10 Wallpapers from Cole and Son

I am very interested in wallpapers, as more than the simple paint on a room wall, it can be a simple yet very creative investment in the interior design and general look of a room and house in general. In addition, you can change it often, without too much of a hassle, as it is the case with general painting. In terms of financial investment, it is also fine, as you need only to pay for the wallpaper and the special glue, without spending money on workers or other tools that you need time to learn how to use yourself. After a while, you can call yourself a wallpaper expert and in one day, your entire house can look completely different.

My latest discovery, with models that suit any room and type of house - from small apartment to mansions - is the Cole and Son, producing fine and high-end designed wallpapers for decades. You can order them online, and the website is available in both English and Swedish.

Here are my top 10 choices, out of too many to mention, but you have a look on the website to find the right wallpaper that suits your budget and your style.

1. Bamboo

Delicate prints, available in different colours, that bring a touch of elegance to any corner of the room.You can choose a complete make-over or to cover only one corner, the effect is the same.

2. Archipelago Border

It is a world in itself, that this wallpaper brings into your home. Think about the Alice in Wonderland lost in a forest of colourful vegetation. It is definitely my favourite design for my working room or for the library.

3. Luxor Geometric

Jazzy geometric labyrinths, creating the feeling of movement. This is what you need to give more depth and dynamism to your space. I see it as a wall in the lobby, as an invitation to the visitor to start the journey of discovering your world.

4. Plume

Inspired by tribal art from around the world, it has fine brushstokes of greys, charcoal black and metallic gold. It matches an elegant minimalist living room, preferably with pastel furniture.

5. Balabina

Named after the Russian ballerina Feya Balabina, this beautiful elaborated design with peacocks covered by a luxuriant vegetation are a good adornment of the bedroom, or some walls of the living room. It indulges stylish vintage furniture. It is available in different colour combination.

6. Orchid

This design of orchid resting on stylish leaves is available in different colour combination. It can embellish the lobby, or a corner in the living room, with a stylish colourful chair or couch part of the landscape. For fixing, a special glue is recommended.

7. Flamingo

When it comes to flamingos, my objectivity fades, as I can see them everywhere in any corner of the room. Thankfully, I can choose between different colours - blue, grey or yellow, for instance - and patterns, and why not, have a house full of them! As colours on screen might be different from the real design, it is recommended to order a sample - for 1.5 pounds - to figure out if the pattern is what you are looking for.

8. Woodstock

Brought to you from the psychedelic times of the hippy revolution, this wallpaper - available in different colours - makes you feel forever young and ready for a change. It suits simple yet colourful pieces of furniture. Where do you want it fixed, it is up to you, as it suits any kind of setting, as long as you are into pop-art.

9. Opera

A bit of sophistication and style are always in need. For a stylish furniture, this wallpaper created in 1959 remains in fashion. The luxuriant combination of flowers and fruits, resting lasciviously on three-tired structures can suit your living room very well. With such a view in the front of your eyes, even the long family dinners are tastier. 

10. Bellini

Named after the Italian composer Vicenzo Bellini, this wallpaper uses the motif of tiles, broken by curves forcing the eyes to follow the various shapes into a labyrinth of flowers and leaves. Out of the four simple colourings, this is my favourite, and I see it very well embellishing the kitchen. I bet it can make me more creative when cooking something new.

Pictures from the Cole and Son website, English version

Kitchen wallpapers from Farrow & Ball

Lattice Source: Farrow & Ball

I am a big fan of interesting wallpapers, especially for the kitchen. Classically, this part of the house is considered as a place to work in, but not necessarily a space where do you need a certain design. Everything should be as practical and clean as possible, isn't it?

I belong to the group of kitchen philosophers according to whom I need to have a kitchen who is also looking good and challenging and inspiring. 

Curious to explore points of views and different perspectives, I asked the opinion of a company with expertise in the field of paints and wallpapers, Farrow & Ball, about the latest trends in terms of kitchen  trends. 

Tessella Source: Farrow & Ball

What I really love about them is the variety of patterns and the classical and elegant models. Compared with other wallpapers, they do not use ink hence the exquisite look of all their collections. As any respectable fashion trends, they launch the collection for the next year one season in advance. Thus, you may wait the next autumn for getting an idea about the most wanted trends in 2014. 

For the current season, the trend colours are: black blue - probably depends a lot of the combinations and the room where do you plan to use the colour; French grey and stone blue - awesome interior design options anywhere, but especially in the kitchen; and cornforth white - I can't say too much about it. 

Another good news is that you can try their online service for various advices. And you most probably will need it as a sharp choice is almost impossible with so many beautiful models around. I did it already because I wanted to know from an authorized source what suits the best a busy kitchen.

What to do in the kitchen: Wallpapers or paints?

My big question was: which is the best choice for a busy kitchen? Wallpaper or paints?

Oriental inspiration: Rajah Stripe Source: Farrow & Ball

Both answers are correct, in fact. The wallpapers are covered with a special protective coating and thus it is a limited risk to damage them for good; you can clean the wallpapers after you are done and everything will look as new. The wallpapers are fit to be applied on stone, wood and metal. On the other hand, in areas close to the fan spots and with exposure to moisture, the wallpapers is not a good idea and you better used the option of the paints instead.  

Since February this year, new models are available on the market, many of them suited to be used in any type of kitchen: inspired by old 19th century design, with geometrical forms and some elegant animal motifs - did I mention that we are talking here about a British company so please expect the strictest and highest standards in terms of taste?

If interested to build your knowledge in terms of wallpapers and decorations, you may be interested in ordering one of their books. 

Meanwhile, we will continue our exploration of good practices and interesting ideas of kitchen design!

Wallpapers ideas: Louise Body

The search for the almost perfect decoration for the kitchen may take time. One may be in a certain mood for a colour or a special print, but once the new patterns are on the market, the change is in the air. But how can you change it without going through the big mess of the painting? 

The wallpapers are the easiest solution for a dynamic person with complex tastes. A wallpaper is easy to apply and is a relatively good investment in terms of quality. Especially when for a price of less than 100 you can have amazing walls that can be changed as often as you can afford it. 

A favorite of mine Source: Louise Body

During my researches, I discovered Louise Body, whose flowers and birds painted in soft light colors create that ambiance that I always expect from the place I would love to call 'home'. It brings peace and joy into any house. Body's website has many interesting models, many of them looking like out of the covers of a children's book. 

The wallpapers can go in any room and the prices are quite affordable, compared with the fine detail and unique lines.