Prepare to be…GOBSMACKED!
Pour a glass of wine.
Fasten your seatbelt.
Scroll down…
ZOUNDS!!!!!!!!
GADZOOKS!!!!!!!!
Sadly though, the newly hung Obama portrait does not quite work now. The Barb chair needs to be reupholstered, STAT!
As things were. The white inset fields were just not working, although the exact same treatment works in the parlor. The library however clearly needed more…gravitas.
I am gobsmacked by the visual impact of the new Bradbury & Bradbury wallpaper. I needed less than a single roll and the effect is extraordinary.
A few months ago I would have laughed at the idea of black paper in the library but the unexpected choice is…as so often happens…the brilliant choice for bringing a room to life.
The paper is reflective and shimmers with the pendants lights on. I had not anticipated this.
I will find another place for the Obamas. The picture rail? I am going to paint it black, with the applied molded ‘leaves’ painted gold. The same ‘leaves’ also need to be installed in the dark gold borders surrounding the black paper. This week I will reset the mantel tiles. They have been duct taped for two decades.
This was a $90 change. The best $90 bucks I have ever spent.
Tragically, Batgirl is now just too silly for the elegant black paper. I need to find a new location for her.
A period-correct mantel clock gifted by Kenny a while back looks great here though.
And this, soon to arrive.
Had I started with the black paper I would not, in a million years, have picked chartreuse as a border color. But because I take a, ahh, fluid approach to decorating the black and chartreuse offer a vivacious effect, their unexpected pairing no matter.
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Very nice, indeed. I like the chartreuse and black as well. I notice your corner blocks for the door casing are a very similar profile to my 1890 Victorian here in Tacoma, except you have flowers in the circle and I have 5 pointed stars – which, oddly enough, aren’t all oriented the same direction – some have 1 point up, others have 2!
I knew it the minute I saw the Bradbury and Bradbury box. You couldn’t resist and have been working feverishly.
Not sure about real life as monitors can be deceiving but I don’t mind the upholster on the Barb chair that much. On my monitor it goes nicely with the wallpaper. It seems to blend with the gold. But I suspect that is a trick of the light and the gold metallic of the paper.
Yes, the Obama portrait doesn’t quite go now.
The vase will be lovely in the room. On the mantel or on it’s own pedestal?
It will be nice to finally get that tape off of the fireplace tiles.
The room is coming together. That’s two.
What next? A bedroom or the kitchen. You’ll need both to move in.
The Bradbury & Bradbury paper is truly extraordinary in the library! Love the chartreuse! All the elements are working together! The mantle clock is perfect as is the beautiful vase!!
The library look amazing!
This really is beautiful. I was hesitant to say anything before, but I’m glad the portrait will find a new placement. I’ve never been a fan of artwork overlapping borders, but that’s just my own personal bugbear.. Brilliant and beautiful, Ross. Well done.
Coming together nicely! I think you should leave Batgirl alone. She provides the juxtaposition between period and present. Try the clock and vase on one side and Batgirl on the other.
Loving it. That vase will be perfect! Kitchen next??
Wait – WHICH paper is the final choice – the one in most of the pictures (with the geometric print) or the black background with the floral scrolls (that matches that vase)? I’m confused… but that black!!! OMG… gorgeous! I wonder if I could get away with something like that in my new/boring/box of a house in the dining room, with a similar effect of ‘framed’ boxes… off to check Bradbury & Bradbury!
Hi, Beth!
In image #5, I show a black paper with a white scrollwork.
This was a ‘test’ for the idea of using black paper in the library.
The white scrollwork paper is for my bedroom. The paper has been discontinued.
I’ve just perused the entire Bradbury site and don’t see the floral scroll paper – I love the one you used as well (Japanese?) but I really want that scrolly one myself. Can you share where you found it/name?
YESSS!!!!!!!!!!! Ugh that looks great. And the copperishness in the wallpaper matches the fireplace thingie. That entire room is magic.
The Bradbury & Bradbury wallpaper is hung, well done Ross! The mantle clock (thanks Kenny!) reflect the circles on the walls. The vase is the same shape as the pendants. The vines on the vase go with the to-be-installed vines on the gold border. What a fun room!
Oh Ross, the Bradbury & Bradbury paper is gorgeous, so elegant. Sorry Batgirl, you are not sophisticated enough for the mantle. The clock looks perfect though, the vase is beautiful. Too bad there isn’t a pair, one on each side of the clock. The chartreuse, I always thought was aqua which matches the pillow and the plaid drapes. The Barb chair looks fine to me, but pictures don’t always reveal the details. You know best if you think the chair needs new fabric. The picture rail painted black with gold leaves will be stunning. You’ll have to take a pic of the celestial ceiling with the black paper and black picture rail, if it’s possible to get them all in. I splurged and ordered Bradbury & Bradbury ceiling corner fans and medallion to go around the light fixture a few years ago. It looks amazing. I wish I could afford an entire room papered in Bradbury.
Maybe a string of pearls will make Batgirl more sophisticated? 😉
Thanks for the chair, Barb.
That chair was the best $20 I ever spent. It will assure me immortality in Cross House history.
Kenny is the big winner, though! His finds are absolutely magical!
I too don’t think the chair is so bad. And Batgirl must have a superior place
Gorgeous. The library mantel wall seems to glow warmly, even without a fire lit.
It’s beautiful. What a great choice.
Are you planning to keep the curtains exactly the same, Ross?
Beautiful! Can’t wait to see the fireplace tiles restored. Hope you’re moved in soon!
And the stack of World of Interiors for the win!
yep gonna say it.
looks so much better without the other stuff cluttering it up.
Elegant clock is befitting the mantle
the insets look much better without any pictures
K.I.S.S. principle works best
I’m imagining being able to see the ceiling, too. That wallpaper is perfect. I absolutely love this room!
Absolutely frickin’ gorgeous!