Using Wallpaper, Even If You’re Afraid Of Commitment

Every once in a while, I get an e-mail from a customer that really stands out.  This one comes from Jennifer, who (like many people) was wary of installing wallpaper permanently.  She ended up mounting the paper onto foam core to great success:

Dear Cavern,

A bit more than two years ago I bought Blackbird in gold/brown.  I gave half to my mother as a gift and kept the other half for myself.  Frankly, though I own my own home, I just didn’t want to put it on a wall.  It felt like too big of a committment (any wonder why I’m still single?)  What if I redecorated?  What if I wanted the birds on a different wall?  What, heaven forbid, if I moved and had to leave it BEHIND?

Solution:  I dry mounted the wallpaper and framed it, so I can now move it around to my heart’s content.  And, even more importantly, take it with me wherever I go!

It’s stunning!  I currently have my framed wallpaper serving as a room divider.  I stare at my wallpaper and am filled with incredible joy by its beauty.

Thank you!

-Jennifer

Thanks for the kind words, Jennifer!  And congrats on the project!

New Installation Shot : Migration

Just got this installation shot of Migration in a powder room.

I LOVE wallpaper in bathrooms — for a few reasons:

- You can take more design risks in a bathroom because the stakes are not as high as, say, the living room or the bedroom.

- The small space will enhance the wallpaper effect, allowing the pattern to really pack a punch and define the room.

- It can be a fun surprise when you open a bathroom door and see vibrant color or pattern inside.

- When you have people over, they will end up using the bathroom and complimenting you on your bold, design taste.

- Plus, wallpaper in the bathroom gives everyone something to look at while they’re taking care of business

Thanks for sending the photo Katherine– it looks great!

Wallpaper Projects : Cabinets, Doors

I’m a big fan of using wallpaper in ways beyond traditional wall coverings.  Kara Dake entered her apartment in the apartment therapy small spaces competition and used some Cavern wallpaper scraps — blackbird on her cabinets and thatch on her closet door.  Her space is busy, but the deign elements all go together because she keeps a consistent color pallet.  That is the key to combining patterns.  Congrats Kara!

New ‘Blackbird’ Installation Shot

I just learned about Houzz.com, which looks like a pretty extensive resource for anyone renovating their space.  Cavern seems to be well represented– I have never seen this ‘blackbird’ installation shot but it looks great!  Thanks Suzzy for giving me a heads up about Houzz!

‘Identica’ Installation

Our first installation shot for Miky Fabrega’s ‘Identica’ pattern, part of Cavern’s first artist edition series.  Looks great!

Blackbird in New Zealand

Just got this installation shot from Auckland, New Zealand.  (Those blackbirds are really quite international.) I really like how wallpaper functions at the top of a staircase, expanding the space and revealing itself as you walk closer to it. Thanks for the photo Natasha!

Cavern on Design*Sponge

I just noticed Cavern’s Cavalry pattern was featured on Design*Sponge recently.  Thanks Nadia for your pictures and for the nice words you left in the Design Sponge comment feed.  The bathroom really looks terrific!

Wallpapered Ceiling

I love seeing wallpaper on ceilings- especially when that wallpaper comes from Cavern!  Here is some serious installation inspiration that shows how a ceiling went from drab to fab with our “Cavalry” pattern.

Thanks to all of our customers for installation photos!

Cavalry Bathroom

Just got in new installation pictures of this *beautiful* bathroom renovation.  Cavalry is one of my favorite patterns, and I’m a huge proponent of wallpaper in bathrooms, and Cavalry is one of my favorite Cavern patterns.  A plus!!  Thanks for the photos Nadia!

Objects on Wallpaper

Wallpapers can serve as a background or foreground design element in a room.  If it weren’t obvious already, I am personally most excited about graphic patterns that stretch the limits of traditional wallpaper patterns.  But the decision to hang pictures or other items on top of wallpaper is still a relevant one.  What can you hang on a wallpapered wall?  When should wallpaper stand alone?  Inspired by my favorite design book, here is my simple overview.

It’s all about balance.  First, think color.  If your wallpaper is extremely colorful (more than four colors), then anything you hang should be very very simple: a mirror, a simple photograph.  On the other hand, if the wallpaper is simply one or two colors, you have more liberty to hang intricate, colorful objects.  Whatever the objects, make sure their colors match not only the wallpaper but the rest of your room.

Next consider size.  If the pattern is full of small elements, your hanging objects should be of medium to large size.  You should not have too many hanging pieces either.  If the wallpaper repeat is large-scale, you have much more freedom to hang smaller objects- and more of them.

Finally, choose your wall composition– where to hang your objects.  Each wall and room is different, but overall, you will need fewer objects than you normally would hang.  Wallpaper attracts attention on its own; you don’t want to over-do it with hanging objects.

The idea of nailing holes into your beautiful wallpaper is somewhat frightening — but that’s not a good reason to dismiss hanging objects!  When successful, the combination of wallpaper and objects can make the most sophisticated, impressive design choice in a room.

Better Homes and Gardens, helping home makers fifty years later.

The pattern is quite busy and there is lots of it.  This large scale picture (with only a few colors) works well.  Nicely balanced.

With the small pattern repeat, these medium/large sized objects look great.  Photo from Domino (RIP!)