(Here is the second post from Monika, who is trying out for a post on the AT:SF team. Her first post can be found right here. Comments are welcome!)
The idea of fabric on a wall instead of paint or wall paper is not a new one, but something in this picture from a 1975 decorating book caught our attention. Random blooms were cut away and outlined, unveiling the painted wall underneath. We are fans of wild patterns, but it can often feel overpowering, especially in a small space. Cutting away parts of the pattern helps to avoid this problem by making it feel more sporadic.
Here are a few common sense pointers to guide you with picking the right kind of fabric:
The best ones are thick enough so that no glue will be showing through to the front. Backed fabrics will work the best when applying glue but keep in mind that they have tendencies to to shrink more (paper backing more than woven) so you will need to get more of it.
Liquid fabric starch can be used in place of glue. It is great for renters as it is easily removable and the fabric can be washed and re-used for another project.
Other things to look for is resistance to staining, mildew (especially when used in bathrooms), fading, shrinking and fire-rating. You can also ask to have your material stain-guarded when you purchase it. This might be a good idea, especially when applied in heavy traffic areas of the home.
One last detail is the trim. For a finished look you will want to hide the edges. Molding or a decorative ribbon will get the job done.
Here are some resources for your fabric shopping in the Bay Area:
Britex Fabrics in SF
Discount Fabrics in SF and Berkeley
Mendel's Far Out Fabrics and Art in SF
Fabrix in SF
Stich Lounge in SF
Fabric Outlet in SF (109 Mission St., between 17th St and Clarion Aly)
Peapod Fabrics in SF
WhizBang Fabrics in SF
Sal Beressi Fabrics Company in SF (1504 Bryant St. between 15th St and Alameda St.)
Beverly's Fabrics & Crafts in Daily City
Stonemountain & Daughter Fabrics in Berkeley
-Monika
That's a crazy-cool wallpaper on those walls...
view bepsf's profile
It's Daly City. Also, there's a huge Joann Fabrics in El Cerrito.
view OMG's profile
"We are fans of wild patterns, but it can often feel overpowering, especially in a small space. Cutting away parts of the pattern helps to avoid this problem by making it feel more sporadic."
Personally I think this pattern is still overpowering, regardless of cutting away the blooms. I'm pretty sure this is the same wall paper that caused Jack Nicholson to go insane in "The Shining."
view bether's profile
Cutting away a part of it by tracing around the flowers to expose white walls looks more overbearing than the pattern itself if it were left intact. It makes it look like someone was trying to escape the wild pattern, and instead of use the door, they tore open the wallpaper and tried to get out through the space-time continuum. I am trying to think of various "side-effects" of heavy drugs and wondering if it was really the drugs themselves or the wallpaper choices made, or even whether the general effect of the drugs drove the choice in wallpaper and it all came together in examples, like above, of a total freak-out. Yeah, you're going to have a detriment when you intentionally make your room look like the walls are melting and letting all the spiders in.
view K T G's profile
This reminds of my first apartment and how I striped the walls of a big patterned wallcovering and painted white. The owners of the Neutra apartment liked shagged carpet too.
view LoriSF's profile
This is an interesting idea, although I'd never opt for this kind of treatment but, in terms of making a point, I'm not sure how this "sporadic" cutting away of flowers makes the loud pattern any less "overpowering." I mean, really?
view visualingual's profile
This looks like my grandma's house, circa 1973.
view Lisa Hunter (Montreal)'s profile
that seems pretty complicated... why not just use wall stickers or wall decals? like pretty pasture wall decals from www.Art-A-Peel.com
view jeffreymaggie's profile
Sorry, but I can't say that I think this is particularly good example of this idea, if there is one at all. The idea of cutting wall-paper motifs and sticking them on a wall is interesting, especially if you can't find decals that you like. This version just doesn't work for me one bit.
view kimg924's profile
yep - good idea, bad picture
view formosagirl's profile
Fabric panels are also a cheap and easy way to really dress up your office cubicle: http://stylenorth.ca/blog/2008/06/pimp-my-cube/
view ChrisToronto's profile
Wouldn't the fabric get moldy easier than paper in a bathroom? or can it be treated first?
view chip's profile