Vintage Wallpaper Takes on a New Life in Unexpected Places

During a snowy New England day in 2004, I decided to cover some of our switch plate covers throughout our home in a few patterns from a couple 1950’s wallpaper sample books I had found at a barn sale that summer. At first my husband, Mark, thought I was a little nuts, but once they were up on the walls, we were both amazed at how much impact they had — like miniature pieces of artwork — we couldn't stop looking at them!

About a year later we decided to move south to Tennessee and put our house on the market. When the house sold, the buyers wrote in the contract that the switch plates in the home remain there. It was then that we thought we had something that would appeal to others who are also tired of their lackluster, almond-colored, plastic switch & outlet covers…an item in the home that’s used daily, but oft completely overlooked and ignored.

We started collecting rolls of vintage wallpapers in as many styles and pattern varieties as we could find. In 2006, we opened up an Etsy shop and started selling our switch plates online. Eventually we started covering tissue box covers and then drum lampshades. We also set up shop at various craft shows around the U.S. to gain exposure for our wares.

All of our items are made to order with our own hands right here in our home studio in middle Tennessee. We pride ourselves on craftsmanship, attention to detail, and quality customer service. Our wall plates are jumbo-sized to show off as much vintage pattern as possible and the plates are made in the USA. We hand construct our tissue box covers from wood for a sturdy box that will last a very long time. Our drum shades are also constructed by us with lamp rings and parts made in Texas — each one is made to order per customer specifications. We work a lot with customers making sure they get exactly what they are hoping for — the wide variety in patterns offers a lot of options!