The room initially appeared tired and dated, lacking the energy and functionality of the client designer. So, upon exploring our wallpaper selection, her client was immediately captivated. By the White & Grey Bold Tropical Leaves R8233 wallpaper. This striking pattern became the cornerstone of the room’s redesign plan.  

White & Grey Bold Tropical Leaves R8233

They added wallpaper to all walls above the chair rail, selecting complementary paint colors for the areas below and for the newly installed built-in storage cabinetry. The result is stunning, multifunctional space that seamlessly blends creativity and elegance, perfectly aligning with the client’s vision.  

This installation provided a cohesive foundation for this dining area because the wallpaper encompasses color, texture, pattern and style in a single material. Centering the design around the wallpaper gave a reflection of what her client’s personality is.  

We had the pleasure of speaking with Rhamin Ligon of My Haven Design about her experiences using Walls Republic wallpapers in her projects.

Below is our conversation:

Q: Why did you choose Walls Republic for your wallpaper needs?

A: "I really like the variety of styles and colors available through Walls Republic. I was immediately drawn to the options found on the website and the ease of ordering."

Q: What do you think sets Walls Republic apart from other wallpaper suppliers?

A: "The variety/selections available at Walls Republic are awesome. As an interior designer, one-stop-shopping is key to the success of my projects. I work with clients that have a wide range of style profiles from vintage to farmhouse to modern, and it’s wonderful to go to one site for all of my needs."

Q: Could you share a specific project where Walls Republic wallpapers played a significant role in achieving your design vision?

A: "This is a wonderful transformation of a dining room into a creative maker’s space - that can still host formal dinners when needed! This client wanted a space for crafting and creative work, and only used her formal dining room a couple times a year for holiday dinners. It was an obvious choice for her creative space, but the room looked tired and dated. It needed added storage for all her crafting supplies and an overall refresh to flow seamlessly with the rest of the house. My client fell in love at first sight with this wallpaper, and it was the inspiration for the entire space! We added paper to every wall above the chair rail, and chose paint colors for the area below the rail and the wall of new built-in storage cabinetry based on this fabulous wallpaper. The result and an absolutely gorgeous space that does double duty beautifully!"

Q: How do you incorporate wallpaper into your design process, and what role does it play in your creative vision?

A: "Wallpaper is the layer of texture and color that brings the other elements of the room together. Often I use wallpaper to link unusual or nontraditional color palettes, to make seemingly disparate colors come together in a joyful way! For clients that struggle with choosing colors or design style, looking at wallpaper can be really helpful because it brings together all the design elements in one material - color, texture, pattern and style. I often design whole spaces around my client’s wallpaper selection."

Q: What advice or tips would you offer to fellow interior designers when it comes to selecting and using wallpaper effectively in their projects?

A: "Don’t be afraid to choose wallpaper first and balance the rest of your design around that choice! Boldly use wallpaper in unusual places! With vinyl and peel and stick paper options, ceilings, appliance fronts, drawer fronts, bathroom niches and bookcases are all great places for a punch of color and design."

Q: Where do you find inspiration for your designs?

A: "When designing for myself or for clients, I usually start with understanding how a room should feel and function. Next, I let the ideas and dreams about the space inspire and guide the design choices. Inspiration is literally everywhere! Sometimes it’s a favorite color or piece of art, an idea from a magazine or the feeling invoked by being in public space like a hotel lobby or a restaurant. I use all of these elements to help my clients make creative, smart and functional choices that come together to create a beautiful space."

Q: Can you share a design trend you're currently excited about?

A: "I’m really excited about the use of saturated colors and bold patterns! I’m not a matchy-matchy designer and my aesthetic leans towards mixed patterns and unusual combinations of colors, so this trend suits me! Dark and moody rooms with color and pattern on every surface - even the ceiling - can be challenging, but what fun!"

Q: What role do colors play in your design process?

A: "Oh My Goodness!! Color is EVERYTHING! It sets the mood and tone of every space you live, work or play in. I will literally design a whole room based on a color story. No matter how good the choices are for furniture, fixtures, textiles, surfaces, etc… if you get the palette wrong the design is over…"

Q: How do you balance functionality and aesthetics in your designs?

A: "The rule says function first….. buuutttt, for me it kind of depends on the space we’re talking about - and the specific client can also make a difference. For workhorse rooms like kitchens, pantries, and bathrooms, I believe functionality is an absolute must and while I try to ensure that every element is beautifully designed, sometimes the function just has to come first. But for other spaces, like dressing rooms, kids rooms, makers spaces, libraries, etc., there’s more room for playfulness and whimsy and less need to strictly adhere to the rules."

Q: What's your favorite room to design, and why?

A: "I don’t have a favorite room to design, but I do like unusual, unique or awkward spaces. I love the challenge of making the best use of these spaces and surprising clients with bold, beautiful and functional designs in unexpected places!"

Q: Describe a project that was particularly rewarding for you.

A: "I had the opportunity to design a beautiful forever home for a couple in Washington D.C. The bones of the condo were already lovely, but needed significant updating and the clients wanted a completely different look and feel in the space. We completely transformed every room in the home included a one-of-a-kind “modern-vintage” French kitchen. I worked seamlessly with the homeowners and together we created incredible spaces that were beautiful, cohesive, and uniquely theirs."

Q: How do you incorporate sustainability into your designs?

A: "I really lean into using existing, vintage, and upcycled materials, furnishings, and textiles in every design. Not only does it help with stretching the budget and saving the planet, it also creates a space that feels as though it's been collected over time and not just newly purchased all at once. This creates a sense of history, warmth and cohesiveness."

Q: Can you share a design tip that everyone can use in their homes?

A: "To create an interesting space, avoid the matchy-matchy look, and instead consider that objects, finishes, textures and colors don’t have to be exactly the same or completely symmetrical to live in the same space. In other words, they don’t need to match, they just need to play nicely.

We are so happy we collaborated with talented designers like Rhamin of My Haven Design as it exemplifies our commitment to provide diverse, high-quality wallpaper selections that inspire and transform spaces. Her use of our White & Grey Bold Tropical Leaves R8233 wallpaper showcases how the right design elements can redefine a room’s purpose and aesthetic. What we love about her is her approach to integrating bold patterns and colors which aligns with our mission to support creative visions that bring joy and personality to any space.