Friday Favorite: Trove wallpapers & window film

Every now and then I find myself scratching my head trying to come up with a interior design solution I’m really happy with. I’m one of those people who find it very hard to settle for second-best. Then, serendipitiously, when I’m least expecting it, the better-than-perfect thing comes along. This is the case with Trove. I love, love, love their designs. Their patterns are some of the prettiest-with-an-edge wallpapers I’ve seen in ages. Each of their twenty designs are printed on either linen or plain paper stock and come in several colorways.

Many of their designs began life as a photograph and are styled to create a wonderful sense of movement. They’re about 34″ wide and are cut to the height of your ceiling. I particularly like the pattern on the right (above).

These are really pretty, don’t you think? You could use both of these in the same room. One design on three walls and the other on the fourth to create a focal wall.

In addition to wallpaper, Trove makes window film. The same designs are printed onto 3 kinds of paper – each with a different level of opacity. This is the find I’d been looking for.

I’m working on a powder room which boasts a beautiful window. So, I don’t want to cover the window with the typical gathered sheer and privacy is essentiall. None of the films I’ve come across fit with the style I’m going for. One of these designs – a smaller print – will be just the thing. Yay!Trove has just introduced a couple of pendant lamps and carpet (not shown). Finally, they’ve also introduced heir patterns printed onto wood veneer (on the left, above). Trove has a showroom in New York. To find out more about where you can purchase their line, give them a call at 212-268-2046.

I’m not sure how I would use the wood veneer. Would it be pasted onto furniture? Make more pendant lamps? I need suggestions. What would you use it for?

Design Ideas: Using photocopies to create decoupage wallpaper

Here is one of my all-time favorite interior decorating ideas taken from the master, Kevin McCloud. Kevin is now the host of Grand Designs, a series on Channel 4 is the UK. But a while back he wrote a book called Decorative Style. It’s out of print, but you can find used copies on Amazon. It’s full of great ideas.

As I said, one of my favorites is using photocopies to create amazing faux architectural and pictorial detail.

This French farm house kitchen scene is comprised of limed paneling and pastoral photocopies,which were decoupaged onto the wall and hand-painted. Just above the paneling is a line of photocopied motifs left unpainted. The acorn design on the paneling is a stencil.

The same idea was used for this Gothic bathroom. The frame is painted, but the decorative finials are photocopies. The bathtub is stenciled.

Kevin used colored photocopies for this French empire study. This little decorative touch lightens the mood of an otherwise formal decor.

The scrollwork in the Venetian studio was painted first, and then applied with wallpaper paste.

Kevin demonstrates the application of painted photocopies onto the wall.

How-To Tips

• Paper can be used on any hard surface. Use wallpaper paste to glue your motif onto a wall, leather, or wood.
• You don’t need to cut out right along the edges of an intricate design. The edges can be painted to match the wall.
• Many types of paints can be used on your photocopies, including latex, watercolor and oil-based. Dilute latex 1:1.
• Paint the photocopy with diluted paint the same color as the wall so that it blends in.
• The photocopy will discolor if not protected. So, you have to protect it with the wallpaper paste or use a waterproof clear latex sealer or acrylic varnish.

For more resources, check out books on decoupage. You can find motifs in Decoupage Gallery. A fantastic array of stencils can be found at The Stencil Library.

ICFF: Design Hole’s Top Eight

There was lots to like at this year’s ICFF. Too much to pack into just one post. I’m starting with my favorites. Here are my top eight.

1. Siemon + Salazar

Glass lighting was everywhere. The California couple, Caleb Siemon and Carmen Salazar, stood out because of their beautiful use of color – combined with organic shapes.

Each of their pendant lamps is hand blown. They also make bowls and vases. Click here to find store locations. Click here to view their lighting collection.

2. Tom Dixon

Tom Dixon is one of my favorite designers, in general. I love his twist on the classic wingback chair. This offers a better view. The fabric is black velvet. But I’d prefer it covered in a wild, bold print.

3. Ochre’s Circular Mirror

This is a surprise. I didn’t expect to be quite so captured by this beautiful mirror from Ochre. I suppose its quiet simplicity makes it the perfect sophisticated thing.

4. Lizzie Allen

From sophisticated to whimsical. Lizzie Allen’s wallpapers and fabrics are fresh and new. Read more about her in my previous post.

5. Eve Design

My friend, Emily and I both loved these elegant, lively chandeliers from Eve Design. They’re handmade in white, silver and black. These offer some bling without being tacky. You can find them in the US here.

6. Ikea’s Stuga Rug

I loved IKEA’s large exhibit – especially this rug designed by Kazuyo Namura. It was inspired by how Northern African nomads make their rugs. Each year they weave a thin strip, where the length is defined by how rich the harvest has been. After several years they put the strips together and make a larger rug. The length and pattern changes depending how good or bad former years were.

7. J Good Design

More lighting. This time, J Good Design. Glass pendants were all over ICFF. A trend? Perhaps. No doubt I was attracted to their organic forms and beautiful colors. So the best of the bunch deserve a place on my best list.Jeffrey Goodman is the artisan who creates lighting in his Greenwich Village, New York studio.

8. Jaime Hayon

Jaime Hayon created a series of candy jars for Baccarat. This is my favorite. I wish I had the $21,500 to buy one. Only 25 were made. Sigh.

Are these all contemporary? I don’t think we’d all agree that they are. What style do you prefer – contemporary or classic? Or do you see yourself as a little of both? I’m a little of both. How about you?

ICFF Favorite: Lizzie Allen

I returned last night from New York where I spent a few days touring the annual International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF). I’ve got lots to report on, but I thought I’d start with one of my favorites – Lizzie Allen’s whimsical wallpapers. Lizzie hails from the UK. Her wallpaper designs reflect London life and are hand-screened. She thinks her wallpaper patterns look best on a feature wall. That means just one wall – creating a focal point in a shop or home. I think they’d look great in a powder room – where you can go a little crazy with pattern on all four walls. I also like the idea of using this inside picture molding all over a room.

Lizzie has just branched out into cushions, which will soon be available on her website.

I’m off to yet another round of physical therapy. But I’ll be back later today with my own particular view of the show.

So, now I need to know – would you put patterns like these in a powder room? I think the London City Gents pattern would work best in a tiny room. Agree?

Salone: Junk Mail Wallpaper

Cool wallpaper from todo.it is hanging in Milan this week.

Read more about it over at Poppytalk.