Happy Earth Day

I urge all of you to reduce, re-use and recycle.

However, the post I want to today is more about decorating your home- your own personal earth. Today, we are talking about wallpaper.

Wallpaper has recently made a resurgence back into "young" decorating. For the last 10 years or so while the hip kids have forsaken wallpaper in preference of using every possible color combination and faux finish paint job you can think of some very talented artists have been busy creating beautiful wall papers.Content no longer with covering every inch of wall with the paper, decorators are coming up with great ideas on how to use wall paper to enhance the feel of a room without overpowering it.

In the above photo part of intricate wallpaper pattern was meticulously cut out to add a burst of pattern that comes across more like a piece of art- then the busy feeling it would give if it covered more of the room.

The bold pattern and color of this paper, although possibly an older design feels very modern since it was used to cover not just the wall as you might expect but also the door. I think this would be a good look for a closet or a powder room.

I had never this this technique done before and I love it. Wainscoting or chair rails are done at predictable heights and so often out of beadboard or just paint (I have done it, it's an easy way to perk up a room for not a lot of money). But this high molding about 2 feet down from the ceiling with the wallpaper on top seems to make the room feel taller and the pattern of the paper gives weight and interest to what is otherwise a sort of plain room (I know they have great windows and a giant chandelier but you know what I mean).

This final wallpaper idea is the genius of one lady and is a very earth-friendly suggestion. She takes old wallpaper in interesting patterns and re-purposes it as animal cutouts to decorate children's rooms. She offers a group of small birds, a giraffe, a monkey, an elephant and the above ostrich all in varying patterns. I hate birds and I would still love to have a pair of these ostrichs mingling on the wall at the end of a long hallway.

I just checked and the ostrich with wall adhesive retails for $105.00 plus tax and demand is so high they are currently out of stock- good job lady! (I was unable to find her name, but if you google "recycled wallpaper ostrich" you can find out more.)