pattern play

 image: Chasing Paper (link in image)

I've used wallpaper in every home I've ever lived in. There was the teal floral print in my teenage bedroom, a mid-century geometric in the kitchen of my first crappy basement apartment, black and white toile in the bathroom of the mid-town attic loft, a fairy print in the closet of my daughter's  nursery, and a metallic damask feature wall in the master bedroom of my current home. While I don't, generally, like a lot of colour on the walls, pattern is a different story. 

image: Anthropologie (link in image)

Wallpaper used to be a commitment though. Even the pre-pasted vinyl stuff wasn't the easiest for a rookie to hang. Forget about ever getting it truly straight and bubble-free. And removal? Well, that was best left to the next occupants to steam and scrape off.

image: Walls Need Love (link in image)

Ah, progress! Wallpaper 2.0 is peel and stick. It asks nothing of you other than to love it. There is no long-term commitment, no professional installation needed and no hassle removal when it's time for a change.  It's a low-tack decal that allows you to apply, reposition if you make a mistake, and take 'er down when you're bored. Oh, and it's totally affordable: under $200 for a 10' feature wall. 

image: Chasing Paper (link in image)

It's not just for walls, either. You could paper the back of a basic bookcase, or the inside of a closet for a little peek-a-boo action.  Dorm walls, real estate staging, rental condos that won't let you paint, kitchen cupboards that need a quick facelift: yep, yep and yep. 

image: Centsational Girl (link in image)

No-budget kitchen facelift. Great look in a cottage. 

Cabinet surprise. Introduce some colour and pattern in an all-white kitchen. 

Feature wall in a rental. So nice the owners will ask you to leave it.