EXPLORE
Movato
  • Interior Design
    • Bathroom
    • Bedroom
    • Decor
    • Design Finds
    • Kitchen
    • Living Room
    • Paint
    • Renovations
  • Architecture
  • Landscape
  • Lifestyle
    • People
    • Places
    • Things
  • About Us
Movato
EXPLORE
Home in Canada
No Result
View All Result

Tropical Therapy in my Home Office

A larger-than-life palm-leaf motif gives my space a warm-weather feel, thanks to Photowall’s gorgeous wallpaper

by Tracey Mackenzie
April 17, 2020
Share on FacebookPin itTweet itSend it

As spring gently taunts me with its warmth, I find myself eyeing my home office. This is a room in which I spend a lot of time. However, I haven’t put much effort into decorating it. The black sofa and red pouffe were just plopped in there without much thought. And the rest of the office furniture, desk and storage, is all white. Not exactly a stunning canvas to base your career on. Given that I love the outdoors, and particularly the tropics, I decided to take the matter in hand and create some tropical therapy in my home office.

Before

The sofa and pouf had to go, but what should be done with the long white wall? I wanted ambience. I also wanted to add some natural elements to create a tropical vibe. One day, while sourcing floral wallpapers for a client, I decided I wanted a floral motif myself. And not just small florals. Big ones. Large, make-a-statement florals. Maybe even tropicals. A few days later Photowall contacted me and the idea for my office was born. Talk about divine timing!

Home office – Before – Tracey MacKenzie

Photowall has so many beautiful options, it took me three days to choose one. It has a palm theme. Instead of doing just the back wall, I decided to extend the paper to the window, which would  allow me to enjoy tall palm leaves above both of the sitting areas that I planned to create. 

Process

The wallpaper was easy to order. Quick tip: Europe uses the metric system while the US uses the imperial system. So, the paper is measured in centimetres rather than inches. 

I wanted the tall palm sections to flank the window, and at the end of one of the walls. All panels are numbered so it was easy to plan.

Wallpapered wall – Tracey MacKenzie

The panels are not pre-pasted, so the next step was to mix paste. It was a bit of a learning curve because I’d never used wallpaper paste. However, I soon discovered that a hand mixer, (I used a Braun) is effective at mixing it as long as you didn’t add too much water at the beginning. The rule is to add just enough water to make a thick paste, as if you were making lump-free pancake batter. Then slowly add the rest of the water while continuously mixing.  

I recommend applying the paste to the wall using a paint roller rather than a paint brush, which  is messy and slower. The roller allows you to control how much paste is applied so you don’t get it on the wallpaper. 

Hanging the paper, which took about six hours, was easy once I got the hang of it (pardon the pun). I worked alone, so had to use a ladder. Having a helper would have shortened the process. 

Reading corner – After – Tracey MacKenzie

Reading corner

Once the wallpaper was applied, I created seating areas. For reading, I found a chair that wouldn’t occupy too much room. My new Poang chair from IKEA with a black cushion has clean lines and doesn’t take up much visual space (I didn’t want the furnishings eclipsing the wall). On the floor, I added a textured jute rug – IKEA Lohals – in natural, and an Ugilt flatwoven rug in black/beige. Two Alseda stools double as foot rests and side tables, depending on my need.  

Desk corner – After – Tracey MacKenzie

Desk Corner

By the desk, I added a simple white chair from Zone Maison and a cork box (a gift from a friend). This space will be used by my assistant, who comes in twice weekly to help me. 

It’s now a beautiful space. Sunlight pours through the window and highlights the tropical scene. All that is missing is the piña colada! 

Thank you Photowall for giving me the opportunity to use your beautiful wallpaper to redecorate my office. I am so happy with the results!

Photowall

Photowall not only sells wallpaper and murals, but also canvas prints, framed prints, and posters. You can also upload your own image and create your own wallpaper, canvas print or poster.

If you would like to spruce up a room or simply add a cherished photo or two, I am happy to announce that Photowall is offering a 25 per cent discount to all my readers! Just use the code traceymckenziepw2020 at checkout. This offer is valid until the end of May 2020. •

Tags: blogDecoratingrenovationwallpaper

Related Posts

Queen of Colour
Design

Queen of Colour

January 27, 2022

Photography: Donna Griffith https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zITY9ORNpHo&t=4s It was a grey and blustery day in February, and I was thrilled that I was...

New and Improved
Interior Design

New and Improved

December 11, 2021

Photography: Larry ArnalStyling: Michaela Burns Michaela Burns has a way with lines. They appear as geometric shapes on wallpaper, in...

Mixing It Up
Featured-Homepage

Mixing It Up

November 18, 2021

Photography: Lauren MillerStyling: Ashley Montgomery Choosing the right designer to redesign and decorate their three-storey home in Toronto’s Rosedale neighbourhood...

Colour in the Kitchen
Interior Design

Colour in the Kitchen

November 1, 2021

Colour has become a delightful design element in kitchens in recent years. Cabinetry colours range from vibrant reds and oranges...

Nights at the Round Table—and Breakfast, too!
Design Finds

Nights at the Round Table—and Breakfast, too!

September 9, 2021

The legendary King Arthur is said to have chosen a round table for his court so that his knights would...

Lost and Found
Decor

Lost and Found

August 13, 2021

I am fascinated by the salvage of shipwrecks. Not only do I want catalogues and videos about the treasures found...

Next Post
Delightfully Daring Design

Delightfully Daring Design

  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Digital Issues
Made with ❤️ in Montréal

© 2020 Home in Canada

No Result
View All Result
  • Interior Design
    • Bathroom
    • Bedroom
    • Decor
    • Design Finds
    • Kitchen
    • Living Room
    • Paint
    • Renovations
  • Architecture
  • Landscape
  • Lifestyle
    • People
    • Places
    • Things
  • About Us

© 2020 Home in Canada