Gold Wallpaper & Thoughts on Decorating with a Spouse
I promised I’d be back with a wallpaper reveal, and even though I just snapped these pictures really quick, and they’re not the greatest, I still wanted to show you how our funky little accent wall turned out in the basement!
We ordered our wallpaper from Hygge & West. I literally just googled “Gold Wallpaper” and a few images popped up. I followed a couple of links, and about 4 or 5 in I found this little nugget.
I fell in love at first sight, and knew this bold pattern had to make its way into my basement.
Let me stop here and say… this stuff is expensive yo! I prodded around the internet looking for a coupon and finally found one that wasn’t expired. I think I got 25% off of my order and free shipping, but still… I definitely had sticker shock when I realized how much wallpaper (in general) really is! So, that being said, you can only imagine that the two rolls I DID purchase, were definitely being put up by a professional.
We used Rick, who was referred to us by a designer friend, and he did an AMAZING job. Just glancing at his tools alone, was worth the fee of him coming out to put this gorgeous wallpaper up for us. I’m here to tell ya, Wallpaper’n ain’t no joke! There’s some serious science behind applying that them there patterned paper (especially the kind that isn’t pre-pasted)! There was NO way that we could have done this project on our own. I would have been in a corner, curled in a ball, rocking myself back and forth if I would have tried.
As you can see, it’s a little crazy, a lot different… and we LOVE it!
We’ve already gotten mixed reviews about it from friends and family. Some adore it, and some secretly hate it, saying things like… “Ohhh, that’s… nice” or “I’m glad you like it!” haha! But one things for sure, it’s a conversation starter!
๐
While we’re in the zone of un-staged, not-so-well-lit pictures, I wanted to share our little bookshelf at the bottom of the stairs too! We purchased it from Joss & Main, and we’re dedicating this spot to all of our family’s memories. Project Life albums, Smash Books, bins of printed Instagram photos… whatever it may be. At Cason’s request, we’re pulling out all of our memories from the computer and our phones, and we’re stashing them in one place so that we can have them readily available to enjoy.
Oh! Also, I wanted to address a comment we got on our last basement update post.
It was this one here:
I know there are a lot of girls in your house… and I don’t want this to sound mean. It is not my intention at all, don’t get me wrong…. but…. I thought the basement was going to be Cason’s man’s cave? The couch, pillows, lamp… are simply beautiful…but I thought for some reason it was going to be a little bit more masculine?
Maybe I should have explained Cason’s term of “A Man Cave” a little better…
As I’ve mentioned before a little in this post and this post, while lots of men are super interested in things like sports, video gaming or hunting… mine loves traveling, music, cooking, being a Dad, design, DIY projects and gadgets.
While I agree, coral and gold may not feel very man cave-ish to most, the entire color scheme alone, lends itself to a more masculine feel… and let’s not forget all the metal pieces and that ridiculously bigger-than-we-need TV, ack!
I guess you may be right, if you take our main living spaces, and put them together side by side, you DO still see a lot of similarities.
But ya know what? I think that’s what decorating and designing together with your spouse is all about. Finding a middle ground. A little push, a little pull, right? You get the mother-of-all TV’s, I get a few freakin’ floral throw pillows on the couch to bring all these crazy colors together, and a gold lamp.
Compromise. see?
๐
Cason will never want a taxidermy deer head (is that how you say it?) or sports paraphernalia on our walls, but a dark colored rug, cowhide ottomans and gadgets that get in the way of pretty wallpaper? (ugh, silly little speaker)
… yeah, he’ll want all that.
And I’m happy to give it to him! because this space is just as important to him, as it is to me. PLUS he’s been so great at letting me call most of the shots with our upstairs space.
I hope that explains things a little better. He’s certainly a unique kinda guy… but I love him even more because of it.
Now, speaking of TV’s, here’s a few shots of what else still needs to be done in this space.
I’m trying to be better at posting the process along the way, instead of just waiting till the room is all done, so be patient with me. ha!
In true “House of Smiths fashion”, if you follow us on Instagram, then you know we’ve already gotten sidetracked working on our master bedroom upstairs, and are now budgeting for things in that space…
but I’m always on the lookout for the other pieces I’ll need for the basement as well. For us, decorating a room doesn’t just happen overnight. It takes lots of time trying to find the perfect elements to make a space one that we LOVE!
For now, we’re just thrilled to have the most important elements of the room all in place… and yes, that includes “the BIG TV” with Just Dance on it, for the kids and their friends. We may not know how to actually work the controllers very well on that X-boxy thing… but we can definitely throw some killer dance parties with it, once we figure out all the initial set-up steps.
๐
Jessica says
I love love love the table under the tv! Gorg!!
Unknown says
WOW! That wallpaper is beautiful! It really is a room for everyone…pretty for the girls (colours, cushions etc) and beefy (that tv!) for the boys. It looks stunning and I'm really looking forward to seeing the final product x
Jules says
It is looking great! I love the mix of colours and textures. We are also in the middle of a basement renovation and so far we have similar elements to you – we are thinking about possibly purchasing a screen and projector rather than a tv – did you guys think about that and if so, what made you choose the tv in the end?
Kristin@bliss-athome.com says
I really love that wallpaper! xo Kristin
Anonymous says
I really appreciate your comments about how you (and your husband) define your own styles when it came to the "man cave". I'm definitely a fan of everyone room reflecting both spouses style instead of each having their "own" room. The most important thing is decorating to YOUR definition of style and YOUR use. I'm just happy you share it with all of us ๐
Heather says
I am learning how to decorate with my husband. He and I have similar tastes in design, but he tends to push for things that just do not make any sense (a tv in the dining room…seriously?).
Somedays I just dont want his opinion..LOL!!
Anna Whiston-Donaldson says
Very cool space!
Melissa T says
LOVE LOVE LOVE the wallpaper! Our home had wallpaper in every room when we moved in and we had to strip it all. We swore we would never, ever put up wallpaper in our house, but sometimes I think it works. Now if only I could get my husband to agree…..
Unknown says
That's it! I'm moving in : )
Furniture-Ology says
Love it! The ottomans are PERFECT! Love the mix of everything! TOOOOOO cute ๐
Carrie says
I am DYING over that wallpaper! Such a great statement!
Darnetha | ChippaSunshine says
I love the wallpaper! My husband is a gadget guy as well who doesn't get into sports much. His idea of good design is comfortable sitting, a huge TV and art on the walls.
val says
ooh la la on the gold wallpaper.
i must know where that wire basket came from. i need two for my nursery!
val.bateman[at]gmail.com
Unknown says
I absolutely love the wallpaper. Such a great punch of pattern. And it's neutral enough to always be switching out the pillow covers…cause don't we all do that?!
Kristy Sims says
Holy crap!!! On the last picture (the dance party) the kid in the front right of the picture…HOW does he contort his little body like that??
Kristy Sims says
Holy crap!! In the very last picture (the dance party) the kid in the front right corner…HOW does he contort his little body like that??
Twifans.com says
Love the wallpaper and not in the 'yea that's interesting" way. It's cool. You really peeked (or peaked?) my interest when talking about printing out photos from online. My family has been discussing this. Digital seems so temporary. I'd love a post on the steps you take to catalog them, printer and paper selection you use, and how you store them. Do you just slap them in an album in order or when they were taken?
Thanks for all your work.
Unknown says
I love it!!! ur explanation of a man cave, sounds just like me and my husband he like sports but he would nvr put things like that in our home I am an I love Lucy (Lucille Ball) fanatic and my room as a teen was decked out in it! and i had a HUGE room so i have a lot of stuff i never used any of it in our home until now when my husband said lets get all ur lucy stuff out and decorate our house! It's nice to read about other husbands like my own! Yall R the Best!!! ps I LOVE the wall paper!!!!
Kristina says
I'm dying over the sectional. Where did you find it?!
Brady W. says
Okay, love the wall paper…..but I'm DYING over the boy that's break dancing in the last picture! That's hilarious!
Anonymous says
I'm so glad you posted this. When you first showed pictures of your basement, I wondered "How did she get Cason to agree floral pillows in the basement?!". That would never fly with my guy. I'm jealous!
BTW, I linked to your post today in my blog on Merging Households. ๐ looknook.co/blogs/display/Merging%20Households%20-%20The%20Art%20of%20Negotiation/
Unknown says
The wallpaper is so fun, very bold choice…but once up It is just gorgeous!! you don't get things this beautiful without taking a risk, right?
Becky says
Your basement is looking great! But- I always worry when people store their photos in the basement. The city we live in, Calgary, has had massive flooding the past week, and peoples basements are the most affected. Just a thought!
ellie g says
I LOOOOOOOOOOOVE the wallpaper. And I'm so proud of you for using different colors. I bet you knew that would make me happy….right? Looks like so much fun. I can't wait to be able to do our basement. But we have to do the upstairs first. Well actually, I think I just wanna move and start all over. ๐
Anonymous says
I love the metal and wood shelf, but not finding it on Joss and Main. Who is the manufacturer? Thanks!
Anonymous says
I love the wood and metal shelf, but not seeing it on Joss and Main. Who is the manufacturer? Thanks!
Nancy@owensolivia says
Um, gorgeous!! Your friends and family clearly do not know good style when they see it. ๐
girl3of8 says
Beautiful! you wow me and inspire me. that wall paper is perfect!
Karen says
I LOVE the wallpaper, it makes such a statement. I also love that Cason is interested in decorating a place that feels both comfortable and pretty. He sounds like a very special guy and so lucky to be surrounded by his little flock of gals!
Unknown says
I absolutely LOVE everything!!! The wallpaper is so beautiful! I'd be way too scared to ever try that, but I can live vicariously through you! It is really coming together so well ๐
Andrea @ Decorating Cents says
Love the wallpaper. It looks great on the wall.
Anonymous says
Fabulous!! Best thing ever googled. I love that paper!! Oh if only I owned.
Ranee J Fratangelo says
So I LOVE everything and my husband and I LOVE that table under the tv. I read that you said you got it from a big box co? Can you say from where?
Ashley Nicole Designs says
Oh. My. Gasp! That wallpaper is beautiful! It's perfect for an accent wall in my new nursery! I LOVE it!
Abby Lawson says
Love, love, LOVE your wallpaper choice! It is so stunning! Your basement is coming along beautifully! And I'm right in the same boat…even when I go for a "masculine" feel, it still gets my feminine touch! ๐ Looks like the kiddos are enjoying it too–fun! Can't wait to see the finished space! Hope y'all are having a wonderful week!
~Abby =)
Ami at A Sierra Home says
Looks great! And I should be so lucky with a husband like that. My husband and his man cavin' stuff? Hello Dallas Cowboys, giant fish tank and vintage Starwars figs (and surprisingly the worst part: very dark colors which are SO not my thing.) But I have to know…what is that beautimous gold handled dresser/chest? I must know. Love.IT. You bloggers are just mean with the sneak peaks. Why you wanna do us like that??
Jessica T. says
You know that room is absolutely WONDERFUL, especially cause all those cute kids can have a blast playing in it! You sure you don't want a taxidermy dear head thingy??? I'll gladly give you the one in Bill's man-cave. BLICK!
Laura says
I love their gold flowery one, but that wallpaper is pretty amazeballs too! One day…. *sigh.
Lolly Jane says
That wallpaper is SO fun! I love it, personally (; The space is really coming together and I am surprised at how bright it is… can I ask how you have such good lighting? We break ground on our house (with a basement) in a few weeks and I'd love to know since my craft room will be down there (in my WOman cave. LOL)
xoxo, Kristi @LJ
Shannon says
love that wallpaper! Please tell me your hiding those TV cords in the wall! ack they would drive m crazy ๐
glitter girl says
i'm in love with that wallpaper too!!