Redecorating, is photo wallpaper cool or tacky?

[bedraggledmumoftwo]

Have just started stripping wallpaper in what will be our lounge. Very old house and the current dodgy textured wallpaper has been there since the dark ages. I've hit on a massive photo wall (something like black and white new York city skyline) as a way to drag the room into the 21st century rather than just a fresh coat of paint. Dh said it would either look cool or kitsch or just tacky. Then he decided it would get in the way of him having a massive TV on that wall, so now he is against. But I am really keen and want some opinions on whether it is a terrible idea? It would be one whole wall so 12ft long and all the way up to the ceiling. Any thoughts?

Kitsch or tacky. But better than some of the crap you see on Ebay, like giant butterflies or words.

It's the sort of thing you either love or hate. I'd quite like it.

I think you will get bored with it in a lounge. There is one of these in our reception at work (well three actually). If I was the receptionist they would give me a headache.

Thanks. I did show him some horrible ones with flowers to contrast with the subtle one I've got my eye on, and I definitely wouldn't want words or people or bright colours, but I can see it is still controversial, hence the question.

I'd think tacky I'm afraid

I like stuff like that but I've reserved it for bedrooms rather than the living room.

I don't like tellys on the wall though so I'm encouraging you to go for it

Good point about it getting boring. But the thing is our current lounge is overrun with toys and so in attempt to try and get an adult space we are switching the rooms around and accepting that the current lounge is fundamentally a play room. So once decorated we would have an adult only space that would only be used for a couple of hours in the evening and the door would be shut the rest of the time to keep it as a sanctuary. So I quite like the idea of making it monochrome with a big mural type effect to contrast with the current lounge/playroom where we spend most of our time

Do you mean like a wall mural? I really like these, and have seen some very stylish lounges with them but they usually only have a low sofa on them or nothing at all. In fact it is normally a nature pic with minimialist furniture. We have them in both our childrens bedrooms, one is NYC and lots of people comment on how smart it is. But DS is 15 and only has a smallish tv on it so maybe not the look your going for!

Personally? Tacky. Try a tree/forestry print, still a bit tacky but doesn't stop me liking it!

You really don't get bored with it any time soon. I have murals years old and still love them.

As for tacky... Just how many people dress their houses for people who don't live there? It's your space do what you want

www.wallpapersofdistinction.co.uk/cole-and-son/woods/69-12147?gclid=CKH66KvC0coCFUsOwwod1pYM4Q

We also have a large kitchen diner so this room would not be where anyone spend much time, just post kiddy bedtime!

At the moment I am trying to go for the polar opposite of the hundred year old textured flowery wallpaper that currently covers every floor (and ceiling)

I think tacky, sorry.

Ceilings as well? Gawd! Maybe see what it's all hiding underneath and then make a plan.

I've just used some - black and white, collage of Victorian framed photos of posed people - for the loo in our Victorian house!! I really love it and it is much admired by all my friends. Or so they say. The DC loathe it and consider it "spooky" to be surrounded by total strangers dressed in their best watching you have a pee.

Thanks. Yes, like a wall mural. Basically wallpaper that turns one whole wall into a picture. Such as trees or a cityscape.

I'm so taken with the idea I might get some trees for the old lounge/playroom to make it more child friendly as it also has hideous beige textured wallpaper on every surface at the mo! But wouldn't do both. That is if I can't have my black and white city scape

Silver fingers, I can see that being eerie!

It's whatever you think it is. Do you really want others to decide for you?

Show us a pic.

That tree wallpaper at £72 a roll is fucking vile tho.

Go for it, I think it will look great.

Don't want to link to the actual one in case I out myself when I get it. But something like this...

www.photowall.co.uk/photo-wallpaper/bright-brooklyn-bridge-bw

Hacker just what I was thinking about that tree paper for £72 a roll - horrific! Reminds me of that Harry Enfield series of sketches where he says "I saw you coming..."

I loved the tree wall paper at centre parcs. Probably is a bit tacky but who cares?

I don't personally like the one you linked to as you see it everywhere...

On their site I quite like (variations on it and this one below may be a bit much!):-

www.photowall.co.uk/photo-wallpaper/aurora-1

Dont worry about what other people think, it's what you can stand to look at day after day and you won't get sick of the sight of.