Wallpaper - Yes, It's In Style!

One of the comments I heard most in my room at the ASID Showhouse this last month was "So, is wallpaper back in style?".  I was very surprised.  I guess most people don't read blogs and magazines like I do, so they've missed the memo on that.  Yes, it is in style, not only that.....it never went out of style!  Designers have been using wallpaper forEVER.  It is a wonderful tool for bringing pattern and interest to a space and a quick way to personalize your home. 

My Showhouse bathroom, above, for a teenaged girl.  The wallpaper was the star.  It was so fun to see visitor's expressions on their faces when they turned to look into the bathroom and saw all that color and pattern. Photos by Miro Dvorscak. 

Okay, enough about my Showhouse room, I know I'm beating an old horse to death here.  Let's move on to see who else has been using wallpaper in fresh new ways in the past few years!

Melanie Coddington, her work just featured on Decorati's website.

Todd Klein, featured in House Beautiful

Amanda Nesbit, House Beautiful

 Meg Braff, House Beautiful

 Tobi Fairley, her own entry hall, featured in Traditional Home

 Another room by Tobi Fairley, featured in AY magazine

 Tom Scheerer, House Beautiful

 Suzanne Kasler

Windsor Smith

Michael Smith, House Beautiful

Schumacher just had a competition for the best use of their wallpaper by designers, Show Off Your Schumacher.  Designers from all over the world were invited to enter.  Here are the winners.

Kippie Leland, Leland Interiors, Inc. - Nashville, Tennesee

Christopher Kennedy, Christopher Kennedy, Inc – Palm Springs, California

Renée LeJeune Hallberg, RLH Studio – Minneapolis, Minnesota

Top Winner - Bronwyn Poole, Touch Interiors – Mosman, Australia

Need I say more?????

If you would like to incorporate wallpaper into the design of your home, contact Aston Design Studio for a consultation!

Please visit my new blogsite.....Designed w/Carla Aston

Showhouse Bedroom

Color palette for the bedroom. Love the Brentano velvet in the center!

A few weeks ago I shared the bathroom design I was doing for the upcoming ASID Showhouse in Sienna Plantation, in the Houston area. I was still tweaking the bedroom, but everything is almost done now so I'd love to share some of the beautiful fabrics and interesting furnishings I'm using in the space.

This is my imaginary client, "Phoebe", an older teen girl, maybe a freshman or sophomore in college, visiting home on holidays and summer. She is a free spirit, artistic, creative, smart, and opinionated. She has an unpredictable sense of style, a bit bohemian but not dark and sloppy.....more happy and pretty.


The floor plan shows the queen bed pushed up in the near corner of the room so that Phoebe can have a nice lounge area to spend some private time with her home friends away from the family. Her bed is so puffy and inviting that she can lounge there with her laptop amongst all her colorful pillows while glancing out the French doors to the beautiful view beyond. She has a balcony and the best view of the house.....nothing but the best for our Phoebe!




Her eclectic spirit is evident here with Grandmother's old chair frame, upholstered in a new bright print fabric with legs painted in Phoebe's favorite turquoise.

Chair fabric, Thom Felicia for Kravet








The mix of a mid-century modern chrome lamp, an antique painted nightstand, and a velvet ottoman make for a unique combination.

The other corner has a tall leaning mirror (Phoebe can see herself from everywhere in the room) and a unique metal tree that serves as a jewelry holder and whimsical art project. Phoebe decorates it with various crystals and beads as her mood changes.

A ghost chair and mid-century modern dresser highlight the mix.

(My grandmother's dresser from the 1950's. Love the serpentine base.)


It will be painted SW Sassy Green.

with some lucite knobs.

If you are in the Houston area in April, please come and visit the Showhouse! Open April 1st through 17th, Tuesdays through Sundays, closed Mondays.

Loving the Color Emerald

A noted and experienced designer once told me that if I wanted to see the next trend in home design, look to the red carpet. I do watch with that in mind and this year at the Golden Globes, the color emerald to me was the most eye catching moment of all. Most critics loved these three looks, with their outstanding color. Angelina Jolie looked wonderful in this color.

Mila Kunis's dress was beautiful on her.

I love Catherine Zeta-Jones in this gown, a little darker emerald, but definitely not "forest".



What woman wouldn't just love to have Kyle Richards' emerald earrings.


Blenko glass defines the exact color of emerald above. Emerald has a bit of a blue in it.
Love Blenko glass!



Love the emerald green sofas and pillows here, image from House Beautiful.

Fabulous headboard! I think emerald goes really well with white. Image from Decorpad.

Another great headboard in emerald with white bedding from Sarah Richardson.

Decorpad image.

One of my favorite spaces by Steven Gambrel as featured in Elle Decor. Wouldn't this space have been boring without the emerald!

I love tape trim. Here is a nice emerald one above from Kravet.

Kravet wallpaper......wouldn't this be rich in a powder bath?

Silk velvet by Thomas O'Brien for Lee Jofa. I could see some stunning dining chairs upholstered in this luxurious fabric.

Last but definitely not least, Schumacher's Nanjing. The color here is just brilliant. Perfect for pillows, a bedskirt, headboard, and on and on.


I've moved! Come and visit me at my new blog, Designed w/Carla Aston!