Oct 11, 2013

battle of the wallpapers--opinions needed!

remember my teeny tiny vestibule?

well, i am having an enormously hard time deciding which wallpaper to put in the space.

what i want:
something neutral, that introduces some texture and or pattern that will look nice with the ornate mirror.

here are the top contenders:

option A:
phillip jeffries grasscloth with a chain link stencil applied on top.



the good: 
it will be really affordable.
let me clarify! because if you have ever looked at the pricing of philip jeffries wall coverings, you know it is pretty expensive. i purchased a small remnant of plain phillip jeffries grasscloth on ebay a few months ago for $50 to use on the ceiling of my powder room, but it is enough to cover this space as well. i also already have the stencil, although the scale of the links is larger than in the actual wallpaper.
the texture will be nice in the small space, and the link pattern will be a nice contrast to the ornate mirror.
the bad: 
i have to stencil the grasscloth, which could be a pain in the butt. i might end up ruining it.
i have never hung grasscloth, so i would have to spend some time researching the right way to hang it. i might end up ruining it. can you tell that i am a little afraid to RUIN it?

option B:
fornasetti malachite wallpaper in beige, cole + sons.



the good:
its a gorgeous wallpaper that i have had my eye on forever. it would be a subtle, chic look in this tiny space. it has a slight metallic sheen to it which is really dreamy.

the bad:
i would have to buy it, and most places have a 2 roll minimum, even through i only need one roll.  a single roll is around $150.
maybe it is too subtle for this area? i could also use this paper somewhere else in my house, like on the ceiling in either my office or the foyer.

option C:
thibaut alexander wallpaper in metallic pewter on beige



the good:
its a great combination of texture and grahic pattern, plus it is a little traditional and a little modern at the same time.

the bad: 
uh...close to $400. just to cover this one little area. a definite splurge.

option D:
farrow and ball ranelagh




the good:
this is a very classic, nice looking wallpaper with a soft graphic trellis motif. i can get it for a pretty affordable price. it would look nice against my scrolly white mirror.

the bad:
it may not be as "exciting" or design forward as the other choices.




ACK!
so, what should i do?

go with option A, the affordable, possible-train-wreck in the making diy stencil on the grasscloth?
or splurge on B or C?
or go with budget friendly option D?

here are the choices again:

help!!
what do you think?
please leave a comment!

53 comments:

  1. Option B, no question. The malachite is a great choice. I think it will look amazing in the space. With the added bonus of having enough left over to use that beautiful paper elsewhere.

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  2. Hard to tell from here, but I like the malachite.

    Looking forward to seeing whatever you do.

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  3. you won't love me lol but I LOVE LOVE LOVE C!!!!! I want that somewhere in my house haha.

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  5. C is my favorite, love the pattern & the metallic.

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  6. I actually like D a lot! I think the color will pair nicely with the other wall colors, and I think the wow is the mirror anyway!

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  7. Splurge! I would leave the printing on grasscloth process to the professionals, and the farrow and ball is too fuddy duddy. Love either of the other choices.

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  8. I would say A is my absolute favorite! I would be scared as all get out to paint on the grasscloth, but you are a pro and I'm sure you can work it out. :) If the paper was affordable when you purchased it, then maybe hiring a painter would still cost less than some of the other options?? The pattern is just so strong and would stand up really well against the more feminine mirror. Just my opinion. ;)

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  9. B - I think the other choices are too bold pattern-wise for such a small space and might compete with the mirror details. B almost seems like a modern interpretation of a damask - subtle patterning that is not in your face because of the tone on tone palette.

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  10. I think B would best let the mirror take center stage. I think the stronger patterns on the other 3 would fight with the mirror for attention.

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  11. I love C but that's a really steep price. As a second I'd go with D....it would look kind cool sideways.

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  12. I would go with A, if you can get over your fear of ruining it. Are you doing the install in your powder room, or hiring it out? My second choice would be D. Good luck deciding!

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  13. B is great. I love that it's a natural texture but not too abstract. It'll add great dimension.

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  14. I would say A, but recognizing that you probably have at least 1 million DIY projects going on in your new home right now, I like B for ease and simplicity!

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  15. A it is! I love the texture a grasscloth can bring to the walls.

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  16. I say go for the grasscloth. The texture would be perfect in there. It's a tiny space, and you'll never learn the technique if you don't try! Also, I am selfishly voting for that one so that we can learn how too. :)

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  17. A, definitely. First of all, it achieves all of your stated goals most effectively. Secondly, the price is right. Third, if you mess it up you can always go with one of the other options, and all you'll be out is time.

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  18. I vote C, if you can splurge, D if you can't. B makes me dizzy. If you're worried about the process for grasscloth, don't do it. Removing grasscloth often takes whatever's underneath along with it (plaster/drywall)--one reason it fell out of favor, and is only now making a resurgence; people have finally forgotten! LOL!

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  19. I'm for B also! I think it is current and hip while still feeling understated. Love it! M.

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  20. Option B! The others are too geometric.

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  21. B--sometimes ease and KNOWING it's going to look amazing is worth the splurge!

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  22. C C C C C C--anything else will always just be "Not thibaut alexander", you will be sad everytime you look at it.

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  23. Option C is my favorite for the space! I think it will look awesome with the mirror.

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  24. B or C for me! D is too boring. And A, well, I would be afraid of ruining it! But between B and C, hmmm. Maybe B as it is definitely more unusual, subtle but eye catching. Let us know!

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  25. A+++ - I have complete faith in you. Plus I think the texture will be terrific.

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  26. I LOVE option C, but personally would never splurge to that degree. I love the pattern of C and would explore possibly stenciling that on the grass cloth. I have no doubt it will look amazing with whatever you decide!

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  27. I vote A. I like that it's affordable, and I think you can do the stencil right. B and C are nice too, but that price tag is painful. Definately not D. I don't like that one....especially with the mirror it just seems too "old lady" :) But I'm sure if you did go with D I would love it anyway. You have great taste and I'm probably just not seeing the vision on this one.

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  28. I love C--I know it is a spurge but I also think it will go best with the mirror.

    Maggie S

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  29. C is my favorite, but I also like A. It's such a small area- it might be a great place to splurge!

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  30. CCCCCC!!!!!!! Worth the splurge - save somewhere else :) Love the others too, but if your taste/style changes a smidge over the years... C is definitely the safest bet! Modern mixed with enough traditional making it not as "trendy" as the others. That's my 2 cents ;) {in the end, it'll be lovely no matter what you do to it!}

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  31. Let me give you the scoop on the wallpaper choices. I am a professional custom wallpaper and fabric installer in Los Angeles ( www.wallpaperguru.com). I've installed it all these past 28 years!

    Geometric patterns require pretty straight walls, and in that I mean the the ceiling line and corners.

    Grasscloth: Always a tendency to shade, and to "panel out" in that the grass is woven horizontally and thus shows as panels. If you like woven textures without seams or shading, wovens that run the reeds both horizontally and vertically is the way to go. Wovens are great for adding warmth and texture.

    Malachite by Cole & Son: Just looked at a job yesterday in the Hollywood Hills. I will be installing this pattern in a guest bedroom and adjoining bath. I love Cole & Son wallpapers, but the install can be pricey as many of their wallpapers require the installer line the walls with blankstock lining paper.

    Thibaut Foil: If this is a true foil, then it will have the added expense of needing blankstock lining paper underneath the wallpaper. As the true foils are stiff and delicate, the lining paper actually immediately holds the paper down without risk of overworking the foil and possibly damaging it. There are some newer foil type products ( Innovations Wallcovering for one) that are actually faux foil but look pretty darn good.

    Farrow & Ball: My least likeable pick. These papers have no protective coatings ( invisible ) and in fact are subject to fingerprints ( including natural oils from fingers ) and will even leave a film from a clean sponge. Not wipeable at all. The surface of these papers are somewhat chalky, which lends itself to being total high maintenance. They are also very stiff wallpapers and will need a lining paper installed prior. I have noticed through the years the edges can be lacking the printed color, and or be trimmed uneven by the manufacturer.

    Just adding my comments!

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  32. As a custom wallpaper installer in Los Angeles for the last 28 years ( wallpaperguru.com ) I will give you my opinion!

    Geometrics will show wall and ceiling imperfections such as uneven ceiling lines and wavy corners. Always good to check for that.

    I like grasscloth, but remember with grasscloth they can shade from strip to strip. As the natural reeds run horizontally, you will see slight seams and a "panel effect".This is how they are. Most people that know this about them understand, but with many of my clients who have never had them, I make a point of telling them upfront so there are no surprises. Woven weaves, those that run a natural reed or silk both horizontally and vertically always look great and should not show seams as in grasscloth, with the natural reeds only running horizontally.

    The Cole & Son Malachite wallpaper is fabulous. In fact, I looked at a job yesterday in the Hollywood Hills where the designer and client chose it for a guest bedroom and bath. It does have a very large pattern repeat ( 30", so it is wasteful in matching and requires additional wallpaper.) Cole & Son wallpapers usually require a blankstock lining paper prior to be installed before the finished wallpaper. This added step will incur more expense to the homeowner due to added labor. Blankstock must dry 24 hours too. The cost of the blankstock however is cheap, at about $5.00 a single roll of 15 feet. I love Cole & Son!

    Thibaut Foil: I love Thibaut! If this is a true foil, then it will need a blankstock lining paper. As foil is stiff and curly as it comes off the roll, the added lining paper grabs it down immediately which allows the installer to not overwork the seams and paper. Foils are very delicate, scratch and wrinkle easily. The labor to install foils is high as well due to the degree of difficulty.

    Farrow & Ball: My least favorite wallpaper on the planet. Simply these wallpapers are untreated on the surface ( don't have an invisible protective and wipeable coating ) and they will even absorb the natural oils from your fingerprints. If you wipe them with clean water and not blot it dry, the sponge and water will leave a swirl mark. The darker colors worse, as there is no color on the actual seams you are butting together, and you can end up with white hairline seams. The lighter colored FB papers are OK, but still are uncoated. I have had problems with the edges not being trimmed perfectly straight as well. With their high price they charge. the product should be much better than it is! Also they need a blankstock lining paper. Truthfully I say steer clear of FB wallpapers. There are so many other wonderful wallpapers on the market.

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