Welcome, dear reader..
I’ve spent the last week home nursing a wicked winter cold, which means television has become a rather steady companion. Thank goodness for Bridgerton and the Olympics.
While I may not recommend a head cold, I do recommend watching Bridgerton purely for the sets. The drawing rooms alone are enough to send any designer into a spiral of inspiration. The scale, the color, the unapologetic use of pattern, it’s delicious.
It has me thinking deeply about the design and feeling of my own new little house.
Now, my home is roughly the size of a Bridgerton drawing room which means I must be thoughtful about scale. Grandeur in a small space requires editing. Every piece must earn its place.
And lately? I have been obsessing over wallpaper.
How Do You Choose Wallpaper?
There are endless choices. Truly endless.
After designing homes for many years, you might think selecting wallpaper would become easier. In some ways, it becomes harder. The more you know, the more you see. The possibilities multiply.
I do, however, always begin with a vision and a feeling I want the home to hold.
What fascinates me most are often the wallpapers I don’t choose. I find myself wondering:
Who lives with this? Where does it belong? What kind of light does it need?
I recently received a catalog from J. McLaughlin set in Louisville, Kentucky. The home featured the most imaginative wallpapers. One in particular, “Lost World in Pink” by Clarke & Clarke, stopped me in my tracks. It’s so colorful, so whimsical and something that I think would be incredible in the right space.
But here’s the thing: bold fantasy papers often need room to breathe. A larger home where whimsy can live in one room and elegance in another. Scale matters, not just physically, but emotionally.
Wallpaper: Kravet -- Lost World
Clarke & Clarke | Emma J Shipley for C & C | Wilderie
Style/Code: W0117/04.CAC.0
Pattern: Pink
A Personal History with Paper
My mother was British, and we had gorgeous wallpapers in every room. My childhood bedroom was full of beautiful flowers, delicately dancing across the walls. I remember them fondly.
When I look at the offerings of wallpaper, there are so many styles. I see everything from elephants and peacocks (the “Ark” by Kravet Couture would be marvelous in a gentleman’s library or even a young boy’s room) to other wallpapers that would be beautiful in a New York City apartment or in a stately home in Connecticut. What fun!
Each paper tells a story before a single piece of furniture enters the room.
Wallpaper: Kravet -- Ark
Kravet Couture | Andrew Martin | Museum
Style/Code:AMW10001.16.0
Pattern: Sand
What I’m Choosing for My Cottage
For my own little house, I am looking for a very laid-back collection of wallpapers.
I found a new wallpaper that I’ve been obsessing over from Lewis & Wood called Nomad. It comes in several beautiful colorways and coordinating fabrics. I plan to use it in my powder room, paired with some really gorgeous tile to create a small but stunning room.
Wallpaper: Lewis and Wood
Style/Code: BLW 211- 240
Pattern: Womad - Silt
For bedrooms I like to bring it down a little bit. I’d like to choose some papers that are calming ,peaceful but still really beautiful.
Hallways are different. I like something that has a little bit more of a continuous subtle pattern that guides you through the home. I’m currently considering a soft green from Thomas Lavin – Maclaurin & Pierce that feels just right for my cottage and I’m excited to put that in the hallway to give it some life.
Wallpaper: Thomas Lavin – Maclaurin & Pierce
Style/Code: MPW14-05
Pattern: Batak - Mineral
Wallpaper: Thomas Lavin – Maclaurin & Pierce
Style/Code: MPW13
Pattern: Oasis Grass
Why Wallpaper Matters
I think there is so much opportunity for beauty using wallpapers in your home. Walls are an enormous canvas that can be filled with art- like drama and really express who you are in each room.
And one more important note: when creating a healthy home, pay attention to materials. It’s very important to know what the materials are that you’re putting on your walls as well as the glue that is being used. You want no VOCs in your home. Ask for wallpapers and glues that do not have any offgassing. Beauty should never compromise well-being.
If you’d like any suggestions on wallpapers for your own home email me Elizabeth@elizabethlamont.com. We have an amazing library of wallpapers and it is a fun journey to begin.
Remember to Live Beautifully
xx Elizabeth.
