Off the Wall: Geometric

Intern at Large Karli Hendrickson just wrote me about a fantastic book she's reading: "Off the Wall, Wonderful Wall Coverings of the Twentieth Century"  by Lena Lencek and Gideon Bosker. In the second section of this book "Circles and Squares- Geometrics, Abstracts, Op Art, Minimalist Art" the book explains that geometric motifs were typical of the 1950's. Post World War II, low-cost screen printing inspired the production of more experimental and avant-garde patterns. Also during this time, an upwelling of ranch homes in the growing suburbs inspired the wallpaper industry to create bold patterns wallpaper to accent and jazz up the simple, open, and modern design of these ranch houses. Textile designs at this time were also very bold and featured prisms, grids, doodles, and loops of geometric inspired design.

New York Watertowers in LA

Just got these installation shots from Social Control, a very cool production company in LA, that installed Tom Slaughter's 'NYC Watertowers' last week.  I'd say the pattern holds up quite well on the West Coast.  Thanks for the photos Jessica!

Blackbird & Cupcakes

Just saw these installation shots of our Blackbird pattern on Jen Marsh's charming website, Cattywompus.  This is a cupcake shop in Hoboken apparently.  Charm abounds!

New Installation Shot : Migration

Just got this installation shot of "Migration" in a powder room.

I LOVE wallpaper in bathrooms -- for a few reasons:

- You can take more design risks in a bathroom because the stakes are not as high as, say, the living room or the bedroom.

- The small space will enhance the wallpaper effect, allowing the pattern to really pack a punch and define the room.

- It can be a fun surprise when you open a bathroom door and see vibrant color or pattern inside.

- When you have people over, they will end up using the bathroom and complimenting you on your bold, design taste.

- Plus, wallpaper in the bathroom gives everyone something to look at while they're taking care of business ;)

Thanks for sending the photo Katherine-- it looks great!

Cavern at the Park Avenue Armory

Images from the fully mounted antiquarian book fair at the Park Ave Armory in New York.  It's amazing how dramatically the room transformed over the course of the week. Tom Slaughter's 'Library' pattern is looking great!

Blackbird in New Zealand

Just got this installation shot from Auckland, New Zealand.  (Those blackbirds are really quite international.) I really like how wallpaper functions at the top of a staircase, expanding the space and revealing itself as you walk closer to it. Thanks for the photo Natasha!

Designers We Love : Diamond and Baratta

I am pretty much obsessed with the New York design team Diamond and Baratta.  Their bold style, whimsical exuberance, and use of pattern are remarkable, whether they are working on a Miami apartment, a Hamptons cottage, or a Western ranch.  From rugs to wallpaper, pillows to fabrics, their spaces incorporate so many geometric patterns, stripes, and other repeats.  Most of the design elements are designed by the duo and custom made by artisans for each of projects, so you can't really buy this stuff anywhere (unless you hire Diamond and Baratta!) but if you are interested in patterns and how to use them in a space, look these guys up -- their portfolio is the best lesson book in how to do it.  A few photos from their website are below, but check more out here.  Truly inspirational!

Damien Hirst Wallpaper

Last month I posted about Damien Hirst's work, and I just realized (via one of my favorite blogs, The Year in Pictures) that he has done wallpaper!  I don't know how I missed it when I was at the Gagosian gallery shop; maybe it's relatively recent.  In any case, talk about graphic wallpaper- wowzer.  The pattern seems perfect for a retail or public space; I can't really imagine it in most home environments.  But it's nice to see digitally printed wallpaper in a high-end context.  Well done Mr. Hirst!  (And thanks for taking the on-the-sly pictures, James!)

Wallpaper Heroes: William Morris

William Morris is perhaps the single most important figure in the history of wallpaper.  A writer, artist, and political activist, Morris was truly a renaissance man, but his achievements in fabric and wallpaper design stand above the rest.  Championing the British arts and crafts movement, Morris merged his interest in patterning with his lifelong fascination with nature.  The results are timeless patterns, rich in color, elegant in design.

It's striking to me how relevant Morris' work and philosophies are to wallpaper today.  His fundamental belief that surface design depends upon intentional lines and silhouettes is undeniably true; Cavern's "Blackbird" pattern is a great example.  And his interest in hand-made art and abstracting the natural world all seem very modern, very "now."  I'll post more eye-candy from Morris in the upcoming weeks - his patterns are truly exquisite.

Respecting Our Elders: Dorothy Draper

The more I read about Dorothy Draper the more I am fascinated by her -- both as an interior designers and also as an astounding lady.

Stylistically, she championed the Neo-Baroque style.  She became known for using splashy colors and dramatic features such as lacquered doors, elaborate moldings, black and white tiled floors, strong stripes, large mirrors, vibrant chintz.  Her color combinations were revolutionary at the time and still hold up today: turquoise blues, pinks, eggplant purple, chartreuse.  Fabulous.

As a woman, she seems to have oozed both sass and sensibility.  She became the first widely famous female interior designer.  A lover of travel and the enjoyment of quality life, she urged her followers to avoid the "will to be dreary," the passive attitude of "being resigned to life and terribly serious about it."

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Her design mantra: "If something looks right, it is right."

Carleton Vanery, her protege, channels her aesthetic and has produced tremendous work of his own.

A few of my favorites in his fabrics/wall covering collection:

Learn more about Draper and Vanery, and check out products here.  Very inspiring!

Inspiration from '75

More inspiration from the 1975 Better Homes and Gardens Decorating Book.  Love the graphic patterns!

Loving Old Wallpaper

Just got these photos from intern Karli Hendrickson of her grandmother's house in Cape Cod.  I love old wallpaper patterns and vintage design looks.  And I love seeing rooms with walls and ceiling covered in bold patterns.  Thanks Karli!

Better Homes & Gardens, 1975

My all time favorite design book is the 1961 Better Homes and Gardens Decorating Book.

So you can imagine how excited I was when intern Haveon Jung brought in the 1975 version, an inspired purchase.  Even at first glance, you can see from the covers how style and design changed in those fourteen years.

I love the rooms photographed in these books for their beautiful, bold style -- a style that defined a moment in design and living.


I also enjoy their wacky, misguided, or flat out hideous design elements that make me wonder "what were they thinking??"

As I post pictures from both books, I hope you get a kick out of all elements that make them undeniably cool.

Wallpapered Ceiling

I love seeing wallpaper on ceilings - especially when that wallpaper comes from Cavern!  Here is some serious installation inspiration that shows how a ceiling went from drab to fab with our "Cavalry" pattern.

Wallpaper at the Madonna Inn

Have you ever daydreamed about throwing caution to the wind and re-designing your bedroom with a wildly exuberant, over the top color palate? Spend a night or two at the Madonna Inn and you might satisfy your urge without re-decorating your room (and possibly ruining your design reputation). Located in San Luis Obisbo, California, this legendary "resort style retreat" offers 110 boutique rooms, each decorated with a unique theme. With a kitsch factor that only Graceland could outshine, these rooms boast meticulous attention to design detail and an extreme visual stimulation that I have to admire. The resort includes a spa, steakhouse, cafe, and more. Cavern "Intern at Large" Karli Hendrickson went to the bakery on her road trip- thanks for bringing this place to my attention!

To see images of all the rooms and to learn more about the inn's fascinating history, check out its website. This is a California institution that I definitely have to see in person some day. These rooms are like Wallpaper Heaven!

Cavern for Anthropologie

Last year, Cavern worked with Anthropologie and designed a wallpaper pattern sold exclusively by the retail megastore.  Like many Cavern patterns, this one is graphic and stylish, combining elements from nature with a modern sensibility.  Zebras poke out from an abstracted leafy pattern and almost look like plants themselves.

Antique Wallpaper at Second Hand Rose

If you're in the market for vintage wallpaper, check out Second Hand Rose.  Based in New York, the shop carries the world's largest collection of antique papers in original rolls.  The styles range from Victorian to 1970's modern and everything in between.  Below are some of my favorite patterns from mid-century through the 70's.  So graphic and fun.

Installation Inspiration

Just a few installation photos.  Thanks to all our customers who send these in.  Happy wallpapering!

Fabulous Wallpaper in HBO's Gray Gardens

Lead by production designer Kalina Ivanov, HBO's "Gray Gardens" features very catching, interesting wallpapers.  The famous Hamptons house was re-built on set in Canada, and the design team did not have much to work from, as there are very few records of Gray Gardens in its 1930's prime.  Grounding her research in historic wallpaper samples, Ivanov combined Art Deco and Chinoiserie revival styles to create the interior.  She brilliantly creates a unique, elegant, fanciful decor that matches the personalities of the women who lived at Gray Gardens.  For more information, read this terrific interview with Ivanov.