We couldn’t be more thrilled to have New Orleans interior designer Chad Graci contact us about using Casart Faux Tortoiseshell 2 self-adhesive wallpaper on the ceiling of his Wine Room for the Baton Rouge Ivy Design Show House!
Wow, what a transformation from this nothing-there ‘before’ picture to the sublime, divine, transport-me-anytime-there reveal.
Frank Schnieder, Chad’s smart and conscientious wallpaper installer, contacted us beforehand to make sure he understood the installation application and that he had enough wallcovering to cover the space, knowing the pattern match might be difficult since it was random and they wanted to keep an authentic tortoiseshell appearance.
“We would need [an extra] section equal to the part to the left of the yellow line of the tape measure. This is essentially 52” wide by 24” long. This area is comprised of 12 rectangles.”
A medium roll of Faux Tortoiseshell 2 Natural in Casart Light covered the main part of the ceiling and a separate Bookcase Backing size was purchased to fill in the sides.
We directed him to our About Product page where he could click the caterpillar for specs / prep and the butterfly for installation pdf downloads. We explained the process is very easy; simply peel and stick the 52″ wide wallcovering to the ceiling and fill in on the sides with the extra amount to fill in the space with a butt-edge alignment as appropriate.
There were some steps to take beforehand like making sure the surface was clean and using a paint finish with a slight sheen (eggshell, for instance) as opposed to a flat (typical for ceilings), which would make it easier to reposition (remove and reuse) the wallpaper without complication. If newly painted, this would need to cure a couple weeks so the wallcovering could be removed, if needed, when the Show House ended. Frank followed all the instructions precisely and communicated with us throughout to prevent any unexpected surprises. We know from experience that a ceiling installation can be a little cumbersome, not to mention the potential neck strain — just because of the location. Fortunately, Casart wallcovering can make it easier than painting or traditional wallpaper because it goes on and comes off easily without hassle or mess.
Here’s Frank’s picture of the installation in progress. You can’t even see where the extra wallcovering was added. Frank did an excellent job! Just seamless! 😉
We asked Chad to send us his ‘after picture’ and for his thoughts about the project.
We were taken aback by how drop-dead-gorgeous the design was and the awesome talent Chad has to pull it all together! It’s hard to imagine the space going from such a blank canvas to this Divine Wine Room. He had the perfect vision.
We are always intrigued to learn about a designer’s creative process and our customers’ feedback when using Casart Coverings. Here’s what Chad had to say about the project with his answers to some interview questions that we asked:
I WAS INSPIRED BY A TRIP TO VENICE OVER THE SUMMER. THE LAYERING OF LUX MATERIALS AND TEXTURES.
A WINE ROOM THAT FELT LIKE A DESTINATION
THE CEILING! AND THE FLOOR
NO! THE CEILING WAS THE CRUX OF THE CONCEPT.
TO HIGHLIGHT THE CHANDELIER AND TO GIVE A JEWEL BOX EFFECT
LOOKS LIKE AUTHENTIC TORTOISESHELL.
YES, IT REALLY DID.
COST, CLEANABILITY AND EASE IN REMOVAL
NOT REALLY
JUST THE PATTERN MATCH
YES, I HAD MY DECORATIVE PAINTER EXECUTE. HER INSTA IS @IVYJMABIUS
COLE AND SON AND NOT PEEL AND STICK
IT IS A STRIE BY @IVYJMABIUS
ME? LOL
1960’S JAZZ OR WHATEVER WAS PLAYING AT EL MOROCCO NIGHTCLUB
I LOVE A WILLAMETTE VALLEY PINOT
We love the lagniappe answers too!
Here’s the uncanny thing, what are the odds that both Chad and Casart Coverings have New Orleans connections, which was not discovered until after a purchase was made? Who would guess that Venice is our favorite city, where we also get a lot of inspiration, and maybe why we like Chad’s design so much? Chad’s Wine Room also imibes that eccentric, European New Orleans magic. Finally, we look forward to meeting Chad in person when we travel back to our home town so we can sit down together with a delicious Willamette Valley Pinot Noir in hand while listening to a little Nina Simone, Ella, Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan and other jazz great singers in the background, all in a divine wine room.
We’ve really enjoyed working with you, Chad! Thank you so much for sharing your project which we know will inspire many others.
What do you think? How did we do? Give it your review and comment below.
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