When people ask us where they should start updating a room, almost everyone expects the same answer: Paint. But more often than not… Our answer is wallpaper.
Not because every room needs a pattern. Not because wallpaper is trendy. But because wallpaper has the power to completely transform how a room feels. Paint changes color. Wallpaper changes the atmosphere.
It can make a powder room feel like a jewel box, turn a bedroom into a cozy retreat, or give an ordinary hallway a sense of history and personality. It’s one of the few design elements that instantly tells a story the moment you walk into a space.
We often think of wallpaper as the jewelry of a home. It isn’t always the first thing you notice, but somehow it’s the detail everyone remembers.
One of the biggest misconceptions about wallpaper is that it has to be bold. Some of our favorite installations are actually the quietest. A hand-blocked floral. A subtle stripe. A textured grasscloth. A tiny repeating print that almost reads as a solid from across the room. These softer patterns add warmth, depth, and character without overwhelming the space. Wallpaper should support the architecture—not compete with it.
Wallpaper instantly creates intimacy. Whether it’s hosting a holiday meal or a Tuesday night dinner, it wraps the room in warmth and makes every gathering feel a little more special.
We tend to gravitate toward softer patterns, textiles, and nature-inspired prints that create a calm, layered feeling. A bedroom should feel like an exhale.
These transitional spaces deserve just as much attention as the rooms they connect. They’re your home’s first impression, and wallpaper can immediately establish the mood for everything that follows.
One of our favorite design moves. People rarely think of wallpaper as a ceiling, but it’s an unexpected way to add depth and character—especially in historic homes where you’re already celebrating architectural details.
If there’s one room where we always encourage clients to take a risk, it’s the powder room. It’s small, memorable, and the perfect place to introduce a pattern or color you might not commit to in a larger space.
Some of the happiest rooms in a home are the ones guests rarely see. We love treating these hardworking spaces like little hidden gems.
A few things we always consider:
Scale matters. A pattern that’s perfect in one room can feel completely different in another.
Think about natural light. Wallpaper changes throughout the day as the light shifts.
Respect the architecture. Historic homes often tell you what feels appropriate.
Order samples. Every single time. What you love online can look entirely different in your home.
We’ve rounded up some of the wallpapers we return to again and again—from timeless stripes and classic florals to moody botanicals, textured neutrals, and statement prints that still feel like they’ll be beautiful twenty years from now.
Whether you’re wallpapering an entire room or just the ceiling of a tiny powder room, we hope this collection inspires you to think beyond paint.
Shop our favorite wallpaper finds here.
One last thought… Years from now, no one is going to say, “Remember that eggshell paint color?” They’re going to say, “Remember that wallpaper?”
And that’s exactly why we love it.
Sending love from our stoop,
Jordan & Barry
No posts
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.