For followers of our Instagram, Patrick O’Donnell’s study is a familiar sight. In fact, ‘What colour is on the wall behind you?’ is one of the most common questions our Brand Ambassador is asked. However, recently, he’s given that well-known wall a makeover.
‘From deep dark green to bright, breezy blue.’ He summarised.
We sat down with the man himself to find out all about the changes to this iconic backdrop.
Before
‘My little study has been well documented over the last couple of years. It proved mighty popular in its previous incarnation of Minster Green. Although I loved it as it was (and slightly mourn its passing) a refresh was in order. The walls and woodwork definitely required some TLC so this was an opportunity to totally refresh the space, making it feel bigger and brighter.’
During
‘Before deciding on a scheme, my first step was to reconfigure the layout. The room is quite cosy but I wanted to be able to move around it better, rather than the previous arrangement, which created a corridor down the middle of the space. I used tape to mark on the floor where I planned to place the desk and chest of drawers, so I could make sure I had space and flow.
‘Once I was happy with new layout, I could get to the fun bit: colour. This was mildly dictated by the existing blinds, which were to stay in situ. I erred towards blue and pondered between Sloe Blue, Chinese Blue and Stone Blue. The latter eventually won the vote thanks to the surprising warmth through it. The timing of this project was perfect for exploring the possibility of wallpaper too, as we had just re-introduced some Archived designs. I opted for Renaissance Leaves, which plays to my obsession for small motif prints — they allow space for art without feeling too distracting!’
After
‘Now, the space feels far more functional. I have even covered the wardrobe door behind my chair with adhesive cork tiles, which has become an ever-changing mood board of inspiration for fabrics, art, photos etc.
‘So yes, I do slightly miss the dark green, especially at this time of year when it looked so beautiful lit with lamps in the darker evenings. However, the room now feels generous, light and, dare I say it, clean.’
Explore More Wallpaper
From the small prints that Patrick prefers to the drama of our large-scale designs, we have a pattern to suit every style and space. Whichever you choose, all of our wallpapers are handcrafted with our very own paint for unrivalled depth and irresistible texture.