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Norinne De Gal: Founder, Walnut Wallpaper

The Ultimate Wallpaper Pro Reveals Her Favorites and Tells Us What's Trending

ELAINE SAYS: If my walls could talk they'd be begging for a pretty, new dress. I've been flirting with wallpaper forever and since I define a mental vacation as a couple hours of browsing through home stores, I often find myself doing just that at my favorite wallpaper shop, WALNUT. This tiny boutique is dense with options and has become THE go-to designer resource and a regular inspiration stop for me. Not surprising that this is where I found myself not long ago, once again flipping through books and daydreaming about the untapped potential of my dining room walls. Euphoric in my design high, I had just enough consciousness in me to notice a familiar and friendly face walk through the shop...a mom of a child in my daughters class at school, Norinne DeGal. So of course, I said hello and giggled about how funny it was to run into her here of all places. "Not really," she said, "...this is my shop!" Could you imagine? I about fell over. Needless to say, that trip turned into my favorite ever, as I then enjoyed a personally guided tour through some of the most fabulous wallpaper swatches I'd ever seen....a far better experience than any I'd had previously on my own. Plus, I realized how hilarious she is, what a keen eye she has....and we've become fast friends, the best part. So...the moral of the story is clearly that treating yourself to some new wallpaper is great for your social life :). More importantly, Norinne agreed to share some of her favorite papers, just in case you have the wallpaper bug as well. PS: Thanks to Norinne, I finally picked my own favorite from Eskayel [line featured below].

Posted on February 21st, 2013

Nest

The Poolside Collection: Eskayel VISIT WEBSITEIt's the look of a hand dyed Japanese Shibori pattern...These papers are the "home" equivalent of runway couture. $17 per sq. foot.
Peaks and Valleys: Flat Vernacular VISIT WEBSITEFor people way ahead of the trend curve, we have a giant chevron wallpaper in a retro peach and black. $200 for 5 yds. By 27” wide.
Flora: Flat Vernacular VISIT WEBSITEBold and geometric, with the look of a hand painted water color. $250 per 5 yd. by 33” wide roll.
Hackney Empire Stripe: House of Hackney VISIT WEBSITEHouse of Hackney took their off-beat animal print and set it to a backdrop of black and white stripe. Set of 4 panels at 3 meter long and 17.7” wide is $236.
Chic Blotch Wallpaper in Raspberry: Timorous Beasties VISIT WEBSITEThese Rorschach inspired papers are quite a departure for the normally traditional Scottish maker, Timorous Beasties. These papers are beautifully executed and come in a variety of vibrant colors. Inquire for pricing
Dandelion Creatures: Flat Vernacular VISIT WEBSITEOne of our favorite design studios, Flat Vernacular, has somehow made Piglets and dandelion leaves feel sophisticated. Featured in silver mylar. 5 yds. By 27” wide $225
Flights of Fancy: House of Hackney VISIT WEBSITEAn English wallpaper featuring indigenous fowl has the detail of an archival print. $236 for set of 4 panels.
Feather Get Together: Flat Vernacular VISIT WEBSITEThis is one of those papers that makes a secondary pattern on the wall and is revealed to be Peacocks at close range. $150 for 5 yd. by 27” roll.
Zig Zag Fabric: Makelike VISIT WEBSITEMost of our wallpaper designs are now being done in fabrics. This orange/blue zig zag fabric by Makelike is stunning and definitely a favorite at walnut. Priced at $125 per yard.
Birds and Bees: Timorous Beasties VISIT WEBSITENothing says “spring” quite like the chirp of the birds and the buzz of the bees. While it riffs on classic botanical prints, this paper is truly modern with vibrant colored birds set against jeweled tone colors. $396 for 11 yds. by 20.5” wide, two to three week lead time.