WALLS GO WILD
We think of wallpaper as a decorative backdrop. What, then, to make of wallpapers bent on pulling the viewer into their world? ¶ So-called narrative wallpapers are not new — the famous French toile de Jouy, with its fine-lined 18th century pastoral scenes, celebrated its 200th anniversary in July. Today’s narratives, however, turn the form on its head. Brooklynbased Flavor Paper had an immediate hit several years back with Brooklyn Toile, designed with and for the Beastie Boys’ Mike D to document images of his youth — Notorious B.I.G., Hasidic Jews and a tagged-up train, among them. This summer saw the release of Best Coast from local wallpaper house Cavern, illustrating L.A.’s icons. ¶ Toiles are not the only narratives out there. Designer Katie Deedy of Grow House Grow, also in Brooklyn, notes: “Every time I design a wallpaper, the story comes first.” Complete stories accompany her samples: A quirky 1909 newspaper article about a swimsuit-wearing monkey discovered in a Far Rockaway bathhouse, for example, sparked Grow House Grow’s In the Bathhouse wallpaper. ¶ Key to these narratives are their interplay with the viewer and the reactions they trigger, from a surprised chuckle to deep nostalgia. “There’s a lot of emotion in these,” Deedy says. “It adds depth to a home and a wonderful talking point as well.” ¶ Norinne DeGal, purveyor of many of these papers at her Beverly Boulevard shop Walnut Wallpaper, agrees. “Anything that has an added story behind it is more interesting to me. It only adds to the allure of the paper.” ¶ Here are some narratives that might satisfy your sense of whimsy — or your need to tell a new story on the wall of your home.