Design Direction

July 14, 2010 · Posted in Dining room design ideas, Wallpaper

Do you have a challenging space or need some design guidance? Design Direction is a chance for you to submit photos or videos of your design challenge(s) and a Vastu interior designer will provide you with some help. Every Wednesday we will feature one reader’s submission.

“Hello designers, I need your help. The original design of my dining room was pretty traditional, but I’m ready to change things up a bit. I’m thinking of wallpapering the space, but I’m not sure what to do since I have chair railing (which I want to keep). Should I do paper below the rail and not above, above and not below, or above AND below. Would love your thoughts. Thanks!”

Jamie says…

Great question! Personally, I prefer the look of applying wallpaper below the rail and painting above, though you could also do wallpaper above the rail and paint below. I wouldn’t recommend wallpapering both above and below the rail.

The reason I like the look of wallpaper below the chair rail is that I feel it gives the room visual balance – with the “heavy” design element being on the bottom. It also gives you the flexibility to do art on the wall surface above the chair rail. However, you can certainly wallpaper above the rail and paint below. My tip if you prefer the look of paper above the rail is to avoid a wallpaper that has a very busy pattern. It very busy pattern on so much wall surface can be distracting. Good luck!