Simulated Wallpaper: A Damask, In Paint ColorTherapy

One way to get the raised weave in a simulated silk damask wallpaper is to vary the finishes of your paints. File this under Flowers. The base coat is Clunch from Farrow&Ball in matte — a reliable all-purpose white...

But the flower is Ralph Lauren Whitetail RM42, a Regent Metallic color and a favorite finish for decorative painting for just this reason: it’s quietly dazzling and otherworldly in terms of paint. The colors, as such, are close in hue and value. It’s the reflection of light that keeps it changing and keeps the eye darting for its source.

As to the pattern, I was inspired by a tear-sheet of something I hated, which is to say — I turned it into something else, mostly by removing its garish colors. I created a pattern of about 15 flowers at 22”x30”, and repeated it up and down and side to side. My individual brushstrokes and gestures are decidedly Fauvist and contemporary, but taken on the whole I think they suggest a tapestry that is slightly more elegant. I’m told people are looking constantly for wallpaper “seams.”

PAINTS USED: Farrow&Ball Clunch 2009, Ralph Lauren Whitetail RM42

- Mark Chamberlain, interior and decorative painter

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This is exactly the type of finish I've been looking for. Thanks for the post.

posted by dallas10086 on October 20th 2009 at 12:02pm
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Thanks! Great idea for someone who wants a little oomph without adding colour (or horror of horrors for me, wall paper).

posted by La Vesigondine on October 20th 2009 at 12:08pm
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Gorgeous. Also love the writing style used here.

posted by Splomo on October 20th 2009 at 12:33pm
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I've been noticing a sudden surge of wallpaper posts and decorating shows on TV....

Even though this pattern is super-subtle, it's not my thing. I'm very happy to be without patterned walls.

Maybe it's just my personal reaction to bad wallpaper patterns in my youth (70's and 80's), but there will be avian porcine matter before I decide to pattern my walls......

posted by modern on long island on October 20th 2009 at 1:15pm
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My grandmother's house was painted like this... It was an Art Nouveau townhouse in a small Czech town.

posted by mschatelaine on October 20th 2009 at 1:32pm
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LOVE this idea for my new home office. I have bold color in my furnishings and wanted something to add depth to the walls without color. This is perfect.

posted by kimg924 on October 20th 2009 at 1:44pm
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I love this idea! I don't know if I would have the patience for it, though.

posted by heatherdazy on October 20th 2009 at 4:00pm
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