the wonderful world of wallpaper

I'm quite sure anyone who grew up in the 60's and 70's never thought they'd see the resurgence of graphic wallpaper, but there is absolutely no doubt that it's back! I can hardly call this news, because if you've picked up any magazine dedicated to interiors in the last couple of years, then you can't have missed the delicious designs that adorn the walls of the chic and fashionable homes profiled in Domino, Elle Decor, and Metropolitan Home.

I recently decided to wallpaper part of my kitchen and it took me months to pick out the perfect paper. I searched high and low, scoured the internet, visited shops, and tagged magazines...surprisingly, I found THE paper at Anthropologie of all places. they have a few cute wallpapers for a pretty reasonable price and they're hand-stamped, which I really like.

anyway, I still can't get enough of perusing papers, so I thought I'd share with you some of my current favorite designs:

Anthropologie - Dotswold
this is going above the chair rail in my all-white kitchen...it's a very large print and so bright and cheery!

Cole & Son - Woods
yes, you'll see this Cole & Son print absolutely everywhere these days, and I'm almost over it...but I love that it comes in several colors. the electric pink background totally changes the look of this wallpaper and it'd be fabulous in a bathroom or a dressing room. for those of us not able to spring for several rolls, it'd also be a lovely surprise in a closet.

Flavor Papers - Sheba
I considered using Sheba in my kitchen, but the paper was too intricate for the space. I really love it, however, especially in the photo above. it looks to be a custom color (which Flavor will do) that's been carefully cut and framed.

Cole & Sons - Cow Parsley
generally, I'm not a fan of blocking wallpaper, but I like how they've done almost the entire wall. the cow parsley (which looks very much like Queen Anne's Lace) is dainty and the sunny mustard color is one of my new favorites.

I'm nearly positive that this is a paper called Ceramic designed by David Hicks, but I could be totally wrong. I've noticed it quite a bit lately and while its not currently my personal style, I'd love to do a fabulously chic reading nook or even a dining room in this chinoiserie print. the room above was designed by Jay Jeffers, who is one of my favorite designers.

Nevermore - Palace Papers
I have loved this wallpaper for so long...I can't wait to have a bathroom with subway tiling so I can do exactly what's in that photo. I would also really like to somehow paper the walls of a small screened-in porch...with dark vintage rattan furniture and a few big floor pillows, it'd be the perfect place to sit at dusk and enjoy a Southern thunderstorm.

Little Whales - Geoff McFetridge
I also considered using this paper in my kitchen, but when I decided to paint the living room a shade of grey-blue, it seemed too matchy. I would love to use this to do a little boy's room or a sunny office. I'd pair the boy's room with a dark green felted carpet and an unfinished wooden bed. In the office, I'd make things a bit more grown-up with lacquered white furniture, gold accents, and a few monograms.

I'll have to end it there, because if I could post at least a dozen more photos. I'll save the rest for another day. if you're on the hunt for some fabulous wallpaper, you should start with Walnut Wallpaper. not only do they carry absolutely everything, they girls who work there are the nicest people. they have their papers mounted on huge swinging panels so you can get a good idea of what a wall would look like.

so, have you been brave enough to use wallpaper in your home?