Shabby Chic Floral Patchwork Wallpaper

This week my husband and I wallpapered our bedroom wall. It used to be a very dramatic black with cream flowers that I had grown to hate and I was desperate for a change, but I couldn't find any wallpaper that was quite right despite scouring eBay and checking every shop that I could think of. Then inspiration struck in Cath Kidston in Newcastle where they had a patchwork wall to showcase all their wallpaper. If I remember correctly, it was actually my husband who suggested trying to create something like it! You know you've chosen a good egg when your husband is the one to suggest a patchwork wall with Cath Kidston wallpaper! I loved the idea and began our collection right there and then.

Finding complimentary wallpaper proved more difficult than I first thought, particularly when it came to smaller prints. We chose six wallpapers in the end, two expensive Cath Kidston wallpapers (my favourites of the bunch), one from eBay, one from Laura Ashley sale and two cheapies from B&Q.



From left to right:
B&Q Polka Dot Wallpaper, eBay Colemans Fleur Blue Shabby Chic Floral Wallpaper, Cath Kidston Antique Rose Wallpaper, Cath Kidston Rose and Bird Wallpaper in Green, B&Q Value Laura Wallpaper and the final one is from Laura Ashley, but it is no longer in stock. This is similar.

 

We weren't quite sure if it would work or how to go about it, but because it is a large wall we decided to cut larger squares. The Cath Kidston wallpaper measures 52cm across and all the others were 53cm so we cut almost squares of the Cath Kidston wall paper (52cm x 53 cm) and exact squares (53cm x 53cm) of all the other wallpapers and used the extra centimetres as overlap. For the first two rows of patchwork we laid the paper out on the bed to check we liked the design, after that we just did it row by row and scribbled on the wall in pencil so we didn't get too confused. We wanted it to be a random rather than a repeating pattern, but this required a bit of work!



The overlap was really handy to have and we pasted each square then carefully went over all the edges with a roller. It took a lot of time, but worked well.



It took most of the day to complete the wall. We spent a couple of hour having afternoon tea but worked late into the night. Here it is during the day with out bed in front of it:



What do you think? I know it's not to everyone's taste (my parents hate it), but I absolutely love it. I can't stop looking at it! I live in a three storey house and this room is on the top floor, but I keep making excuses to run upstairs just to sneak a glance! The room still needs a few finishing touches like a new blind. I am thinking of doing a room tour post once it's finished. I know I love looking at other people's homes so if anyone is interested in that let me know.