Every home should have: A stunning entryway.

I found this entryway in a Spanish home magazine and fell in love with the old-school-royal-Bohemian-kind of feel it evokes.  I remembered having seen the geometric wallpaper by Osborne and Little used by an European Designer way back so I know it's not a new design even though it hasn't been too much used.  Unfortunately the magazine doesn't list the name of the model and I couldn't find it out myself either.  The console is by Gio Pointi and the light fixture by Barovier and Toso.  I love the pop of color on the chair fabric.  Enjoy!

Image scanned by me.

The coolest wallpaper: In Monochrome tones

From illusory to geometric, there is enough wallpaper to please the world.  I'm drawn to monochromatic wallpaper lately for its ease to embrace whatever else is in the room.  These ones are among my favorites.  Enjoy!
Cow Parsley wallpaper, Circus wallpaper, Balaustra wallpaper, Boa, Piccadilly, Malachite, Nuvolette and Tile Wallpaper. 

Cow Parsley wallpaper by Cole & Son

 I love wallpapers, preferably geometric ones, because they seem to not get old (in my eyes).  Cow Parsley by Cole and Son though has been in my "wanted list" for a while now and having seen it here and there and still love it the same, I know I won't get tired of it.  It's not-too-precise-design perhaps has something to do with it.  It allows my eyes to travel and rest while looking at it.  It comes in twelve different color combinations but my favorite is the black and white.  I think this wallpaper would be amazing in a lobby.  Enjoy!

This wallpaper seems to pretty up everything around it because look at that bedroom set? It's not too pretty if you ask me.  No offence anyone!

 I think that not all Kitchen cabinets are meant to be opened.

 There, you see? Design by Kelly Deck

The Versatility of Grasscloth wallpaper

 

I said it before and I'll say it again, the versatility of grasscloth wallpaper is indisputable.  It adds coziness and texture to a bare wall almost instantly while the natural fibers provide a home with that perfectly imperfect patina.  I have used grasscloth wallpaper a few times in different projects, including my home and its easiness to either glam up or glam down a room never fails to surprise me.  In the second image below, the use of white washed wood, lush fur throw and seagrass wallpaper make the entire ambience glamorous and velvety.  
Long gone are the days when this type of wallpaper would only be available in solid colors.  Now you can find them with all types of hand printed patterns.  Ideal to take it all up a notch!

 Below, my powder room.

first four images via House Beautiful

Beautiful Wallpapers

I decided to feature wallpaper for my latest Ideabook for Houzz.  There is so much available on the market today and I featured a few of my favourites.  Wallpaper is one of those elements that people either love or dislike.   I think the reason why people shun wallpaper is the perceived effort in taking it down should you tire of it.  It may seem like a commitment.  Well, wallpapers have come a long way and are pretty effortless to take down. So, there is really no reason not to add some to your home!

There are so many patterns and colours to choose from – bold and graphic, subtle tone on tone, whimsical, glam.  I’m sure there is a wallpaper for everyone!

Here are some of my favourite wallpaper room images from my Pinterest account.  Although wallpapers work in any room, I think they are particularly suited to powder rooms and bedrooms.

You can see which wallpapers I included in my round up here.  All of the wallpapers have links to the respective sites where you can click through to find the wallpaper of your dreams!

Happy Halloween everyone!  (My little pumpkin was home sick from school today (just a pesky cold) but I’m hoping she will be OK to go out tonight if only for a half hour.)

New from Farrow and Ball

Yesterday, I (and a few other design bloggers) was invited to meet Nikki Chee (above), Communications Manager for Farrow and Ball from the head office in the UK. She talked about the company's exquisite paint and wallpapers as well as previewed a new collection of papers launching in September. We weren’t allowed to share any images, but I can tell you they are beautiful! Nikki was a treat too. Arren did a post on her awhile back.

Farrow and Ball was started up by two gentlemen (yes, Mr. Farrow and Mr. Ball) in the 1930’s and still uses traditional methods of manufacturing their paint and wallpaper.

What sets Farrow and Ball apart from other paint manufacturers is the quality of their ingredients. There is no plastic content in their paint which is made of natural ingredients like china clay, lime putty and linseed oil. All their paints are zero VOC (except the Interior Wood Primer and Undercoat which is low VOC.)

There are 132 colours in 13 finishes in the paint collection (interior and exterior) and although they retire some periodically, you can always get a discontinued colour. They have small test pots of all of their colours.

I know that some people try to colour match Farrow and Ball with another paint manufacturer to save money.  Nikki showed us Rectory Red matched by two paint companies and they weren’t even close to the original Farrow and Ball colour. The Farrow and Ball colour was richer and had more clarity and purity. So, spend the extra few dollars and get the real deal.

Nikki describes the paint this way: “it’s like you could push your hand through the wall,” describing the paint’s depth. A high level of titanium oxide in their paint creates depth when light hits it.

Their wallpapers are so beautiful and unique because paint is applied to paper rather than ink. They are either block printed or trough printed. Wallpaper is made to order but only takes a week to get from the UK to North America.

They also have a new book coming out in September called Living with Colour and features a number of UK homes. “Divided into chapters according to style, including Classical, City, Modern Country, Cottage and Country House, the first part of the book shows Farrow & Ball paints and wallpapers in a wide range of unusual and beautiful interiors. Part Two of the book is devoted to colour. From the themes of All White and In Neutral to Softly, Softly and Bright and Beautiful, each chapter explores a particular palette and shows how colour can be used to create atmosphere, character and charm.”

Worldly

I’m loving the global references in Shangri-La, Thibaut’s newest collection of wallcoverings and fabrics. Their room photography and styling, a brilliant way to showcase their line, is beautiful and inspirational. I love the trim details like the panel moulding and the Greek key on the fireplace mantel.

The suzani inspired fabrics in the first two images can make a bold statement or be more subtle depending on the colourway. The Kirkland wallpaper in the third image is adorable with the little chipmunks and would make a statement in a child’s room. For more inspiration, you can read my previous Thibaut post here.

If you see a wallpaper or fabric you like or need help with decorating your home, please contact me at vanessa@vanessafrancis.com.

Happy Spring

It’s hard to believe it’s the first day of Spring already. Time flies by so quickly, doesn’t it? We had a wonderful March break with great weather and lots of fun with my daughter and her friends.

These images from Thibaut’s newest collections of wallpaper and fabric reminded me of Spring – fresh and happy! I love the styling in these photos – the greenery, flowers and natural elements – which all say welcome Spring, so glad to see you.

If you see a wallpaper or fabric you like or need help with decorating your home, please contact me at vanessa@vanessafrancis.com.

Wallpaper

I love the idea of wallpaper panels - either pasted to the wall and framed or pasted on MDF and hung on the wall. They provide the graphic punch of wallpaper but in a smaller, less-commital dose. I am currently working on a dining room and we are using this wallpaper from Schumacher for the panels. It is absolutely gorgeous and I think it will elevate the room. I will share photos when it is all done!


Traditional Home (Not sure if this is actually wallpaper, fabric or hand painted but I love how the trim is painted out the same colour as the walls.)


Bhg


Canadian House and Home


Canadian House and Home



Apartment Therapy



Domino