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Wallpaper trends might come and go, but some prints never seem to go out of style. From the whimsy of Scalamandré's leaping zebras, the retro vibes of a David Hicks motif or the timeless appeal of Sister Parish, we've rounded up some of the iconic patterns that have captivated generations of design lovers. Read on for the stories behind them—and to see the stunning ways decorators are using them today.
Harlem Toile by Sheila Bridges
Back in 2006, decorator Sheila Bridges released Harlem Toile, a reinterpretation of the classic French toile de jouy motif that intersperses the usual pastoral scenes with modern-day African American life in the Manhattan neighborhood where Bridges lives. Nearly a quarter century later, her design has become a true classic in the worlds of both interior design (it's part of the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum's permanent collection) and fashion (check out Bridges's collaborations with Converse and Union Los Angeles).
Harlem Toile by Sheila Bridges
Bridges originally designed the pattern for her own home (she used the yellow colorway in her kitchen).
Les Touches by Brunschwig & Fils
Developed from a post-World War II folio of photographs and introduced into the Brunschwig & Fils collection in 1965, Les Touches is a longtime decorator go-to—in fact, it's so popular that Brunschwig recently released both the wallcovering and matching fabric in nine new colorways.
Les Touches by Brunschwig & Fils
Danielle Rollins went all-out with Les Touches (and matching blue lacquer) in the butler's pantry of her Atlanta home.
Dolly by Sister Parish Design
The legendary Sister Parish designed this famous print, which she named after one of her best friends, for her own Maine summer house. Sister Parish Design re-introduced the pattern as part of its fabric and wallpaper line in 2000.
Dolly by Sister Parish Design
This Dallas guest room by Cathy Kincaid is the designer's homage to Parish. "I'm friends with her granddaughter, Susan Crater, and I once stayed in the guest room at Mrs. Parish's summer house in Maine. Everything was exactly the way she had designed it, as if she still lived there and had just gone out for a walk on the beach," she told House Beautiful.
Zebras by Scalamandré
When Gino Circiello needed help decorating his eponymous Manhattan restaurant in the mid-1940s, he called upon his friend Flora Scalamandré of the famed textile and wallpaper house. Faced with a tight budget and "shoe box" dimensions, per the New York Times, Scalamandré decided to create a show-stopping zebra motif for the walls. Gino closed in 2010, but the wallpaper lives on.
Zebras by Scalamandré
Designer Starrett Ringbom used this powder room favorite (see: The Royal Tenenbaums) in the Gramercy apartment of a client who'd grown up going to Gino's.
Lyford Trellis by China Seas
Scheerer often uses the wall covering in his own projects, like this Dallas dining room.
Citrus Garden by Schumacher
Josef Frank, the prolific Austrian architect and designer, hand-drew the original Citrus Garden motif in 1947. It remains one of his most recognizable designs—and a favorite for designers looking to impart a bit of whimsy into any space.
Toile de Nantes by Pierre Frey
Based on an 18th century motif, this ikat amassed loyal followers including the late Estée Lauder, who used it in the bedroom of her Hamptons home in the 1970s.
The Vase by Clarence House
David Hicks, one of the most well-known designers in British history, created this vase motif for Clarence House in the mid-1970s.
The Vase by Clarence House
Krista Ewart used the pattern to brighten up her home's breakfast nook. "The yellow is so fresh and sunny!" she says.
Hicks' Hexagon by Cole & Son
Another Hicks creation, this geometric print is quintessentially Swinging Sixties. Cole & Son now offers it in a range of colorways, from neutral to bold, and two different sizes.
Hicks' Hexagon by Cole & Son
Ashley Darryl paired the metallic pattern with copper and gold for a glamorous powder room.
Chiang Mai Dragon by Schumacher
This Art Deco-influenced chinoiserie print has been among Schumacher's most popular designs since it was introduced.
Chiang Mai Dragon by Schumacher
Kalah Talancy of KT2 Design Group in Massachusetts created a party-ready butler's pantry featuring an accent wall in Chiang Mai.
Steven Sclaroff used Martinque for the vestibule of a TriBeCa apartment. “The huge scale almost pushes you from the confined space into the open spaces of the loft," he says.
