Colorful Configurations

I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way.

– Georgia O’Keeffe

Since we last connected, after the world changed, I’ve managed to pick myself up, dust myself off, start all over again, as the song goes. After all, it is spring!

I now relish daily walks in nature, absorbing the radiant composition of colors I admire at every turn. The essences of hues and patterns express an understated, yet bold beauty that fills me with wonder and awe.

Spring flowers still take my breath away, swelling me with gratitude to be alive. Their sumptuous colors lift my spirit, heal my soul and keep me present in the moment – now essential for my well-being.

Lately I’ve been dreaming of how to replicate the exquisite multihued designs I see outdoors with like-minded arrangements indoors. While nothing can fully emulate the supreme beauty of Mother Nature, I wondered if I could create a different perspective to evoke that blissful feeling and elevate my mood after I’ve consumed the day’s news. I know art can awaken that state of mind, but now I want entire rooms to make me feel good. But how?

The Answer

The answer came from my clients. I took on a flooded bathroom remodel project in Houston late last fall where we recently installed luscious white handmade Moroccan tile on the floors and in the shower. A professional geologist, Susan chose translucent white quartz for her vanity counters to complete the look. But as the project progressed, she kept asking, “how do we bring in color?” There are many ways to enliven a neutral palette, but which one to choose… what about wallpaper?

Pierre Frey Sur Le Nil Naturel wallpaper to complement Moroccan tiles
www.pierrefrey.com

I searched the San Francisco Design Center for wall coverings I thought Susan might like and mailed the samples to Houston. I also suggested she peruse the Pierre Frey website for a wallpaper that really spoke to her. She chose an Egyptian themed wall covering with oranges, greens, pinks, golds, browns, black and white on a creamy background. The vibrant print depicted a symphony of palms, pineapples, birds and animals. Although Susan and I worked together for years at her home in Santa Fe, I didn’t know how much she loved pineapples. “They make me happy,” she confessed. That’s important, I thought. I will be featuring Susan’s completed bathroom in a future blog.

The Hallway

As pictured in the last blog, after we dolled up Kirby and Robert’s living room fireplace with glossy black paint and saucy black and white checkerboard, the couple wanted more.

Dotty Charcoal wallpaper by Peter Fasano for their hallway
www.peterfasano.com

I scoured the SFDC for whimsical wall coverings and sent samples to San Diego for Kirby and Robert’s appraisal. They selected a simple but edgy black and white polka dot Peter Fasano design that coordinated with the living room fireplace.

Although it has garnished the hallway for years, the cheerful design has never tired and presents a neutral backdrop for the couple’s treasured art collection. Recently, Robert and Kirby selected another playful wallpaper for their dining room, and I’ll feature that in an upcoming blog as well.

The New Kitchen

I fell in love with this tantalizing Pierre Frey design for my new kitchen in California
www.pierrefrey.com

I have never used wallpaper in my own home, but my myriad wallpaper searches for clients finally piqued my interest. I fell in love with a tantalizing Pierre Frey design for my new kitchen in California. We have a 100-year-old Spanish Revival home that we are about to remodel, and I want the rooms to nod to the historic architecture, yet offer a few jazzy surprises that will keep the old house vital.

For Nature Lovers

I am considering Orla Kiely Multi Stem wallpaper for my art studio
www.etoffe.com

This Orla Kiely House design for Harlequin offers a fabulously festooned wallpaper inspired by nature. It enlivens a space with its exaggerated color and vibrancy, invariably eliciting a smile. I’m now trying to fathom where I can use this glowing variegated design in our newly inspired – but distinctly old – house. Perhaps in my small art studio to brighten up the lower floor.

For Dog Lovers

Toby adores Mr Fox wallpaper from SCION’s Spirit and Soul Collection
www.etoffe.com

Toby adores the Mr Fox design from SCION’s Spirit & Soul Collection and insisted I include it. I’m always telling him he looks like a fox, with his big pointy ears and long fluffy tail. My canine Kenobi proposes hanging the wallpaper in the laundry room, where he can curl up by the dryer among the little foxes that flaunt his favorite doggone color – orange.

For Texture Lovers

Combining old world bathroom fixtures with Weitzner Headlines wallpaper creates intrigue
www.weitznerlimited.com

Weitzner makes this outstanding handmade textured wallpaper called Headlines out of twisted magazines. I think it might look great in our tiny soon-to-be powder room with a French vintage style sink and antique brass washstand. Combining classic old world with provocative contemporary creates nervy intrigue in both modern and traditional homes.

Wallpaper can magically transform the feeling of any room. I hope these wall coverings inspire your color, shape, texture and pattern sensibilities in ways that make you smile. There are many companies that create juicy wallpapers in a wide array of designs and pricing. Check out the websites of those listed above, plus Schumacher (top image).

If you are staying safely at home these days (and you should be), the time is right to teach yourself how to install it. Just navigate around YouTube for a few good tutorials and motivation will overtake you.

And go for a walk (respecting social distancing) to bask in the enchanting beauty of spring! It will make you feel good – I promise!

Sending blessings of love, health, and beauty to all of you,
XOX