
Prints Charming: Wallpaper for Michelle Obama
This article highlights the work of Alan Rada, a wallpaper installation expert known for his precision and playful design sensibility. Rada gained significant recognition after installing wallpaper in the White House for Michelle Obama, who was redecorating her husband's private study, dining room, and the Oval Office for his 49th birthday. Despite a tight deadline, Rada, assisted by extra staff, completed the project using a natural stripe for the office and Barkskin paper for other areas. His meticulous approach to his craft, where there is little room for error, has solidified his reputation, leading to high-profile projects in locations such as Manhattan's Plaza Hotel and Teddy Roosevelt's historic estate.
Now, Rada is a sought-after professional by Palm Springs residents eager to enhance their desert homes with distinctive wall coverings. He shares insights into current wallpaper trends, noting a shift from minimalist beige designs to vibrant, busy prints featuring large palm leaves, stripes, and elephants. Rada advises a cautious approach to these bold patterns, suggesting that homeowners first try wallpapering a single wall to ensure they genuinely love the design before committing to an entire room. He also emphasizes considering how artwork will integrate with the chosen pattern.
For color selection in desert homes, Rada recommends sunrise colors like bright greens and oranges, or sunset hues such as turquoise and burnt sienna, stressing the importance of selecting a cohesive color family. Popular prints for desert residences include modern trellis patterns, certain Victorian designs in suitable colors, and especially palm fronds and banana leaf motifs, alongside classic stripes. Regarding scale, Rada advises against using large prints in small rooms or on small walls unless a wild, unconventional look is desired. Conversely, larger spaces can accommodate larger patterns effectively. He recounts his wildest project: installing red wallpaper adorned with silver foil dragons throughout an entire hallway in a Manhattan home, which created an intense, antique Oriental smokehouse ambiance.
Rada sources his wallpapers from approximately 20 manufacturers, including Elizabeth Dow from East Hampton, New York; Graham and Brown in England; and Flavor Paper in Brooklyn. He specifically mentions relying heavily on supplies from Sherwin Williams when working on projects in the desert, underscoring the practical considerations for material selection in different environments. His expertise offers valuable guidance for anyone looking to incorporate wallpaper to make a bold statement in their home.
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