What if someone told you that you could approximate the look of incredibly expensive wallpaper that runs about $1800 a roll for under $40? The powder room above was done by the very talented interior designer Joe Nye by gluing plates from Taschen's The Complete Costume History by Auguste Racinet. This has just been re-released in a 25th anniversary edition at a wonderful price. Nye got the idea from Steven Gambrel who had used Albertus Seba's Cabinet of Natural Curiosities to paper a powder room. Taschen's 25th anniversary edition of this can be pre-ordered now. I love the idea of doing a Chinoiserie version using one of my favorite books Chinoiseries by Bernd H. Dams and Andrew Zega. I also like Nye's use of the footed tray, Famille Rose lamp, and Diptyque candle. Nye said that he thinks it looks as good as $1,800 a roll de Gournay paper. I personally love the idea.
(Photo courtesy of House Beautiful)
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I love this idea, too, Beth! I can only imagine what you could do with the Chinoiseries book. Love your style! Have a terrific wknd.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea, Beth, and it's so versatile! You could use just about any book you wanted. A book of Audubon's work would also be lovely.
ReplyDeleteAnne-I would love to try this. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteAverill-The Audobon idea is great.
ReplyDeleteI love this idea. I have done this in the past & you reminded me of re-visiting that idea once again. Really lovely Beth.
ReplyDeleteDumbwit Tellher-Thanks-I really want to do this in my powder room.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous designer to think of this! I have black wallpaper in my powder room that would look great with these over it to update.
ReplyDeleteNow.....just have to find some time. Love his idea of the tray too!
Beth - this is a GREAT idea. And I would add that for renters, a nice effect would be framing (in inexpensive frames) a number of these images close together on one powder room wall. Not a complete look a like, but a nice substitute.
ReplyDeleteI have The Cabinet of Natural Curiosities, and couldn't bear to cut it up - a stunning book. BUT Barnes and Nobles sells an inexpensive, abbreviated version (I think for around $30) that has high quality, large prints that I wouldn't cry over cutting out. Also, they are currently selling the prints themselves in bound "portfolios" of about 14 prints ready for framing. I just bought one of these for $15, and the prints are high quality and larger than those in the book. Perfect.
Taschen publishers produces both the less expensive book version and the print portfolio.
I know all of this because - you guessed it - lots of coral pictures :)
Sande-The black background would be great.
ReplyDeleteSF-Great idea on the framing for renters. Places like Michael's sell frames for a few dollars a piece. But if it were a rental I planned to stay in for a while, for these prices I would do the decoupage method directly to the walls and scrape them off when I left. Great info on the books and prints.
ReplyDeleteA great idea! I used Redoute's roses to make a pair of folding screens. Another idea for the prints above. From someone who has been to hell and back trying to remove wallpaper. Do put sizing on your walls before you glue anything on them. It makes the removal possible while keeping your sanity.
ReplyDeleteHome Before Dark-These are all such great tips-love the Redoute roses idea, the screen, and the sizing. Thanks so much!
ReplyDelete