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 - Persephone by Clarissa Hulse for Harlequin

Another week and another wallpaper... from the same Kallianthi Collection as last week but a gorgeous duck egg and silver paper called Persephone. The subtle but effective vertical stripes in the background colour are enhanced by a two tone silvery overlay of leaf patterns combining to give a stunning overall impact.

Its available in six different colour ways ranging from a quite heavy dark grey with mustardy lime leaves through a striking sage with shocking pink leaves to a gentle beige with silver and matt white. The extent of the variations adapt the paper from an 'in-your-face-wallpaper-wall' to a beautifully calm scene as the image shows above.

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 - Mimi by Harlequin

http://www.harlequin.uk.com/collection.aspx?ID=69&P=7&C=

Hmm how lush is this ? The delicate white flowers against the soft grey background, just so pretty yet classic all the same.

Its another one from the Boutique collection by Harlequin, yes I'm still loving it ! The imagery here with the white sofa and silver and glass accessories works so well, I'm desperate to give it a try in real life !

The subtle pattern makes this design easy to use in any situation, it would be ideal in a reception room or a bedroom.

One thing to consider is that in some positions it could make the room appear to be a little cold. I would suggest that it would work best along with natural daylight that is coming from a South or Westerly direction (with naturally red or orangey light).

Image courtesy of Harlequin Harris 2010

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 !

Wallpaper of the Week - Wow ! This years best selling wallpaper *

http://www.wallpaperdirect.co.uk/products/brewers/wow-from-albany/73710

What would you think would be Britain's most popular wallpaper design ? I would have said something subtle, something classic and something quite neutral in colour....How wrong was I ?? The bold, vivid, geometric design above is the best selling wallpaper for Wallpaper Direct in 2010. What a courageous old bunch we are !!

The paper is from the Albany WOW ! range and reasonably priced at £19.99 / roll. A perfect statement pattern, I would expect more often than not is being used on a feature wall rather than an entire room. I would add a light, silvery dove grey to the other walls to add a neutral base and really set off the wallpaper.

Geometric designs are great for using in any reception room or hall-way. The bright vibrant colours will add a lovely warm feel to any surroundings (although I'd keep away from bedrooms and go for a calmer colourway).

Thanks Aaron at Wallpaper Direct for his help - follow them on twitter at @lovedecorating

* Source : Wallpaper Direct 2010 YTD

Wallpaper of the Week - Songbird by Anna French

http://www.annafrench.co.uk/collections/wild-flora/songbirds/index.shtml

As part of 'Big Plan' (more details to follow) I have been researching a few new trade accounts to set up. To my delight I stumbled across a beautiful range of wallpapers that has such amazing finishes from flocked to a tarnished foil that actually gives a mirrored look !! (Wallpaper does have an odd effect on me, its quite bizarre, when I discover a new range I'm like a kid in a toy shop - I found them on Tuesday morning and have been trying to grab a second ever since to look into them further !)

The range is from Anna French (a division of Thibaut) and is called 'Wild Flora'. If you're not a floral fan don't be put off by the name - its not all flowers ! Anyway, I'm going to stretch this one out and stick to delivering what the title states - 'A' Wallpaper of the Week.

The first one that I have chosen (that's a lie Small1 chose it as I was torn between two) is called Songbirds. I have to admit that it was the finish rather than the design that initially caught my eye. The image above shows it in 'Gold on Tarnished Foil' however, there are seven versions available ranging from 'Grey Pencil on White' to 'Gold on Purple'. Just flicking through the different colours shows how a completely different effect can be achieved by changing the base colours and textures, if you didn't know that they had the same pattern, you probably wouldn't link them together.

This range of finishes also has a range of price tags - ranging from around £60 up to £80 a roll - its not cheap but its very beautiful and doesn't deserve to be hidden away - if you are going to spend on what could be a considered a work of art it needs to be hung where it can be admired. I'd love to see it in an entrance hall sitting behind a classic console table.

Be warned, this range has really got to me, and its so diverse due to the range of patterns and effects that you're going to be seeing a lot more of it over coming weeks !

Wallpaper of the Week - Scribble by Flame Interiors

Isn't this fab ? You've seen it somewhere before haven't you ? You just can't quite put your finger on where it was right ?... Wrong !

This is a very special one off design created by Fiona Flame of Flame Interiors to meet the brief of a client who knew exactly what he was after.

Fiona met with her client, a jeweller, who was looking for assistance with the interior design of his new store. The brief was for "a feature wall with a scribble on it, just like when someone is doodling". After various findings didn't quite meet with her expectations, Fiona decided it was time to jump to the other side of the fence and exchange the "Interior Designer Hat" for the "Wallpaper Designer Hat" et voila...Scribble by Fiona Flame.

In real life the paper has a shiny silver background and the feature wall is going to be 2.8 metres high by 1.8metres tall ! Imagine this supported by a colour scheme of dark blue, white and platinum in silk wall coverings and light catching wallpapers - lush. I can't wait to see the final results !

I suppose the moral of this mornings rambling is that communication is key. If you have a clear idea in mind and can communicate that idea then it 'can' be achieved, I'm not saying its going to be cheap, but there are ways of making things happen.

With thanks to Flame Interiors (www.flame-interiors.com)

Wallpaper of the Week - Mood by Camengo

http://www.wallpaperdirect.co.uk/new-collections.php?page=2

A lovely delicate yet distinct wallpaper for this week. The collection by Camengo is called Mood and this paper features pretty cherry blossoms giving a non-flowery-floral pattern if there could be such a contradiction ! I have chosen it as its light and airy despite its deeper background taupe colour. There are various colour-ways available, I think my personal favourite has a duck egg flower head.

Rather than a standard flat image, this design has great depth due to the shadowing effects and variations of the colours used.

The collection also has a range of plain coloured wallpapers, however, I would recommend that you consider a paint mix to complement the rest of your scheme. From a practical point of view this allows you to touch up and marks and makes your feature wall all the more special.

Wallpaper of the Week - Bindi by Eijffinger

http://www.wallpaperdirect.co.uk/products/eijffinger/bindi/76490

A nice bright start to the week. The football may well be over for another four years (Guilty pleasure : the sneaky shots of David on the bench - enough said) but its still summer and believe it or not the sun is 'still' shining ! So this lovely cheery paper is hopefully a good match for your mood.

Eijffinger (please don't ask me to pronounce it - Dutch is not a strength of mine) have lots of lovely bold floral collections, but their Bindi Collection is inspired by traditional Indian designs, luxurious and rich in both in colour and texture. The striking patterns range from trailing florals to large bold paisley. With colourways as diverse as turquoise, lime, purple and silver enhanced by metallic finishes it is certainly a head turner.

Its not cheap, starting at £52 per roll and rising up to £75 for the metallic finishes, but boy is it going to look amazing ! Don't be scared of this range, it is bold but its beautiful and will enhance any room - simply add lots of neutrals and I would advise not accessorising just let the paper do the talking.

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 - Black and White

http://www.wallpaperdirect.co.uk/collections/brewers/black-white-vol-ii/589

A whole range this week, from Brewers its their Black and White Vol II range. They have their usual marketing blurb to describe the mix of patterns and styles that have been put together, I personally think its a bit of a random mix of black and white papers, but I like it all the same.

The official line is "Oscar Wilde quotes in flock finish, cityscapes, bold florals and stylised contemporary road maps. A little different, very special" Its quirky and unfortunately the detail can't be seen from a tiny internet image. Things like the road map is actually printed on high gloss black paper with the matt grey blocks layered on top, finished with pale grey road names ...yet again I need to invent a touchy feely blog page to get across why they are rightly using the word special to describe them - its in the finish daarrrhling !

Due to the complete cross section of designs that they have selected there is pretty much something for everyone from a masculine tartan (which I actually think is my favourite because of all of the silvery bits) to the girly spotty print.

Unfortunately the paper also has a 'special' price to match with prices ranging from £41.50 a roll up to ...wait for it ....£117.50 !...ouch

Wallpaper of the Week - Diva by Barbara Hulanicki

http://www.grahambrown.com/uk/product/18103/Diva/15?show=

We've got a day with sunshine ! A first for 2010, so I set about trying to find you a nice light spring wallpaper. This cream and silver (vague I know, remember to follow the rules and ALWAYS get a sample and a big one at that - you need to see at least one pattern repeat..I digress..) geometric paper is from Barbara Hulanicki, founder of Biba the fashion retailer back in the 60's and 70's. She's designed a couple of ranges now for Graham and Brown and I think this one has to be my favourite.

The colour was the first thing to catch my attention, so fresh and light just what is needed to finally drag us out of what has seemed to have been the winter that went on forever ! Then the pattern, on reflection I would say its actually quite complex but you only really discover that given time and a bit of daydreaming in its general direction. First impact, for me anyway, was that its clean and got enough going on but doesn't take over everything. I think you could happily put another patterned item alongside it without it dominating.

Another 'safe' wallpaper that would be suitable for using in pretty much any room and a £30 a roll its not too pricey for a designer paper.

....As a slight aside this week if anyone has a particular room that they would like me to try and help out with a wallpaper for please just get in touch and any comments are always gratefully received ....

Wallpaper of the Week - MetalXGlass by Brian Yates

http://www.brian-yates.co.uk/wallcoverings.shtml?pageNo=15

Isn't this lush ? I made the fatal mistake of taking a trip down to the Chelsea Design Centre last week. I did actually have some 'proper' work to be doing there sourcing fabrics and wallpapers but I just get so distracted by all of the beautiful things I really am a kid in a toy shop. Among some of my favourite finds were these wallpapers by Brian Yates.

They have such an amazing texturised finish, with parts appearing to be 3D and parts actually being 3D where they have been embellished with amazing glitters, velvets and in some cases glass beads. The problem is that you really do just want to reach out and touch them - not ideal in real life as even my 4 year old has been heard telling the 1 year old "no hands on Mummy's wallpaper" and the glass beads did take me back to the 1980s and the temptation to pick the woodchips out of the wallpaper at the side of my bed - oops ! Beautiful though ! (The glass beads not the woodchips)

The wallpaper that I have shown above also answers another interior design problem that I frequently come across. Which metallic finish to have in a room and how to get away with combining a few different finishes - I'm talking brass this, chrome that etc etc... By using a pewter base with a metallic finish you can never really be 100% sure what colour it is. Nature will take over and dependent on the direction of the natural light source, which angle you view the paper from and at what time of day you will get a variation on the colour that you are looking at allowing you a little bit more flexibility.

But let this be a lesson, if you are wanting to co-ordinate ...get a really good size sample piece, hang it exactly where its going to go and live with it - I'm not talking hang it up long enough to get your other half to say 'yeah like it' I'm talking a week, look at it before you leave the house, when you get in, when you are around at the weekend - its not cheap, its not one that you want to be taking down and doing again !

Where would I use this ? Master bedroom or a dining room - it seems a shame to hide such a beautiful thing away but an element of practicality needs to step in - its not one for a family room ! One of my favourite finds to date, you'll definitely be seeing more of this range to come...

Wallpaper of the Week - Where has all the pink gone ??

http://www.lauraashley.com/Cerise+Pinks/TATTON-WALLPAPER/invt/3406700

"There's bound to be loads", I thought, what little girl has not at some point in time asked for a pink bedroom ? I was needing to source a wallpaper for above a dressing table - just 2 drops to add a corner of luxury to a functional dressing room. I was looking for something striking, something luxurious, something glamorous, something girlie ....it just had to be pink !

So I started with my usual haunts (as GB commented the other day on one of the rare occasions that he read this blog "looks like you're sponsored by Graham and Brown"...but they just have the lushest papers !) ...serious shortage of pink ! Various other sources tried but nothing that would tick all of the boxes. There were pale pink butterflies, pale pink spots, pale pink fairies but what about a serious pink - a pink that would stop you in your tracks, catching your eye as you walked through the room perceived to be no more than 'storage space'.

Then I found it, in Laura Ashley, a shop I try to avoid but keep getting dragged back into. (Bad delivery experiences, shocking customer service and a risk that you can very easily date your room based on their key design for the year that they do to death.) Anyway, that said, they are doing pink..."Cerise"... its the serious pink range I was searching for, its grown up, it makes an impact, in classic designs, with lovely iridescent inks that unfortunately its difficult to show off screen .... more to the point they had stock in store so I was able to collect immediately !

I went for their Tatton design, which I have to admit appears to be this years 'Do it to death' design but its for use in a secret corner, met all of my requirements and more to the point its on Save 1/3 as well as giving a donation to the 'Think Pink' Breast Cancer campaign. ....Bring on the glamour !

http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/breastcancer/