Wallpaper of the Week : Multi Stem, Orla Kiely for Harlequin

Two weeks on the run for a Wallpaper of the Week post ! So on this dull summer morning here is a bit of bright vibrantness that added to a dose of Berroca might hopefully kick start your day !

This week's wallpaper is from one of my favourite designers, Orla Kiely, who last year joined forces with Harlequin to launch a fantastic range of wallpapers and fabrics in some of her classic patterns.

The range showcases her simplified style and approach to design with linear patterns and geometric shapes alongside retro flowers that really pack a punch ! Designs ranging from Multi Stem (shown above), Giant Rhododendron, Scribble and Flower Tile all complement each other fantastically to either work as standalone features or alongside each other within the same scheme.

The colourways are reminiscent of my childhood back in the 80s, when the chintz was on its way in but the remains of the orange and browns from the 70s were still looming large (blimey I'm getting on aren't I ?) The tones of colour are soft and muted with names such as Mole, Seagreen, Tea Rose and Poppy, they will really give life to any neutral area.

Wallpaper of the Week : Arkona Iola by Harlequin

I have had several not so subtle hints dropped about how I should be doing Wallpaper of the Weeks again ...so after over a year away from the blog and inspired by a Dining Room project that I have recently been involved in, here is my latest Wallpaper of the Week ....

From my long term favourites Harlequin, its Iola wallpaper from their Arkona range. Its described as ‘An archive inspired vintage design reminiscent of the Art Deco movement’, I would personally use the word ‘lush’.

There is a gorgeous delicate texture to the paper giving it a rich parchment feel, that is then overlaid with a stunning shimmer from the main background colour. Layer on top of this the delicate blossoms or grapes, whichever is your personal take on it and you get a striking wall of design. The dining room in question has beautiful dark wood furniture that complements the design perfectly.

The paper is available in eight colour ways that range from the flamboyant 'Cranberry, Charcoal and Pale Gold’ to the more subtle ‘Cappuccino, Pale Gold and Neutral’. The paper shown above is ‘Grape, Charcoal, Lime and Neutral’ although I would suggest that ‘Gold’ would be a clearer description.

As always, any comments, feedback or questions are more than welcome
Sarah

Wallpaper of the Week - Dragonfly by Scion

A statement wallpaper with a delicate feel to it for this weeks Wallpaper of the Week, its called Dragonfly and comes from the first wallpaper collection from Scion, Melinki.

The simple shape and large scale highlights the delicate single brushstroke of the Dragonfly’s body, adding a stunning feature and colour to the room.

Its available in seven different colour-ways, various combinations of earthy tones with blues and greens and as I am now proud to be a stockist of Scion, if you would like a sample or to see more from the range please get in touch and I will arrange it for you as soon as possible.

Wallpaper of the Week - Elodie by Harlequin (Ideas for Classic French Styled Bedroom)

Following on from last weeks Farfalla Wallpaper, this weeks Wallpaper of the Week was another alternative paper that I shortlisted for a brief of creating a feature wall for a Classic French styled bedroom.

A very traditional floral pattern but with a hint of modern thanks to a lovely shimmery finish on the background areas that will reflect back light into the room. The colours are gold and cream but as this image demonstrates, there is an underlying pinkness which will be great for enhancing a warm cosy feeling without changing the overall colour scheme of the room.

Alongside plain textured roman blinds and curtains, one wall of this paper behind the bed-head will really bring together the whole scheme.

Available in five alternative colour ways please give me a call if you would like to receive a sample.

Wallpaper of the Week - Farfalla by Nina Campbell

Over the next few weeks, I plan to share with you some lovely wallpapers that I shortlisted for a feature wall in Classic French style master bedroom. The client had requested a luxurious, comfortable room style, with a restful and calm feel about it. They selected very traditional styled painted furniture and the piece de resistance was a beautiful French Bed with soft golden cream woven detailing. I put together two  paint schemes using some gorgeous whites taken from the Dulux Heritage palette and then set about bringing the whole thing together with a feature wallpaper.

This paper is a “Marmite” wallpaper. (Small1 would tell me thats not a proper sentence because it doesn’t have a connective in it ...but hey he’s 6 and I’m 36) I personally am not a lover of fluttery, flappy insect-like things however, this paper and the selection of colours that are delicately represented in the different varieties, for me, just has everything needed to create a WOW factor that has just the right amount of impact to make a statement without taking over.

Its available in four colourways, with backgrounds that are black, jade green, gold and cream and each is lush in its own right. The fern background adds a subtle soft contrast and really lets the butterflies come alive off the paper.

If you would like to see more of this paper or the other colour ways please drop me a line and I’ll get a sample across to you asap..

Wallpaper of the Week - Lacarno by Harlequin

An example this week of what a bit of marketing photography and room styling can do to influence your decision on selecting a wallpaper.

I recently had a meeting with my Harlequin rep and was flicking through the very lovely, very Harlequinny Folia Collection, when I came across the sheet showing the above wallpaper 'Uh, I'm not sure on that' was my initial response. I then turned the page and saw this image of it 'in real life' and my opinion was very quickly changed.

I think the way that the white background in the paper lightens the room, which could have felt quite dark with the stone flooring is fantastic. The liberal use of white paint obviously helps this matter, but if the paint had been slapped on everywhere then this lovely character and feel wouldn't come across.

The clever blend of colours within the wallpaper still gives scope for numerous complementary colours and doesn't limit you - something to be avoided in a busy area such as a hallway as there are always items left there that aren't part of the 'plan'.

If anyone would like a sample then please feel free to get in touch

Wallpaper of the Week - Bella by Tektura

Its been a while I know (and sincere apologies to the M-i-L who is apparently bored of the previous post !!) but I have been in the very privileged position of being run off my feet with design work (yaay !).

Anyway, a few weeks ago, I had my first meeting with my lovely sales lady from Tektura. Now I haven't used commercial papers in the past but I had had conversations with Tektura at a Dulux conference and been really impressed and pleasantly surprised by their designs and finishes. The depth and detail that they are able to show in their patterns is amazing - and there it was, my wallpaper mojo had returned !

So this is my first offering, can you believe it, nearly in April and its the first Wallpaper of the Week of 2011 !! Bella by Tektura shown above in Turquoise but also available in a soft gold, silver and cream with co-ordinating plain papers too ! Now here's the science bit, the papers are non-woven fibres ie made of polyester and cellulose and the pattern is added in natural sand ! Yep, like you get on the beach (well its probably not taken out of an actual sandcastle but you get my drift)

I love the pattern, its not too damasky, not too florally, not to trailing but gives a great balance of pattern to background paper. The turquoise is obviously going to add a feature colour to a room but the alternative colours will work well as a neutral setting for any coordinating scheme.

If anyone is interested in using this or any of the other Tektura papers (www.tektura.com) then please give me a call and I would be delighted to help...

Image featured thanks to Tektura Wallcoverings

Wallpaper of the Week - Iola Rose by Harlequin

http://www.harlequin.uk.com/collection.aspx?ID=69&P=9&C=

My Harlequin love continues this week, with what is my favourite new collection of the season 'Boutique' - I can't wait for my sample book to arrive (Sad admission of morning !)

There are nine designs within the collection, ranging from florals, both bright and stunningly subtle, to abstract motifs and stripes. The colours are exquisite, so clean and crisp and incorporating a shimmer effect in places to provide an additional lift.

The paper shown today is called Iola Rose and is also available in a light pink rose with a pale green background. I have chosen this particular paper as the warmth from the colour brightened up my desk on this cold autumnal morning. Its so rich and vibrant that it would add a dash of luxury to any room.

Wallpaper of the Week - Gardenia by Harlequin

http://www.harlequin.uk.com/collection.aspx?ID=67&P=1&C=

I have to admit that the reduced number of Wallpaper of the Week posts hasn't been purely down to the fact that the work load is going off the Richter Scale (yaay !) but down to the fact that I was getting a little low on ideas of wallpapers to share....then there was Focus and Decorex ....

Oh how things can change in the course of a week.

For those of you who don't know last week was officially London Trade Fair week when even us Northerners are allowed to taste the Chelsea air and view all of the new launches ready for 2011. I've got so many new got-to-have papers I didn't really know where to start ...

This gorgeous delicate wallpaper is from one of Harlequin's new collections entitled Juniper. The paper shown is Gardenia, depicting soft lilac and pale green alliums. The lilac and green was a popular colour combination seen around the shows. The Juniper Collection includes some gorgeous co-ordinating fabrics some of which can be seen on the bed cushions in the image.

I am going to be suggesting the wallpaper to clients for both bedroom schemes and living room schemes. The muted colours allow it to blend easily into existing schemes adding a freshness, brightening up a room against this dull wet weather !