That room is gorgeous, Yaya.

Very cool Yaya.

I've lost track but what is going against the wallpaper/mural wall - the couch or the TV?

Moodboards aren't literal; eg the rug is on a different plane entirely. I am showing the paper options with the sofa because anything will go with the TV cab (and or I can paint it).

How can you make the sofa, a color you've long wanted to use in a room, the star of the room

I don't want the sofa to be the star. When you enter it will be on your right. When you look into the room, you will see the mural/paper wall. That is the star. It will have the TV cabinet, and nothing else, in front of it.

https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=819272073542974&set=ecnf.100063805669110

I understand how mood boards work And yes, almost anything will go with the TV cabinet so then my understanding is that there won't be a tv in the room, on the tv cabinet.

Thanks for the layout clarification. That helps.

Blf, I think Mtn said there is a lift in the cabinet for the tv, so it won't be visible unless someone is watching it. Of course, my memory is a sieve, so I could be wrong. ;-)

I think this kind of highly decorative wallpaper should probably be something you’ve seen and just have to use and the room is designed around it. The fact that you’ve selected other furnishings in advance of narrowing down the wallpaper selection says to me that none of these are ”must haves.” Another consideration is the size of the place which I assume is smaller than the homes you’re used to decorating. Having completely unrelated rooms in a smaller home can look too much like a decorators showhouse, iykwim. Just throwing this out there…, would a quietly refined, beautifully textured grasscloth on the wall instead of a mural be the worst idea?

….and with that remark I have joined the ranks of people who answer the question ‘“which shade of blue paint should I use?” with a recommendation to paint it coral instead…sorry! 😞

I don’t think you can go wrong with The Original.

Iirc, you chose it with the idea to decorate the room around? The velvet sofa would look fab with it, and I feel it fits the rest of the home well, too.

there won't be a tv in the room, on the tv cabinet.

Yes, the TV cabinet is a lift; the TV is only visible when one is watching TV.

This kind of highly decorative wallpaper should probably be something you’ve seen and just have to use and the room is designed around it.

The room is being designed around the wallpaper, and always has been. I like the trend of very colorful wallpaper and very much want to use it here. I ordered the sofa because I see it as almost a neutral and it works with so many papers/murals I like, including the original choice. The TV cabinet, which I own, is a non issue. It is ivory. It would also be easy to repaint it or to use something else.

Having completely unrelated rooms in a smaller home can look too much like a decorators showhouse, iykwim.

Years ago I thought that a cohesive scheme throughout a home was the non plus ultra. I did that very intentionally in our homes. I know Pal disagrees and argues that each room can be a thing unto its own, and so I consider that valid. Moreover, at the risk of creating another moodboard, I submit that any of these iterations would work well with the rest of the apartment. Although I make much of the Big Orange Wall, every other wall is neutral, every piece of furniture is white or tan, and the countertops and DR table are white stone.

quietly refined, beautifully textured grasscloth

That's the kind of decorating I've done for a long time, and I still love it. But my DH refers to this place as our "girlfriend apartment," i.e. less serious and less of a commitment than a wife. It's a place to do things a little bit differently and take more risks.

"Having completely unrelated rooms in a smaller home can look . . .

"Years ago I thought that a cohesive scheme throughout a home was the non plus ultra. I did that very intentionally in our homes. I know Pal disagrees and argues that each room can be a thing unto its own,

I want to expand on this a little bit: I feel like over time that "related" vs. "unrelated" has become a more restrictive sort of definition when it comes to what "related" means. I think that the idea of rooms not being related to each other meant that the were completely different stylistically, that there was something "thematic" about each room: like I knew someone who had a "Southwestern Style" bedroom with rustic-furniture and an Indian blanket patterned wallpaper border, and prints of pots leaning against an adobe wall and, cacti, and stuff, and then had another room that was totally Miami Vice, 1980s contemporary deco-revival and a bathroom with some novelty wallpaper, and so forth. Each room was a decorated stage set. Or, I have seen houses and apartments in real estate when you can tell that this bathroom is original, this one was redone in 1990, the kitchen was done in 2005 and they aren't paying attention to each other at all. That is what I understand as "unrelated".

Now, especially in the general Decorating forum, it has come to mean that every room has to be practically identical stylistically in every way. The trim has to exactly the same throughout the entire house, it has to be the identical paint color throughout the entire house ("Paint color" is actually too broad a term, really means an identical shade of white), and the color schemes have to be consistent enough that you can unplug almost anything from one room and plug it in in a different room and it will work just as well. Sometimes even all the wall colors throughout the house have to look perfect together side by side if they are not actually all off the same swatch. (Excluding kids bedrooms, maybe). "Related" does not need to mean complete uniformity, but that is what it has grown into. There have been questions like "White Dove, which is the trim color in my whole house, doesn't look good with the background of the wallpaper I want to put in my bedroom, but Ballet White does, can I use a different color in one room?" And the answer is generally something like "No, it will look like you ran out of paint and bought the wrong color" or "Choose a different wallpaper that goes with the White Dove" or "Well, maybe, since nobody will really see it but you".

If you look at the work and at the houses of professional designers, I think that you can see that "related" can mean that they were clearly done by a person whose taste is consistent, even though it may not be expressed the same way in each room. (A different part of this discussion is "a person whose taste is consistent" which I am not sure describes a majority of people, which may be why having some fairly strict rules to follow is helpful, and there's nothing wrong with that.)

There is a tv for watching - and that's my point (although perhaps it's irrelevant after Mtn most recent explanation of the apt which I can relate to) and that is what kind of wallpaper do you want to be cluttering your vision when trying to watch tv. Again that may be irrelevant for Mtn and Mr. Mtn.

We are building new and I have always had this vision of what I wanted to live in and have hired a designer to help me attain that vision. It is very different from what we had before because I've always bought into trends and "what you're supposed to do" - well not this time around. Time to play a little bit.

I agree with your assessment Pal about the nature of a related versus a uniform interior. The phrase that jumped out at me was the phrase ”stage set” which is exactly how I think of showhouses and homes with obvious themes, room by room or all nclusive. Some of the more florid murals definitely evoke that stage set feeling. certainly the print mural does too—- it could be the backdrop for any English country house weekend whodunit. I guess the reason I am drawn to the latter is that while the subject is lighthearted the palette is restrained, unlike those with a more exuberant subject coupled with a complicated or enthsiastic colorway.

Totally get stepping out of one’s comfort zone to have a little fun, Mtn. With that in mind, i would go with the scheme in your original post as just different enough to scratch that itch but consistent enough with your innate taste to be happier with long term.

I get what Blf is saying -- perhaps more so because of my own issues. Having a busy field behind around a tv can distract your eyes but I do think most people are able to focus their vision and attention on a zone of a field -- like when you are at the grocery store and looking for just shitake mushrooms but you "see through" all the other mushrooms and produce surrounding them. Even with my unfocused double vision, I am still able to see past my currently messy work area and focus on just my monitor.

But my DH refers to this place as our "girlfriend apartment," i.e. less serious and less of a commitment than a wife. It's a place to do things a little bit differently and take more risks.

Love this ... a perfect metaphor! The new place gives you an opportunity to be more adventurous and try new things that wouldn't work in your other homes.

I get what Blf is saying

I haven't thought about BLFenton's point before, probably because so few of my spaces have anything going on on the walls. I can see it possibly being a consideration in a great room with one of those humongous TVs where you watch the big game, but that is so not us. most of the time it will just be a cabinet there with the TV tucked away.

BTW, BLFenton, we wanna see what you are doing! How far along is your project; it seems like years since your fire or am I wrong?But then, it takes a long time to deisgn and build from scratch.

I was thinking about the phrase "completely unrelated rooms" in part because I know I am going through a chinoiserie phase and an animal phase right now. Luckily I can argue that both are "timeless" but we all know that trap. I am actually trying not to make everything chinoiserie or look like the World Wildlife Fund brochures.

Anyway, I see my three options for this room as, in fact, very much related to the whole space. (THESE ARE MASHUPS OF DIFFERENT ROOMS, TO BE CLEAR, NOT A PROPOSAL TO PUT ALL OF THIS TOGETHER LOL)

For example, Option 1 with its Rainforest theme relates to the animal themes i have elsewhere ... birds, cheetah, and of course I have tortoise shell (not shown).

Option 2, Jaipur Garden, relates to my Asian elements and also picks up a touch of orange (by the way, I'll be darned if that Mr Wynn doesn't look dashing wherever I put him!)

Option 3, Moodboard, has the same neutral palette as the K, and picks up on my classical framed pieces and sculpture I have in the LR

In any event, I have submitted the three options to my not-distinguished-but-very-opinionated panel, DDs 1 and 2. They make a good audience because they care about this stuff, notice everything, have good taste, and see things with an unjaundiced eye because it's all new to them anyway. Moreover, if I do something they don't like, I hear about it ad nauseum. Although that is usually about fashion not decor (as in "Mom, you have to get rid of those shoes!")

Of the three, although #3 is a restrained palette, which is you. the tacked up art is a little Joe Orton/Kenneth Halliwell -bohemian, which is not you. (they were jailed for six months for defacing library books to decorate the walls of their apartment with).

I’m crushing on this lamp from Crate & Barrel; it would look good with Option 1. Or 2. Or 3.

:D

Sounds like it’s more for ambient lighting, not a lot of light output. I’m eyeing it for a console.

Oh Jiily i love that! Only thing is the TV cabinet opens at the top so you cannot put anything on it. I do need sconces, however and have been having fun looking at those!

I cannot decide between 1 and 2. I would eliminate 3.

There is something charming about the wallpaper in #3 that attracts me-- but I feel like it would be better in an office or small reading nook. I agree with Sue.

I do see the thread of continuity between the rooms in all your mood boards, Mtn ... but for me it is strongest and most *you* (as if I know you lol) in #1. It brings together many things you LIKE and have elsewhere in your homes/wardrobe. It may be a theme-- but it gets there by way of your likes and preferences.

For me, I would also eliminate #2 ... the continuity feels a little more "theme-y" and the vibe of the room is a little too colorful and high energy for me. It wouldn't be a space I would want to cuddle up in to watch a movie or smooch.

I would eliminate #2 as the pictured relation between the main room seems to rely heavily on Christmas garland on the LR mantel. Also it just seems busy.

Between #1 and #3 I would pick #1, for aforementioned reasons and also because it is just so pretty— surely a desirable if not necessary trait for a girlfriend 😎

Nahh, the link is orange and Chinoiserie; i just have few pictures given how new it all is.

a desirable if not necessary trait for a girlfriend HA!

Most definitely would be #1 for me.

I could easily spend many hours there.

Love following along on your quests!

^^Microwave basket cover w/handle is great!

#1!!!!

#2 is growing on me. I guess it depends on how wild your girlfriend is and will you go along for the ride.

I am still with #1 of the last three. Using #2, the apartment becomes a theme, and #3 is just a hard no.

Number one. I like # two as well but not as much as #1. No to #3.

#1

#1 as well! I'm very anxious to see the finished room someday soon!

#1

But there is something about #2 that makes me feel good.

No to #3.

I like two first. Then one.

I tend to be the wild dancing around the home to loud music type of person when I'm alone and colour really makes me dance. As does lots of art everywhere. Yes it is Themey. That can be easily changed and shifted though.

Yeonassky,

I think some people may be confused, this is just picking among 3 wallpapers, all with a green sofa.

KSWL suggested the wallpaper choices might be too discordant with the rest of the apartment... ie not related, and I was trying to show, by adding images from the LR and K. that I think all of the wallpaper choices relate well to the whole space. 🙂

SO THESE THREE IMAGES ARE MASHUPS OF DIFFERENT ROOMS, TO BE CLEAR, NOT A PROPOSAL TO PUT ALL OF THIS TOGETHER LOL.

#1: Safe choice

#2: Bold choice

#3: Lazy choice. Do a real gallery wall instead.

If I did three, I would execute it the way Pal and Allison suggested. This is the only way to represent it for now.

I didn't find their suggestions for #3. Allison called it a hard no, and Pal referenced a prison sentence. What would you do with #3?

A "real" gallery wall, ie to get the look by using actual images taped to the wall. Allison suggested artists' tape IIRC, and getting a bunch of illustrative art books. I think that'd be great fun.

As to yout questoin, this thread has gotten too long and hard to follow!

Here ya go:

I understand. I'm just saying that I like that colour grouping together even if it's not in the same room. I am a bit more wild oriented but I knew that wasn't what you meant.

Ohhh ... I missed that you were going to do a real gallery wall as Allison and Pal suggested (sorry!). That makes a big difference ... a curated collection of prints and images is so much more personal! And yes, it will be fun to collect and assemble ... but how will you feel about the unframed/overlapping "collage" over time? Will it always delight you or will the boho "undoneness" drive you batty? (the good thing is-- you can try it for awhile and always revert to a plan B)

I still like #1 but I also love a more personal boho gallery wall. I would fo a trial of #3 .. first in a mockup and then on a portion of the wall. There isnt much to lose by giving it a try!

So, i deferred to my girls' (my target market for this room anyway).

They adored this one and said it was their first choice ... if I were planning to open a hotel bar.

Not even a comment on Option 3. They still love Option 1, for the same reason many of you cited, ... the serenity.

They, however, preferred the light from Option 2. They also did not like the rug in Option 1 and wanted to see a mockup that includes the dark walnut wood flooring in the room and the Option 2 rug as well as other rug choices.

So, this is where things stand so far, below. The sofa, cabinet, hardwood floor, and now wallpaper and pendant light are all givens.

The only thing left to do is choose sconces --- types and placement ---and finalize a rug choice. I would like sconces to go above the sofa since it will open up into a bed and then it provides light in bed, too. Deciding in placement and manner of switching on/off may be tricky.

The sofa doesn't arrive till mid-late-March and I still need to get the electrician in, a drywall person, and finally painter/wallpaperer. I will give you all a few days off before I start a rug/sconce thread, so do make the most of your leisure time. 🤣

" if I were planning to open a hotel bar"

lol! Love how candid your DDs are!

the same thought crossed my mind also but so many GWers liked it I decided to keep to myself.

I wasn't crazy about the artichoke light either. Who makes this fixture? Did you considered any with a bit more detail, like one of the large pendants by Thomas O'Brien for Visual Comfort?

If cabinet is going in front of mural wall, what will you do over the sofa?

I am thinking of sconces/reading lights over the sofa. Not sure about optimal placement and have only started to look .. another thread methinks

I quite like the pendant and think the simplicity is kind of the point.

Mtn, thanks for earlier explanation about #3 gallery idea. Didn't read the whole thread, guilty.

I love your DDs' eyes on this, although I'm still a fan of #2 wallpaper because I like when other people take risks. ;-)

The new rug is understated, and I think blush and olive tones are a great combination.

Play around with the sconce placement. I think perhaps further apart (maybe just above/outside each sofa arm), would be conducive to reading both in bed and on the sofa. I love that sofa... I can't believe we have to wait until March!

I’m waiting for the announcement of the hotel bar project 😎

Like the direction the bedroom is taking.👍

I love your DDs' eyes on this, although I'm still a fan of #2 wallpaper because I like when other people take risks. ;-)

I have already ordered a sample of Jaipur Gardens, so there's that. When it arrives if I fall in love I could run away with it. Or maybe use it in the next iteration of my BOW, on the backs of the shelves.

Because the sofa is also going to be used as a bed, I would either have sconces with exposed cloth cords and in-line switches or, if you want hardwired sconces, some sort of remote to control the lights. My LR lamps have bulbs that are controlled by Alexa or an app on my phone.

Yes, this room is so riddled with outlets and speakers and cables already, I need to figure out the best way to control the lights without adding to the mess. I will probably opt for the "fading switches" like I have in all of the other rooms. This room will see very light use and even less use as a BR. Not to mention most people I know who read in bed are on a device and don't need light.

Mind The Gap, Gardens of Jaipur sample on BM White Dove wall.

Yeah my feeling about the Jaipur was that it would be like this and look too high-res digital for my liking.