Wallpaper Without the Commitment

My life started far from design or man made goods. It began on a dairy/chicken farm where mud holes and manure piles always exist. But beautiful was alive and well on these 90 acres of freedom. In the spring time my siblings and I would run through the woods on a carpet of sweet smelling, lavender flocks. I can still feel the soft current of creek-water tugging on my ankles while wading on hot summer days. Or the sunsets that drenched our entire valley most evenings.

As a young girl in the 90s I watched my single aunts create bedrooms that felt nothing like the old, Amish farmhouse they lived in– and everything like who they were. Leona had floral curtains, the fluffiest bed, and lace drenched decor. Scented candles, brass, and beauty was everywhere. Rachel preferred nostalgic romance, like Anne of Green Gables, a writing desk with wax sealed envelopes and all the classic dress up attire. My entire life I deeply drawn to beauty, craved it actually.

Fast forward with me to 23 as I sit beside my boyfriend at an auction watching him buy a rental home. My heart welled with pride watching him close on his first property. We had not seen the inside of the house, I remember the strange mix of excitement and relief when he looked at me and said, "don't worry- you'll never have to live here."

Now, as we approach our 10th anniversary where do you think we still call home?
Yes. The rental.
The first years few things were done by me to make it beautiful. The exterior shape feels wonky and I despise the interior layout. The 3 bedrooms are crammed upstairs, sweltering in the winter, freezing in the summer while the lower levels do the opposite. I was convinced we would move. Build. Upgrade. Something would change. But it didn't. Between investing in other dreams, building a life, and bringing 3 children into the world — we stayed.

As our children grew, it dawned on me that they'll remember this house their entire life. They'll remember cozy corners to eat Sunday night popcorn, sitting at the kitchen island chatting about school while mom cooks dinner. And the majestic bird's eye view that greets us at breakfast every morning, certainly deserves a beautiful dining room. So I began wallpapering, painting, and creating. I didn't need perfect, I needed meaningful. It has taught me that any home can be beautiful if we're willing to put in the work and heart.

Why tapestries? You might ask. Let me explain. 5 years ago I purchased 2 oversized tapestries made of Japanese paper from Anthropologie. The impact and efficiency makes my heart sing. Beauty that could move with me and I am able to hang them myself with only a few pushpins. At some point I began asking dangerous questions. Dangerous?
Yes. Dangerous. Any creative will relate.
"What designs would I like to see on the wall as I craft with my children at the kitchen table? What words would I like to read as I clean the house (again) or hang in the boys room– quietly shaping their little hearts as they grow?
What tapestries do I want my precious children to see in the background of their core childhood memories?"

After hours of scouring the internet for paper options, research, and creating 3 designs- printed samples finally appeared. Holding these tangible pieces in my hands felt equally scary and exhilarating. But one by one they disappointed. One looked like cheap, glossy plastic, another tore easily, or the sticker shock printing cost had me letting this dream pass. At some point the print shop presented me with a proof on a canvas they happened to have in stock due to an order cancellation many moons ago. Hallelujah. The colors soften as it soaks into the neutral, uncoated fabric. The raw, frayed edges carried that old-world charm I love. And the durability? It felt substantial. Like something that could outlast trends. Something worthy of becoming part of a family story.

After seeing the printing prices for 1 vs. 6+ I had yet another dangerous thought. Do other woman also need wallpaper without the commitment? After posting a few photos, along with an empty promise of not starting a business– here we are. From site creation to shipping tubes, most spare moments of this long, cold Ohio winter were spent dreaming and scheming. We (children + I) also made lots of wax messes– but that's a story for another day.

If you're like me, attempting to bring beauty to characterless homes and daunting empty walls–I created these for you. While I love a good gallery wall, it usually leaves behind a damage one. Thrifting (therapy btw) takes years of patience and rummaging. Mass produced wall art from Hobby Lobby? Stale. Here are some of my favorite spaces to hang a tapestry:
1. The awkward gap between couch and a lower ceiling.
2. Above a buffet as a backdrop for a lovely coffee setup.
3. As a headboard. (At 84" wide, they work beautifully for Queen or King)
4. Vertically, on the facing wall at the end of a hallway.
5. Strange sized corner? Simply trim the tapestry with scissors to accommodate your space (keeping text placement in mind).

May God continue to teach us gratitude and true joy in this season of "Someday Home" living on a Pinterest board, hanging tapestries, and making beautiful homes where he has us, today.