within this collection include a large scale intricate damask, Adalia, a bold stripe version of Orianna and a Filigree which I have to admit that I personally question its cohesion.

All very reasonably priced at £16.99 a roll, if you are looking for a feature wall to add a bit of life to a drab grey day then this is definitely a collection to consider.

Wallpaper of the Week - Fashion

http://www.wallpaperdirect.co.uk/products/ferm-living/fashion/71618

A quirky one for you this morning, its from a collection by Ferm Living and is called Fashion. Featuring rows of models with a whole host of accessories, striking various 'catalogue' poses !

The black and white makes an ideal focal point for a monochrome scheme that I would keep to a modern property. Ideal for a hallway or those rooms where you can get away with it....the good old downstairs loo springs to mind. On the flip side, it would look stunning in a modern double height room where you would be able to drop huge long lengths. Also to be considered would be commercial use, whether that be in an office, reception area or shop....quite versatile really...

Wallpaper of the Week - Playtime Collection

http://www.wallpaperdirect.co.uk/collections/casadeco/playtime/558

I find children's wallpaper can be quite tricky to select. There are lots of cars and fairies around but this new range from Casadeco caught my attention initially because of the little Japanese Harajuku lady (she reminds me of the lovely Momji collection). On looking into it further, I found that not only did they have 'tasteful' papers and boarders for girls but also for boys.

The range has 5 options in total Deers, Huts, Hills, Hearts and Japanese (as shown above) with supporting papers to complement such as a delicate all over floral design and a simple stripe. All equally desirable that I have failed to choose one as a wallpaper of the week and instead gone for Wallpaper Range of the Week. Its the attention to detail that makes it for the me, the bird sat on the Deer's antlers and the little ducks swimming in the pond on the hill.

It goes without saying that I would suggest using them in a children's bedroom or playroom and don't really think they would work any further afield. Pricing wise they are £20 per boarder and £21 per roll for wallpaper, not the cheapest but would probably have a longer life than a more specific character wallpaper that may get grown out of sooner.