Choosing the Perfect Wallpaper with Love vs. Design
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Your entryway is more than just a transition zone; it’s the first impression of your home. Recently, I decided my own entryway needed a personality boost. To be perfectly honest, it was feeling a little boring—definitely not the vibe I want guests to get when entering our home.
Disclosure: I’m so excited to partner with Love vs. Design for this project! They were kind enough to provide the wallpaper materials for this makeover in exchange for this post. As always, all opinions are 100% my own—I’m never obligated to love a product, but in this case, I genuinely do. Their quality and tools are amazing, and I’m thrilled to recommend them to you!I want something that feels curated, timeless, and perfectly balanced with the natural vibes of our home here at House by the Preserve.
Designing Without Limits: Enter Love vs. Design
When I started looking for wallpaper, I felt limited by standard colorways. Then I found Love vs. Design. What really blew me away is that you aren't stuck with the colors you see on the screen. Their website allows you to completely customize the colors of every single wallpaper pattern.
I spent hours (it was honestly so much fun!) playing around with different shades, swapping out background tones, and trying combinations I never would have thought of. From “Sage” and “Air” to more earthy neutrals, the palette is huge. It feels like you’re truly the designer of your own space.
The In-Home Test Drive: Why Samples are a Must
I ended up ordering 9 custom-colored samples, experimenting with a variety of patterns and the different wallpaper materials they offer. I’ll be honest: I had too much fun playing around with the color customization tool on their site! By the time I hit order, I loved every single design, but I didn't realize quite how difficult the final decision would be until they arrived. Every sample was stunning, and I’m convinced I could have made any of them work in our home.
Pro Tip: If you're stuck between patterns, order the samples! They are only $6 each, which is such a small investment to avoid a major design mistake. You can even order them in any of their four distinct material types (like their Peel-and-Stick or traditional Canvas) to see which texture fits your walls best. Seeing the true color and tactile finish in your own light is irreplaceable.
To narrow it down, I taped all nine samples to the wall and left them there for a full 24 hours. This test drive allowed me to watch how the colors shifted from the bright, crisp morning glow to the soft, moody afternoon light.
Most importantly, it helped me see how the patterns interacted with the curtains we already have in the entryway. A pattern might look perfect on a screen, but it can feel off the moment it’s next to your existing textiles. This step was my "aha!" moment, helping me confidently eliminate the options that just didn't vibe with our current decor.
The Moodboard vs. The Reality
Once I narrowed it down to my final two contenders—Nouveau Blooms and Floral Legacy—it was time to see the big picture. I gathered the foundational elements I knew were staying in the space to create a cohesive mood board:
The Textiles: Deep sage greens and vintage-inspired tassels to add a touch of old-world charm.
The Accents: Classic blue and white porcelain and warm gold frames for that timeless, collected look.
Looking at the textures spread out on my table, I was 100% convinced that Nouveau Blooms was the winner. It felt soft, intentional, and looked absolutely stunning alongside my decor. I was ready to commit... but then, I used the ‘See It in Your Space’ tool.
The Digital Switch
I uploaded a photo of my actual entryway into the Love vs. Design room visualizer to see how the two finalists behaved on a larger scale. That is when my choice completely flipped. In the visualizer, I realized that while Nouveau Blooms was beautiful in a small sample, it tended to fade into the background when applied to the entire wall. It lacked the "wow factor" and impact I was craving for an entryway. On the other hand, Floral Legacy immediately stood out; it became the star of the show and perfectly framed our arched doorway with a sense of architectural structure.
The Aha! Moment
This is where the process got really fun. After seeing the two side-by-side, I realized I actually preferred the specific shade of blue from the Nouveau Blooms flowers over the blue I had originally ordered in the Floral Legacy sample.
Because Love vs. Design allows for total customization, I went back into the editor, swapped the blue on the Floral Legacy pattern to match the one I loved from the other sample, and boom—perfection. I was able to create a hybrid design that took the best parts of both finalists!
Making the Final Call: Scale and Presence
This experience taught me that while a moodboard is great for checking color harmony, the See It in Your Space tool is essential for understanding scale and presence.
The Floral Legacy brings a sense of order and traditional elegance that makes the entryway feel like a deliberate, designed experience the moment you walk through the door. It balances the height of the ceilings and adds a sophisticated "designer" touch that the space was missing.
Wallpaper Selection Checklist
If you're planning your own makeover, here is my quick advice:
Customize Your Colors: Don't settle for "close enough." Match your wallpaper to your existing rug or curtains.
Order Multiple Samples: Textures and sheens look different in person than they do on a backlit phone or computer screen.
Use the Visualizer: It’s free technology—use it! It will save you from a very expensive mistake.
Check Your Lighting: Look at your samples at 9:00 AM, noon, and 7:00 PM.
What do you think?
Do you prefer the subtle, airy vibe of the Nouveau Blooms, or are you Team Floral Legacy with me? It’s amazing how a 2D moodboard can tell one story while a 3D visualizer tells another!
Drop a comment below and let me know which one you would have picked for the House by the Preserve!
I’m a mom of two and wife to a seriously supportive hubby, living our best life in our forever house by the preserve! I'm all about helping you create a stylish, Pinterest-worthy home on a budget. Let's obsess over interior design, home decor, DIY, and home improvement projects to help you create your best home. Follow along and say hello! I love hearing from you.
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