When I last wrote about our basement design project, we had just finished paint basement stairs! This change made such a big difference, and it was the first of a few updates I knew I wanted to make to the basement stairwell.
Today I’m writing about the latest update to our basement design project: the wallpaper I selected for the basement stairwell.
Read on for all the details on why I chose the wallpaper pattern I made.
The Ottoline wallpaper I chose for the basement stairwell
I chose a bold and unique wallpaper pattern from Ottoline called Bloomsbury Stripes. I love the colors, the scale and the fact that it reads like a stripe, but with a big twist. This wallpaper will be installed on the upper walls of the basement stairwell, extending from the ceiling to the painted woodwork. I think this wallpaper would make a big impact in any smaller space like a powder room or hallway.
Here’s why I chose this Ottoline wallpaper
This was a really difficult wallpaper to select as there are so many design elements around where it will be installed! The stairs open directly into the kitchen dining areagarage entrance hall, guest bathroom and Birdie’s bedroom (formerly the guest room). I had to think about how the wallpaper would go with the design of each of these rooms. I also had to think about how the wallpaper would play with the adjacent materials, mainly the texture of the marble floor and the woodwork on the walls. Any wallpaper pattern that was on the same scale as the paneling felt bad, as did any pattern that looked too organic like the veins on marble.
Initially, I considered wallpaper with a small polka dot pattern, but I kept coming back to this zigzag striped pattern Ottoline Pattern. There is something about the scale of the pattern and the colors of this wallpaper that works very well with the adjacent wood and marble materials. It acts as a nice bridge between all the different design elements. It also works as a beautiful backdrop in the colors of the kitchen cabinets!
What is the next step in the basement design project
Here’s a list of upcoming updates, most of which will take place throughout this summer:
- Install Ottoline wallpaper at the top of the basement stairwell.
- Add a new light fixture at the top of the stairwell.
- Install a new stair railing.
- Install a new handrail in the stairwell.
- Bring some extra furniture and decorative pieces into the basement family room. A few of the parts I ordered arrived this month! The family room already looks so different, in the best way.
- Update Wine Cellar (see more of this piece in this post). We will whitewash or paint the brick, update the light fixtures and upgrade the plumbing.
Kate is currently learning to play the ukulele, much to the chagrin of her husband, children and dogs. Follow her on Instagram at @wianddelight_.
