Singular and Exotic – Metallic Cork Damask in a River Oaks Master Bedroom

Wow – Not many people get to sleep in a bedroom like this! The walls are covered in a cork wallcovering that is coated with silver metallic blocks that are about 6″ square. Then a gold metallic damask pattern was superimposed on top. It looks like someone rubbed gold leaf on the walls!

The result is an elegant, shimmery, somewhat edgy look. It’s all complimented by a deep red accent wall composed of large, 3-dimensional square blocks (visible on the left in the top photo). The bed and headboard sit in front of this red wall.

Silver, gold, red – stunning!

Cork is a natural material (like grasscloth, as an example) so irregularities and color differences are to be expected. In the top photo, you can see a vertical line down the left edge of one strip – I believe this to have come from a roller at the factory that was pressing too hard, or perhaps was too hot.

Beyond that, there are differences in color and sheen and pattern between the strips on the wall. All of this is normal, and not considered a defect.

This was a thick material and took a lot of strength to press tightly against moldings for trimming, and it was pretty difficult to work around outside corners. But the main obstacle was that it was all but impossible to see the pattern. The sheen of the silver and gold, and the scratchy look of the design, printed on the textured surface of the cork … all combined to drive the installer’s eyes crazy.

In the end, though, I got ‘er done. 🙂

This wallpaper pattern is by Thibaut Designs, and was bought from my favorite source for good quality, product knowledge, expert service, and competitive price – Dorota Hartwig at Southwestern Paint on Bissonnet near Kirby. (713) 520-6262 or dorotasouthwestern@hotmail.com. She is great at helping you find just the perfect paper! Discuss your project and make an appointment before heading over to see her.

Southern Living and Elegant Dining Room Wallpaper

The Novemer 2012 issue of Southern Living Magazine is all about serving fancy dinners in fancy dining rooms. There is a several-page spread showing how several interior designers have styled their dining spaces.

The largest photo is of a very formal dining room, dominated by an ornate, 10′ tall gilt mirror. The wallpaper is a gold damask. But the show stopper is the ceiling. As the Editor’s Tip says, “Wallpaper the ceiling to give any room more patina and depth of color.”

Wallpaper?! What’s on that ceiling is way beyond regular wallpaper! From the looks of it, I’d say it’s real gold leaf, possibly the Vahallan brand, or something similar. Instead of strips that span the room, it appears to be squares or blocks of material, pieced together in a planned pattern. It looks kind of swirly and cloud-like, but in a gold color. It’s light enough to not crowd in on the room, and the mottely motif certainly adds patina. Truely magnificant.

Check out what Vahallan is up to: http://www.vahallan.com/