Wall paper newbie needs basic decorating advice, please!

12 years ago

Hello,

I'm redoing my bedroom and using wall paper for the first time.

My home is a simple, transitional/contemporary type look. I'd like the bedroom to be simple/transitional, but wanted to go for a little more romantic look.

I have dark, wide plank walnut floors, a cream coverlet, solid cream sueded fabric on a chest and chair in the room, Hudson bed and side tables from PB (very clean lines, dark wood) an etched dressing mirror from Horchow and RH Victorian Hotel Pendant in nickel.

My question is this. I'd like to use a rug with a raised pattern. It's continuous and pretty contemporary. Light green and cream:

I'd also like to use a cream, slightly shiny, tone-on-tone wallpaper with either a flocking/filligree, or scroll pattern. The patterns look more obvious in the pics than in person; they're a little more subtle when held vertically against the wall.

There will be space between the rug and wall...about 2 or 3 feet of hardwood flooring.

I'm not used to doing a lot of patterns, and have never done wall paper, so I don't know whether this type of pattern combining is acceptable or not. What are the rules of thumb when using a patterned wallpaper?

Thanks in advance, the people on this forum are amazing!

Here is a link that might be useful: Pendant Light

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Comments (15)

lindac
12 years ago
I like the first combination best. I like the smaller wall paper pattern with the large figure in the rug.....but please, no flocked paper.
Will you paper your self? Or hire it done? And remember the larger the pattern repeat the more waste.
Linda C
tinam61
12 years ago
Off topic - but I love that rug! May I ask where you found it?

thanks!

tina
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sheesh
12 years ago
I agree with Lindac .. no flocking, small pattern. Pic #1 is my choice, too. Stay with classic and you can't go wrong. Sounds like you are on the right track.

And be sure you size the walls before you paper. It makes all the difference. It is going to be lovely.
paintergirl94
12 years ago
I like the first combination very much. Have you thought about doing just an accent wall with the paper? Maybe the bed wall.
Madeline616
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks much for your responses!

I really prefer the small pattern, too, so I'm happy to hear others say that I'm on the right track. It's also less than half the price of the other 2 papers :-).

Linda, I'll be hiring a paper hanger. Good to know that there's less waste with a smaller pattern.

Tina, the rug is will be made from a wool blend carpet that is bound. It's from Stark Carpet in NY. The pattern/style is Westfield, the color is Spring. It also comes in more of a tone on tone that is all cream. Gorgeous! My designer really likes to use carpets to make rugs, he selected this and I fell instantly in love.

Thanks again!
tinam61
12 years ago
Thank you Madeline! It is beautiful. I will have to check into that.
dalmadarling
12 years ago
Here's a great tutorial I saved from a while back to eventually put up wallpaper somewhere in my own house. Some great pointers on patterned wallpaper.

Here is a link that might be useful: [DIY Project: Wallpaper[(https://www.houzz.com/magazine/diy-project-wallpaper-goes-mobile-stsetivw-vs~358834)
Suzy
12 years ago
I LOVE the rug. i've been looking for carpet to do a rug in my bedroom too and i think this may be perfect. is it a bit on the greenish side? i need a hint of sage. figures it's Stark. i used a decorator and all my rugs are from stark.
Madeline616
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks for the tutorial, dalmandarling!

Yes, srg215, it's definitely a soft green. I may actually go with the cream on cream, as it's more neutral, but I do love this green with cream.
dakota01
12 years ago
Love the pattern on both the papers and the rug. I don't know if I like them together.
I just picked a darkish wallpaper with large scale pattern (yes, I will be wasting alot of paper) and a tone on tone area rug.
I wanted to be "safe" when it came time to pick coordinating drapes, etc.
Suzy
12 years ago
Madeline: i went to a carpet store by me (bergen) and picked out that same one (forgetting that it was the exact one you pictured). it's perfect in my master. totally going for it. how much is stark charging you? mine is about $12 per sq foot ($108 per sq yard).
Madeline616
Original Author
12 years ago
Hi Srg215,

Wow...well, I'm not totally sure yet but I seem to recall the designer saying "2-3,000" for this carpet (bound as a rug), approximate size 10x14.

If that's bound as a rug and delivered, I guess $2000 isn't that much more than $12 0/sq ft, but I'll find out the exact price this week and let you know.

I had no idea I could find the same exact product for potentially so much less. Can you give me the info re: your Bergen store and what they call it? Stark calls the pattern "Westfield" and this green color "Spring", or is that only what Stark calls it?

Thanks so much.

Madeline
Suzy
12 years ago
my quote was for 11x16 ft and it was about $2200. It is Stanton (manufacturer), Pacific Heights collection, Whittier (style/pattern), color Spring. the store i shopped in is G. Freid on rt. 17 in paramus. They have many of the same carpets that stark sells. I'm considering the linen combo too. need to compare.
Madeline616
Original Author
12 years ago
That's really helpful, thanks so much.

I'll post my size/price quote when I get it--hoping that will be next week.
Madeline616
Original Author
12 years ago
Srg215, I'm following up as promised. Just got the quote for the Westfield - Spring from Stark. My size is 11 x 12, my cost including pad is about $1500 delivered.

Wall paper newbie needs basic decorating advice, please!

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