skip to main content
Photos
Photos
Advice
Stories From Houzz
Houzz Discussions
Houzz TV
Sign In
Houzz Logo Print
Explore Discussions
Design Dilemma
perfectwallcolor

Can't Decide - Paint vs Wallpaper?

Perfect Wall Color
7 years ago
2017 Design Trend – Wallpaper
Wallpaper adds instant color, texture, and interest to any space. It has room-transforming and style- defining powers. And, yes… You can still hang art!
Featured Answer
  • H DE
    7 years ago

    I'm the owner of this project in the photo and would like to explain to the detractors its context and why this treatment works for me. First of all, this is an artistic PHOTOGRAPHIC depiction meant to capture geographic designs. It is a narrow center of the space. The photo's view is downstairs and while some may feel it expresses vertigo, the mood is anything but. From below, this is a small entry from a smallish hallway that is somewhat dark. When you open the door, the entryway is about 10 feet into a natural light-laden stairway that has as its walls two stories of windows that are open outside so there is anything but a feeling of entrapment. The beautiful flooring spirals up to a very cool mixture of art deco and modern adaptation of a tudor roofline which is the essence of this penthouse. The ceiling behind the photo is about 20 feet high, so again even behind the stairway there is no feeling of vertigo, either. Looking up, there is actually an open feeling and the walls between the windows are decorated with tall modern paintings and tall African scuptures that draw the eye up to a dramatic and pleasing Jonathan Adler chandelier at the top. So, while I certainly appreciate the right of people to express their feelings, the fact is that in reality this designer has given me exactly the feeling that I wanted and getting lost in the art of the photo as capturing the entirety of the design is actually myopic and inaccurate. The space is open, open open and the photo hones in only on the geometry. In reality it is brilliant and it is right for me!

    Comments (20)

    • Bailey R
      7 years ago

      Yikes ! I don't what else to say...

    • User
      7 years ago

      Horrifying?

    • Danielle Black
      7 years ago
      Is there a question?
    • leelee
      7 years ago

      Second the Yikes and raise you one.

    • leelee
      7 years ago

      But what if you have a hangover?

    • User
      7 years ago

      It's a vaguely familiar treatment.

      Design Gems · More Info

    • Long Beach Surf Crew
      7 years ago
      last modified: 7 years ago

      I am remodeling my living room. My husband and I can not decide between paint or wallpaper on the walls and ceiling. This post is great because I can see the impact of wallpaper. The instant color, texture, and wow what a fun design. I wish more of the feedback in this discussion was about thoughts and experiences using wallpaper, instead of if you like this particular selection. Still, I would like to read more about wallpaper experiences especially on the ceiling. By the way... fantastic photo!

    • chloebud
      7 years ago
      last modified: 7 years ago

      I think leelee got it right with the hangover. Seriously, I have nothing against wallpaper as long as it's not too nuts. We had a lot of it removed when we moved into our current home. It was beautifully hung, but I couldn't deal with all the plaids and prints. Yes...hangover/headache inducing.

    • jkjgodsil
      7 years ago
      I don't particularly care for busy, but I find this picture to be dramatically beautiful. I love the risk she took to go big in what appears to be an entryway. Good for you Perfect Wall Color with your choice in wallpaper. I give you an A+!
    • Bailey R
      7 years ago

      Sorry, I thought both of these pictures were some sort of "wallpaper parody", a joke of some sort. Wow, just wow!

    • miss lindsey (She/Her)
      7 years ago

      Vertigo

    • Bailey R
      7 years ago

      Vertigo (the Alfred Hitchcock movie) was the first thing I thought, followed by the Mel Brooks' movie "High Anxiety " wherein actress Madeline Kahn (sp?) wore & drove as I recall Louis Vuitton paterns... a parody of designer logos. Hilarious.

    • Jennifer Havin
      7 years ago

      while those aren't for everyone, I personally love wallpaper

      Chapman House · More Info

      Den / Home office. · More Info

      Modern Glam Entry & Foyer · More Info

    • PRO
      Patricia Colwell Consulting
      7 years ago

      IMO that is like my worst nightmare but I do like wall paper in some places but used sparingly and before adding wall paper i would paint everything and then decide if you need it.

    • Judy Mishkin
      7 years ago

      i like wallpaper, more than the next guy. but i do have a spiral stairs and frankly its hard enough to get down without killing myself without a pattern of any sort on the surrounding walls. this one really... closing your eyes isnt an option as you are going down.

    • miss lindsey (She/Her)
      7 years ago

      So happy that you love your home. That's the only thing that matters.

      The fact remains however that this was presented as a design dilemma with a title implying that there is a decision to be made. Of course you will get feedback, and when the photo is so impactful the feedback is likely to be forceful too.

      I can get vertigo on your average beige staircase. I would have to crawl down those stairs, because the conflicting visual cues would confuse my brain and the spiral format would confuse my inner ear. It's not a criticism of you or the designer, just the truth.

    • PRO
      Laurie McDowell Interior Design
      7 years ago

      I am a huge believer in the power and impact of wallpaper and use it quite often. With that being said, I'm thinking that this really might be a bit too much.(;


    • Judy Mishkin
      7 years ago

      don't confuse claustrophobia with vertigo. it doesnt matter how high the ceiling above my head is, when i look down the stairs in the photo i get dizzy. THAT is vertigo.

      and i'm very glad you dont have the same reaction.

    • H DE
      7 years ago

      Thanks, nnigrt. I'm a Harvard-trained MD specialist. I know the definition of vertigo and that of claustrophobia. But, you are right. It only matters that I like it. Thanks for your opinion. The fact is that the expansive loft room behind and above, combined with the fact that there is painted wallpaper-wall above the wallpaper line above induces neither entrapment nor a compulsion to rotate the world in a downward spiral. It is simply a cool picture that captures geometry in a way that I think is artful and some others who also have not seen the space live in 3D believe induces angst. Thank you all for your opinions.

    Sponsored
    More Discussions
    How to position a TV in this living / dining room?
    0
    Hi, how to plain for the kitchen
    1
    Singapore
    Tailor my experience with cookies

    Houzz uses cookies and similar technologies to personalise my experience, serve me relevant content, and improve Houzz products and services. By clicking ‘Accept’ I agree to this, as further described in the Houzz Cookie Policy. I can reject non-essential cookies by clicking ‘Manage Preferences’.