15 Ways to Add Dramatic Florals to Walls and Ceilings

The key to making floral patterns look modern and not too sweet? Thinking big. The bolder, the better: Choose high-impact, high-contrast patterns and limit them to just one wall, or the ceiling, or to a chair or two to avoid overwhelming the space. Here’s a bouquet of inspirational spaces where florals make a sophisticated statement.

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August 08, 2018

By: Amanda Lecky

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Photo By: Donal Murphy

Photo By: Chipper Hatter

Photo By: Stephan Julliard

Photo By: company kd, llc.

Photo By: Graham and Brown

Photo By: Clara Jung

Indoor Garden

To give the dining room of a newly remodeled Manhattan apartment a fresh, family-friendly appeal, designer Adam Rolston of INC Architecture & Design treated one wall to a pattern of bold blooms. The floral pattern of Hygge & West’s "Petal Pusher” wallcovering adds a natural element to the urban space, while the gold and white colorway keeps the glam-factor high.

Perfect Arrangement

Carriage Lane Design-Build designer Carly Nemtean’s client had a vision: "a cozy, sophisticated space to enjoy after a long, busy day at the office." To make that dream a reality, Nemtean chose rich and contrasting colors for the space, including vivid pinks and purples. "The large-scale floral wallpaper by Ellie Cashman creates a dramatic backdrop for this flirty and bold feminine space," says Nemtean.

Growing Up

"The design for this child’s bedroom is mostly neutral, but one wall is papered with an oversized floral pattern to bring in some 'wow' factor," says designer Olga Alexeeva of Black and Milk. "Dusky-rose curtains complement the wallcovering, to create a scheme that’s unexpected and not remotely babyish."

Desk Set

"We created this look in a client’s home office," say the designers at Steele Street Studios. "We love the clean lines of the desk and how the geometric rug balances the organic shapes in the floral pattern on the ceiling. The ceiling is such a great space to add interest that so many people forget about."

Classic Character

Covering one wall with a bold floral pattern emphasized the Georgian period elegance of this Dublin bedroom. Choosing a style with a neutral background helps keep the overall look soothing and quiet, and not too over-the-top "feminine."

Builder Upgrade

"This powder room is in a standard builder home and the homeowner wanted to personalize each inch of the house with an elegant, luxury, hospitality feel," says designer Corine Maggio of CM Natural Designs. "Given the parameters of the space, it was quite the challenge! Painting the wainscot and ceiling black and adding accents of gold helped get us there—but it was the drama of the oversized Ellie Cachman floral wallpaper that really elevated the space."

Modern Vibe

For a teenage girl’s bedroom in Brentwood, CA, designer Jamie Bush took care to choose elements that felt fun, young, and in-keeping with the home’s Mid-century architecture. "The overall design plan was to create a dreamy retro ceiling to stare at from bed while matching its dynamic texture to the pink shag rug below and pulling a pale shade of blues from the Keith McCoy wallpaper, pulling the room together," says Bush.

Super-Sized

"This master bedroom is home to a mom of two who is inspired by color and isn’t afraid to be bold," say designers Tracy Martin Taylor and Pallavie Kale of Eleven 11 Design. "Bold" is exactly the right descriptor for the oversized floral wallpaper—JF Fabrics 'Antiquity' in colorway 99, from Stacy Coulter—the designers used behind the bed, where it succeeds in “softening the edges and adding some love” to the recently constructed space.

Seat of Honor

If you’re not ready to jump in the pool of oversized floral patterns, try dipping your toe in the water. Here, designer Caitlin Wilson covered the armchairs at either end of a classic dining table in her Navy Fleur Chinoise fabric, for an effect that’s eye-catching, but not overwhelming

Mixing it Up

"This home in Newton, Massachusetts reflects the character and essence of the homeowner's desire to blend chic style with a casual lifestyle," say the contractors at Sleeping Dog Properties. "Many of this home's whimsical details give off a casual feel, but required a great deal of planning, like the unique floral pattern adorning the ceiling in this dining area. The square shape of the room, the flatness of the ceiling, the desire to reinvent the space with contemporary stylings—all of these factors were considered to create this stunning room."

Small Wonder

Sometimes, it makes sense to think big in the smallest spaces. "We specifically used a patterned wallpaper from Signature Prints in the guest bath of this project to bring a unique personality and life to a small space," says designer Camilla Molders.

Playing With Proportion

To give a fairly small bedroom an outsized personality, Company KD chose an oversized floral wallpaper for the walls. Pops of coral at the windows helps move the eye around the room, creating an impression of greater size

Cozy Combo

A neutral color scheme can be restful—or downright snooze-inducing. Designer Douglas Graneto avoided the latter by adding energy to this quiet gray reading nook with brightly patterned floral curtains and a few hints of coordinating color on the chaise and shelves.

From: Douglas Graneto Design

Flower Show

Amy Butler’s Lacework pattern in the Moss colorway, designed exclusively for Graham & Brown, offers a geometric twist on a floral pattern. The soft blue and green color pairing looks fresh, yet modern—perfect for nearly any space.

Black and White and Chic All Over

The crisp and classic pairing of black and white gives a delicate floral pattern a smart, contemporary update. With the addition of a wood console and a black-framed mirror, the pattern creates the perfect welcoming note in a foyer.

From: Clara Jung

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