It has been touted as one of the most recognizable wallpapers in the world…. “The Original” Martinique Banana Leaf wallpaper, which was created by decorator Don Loper in 1942 for the Beverly Hills Hotel, has since developed an iconic status amongst the design world.
I actually can’t remember when – or how – I first fell in love with this wallpaper, but I do know one thing…. It wasn’t Mr. Loper’s fabulous Martinque I fell in love with. It was my design idol Dorothy Draper’s Brazillance wallpaper, made famous at the Greenbrier Hotel in West Virginia. Look closely….
Martinique in Nicky’s kitchen
Steven Sclaroff via House Beautiful
Brian Atwood & Nate Berkus’s Milan Home via ElleDecor.
That is when I realized these were two different patterns! After a bit more research, I discovered that Carleton Varney produces all the original fabrics and wallpapers of Dorothy Draper, including her Brazillance. I promptly ordered a sample, and to my delight, a DOUBLE role was $136… a huge savings! Furthermore, the colors were exactly what I was looking for, including bright Pantone 2013 Color of the Year emerald green, as opposed to Martinique’s army green and mustard tones. It also had the crisp super white background I was looking for, and it contains black accents as opposed to brown, which is just so much more… well, Dorothy Draper.
Mr. Varney’s patterns are available for purchase through Carleton Varney by the Yard or through the Greenbrier Hotel Gift Shop. While you are there, check out their fabulous line of Brazillance pajamas and robes!
Beautiful powder room, via Bourbon & Pearls
Banana Leaf clad shoes and bags, Spring 2012.
What to Wear at The Greenbrier: Frances Valentine
A Chat With Carleton Varney
A Weekend at The Greenbrier with Carleton Varney
The Dorothy Draper Design Weekend!
Oh, thank you so much for placing me in such illustrious company!
I think we must be twins.
Thank you, Tabitha! I love, love, LOVE your blog, and your Martinique bathroom is fabulous!!
Oh and that's fascinating about the patterns, as I'm in UK it cost me $600 a roll!
Oh I'm trying to follow you, can you add an icon on your blog?
Tabitha, thank you SO much for the kind words! Your comments are my first on my brand new blog!! I'm working on the "follow me" icon, and will hopefully have everything finalized ASAP. Thank you for your patience, and I would be honored if you would follow me!! 🙂
LOVED this! Clearly we are wallpaper kindred spirits! Off to read some more here…:)
Ok I really thought I had decided on my wall paper choice. Then bam!!! Along comes this great post and I'm back to rethinking my first and very safe choice, grass cloth. Hummmmm…….
That wallpaper is SICK!!!! Both of them…..if I wasn't so fickle I would add a room of it in my home….:) Can't wait to see how yours turns out!
Gah! Like you , I thought that both wallpapers must be the same, but kept looking at the differences… Like the differences in the new colorways for the Martinique wallpaper. And like you, while in love with the Martinique print, the price, not so much. My burning question now is did you go into a showroom to purchase the Brazillance paper? The online website for Carleton Varney is not very helpful for making a purchase. And being all the way out in California… The showroom visit may have to be an excuse for a vacation 🙂
Great question! Our wallpaper hanger works with a designer who was kind enough to order it for me. However, if you don't have a decorator ID, you can also order it through the Carleton Varney Gift Gallery at the Greenbrier. Their number is 304-536-1110 extension 7450, or email [email protected]. They should be able to mail it to you. Please keep me posted! 🙂
XOXO,
The Glam Pad
You can purchase Brazilliance Wallpaper here directly: It is called Cote D'Azure at Designer Wallcoverings : Located in Los Angeles, CA : http://designerwallcoverings.com/WallpaperStore/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=26791
You can also buy the Martinique pattern from that same company or from Hinson in NYC. It is still being manufactured by the original company and has been since 1942.
http://designerwallcoverings.com/WallpaperStore/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&keyword=90210
And the original company, C.W. Stockwell, is and has been in business since the early 1900s, selling “Martinique” since its inception in 1940. Go to CWStockwell.com and let them hear from you.
Hi There,
I got SO excited when I found this post (even though it's a bit old and I'm late) because I've been trying to hunt down this wallpaper FOREVER.. I love the Martenique but its waaaay too expensive.
However, I just signed on to the website of the Carleton Varney Gift Galleryand it's $225 … not $136. Has the price just skyrocketed within the last year and a half?? Or do you have any other sources for this? The online website for Carleton Varney is not very helpful .. it doesn't list it as a product…
Thanks! Abby
Hi Abby,
Hmmm… maybe it did go up? You might try http://designerwallcoverings.com/WallpaperStore/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=26791
I'd love to know if their price increased as well. Thank you so much for popping by, and please let me know if you buy the wallpaper… I'd love to see pics!
XOXO,
The Glam Pad
I just checked: It is now $330 for a double roll at Carleton Varney. It is $188 a single roll at Designer Wall Coverings.
Oh so excitted to discover this wallpaper in a magazine [Australian Vogue] and then accidentally you by looking for an image to pin. Yay. Win win. Love what I am seeing. Your Glam Pad is right up my street, however far away. cheers!
SInce I have visited both The Greenbrier and The Beverly Hills Hotel and Love both. I actually prefer The Banana Leaf. It looks crisp and I love the pink accents as opposed to the Turquoise. But my all-time favorite hotel look is the fabulous Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. It is another Carlton Varney look and it is wonderful.
Come to my etsy store and I can supply the Brazilliance fabric by the yard.
My etsy shop is aurelia6311
dee
I absolutely love this article and your keen eye, and I REALLY LOVE YOUR BLOG! Just found you today via Mimosa Lane. Greetings from your latest follower! XO
So glad I found this post. Thanks for the info and comparison of the two. I'm totally leaning toward Brazillance now! I'm dying to see your finished dining room but it didn't come up on a search of your blog. Please let me know where I can find it! Thanks!
I'm on Team Dorothy. 🙂
Both are lovely, but like you, I prefer the print with more saturation in the colour.
This is such an amazing post – so informative. I'm currently researching the pattern since it's something I've also loved. Thank you for the great resources!
TwentyOne7 carries the Dorothy Draper fabric and wallpaper at prices well below retail. We can't begin to tell you how popular the Dorothy Draper Brazilliance pattern has been lately in the wallpaper and fabric.
Giving you exclusive access to "To The Trade" fabrics at prices well below retail!
Tell us what fabrics you would like to see and we will add them to our already
list of beautiful, chic and in style fabrics. Again, what we show is just the tip of the iceberg!
The people at Designer Wallcoverings offer no charge memos to the trade and well known customer service.
your blog has saved us a very costly mistake! i was sure the paper we wanted was the Martinique, but after reading your blog I realised that wasn't the case. thanks you so much! I don't suppose you know if we can buy it in the uk? thanks again
is this wallpaper removable?
No.
Is there anyplace that ships this to Australia because I found this place http://www.shopsocietysocial.com/products/brazilliance-by-dorothy-draper but it only sold to American States 🙁 #strayaproblems
I wanted to come back here and thank you for this post! It was an invaluable resource for me last year when I was trying to decide between Martinique and Brazilliance for our living room. In the end, it had to be Martinique! http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t63/lurkyloo/House%202015/FullSizeRender-4.jpg
Anyone know a supplier in the Uk?
OR a way to get a sample of Brazilliance? It's a bit if a struggle!
Thanks
DesignerWallcoverings.com offers this product world wide. They are the exclusive online resource for this product for over 10 years. Great service too.
It decorated Blanche's bedroom in Golden Girls http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OPa-pdybWRQ/UIjAH4OVdcI/AAAAAAAAA1g/KvGIXbP8Bv8/s400/Golden_Girls.jpg
Greetings! I realize this is a rather old post, but I’m scouring the internet looking for the best price on Brazilliance wallpaper. The best I’m finding is around $400 per double roll. If anyone has a lead on this at a better price, please feel free to email me at connorLcarson at yahoo dot com.
Cheers!
thank you so much!!
is this wallpaper removable?
This is absolutely brilliant! I love how pretty it all looks. Love the banana leaf wallpapers!