How to Pair Modern Wallpaper with Vintage Art
I absolutely love a wall full of vintage artwork. They add such texture, color and charm to a room. But if I could get what I really wanted in my rental, it would be a to back those bad boys with some wallpaper. Because there is NOTHING sexier to me than some vintage art on a modern wallpaper. In my opinion, it is the easiest way to merge modern and vintage together with the biggest impact. Like....blow your mind kind of impact.
I mean, LOOK at that picture above! (And follow Gen on Instagram if you don't. Not only will you want to be her best friend but her taste is so freaking on point, it isn't even funny). That Schumacher wallpaper...be still my heart. Also...adding the black top to that toilet is genius. Black is such an easy way to ground a room that has a lot going on with color and pattern.
Here are some suggestions on how exactly to pair a modern wallpaper with a vintage piece of art.
1) Match Colors
Trying to match the colors will help the eye blend the old and the new and make the image seem less stoggy.
2) Match the Lines
Another trick is to try and match the movement of the lines. If wallpaper has a lot of circular movement, you will want to find a more fluid print. So below, both the wallpaper and the picture are both very angular so it works well together to blend.
3) Match Busy Paper with Calm Art (and vice versa)
This will help make the art stand out if the background is busy and the image is more crisp. Also, notice how the print is very muted and the strokes are very light. It really matches nicely with the very busy wallpaper going on in the background.
4) Match Mediums
See how both the wallpaper and the art (the background) have a more watercolor feel?
4) Think Outside of the Box
When we start getting into really wild wallpaper, think simple-out-of-the-box art. This is actually a piece of edged wood. Doesn't the warmth and texture of the wood pair so well with busy wallpaper?
Do you have wallpaper that is the backdrop for vintage art in your house? How do you make the pair work?