Hello, Gentle Readers! I hope you’re enjoying the last gasp of summer. For me, June was a million years long, July went by in a flash, and August…well, let’s just say I’m holding onto every last hour ;)
ANYway, I recently became curious about the origins of the wallpapers we all recognize. Even if we don’t know their names or who manufactures them, chances are good that we’ve seen these patterns somewhere.
Scalamandré’s iconic red, black, and white Zebras wallpaper is arguably one of the most famous wallcoverings of all time.
Did you know that the pattern is 80 years old? It was born in 1945 – designed not by the famous textile manufacturer, but by Valentino Crescenzi for a restaurant.
Gino Circiello, the owner of Gino of Capri, a tony restaurant on the Upper East Side of NY, commissioned Crescenzi to create a zebra design for the walls (always wanted to go on safari, did our Gino). After a fire in 1973, another friend, Flora Scalamandré, recreated the design, and an icon was born.
Gino’s attracted all manner of famous folks, including Marilyn Monroe and Ol’ Blue Eyes himself — perhaps even together ;)
More recently (good heavens, nearly 25 years ago!) you’ve seen Zebras in Wes Anderson’s The Royal Tenenbaums, which reinforced its status as quintessential New York high style.
Today, Zebras wallpaper is available in MANY colorways other than the red, if your installer is willing to trim the paper him/her/themself. (Wallpaper is complicated!)
Years ago, I proposed the yellow for a vintage black and white bathroom to freshen it up. It would have been so amazing that I almost thought the black toilet could stay. Almost ;)
My gorgeous friend and influencer Imani (we did a few fun collaborations on YouTube, actually) used Zebras in the brown colorway in her dining room. I think it looks fantastic.
I’m about to use the red Zebras above red lacquered wainscoting in a room with a black-and white stone checkerboard floor. I mean, come ON!!! I can’t wait.
Zebras is gorgeous, don’t you think? And cheeky! I mean, there’s a reason it has endured.
The only issue for me as a designer is overuse: I’m really careful about where I recommend my clients use it.
The design is SO iconic that when you put Zebras on your walls, you aren’t just saying, “Isn’t this a great pattern?” You’re also saying, “I get it. I’m in the know.” There’s a wink involved.
Zebras also appeals to people who might shy away from bold patterns because — and I don’t mean this to sound judgmental; not at all — it’s safe. It’s safe because it’s been time-tested and universe-approved. Nothing wrong with that.
Starting next Wednesday, I’ll be doing an occasional series on Instagram called, cleverly, “Wallpaper Wednesday.” Some are icons, some are just beautiful wallpapers I think that you, as decorating enthusiasts, should know about. I hope to see you there.
Annie Elliott Design is accepting new projects for fall and winter. We’d love to work with you — please contact us to discuss!