22 Comments
User's avatar
Becky's avatar

Gorgeous!! Off topic but the Jan Pienkowski reminds me of the cover of my copy of I Capture the Castle which is my favourite ever!!!

Louise's avatar

Oh, that sounds lovely! One of my most favorite books, and I’ve had so many copies since I was a teenager, but I don’t think any of them have had a wonderful cover. Post a picture of it!

Jen Baden Howard's avatar

ps: I had not come across Kit Kemp before this summer, when I went to the Winchester literary festival and she was interviewed about her new book. The colours!! No surprise that you love her, too! 💙🩷💛💚

Louise's avatar

I have all her books!

Jen Baden Howard's avatar

Plural!!! 😂

Jen Baden Howard's avatar

Why does this not surprise me?!! You must have the best bookshelf ever. 🏡😍

Jen Baden Howard's avatar

So, so beautiful, Louise! This took me right back to a childhood friend’s sloping attic bedroom, wallpapered in cream with pink roses, and my own 80s Laura Ashley wallpapered one. Like you, I’m not sure I could do it (and I know I couldn’t practically that’s for sure 🫠- I would need an expert to put it up!). But I think about it whenever I see beautiful interiors using it - cosy, characterful and so homely.

Louise's avatar

I miss those old Laura Ashley catalogues - we used to pore over them. There is definitely something so cosy about a wallpapered room, but I’m with you, I would need someone else to put it up!

What to read if's avatar

Love the idea of Edward Ardizzone or Jan Pienkówski wallpaper (think Ardizzone especially would really work as a toile…)

Louise's avatar

Agreed! Someone needs to do that :)

Fionnula Scurrell's avatar

So many favourite things, from Alice-esque rabbit holes to Narnia-esque armoires plus Bankside Gallery, which I used to visit whenever walking to Waterloo and toile de jouy wallpapers which get my vote for secret attic rooms with sloping ceilings.

Louise's avatar

Bankside Gallery is amazing, isn't it? And yes, an attic room in toile de jouy would be heaven!

Kathleen's avatar

Love love love these. Thanks for sharing! I’ve lived in Italy for YEARS and can never source wallpaper. Do you get it in the uk and bring it over with you?

Louise's avatar

To be honest I have never bought any, but I buy fabric through Etoffe.com, who have a great wallpaper selection, and Borastapeter ships from Sweden. I’m tempted to try now though!

Danielle's avatar

What an absolute dream! I love every one of these and how they most definitely do spark the imagination.

Louise's avatar

Proper storytelling prompts!

CB's avatar

I have Trees and Cows in my living room in the Irish countryside and it brings me so much joy!

Louise's avatar

Oh how lovely!

Caroline Smrstik's avatar

Oh my wow! This makes me want to wallpaper my tiny house in Portugal… but that would be a mistake on so many levels, it is simply not the right space.

The Transylvanian wallpapers are stories I will not forget, though.

Louise's avatar

They are incredible, aren’t they? I wish I had an old wardrobe to paper, or the back of a dresser.

Helen Poore's avatar

I love all those blue papers but the idea of Jan Pienkowski wallpaper- it would be so glorious!

Louise's avatar

I know! I feel as though it needs to be in a reading nook, or an attic space accessed through a secret door!