A Nashville Interior Designer Who LOVES Wallpaper
(Image by Caroline Sharpnack, www.carolinesharpnack.com)
This week we have a guest blog post from Aimee Lee Kinssies of ALK Designs + Interiors. In this special edition blog, we asked ALK to provide additional advice regarding wallpaper and design precisely because of the work she brought to life with the new house on Nth 2nd. Happy reading!
Every time we set foot in a house that is well-designed and intentionally detailed, it is an experience that is felt with all of our senses. Our eyes drink in the colors and visual textures of well-appointed color schemes and wallpaper … our nose picks up on the scent of freshly-laid European white oak … our ears hear the void of what will soon be a home filled with personal comings and goings … our hands touch the custom millwork or wrought iron, as they feel the smoothness of a hand-milled stair railing.
It’s truly magical being a part of this play that unfolds bit by bit and beckons us to come closer. This is the experience we tried to capture in designing N 2nd Ave in Nashville, Tennessee, for the couple behind Summer of Carlos.
Later in 2021, we began to look over and space-plan architectural plans with Leverick Homes of Nashville. Leverick co-owner Jeremiah Pierce was very selective in making sure that the plans made perfect sense, ergonomically, and we took the very first opportunity we could find to site-walk, just after the foundation was laid and the house was framed. During this visit, we teamed up to get a feel for how the house would perform, where the cabinets would be installed, where lighting would be located and switched, and the mood we wanted to create started to take shape.
(ALK revealing wallpaper during construction)
(Wallpaper detail- notice how the pattern is aligned)
Right from the beginning we knew this house would be a mood, but bit-by-bit, as I began to curate the specific finishes, we knew we wanted each room to feel enchanting and unfurl as its new owners and their guests moved through the space. I think it’s important to be careful not to forget about any room in a home I’m designing. I make sure each area is special by picking a paint palette that is calming yet holds interest, and pairing it with occasional rooms, where in this case we chose to install wallpaper or another special detail. In addition to the many custom trim details found in the paneled foyer walls, the coffered ceiling in the dining room, and the show-stopping wood paneled wall in the living room, the wallpaper we chose really highlights the design intent I chose for this home.
First of all, I’m a HUGE fan of wallpaper. I love that it’s come back in demand and is at the forefront of the world of interiors. I don’t think it ever went out of style, if you ask me, but regardless, I’m here for it! I think wallpaper can take an ordinary space and give it the character of a well-appointed room, straight out of Mileu or Veranda. I do think that wallpaper is very personal, and there are so many different styles, prints, and textures, that it’s a good idea to ask questions of my clients before we begin.
(Image by Caroline Sharpnack, www.carolinesharpnack.com)
I love to fully understand the mood my client wants to capture before I start pulling samples to test-drive. A few things I like to consider are favorite colors, subject matter, material, sustainability, and pasted vs. peel-and-stick. Color and pattern are of the utmost consideration as there are bold prints and more subtle designs. I think this can vary depending on the personality of the homeowner, but I also think it’s fun to go bold in a small area, regardless of the personal style of its inhabitants. The perfect place to do this bold moment is in a powder room or small niche in a larger room. Going bold in smaller spaces is truly transportive and can bring an otherwise secondary space into the main spotlight. At N 2nd, we paired black bead board wainscoting with a colorful seascape of striped fish and coral in the guest powder bath that makes you smile the moment you enter the room. It’s playful, interesting, and vibrant, just like its new homeowners.
Keep in mind these are usually areas that will be public when you entertain, so it’s fun to have a little fun!
In the more private primary bath of N 2nd, we paired a neutral and black floral print with a neutral paint and black tile to create a cozy and nurturing vibe for the homeowners as they start and end their day. Yet, even in its calming details, it also exudes a sophisticated sexiness that is unmatched.
(ALK looking at fabric to match office wallpaper)
A note on wallpaper in wet areas … it’s always a great idea to consider how the material will hold up to water and splashes over time. For that reason, vinyl wallpaper is always a great idea. Vinyl holds up better in wet zones and is typically used in commercial spaces like hotel rooms for durability. A wallpaper to avoid near toilets and sinks is grasscloth, as it is a natural material and can discolor with … Let’s say “man-splashes” near a toilet. ;)
I try to always use a traditional pasted or unpasted wallpaper vs. a peel-and-stick. I have used it in the past but have found that over time, there are typically air pocket bubbles that can pop up from time to time that will need to be smoothed out. For this reason, I try to avoid it so my clients aren’t troubled with upkeep. There is no question in my mind that unpasted or traditional pasted wallpaper is the way to go, every time.
Some of my favorite wallpaper vendors are York Wallcoverings, Schumacher, Thibaut, House of Hackney, Mind the Gap, Kelly Wearstler, Cole & Sons, among many others. You could spend 100 years looking at all the different options out there, but it’s important to limit your time, as you’ll never see everything. I think you’ll know the right one when you see it and get excited, and just don’t stop looking until that tinge of excitement nudges you.
(Image 2 by Caroline Sharpnack, www.carolinesharpnack.com , Image 3 &4 by Anthony Romano, www.anthonyromanocreative.com)
Always order a sample first to take it for a test drive. Then, I recommend finding a great local wallpaper installer to take it to the next level for you. Hiring a professional will ensure you order the correct amount of wallpaper needed, as well as making sure the pattern repeats lines up, the paper lasts for years, and you are happy with the experience. Dye lots are important, and if you don’t initially order enough wallpaper, you could run into a dye-lot issue where the colors don’t match. Again, getting a professional to measure and install is a fantastic idea.
Enlisting a professional interior designer is always a great idea if you want to find unique options that are harder to source and give you a high-end, custom look. A great designer will have a collection of trade-only options for every finish you need, as well as trusted artisans and installers who will do it right the first time, saving you money and your sanity. If you don’t know where to start, I would recommend just Googling “interior designer” in the city you live in. Another great way to find a trusted professional would be to look at local design magazines or ask trade showrooms like local furniture stores or lighting galleries … and there is always Instagram! Asking questions like “How long have you been working in interiors?” or “Are you formally trained?” and getting referrals from other trade professionals are always good things to consider when finding the right fit.
No matter what, the most important thing is that the space speaks to the person living in it…. YOU! Trust your gut when it comes to colors, wallpaper, designing your home, and finding the right team. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. You’ll know when you’ve made the right choice because it will be easy, effortless and exciting!
Aimee Lee Kinssies
https://aimeeleekinssiesdesign.com
Instagram: @alkdesignandinteriors
Located: Nashville TN